Traveling Man

Oddisee’s fifth album — and his second instrumental-only work — is a breakthrough for the Washington, D.C.-based producer. Every song on *Traveling Man* is named for a different locale, but the connections between sound and city are dreamlike rather than direct. “Miami” is given a sound that is large and lavish, while “Philly” is a swirl of stately orchestral soul. “Lagos” and “Sao Paulo” both echo the heavily rhythmic musical cultures of those cities, and conversely, the spare, haunting “Detroit” feels like a lament for a place abandoned. *Traveling Man* is kin to similar-minded projects by Madlib and J. Dilla, but Oddisee has a broader appreciation for contemporary rap trends than either of those producers. “Atlanta” is his twisted rejoinder to the bombastic beats of DJ Toomp and Shawty Redd, while “Houston” is as slow, low, and bangin’ as any beats from a Slim Thug or Z-Ro album. Oddisee’s two odes to his D.C. home hold a special place on *Traveling Man*, but his three-part tribute to Los Angeles is the album’s highlight. Though it features no rapping, *Traveling Man* has as much to say as any hip-hop album in recent memory.

As a musician, life is often lived on the road. Each city leaves its imprint on the artist as they develop their craft. Touring, recording, and keeping up with friends and family took Oddisee beyond his hometown of Washington DC to Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. From cities like East Africa's Khartoum in Sudan, to cosmopolitan jaunts like Paris & Tokyo. The influence of these travels can be heard on every one of the 24 tracks included on "Traveling Man". Each track was produced while Oddisee stayed in the city it was titled after. The result is a 24 city sonic tour of the world. Listen as Oddisee guides you through his instrumental journey around the globe. Visit the lonely winter streets of Detroit, festive San Francisco, hypnotic Khartoum - or let your swagger loose with the theme music of Chicago or the bounce of South Central. Oddisee sees the world, so that you can hear it.