Uncleared is the name of my new 29-track instrumental beat-tape. In a more “back-to-basics” approach to beat-making, this tape began as a creative exercise for myself to return to the music that made me who I am. Around Q3/Q4 of 2023 I had read about a “one 4-bar loop a day” regimen to keep output flowing, and this practice was entirely effective in churning-out beats during self-imposed down-time for music making amidst my record label/family balance lifestyle. It was then that I had set a goal to produce & release 40 new beats by the time I turned 40. I found an almost entirely sample-based production flow in Ableton referencing an ongoing list I kept of material to sample & chop as the foundation for the track, culling from the timeless All The Breaks folder for the drums, and finishing the track with a synth bass-line that I’d quickly dial-in & play by hand using Teebs' old M-Audio midi keyboard controller that I am somehow still borrowing and cherish. Most of these beats are under 10 stems in any given project - drastically different in comparison to my projects in the past (Outmind, In My World, Time Flying Beats et al) where stems would be consistently breaching 50+.


Furthermore relating to the title, I was recently served an uncleared sample notice from a bigger label entity. It’s the first time this has happened so I suppose we’ve been lucky, and it’s honestly the first time I’ve reconsidered casually releasing this type of material - particularly on major streaming platforms. I’m not sure what lies ahead for sample-based music culture - but i'm hopeful it will be able to sustain and evolve as we attempt to emphasize the reclamation of the spaces on the internet where this music can be safely & responsibly shared, supported, and appreciated.


During the last few weeks leading-up to release, artist neighbor / bestie Aaron Raays would come over to my backyard studio shed at night to listen to the developing material and provide me with trusted feedback notes. I have a habit of whip-testing music obsessively in my 2010 Prius driving around Los Angeles, and at the Leaving offices on the Mobius Acoustics system there. These check-ins were crucial in seeing this one through. Only 29 beats made the cut, but I had a lot of fun making these, and I’m having even more fun performing them.

Tracklist

1. 1_CAVESHRINE (1:43)
2. 2_DRAGONTEARS (1:20)
3. 3_WINDFISH (1:57)
4. 4_CHRONO (2:02)
5. 5_HATENO (1:33)
6. 6_SKYDIVE (0:59)
7. 7_KOROK (1:10)
8. 8_REGULATE (1:34)
9. 9_WALKONMEDLEY (1:49)
10. 10_STARMAN (1:10)
11. 11_JONIBLUE (1:17)
12. 12_DAYDREAMIN (1:32)
13. 13_THEFLAME (1:05)
14. 14_QUIETSTORM (1:02)
15. 15_BARRYBREAK (0:39)
16. 15_REUNITED (0:52)
17. 17_PROUD (0:52)
18. 18_DENNISANDREW (1:50)
19. 19_CONNY (1:34)
20. 20_BAMBOO (0:57)
21. 21_YOSHIMURA (1:55)
22. 22_EVENSONG (1:13)
23. 23_EVENINGSTAR (1:01)
24. 24_MARIMBAFUSION (0:59)
25. 25_BIGISLANDFLUTE (1:58)
26. 26_REFLECTIONS_W/CARLOS NIÑO (1:01)
27. 27_ZITHERTRONICCHOPS (2:21)
28. 28_ACCORDIAN (1:03)
29. 29_NBS (1:07)

*Edition of 200 12" Habanero Orange Vinyl
*Non-toxic 100% recyclable vinyl records manufactured using injection molding process instead of PVC via Good Neighbor Music.
(goodneighbormusic.com)
*White jackets w.die-cut center circle
*Jackets hand-stamped w.art provided by Maurice McCrimmon aka BlissArmyKnife
*Design by AndrewCS