New York, New York’s own, Jason K. Addae, in his own words has, “…always been a poet…”. It is likely that same creative outlet which fueled the drive that would eventually lead him to the world of music.
“It’s the world full of squares, attracted to big circles…”
—Strategy
There, he assumed the moniker, Jokatech, (a highschool nickame acquired on his wrestling team), and would go on to create and release what could only be described as his own private anthology of music in the hip-hop and jazz genres with a stunning 18 albums and counting!
Creating every aspect of the writing and music all by himself, some of those works include 2014’s Those Silent, 2016’s Standing Still Symphony X and How A Super Hero Feels, as well as 2017’s Religion. His most recent effort, Standing on the Corner: The Unborn Soundscape, sees Addae returning to the hip-hop arena after holding-up in the realm of jazz for some time. However, as you’ll soon realize, rather than choosing one or the other, in the tradition of those such as Us3 and A Tribe Called Quest, Jason offers us his personal take on the melding of the two in this collection which is dedicated to his future daughter.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Kick, snare and a few funky synth tones open the album with the minimalist resume track, Strategy, which sees Addae offer the blueprint to his system of thought, and his approach to the world outside…
“It’s the world full of squares, attracted to big circles
Steppin’ on the little ones, I wanna see reversal…”
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
The abstract and spontaneous, Tyrone, grew on me as every bar passed. And damn, not enough hip-hop artists allow their hard-earned beats and melodies to carry-on alone. Not the case here, as starting at 3:40, the final several minutes are a jazzy, free-for-all instrumental.
Over Again features Jason’s trumpet skills juxtaposed onto a rambunctious rhythm. I can smell the jazz club’s cigarette smoke from here. Tell me I’m wrong.
Filled with spacey synth tones and a jazzy melody, Final Poet, opens as a spoken word piece. Tech then alternates back and forth between his prose and his flow, using lyrics that are brave and substantive…
“These cycles are familiar, yet wretchedly free
If beyond beautiful, they are beyond we…”
Like a trip across an urban rainbow, Score, carries a melody built of ambient, airy tones and a deep and satisfying kick. The whole thing is very A Tribe Called Quest-esque. After completing a single flow-of-consciousness-style verse, once again, Tech knows when to be silent and let the beat carry—complete with old school scratching.
IN CONCLUSION…
Minimalist. Authentic. Original. With the production a bit rough, we generally found the lo-fi-esque, live-sound quality of Jokatech’s latest album, Standing on the Corner: The Unborn Soundscape, to be generally enduring and unique. With jazz dripping and oozing from virtually every bar, it would be a wild inaccuracy to strictly label this project as a hip-hop album. More accurately, it’s either hip-hop influenced jazz, OR, jazz influenced hip-hop! Either way, Addae’s creativity is a legit and welcome voice in an otherwise culture of poppy hooks and empty verse.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
An indie version of Us3 meets A Tribe Called Quest…
BELOW: Listen to Jokatech’s album, Standing on the Corner: The Unborn Soundscapes, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Jokatech by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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