"Breaks in the Clouds", a Conceptual Beat Tape

 

 Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records presents BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS
MC and producer’s first beat tape is a psychedelic musical narrative

“Spitting classical flows with a quick angry tongue over crisp beats, it was hard to digest but I’d be ready to hear him again any day.” – City Pages

“Hip-hop and spooky graveyard fog find a surprisingly tight chemistry…” – A.V. Club Madison

“(See More Perspective) is a voice of this generation.” – Rich Albertoni (Madison’s Isthmus)

Like the other artists on the Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records roster (Sha Cage, e.g. bailey, Guante, Truthmaze, etc.) See More Perspective wears a lot of hats.  A teacher, a rapper, a drummer, a beatboxer and even a cook, See More is ready to show the world his talent as a producer with his first full-length beat tape, BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS.

Winner of the “Best Producer” award at the 2009 Urban Griots Awards, See More has worked with some of the brightest talents from the Twin Cities, Chicago (his home for nearly a decade) and beyond.  This beat compilation collects some of his favorite productions—some full-on instrumental arrangements, some rap songs stripped of their vocals, and some wild experiments thrown in for good measure.

The result is a psychedelic gumbo of styles and flavors.  These aren’t sped-up soul samples, generic club bangers or DJ Premier knock-off beats.  These are the products of a producer who has developed a real musical personality of his own and isn’t afraid to let it shine through.

“This new collection of instrumentals is a series of moments that break through,” See More says.  “Depending on the timing, these breaks can be both light and dark and you’ll find a mix of moody, dark pieces along with lighter and hopefully more inspiring pieces.  The effect may be a sort of bi-polar track listing, but isn’t that just like life?  The ebb and flow of our routine, struggle, progress and finally, breakthrough?”

See More Perspective will be releasing his debut full-length as a rapper, “Architextual Design,” later this year.  And if this beat tape is any indication, it’s going to be something pretty special—fearless, progressive and forward-thinking.

“The break though,” See More says.  “The moment of inspiration.  Recognition.  Fortification.  Love.  Light breaking through clouds at just the right time to speak to you, direct and anonymous, as you wake, drive, work, cook, clean or even dream.  A moment of clarity as it were, over a break beat.”

‘Breaks in the Clouds’ is available as a free download for a limited time at Tru Ruts’ Bandcamp.

"Big Cheese" - New Single from upcoming "Breaks in The Clouds"!!

The artwork:




The write up:

Second single from the upcoming beat tape concept album, Breaks in the Clouds (Volumes One + Two), to be released July 27th.

Winner of the “Best Producer” award at the 2009 Urban Griots Awards, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records artist, See More Perspective, has worked with some of the brightest talents from the Twin Cities, Chicago (his home for nearly a decade) and beyond. “Breaks in the Clouds” is a beat tape that collects some of his favorite productions—some full-on instrumental arrangements, some rap songs stripped of their vocals, and some wild experiments thrown in for good measure. The result is a psychedelic gumbo of styles and flavors. These aren’t sped-up soul samples, generic club bangers or DJ Premier knock-off beats. These are the products of a producer who has developed a real musical personality of his own and isn’t afraid to let it shine through.

The Track:

"WHAT'S KRACKEN?" - New single from upcoming 'BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS'!

The artwork:

First single from the upcoming beat tape concept album, Breaks in the Clouds (Volumes One + Two), to be released July 27th.

Winner of the “Best Producer” award at the 2009 Urban Griots Awards, Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records artist, See More Perspective, has worked with some of the brightest talents from the Twin Cities, Chicago (his home for nearly a decade) and beyond. “Breaks in the Clouds” is a beat tape that collects some of his favorite productions—some full-on instrumental arrangements, some rap songs stripped of their vocals, and some wild experiments thrown in for good measure. The result is a psychedelic gumbo of styles and flavors. These aren’t sped-up soul samples, generic club bangers or DJ Premier knock-off beats. These are the products of a producer who has developed a real musical personality of his own and isn’t afraid to let it shine through.

The track:

Thoughts on Teaching; A Personal Reflection of 2009

In 2009, I learned a lot about teaching. This time last year I was teaching part time and every day of the week. I wasn’t just the cool artist coming in on a visit, but the actual “teacher” of a class and that, my friends, is much more difficult. I was using my tools of creativity to teach some basic computer skills and it was hard as hell! I learned that “buy in” is everything and that you truly need to achieve and re-achieve that everyday. Every. Day.

Every moment with my students was an obstacle course. Running this course of walls and traps set to protect a young mind from mis-education and disappointment was, to say the least, exhausting. It was also, for it’s challenges, enlightening. Being the teacher for a class of students every day during the school day made me a part of the establishment, whether I liked it or not. To many of the students, whatever I did and whoever I am, there was a cardboard cutout of all they have grown to despise about public education.

Personally, it was extraordinarily difficult to be seen as all that I have such disdain for in education. I needed to look deeply into myself to not only see beyond the grief this inspired, but to also see the parts of myself that do fit that mold of oppressor. Needless to say, this is scary, scary stuff…

Since then, I’ve practiced simultaneously having my guard up and being completely present. Learning to be a little tough with the class while showing my heart. Being forgiving while not “taking any shit” and to be as patient with myself as with the students.

'Breaks in the Clouds' cover art preview!

Here's the cover art to my upcoming beat tape release. A 'beat tape' is generally just a collection of beats to showcase what a given producer has in his or her vaults. A bunch of beats with no theme or message, other than "I'm a really talented producer".

While I've stayed true to that idea of the beat tape by opening the doors of my catalog and proving how wonderfully talented of a producer I am (wink/smile/sparkle), I couldn't help but to make something more of this collection of instrumental music.

The title is an inspired play on words. Breaks as in break beats, clouds as in the heavens above and overall, the idea that this music comes through me from a greater self, consciousness or plan. View it as you see fit.

I've written a formal introduction for the album so I won't go further into detail, instead let you take a look at the design and (hopefully) wonder what gems the album will hold :)
designed by yours truly:
 

 

Danger of the Single Story.

I'll start here. A video that resonated with me and the reasons for the name SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE. It's called 'Danger of the single Story' and it inspired the name of this blog.

The idea of the single story is this; If you have an experience, or even multiple experiences with someone of a certain culture or background, you develop a story for that person or culture. Believing this or these experiences to be the whole truth of a person or culture creates one, singular story for that person or culture. This sells them short, however true your experience may be, because there's always more to a person, situation or culture than is readily available to the eye.

Of course, in this video, Chimamanda Adichie explains this concept far more eloquently than I, so definitely watch it for yourself and hear her explain the idea through stories and experience. It's beautiful and sharp.




The single story can be dangerous in terms of culture and stereotyping but can also be dangerous in the way we view ourselves. If we limit the way we look at ourselves, the world, relationships, success, or progress for example, we limit the way we experience and digest those things. We limit learning opportunities in unlikely places. We limit ourselves and enriching experience.

With this, I urge you to SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE...and to swing by the blog from time to time. I hope you enjoy it, I hope you read something enriching or inspiring or are lead somewhere you didn't know about in thought or culture and share this message with those around you. I hope you come to my shows and buy my music :) Thanks for reading.

One Love; a lot of views on it,

SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE