Just a few years after beginning her piano lessons at age two, Toronto, Ontario’s singer-songwriter, hip-hop artist and producer, Specyal T (a.k.a., Trish Hylton) was attending The Royal Conservatory of Music by age 6. By age eight, she was already performing for crowds.
“A sophisticated blend of love, heartbreak, and home truths for the grown and sexy.”
A valedictorian, artist, and mother, Hylton already has a literal anthology of music dating back eleven years which includes: 2009’s Sweat It Up!, 2010’s Dose Of Distinction, 2015’s C.A.K.E., 2017’S Tionne, 2019’s Girl Friday, and much more.
Recorded in her home studio, T’s latest album, the spirited and soulful, A Specyal Remedy, is a satin-smooth collection of slow-drip, jazz-bluesy R&B meets hip-hop.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Opening with, Box Food, the track’s subtle and smooth groove and production are immediately apparent. While that bass-line beckons the head-bob, T breaks down a low-key Friday night with a deep timbre reminiscent of Toni Braxton’s lower octaves…
“Yuh wit me
No more company
I’m fully in that mood
Just a lil sumtin
No stress or nuttin
Coolin out wit our box food…”
OUR FAVORITE TRACK… Lyrically, the sexy and risqué, Yorkshire Pudding, holds no punches in this ode to man. The lighthearted jazzy-cha-cha composition makes the whole thing a lot of fun.
Three’s super-dope and minimalist groove takes a slow-rock approach with the sparkle of keys and a touch of electric guitar. The message is simple, just three little words can change everything. Can you guess what they are?
Just try and sit still. With perhaps the album’s best production, the Du Tonc-esque groove in, Your Place, has that textbook after-work vibe…
“I wanna kick it at your place tonight
Netflix and chill, connect, do it right
No hesitation, enjoyment yuh might
Regret it if yuh dis-invite
It’s your place tonight…”
Warm golden honey might be the perfect descriptor for the album’s running production and compositional theme. This is no less true in, I’m Good, an honest piece about knowing when it’s just skins, and being okay with it…
“I’m good, if yuh wanna kick it for the night
I’m good, if yuh choose dat rudeness, non-polite
I’m good, no distractions knock on wood
Either way no pressure, cus baby, I’m good…”
Specyal T’s low-key flow makes this music so much fun, and this is never more true than, Peanut Butta Jealous (feat. Jayde Wisdom), where she makes a tale of sibling rivalry feel like something light and airy. It’s our second favorite track on the album.
The choruses in, Remind Me, are some of my favorite moments on the album. Great hook.
IN CONCLUSION…
Ri-dic-u-lous production! Slow-drip, oozing, buttery-smooth grooves—like fresh maple syrup on a warm stack of glazed doughnuts. Specyal T’s latest full-length album, A Specyal Remedy, sports ten tracks of near-flawless musical compositions. Sick bass-lines galore. Guitar hooks that catch. Keys that wake up. From front to back, these melodies are highly impressive and wildly effective. Trish Hylton’s subtle, low-octave casual style has moments of brilliance sprinkled throughout, and urges listeners to relax and have F U N. Check out A Specyal Remedy below.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Tony Braxton meets Foxy Brown…
BELOW: Listen to Specyal T’s album, A Specyal Remedy, and connect with her website and social media platforms. Please support Specyal T by visiting her online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!