Synth or Soul

The acclaimed Detroit-based indie hip-hop producer Black Milk is often likened to the late J Dilla. But his fifth studio LP, *Synth or Soul*, is void of any emcees. Originally recorded and released in a limited quantity to commemorate Record Store Day in 2013, *Synth or Soul* is the first instrumental installment for a visual art and sound series that Black Milk has titled *Fuzz, Fregs & Colors*; it\'s a collaborative project with artist and graphic guru Upendo Taylor. “Computer Ugly Ugly” sets a playful tone, with kitschy samples and squeaky, squiggly synth notes rubbing up against big boomy beats. The following “When the Sky Falls” better illustrates Black Milk’s talents as a beatmaker. With vintage keyboard tones mixed in the background, you can really home in on his chopped samples and the swirled blend of drum-machine collages and live instrumentation. “Piano Moog” makes good on its title as weird analog chirps, gurgles, and distorted drones play against more traditional keyboard arrangements. “80\'s TV Show” similarly glows with bygone synthesizer effects reminiscent of primetime theme songs from the era of tube TVs.

Black Milk collaborates with illustrator Upendo “Pen” Taylor (Nike, Leroy Jenkins, Gatorade) for the music-meets-visual instrumental/art series Fuzz, Freqs & Colors (FFC). Synth or Soul is the first volume in the FFC series. The process for each volume starts with Black and Pen trading beats and sketches and refining their works along the way. Throughout that exchange, the music is shaped by the visual art and the visual art is shaped by the music. FFC is the first project launched by the new creative house Computer Ugly.