Modernity is about intimacy. A lot of what relationships mean deals with connection, communication, the ability to personalize for a whole multitude of people. Terry Blade’s rich resonant voice that reveals so much on “Unmastered” The Demo Sessions” takes this lesson to heart. Sparse arrangements couch the importance of his verses for every verse is another line of poetry. With this free-verses, free-form spirit the songs possess such life about them. Vast spaces are implied throughout whether it is a slight ambient sweep here, nimble guitar work there, and the dusty hit of the beats. R&B, pop, psychedelic, soul, and the blues all are fused together in a way that has such a dignity to it.
For its pared down spareness, there is still a lot of depth behind these small gestures. The brevity and extreme focus bring to mind Frank Ocean’s “Blonde” for there is that same confessional quality to it. Every single detail here matters, and with some of the Bossa Nova/jazz takes, he even brings to mind a variation on Antonio Carlos Jobim’s most private works. Listening these transports, you into his highly refined musical sphere. Combining the old and new, there is a sense of timelessness to it. His taste in sound and atmosphere continues to be elegant, even stately at times for its small yet significant gestures.
The groove has a jazz looseness with the flexibility of “Not Right Now”. From the crisp finger snaps to the heavy bass, there is a beauty about it. Going into an even chiller attitude is the considerate loveliness of “Ms. Understood”. Wonderful references race on by for there is a grandeur to all of it. Beats have a crispness to them, for the electronic aspect has a cleverness to all of it. By far the highlight comes from the lighter than air “Rude”. An urbane sophistication comes through fully and completely. Virtually glistening the song glows with such power behind it. His vocals are mixed prominently putting them front and center of the entire thing. On “Stone (M.I. Redux)” Terry brings in influences from an unexpected place, the delicate textures of latter-day Stereolab. A hint of true yearning and nostalgia exists within the carefully laid out work. Layer upon layer makes sure that the ornate detail gains a grandeur behind it. By far the most hip-hop indebted track brings it all home with “Untangled” for there is a greatness behind its many twists and turns.
A vulnerability defines Terry Blade’s highly personal “Unmastered: The Demo Sessions”.
