II [Digital Download Card]

by Tuxedo

Overview

On their first album together under the name Tuxedo, neo-soul hotshot Mayer Hawthorne and in-demand producer Jake One delved deeply into their shared love for the robo-funk of Zapp, the shimmeringly slick R&B of Billy Ocean, the bouncing grooves of the Gap Band, and the sugary romanticism of vocalists like Melba Moore. Tuxedo II lives up to its title and sounds like a natural follow-up, packed to the bow tie with elastic dancefloors jams, deadly hot synth bass, a horn section tight as Earth, Wind & Fire, and lots of booty-bumpin' jams topped by Hawthorne's boyishly tender vocals. Like a super-slick modern update done with style and reverence, the duo takes pains not to let any traces of modern music into the mix. Close your eyes while "Take a Picture" or "Back in Town" spins and it's like a time trip back to the glittery, Mylar-covered '80s; "2nd Time Around" could be a lost Ready for the World track; "Livin' 4 Your Lovin'" adds some post-disco glam to the mix; and there are a couple ballads that have a sweet, late-night-dedication feel to them, with "Shine" -- a soft-spoken duet between Hawthorne and Gavin Turek that gives off serious Rene & Angela vibes -- being the clear winner. Hawthorne and One don't try much of anything new on II, and they didn't really have to. They are dialed in on a very credible, very entertaining sound and approach, and could probably keep cranking out enjoyable albums like this until the party gets shut down. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/2017
Label:	Stones Throw
UPC:	0659457238216

Tracks

1. Fux With the Tux
2. 2nd Time Around
3. Take a Picture
4. Rotational
5. Shine
6. Scooter¿¿¿s Groove
7. U Like It
8. Back Ii Town
9. Special
10. Livin¿¿¿ 4 Your Lovin¿¿¿
11. July

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Tuxedo   Primary Artist
Snoop Dogg   Vocals
Christian Wunderlich   Guitar
Michelle Shaprow   Crowd Noise
Kokane   Vocals
Jake One   Drums,Vocals,Vocoder,Keyboards,Crowd Noise
Lester Troutman   Drums
Sam Beaubien   Trumpet
Matt Martinez   Trombone
Mayer Hawthorne   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Crowd Noise
Justin Jozwiak   Saxophone
Gavin Turek   Vocals
Karl Tyler   Crowd Noise
Noe Rodriguez   Bass
Clifton "Scooter" Maxie   Keyboards,Crowd Noise
Gloria Cole   Crowd Noise
Jackson Perry   Crowd Noise

Technical Credits

Andrew Cohen   Composer
Jake One   Programming,Drum Programming
Benji Demps   Composer
John Morales   Mixing
Jeff Jank   Art Direction
Mayer Hawthorne   Mastering,Art Direction
Jacob Dutton   Composer
Sam Wishkoski   Composer
Jean Andre   Cover Art
Tuxedo   Arranger,Producer
Clifton "Scooter" Maxie   Composer