Next level jazz

"Isolation" is the 2nd EP in Jonny Tobin's "Apocalypse" trilogy project. Lush synth chords and funk-infused beats and basslines merge with soaring harmonized synth lines that sizzle and sing. Shifting through moods and vibes that are uplifting with a hint of bittersweet nostalgia, this project was inspired by the moods and feelings that the global pandemic brought on.

Credits: 

Production synths, composition, mixing - Jonny Tobin
Mastered by Shaquille Headley
Artwork by Tristan Yuvienco

Amethyst

feat: @abhithenomad
produced by: @latrelljames & @teewattxmali
mixed/mastered: @mikeirish

In My Room feat. Abhi The Nomad

Milkbone - Keep It Real - 1995

After releasing the full-length “Weekends” in 2020 (released via Wicked Wax in Amsterdam), a string of singles, collaborative projects, and EPs in 2021, Jonny Tobin releases another full-length solo album “Together” to kick off 2022. Facing isolation and loneliness (as many people in the world did throughout 2020), the album is a collection of tracks that Jonny made to channel negative feelings into something hopeful and forward-looking.

While the album was created without any other collaborators, many of the tracks on the album relate back to an experience that personally inspired Jonny, or to a connection with someone else. “Take Your Time” was an evolution of a Masego remix contest submission from the summer of 2020 (while Jonny didn’t win the contest, he received a memorable shoutout from Masego on Instagram). On “What I Didn’t Do”, Jonny features a clip from friend and fellow musician William Chernoff speaking about unrealized potential and some of the negative self-talk that can hold people back. “Vivid Dreams” also features vocals by way of a chopped lead vocal from the Jonny Tobin-produced track “Mars” by Janette King. Closing off the album is the introspective track “Leonidus”, which was born out of a beat Jonny created for Loop Sessions, a monthly beatmakers hang. The track expanded into a tribute to Jonny’s friend Leonidus Edwards who passed away suddenly in 2021.

“Together” represents Jonny’s response to all the tragedy, despair, and grief of the past 2 years - holding space for those emotions but also seeking to provide glimmers of optimism with an almost playful delight, as the compositions encapsulate his bright outlook on the world. 

credits:

all production, mixing - Jonny Tobin
album mastering - Shaquille Headley (The Drum Temple)

"What I Didn't Do" features Will Chernoff (spoken) and a sample of Thad Bailey-Mai playing rhodes from Will Chernoff's song "Reliable Friend".

"Vivid Dreams" features a vocal sample from Janette King's song "Mars".

"Leonidus" features spoken words from Leonidus Edwards in some of our final conversations before his passing. Love you and miss you my brother.

Neon Afterglow

Still ft. 6LACK and Smino
Written by Tahj Chandler, Sir Farris, Christopher Smith Jr, Carl Lewis
Produced by Daoud, daedaePIVOT, Day Wave and Saba
Additional vocals - Phoelix 
Bass - Daoud
Electric Guitar - Daoud, Day Wave
Piano - Daoud
Keyboards/Synthesizers - Daoud, Day Wave
Drum Programming - Saba, daedaePIVOT
Recording Engineer - Josh Berg (Kingsize Soundlabs), Smino

Still ft. 6LACK & Smino

Black Star - Respiration

Artist : Thrust
From : Toronto, CANADA
EP : Past, Present, Future
Label : Knowledge Of Self
Produced by Frankenstein [Remixed by SCAM]
1996

Thrust - Do You Understand [SCAM Remix]

The lesser known / played original version of this '95 banger. The LP version is what most people tend to prefer, but I like this more laid back beat.

Mobb Deep - Temperatures Rising (Original)

One (Ghost Town)

The Vibe

Black Moon - Who Got da Props? (1992)

Now you see what makes Hip Hop so great...

NASTY NAS - STREET DREAMS

Gangstarr - Above The Clouds (Instrumental (Remake))

No way you'll never make it
Come with the weak shit, I break kids
Step into my zone, mad rhymes will stifle ya
Lines like rifles go blast when I kick some ass
A lot of rappers be like one time wonders
Couldn't say a fly rhyme if there was one right under
Their noses, I hate those motherfuckin posers
But I'm so real to them it's scary
And with my unique skills naw you can't compare me
And no we don't make wack tracks
and all the suckers get pushed back when I'm kickin real facts
I represent set up shit like a tent boy
You're paranoid cause you're a son like Elroy
And you'd be happy as hell to get a record deal
Maybe your soul you'd sell to have mass appeal

Oh yes I'm greater than all MC's when I breeeze give me room please
I be like fascinatin when I be updatin
Cuttin off wack kids, pullin their trump cards
I thump hard, and mak em say that I'm God
Niggaz be pretendin they hardcore
Never know the meaning of [RAW]
But I get props like a slogan and no man
Could ever try to diss when I kicks my jam
Lyrically def and connecting complete mic wrecking
No double checking vocals kill like weapons
But if I have to I go all out with no mic
Yeah that's right cause I survived mad fights
And for my peeps I truly care
Cause without some of them I wouldn't be here
And they all know how I feel
Cause suckers be like playin themselves to have mass appeal

I know I'm dope but don't wet that
I've suffered setbacks but now I'm makin greenbacks
Just like baggy slacks I'm crazy hip-hop
Check one two and you don't stop
Your head'll bop when I drop my crop
of pure bomb, just like the seashore I'm calm
But wild, with my monotone style
Because I don't need gimmicks
Gimme a fly beat and I'm all in it
Word is bond I go on and on
For you it's tragic I got magic like wands
So I'ma end this lecture and I betcha
Those who kick dirt and do time I'm gonna get cha
Cause I be kickin the real
While they be losin the race tryin to chase mass appeal

Gang Starr | Mass Appeal (1994)

Mobb deep - right back at you (demo)

“Awake” is the start of a new interplanetary journey. It’s a sunny, tight, 3-track EP informed by funk, vaporwave, classic video game soundtracks, and vintage R&B. Jonny Tobin’s signature elements shine through from the get-go: dreamy, sugary, lush, synthesizers are present in all 3 tracks and create a warm aroma. Catchy yet sophisticated chord progressions coat the songs in a futuristic feel-good glow. Dirty, bootylicious basslines and swaggy beats shake the house down. All of the tracks are propelled by uplifting melodies that feel at once familiar yet impossible to place. Everything comes together to form hopeful pieces in a mosaic with a colourful collection of characters.

This EP forms the first part in a 3-part story arc (which will culminate in a full album/music video release).

An apocalyptic event ravaged the galaxy, wiping out entire planets, populations, and leaving entire civilizations in ruins. 3 humans from Terra-11 were placed in capsules to preserve their memories and their bodies, as toxins and evil beings took hold of their planet and wiped out the majority of all living beings.   
Hundreds of years later, 3 strangers wander alone through a lush yet desolate wilderness, after waking from a long slumber. In their contemplative states they come upon a variety of colourful landscapes and monuments to civilization past. They encounter vistas and visions that trigger nostalgia, memories, and feelings they hadn’t experienced since before their cryogenic sleep. Instead of feeling hopeless or lonely, they each, in turn, rediscover what it means to feel emotions and find love in a world torn apart by a tragic event. 

Credits:
Production synths, composition, mixing - Jonny Tobin
Vocal sample on Neon Afterglow - Janette King
Mastered by Shaquille Headley
Artwork by Tristan Yuvienco

Awake

Nothing special to see here… yet.


I like music, Ill post something I made if it’s good enough

Gangstarr - Above The Clouds (Instrumental (Remake))

geniusbeat

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