Plum Brilliance

Pure rhythm-al-lism, that is what DJ Quik is.

“I ain’t trying to be a teacher ‘cuz I aint perfect either.”- DJ Quik

Listening to every nuance in Marvin Gaye’s lead and background vocals on I want you to learn how to multi track. An investor in music, listening with intention, which is what most DJ’s turned producers/engineers do, but not everyone is quite gifted like David Marvin Blake.

Aspirations to becoming a R&B singer —the evidence lingers in his soul, embedded into his production bleeding through each track, the remnants are there. Hyperbolicsyllabicquedalymistic who samples this as their first hit? Layering with She’s not just another woman by 8th Day. From School House Rock, Almond Joy jingles, Richard Pryor skits, the knack to create a sample from something mundane and full of nostalgia; into what can only be described as Quik’s Groove. With the nod of approval from Mr. Troutman embodying him on Roger’s Groove a tribute I’m not sure his son’s could even imitate.

Quik makes music that matches the environment, Cali of course. Once upon a time on 92.3 the beat you couldn’t escape. Word to Dom— This the coast!

—Only Quik can turn a DeBarge hit into his signature bounce.

Rhythm-al-ism over 70 minutes of commercial-free music

This album is quintessential Quik. An intimate favorite— He has the gift of touching all genres. Merging them together to create a seamless album that is, Rhythm-al-ism. From funk, G-funk, jazz, and R&B. Remixing and sampling himself, re-working tracks like —We Still Party, into Pitch in on a party, I Don’t Wanna Party With You. Creating a Trilogy of musical story telling within another. This is the album where Quik and DeBarge forged their relationship. Being featured on Hand in Hand, El’s Interlude (a personal favorite), and Medley for a “V”. His signature bass-lines floating through each track. Emitting infectiously laidback vibes over the 70-minute listening time. Masterfully produced all inside his home studio. A Rap singer as he refers to himself, is a second to none type of fun! Looking at the cover, the pose alone sells you on what you’re about to crack open. It’s Alluring, Is he pointing fun of himself on the cover or embracing his OG’s and sending a nod to them? I think thats for the listener to answer, keep in mind he doesn’t take himself too seriously and DO NOT call him overrated.

I mention El DeBarge amongst the various features like Suga Free and Nate Dogg on the album because their bond is prominent even giving him his own interlude. Quik emboldened El and gifted him with a second run of a career, and a hit record! Two extremely talented men that do not receive the flowers they deserve.

Above Quik is breaking down the plum brilliance that is El DeBarge, compliments he could give to himself. Real is recognizing real here, you feel me? Master at keys, Songwriting and a beyond talented vocalist— A virtuoso at his finest.

While researching for this piece I can see why my Dad loved him some Quik. Having all his albums but his first two, all the music Quik that shaped his musical pallet and eventually used in his music my Dad possessed albums of. From Donald Byrd, Ohio Players, Curtis Mayfield, Heatwave and more; it’s there. Even a Richard Pryor and Red Foxx comedy album. Times like these I wish I could ask him, if he recognized the samples that I know made him a close and avid appreciator of Mr. Quik. Missed connections that I have to decide my own story for.

Arrangements, production, DJing, engineering, he’s literally Voltron in musical form. The first time I’ve heard an instrumental on a rap album was Quik. Sometimes the beat is sheerly perfect on its own, letting the album breathe in between the rhymes is a pattern that is continuous throughout every album. Quik Grooves will be the “type beats” that inspire a generation. You may not be able to call him overrated, but please acknowledge him a Genius— a mental giant, a wizard, tell him that he holds the brilliance most musicians lack. The creativeness that comes with digging and listening to music of the past. Appreciating the musicality of musicians from different genres and lifetimes. Taking those influences and constructing your sound is how you go far as an artist, picking up other keen brothas along the way and forging long-lasting brotherhoods is a gift, If classic music comes from it? even better.

Growing up I always had a crush on the DJ I assume this where this post has stemmed from. An appreciator and and admirer, I still blush when track#11 comes on. Thinkin’ Bout U, I definitely do.

I’ll leave you with this track as my special instruction, take a listen.

This isn’t on Spotify, probably due to it sampling Smokey Robinson. Sounding like a Rap Singer at a Jazz Bar, I’d like to go there.