Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Clever Jeff's debut album, Jazz Hop Soul, was among the 1990's projects that combined hip-hop with elements of jazz. It would have been interesting if Jeff, a Bay Area rapper with solid rhyming skills had been joined by an actual jazz band and an improvising soloist. But while Jeff, who produced the album with Dave G., employs trumpet players on a few sections, he usually raps to program tracks - most of which are sleek, hypnotic, and jazz influenced. If his goal was to provide an album that is at once sophisticated and gritt, he accomplished this rather nicely. The rapper obviously had a lot on his mind, and hw turns his attention to everything from social and political topics to sexy women who sip latte in trendy cafes. This alternative rap release should have done well, but unfortunately, Jazz Hop Soul was amoung the overlooker and neglected releases of 1994 - All Music Guide (Alex Henderson)
Amazing Production
Reviewer: The MoJoKing of Absolute Power
As a general rule I am all about the lyrics. When deciding how much I like an album I think about what I would have thought of the lyrics if I written them myself. Would I throw em' in the trash (most albums today)? Would I think they are average, run of the mill? Would I have to smile at myself and say "yeah that's it"? Rarely but every once in a while something is written so well I wish I DID right the song. The Bad news about "Street Therapy" is that Clever Jeff's lyrics rarely move above the average range. The positive messages in his words are commendable, especially in this era of hip-hop, but I can't say he stands out lyrically. On the other hand the VERY GOOD news is that he is an amazing producer. I mean he is on another planet as far as hip-hop goes. This is the type of album that young hip-hop fans need to give to their parents or friends who swear that "rap is not music". Play track #7 for them, put a finger on their lips and tell them "not another word". Did Jeff purposely make his lyrics plain just so it wouldn't interfere with the music? It seems possible. This album is produced so well that I dare say it is a MUST BUY, for hip-hop fans and rap haters. The first, and maybe the last 5 stars I put in a review. Go spend your money my people!!! - CD Baby (The Mojoking Of Absolute Power)
this cd is captivating and engaging, a must have in your collection. - CD Baby (Street Talk Magazine)
I listen to a lot of CD's you guys sell and the majority of it is wack. I mean wack! but this CD made me think about us as a people and we need more of them. - CD Baby (Roderick Webb)
"It is sending a message and the fact he has such a rhythmatic and melodic tune to it makes it captivating," offered Executive Producer Mike Steadman. "And we are getting back to a point in music where it has to be saying something." Positive, powerful songs like "I'm Not A Gangsta" and "First Black President" offer that very type of optimism. "I come from the town where the panthers put it down. But now we look around. There ain't none to be found" raps Jeff in "First Black President" referring to his hometown whose murder rate has spiralled way out of control in recent years. "I feel that pain. We all feel that pain with the murders out here," said Jeff. "Maybe this song will make one person go out there and do something positive. There ain't no representation like before with the Panthers. We need that type of community again."
"…Sorta like Farrakhan, Let me explain, My spirit is free/The media don't control me, I say what I see" - raps Jeff on "I'm Not A Gangsta." Other standout tracks the title track "Street Therapy," "Dope Music," "Filmo Slim," "Stay Fly," "Motivated If You Don't Mind," and "Can't Tell Ya What Cha Do." The album is produced entirely by the multi talented Clever Jeff who also plays all the instruments (including bass, keyboards, and guitar). Jeff also does background vocals under his Lloyd Jones alias. Guests who contribute include Greg "G-Money" Bell on vocals and Angelo Luster on saxaphone. "Bass-line driven, old-school funk" - is Jeff's description of "Street Therapy."
- BAM (Billy Jam)
Discography
Jazz Hop Soul (Warner bros. Qwest rec.)
Ghetto Anthem (HUM / OM Records)
God Quality (Fatius Walker Records)
Street Therapy (Fatius Walker Records)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Celebrating his tenth year in hip hop, the multi-talented and musically-diverse Bay Area artist Clever Jeff, infamous for creating hip hop's 'jazz-hop-soul' sub-genre when he began his career a decade ago, continues to be one of hip hop's most consistently relevant voices, ever pushing the envelope. His brand new, instantly engaging, fourteen track CD, "Street Therapy" (Fatius Walker), is one of those rare rap albums that is not just banging musically but also lyrically." As always Clever Jeff has a lot to say on the state of the world and this he does in a way that will appeal to music fans from all backgrounds. The richly diverse "Street Therapy" boasts songs like the title track which has a smooth sound while "I'm Not A Gangsta" (the new album's lead single) is more of a urban street track. "Music should be like life - different moods and vibes," said the Oakland based emcee/singer/musician/producer who doesn't want to just put out albums. "With the Street Therapy project I am trying to soothe the souls of the people and open some minds to the truth," said Jeff.
"It is sending a message and the fact he has such a rhythmatic and melodic tune to it makes it captivating," offered Executive Producer Mike Steadman. "And we are getting back to a point in music where it has to be saying something." Positive, powerful songs like "I'm Not A Gangsta" and "First Black President" offer that very type of optimism. "I come from the town where the panthers put it down. But now we look around. There ain't none to be found" raps Jeff in "First Black President" referring to his hometown whose murder rate has spiralled way out of control in recent years. "I feel that pain. We all feel that pain with the murders out here," said Jeff. "Maybe this song will make one person go out there and do something positive. There ain't no representation like before with the Panthers. We need that type of community again."
" Sorta like Farrakhan, Let me explain, My spirit is free/The media don't control me, I say what I see" - raps Jeff on "I'm Not A Gangsta." Other standout tracks the title track "Street Therapy," "Dope Music," "Filmo Slim," "Stay Fly," "Motivated If You Don't Mind," and "Can't Tell Ya What Cha Do." The album is produced entirely by the multi talented Clever Jeff who also plays all the instruments (including bass, keyboards, and guitar). Jeff also does background vocals under his Lloyd Jones alias. Guests who contribute include Greg "G-Money" Bell on vocals and Angelo Luster on saxaphone. "Bass-line driven, old-school funk" - is Jeff's description of "Street Therapy."
As a child Clever Jeff grew up in a household rich with music listening to a steady diet of Roy Ayers, Ohio Players and George Clinton. His mother was a singer. His uncles were musicians. At age ten Jeff was joining in and playing in the jam sessions they would have in the family living room. In college he got distracted from music by basketball but soon came back to his first love: music. In 1993 he caught the attention of Quincy Jones who signed him to his Reprise/Warner Brothers imprint, Qwest Records. 1994's "Jazz Hop Soul" on Qwest/Reprise spawned several regional hits and much critical acclaim. Jeff followed up the album with "God Quality" on OM in 1997. In 2000 he further expanded his sound and under the R&B moniker Lloyd Jones recorded an album of more mature, soul leaning, songs on his own indie label, utilizing the then new MP3 route of successfully distributing his music.
In 2001 he teamed up with Superstar Quamallah to form Two Man Band and recorded an album. One of the tracks, "North Pole" also appeared on "Just Payin The Rent: Amoeba Music Compilation." 2004's "Street Therapy" marks another giant step for this Bay Area talent who continues to think outside the rap box.
www.fatiuswalker.com
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