potatohead people: mellow fantasy
Francisco Espregueira
Mellow Fantasy is the fantastic third album from Vancouver-based duo Potatohead People. Following Big Luxury (2015) and Nick & Astro’s Guide To The Galaxy (2018), Mellow Fantasy widens the frame of Nick Wisdom and AstroLogical progressive musical vision and delivers a far-reaching yet approachable set of moods and grooves. Curated by Bastard Jazz, continues to showcase the trademark instrumental prowess of the duo and their ease with the loose but hard-hitting drum style brought to the fore by J Dilla. Those elements go well beyond basic boom bap, with singer-centered R&B and uptempo bumps sharing the stage.
Incredible talent was involved in the process: Illa J and Slum Village’s T3; De La Soul; Moka Only; Clear Mortifee; Reggie B; among others. And Mellow Fantasy owes a lot of its golden-tinged moments to the beautiful interaction between the producers and their guests. Released last friday on Bastard Jazz, Potatohead People’s thrid LP is their most evolved collection yet, rooted in earthy low end but elevated, expansive and reaching new musical heights. Available in vinyl.