From humble origins in Detroit, raised on a healthy diet of Motown, Jazz, and Early Hip-Hop – Terrel Wallace (aka Tall Black Guy) has been steadily building a massive online following through a steady stream of productions filled with incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops - being championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson (who included him on the latest Brownswood Bubblers album), Lefto, Anthony Valadez, and countless others - as well as recently being named the winner of the Robert Glasper Remix competition.
After making a connection and releasing a series of sold-out Tall Black Guy 7-inches through their BSTRD Boots sublabel, Brooklyn’s Bastard Jazz Recordings set their sights on a proper full-length release with Tall Black Guy. It became evident that Terrel was not only an incredible producer and collector of sounds past – but was also a connoisseur of a whole new generation of beatmakers. This group of international producers remain mostly unknown to a larger audience, and continue to bubble and simmer just under the surface. With a gentle nod towards the groundbreaking Headz compilations on Mo’ Wax that inspired the label’s beginnings 10 years ago, Bastard Jazz founder DJ DRM asked TBG to compile an album with 11 of his favorite joints from this tidepool of contemporaries. Countless nights of rapid ear movements later, and with an added touch from the tall one himself, the set is primed for release as: Tempo Dreams Vol. 1.
Things kick off appropriately enough with French producer Teru’s “Time to Reinvent” – a summer-y joint filled with lazy keys, stuttering drums and delayed effects. Chicago duo and recent Plug Research signing Tensei make an appearance with the tropical cosmic vibes of “Space Colony”, while Australia’s Jeriko Jackson delivers the incredibly smooth “Only Just” with its ghostly vocals and flowing keys. Things move a little towards the uptempo side as Brussels based beatmakers Monkeyrobot deliver “Basement Infusion”, a deep slithering piece of bass-quaking of future-House, while Pittsburgh’s Buscrates adds a shimmering edge with “Horizons”. Ta-Ku (Project Mooncircle, Brownswood) comes with the nostalgic vibe-out styling of “Smile”, while Tall Black Guy himself gives us the drum-centric journey that is “Sparkling Adventure”. Atlanta-based producer Applejac makes an appearance under his Shecky’s Jazzy Tofu pseudonym covering Roy Ayer’s “Butterfly” in a beautiful New School meets the Old kind of way, perfectly rounding off the album. Other artists included on the album include Switzerland’s Chief, Hong Kong’s FloydCheung, Detroit’s Doc Illingsworth, and Evil Needle from France – a collection of the finest beatmakers you’ve never heard!
Preview the album on this exclusive Youtube trailer below and purchase your CD, Vinyl or Digi version HERE
Tall Black Guy presents...Tempo Dreams Vol. 1 by bastardjazz
