If you are not familiar with the production talents of Newport News' own NoNDescript (one half of JMProductions with fellow producer Emphatic), then it's almost a guarantee that after listening to his new instrumental project you will be kicking yourself for not discovering this duo sooner. His first solo effort titled NoNDescription plays like the soundtrack from ‘Mo Betta Blues’ and ‘Sugar Hill’ meshed to create the perfect picture of Nondescript’s thoughts. His phenomenal use of instrumentation and timing creates imagery that automatically changes your mood and catapults you into a seemingly proper place, no matter how you may be feeling at the moment.
From the very first track, a scene of night lights, wet pavement, and overcoats appear, yet throughout the CD, there is a mixture of sunny days, rainy evenings, and window peering reminding you that the world that you've been dreaming of is a lot closer than you think. I may be biased, being that I am a sucker for nostalgic music, but not since Pete Rock dropped PeteStrumentals in 2001, have there been too many complete instrumental albums that didn't over-saturate the listener with an obscure amount of filler tracks in an attempt to showcase a producer's skills, instead of creating a workable backdrop for creativity to flourish.
I really feel that I would be doing you a disservice by describing each track in detail and robbing you of your right to be satisfyingly surprised. So, I will just highlight a few to inject a bit of anticipation in your bones, as well as gloat a bit, because I’ve had my download since hour number one!
Kicking off NoNDescription is the saucy cut The City Sleeps filled with a mesmerizing jazz sax riff that immediately lets you know that NoNDescript is nothing short of a veteran when it comes to his production. The time put into finding the perfect fusion of instruments does not come without obstacle and can almost be impossible to accomplish if you’re just starting out.
The second track Someday sports an inspiring feel that incorporates the perfect mix of guitar and vintage eighties Hip Hop drums that will have you anticipating hearing your favorite golden age MC lyrically throw on his mellow attire in a verse and tell you how he’s about to turn the town on its ear. (Hmmm Esco maybe??) This track has classic rewindable quotes written all over it.
Another major standout is The Reason. While the looped flute subliminally delves into your brain, a melancholy sample lulls you into a slow head nod. And most likely, this will be the exact moment when you involuntarily break into song right alongside said sample singing, “The veryyy best there iiis”.
Pressure provides a bit of offbeat drum work that shows a different side of Nondescript, as he successfully digs into his repertoire a bit deeper for this one. Keeping with, what I believe, is the overall theme of NoNDescription, Dark City has “storytelling” written all over it. While listening, I began to wonder when the narrator would be queued to provide a brief storyline and then fade into the shadows right before the main character is to enter scene left.
It’s only fitting that the CD concludes with a triumphant, yet still groovy track that speaks as though it was purposely placed last, because it sort of feels like a summary to the entire project. No matter what may have taken place all throughout the movie, I mean CD, Conviction is the show piece that allows NoNDescript to sit back and bask in the successes of churning out a dope project that will, no doubt, earn him accolades whether he’s the humble type or the type to invade an award show and let the voters know that he should’ve won the award for album of the year. (Sound familiar?)
I will be the first to say that applause is, in fact, deserved when it comes to NoNDescription. As previously mentioned, instrumental CDs are created to take you to a certain place without the usage of words, similar to a symphony, while still being able to keep you entertained. NoNDescription effortlessly does just that. Make sure you download the full length project. I promise, you won’t be disappointed and you will thank me in the short run.
Until the culture calls y’all, WriterJones…Out.
