In 2009, Starship 27 was released. The album, curated by drummer, producer, and DJ J-1, featured an assortment of West Coast beat producers. Shortly after the album’s release, eclectic Austin label, iNsect Records got in contact with J-1 and struck up a conversation. This eventually led to Starship Vol. 2 being released via iNsect.
Today marks the release of Starship 27, Vol 2 on iNsect Records. A few weeks ago, friend and founder of iNsect Records, Ben Webster, let me have a listen to this album and I was immediately hooked. No lyrics are needed because this 21 track instrumental album has some of the spaciest and funkiest beats I’ve heard in a while. Starship Vol. 2 will keep you nodding your head from start to finish and will definitely induce neck pains.
Starship Vol 2, sees the list of tracks and producers expand, including music by Dam-Funk, DIBIA$E, P.U.D.G.E., Devonwho, and Detroit’s own House Shoes and Waajeed . With Starship 27 Vol. 2, J-1 becomes the curatorial captain guiding the spacecraft on its voyage. “I chose all these folks because I’m truly a fan of all of their music…” says J-1. “I really think it’s a cool concept to have all the kats on 1 joint so everyone can see the talent that’s in our community.” I couldn’t have said it any better. For the artists I knew of on this album, I am still a fan, and for the one’s I wasn’t familiar with, they gained a new fan.
If you’re into hip hop, funk, soul, heavy bass, beats and just good music, this album is for you. If all else fails, you will be supporting an Austin label. Now go to the iNsect records website and pick this up! For now, here is one of my favorite tracks on the album, make’s me want to pop and lock every time I hear it:
—Charles Jordan
