Oddisee – Odd Seasons
Mello Music Group: 2011
The request was simple on the Okayplayer message board: “Please school me on Oddisee…” typed Stadiq, a five-year member of the popular New York-based web community. “Where should I start with this guy?”
“Oddisee 101,” suggested one person.
“Mental Liberation” suggested another.
“I started with Foot In The Door, hooked ever since,” okayplayer Amritsar chimed in.
But while any of those albums could properly introduce Oddisee’s blend of insightful wordplay and percussive production, they almost seem archaic when compared with the effervescent direction of his new work. Take “Different Now”, for instance, the centerpiece of the Mello Music Group compilation released last year. While Oddisee impressively blended The Manhattans into the mix, he amplified the sample to Kanye proportions, resulting in the stadium hip-hop sound for which West is known. That type of craftsmanship is prevalent throughout Odd Seasons, a 33-track collection of frenzied break beats, electronic dance tracks and wistful soul melodies, packaged into an exciting voyage of seamless instrumental progression.
For the most part, Odd Seasons lives without vocals, leaving room for the cascading drums, bouncy synths and obscure loops to breathe without obstruction. And when words are infused, they don’t overshadow Oddisee’s sleek soundtrack, arguably the cornerstone of the Maryland native’s artistic existence. Therefore a song like “Ci’iy Life” is a great example of such a feat, as British MC Tranqill wields a tale of personal desperation over a chilling combination of David Axelrod’s “The Warning I” and “The Sign IV”. Oddisee himself grabs the microphone on “I’m From PG”, a biographical ode to Prince George’s County, MD — a suburb of Washington, D.C. “I’m from PG, I rep DMV, I step easily, now who seein’ me,” he rhymes on the hook.
True artists are measured by sonic reinvention. While it can be a tricky dynamic, longevity hinges upon the person’s ability to alter their sound and remain relevant through it all. The aforementioned Kanye West, along with hip-hop mainstays Common and The Roots exemplify such change. After multiple listens to Odd Seasons, it sounds like Oddisee is following that same blueprint. That just means more homework for okayplayer Stadiq.
“I checked Mental Liberation,” he typed. “You guys weren’t lying. Time to get the [catalog]…”
[audio:http://potholesinmyblog.flywheelsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/29-60901-m.mp3|titles=Oddisee 60901]
4 out of 5
This is all 4 seasons of material put together, mixed, arranged, and mastered for the official definitive collectors edition – cd, vinyl, digital w/ bonus materials (such as 7″ bonus w/ the vinyl).
Is this a compilation of all the free seasonal beat tapes, or a totally new project? anyway it’s been a joy watch odd develope his skills from the start of low budget and not just put similar sounding projects out year after year after year like so many other rappers/beatmakers.
Great insight, appreciate the review Marcus. Shout to Potholes for the post! Hope everyone enjoys the project.