Modal Soul by Nujabes

Despite my huge satisfaction of listening to Metaphorical Music, I hesitated getting another album by Nujabes. By that time of my life, I made getting one album of an artist a habit. It took one year, and a tragic event to get Modal Soul onto my iPod. That tragic event?

Nujabes' death.

Heartstricken, I went into a large binge of Nujabes. I made sure that I should commemorate his life by listening to his works. I got the album that sequenced Metaphorical Music, Modal Soul. Modal Soul does bring in common elements found in Jazz Rap, and Nujabes' previous works. Horn & piano samples, lucrative bass, and heavy rhythm sections are common here. But, that doesn't mean Nujabes constantly plagiarizes himself. He uses these elements and meticulously crafts them to ensure passion, authenticity, and sincerity to vibrate within the listener. The guests, who brings raps to the table, are no slouches. Take a gander at a example of the lyrics form the song, Feather.

I'm just a vagabond with flowers for Algernon
The average Joe who knows what the fuck is going on
It's the hope of my thoughts that I travel upon
Fly like an arrow of god until I'm gone

Note the wonderful use of imagery and other literary techniques found in this example. The guests usage of these techniques elevate and amplify the power found with Nujabes' tracks. Nujabes, may he rest in peace, brings in another work that satisfy thousands, if not millions, of people around the globe. The Hip-Hop community mourns his death.

YOU'RE A RAINBOW

Metaphorical Music by Nujabes

Sometime in my life, I fell in love with Jazz Rap. I never hear anything like it. It provided a sense of coolness, smoothness, and eclecticism along with the cleverness and rugged rhythm found in Hip-Hop. It's penchant for Jazz samples showcased a whole new world for me to explore. But, I wasn't interested in Jazz for me to explore its depths (that, and I still thought it was old people music at the time. I was 15, give me a break). So, I stuck onto Jazz Rap like a infant sucking its mother's teat. Somewhere, I crossed paths with Nujabes, who did the soundtrack on the critically acclaimed Anime Samurai Champloo. I listened to a few songs, and I was hooked. Soon, I got a (illegal) copy of Metaphorical Music. I couldn't believe it. There was none of the slender production found on Low End Theory, the album that catapulted my love for Jazz Rap, nor did it have somewhat minimal use of samples. Instead, I got this album full of thick, intricate, & juicy DJ work full of trombones, trumpets, horns, pianos, and punchy bass. Nujabes brings guests to bring in raps in. Boy, do they deliver. With their smooth, unassuming yet confident delivery (a staple of Jazz Rappers), Cise Star, Pase Rock and others compliment Nujabes excellent work with their defiant, intelligent yet humble lyrics. The compositions in these songs have excellent use of repetition and variation in Turntablism, giving each piano line and horn lead time to shine and resonate within you but bringing in new elements to keep you salivating. Of course, this album does have flaws, but they're minor so I won't waste your time by typing it down. With fresh innovation, expert use of creativity, and excellent song-writing, Nujabes brings the Jazz clubs dancing.

Beat Laments the World

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