Former web designer by day and rapper/producer/DJ by night, Kero One, stands as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story. His early career was marked by endless hours of researching, cold calling, and networkin... more »g to gain exposure for his debut, self produced project Windmills of the Soul. Persistence paid off with a little help from fate when one of the 50 copies of his album was picked up in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. Success was immediate, as Windmills of the Soul became a hit overnight, which opened the floodgates for international touring and performance opportunities. Three years later, after a Best Hip Hop Album of 2006 award and collabos with Talib Kweli and Mark Farina, Kero One is back with his sophomore album entitled Early Believers, via his label, Plug Label. Modulating from soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven party bangers, Kero One features some his favorite vocalists such as Giles Peterson protégé UK singer Ben Westbeech, Finland's answer to modern soul Tuomo, and Portland's Ohmega Watts. Early Believers will be released in April 2009, just in time for spring cleaning and summer fun.« less
Former web designer by day and rapper/producer/DJ by night, Kero One, stands as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story. His early career was marked by endless hours of researching, cold calling, and networking to gain exposure for his debut, self produced project Windmills of the Soul. Persistence paid off with a little help from fate when one of the 50 copies of his album was picked up in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. Success was immediate, as Windmills of the Soul became a hit overnight, which opened the floodgates for international touring and performance opportunities. Three years later, after a Best Hip Hop Album of 2006 award and collabos with Talib Kweli and Mark Farina, Kero One is back with his sophomore album entitled Early Believers, via his label, Plug Label. Modulating from soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven party bangers, Kero One features some his favorite vocalists such as Giles Peterson protégé UK singer Ben Westbeech, Finland's answer to modern soul Tuomo, and Portland's Ohmega Watts. Early Believers will be released in April 2009, just in time for spring cleaning and summer fun.
CD Reviews
You Must Listen.
E. Choung | San Francisco, CA | 04/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whereas Windmills was a candid shot snapped through a fuzzy Lomography lens, Early Believers is the masterfully crafted product of an SLR, where the image is sharper and the colors, more vivid. This sophomore album marks Kero One's arrival - a more polished album retaining the upbeat tempo and positive message without compromising its honesty. And the beats and the mixing of tracks are really where his multi-hyphenate "producer-writer-rapper, CEO of Plug Labe" skills come in handy. Positive without being saccharine, upbeat and uplifting while still vulnerable and introspective."
Kero does not disappoint
Romskiii | San Francisco, CA | 04/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Change can be good. Kero definitely changes up his style on this effort. Its quite evident that he has more influences beyond just hip-hop, and this album is just good music that spans several genres. Perfect listening material for the coming spring and summer months."
A Contender for album of the year
P. Diaz | Zamunda | 04/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to the album you can hear Kero is really doing something different and being himself with the music. The sound and feel has matured and improved via a lot of live instrumentation and polished musical arrangements. Even the flow, which has been a problem to some listeners, has improved greatly. Whether people like it or not they can't front and say the album isn't superbly executed."
5 stars nothing less
inkflows | 04/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Early Believers
This album has exceeded my expectations for sure. I was a huge fan of windmills and was curious to what direction kero one would go with this new one. He definately outdid himself keeping his soulful, jazzy foundation but updating with a bit of a more polished sound. Tracks like let's be friends, and keep pushin are certified bangers with uptempo beats and awesome singing. Tracks like Welcome to the bay and STay on the grind are hiphop gems with lines like "wearin' so many hats that my haris concave, producer, writer, rapper, ceo of plug labe". I can keep talking about it but you'll have to listen to the album yourself."
Worth the Wait
canary rm | san francisco, ca | 04/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album demonstrates Kero One's diversity and maturity as an artist. In the years that has passed since Windmills' release, he has apparently been keeping himself busy connecting with other artists, polishing his producing, and making more of that good music he's been known to do. This is a must-have for any one who loves good music. Kero One is an artist with real staying power!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1