Release Date: March 20, 2013
Label: Bliss Eternal
Nu-jazz is always an appealing genre, and there aren’t many things better than when it’s done exceptionally well. Sinitus Tempo’s new album, Haru, is a prime example of this. It successfully fuses chill jazz with grooving hip-hop beats to create a seamless mixture of two wonderful types of music. Sinitus himself is undoubtedly an interesting character; a musician, self-proclaimed otaku, and a cofounder of Bliss Eternal (an indie-label that, as far as I can tell, is a fusion of hip-hop music and anime culture). His contributions to the album are primarily drums and vibes, as well as the sampling and production. He features various horn players throughout the album, which creates organic textures to juxtapose the electronic textures.
Technically, Sinitus is a solid drummer and probably has a larger capability than the album showed off. In this genre, it makes sense for a drummer to employ complicated beats, but to leave out flashy fills for artistic purposes. His vibe playing, while not often in the forefront of the mix, is spotless and adds a huge amount to the textures and overall feel of the album. A great example of this can be found in “Little Lessons,” which draws on a heavy Latin influence and also serves as a tribute to his use of impressive beats without distracting flashiness.
His sampling throughout the album is fantastic and draws on a wide variety of sounds. “Harunoyoru” employs a gorgeous flute sample that floats over an organ sound that sounds like it was lifted from video game. Various vocal samples are used throughout the album, including “Love Fish” which uses a vocal track that sounds lifted straight from the soundtrack of an old film, and includes ethereal synths to create a distinct, spacey feeling. On his Facebook description, Sinitus Tempo calls himself a “seeker of vintage vinyl” and describes his love for sifting through old records for samples, which is beautifully apparent in the majority of his songs. The sampling and production are, for the most part, masterfully done and truly make the album.
Technically, Sinitus is a solid drummer and probably has a larger capability than the album showed off. In this genre, it makes sense for a drummer to employ complicated beats, but to leave out flashy fills for artistic purposes. His vibe playing, while not often in the forefront of the mix, is spotless and adds a huge amount to the textures and overall feel of the album. A great example of this can be found in “Little Lessons,” which draws on a heavy Latin influence and also serves as a tribute to his use of impressive beats without distracting flashiness.
His sampling throughout the album is fantastic and draws on a wide variety of sounds. “Harunoyoru” employs a gorgeous flute sample that floats over an organ sound that sounds like it was lifted from video game. Various vocal samples are used throughout the album, including “Love Fish” which uses a vocal track that sounds lifted straight from the soundtrack of an old film, and includes ethereal synths to create a distinct, spacey feeling. On his Facebook description, Sinitus Tempo calls himself a “seeker of vintage vinyl” and describes his love for sifting through old records for samples, which is beautifully apparent in the majority of his songs. The sampling and production are, for the most part, masterfully done and truly make the album.
Overall, the album is thick with rich layering, and the production style offers a hazy feel while fusing organic and electronic textures. It’s the kind of music that belongs in a smoky, underground jazz club. The biggest problem with this album is that Mr. Tempo keeps the same overall sound throughout, and sometimes the energy feels stagnant. There is definitely a case to be made for the unity of an album as a piece of art, but I worry that he might fall into the trap that so many contemporary instrumental artists and groups fall into: find a great sound, and stick to it. Examples of this include RJD2 and Explosions in the Sky, two of the biggest instrumental acts of the last decade. I would love to see Sinitus Tempo step out of his comfort zone for his next album and do something truly innovative. Haru has moments of this, but if nothing else it says that he has the potential to truly push the boundaries of the genre. Despite this flaw, it was a great listen, and I look forward to the next time Sinitus has a release.
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