Soul Mates

Yasiin Gaye: The Return (Side One)

“Yasiin Gaye” was inspired by the song "Modern Marvel" (from Mos Defʼs
2004 album, The New Danger). In this 9-minute tribute, Mos sings/raps
over an instrumental soundscape of Gaye's "Flyin' High (in the Friendly
Sky)" and his ever so timeless "What's Going On". During the second half
of the song, he poses the question:

"If Marvin was alive now, wow…

I agree with Mos when he says that the modern world might look strange to
Marvin. But I also feel that Marvinʼs music and his message still hold a very
significant and valuable place in our modern society. In fact, I think we
need him now more than ever.

This album is a response to Yasiin' Bey's tribute, and an attempt to answer

“If Marvin was alive now, wow…what would I say to him?" - Mos Def

- Amerigo Gazaway
1. Intro Theme (The Departure)

This is your Captain speaking. Prepare for Departure.

2. Inner City Travellin' Man

This is the first "Yasiin Gaye" track I ever produced. My favorite Marvin Gaye
song paired with my favorite Mos Def song. I was actually on tour when I created
it and remember feeling a really strong connection with the lyrics; as if I had
become the "Inner City Travellin' Man" myself. This was also the track that gave
me the confidence to fully lean in on the whole Yasiin/Marvin concept.

3. Definition of Infinity feat. Talib Kweli

Best Alliance in Hip-Hop! Black Star is one of my all-time favorite hip-hop duos so
this track was especially fun to work on. I wanted to keep the same vibe of the
originally used Marvin Gaye samples so the song would maintain the same kind
of energy. Some of you may recognize the "Far Cry" sample from Yo Gotti's
"Gangsta Party” as well.

4. I Want You 'Til The Summertime

This one was exciting because it gave me the chance to really experiment with
the Marvin Gaye stems. I used various elements of " Mercy, Mercy, Me" and
"What's Going On" towards the 2 half to re-create my own version of "Inner City
nd

Blues.” The chorus combined vocals from "I Want You" as well. I remember
hearing somewhere that ?uestlove thought “Mercy Mercy Me” felt like a "winter
track" to him and while I remember agreeing at the time, my version ended up
being all about the summertime. I think it could go either way.

5. Ms Fat Booty

I really wanted this one to capture that authentic Motown sound. I had this vision
in my head of Yasiin and Marvin performing in a smoky club where everyone was
swing-dancing to the music and having a great time. I wasn't completely sure of
the direction at first but I knew it had to be something fun and that would make
you want to dance. This track uses elements from "Can I Get A Witness",
"You're A Wonderful One", and "Let's Get it On."

6. The Panties

This is baby making music right here. I know Teddy P doesn't have much to do
with the overall theme of the album, but he sounded so damn perfect that I just
couldn't resist. Andre 3000 makes a surprise appearance towards the end as
well. Warning: this track may inadvertently cause panties to start dropping.
7. Workin' It Out

"Workin It Out" was kind of a "happy accident" as Bob Ross would put it. I had
originally planned to use the sample of Mos rapping "The girl I love don't wear
panties much" on "The Panties" track but it wasnʼt really fitting in that organic way
I was looking for. A few days later, I started messing around with it again and
before I knew it, “Workinʼ It Out” was born. Love it when that happens.

8. Peculiar Mathematics

For this track, I ended up re-creating the Primo beat using only Marvin Gaye
samples. This is a fun exercise in beat making that I like to do from time to time. I
also flipped the scratches on the hook by using various quotes from Mos, De La
Soul, Dr. Dre, Black Thought, and a few others.

9. "T Plays A Cool Loop" feat. Andy Flory

I've always appreciated hearing interludes on other people's projects. Pete Rock
and The Pharcyde were big influences for me in that regard and I always loved
the skits/interludes Prince Paul would do on the De La Soul albums. I see
interludes as an opportunity to give deeper insight into the characters and the
story. On "T" Plays a Cool Loop", you get to learn about how Marvin was actually
looping his own breaks in the studio to create that portion of the Trouble Man
soundtrack.

10. Time (To Get It Together)

"All things that are worth doing take time." - Yasiin Bey

I like this track because Bey is speaking from the perspective of "Father TIme"
himself. This one combines elements of Marvin's "Time To Get It Together" with
verses and hooks from Mos Def's "Hurricane” and "Tinseltown to Boogiedown".

11. Inner City Breathin'

This track doesn't include any Mos verses but it does have a couple of cool guest
features including Marvin, Tammi Terrell, and Skeme (the grafitti writer from Style
Wars.) This was originally supposed to be one of two "Respiration" remixes feat.
Talib and Common, but the acapella was too distorted for me to work with. Iʼd
suggest playing this jawn on the subway or on an evening walk through the city.

11. Two Worlds feat. Kanye West

Two words: the cuts.

12. Soul Mates Radio feat. The Black Astronauts

Do YOU believe in Soul Mates? I threw this one in for a bit of comic relief. Shouts
to the Black Astronauts!
 End Credits

Soul Mates 2014

Produced by: Amerigo Gazaway

Executive Producer: Rickey Mindlin

DIY Acapellas by: The Goodwill Projects  

Soundbites:

What's Going On Now Project:

http://www.whatsgoingonnow.org

Harry Weinger and Questlove Unpack "What's Going On:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ3DWnkILbY

AMS Lecture Series: Andy Flory -- "Reissuing Marvin: Musicology and the
Modern Expanded" Edition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOaOM4c-m8E

The Black Astronauts - Do You Believe In Soul Mates? (Wanna Know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDcoRHtTrFk

Special Thanks: The Creator, Yasiin Bey AKA The Mighty Mos, Marvin Gaye
AKA The Prince of Soul, my “Umi”, my family, friends and fans, my brother and
creative partner Rickey Mindlin, my booking agent Guy Oldaker and Madison
House, Okayplayer, The Goodwill Projects, Andy Flory, Jonny Gabelman, Art
Webb of This is ART, and everyone who has ever supported me and my musical
endeavors past or present.

As always, thank YOU for your support, feedback, and inspiration.

- Amerigo Gazaway
 Contact

Amerigo Music: amerigomusic.com

Soul Mates: soulmatesproject.com

Music: http://amerigo.bandcamp.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/amerigogazaway

Twitter: twitter.com/amerigo615

Youtube: http://youtube.com.amerigo615

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/amerigomusic

Legitmix: http://legitmix.com/discovery/remixer/5874/Amerigo-Gazaway

For booking, contact: guy@madison-house.com

For all other inquiries, please contact: info@amerigomusic.com