Bonds, beats & beliefs
Tommy Tee from Norway kicks off his cd 'Bond, Beats & Beliefs' with a sample of Muhamed Ali. If you are using a sample of the great Ali you have to pay dues. After studying his album you come to the conclusion it's a perfect sample: "I do know that there are a lot of press releases and radio statements, TV announcements complaining about that I talk too much. It's true I talk a lot. Everything I say I mean to back it up." In the intro Father Blanco puts it's down: "Creating beats that drives us over the world".

Tommy Tee is the, Oslo born, most known Norwegian producer. When he takes a stand behind the mic, he is his alter ego Father Blanco. It's a busy cat. In 1986 hosting a local radio show soon followed with 'The National Radio show', with 100.000 listeners. It's really much if you consider that the total population is only 4.5 million. And HipHop is not a mainstream culture. In 1989 he became the editor of Norwegian Fatcap Magazine. Even found time to host one and a half year the TV show 'Planet Groove'. (1995/1996).

The first major full length album he produced was with the Norwegian/British Jazz artist Helé Eriksen in 1995. For Alexander O'Neal and Cherellé he produced 'Baby Come To Me'. And keeping up his faith, commitments and rhythm he produced his album 'Bonds, beats & beliefs'. Recorded in the famous D&D studios, New York. And at his own Tee Studios. Let the music play...

'International Connects' slams in your face with El Da Senai and Mike Zoot. El Da Senai is the half of Artifacts. The track is phat. On 'The Reply' Norwegian finest represent: Diaz, N-Light-N, Opaque, Warlocks and the man himself. It's a good track but the flow of the MC's is more hyped then the beat. 'Horizon' drops in with a mad flute. Lyrics laid down by High and Mighty, Tru Personna, Black Sun and Basheeba Earth. The chorus line and third verse is done by Basheeba Earth with a great flow and voices. Makes you remind Foxy Brown when she first came out on LL's 'I Shot Ya', Remix. Keep your ears open for her. 'Blood Rush' pumping with a lyrical stick up and a cold dramatic piano sample. Getting a taste of Norway, in a hardcore way. Waiting for his downfall, Tee is here to stay.

'The Conjunction' features Zombi Squad from the Dutch city Groningen. They are rocking Europe for ten years now and still don't have a debut release?! What up! This song is one of the slowest on the album. The beat is perfect in harmony with the flow of Sherlock. "We're superstars/ we super us." In the melodic sound waves Tee constructed of Classic music samples Shockwave gives a rugged at ease flow. "Lyrics so tight that they gave beatdowns to soundwaves". The dramatic cello bassline works very good as contra of the high voices by the choir sample. You even can hear the Tripple X soldier Cane in a sound bite on the background.

On the track 'That Is My Fucking Word!' the COD Crew breaks a record in how many times you can say 'Yo' on an answer machine. 'Debbie Dro', backs the COD Crew up on 'It's all true', with her lovely vocals as she sings the chorus line: "Living for this rap shit/dying for this rap shit/got love for this rap shit/we do it for the love/we do it all for love".

We could continue to write about every track cause there is much to write about. In general all beats and tracks are very clear, good mixed and right balanced. Till you noticed the ruff basslines used in the track you don't miss the raw and rugged sound. After a while you can recognize Tommy Tees sound. You will pick those tracks you want to blast on your system. And those you want to skip. Finishing touch: who do you think is coming from Norway, your way on the track 'Intense'? It's the legendary Graig G.

Maybe the only thing that is wrong about the album is the manufacturing. At track 14 it starts skipping and when you want to hear the last track: 'Taking Ova', the cd crashes. Hopefully it's just this one copy. Maybe they did it on purpose. Getting confused in the last tracks the cd-rom player starts over at song number two. Putting it self in rewind.

Tee Productions
Daelenggt. 11d
N-0567 Oslo
Norway
Tel/fax:0047-22111281