Saint breaks down "About Time" Part 1, 2 & 3

[DominationRec]

Saint breaks down "About Time" Part 1
http://www.dominationrec.com/pics/SaintAboutTime.jpg
1. Intro/Move On
This song was an attempt to either trick people or just be funny. So many times I have bought albums because I heard one song that I really liked and it ended up being the only song I like on the whole album. So you pop the CD in, track one starts to play and its like what the hell is this? You then realize you are doomed for the rest of the listening session. Once you get to the end of this song on my album you then realize I am basically being sarcastic and don't worry, the rest of the album is what you would expect from a Saint album. It is also a way to show people that I can easily do a style that is more commercial and acceptable but I choose not too. By the way, that song took me all of 25 minutes to write the lyrics and make the beat. Goes to show how lazy these modern day commercial acts are.

2. Do You Remember? feat. Verses
This is the first song I made for the album and it is fitting to start the album off. This song is almost like the real intro. Speaking about the return of the hip hop we have grown to love and sets the album off where if you listen to this track, you will know where the rest of the album is coming from. Speaking about how yes, this is not like stuff that is out now. Yes, it has a old school feel to it. Yes, to some of you this might sound outdated, but this is how I make my music. This is how the album is intended to sound. I had one of my label mates from my Japan releases get on the track, Verses. He's the type of dude that does music how he feels, not so concerned with "what's hot" right now so he was a good fit for the track. As he reminisces on growing up and living hip hop, even though we are from different parts of the country, we did similar things. We all did growing up in that era.

3. Wisdom Over Weapons feat. Cadence
Well I had to put my guy Cadence on a track on the album of course. I grew up a big Raw Produce/Cadence fan and now were friends, so I have to take advantage anytime I can to get him on a track. I'm not just saying this because he put the album out alongside Domination but this guy is like the meaning of conscious hip hop in the flesh. He's on another level above me lyrically. Ok let me get off his nuts for a sec and talk about the song. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. Giving credit when its due. I made this beat, really liked it and wondered how Cadence would sound on it. So I sent it to him and he sounded dope of course. He also came up with the concept for the track. Was definitely an issue that had to be addressed on the album. The concept of this song is best described in the last line of his verse, "We don't need a war on problems, we need solutions". Basically saying we do not need to be going to war for anything right now, we should be finding out the problem and fixing it in a more intellectual civilized manor. Whether it be the war over seas or war on drugs. Wisdom is better then weapons of war is a old proverb basically saying in any conflict, to have wisdom and better strategy is better than any physical weapon that can be used.

4. All Love feat. NYOIL
This song here features another friend of mine in the industry NYOIL. For those of you that are familiar with his work, you know if he's involved with a track, there is going to be some wise and deep **** being said. This time around, we talk about making a difference with music. A difference in society/hip hop and the way we view things. Doing it in such a way where you might not want to hear the truth about how we feel about some of your music and the way you live, but its tough love and we have to be honest.

5. About Time feat. Dumi Right of Zimbabwe Legit (Free Download)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/52639028959350ff/
About Time is strangely the same name as the album but I wouldn't really call it a title track . They have 2 different meanings. This one I brought Dumi Right of Zimbabwe Legit along for the ride. Another label mate on Pro Se. This joint talks about the perception of time and all the different ways it affects everything in our lives and the universe for that matter. Its almost written in semi riddles and was an idea that had just popped in my head one day as I thought about sometimes I wish I had more time and some days I wish would just end. This type of style is right up Dumi's alley and he fit the track perfectly with his take on the subject. By the way the "what's it all about" line in the hook is sampled from Large Professor "Ijuswannachill". I placed it over the beat differently than the way he said it over the original track. I mention this because I have had a few people ask me where is that line from? I guess cause it sounded so familiar but they just couldn't place it.

