Corry BanksAs far as I can tell, Computer Jay’s Savage Planet Discotheque Vol. 1 is not “new music” but new is a relevant term in this case. Considering this is only Vol. 1 of what appears to be a 4 part series of Savage Planet Discotheque EPs, I figured we’d do ourselves a great service to get ahead of this thing.
A few years ago I found myself at the infamous Low End Theory where I got a really cool treat to see Computer Jay and his talking computer. This cat is like king of the hill with gear. He had mooger fooger pedals, synths, an array of controllers, an MPC 2500, and some sort of circuit bent video game console (if memory serves me correct). This was all topped off by a CRT computer screen and an oscilloscope as his partner in crime the “Talking Computer.” Funny enough, at some point the power was lost and I, being right up front near the stage, plugged the power strip in for him. Boom. The show went on as planned.
I swear to you the sonic landscape of that performance was nearly indescribable. Computer Jay has a way of crafting an electronic funk orchestra sort of sound based in hiphop that is rather jarring. Conversely, Savage Planet Discotheque Vol. 1 is no exception to the rule. Computer Jay manages to keep it fresh with this cohesive wall of electro hip-hop.
On the EP’s opening track, The Great Wall, Computer Jay mashes big acoustic break beat drums with synth leads, classic rhodes keys and a healthy dose of what plays out like 8 bit video game drama to glue it all together.
Noise From the Cemetery, is a static ridden lazy haze of a vibe with a huge moogy analog bass that pulls you thru the composition. Nice touch with the chromatic synth keys riding over the top most of the way. It sort of has a zombie soldier like groove if you can imagine that.
Omni Bent, jolts you back to life with an electro hop groove that sort of puts me in the mind of J Dilla’s trans euro express phase. Oddly enough, it sort of has a really motivating vibe to it. Makes you want to jump on the treadmill for a few miles with this on repeat. On second thought, scratch the gym, it makes you want to drive fast caffeinated by way of a Quad Vinte White Chocalate Latte.
The EP’s title joint, Savage Planet Discotheque, is a sort of circuit bent odyssey to the future of funk featuring parliament funkadelic-esque vocals by Jimetta Rose & Shafiq Husayn. The Savage – Planet – Discotheque chant is infectious as it goes, “Savage Planet Discotheque, Dance floor filled with Bass and Sweat, left and right just break ya neck.” I’m sure I’ll disturb the peace with this one.
The Dead Ends Dead End is a dead cold blooded 808 filled on the creep sort of joint. The occasional break is laced with a dope trailing-the-rhythm sort of bass and synth chords. While the 808’s and lead line lends itself to an advanced southern snap sound, it remains rather unorthodox and west coast even.
The EP’s closer, System Active, again puts me in the mind of that ole J Dilla bounce that usually found it’s way to Busta Rhymes’ exploration of oddity in rhyme. Now imagine that sort of moog bass laden bounce with the Art of Noise in tow. Yeah it’s really like that. Now, march down into your deepest circuit bent, 8 bit video game place and you’ll find the “System Active” with Computer Jay on the keys.
If this is any indication of things to come from Computer Jay and his Savage Planet Discotheque EPs, we are all in for a real treat and BBoytechreport.com will be there to take you along for the ride.
Savage Planet Discotheque Vol. 1 is available now for immediate download on iTunes.
Keep up with Computer Jay at his website http://computerjay.net/