An alternative hip hop concept album with more soul than a Starsky & Hutch convention, The Stars & The Moon from MusicByJam is a marriage of enthusiastic groove and strong narrative.
Jamaine Obeng, or Jam, is the a 24 year old producer from London responsible for the album. Collaborating with his expat friends J.Ross and Emarr (check out Emarr’s Beauty & The American Beast), Jam has crafted an eclectic ride with both an international and intergalactic flair.
The artwork for the album and the standout singles are from the crazy world of Swedish illustrator Erik Svetoft, hinting at the regal and cosmic themed contents in a package of which Sun Ra would surely approve.
A music software developer by day, Jam is in the perfect environment to nurture his curiosity. When not creating Audio Units and VSTs for a living, Jam tinkers with analog audio hardware (tape machines, vintage compressors, synths and the like) and is also an iOS developer.
‘Party In The Palace’ Feat J.Ross
Luckily for us, Jam’s curiosity is rewarded. The beats themselves are fresher than Dr Dre’s cotton socks, and Jam’s candour coupled with his piping tone make for a self-aware but not self-satisfied album. An unfolding story of fallen empires alongside references to Itchy & Scratchy is a great antidote in the echo chamber of earthly and tiresome braggadocio.
Every track deserves it’s place on the listing, with little deviation from the path of what fits the overall theme. Across a sonic foundation of grime, r&b and Motown influences, Jam peppers the album with the names of his hop hop heroes, from J Dilla to Big Daddy Kane. Beginning to end, The Stars & The Moon is remarkable.
Jam and his friends have youth and talent in abundance, and for a free download there is little reason why this shouldn’t be in your library. Scoop it up.
Download the album or iOS app for free for more of the artwork.
The Concept Behind The Stars & The Moon
The Stars & The MoonThe Stars & The Moon from MusicByJam is an alternative hip hop concept album with more soul than a Starsky & Hutch convention.Written by: Damian BurkeDate Published: 12/31/2013The Stars & The Moon from MusicByJam is an alternative hip hop concept album with more soul than a Starsky & Hutch convention.7.5 / 10 stars“She once was a queen… Sat on the right hand side of her king, the palace of Alice’s very own Aphrodite, dressed in the finest linen, the toast of the Party In The Palace Feat J.Ross(I). But as the realm danced in glee, the weak drew strength, the feeble grew fierce, Boxing Bambi Feat Emarr(II) clenched his fists and with it came the fall of Andromeda 2297(III).
A kingless kingdom, a queen in captivity, and the death of dynasty or so it seemed. However, upon making her escape, with tears Rolling Down Your Eyes(IV), you made it to safety. Traveling through time and space she awoke in Espaçoporto Do Brasil(V), a rude awakening to a new world, where all around was alien and foreign, where street signs read like Hieroglyhpics(VI), the weight of a new world on the shoulders of a young queen with child in womb.
Drowning under pressure like a Big Blue Submarine(VII) trapped under water, in search of hope whether through Heroes And Gods(VIII) or momentary relief from life’s ills, we see what we once were… Royalty. We are now lost relics, Fallen Kings And Queens(IX) we use each other as stepping-stones for personal gain; lying, cheating, stealing our way To The Moon(X) yet heading like Icarus for the sun. But every queen must bear a son who will build or be burdened by her Mountains On The Moon(XI)…
Never look down when ‘The Stars & The Moon’ dwell above… MusicByJam.”
