Mr. Jukes and Barney Artist have captured some 90’s fire on “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)” which is a great thing. I’m hearing a shade of A Tribe Called Quest in this tune and a little People Under the Stairs. Check out the tune below and tell me I’m close. You can also read the press release below for more information.
Mr Jukes & Barney Artist just released “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind),” a track that sees the coming together of two masters of their craft, seamlessly blending their styles to create something fresh and forward-thinking. Bonded by the back catalogue of A Tribe Called Quest and a mutual love of the ever-changing landscape of modern hip-hop, the two artists instantly fell into step with one another. Collaborating for the first time on Mr Jukes’ 2017 debut album God First on the track “From Golden Stars Comes Silver Dew” (also featuring Lalah Hathaway), Barney and Jack have come together to recreate the magic on “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind).”
Hear “Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind)” here: .
The track opens with Mr Jukes humming a breezy melody over a minimal beat, before Barney bursts through with his characteristically energetic delivery, “Okay we vibe with it / Open your mind with it / Hoping your people understand and they find spirit.” His charismatic style draws on some of his key influences, including Kendrick Lamar, Ghostpoet, Kano and A Tribe Called Quest. The track is designed to uplift listeners and blow away the cobwebs as the world prepares to reopen and have some fun. “‘Blowin Steam’ happened so organically,” notes Mr Jukes. “Our first proper session together… the beat immediately connecting with Barney and the lyrics written within hours.”
During a period of prolonged inactivity, Jack Steadman, best known as the frontman for the celebrated UK band Bombay Bicycle Club, scratched an itch to do something new with the release of God First. We say ‘by himself’ but it was very much an open-door policy, resulting in a collaborative record that brought contributions by legends such as Charles Bradley, De La Soul, Horace Andy, Lianne La Havas, BJ The Chicago Kid and Lalah Hathaway. The project also features a contribution from Barney Artist, who Jack had quite simply stumbled upon on a Spotify playlist and never forgotten.
Barney’s music takes the vibrance of jazz infused hip hop but with a London feel. Growing up in Forest Gate, East London, Barney touches on conscious themes by way of lively, dynamic delivery to create something instantly likeable, like the artist. He’s a larger than life presence, fun to be around and a searing, peerless talent too. A collaborator by nature, Barney grew up around Tiana Major9 and Jay Prince and has made music with Tom Misch, Alfa Mist and Jordan Rakei.
