Slowly, but in a blessedly peaceful way, Sudan is preparing to split into two separate nations after nearly 99% of voters in the southern part of the country voted for independence in late January. With memories of a brutal civil war fresh in the minds of the citizens, it’s a time of tremendous upheaval for the country. Oddisee, who is half-Sudanese, decided to grace “Tao Te Ching” from Apollo Brown’s Clouds with his reflections as the process moves forward.

Retitled “The Times,” the song is a strong piece of work by Apollo. His message is heartfelt and powerful, his talent in full effect, and the swelling horns – which as Beware aptly stated “command more respect than General Patton” – add stirring, inspirational air to the proceedings. When they’re pumping through the headphones, it’s hard not to get chills when the hook starts up: “And my, my look at the times we’re living in, As blind eyes begin to see the vivid end, As time dies, a new era fit to begin, Let’s celebrate the end, and get to starting over.” Wise words.

Apollo Brown’s Clouds is available now in stores and on iTunes.

When the MP3 version of “Time Passed Autumn” last appeared around the way, Beware said “If you skip this because it’s bar-less and you don’t get down on the instrumental tip, you could stand to spin this one specifically and just chill out altogether.” Similar thoughts apply for the recently-released video. Read the rest of this entry »

If the crackling key sample on Apollo Brown’s undercover instrumental, “Tao Te Ching,” doesn’t sell you alone, the horns definitely will without question. Read the rest of this entry »

Today has been one I’d be fine with forgetting altogether. Thankfully, Apollo Brown just drowned out my desperate thoughts with “Time Passed Autumn,” the MI man’s burgundy blend of guitar howls and front-heavy-drums that could easily double as transition music for an updated remake of The Fugitive. Read the rest of this entry »

We miss him too, but come on guys. This is getting a little excessive, borderline hysterical. Put the cocktails down, get back to your lives and let the King rest.

Full story at CNN