playlist #14 | DOMi & JD BECK "NOT TiGHT"

Describing DOMi & JD BECK as merely interesting and talented young musicians in jazz would be a total understatement. Their combination of lofi and chill elements with incredibly innovative jazzy resources goes way beyond what other musicians in the jazz scene have achieved.

In 2022, DOMi & JD BECK made their debut as a duo with the release of their first full-length album, “NOT TiGHT”. Their remarkable achievement was further acknowledged with two Grammy Award nominations that same year: one for Best New Artist and another for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

WHATUP

‘WHATUP’ sets the tone for the album providing a thrilling yet relaxing mix throughout its three-minute span.

Domi’s genius chord sequences and surprising solos create an intriguing dynamic tension while Beck’s frenzied drum & bass groove acts like reverse magnets, creating contrasting forces that are irresistibly engaging to both listen to and analyze.

SMiLE

“SMiLE” is two lopsided lo-fi looped sections decorated by DOMi’s undeniably chill-catchy & laid-back keys and Beck’s straight up nasty beats & fills.
The track entices listeners to fully engage with its distinct fusion of musical styles, providing a refreshing outlook on modern music production.

BOWLiNG ft. Thundercat

In “BOWLiNG”, the duo enlists the talents of their longstanding collaborator, Thundercat, who contributes soulful and melodic vocals alongside DOMi. Thundercat skillfully navigates the lower registers on bass, providing a solid foundation that complements DOMi’s keyboard work. Simultaneously, Beck propels the composition forward with a laid-back breakbeat rhythm in 6/8 time signiture, adding to the overall relaxed ambiance of the track.

NOT TiGHT ft. Thundercat

The album’s title track, “NOT TiGHT”, bursts onto the scene like an impromptu jam session that miraculously morphed into a one-of-a-kind sonic delight. Thundercat’s spectacular addition is the icing on this auditory cake, playing in perfect harmony with Beck’s slippery drum beats and DOMi’s entrancing piano melodies. As if being on a thrilling roller coaster ride, you are then whisked away into an exhilarating dance of sound.

TWO SHRiMPS ft. Mac DeMarco

The duo presents “TWO SHRiMPS”, a lively tune with simple hooks, accentuated by Mac DeMarco’s vocal. The song commences in an unconventional 9/4 meter, straying from the more typical 4/4 common time or the 6/8 waltz, and continues to evolve its time signature as it unfolds.

The engaging balance between complex meters and the gratifying ease of melodic hooks captures the essence of what DOMi and JD Beck bring to their music.

U DON’T HAVE TO ROB ME

The song is the only instance in the album where Beck and DOMi are exclusively harmonizing together with their mellifluous voices. The lyrics of “U DON’T HAVE TO ROB ME” might seem whimsical or even superfluous, but it’s their endearing allure and distinct humor that keeps you anticipating more of such harmony in future releases.

MOON ft. Herbie Hancock

Hancock’s iconic vocoder in this track “MOON” meets DOMi and Beck’s signature sound of driving bass, beats, and unexpected key transitions.
Starting from the song’s midpoint, Hancock and DOMi display remarkable improvisational synergy over Beck’s choppy rhythm, allowing us to appreciate this precious cross-generational collaboration.

Duke

“DUKE” seems to serve as an interlude that doesn’t contribute much dynamism, with the chord works wandering aimlessly throughout the piece. Duke’s languid, almost sedative-like instrumental on a subtly ominous and somber tone hints at more profound layers yet to be discovered in their musical expedition.

TAKE A CHANCE ft. Anderson .Paak

Anderson takes center stage on “TAKE A CHANCE” with his commanding vocal presence, providing the main vocals for the majority of the song. He starts off the track with a rap that establishes the atmosphere, toning in with the unconventional drum rhythm and musical arrangement that give the song its unique character. As the rhythm transitions into a more conventional style, DOMi & JD BECK join Anderson in harmonizing on the chorus.

Hold on, just let go of who I used to be
Right now, I need you to take a chance on me
You’ve heard it before
So this time, I’ll let the actions speak
Right now, I need you to take a chance on me (yeah)

SPACE MOUNTAiN

“SPACE MOUNTAiN” pulsates with rhythmic energy. Beck creates a flood of restless kick patterns and hyped ghost notes, flams, and rolls on his snare drum while DOMi’s inhuman keys tumble and twist.
The song has taken an immediate sensation, surpassing conventional boundaries and blazoning “The JD Beck’s Groove” to the music scene.

PiLOT ft. Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Anderson .Paak

“PiLOT”, in contrast to “TWO SHRiMPS”, places greater emphasis on the vocals (Anderson PAAK, Snoop Dogg, andBusta Rhymes). This star-studded collaborative piece is a testament to the duo’s intimate connection with hip-hop in their musical root.

DOMi employs a fundamental set of chords throughout this song which contrasts other instances in the album where her right hand ascends through complex melodies. JD Beck modifies his drumming style accordingly playing chill background beats in 6/8. The duo’s gift lies in their capacity to actualize musical potentialities by incorporating their unique style and persona.

WHOA ft. Kurt Rosenwinkel

“WHOA” is just like a vibrant jam session featuring the jazz guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel in a live club. Rosenwinkel plays burning spidery melodies and licks on insanely limping yet solid triplets rhythm Beck punctuates while DOMi’s keys seems paying homage to the legendary jazz standard “Giant Steps” by her surreal chord voicings and reharmonizations.

SNiFF

“SNiFF,” initially called “U CAN SNiFF MY BUTT,” is like an intriguing blend of “Squarepusher”-like scattered drum’n’bass with the electric keys reminiscent of Corea and Jarrett in Mile Davis’ the Bitches Brew era.

Without the visual aid, one might assume that the drums were programmed, but it’s actually Beck playing them for real. DOMi skillfully exhibits tranquil piano chords, bass arpeggios, and a mellow synth piano that gracefully dances through the melodies in the song.

(header image credit: wikipedia - Not Tight)