Andy Bustard
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Small Professor: 'Cool Story, Pro' (Beat Tape)

Philly producer Small Professor (no relation to Large Professor, although that would be awesome) puts the joys and woes of life to wax for his brilliantly-titled new beat tape, Cool Story, Pro. Maintaining a soulful edge throughout, the project makes a deliberate shift in mood at the midway point, journeying from spirited, uplifting harmonies to a more solemn soundscape—something Pro himself has reasoning for:

This is actually my second 'official' instrumental album, the first being 2008's Slowbus, released on Seclusiasis. The album is (supposed to be) a story about a fictional relationship that starts off wonderfully and ends in sad, painful loss; at the time of its conception (early or mid 2010), I was coping with a recent breakup (and still dealing with issues from other past relationship failures), and constructing most of the second half of the album was my therapy.

The first half - the lighthearted part - was mostly inspired by my current relationship. The original title was simply Jawn, and was supposed to be released in fall 2011, but between the making of Gigantic, Vol. 1 and the other Jawn' albums/beat tapes, it was delayed until now.

Stylistically, it was modeled after J Dilla's Donuts and 14KT's Nowalataz (2009), as well as being inspired by the "Chipmunk Soul" era of 2001-2003.

You can stream Cool Story, Pro in its entirety below and add these terrific beats to your collection on Bandcamp for $8.00. That's a bargain, folks. [The Source]