Critical
Praise for Kero One:
"Kero makes hip-hop that’s not incredibly experimental yet
it carries a consistently solid “kick-back-and-chill” type
of resonance." - EQ
Magazine
"Music Vibes: 9 of 10" - RapReviews.com
"The production on Early Believers is beautiful." - LeisureLab.com
"Kero relies on excellent production, live instrumentation and honest
lyrics from his point of view to make an album that flows from start to finish
and will most likely end the year in more than a few top ten lists." - Evolving
Music.com
The
Song:
With Kero One's recently released sophomore LP Early
Believers receiving high acclaim and great reviews, the Bay Area-based rapper
and producer is staying busy. Already back at work in the studio, Kero, whose
production skills are featured throughout Early Believers, was hit up by DJ
Deckstream to remix Talib Kweli's "Keep It In The Pocket" for
Soundtracks 1.5, a compilation project also featuring remix production from
the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff. Up until now this remix was only available exclusively
in Japan. For fans of Kero living stateside, this remix will serve as an
extra-special treat.
With "Keep It In The Pocket (Kero One Remix)," Talib
Kweli is given a touch of the guitar and synth-infused jazzy sounds that
have become a recognizable and loved staple of Kero's productions. Up-tempo
and melodic with a bouncing bass line, the remixed track is a perfect fit
for Kweli and meshes seamlessly with the rappers vocals. Throughout the track
Kero keeps things interesting with clever chord changes, unique percussion,
and flawless guitar solos. On the intricacies of the production process Kero
says, "The original was pretty hard to beat. The original version had
no chorus, however, so I took one of Talib's vocals and made it into a hook.
I also put my vocals on the hook to back up his existing vocals and to thicken
up the hook." After a few listens, it's safe to say that Kweli should
hit up Kero for some beats on his new album.
Please post buy links if you can! http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=305284383&s=143441
Upcoming Kero One Tour Dates:
Fri-May 15 San Francisco, CA Masonic Center
Sat-May 16 Hollywood, CA House
Of Blues
Fri-May 22 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sat-May 23 Seattle, WA King
Cat Theatre
Sat-May 30 San Francisco, CA Poleng Lounge
The
Background:
Former web designer by day and rapper/producer/DJ by night, Kero One, stands
as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story. His early career was
marked by endless hours of researching, cold calling, and networking to gain
exposure for his debut, self produced project Windmills of the Soul. Persistence
paid off with a little help from fate when one of the 50 copies of his album
was picked up in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. Success was immediate,
as Windmills of the Soul became a hit overnight, which opened the floodgates
for international touring and performance opportunities. Three years later, after
a Best Hip Hop Album of 2006 award and collabos with Talib Kweli and Mark
Farina,
Kero One is back with his sophomore album entitled Early Believers, via his label,
Plug Label. Modulating from soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven
party bangers, Kero One features some his favorite vocalists such as Giles Peterson
protégé UK singer Ben Westbeech, Finland's own modern day "Stevie
Wonder," and Portland's Ohmega Watts. Early
Believers will be released in
April 2009, just in time for spring cleaning and summer fun.Web editors contact Michelle to speak to Kero. |