Instrumental Hip Hop is a tricky proposition. Hip Hop production is generally predicated on samples and loops, and essentially takes a backseat to emceeing when it comes to telling the story. But for a Hip Hop album to succeed relying solely on instrumentation, a delicate balance must be struck. To successfully captivate the listener, they cannot simply be subjected to the typical looping and sampling fare of the day; just as lyrics progress through the duration of a song, so must the production in an instrumental project—all of which must be done without abandoning the tools and techniques which command the classification of being “Hip Hop.” Apollo Brown’s Clouds aims to strike this balance.
After the non-instrumental start to the largely instrumental album, the moody “Blue Ruby” sets things off with light bass licks, soft percussion and a distant vocal sample. “Balance” continues to give the listener an immersive, otherworldly experience. “Wisdom” is a brief, remorseful ditty that distinguishes itself by telling a story contextualized by its title. “Black Pearls” gets the system pumping with some hard-hitting drums, soft horns, and a well-timed violin sample. “Shoot the Heart” appropriately samples lyrics from Pharcyde’s seminal “Passin’ Me By,” and has a summery, airy feel.
“Bridge Through Time” brings a bit of funk to the album with its quirky bass line and “Seed of Memory” has a loungey aesthetic, with soft claps that are a distant departure from the majority of the (often-plodding) percussion featured on this record. “A Conscious Breath” is tremendously disappointing, but not for lack of quality. Clocking in at only 49 seconds, it appears that one of Cloud’s best offerings—a gentle, moving piece that sets itself apart from those surrounding it with its use of harps, cello and flute—is cut painfully short.
The problem—and it is a significant one—with Clouds is that it is more akin to a beat tape than an album. Yes, the majority of the beats are innovative and it can be easy to imagine various emcees slaying them. Having said that, for this album to be judged on its merits, it must be examined as a project that stands on its own. Sure, slapping Nas on “Never in a Million Years” might make it an outstanding song, but such specious reasoning doesn’t accomplish anything.
Instrumental Hip Hop albums that set the standard, like the bulk of RJD2’s Deadringer or Blockhead’s Music By Cavelight, do so by existing as complete projects that require little else to sustain them. The production here is often a series of unchanging loops, and the instrumentation rarely evolves beyond that. Indeed, there is little time to do so, as none of the tracks exceeds three minutes. Any album—instrumental or otherwise—should meaningfully provoke a listener and give allow them to experience a complete progression through the sonic art on display. Because it falls short in this respect, Clouds is only an album in name.
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care to elaborate?
He should have never released this. Why aren’t they working on promoting The Left’s Gas Mask more?
Dilla’s Donuts was the last instrumental Hip Hop album that should have ever been made, unless you’re Madlib, RJD2 or DJ Shadow.
Gas Mask is still out there and was genius. But I love this one because I can relax and listen to it while I’m chillin’. I can’t always have people rappin’ in my face, so a kick back instrumental album is just what I needed.
j-zone too! to love a hooker is one of my favorite instrumental album ever. i have listened to that so much, i have found myself steady going back and revisiting that for five years now.
Loved the album. As far as instrumental projects go, this is one of my all time favorites.
5
Agreed. This should be classified as a beat tape.
At least are those beats free to use or something?
disagree. I think the project flows well from track to track and even has interludes. For me it definitely worked. Some ppl just don’t like instrumentals is what I think. That’s cool, but I kind of prefer them.
Tao Te Ching and Never in A Million Years are free
Dope shit!
This whole album is fresh. I’ve been bumping it for th whole month heavy. Props to Apollo Brown!
Dope Album. 5.
Reminds me of nujabes a bit.. dope as shyt. genius. Lupe should hook up with this dude and just go off on a full album.
To me the distinguishing quality of an instrumental album is its repeat value.
And this album seems like it sets a mood and has serious repeat value.
I will be coppin this album.
Good job Mello Music Group and Apollo Brown!
Not sure what the hell this cat is talking about. Everybody always has to over analyze shit. Just listen to this good music! This album is ridiculous. It takes me places each time I listen to it, which is everyday. This album is undoubtedly CLASSIC hip hop material.
This Shit is fire.
?russian jews?
I’m not a fan of the review, loved the album, but hate to see trash like this comment. Get your racist trash out of here. Slava has a different idea on the album than you, he voiced it, that’s cool.
This album is awesome! Shitty review…see Okayplayer.com for a good review.
Album is nothin but blaze, but it aint for ppl trying to escape thinking: this one had me going in deep. Congrats to Apollo Brown. I don’t get the loops dont change thing, I mean these tracks are like 70-90 seconds, variation is between songs. If you don’t like samples you don’t like Hip-Hop.
HHDX you’re crazy, this album is actually gold, I wasn’t sure after Skilled Trade whether I’d like him or not since it was decent but this album is incredible.
Mello Music Group loves to go to Twitter and get all these same 3 people to act like their shit is Paid In Full. Not impressed.
Rickery, All I can say is that yes, MMG does repost our press coverage heavily on facebook & twitter. We have a great fan base that supports the whole squad, not ashamed of that. As for not buying it – well that’s okay because a lot of other ppl are – Apollo Brown “Clouds” sold out of the first cd pressing in 2 days! And was featured for 3 straight weeks in itunes new & noteworthy. Not to mention Apollo Brown being #15 on DJ Premier’s Best of 2010 List, or being named 1 of 10 Best Hiphop artists in 2010 by itunes, or even making HHDX’s top 25 list. In fact MMg had 2 albums out of our 8 releases last year in HHDX’s top 25 list! So you don’t need to feel it if it’s not your taste, we can respect that. But don’t be mad at us for putting work in and getting results. All the best in whatever it is you do.
rickery aka faggotery you got served. i have a cd of all them apollo brown joints and diamond district’s lp. great work on that mixtape earlier this year too, that was fire. mello music is on fire right now boi.
Apollo Brown is reppin for wat he do best and that is maken them oldies beats with modern beats and i think thats the new style these’s days.
Great work by Apollo Brown!
looks like i missed the action. good album though
really likeing this album!!
I Really love this album! It’s by far the beste album so far this year (my opinion).
Detroit IS Hip-Hop in 2011
Scratch that, sweepstakes.
oops, fell asleep.
Dopeness to the nth degree
apollo has done it again!!!! dope
Dope Music! This review is off.
Sitting here listening now with my man who put me onto Apollo. All I can say is that these beats are sick.
3*
Review is way off. This album is DOPE
I don’t what the hell the hater who rated Clouds was smokin’, but this is one of the Dopest instrumental albums I’ve heard this year!! Apollo is an amazing producer, no doubt!!
Iight
This is album is an introspective work of genius. Perfect for an instrumental in my books!
I’m glad the comments actually reflect the album. Big up Apollo, absolute bad man!!
Absolutely mesmerising album.
Unreal
cunt