OK James - Adventurous Music

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

OK James’ Adventurous Music is indeed full of adventurous sonic combinations, entertaining musical moments and ear-catching tones, timbres and textures. OK James weaves together all of the various sounds into a cohesive and playful whole throughout the album.

For me, one of the draws to Adventurous Music comes from its playful nature. OK James seems to be having a great deal of fun playing with sounds and samples throughout the album. His retro vocal samples fill the music with quirky entertainment and he is clearly having a ball mixing together his pleasingly eccentric sonic palette to create ear-catching music.

I enjoy the off-the-wall nature of Adventurous Music’s soundscape. There’s a whole variety of scraping, wobbling, flashing sounds along with jazzy guitars, distorted piano and an array of unique percussion. There’s something so satisfying about the creative ways in which OK James mixes different sounds together to create fascinating compositions. This is music with real heart and soul to it.

Rhythm and groove also permeate OK James’ music on this album. He underpins every track with potent drumbeats and dense bass power. There’s always a beat that ads support and shape to the music, keeping it all moving in the right direction as the tracks reveal themselves.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Reality Of The Now” begins as a retro vocal sample talks about a “music revolution.” A tidal drumbeat and metallic, hollow percussion form a persuasively propulsive and funky beat. Distorted synth shimmies in a pleasingly elastic line as record scratches shift.

Broad, gleaming synth creates a pulse that slides in between the beats as creaky noises move. A vocal sample speaks of people struggling to differentiate real and fantastical experiences as chiming notes sparkle along with the gigantic drumbeat that ends the track.

Taut string-like synth creates a hypnotic pulse above bending bass as a tapping sound moves regularly to open “Other.” Drums patter along with brightly flaring synth sweeping in nervous chords. Solidly hitting drums form an energizing pulse as digital-sounding notes writhe.

Metallic percussion hits as the drum and bass throb. Varied, ear-grabbing percussion creates deep aural interest. Computerized sounds buzz and jump while bell-like percussion adds brightness and rebounding bass pulses. Twisting sound joins gliding chords. Shimmering chimes brush past above bursting drums as a soothing sound flows into silence

“Adventurous Music” starts as slicing synth leaps and a dense kick drum pulsates in a muscled line while roughly scraping sounds move. Ringing chimes call out with concentrated brightness above weighty drums rebound while open-sounding notes float with hollow breath.

Watery sounds trickle as giant drums smash and wriggling chimes float. A vocal sample adds encouragement as xylophone contributes a woodsy tone. Razor edged, rapidly oscillating notes creak above thumping kick drum in an active motion that effectively generates an edgy sensation.

Flaring, elevated notes pulse, doubling gleaming synth. A classic vocal sample warns of approaching danger. Rounded synth repeats in a light line over the sharp edges and digital volleys below it.

A vocal sample speaking of laying something in your ear opens “In Ya Ear.” Crisp drums throb below tripping piano moving above the interlocking groove. The groove drops away as distorted piano roams in a hazy line.

Smoothly warm guitar notes give way to bursting, solidly groovy drums. Cut up violin adds interesting resonance as a jazzy guitar flits through in dynamic motion. Twisted piano drifts in bright patterns while the drumbeat stays in the pocket before the music fades out.

“A Journey Into Sound” commences with reverberant piano that’s joined by ticking drums, as a vocal sample adds a vintage touch. A solidly hitting drumbeat pops adds support and record scratches contribute their own percussive quality.

Smoothly flowing piano chords shift above the drums which fade as hand claps come in and a vocal sample speaks of a journey into sound. Roundly radiant notes bubble upward to please my ears. As piano dances in ethereal lines, delicate chimes flutter. Sharp-edged synth slices in tight lines as slipping sounds smear.

A hi hat hisses above big drums as record scratching adds a textural element. Rattling sound cuts in and now a steadily glowing notes move behind another retro vocal sample. A cut up voice adds passionate sound above the strong drums.

Deeply vibrating jazz organ carries caressing notes that contrast with wobbling, gritty bass to open “That’s Not A Moon, That’s A Basstation.” Sawing, dry synth with a string-like quality drags past above rubbery, colossal bass as vocal sounds flicker.

Reverent synth pours out peaceful light as digital-sounding, medium-high notes pulse. Crystalline chimes drift and raised sounds with a warning quality move over heaving bass. Medium-high, bending synth adds a haunted quality before the drums lock into a propulsive pulse.

Galactic orchestral sound becomes a majestic melody moving above tremendous bass depth in a most pleasing fashion. Fragile chimes tremble with a soft touch before bass rumbles again. Darkly twisting synth writhes and curls above broken drums.

Chimes sparkle mistily again before the track drives on with a rushing, ticking drumbeat. Soft scraping repeats above massively powerful bass. Drums speed along with a quick vocal pulse and the track ends on surging, threatening notes.

“Elegy” begin as a vocal sample reminds us that there’s no fooling around, this is for real. Clean drums create shape, harsh hissing cuts in and bass flows in smooth lines. Organ-like synth floats in unsettled lines and a gentle voice touches the listener's ears. Drums and bass intertwine in an active pulsation as funky guitar strums brightly.

I enjoy the way in which the drumbeat hops and jumps as twangy strings play a catchy lick. Flaring guitar adds a groovy feel as a vocal sample speaks of how humans have to remain civilized. The track ends with “alright, lets get out of here.”

Conclusion

Adventurous Music showcases OK James’ creativity along with his sense of humour and an obvious love for aural painting. This is music that frolics through each track, creating a playful sensation that keeps me listening.