:::::::::::ALBUM REVIEW:::::::::::
The Reality of "The Art of Dreaming"
When I got the advanced copy of this album, I didn't know what to think. I think that SandMan 
is talented, but I also know that his former rhyming partner from The Attik, Do DAT, had not fully reached me with his solo debut, "Oakland In Blue." In this review, I MUST remind everyone of The Attik. They were a legendary Bay Area threesome, composed of Do DAT, SandMan, and iAmani. When they released their debut album, "Jungle Electric," Dead Prez had to shut down their show (supposed to be held that same night) because so many people were at the venue for The Attik's cd release. During our phone interview, SandMan reminded me, "We had 560 people in a 320 capacity spot for the Attik release party." Wow. And I remember people being turned away. An event this grandiose has not occurred in the Bay Area since, in my opinion. When they disbanded shortly after, the overall expectation among my friends and I was that Do DAT would go solo and blow up very quickly. The expectations for the other two members were... up in the air. Well, folks... I'm here to tell you that you're in for a surprise with SandMan's debut album The Art of Dreaming. Let's get into it.
is talented, but I also know that his former rhyming partner from The Attik, Do DAT, had not fully reached me with his solo debut, "Oakland In Blue." In this review, I MUST remind everyone of The Attik. They were a legendary Bay Area threesome, composed of Do DAT, SandMan, and iAmani. When they released their debut album, "Jungle Electric," Dead Prez had to shut down their show (supposed to be held that same night) because so many people were at the venue for The Attik's cd release. During our phone interview, SandMan reminded me, "We had 560 people in a 320 capacity spot for the Attik release party." Wow. And I remember people being turned away. An event this grandiose has not occurred in the Bay Area since, in my opinion. When they disbanded shortly after, the overall expectation among my friends and I was that Do DAT would go solo and blow up very quickly. The expectations for the other two members were... up in the air. Well, folks... I'm here to tell you that you're in for a surprise with SandMan's debut album The Art of Dreaming. Let's get into it.I popped the cd into my car deck on my way home from smashing on the fellas in Dominoes. The
first track "Yah," produced by former Attik member iAmani, came on as perfect night driving music. The energy on this track was sooooo dope, and sets the tone for the entire project. "Superhero," produced by Chancellor, is a crowd favorite when SandMan performs. My only complaint with this track is that I don't think the bass hits hard enough to hold up the sample. You'll find on this project that Chancellor is the producer who almost comes off as the weak link next to iAmani and Will Bracy, the albums other two producers. Then again, "Conspire," featuring Sacramento emcee Random Abiladeze and also produced by Chancellor, is a redeeming track for the producer and one of my favorite songs on the album. By this point in the listening process, I knew that if this momentum was kept, I would end up hearing a really cohesive album both lyrically and stylistically. SandMan commented, "Making this album helped me develop my view, my approach, and my perspective on music. [I have] evolved past this album. I'm more clear on the type of music I wanna make based on what I feel is missing."
first track "Yah," produced by former Attik member iAmani, came on as perfect night driving music. The energy on this track was sooooo dope, and sets the tone for the entire project. "Superhero," produced by Chancellor, is a crowd favorite when SandMan performs. My only complaint with this track is that I don't think the bass hits hard enough to hold up the sample. You'll find on this project that Chancellor is the producer who almost comes off as the weak link next to iAmani and Will Bracy, the albums other two producers. Then again, "Conspire," featuring Sacramento emcee Random Abiladeze and also produced by Chancellor, is a redeeming track for the producer and one of my favorite songs on the album. By this point in the listening process, I knew that if this momentum was kept, I would end up hearing a really cohesive album both lyrically and stylistically. SandMan commented, "Making this album helped me develop my view, my approach, and my perspective on music. [I have] evolved past this album. I'm more clear on the type of music I wanna make based on what I feel is missing."
Because this album has yet to be released, I'm not going to review every single track. I want folks to be able to hear and assess it for themselves. What I will say is that there are some STAR tracks on this project. "Here and Now," produced by Will Bracy with vocal accompaniment from Isis Genisis is a track that will speak to every single human being on the planet. Trafficking the topic of trying to find one's place in the world, the song and production combination fit surprisingly well together. And of course the irreverent line of "Everybody's tryna tell me what I should do with my life... I DON'T GIVE A FUUUUUUCK!!!..." adds to the blissful brilliance of this track. It's a pleasant surprise from both SandMan and producer Will Bracy, as Bracy takes a step out of his typical Pharell reminiscent happy bounce into an almost hip hop country fusion. With absolutely beautiful almost operatic vocal accompaniment from Isis Genisis, this track leaps off of the cd straight into your spirit. "Super Woman Love" featuring Klassiq, produced by iAmani and co-produced by SandMan, is another stand out track that has Klassiq (still known to some as simply Talia) showing off her lyrical prowess and she does a stand up job. There is even cameo vocals from yours truly Dom Jones on "Maghi" featuring Coco Peila and Do DAT, produced by Will B
racy. This song harnesses all that SandMan believes in personally and puts it into a musical track that can indeed be considered magic. Will Bracy works his magic on production once more, Coco Peila steps out of her emcee shoes to sing the chorus, and Do DAT spits a quick but concise 12 bar verse. As for me... you can hear me crooning in the beginning and end of the track "We've got that magic for you... if you believe." SandMan has produced an album and is an artist to believe in. When listening to this album, I did not dare say that it was the cream of the crop. However, it is definitely a solid effort, with potential to reach great heights. Also, for those of us who are children of "The Attik Sound," this album brings closure to a rather abrupt break-up, a feat that I'm sure SandMan didn't necessarily set out to accomplish, but one that is greatly appreciated. BUT! Before this review... had you ever heard of the Sandman?
Which brings me to the heart of this review: the disconcerting trend within which the Bay Area music scene has become a Cool Kids Club. Here we have a solid project, moreover, a solid artist, yet who is and who will get behind his work? Most are more interested in putting on their brother's cousin's mama's best friend's son or, of course, that young vixen whom they would so desperately love to date and elevating them on stage might level them in the boudoir, plus various other things no less lacking in musical reasoning. WACK. But I digress. I am really REALLY encouraging the whole Bay Area Artist Scene to come out and support SandMan as he embarks on his solo musical journey with the release of The Art of Dreaming on November 13, 2010 at The New Parish in Oakland, California.
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