An extra special treat for you guys today, Gary Davis’ Chocolate Star EP II is out exclusively on iTunes through February before it hits stores, from our friends Smash Hit Music.  Gary Davis, who resides in Camden, NJ is the sort of musician who has been on the scene since before the scene had ever been seen.  Purveyor of what some call the rarest grooves of all time, referring to the original Chocolate Star EP, his triumphant follow-up comes years later, ushered in by some of today’s most popular hip-hop/dance artists.  Produced in collaboration with Mr. Chinn, Stones Throw artists James Pants and Gary Wilson contribute their parts, along with “relative newcomers” Space Division.

It starts like a cookout in sweltering late July, the vibe of what sound like hand-me-down drum kits is rare and marvelous.  The entire thing is dripping with chocolatey funkiness, and things get down and dirty by the time the James Pants groove “Sticky Situation” hits the speakers.  Then, like a bucket of cold water to the face, you’re thrown back onto the dance floor as the album picks right back up and cruises through to the finish.  The player below has the entire experience queued up for your listening pleasure, along with a free download of “Gotta Get Your Love (Gary Davis Electronic Mix)” if you sign up for their mailing list.

I did the album art for this one, it was a lengthy and at some times, even pain-staking process, but the end-result is undoubtedly something that everyone involved was happy with and felt that it did the release justice.  I think this project served as an excellent opportunity to work on my vintage jazzy style, focused primarily on the composition of the text and the color choice– vintage and soulful, with a texture like a piece of chocolate.

Posted in Album Artwork and Music Posted by Alex on Feb 19 2009 03:00 pm

Tags: Chocolate Star EP II, Gary Davis, Hip-Hop, James Pants, Mr. Chinn. Greg Wilson, Smash Hit Music, Space Division, Stones Throw