I love Frank Ocean. I mean really, what is there not to like about this young singer/songwriter? He’s highly inventive and his take on modern R&B is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in years. The song Lost appears on his 2012 debut release Channel Orange, and is nestled in-between the grandeur of Pyramids (track 10) and the truncated jewel White (track 12 featuring John Mayer). The songs bumps along in a bossa nova fueled Pop overdose complete with female anatomy references and drug terminology, it’s a familiar storyline ensconced within the velvety folds of Mr. Oceans vocals. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // lost + video”
frank ocean // pink matter remix (ft. big boi)
Not only is the song “Pink Matter,” the center piece of Frank Ocean‘s ‘Channel Orange‘ (my opinion) it is also my favorite of the 17-song debut release. However, now the track reaches greater heights of dope-ability with the added vocal presence of Big Boi (OutKast). This is a must have remix and it can be yours just by clicking here and downloading your free copy. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // pink matter remix (ft. big boi)”
frank ocean // wiseman
Although I have written extensively regarding the young and super-talented Mr. Frank Ocean, I find myself penning yet another ream of inadequate words in an attempt to describe the magic of yet another gorgeous song titled, ‘Wiseman‘. The official word, is originally the song was supposed to be included in Quentin Tarantino’s deep dirty southern film ‘Django Unchained‘soundtrack. But alas, it didn’t come to pass. It’s ok though, ’cause we still have this beautiful song released out into the world for us all to enjoy. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // wiseman”
frank ocean // bad religion
Did you catch Frank Ocean on Jimmy Fallon performing “Bad Religion”? If you didn’t don’t worry you’re pretty little head off. Click on the Jimmy Fallon link above and you can watch it to your heart’s desire. Just a few more days until the official Channel Orange release (July 17th). By the way, I’m sure you heard Target has refused to carry Frank Ocean’s debut album Channel Orange in its stores? How wack is that? I think it’ll be a great idea to write those folks over at Target a letter. You can check out the official news on BET. Psst! You can also cop it on iTunes before it hits stores. Listen to the track, “Golden Girl” (Ft. Tyler the Creator) after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // bad religion”
frank ocean // sweet life
It’s less than a week until Frank Ocean drops his official debut album Channel Orange and his label (Def Jam) keeps our collective appetites thoroughly whetted. Check out the latest single, “Sweet LIFE” this one is so chill you can ride it into the sunset blowing misty vapor into a blue frostbitten sky. July 17th is the date Channel Orange drops, so mark your calendar or you can just Pre-Order it on cd or vinyl. Or you can just head over to iTunes because it’s available now. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // sweet life”
frank ocean: steps out of the closet
Frank Ocean is the latest celebrity to proclaim a not so run of the mill sexual orientation. (Read Mr. Ocean’s coming out letter) Less than 24-hours ago Mr. Ocean substantiates claims of his bi-sexuality shortly after a U.K. reporter outed him. Frank Ocean played his upcoming album Channel Orange for a mix bag of press at a promotional event. The follow trio of songs, ‘Bad Religion,’ ‘Pink Matter (Ft. André 3000) and ‘Forrest Gump’ exude not so subtle references of Frank Ocean loving a ‘he’ and not a ‘she’. What will this mean for the up and coming singer/songwriter? And further, how will fans, and specifically the R&B community react? I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Frank Ocean’s forthcoming album Channel Orange drops in just under 2-weeks (July 17th) via Def Jam. Peace.
Pre-Order: Channel Orange CD – $11.99
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frank ocean // nostalgia, ultra | channel orange & beyond
Frank Ocean is without a doubt talented. Super talented. But, he is also a couple of other things. An anomaly and a game changer. In the history of R&B and soul music he is in good company. Think, in no particular order, the likes of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, James Brown, and Curtis Mayfield, etc. This young singer/songwriter is particularly fond of Otis Redding, Issac Hayes, and Marvin Gaye, and stylistically it shows. But what Mr. Ocean does, and continues to do is closer to what Prince represents in terms of an expansive musicality. Quite honestly though, he’ll be the first one to tell you he doesn’t possess the guitar chops of Van Halen nor does he know any “secret chords like Saint David.” But man can this kid draw lines from a wide variety of influences. Pop, rock, and alternative just to name of few music genres he sources and funnels through his imagination.
Of course, all musicians draw influence from what has come before, but Mr. Ocean casts his net into the whole tapestry of music, or so it seems. Make no mistake his is an ear cocked in unlikely directions. So, if you haven’t listened to Frank Ocean’s nostalgia, ULTRA mixtape (FREE DOWNLOAD) I implore you give it a listen. If you’re a fan, and an avid listener of music, then you probably already know about the Radiohead references and MGMT samples. But then, there is the beautifully hijacked Eagles “Hotel California” and Coldplay “Strawberry Swing” takeovers. On these quasi-renditions Mr. Ocean leaves the music intact but inlays his own reworked lyrics effortlessly, and seamlessly atop.
And still, there is so much more. Because, it’s not only the music, (although he is the veritable musical contortionist) but it is too the unconventional lyrics, the quirky arrangements, and the Auto-Tune and his very capable singing as well. Listen to fan favorite “There Will Be Tears” with its varying tempo and heart-on-a-sleeve subject matter. It is songs like this, but also “Swim Good” and “We All Try” which put this young visionary into a singular category. Because thematically speaking this young gun breathes rarefied air into the aforementioned songs with touching tenderness and vulnerability that is as refreshing as it is endearing.
Yes, Mr. Ocean is different. But different in a good and wholly unique way. His music deviates, in subtle ways from the canon of the neo-soul movement. His latest offering, “Pyramids,” which according to unofficial industry murmurs, will appear on his debut Def Jam release Channel Orange . This song, “Pyramids,”in my opinion is more in the vein of “Novacane” and “Lovecrimes,” but that isn’t a necessarily a bad thing at all. Plus, this track clocks in at just under 10:00 minutes. Making it the longest (and deeply steeped R&B) track to date. And all this leads up to the expectations of Frank Ocean’s debut album release Channel Orange set to drop July 17th via Def Jam. I am excited, expectant and hopeful. Frank Ocean is definitely an artist to watch. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // nostalgia, ultra | channel orange & beyond”