Setting the tone with a subversive and syncopated jazz hybrid energy with vocal ad libs and spoken word elements, Eno-Obong opens his EP, Piedmont Park with intrigue and dimensionality.
The record expands with textured drums and a panning frequency with pitched vocals to take us on an evocative journey. We are mesmerized by the soundscape that Eno-Obong creates, and the transcendental energy that he exudes with his work.
Radio static takes us into the next stage of the record with an assertive narrative before astral bells and rippling melodies tease us further. We learn that Eno-Obong is a self-described sonic architect who sculpts through an intricate blend of samplers, analog machines, and synthesizers.
We appreciate the star’s versatility as a music producer, tapping into his cultural roots in Nigeria and Houston. He seamlessly transitions between raw and industrial textures to exquisite elegance within his sound palette. This showcases his remarkable talent for navigating various emotional spectrums within a single experience.
Mid-way though the opus, we experience yet another conversation, bringing us back down to Earth before another cosmic soundscape expands. This time the piece features nuanced woodblock vibes which feel like a DMT trip, before a meditative moment and news report leads us to think more politically and societally.
This is followed by a textured moment with a surround sound energy. We discover that Eno-Obong’s creative foundation is built upon the pillars of influential figures such as John and Alice Coltrane, whose spiritual jazz explorations resonated deeply within him.
The visionary creator’s other influences include “the cosmic energy of Sun Ra’s compositions and Flying Lotus’s genre-defying approach”, but there is no doubt that Eno-Obong is creating a universe of his own.
We love the nature of the vocals in the final sequences of the EP, which remind us of The Fugees with introspective and choral vocals which are absolutely serene. The fade out feels unique and rare, before the outro message touches upon masculinity and survival.