REVIEW: Ghostpoet – Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam

Obaro Ejimiwe, otherwise known as Ghostpoet, in 2010 released “The Sound of Strangers” EP, produced and featuring Mica of Micachu, it was put out on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Label. The jazz culture of Brownswood, and Micachu’s grimey production, worked for Ghostpoet perfectly. Now he has released his debut album “Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam”.

Ghostpoets distinct style consists of a dark dream filled stories. His slur through tracks is like that of a few drinks, effortlessly gracing each track. The first full track “Run Run Run”, couldn’t hit the album off better, images of lonely dark streets set the tone for the album perfectly. His narrative leaves a sense of urgency, and much like the rest of the album, his lyrics drives the music.

Its hard not to mention “Cash and Carry Me Home”, the single of “Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam”. Its pulsing synth and steady bass beat, has a relatively faster pace than rest of the album. Its dark dub-step influence, makes it a track ideal for the night times. The lyrics one again are killer, “I know we fuss and fight here a little bit, I’ve had a couple drinks for a little bit, I’m beggin’ you, just carry me home home”, its reminds me of Gil Scott-Heron, especially with the rock bottom tone.

Let’s not forget, Ghostpoet produces as much as he writes, his production is like a second arm, “One of the guys made the beats with Reason, he taught me the basics and I kind of stumbled, bumbled and fumbled my way to the present.” Producing his own music, allows greater freedom, freedom that he most definitely uses. “Peanut Butter Blue & Melancholy Jam”, infuses, dub-step, electronica, hip-hop and blues, with the end product like a musical diary. He can create atmosphere with only a few sounds, “Survive it” is a hopeful look forward, with only a muffled piano, synthesizer, and gentle tapping. Album ender, “Liines“, leaves on a different note, swapping a laptop and keyboard for a live sound. Ghostpoet’s lyrics fill the air, riding the wave of the instrumental sound, by the end it feels like Ghostpoet has resolved his problems, concluding the album.

Ghostpoet’s “Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam”, is a far more electronic fueled album, bridging the gap between poetry, rap, and spoken word. It’s definitely something you need in your music library.

“Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam” is out on Brownswood Recordings, available at all good record shops.

Make sure you grab “The Sound of Strangers EP” as well, sure to knock your socks off. Right here

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