Second Son
By Taki Brano
Taki Brano is a musician/producer based in Providence, RI, USA. Described as symbolizing “a time in life of bountiful happiness, self-reflection, and finding the courage to face feelings of self-doubt head-on”, his album Second Son is a versatile collection of music that ranges from smooth and sensual to more groove driven without becoming too hard-hitting. The melodies and chord arrangements are melodic throughout, providing the listener with a fun, relaxing, and easy-going listening experience.
The album starts off smooth with the lush opening track “Morning Eyes”. Soft pianos are prominent in the mix. Follow-up track, “Love Me” keeps the mood in the soulful, Chillout setting. Percussive beats and more uplifting keyboards provide for a smooth ambiance. “Somewhere” shakes things up a bit with a more uptempo, lively Jazz-Fusion approach. A flute solo adds a nice touch throughout. “Salad Burger” takes things down a notch just a bit while preserving the Jazzier element evident on the previous track.
As we head into “Cerulean”, we’re met with a Hip-Hop inspired beat and piano pattern. While the arrangement doesn’t get too busy, it has a clever use of chords that don’t make the song sound boring one bit. “View From a Plane” takes a more low-key, relaxing, trippy atmosphere. A rich electric guitar waves throughout as a mellow piano pattern gently ripples throughout. “Closer to the Sun” brings up the Funky, percussive elements once again, and takes the listener back into more organic tonal territory. “Truth and Meaning” segues back into the Chillout textures, this time adopting a more introspective and inspiring mood with the reverberated synth pads that sparkle throughout. “Someone Like You” has a very moody, Summertime feel to it. A melancholy, wishful mood seems to be prominent, almost as if someone has a sense of longing. “54th Floor” gives off the vibe of heading up an elevator to a large building, bringing a subdued yet welcoming approach. The horn section is nicely performed, adding a few extra shades of color to the piece. Finally, album closer “Time Waits For Us” is another soulful, R&B inspired work with a Jazzy guitar pattern and a flute that provides a nostalgic sentiment to the listener.
Overall, I enjoyed Second Son by Taki Brano. While I would have liked to have heard a bit more of the Jazz-fusion, uptempo sensibilities in some spots (as evident on “Somewhere”), I was pleased with the rest of the music on the album. Everything was well placed, well performed, well mixed, and well delivered.