Stop Calling Me by Blaque Dynamite

Oftentimes, r&b strays so far from its jazz roots as to make the connection between the two somewhat difficult to see, but Stop Calling Me by Blaque Dynamite rekindles the abrasive jazz flame deep within r&b. Intentionally detuned or otherwise unusual harmonies call attention to each voice we hear, rather than blending each human voice into a mass that could easily go unnoticed. Song structures here generally take more influence from the loop and verse structure of hip hop than the more traditional song structures of r&b, and this emphasis on repetition combined with some dependable electronic percussion makes Stop Calling Me an unexpected dance banger in addition to all its other roles as a cerebral progressive r&b project. If you’re a hip hop producer, I’d pay special attention to what this record has to offer from a sampling perspective; I could see every second of this thing inspiring and serving as the foundation of a standout hip hop track. -Michael