The story of Cali P and TEKA’s Vision album began in 2017 after the former heard a remix of a Migos song constructed by the Berlin producer. The sound, a genre-defying mix of the best in pop culture, served as the pen for the chapters of Vision, which includes two EPs, the album released in September, and now, the vinyl edition of the album which will be released on January 28th.
Cali P is no stranger to wrapping his art in vinyl and hopes the edition – which retains the album’s 13-track listing alongside 10 remixes and five instrumentals – will be embraced by fans of vinyl from around the world.
“I hope vinyl lovers around the world can get their copy as it is a limited edition; we only did 300,” Cali P said. the gleaner. “It’s really special to me because this (vinyl) is something that I would always look forward to from an artist releasing an album. It’s something that I can hold onto, and while I listening, I can read the lyrics or check where it was recorded and everything. Those are things that I personally like a lot, so I’m glad we can release the Vision on vinyl very soon.
The title of the album signals the direction he wants to give his music, free from genre prisons and select audiences. It pervades the whole album, which begins with Innit, a delirious dub groove centered on the singer’s superstar life, and continues with tracks like Hit like a gunshot, an Afrobeats number about social and racial injustice, and when you hold me, a drunken hip hop and reggae affair the ladies will enjoy. The diversity of genres is clear, as is the ability to deliver message music independent of the rhythmic experimentations delivered by TEKA.
“The album I made before that, I think, was really roots-reggae music that I really love and played everywhere, but I really wanted to do something that goes into the future and unites young people, the generation I’m in and the generation above me,” he said. . “TEKA did it in production, bringing that sound of old reggae music, the basic styles, the hot sounds, and mixing it with new school, trap, Afrobeats, dancehall, and that was the vision – unite things and bring people together.”
Their working chemistry began in 2005 when they worked on Take care of my family, which appeared on Cali P’s debut album Faya lyric three years later. Work on the Vision The project evolved primarily at TEKA’s studio, where the men immersed themselves in creating music in a way that allowed for unconventional artistry, fueled by their trust in each other’s creative direction. This foundation allowed them to share the “visionary” space with other creatives who remixed certain songs. Producers include Grammy-nominated outfit Crate Classics (behind Doja Cat’s Women), who remixed when you hold me; Dancehall Rulerz, who gave a dreamy dancehall-pop touch Crazy; and Riga/Hemp Higher Production’s trappy hip hop Life lesson. Camp Equiknoxx singer Shanique Marie appears on the people want more remix, and it’s hard not to notice the three remixes of Rise and shine. The single, featuring StoneBwoy and Seun Kuti, is a motivational anthem with sweet Afro sounds. The vinyl album offers a dancehall remix of TEKA with Mawso Nanon and Babalafaya, a dub atmosphere of TEKA with the melodica magic of Addis Pablo, and an electro chill version of Swing Ting.
“We never really planned how many remixes we would do or even who we would remix; it was really a natural process,” Cali P explained. “Once we spoke with one of the producers, we sent them maybe three or four different songs from the album that were available at that time. there and made them choose the vibes they like the most or the ones they would like to remix.”
As for Rise and shineof the three remixes, their placement completes the project’s break from tradition.
“We just gave everything a chance and then it’s remixes so they can all go their own way and be for those who really appreciate it.”
