Don’t Go Thru the Night Without Listening to This Joint From Phonte & Eric Roberson (Audio)
Every once in a while, a lowkey collaboration comes along that results in the kind of music that rejuvenates and reignites. Generally speaking, the promo leading up to frequent collaborators Phonte and Eric Roberson’s 10-track Tigallerro happened in whispers, but the music on the LP speaks volumes (and then some). It’s a project that certainly fits well within the parameters of Contemporary Soul, but even that label seems reductive. Elements of Zapp-like production on records like “Thru the Night” sit side-by-side with sweeping, lush R&B stylings of the early ’00s Dwele-esque “It’s So Easy,” and those are just the first two tracks. But that’s no surprise, given the magnitude of the talent of the parties involved.
The World Needs Love. Phonte & Eric Roberson Make Music To Go With It. (Audio)
By now, Heads know well that Phonte is unstoppably talented and apparently just as indefatigable as he is gifted. With his tremendous work as a member of both Little Brother and Foreign Exchange under his belt, the singer-rapper-songwriter has added yet another stellar team effort to his discography and by doing so has likely only heightened the fervor surrounding the impending release of his next solo album. Grammy-nominated Eric Roberson (known as Erro to his Day One fans) is an equally unstoppable talent, one whose voice has been making music since his 1994 debut single, “The Moon.” Heads are likely more familiar with his work alongside artists like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, DJ Spinna, and his past work with Tigallo.
Phonte & 9th Wonder Reunite On A Robert Glasper Tribute To Miles Davis (Audio)
“Thru the Night” is a stand-out cut from Tigallerro, thanks to its multi-faceted elements. Not only does it showcase the silky-smooth vocal abilities of the dynamic duo, but it features a breakdown that will earn a replay (or several). By the time the track is over, ‘Te has dropped a verse and one can nearly hear the mic drop.
However, the sum of all its parts is what makes Tigallerro arguably one of the best this year.
#BonusBeat: Detroit’s Lorenzo Ferguson (known as Zo!) put out his …just visiting three EP in 2011, home to the Phonte and Eric Roberson-assisted “Marzipan.”
Phonte’s second solo album, No News Is Good News, is slated for a September 30 arrival on the Foreign Exchange imprint.