'Pacific Time'

Being up at three AM is pretty peaceful. I'm usually awake at this time everyday—reading, working out, producing, writing, etc. It's a productive time for me. Everything is quiet. My city never sleeps so it's only relatively quiet... that early morning/late night space puts you into your own world. A bubble. You can easily forget that there is a whole other side of the world that is just getting up for work, or just heading out into the night to hit up a party. Three AM in Brooklyn coincides with midnight Pacific time. Funny how that worked out. I was going to write about a totally different subject, but when I heard that this project was out at three AM, I instantly changed my mind. He actually dropped it at midnight, I wonder if it was midnight Pacific time... Phonte has 11 minutes for you, girl, and some odd seconds. That's all you're going to need too... not a moment on the EP is wasted. The first track out of the four was produced by Julia Lewis and TK Kayembe. The sweet guitar licks were provided by Justin Hawkins. The smooth piano riffs were played by Zo! and the sexy sax by Julia Lewis. Phonte himself provided additional keys to tighten up this on time track. "Can We" starts off his surprise EP with a waterbed wavy track that's sure to set the mood. As the keys fade in slowly you can feel your breath get shallow anticipating Phonte's smooth question reach your ear. "Can we?"

"Beverly Hills"

"Beverly Hills" was produced by Like, Swarvy, and Devin Morrison. Additional keys were provided by Zo! Bemy Fiasco helps sing background and Devin's vocals help stretch Phonte's last day in the hills over this cool track. It's a nice mood to be in. Seizing the day. It's my last day here. I'm sad to go, so make me forget that I'm leaving if only for the time we have left... I can totally feel the wind caressing my face with the drop top dropped and this song on 10. Taking our time heading to the party. Bags in the back. Champagne on my breath. "I don't think I should say anymore..."

"Ego"

"Ego" was produced by Phonte. The bass and guitar sauce is provided by Chris Boerner. Thanks Chris! That drip was candy paint wet man... the icy keys and some warm additional bass were provided by Zo! Lala Hathaway and Kristi Ae helped make the cypher complete with additional vocals. Here, Phonte takes a little bit of time out for reflection. Very little. This gorgeously produced track is only 97 seconds long. It's a good minute-and-37 in more ways than one though. Hopefully, someone will sample this track and expand upon the experience. If they do, they better do it justice, though. "Better watch what you do..."

"Heard This One Before"

"Heard This One Before" is produced by Kaytranada. Uptempo rhythm alert! Here comes the funk. There's not much time left... I was serious about those 11 minutes. Phonte has to rap sometime on this project, no? Well, here he goes. Killing it. I just recently heard his last project No News is Good News a few months ago. I was very late. Better late than never though. It was a great album. I really haven't heard much music in the "grown up/adulting" lane. Phonte is representing the niche nicely and hopefully inspiring others to join him there. The balance was more rap heavy on his last album. I knew he could sing because he displayed the talent on that LP. Now I know he can sing, sing. Since this project is so short on time, maybe we can expect another piece of work from Phonte soon. Until then, I'll be digging through his back catalogue. I'm never on time, but I'm timely... this is actually my least favorite track on the EP and it's a good track. Bosco and Kaytranada help run out the clock like a college basketball team that knows they have won the game already. Time to hit the showers... "It's a song that won't be long, t-minus five we disappear..." time.