Linear Labs: São Paulo sparks a new golden era of musical genius defined
by the maestro Adrian Younge, encapsulating what he’s learned in
building the first era of Linear Labs and its successor label Jazz Is
Dead.
Linear Labs: São Paulo marks the evolution of this journey.
Step into an extraordinary psychedelic and soulful experience with
Adrian Younge presents Linear Labs: Sao Paulo: a compilation of new
songs showcasing the musical brilliance of Adrian Younge with artists
from around the world. Essentially, the album features one unreleased
song from an array of forthcoming albums Younge has produced for Linear
Labs, including Something About April III, the tertiary installment of
Younge's masterwork trilogy, and a new blaxploitation adventure from hip
hop legend Snoop Dogg, entitled Don’t Cry For the Devil.
Also included on this preview is Brazilian actress/ singer Samantha
Schmütz, Middle-Eastern singer Liraz, London-based jazz vocalist ALA.NI,
afro-futuristic soul singer Bilal and a bonus song with Stereolab’s
Lætitia Sadier.
“For the last 30 years, I’ve studied rare and obscure records in an attempt to become the most unique producer in the
world. A world where I create music with no expiration date…a vortex
where the composers of yesterday and today sonically meet to discuss the
way that hip hop has informed modern ears…essentially, my music is for
the heads. This is São Paulo!” ⁃ Adrian Younge
It’s a new era for Adrian Younge’s recording outfit, Linear Labs. Since
the start of 2020, Adrian Younge has been at the helm of production of
30 albums for his Jazz Is Dead label alongside his partner Ali Shaheed
Muhammad. These albums include collaborations with iconic artists such
as Roy Ayers, Ebo Taylor, Marcos Valle, Gary Bartz, Doug and Jean Carn,
Dom Salvador, Carlos Dafé and countless others, helping reshape and
refocus their careers. For the last 12 months, Younge has refocused his
energies into his own music and the outcome has been what he describes
as "the pinnacle of his career.” In these new offerings, he takes
everything he has learned in his illustrious career and reaches new
heights to be heard on Linear Labs: São Paulo.
The first single to be released is “Esperando por Você,” a dark and
psychedelic glimpse into the world of Something About April III, the
third installment to Younge’s fabled and most sampled works. Fans of
Younge will immediately recognize his signature Something About April
sound, but with a twist: the entire album is in Portuguese!
“Rules of the Game” offers the first glimpse into Snoop Dogg and Adrian
Younge’s blaxploitation adventure, Don’t Cry for the Devil. The album
features Snoop Dogg’s embodiment of the fictional ‘70s pimp, Silky Slim,
rappin’ about life in the game. Younge’s production echoes the tone of
Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, as if it was produced by Isaac Hayes,
Curtis Mayfield and Johnny Pate circa ‘76.
“Fire in the Disco” is a standout track from Younge’s upbeat and dance
heavy Afrobeat project, Afrodisco Makossa. The six-track album is the
follow-up to Younge’s collaborations with Afrobeat pioneers Tony Allen
and Ebo Taylor, released on the Jazz Is Dead label. Featuring an
ensemble of Ghanian and Black American vocalists, this song embodies the
rich heritage of African music with a vibrant mix of Afrobeat-inspired
disco tracks.
Hear Younge’s foray into the world of middle eastern psych and funk on
“Farrar Konam,” a song created with Middle-Eastern singer, Liraz.
Renowned for her outspoken activism through music, Liraz champions
women's freedom worldwide. Sung in her family’s native Farsi language,
her powerful message resonates universally. Her forthcoming album with
Younge is entitled, Azadi, which means “Freedom.”
“Nossa Cor” is a classic love samba composed by Younge and Brazilian
actress/singer Samantha Schumütz. This song is a preview into their
majestic album, Samantha e Adrian. The partnership between Schmutz and
Younge is heavily inspired by the revolutionary Brazilian music created
during the MPB and tropicalia era of the ‘60s and ‘70s. While many know
Schmütz for as an actress and comedian, few are aware of her singing
prowess.
The song “Human Absence” comes from YOUNGE, the eponymously named
instrumental album, a first of its kind. Created with a live 30-piece
orchestra, the fuzz guitars, cinematic arrangements and funky percussion
showcase Younge’s mastery as a conductor from a bygone era.
On Proud, Adrian Younge showcases the Parisian jazz singer ALA.NI. With
her unique blend of vocal harmonies and unparalleled emotion, ALA.NI
establishes herself as one of the most distinctive and enchanting Black
voices emanating from Paris.
In 2015, Bilal and Adrian Younge released In Another Life, an album
crafted by Younge to highlight the soul singer’s impressive vocal range
and distinctive style, featuring guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar,
Big K.R.I.T. and more. In Another Life: Redux is a re-release of the
acclaimed album, remastered with three unreleased songs as it was always
intended by Younge to be released.
Note to editors:
Adrian Younge is an Emmy Award winning composer, multi-instrumentalist,
and producer from Los Angeles, CA. Renowned for his analog sound, Younge
has been sampled by artists like Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Common, DJ
Premier and counteless others. He’s also produced for icons including
Roy Ayers, Cee Lo, Rakim, Tony Allen, Ebo Taylor, Marcos Valle, Céu, Dom
Salvador, Azymuth, Wu Tang Clan and many more. He’s also known for his
work as a film and television composer (Marvel’s Luke Cage, Black
Dynamite, etc.) Younge is the owner and brainchild of the record label
Linear Labs; he also is the co-owner of the record label and events
company Jazz Is Dead.
Tracklist:
1. Esperando por Voce
2. Rules of the Game
3. Fire in the Disco
4. کنم - Farrar Konam
5. Nossa Cor
6. Human Absence
7. Run
8. Spiraling
9. Purification