While Puerto Rico’s stamp on hip-hop is firmly cemented with artists like Vico C, Big Pun, Fat Joe, N.O.R.E., Jim Jones and Joell Ortiz as well as the large wave of artists who made reggaeton a mainstream success and others now making it into the mainstream through Latin Trap, there are still some island-based musicians that have yet to receive the proper respect by mainstream audiences or the community at large. One of the many Puerto Rican hip-hop musicians to not receive said respect is the always prolific luchador-mask-wearing producer Recluso who has been recently known for his Fania Beats series and his constant organization of events celebrating the instrumental hip-hop scene in the island. However, while the artist did all of the aforementioned, he also managed to release a new project and his first on Spotify with Los Beats No Se Hacen Solos, where he continues to display his masterful work with beats while providing a variety of emotions, images and stories. (album cover art) Kicking off the first half of Recluso’s new project is the smooth and laid back “Ondas de Amor,” which can transport one to a beautiful and lovely event in one’s life such as one’s first love, wedding day or even the birth of one’s child(ren). In short, it is a beat that will make listeners remember moments in their lives that give them warm and happy feelings. The next track in the album is “Viaje Astral,” another laid back beat that will have listeners relaxing, especially if they are under the effects of some psychedelic drug. Afterwards, we are provided with a more headbob-worthy tune with “Alma Adentro,” a song that can perfectly lend itself to any rapper looking for an introspective beat. Then we are treated with “Entre Cuerdas,” a salsa piano and R&B influenced beat that can easily be added to anybody’s bedroom playlist. Afterwards, the masked producer provides “Arriba y Abajo,” a song that perfectly reflects the middle to low class communities’ everyday struggle to make money for daily survival. Finally, to close the first half of the project, listeners are presented with “Corazon de Fuego,” a psychedelic beat that feels like the sweat dropping out of the working class’s forehead. (Recluso with one of the many musical instruments in his arsenal) As the tape begins its second half, listeners are given a beautiful track with “Vibra Universal,” a beat that ultimately projects what Recluso seems to want for the world, universal peace. Following this tune is “Naturaleza Sintetizada,” a futuristic beat that seems like it can be a part of a variety of sci-fi films and one that can make listeners imagine what would happen if nature is ultimately destroyed. Next comes “Triste Soledad,” a dark and sad beat that creates the exact image presented in the title, loneliness. After this dark moment, Recluso moves towards a lighter tone with “Nada Importa Ya,” a song that could be interpreted in different ways, but ultimately seems to present the theme of closure in a positive way. Then we are treated with another dark tune in “Pesado Pasado,” which can be seen in a variety of ways too, but seems to be a reflection of Puerto Rico’s troubled past. Finally, to close the project, Recluso delivers “Infinito,” a moving beat that will leave listeners firmly believing that the masked producer isn’t done yet. Moreover, it proves that, despite having a career that spans over ten years, Recluso is still determined to leave a long lasting impact in the field he loves. (art featuring Recluso's mask) With Los Beats No Se Hacen Solos, Recluso manages to display his ability to seamlessly balance a wide variety of beats that will have listeners feeling a large amount of emotions while creating potential images of the future or remembering many personal or external life events. Through this short yet powerful and concise album, Recluso truly demonstrates why he is one of the most underrated hip-hop musicians in recent times.
Listen to Los Beats No Se Hacen Solos on Spotify Find the rest of Recluso’s catalogue on Bandcamp All of the pictures for this article were found on Recluso’s Facebook page
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorFernando E. E. Correa González is the author behind over 30 self-published poetry books. He has been published by literary magazines & journals [Id]entidad, El Vicio del Tintero, Sábanas Magazine, Smaeralit, The Occulum, Tonguas and Hound Magazine. Other than writing, Correa is also the host of FENCast, a podcast dedicated to documenting the Puerto Rican independent art scene. Aside from this, he experiments with filmmaking, photography, drawing, painting, multimedia and transmedia. He currently lives in his native Puerto Rico. Archives
December 2022
Categories
All
|