Blockhead - The Music Scene

Tony Simon is best known, at least in Hip Hop aficionado circles, as the producer of much of Aesop Rock’s revered back catalogue. To some, he is the East Coasts answer to DJ Shadow. However Simon has also been sneaking out solo albums under the guise of Blockhead and here, on his fourth effort The Music Scene, the New Yorker sticks to his previous remit of delivering blistering instrumental Hip Hop. Exuding a clear knowledge of beats and production skills, The Music Scene demonstrates why electronica/instrumental music is still relevant and capable of creating a lasting impression, rather than fly by night trendy trite churned out at Hoxton’s Bar and Grill. 

Opener ‘It’s Raining Clouds’ draws the listener in from the offset, the tempo inviting before it morphs into a banging club tune. Without a thought, you’ll find yourself swinging your head and bouncing your feet, a constant feature because The Music Scene is pure trip hop. ‘Sequences Change’, its changing speed interlaced with chimes and beats, is also head swingingly easy to nod too, as is ‘Tricky Turtle’ which would not be out of place in modern day Blacksplotation score. ‘Four Walls’, with electronic vocals and slow beats, sounds like it could have come out of Paris in the late 90’s. In fact like much of this album appears to doth its cap to Daft Punk and Air. 

Stand out track on the album is ‘The Daily Routine’ with its tale of junkie life, and while this should not seem to be the core of an instrumental hip hop album, it is a blistering track, at the same time depressing and joyous. While it may not be a club crowd pleaser, the longest track on the record is certainly a very accomplished tune, merging saxophones, an argument, soaring strings and beats. But don’t worry. there is also humour to offset the drug confessions with the humorously titled ‘Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer’ made for those lazy Sundays on the couch with yesterdays shades still on your head. 

Throughout the whole album, Blockhead creates musical soundscapes that seem at once simple but are beautifully crafted in both their individuality and together as an album. Each track flows seamlessly into the next. Simon has clearly embraced what the latest technologies has to offer him too, moving beyond the classical definition on instrumental hip-hop. The Music Scene is worth a listen not just by hip-hop heads and bedroom DJ’s, but is also accessible enough for those looking at venturing further afield. Just be sure to stay, give it another listen and get to grips with the complex nature of this particular beast.