The Death of Adam - 88 Keys

The long standing producer and artist, 88 Keys has been producing records since the 90s, working with such artists as Benie Sigel and Mos Def since, but is finally taking the main mic to release his debut album “The Death of Adam (Decon)”, which is Executively Produced by his friend Kayne West.

The album features a number of artists including Redman, J*Davey, Phonte of Little Brother, Bilal and Kayne West, and blends together classical soul beats with some jazz instrumentals.

In “The Death of Adam”, 88 Keys brings us a tale about a man (Adam) that murdered after getting caught up in a turbulent relationship with a troublesome and deceptive woman. In the album, Keys seamlessly builds the story throughout, going from the pure pleasures of sex or arousal to addressing some of its consequences and ultimately accounts the death of Adam after his pursuit of the perilous woman.

“The Death of Adam (Decon)” features the release, “Stup Up! (Viagra)”, which has a jazzy beat on top of which 88 Keys is joined by Kanye West to rap about the pursuit of viagra to satisfy a lusty woman and attempts to maintain sexual performance. The album features another lusty installment of sexual content in “Dirty Peaches”, which is performed by the duo J*DaVey.

“Close Call”, featuring Phonte, tells of Adam’s several sexual encounters with the woman that were close to ending without protection, before eventually being deceived into thinking she was using birth control and leading to her getting pregnant.

“Ho’ Is Short For Honey”, has a catchy beat and tells of Adam being the victim of the malicious woman giving him 3rd degree burns, taunting him and then turning up a month later with the pregnancy and claiming she loves him.

Penultimate track “M.I.L.F.” features a great vocal contribution from Bilal, singing about fatherhood, Adam’s estrangement from the woman with his alleged child, before telling of the sadness of Adam’s death.

“The Death of Adam (Decon)” blends together a number of smooth and groovy sounds and demonstrates the productive powers that 88 Keys has accumulated over the years, throwing in a distinct mood in the third track “The Friends Zone”, performed by group Shitake Monkey, changing the tune to pop.

“The Death of Adam (Decon)” was released 11 November on iTunes, embarking 88 Keys on his first solo LP experience and with some help from his friend Kayne West, produces a thoroughly enjoyable easy listen based on a well developed story.

“The Death of Adam” track listing:

1. Morning Wood 4:04
2. Nice Guys Finish Last 2:12
3. The Friends Zone (feat. Shitake Monkey) 4:04
4. Handcuff ‘Em 2:54
5. Stay Up! (Viagra) [feat. Kanye West] 3:11
6. There’s Pleasure In It 1:31
7. (Awww Man) Round 2? 2:39
8. Dirty Peaches (feat. J*DaVey) 4:27
9. Close Call (feat. Phonte of Little Brother) 3:56
10. The Burning Bush (feat. Redman) 3:49
11. Ho’ Is Short for Honey (feat. Kid Cudi) 3:04
12. No. I Said I Like You 1:45
13. M.I.L.F. (feat. Bilal) 3:49
14. Another Victim 2:22