Live Review: Premiere: SO.Crates deliver lush new visual alongside new single, 'Fresh Gold Bloom-Age'

SO.Crates is the collective mind between Californian via Adelaide MC and poet Cazeaux O.S.L.O and Melbourne based producer DJ Skomes. Inspired by a shared love of pioneering jazz and hip-hop groups, such as the likes of A Tribe called Quest, De La Soul and many of those groups peers, the duo has established themselves as stalwarts in Melbourne's jazz scene. They've extensively performed their silky smooth beats and bars alongside the likes of Stones Throw Records, Bradley Zero, Black Milk, 30/70, Mndsgn and festivals such as Strawberry Fields, Flow, WOMAD and future spots at Rainbow Serpent. Today, the duo have released their newest single, 'Fresh Gold Bloom-Age', and this morning, Purple Sneakers is premiering the tracks visual, directed and edited by Alnitak Kid.

The single forms a double A side 12" vinyl set to be released on the 5th of November, joining recently released “Beaut-I-Full World” feat. Zima and Kalala. The track takes distinct sonic cues from 90s boom bap rap, while reshaping and repurposing it to the duo's flavourful sonic palette. Cazeux once again delivers yet another  introspective, down the earth vocal performance, with his calm cadence combining perfectly with the tracks laid back production.

The track's accompanying visual takes Ceazeux's lyrical prowess to a new level, with his wordplay allowing him to travel through a comic-like adventure. As he literally carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, the video is a friendly reminder to constantly be present, self aware and always tapped into the bigger picture.

On the video, the MC stated, 'Well, it's like this. You know making art is beautiful and confronting. Sometimes I wonder if what I make is really useful for folks out there in the world. Like the plastic square that has a hole in it that keeps a loaf of bread fresh. Functional. I've worked many a gig that didn't feel as useful as that plastic square on the day-to-day. When I was a young blood spinning down that mind melt I had a vision as I was sitting in a hot apartment with my best friend listening to Freddie Hubbard's 'First Light'. What if we went down to the subway and happened upon a help wanted poster stuck to the wall (you know the kind with the row of tear-away numbers at the bottom) and the gig was for raising the sun and carrying it across the sky. No fanfare, no praise, nothing remarkable required at all and yet totally essential for everything to flow as we know. Years and years later and here we are adapting that jazz-induced daydream to a rap tune.

"Only now it has an added element that seeks to vibe and learn from the indigenous light-keepers of this world. Fresh Gold-Bloom-Age."

Words by Parry Tritsiniotis

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

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