Flying Lotus – Pattern + Grid World
Warp: 2010
At this point, not much needs to be said about Flying Lotus. His critically-acclaimed May release, Cosmogramma, cemented his status a beatsmith of the highest caliber. But that doesn’t seem like enough. In fact, it seems like an understatement. Something he made clear with the live instrumentation of Cosmogramma. FlyLo, a.k.a. Steven Ellison, a.k.a. the great-nephew of Alice and John Coltrane, is more than just a beatsmith.
His latest EP release, Pattern + Grid World, picks up right where Cosmogramma left off – and this time the ideas are explored under the heavy influence of synthesizer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (as Jerry Seinfeld famously quipped). The EP opens with “Clay” and FlyLo’s electro-revolution starts almost immediately. The synthesizer creates a ‘70s-esque sci-fi movie theme that is layered on a rattling and rolling Flying Lotus beat. The result is a hazy introduction to an album full of juxtaposition, experimentation and, perhaps most notably, a complete disregard for “traditional” rhythm and percussion structure.
In other words, it’s a creation both hip-hop heads and jazz fans should appreciate.
“PieFace” utilizes the synthesizer to create assorted noises (for lack of a better term) that come together to act as a melody over rolling drums – even though the percussion never fully materializes and, as such, doesn’t seem to reach a conclusion (if that makes sense; FlyLo’s music certainly defies description at times). The result is an amazing track that is outstanding on its own and might be taken to other-worldly by the right MC or MCs. (Anybody looking to experience the “right MC + FlyLo beat = banger” formula, be sure to check out Grouch & Eligh, with special guest Blu, on “Old Souls”.)
FlyLo’s multiple influences are definitely clear on “Jurassic Notion/M Theory” as he blends two completely different beats – the first with an infectious bassline that would make J Dilla proud (Finale’s “Paid Homage” is both a tribute to J Dilla and a FlyLo beat); the second an up-tempo progressive hip-hop beat that adds layers and layers through synth creations, vocal samples and additional percussion. FlyLo’s jazz heritage and ancestry is evident, again, in his decision not to adhere to the traditional notion of rhythm. And the result is a track worthy of repeated listens – in succession.
The only complaint, if there can be one, is the EP’s length. With only seven tracks (all hits), clocking in at just 18 minutes, the listener is definitely left wanting more. (Again, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, not that there’s anything wrong with that) With Pattern + Grid World, FlyLo joins the elite in the hip-hop community. His combination of rhythm experimentation and jazz-influenced creation and instrumentation places him with both J Dilla and Madlib in the upper echelon of hip-hop influenced musicians.
4 out of 5
[audio:http://potholesinmyblog.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/03-PieFace.mp3|titles=PieFace]
Cosmogramma remind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_xcD9jpPBQ
Great review Nick! It seems to me that FlyLo gets more esoteric with each subsequent release. I only wonder how far he can go before he begins to drive fans away. Cosmogramma took me many listens before I could wrap my head around it, but now I’m obsessed and it’s definitely on my year-end list.
As for Pattern + Grid World, I like it, but there’s just something missing to me at the moment – some sort of uniting factor I suppose. I need to give it more listens, and I’m sure it will grow on me. At the moment I’d probably give 3.5 but that could definitely go up to a 4 with time.
Zach