New RJD2

Check out this new track from RJD2 called "Games You Can Win".

This new track is interesting. For those hoping for something reminiscent of Deadringer's sample-blasted hip hop instrumentals, this is not that. With each album, he's kind of hinted at moving in this direction, more of a funky, mid-to-late 70s  aesthetic blended with some electronic and pop all jumbled on top of his well-crafted drum tracks. "Games You Can Win" is the most successful attempt at achieving that to date.

If you were worried, after listening to "Games" that he might have gone soft and sentimental during his sabbatical, don't worry. The album's opening cut, "Let There Be Horns" is classic, booming RJD2. The third track "Giant Squid" is ridiculous. Proggy, funk fusion that will peel a layer of dirt off your brain. Pounding breaks, Gentle Giant interludes, and a Tubular Bells-esque feel to some of the instrumentation.

Wow. I'm not going to go through the whole album track by track, but let me tell you this much, this album is gonna be a pretty big deal. The further into the album it gets, the bigger it gets. There are some well-chosen cameos, and the whole thing goes in a direction similar to Mark Ronson's Version chock full of this chopped up feel-good soul vibe with tight arrangements and nice vocal collabos. Just wait until you hear "The Shining Path" and "Crumbs off the Table". You'll be excited.

The new album, Colossus will be out January 19 on his new label, RJ's Electrical Connection.

If you're interested, you should go read this message from him that I posted a while back where he explained his whereabouts, and starting his new label.