6. Thought You Should Know
This was actually the last song I completed on the album and happens to be one of, if not my favorite beat on the album. No samples on this one but at the same time it doesn't have that cheesy sound like all the keyboard non samples on the radio. I'm a sucker for fender rhodes. So soulful. I usually fall in love with any beat that has a nice fender rhodes layin in there all smooth. Lyrics wise this song does not really have a concept. I remember showing this song to Anti after I finished it and he said how he had the song on repeat in his Ipod walkin through the city that day and mentioned how he bopped to the beat the whole time. I said did ya listen to the lyrics at all? He said actually he was more busy enjoying the beat more than anything and that he would give a good listen to the lyrics tomorrow. I said don't bother, its really not about anything, you will not gain anything from listening to them. In fact you will become dumber after hearing the verses. He laughed, I sat there with a straight face.


Saint "About Time" now available on CD & Digital
- UGHH.com
http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/detail.asp?UPC=PRS02CD
- AccessHipHop.com
http://www.accesshiphop.com/store/?itemid=16022
- Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/About-Time-Saint/dp/B001BMV73K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1214931433&sr=1-1
- CDbaby.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/dominationrec
- iTunes
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=281505332&s=143441


Peace
Domination Recordings
http://www.dominationrec.com
http://www.dominationrechiphop.blogspot.com
http://www.myspace.com/dominationrecordings

[DominationRec]

Saint breaks down "About Time" Part 2

7. If You Would Just... feat. Honey LaRochelle
Here is another song with no samples. I know nowadays nobody is really using samples but 95 percent of my stuff is flipped samples so I am going to point out all the songs that aren't. If this bothers you, I suggest you get over it. Kidding of course. Anyhoo, this song was specifically made for the amazing songstress Mrs. Honey LaRochelle. This girl is going to be famous. Remember I said that. I was introduced to her through Emskee and we have done stuff with her in the past. I wanted to get her on another song before she blows up and starts charging 10 Gs a song. She left her scarf at my studio. I will sell it for good money on ebay in a few years when she becomes the next Jill Scott. I don't think I have ever heard somebody sound so good in person before any type of vocal processing. This song adds another dynamic to the album and may not be loved by hip hop heads but I bet your girlfriend will like it. So you can pop the cd in and when she gets tired of the boom bap stuff you can put this song on, put a smile on her face and possibly get her in the mood. Its a win win.

8. The Session Part 1 feat. Eternia and Anti-
This song is a concept I came up with that I think most average couples can relate to. This is basically a marriage counseling session over a smooth boom bap track. Here we have Anti- as the shrink, super female emcee Eternia as the wife and myself as the husband. A lot of songs these days, when they talk about issues with there man or wifey, it usually talks about things like burning down the mansion, throwing the gucci clothes out the window and breaking the windows on the new mercedes. I don't know about some of you but I personally am not living like that. I'm an average person like you. I live in an apartment and drive a hyundai. So this song is a back and forth between a couple going through the everyday problems and then is summed up by the counselor on how it can possibly be fixed.

9. Renaissance Man feat Anti-
This song once again features long time partner Anti-. We have been rhymin together since we were 11. He is known to all my family members as my cousin. So there is a little background on that. He too is a producer/emcee. He also is a DJ. So he does it all. Guess you can call him a "Renaissance Man". That's what this song is about. Having our hand in many things and wearing many hats. Labels love us. We save them lots of money on production cost. They don't have to hire anyone else.

10. Respect and Honor feat. Dr. Becket
This one features underground Veteran Dr. Becket. He actually originally named the track Respect and Honuor. We recorded this song back in 05. He thought spelling it Honour looked cooler than honor. The label had a different opinion on it so here we are talking about respect and honor. No biggie, I wasn't stuck on the whole "ou" thing anyways. They didn't ask me to change anything else on the album so who am I to complain. This track is your typical "show off your flow" joint. Not about anything specific here. The beat hits pretty hard with the drums and heavy horns, so it just makes you wanna run loose on the track. The cuts are done by Anti-. See, I told you he can also DJ.

