The four sails of these Windmills are soul, hip-hop, jazz, and funk. Like Colossus, were still lovin’ A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr/Jazzmatazz and the classic soul/jazz of the ‘source’ material like Roy Ayres, Blackbyrds and Earth, Wind and Fire. Kero One sums up the vibe on the tracks ‘Musical Journey’ (mellow sax solo by someone called Rae) and ‘statement’ rap, ‘My Story’. The trip to Japan saw a 12” release of ‘My Story’ that was flying out of stores in LA when they found their way back home. Check out the DJ. Mitsu remix and the rest of the Kero One mixtape on milk audio (see links below).

Not sure why we got some jive talk on the instrumental ‘Ain’t that Somethin’?’ but ‘Tempted’ more than makes up for it with the rap over classic jazz bassline and sax riff. ‘In All The Wrong Places’ and ‘Fly Fly Away’ are a couple more exquisite hip-hops meets jazz tunes.

Current favourites are ‘Keep It Alive’ and ‘Check The Blueprints’ (a little scratch’n’sax). As he says, “respect the architect, as we begin to build”. Classic old skool in the here and now for party people.

Kero One is based in San Diego and is apparently planning another trip to Japan and his first to visit to the UK. I’ll keep this site updated on that one.

On the pet subject of album covers, this one’s a good one with good artwork and nice colour scheme that is reminiscent of Impulse!

Kero One - Windmills of The Soul (Plug Label) Cat. No. p00005 2×12” Release date: March 2006
Credits: Mixing/engineer- Jay Skillz (tracks: 9) Production - Dj King Most (tracks: 5, 9) Rhymes - Niamaj (tracks: 2)
Tracklisting:
1. Windmills Intro
2. Give Thanks feat. Niamaj
3. Musical Journey
4. My Story
5. In a Dream
6. Ain’t That Somethin?
7. Tempted
8. In All the Wrong Places
9. Keep it Alive!
10. The Cycle Repeats
11. Fly Fly Away
12. It’s a New Day
13. Check The Blueprints

Links:
Kero One @ OKplayer nowhearthis
www.myspace.com/keroonewww.kero1.com“The production on ‘Windmills of The Soul’ is so on point, and well thought out. I’ve spent some time trying to remember the last time a new record had me this excited, and in recent history, I can’t think of any.” - Jskillz of The Sound Providers
Forwards.Backwards with Nik & Nigel show no. 62 posted March 12th, 2006. on www.milkaudio.com
Kero One mix tape
1. Dj Mitsu - Kev Brown / Roddy Rod 12” (White label)
2. J.Rawls - Miss You (12”)
3. John Legend - Used To Love You (Yam Who remix) 12” (White)
4. Red Astaire - Follow Me 12” (Gamm)
5. Stevie Wonder - As
6. Grean Tea - Wonderful Beats 12” (Plug Label Promo Only)
7. Kero One - My Story (Dj Mitsu Remix) 12” (P-vine/Plug)
8. The Roots Live Freestyle LP (White Label)
9. De La Soul - Bizness (Dj King Most Remix) (Cd-R)
10. Kero One feat. Niamaj - Give Thanks (Plug Label)
11. Barrabas - Time To Love

Early Windmills