Independent record label Mello Music Group will be releasing a new album in 2023. The album will be titled Omakase, and will release August 25th. Artists on the project include Chris Keys, YUNGMORPHEUS, Denmark Vessey, Marlowe, L’Orange, Apollo Brown, and more.
The tracklist is as follows:
- Chris Keys – Lemon Tree
- YUNGMORPHEUS – The Price
- Denmark Vessey – Marionette Flex (ft. Nolan & Fly Anakin)
- Marlowe – Last Reserve
- Paradime – LXG ’11 (ft. Marv Won, Canc3r, Ketchphraze, Danny Brown, Mu, DJ AMF)
- Apollo Brown – Three Piece
- Magna Carda – Six Ring Feeling
- Kamaal Williams – Planetarium Funk Drill
- L’Orange – Velvet Burgundy (ft. Fatboi Sharif)
- Namir Blade – Doing Well, Fuck Your Life
- Stalley – G Body On Blades
- Paradime – The Reign (prod. by Apollo Brown)
- Kamaal Williams – Academy of Science
- Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown – Roll Up (ft. Ro Brown)
- Chris Keys – Stir Crazy
Pre-Order on Bandcamp
From the Bandcamp description:
Mello Music Group presents “Omakase,” a musical journey inspired by the essence of the Japanese phrase often used in fine sushi restaurants, meaning to trust the chef’s hand. In this context, it signifies entrusting someone dedicated to their passion to guide you through a captivating experience. With this collection of original tracks, Mello Music Group invites you to embrace the concept of Omakase.
The Mello compilation series originated as a platform for label chief Mello to collaborate directly with artists, exploring new sounds, collaborations, and musical movements. It went beyond curation, serving as an opportunity to work intimately with emerging musicians and uncover the potential chemistry between them. Many of these collaborations led to signings, full album projects, and more. Occasionally, these collaborations resulted in unique, magical music moments, standing alone as brilliant singular creations. Over time, the compilation series became a signature method for Mello to develop ideas and showcase the direction of things to come.
“Omakase” is the latest addition to this series, crafted over the past two years. It showcases the label’s evolution, expanding its original position of Hip-Hop influenced by Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Funk. Embracing these immediate influences firsthand, the songs on “Omakase” were born after the pandemic as travel restrictions eased. A spontaneous trip to San Francisco to witness Kamaal Williams’ performance at the Academy of Science gave birth to the eight-minute jazz odyssey “Planetarium Funk Drill” and an instrumental beat titled after the location of their meeting. Similarly, a trip to see Quantic in Austin led Mello to hit the record shops digging and to uncover the talents of local rap group Magna Carda, who deliver the offering “Six Ring Feeling.” Raheem DeVaughn and Apollo Brown continue their R&B excursion, building upon their previous collaboration on “Lovesick” with the mesmerizing track “Roll Up.” Producer Chris Keys, known for his backdrop contributions to Mello’s artists such as Georgia Muldrow and Quelle Chris, unveils his folk-infused genius on two tracks that beautifully set the stage and draw the curtains for this collection. “Lemon Tree” captures the aspirational essence that drove Mello to create this album, cultivating seeds and hoping they blossom into fruitful growths. Alongside established Mello mainstays, including Apollo Brown, Marlowe (L’Orange & Solemn Brigham), Namir Blade, Denmark Vessey, and Stalley, “Omakase” introduces fresh rap voices such as Fatboi Sharif and Yungmorpheus, as well as the classic Detroiter Paradime. The album concludes with the Chris Keys outro, “Stir Crazy,” a reminder of the boundless joy we get right where we are from music.
“Omakase” is the most expansive, personal, and distinctive album yet—a sonic feast encompassing a myriad of flavors. Trust in the experience. Omakase everything.