The Third Hand
Xl Recordings
HIP HOP
Catapulted to notoriety, fame, and uber-serious hip-hop credibility with 2002's 'Dead Ringer' LP, 30-year-old Philadelphia resident and multi-instrumentalist RJD2 has enjoyed a thoroughly prolific career. 2004's critically acclaimed follow up 'Since We Last Spoke' nailed it for him.
In the last year alone, RJ produced records for his group SOUL POSITION and ACEYALONE, wrote scores for video games and DVDs, in addition to various remixes for artists such as ASTRUD GILBERTO.
For 'The Third Hand', RJD2 abandons all the notions and titles that have been placed upon him. Underground hip-hop super-producer to many, virtuoso sample-based instrumental wizard to some, RJD2 embodies all of these things on 'The Third Hand' but goes further.
Recorded, performed, arranged, and produced entirely by himself in his basement studio, RJD2 commands his trusty MPC 2000XL sampler/sequencer alongside analogue synths, electric pianos and guitars, not to mention his own voice. Most notably, live instruments come in to play. The result is a cohesive pop album in the most classic sense, a sound more akin to PHOENIX than, say, PREFUSE 73. In essence, this is RJD2's entrance into the pantheon of enigmatic songwriter/producers (see JON BRION, BRIAN WILSON, STEVIE WONDER), capable of creating a record of rich songwriting, complex arrangements, and clever production.
Word from RJD2 himself on the new album: "It's more lushly produced, with vocal harmonies and grooves. Like the Zombies, Steely Dan and Daft Punk having some brews in a hot tub. It's sort of a garage-y produced pop record, that's got vocal harmonies, some bad-ass guitar tones, very slight riffage, just enough piano, and some tough ass drums.
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MP3 ALBUM |
#XLCD263 |
$16.99 |
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CD |
XLCD263 |
$29.95 |
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01 |
Intro
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02 |
You Never Had It So Good
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03 |
Have Mercy
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04 |
Reality
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05 |
Work It Out
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06 |
Law Of The Gods
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07 |
Get It
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08 |
Someday
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09 |
The Bad Penny
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10 |
Beyond The Beyond
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11 |
Sweet Piece
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12 |
Rules For Normal Living
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13 |
Paper Bubble
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14 |
Just When
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15 |
The Evening Gospel
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LPx1 |
XLLP263 |
$31.95 |
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MP3 (320k) Individuals AU$1.69 per track
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