11. Can't Relate feat. Muneshine and Emskee (Free Download)
http://sharebee.com/173dbf21
I had actually made this beat for Muneshine a couple years back but it never made it on his album. I personally like this beat a lot so I made sure it was going to be put to use. So I had muneshine get on it for myself. That's my dude, so no hard feelings. Also on this one is my Good People partner Emskee. Having him on any track is basically a given. The song is about not being able to relate to the music that is on the radio these days. We know a lot of people feel the same way. This ones for you. Notice the drums and filters circa 1994. Mmmmmmm. I don't plan on making beats to sound like a certain style or year, they just come out that way. The college radio kids here on long Island especially like this one.

[DominationRec]

Saint breaks down "About Time" Part 3

12. How Are You?
This track has a different feel from the rest of the album but for good reason. I wrote the lyrics to this one first and then made the beat. I usually do it the other way around and get inspired by the beat. I was thinking about how when people say hello which is usually followed up by a "how are you?" or "what's going on?". Ya know, something to that effect. Then we usally say "doin ok" or "nuttin much" and then we move on from there. What if we took that how are you literally and really let the person know how we feel or what's goin on. This song has 3 stories from the perspective of 3 different people with very different situations. One is a young boy in school that is bullied by other students. Another is about a man who lost his family in a fire and has lost his faith and finally, one is about a gay boy who is afraid to come out to friends and family. This song is food for thought when sitting alone.

13. Who It is feat. Emskee
One of the many tracks featuring Good People Emcee Emskee. This beat has a cool chill vibe to it with Emskee speakin about his views and what he feels needs to be heard. For anyone familiar with him spittin, you know how he gets down.

14. Promise
This sounds like it could have been a lost track from my album "Grown Folk Music". I usually like to have one song like this on each album. Sort of a hip hop with a touch of soulful house music to it. A song to lift your spirits. This is a song for you to put on when you feel down and out. A reminder that things will not last like this forever and of course we will all have better days even though it doesn't feel like it at the moment. It actually was specifically written for my fiancee at the time which is now my wife. She has a very demanding job which can really weigh her down and for anybody, the stress she endures would affect anyones mood. A lot of us go through this. We can all relate to the words of this song. Of course it won't fix your problem but hopefully help your mood somewhat. If not, I have failed you. I apologize.

15. Livin Phenomenons feat. Mr. Man (Free Download)
http://www.dominationrec.com/mp3/Saint_LivinPhenomenons.mp3
Here we are again, another Saint, Mr. Man track. For those who don't know we met when I worked at a label back in 03. Was a huge Bush Babees fan and had been cool since. He was featured on Grown Folk Music as well. Also on a Good People track. This is one one of those havin fun braggin and boastin tracks.

16. Everything But Me feat. El Da Sensei & Emskee
This is one of the two bonus tracks on the album. At one time myself and El Da Sensei were label mates. I went out to Jersey to do somethin for him and I got him on somethin for me. I don't have to tell you what a great Emcee El is. Its always fun collabin with artists that you grew up listening to. The feeling is worth more than any check from some label. To me this is what it's all about. Doin what I love with people I love listenin to. I'm gettin a little off track here. Also why not throw yet another verse on from my dude Emskee. I knew he had some things to say on this topic. Its about the industry wanting you to be everything different than what you started out as. As if to say, you want me to sound like so and so, then go get them on your song or label! What's the point of turning me into something I'm not? This is my style and if it does not fit your criteria then we are wasting each others time. A little side note, that's me singin on the hook. I sang on a few hooks on the album. Here's another fun fact for ya, I can't really sing. After layering my voice so many times and after some processing, I eventually come up with something barely acceptable. You should hear each vocal track by itself dry. Even Paula Abdul would say I have no chance.

17. New Best Friend feat. Mr. Complex and Emskee
This is the second bonus track. This is how I met my wife. She had a man, I met her at Jamaica train station in Queens. I played the good friend role for about a month before stealing her and taking her to the alter a few years later. You ever hear visualize by Mr. Complex? As you know, he has very good story telling abilities with a style of humor that only he knows how to do. Had to get him on this one. He didn't dissapoint. Check this line from his verse "let me tell you my genitalia smells like irish spring". Nuff said. Classic ****. Oh and by the way, you are not going to believe who else I got on the track. That's right, our old pal Emskee. I like how he came smooth on this one.