The days of simply using some tight hip hop loops seem to be something of the past for the genre, it is branching out. In fact the genre of hip-hop itself, as it was known, is a thing of the past. Today the musicality of the genre has moved forward in leaps and bounds. The more artistic in the game are using live instruments, while their arrangements have lots of crescendos and breaks which gives the songs more complexity.
Infused into the tracks, you will find rapping, singing and even the spoken word, while the style is blended and blurred with rock, pop and another alternative musical influences. Some modern day artists even go over and above this challenge by creating concept albums with epic-sounding soundscapes and visionary lyrical themes. If you like hip-hop artists that are taking more musically complex directions rather than being devoted to some stuff you can slap in the car and feel the base thump, I would highly recommend Charles Luck & Black Astronaut.
Their debut “Life On Mars” is a very mature album made by a collective of artists that are by this time wanting to branch out and expand the horizons of the genre and do things that interest them, rather than make simple ‘bangers’. Black Astronaut is comprised of lead songwriter Charles Luck, rapper and singer Tino Red, the rappers Gyro, InZane, Sticky Bud, Vedo, B Daz, and Flipleaf. The group also has 4 dedicated singers in Muze, Jonathan BT, Zack David, and Addie.
The spoken word intro “The Race” sets the tone for…the unexpected. Because when the Bowie-based, “Life On Mars (David Bowie Interpolation)” kicks in, you’re know that you’re in for an otherworldly experience. The stark beautiful piano and string dominated backing is the perfect canvas for the singer to paint one of the most astounding vocal interpretations of this song, I have ever heard. You would have to look towards Adam Lambert or Mika to find another voice with such impacting range and power.
“Land Of The Lost (Produced By Collectif40 Beats)” is the first introduction to the hip-hop intentions rooted in this album. The musicianship here again is at its finest, and Tino Red delivers in such a personal way that you can’t help but to be drawn in. Tino has a unique killer flow over a grooving beat and a melodic chorus that will keep you hooked.
I’m not sure if “Charles Luck Ft. Tino Red – Muse (Produced By Rodven Martinez)”, is the best track on the album, but it certainly has an inspired feeling and urgency to it. Aside from the creative soundscapes, and 3 tracks in, one thing already becomes evident. Charles Luck & Black Astronaut has some of the most melodic and catchy sung choruses around.
Motivated to make this album a musically unique experience, Charles Luck & Black Astronaut make magic by combining a healthy mix of disparate sound elements and legendary song samples. They do this with Pink Floyd on “Lunar Lunatics (Pink Floyd Sample)”, with David Bowie on “The Show (David Bowie Sample)”, and then again with The Beatles on “Stardust (Beatles Interpolation)”.
None of these songs make use of the regular cheesy and cheapskate sampling, by just chopping a song up and singing or rapping over the top. Instead the samples are tastefully and subtly infused into the mix, and then intelligently expanded upon with deep-thinking lyrics, great rapping and soulful singing.
“Life On Mars” by Charles Luck & Black Astronaut is a must-have, must-listen masterpiece that is sure to stimulate the mind and intrigue any real hip hop fan. If it does not dazzle you the first play through, be alarmed and check your pulse rate.
However, at the same time it is fair to say that “Life On Mars” was probably not constructed to be only loved at the very first listen. So repeat plays will only be beneficial as you uncover the hidden mysteries the music has to offer. And with time, this will certainly become one of your favorite albums!
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