Otieno Terry has been on the scene for a little while now. Releasing singles, winning SoundOff! in 2014, and playing some killer shows. Ever since I first heard his music, I have been waiting for the day he would release a full project. The wait is finally over as he just released his debut solo album, The Woods.
Otieno Terry – The Woods
After dropping the project, he had a release party on November 4th at 2312 Gallery on 2nd Ave in Belltown. The Gallery became a cozy hideout from the steady drizzle soaking the streets. The stage was made of rugs that even The Dude himself would approve of. I mean, the rugs really did tie the room together.
The geometrical animal heads that we saw in the LKWABLVD music video, were placed around the stage. Shadeless lamps and strips of LED lights were strategically set up and utilized in a way that made for an incredible visual performance.
It may be impressive when a voice can give you goosebumps, but it’s an overall beautiful experience when a performance sends chills down your spine causing an intense emotional reaction.
Album Release at Gallery 2312
https://www.facebook.com/otienoterrymusic/videos/1514587111911752/
Video By Imaginyte
Quick Thoughts On The Tracks
Right from the beginning of the album, you can hear the birds chirping, the leaves rustling, and all the sounds of nature that bring you deep into the woods. Jaguar Stupid is a stand out single from the album. Otieno sets aside some of his experiments and leans harder into the hip-hop realm.
Even though Terry made a cohesive album, each song has it’s own flavor. Look at Honesty for example, it has a two stepping funky soul vibe. You could easily press this track on vinyl and drop it in a crate with other artists from the 60’s and 70’s Hot Buttered Soul days.
The Party has a flow that creeps along the beat like a burglar in disguise coming to steal your soul. You get to Trial By Fire and suddenly you’re dropped into a village in front of a gigantic fire pit while a musical ritual is being performed.
The song There Is No More is when I realized that Otieno was a real life K.K. Slider from Animal Crossing. I’m incredibly tempted to break out my GameCube and try to recreate his beats using Gyroids.
Once you get to The Other Side (Wrinkles) his vocals create a serene soundscape of a river hidden deep within The Woods. The beat reminiscent of a pebble skipping across the water and a beautiful setting that leads right into Divine, an appropriately named angelic ballad that cleanses your eardrums.
As you exit The Woods, you get hit with a surge of energy. The uptempo dance finisher, Ashe, is that fire that takes you higher. “You have the right to follow your light. Ashe.” As the album closes out, this inspiring message sparks a hunger to go out and make your dreams happen.
