PPP – Abundance (Ubiquity)

Released: 20/01/2009

Once known as Platinum Pied Pipers, Waajeed and Saadiq reinvent themselves with more than a name change. On their second album for the magnificent Ubiquity label, the group delivers a contemporary twist of old Motown influences, creating a brilliant and distinct collection of funk and soul. 

While Detroit seems doomed in most of the media due to its dependence of its automobile industry, the motor town’s hip-hop scene has more positive vibes at the moment. 

Wajeed first started producing back in 2000, when he was given a broken piece of equipment by J Dilla, which he was told he could keep if he could fix it. Just years later, he released the seminal Platinum Pied Pipers debut album “Triple P” together with Saadiq back in 2005. The combination of funk, soul, and hiphop struck a chord with audiences worldwide and established the duo as sought after producers, while launching the career of vocalist Tiombe Lockhart. 

The first single, “On a cloud“, is a good starting point when getting to know this album. With organic drums, full band and powerful soul vocals – it could have come straight out of Brighton. Another song I love is “Pigeon hole”, a slow soul number that is perfect for those slow dances. To showcase the albums diversity, I would also like to pull out “Sanctuary”, a song that is along the same the same lines as 4 Hero, with lots of strings and slow beats. ”Abundance” a full package that is organic enough to feel spontaneous, yet sophisticated enough without loosing the over-produced. 

Vocalist Karma Stewart is a new acquaintance, and one I will be keeping tabs on in the time to come. Her vocals are all over this album, and along with Coultrain both vocalists sound truely at home in Wajeed and Saadiq’s productions. The duo has also returned the favor and produced her debut EP (Coultrain have written the lyrics). The 4-track CD was originally sold at PPP shows all across Europe last fall – but now Karma & PPP have decided to give the EP away for free as a preview of both Karma’s upcoming (you get some bonus material as well!).

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