Oasis Nocturno by TokiMonsta
High hats, drums, xylophone, and piano hit me as I lay on my back hearing the bass echo, vocals mirroring one after another. They are partnered together with intention.
Jennifer Lee, best known through her stage name, TokiMonsta, is a record producer and DJ based out of Los Angeles, California. She began learning how to produce beats by attending open-mics, clubs, and workshops like the Leimert Park’s Project Blowed and Low End Theory.
TokiMonsta came up on my radar in 2014 with her single Rella featuring R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop artist, Anderson.Paak. The hypnotic dance beats lured me with Anderson.Paak’s smooth vocals laid up against Lee’s skillful mastered beats.
Oasis Nocturno is a project that sends one to a psychedelic groove state of mind. Track one, Love That Never, eases you into an instrumental with a few short lyrics that resemble a chant or mantra:
“It’s the love that never dies
I can tell
No sayin’
It’s the love that never dies.”
Eyre lyrics with a hopeful instrumental to create a paradox musical emotion.
If you’ll thinking of giving the album a listen, here are some of favorites:
- Fried for the Night (feat.EARTHGANG): Atlanta based Hip-Hop duo, hits you with a punch with trap beats and speed rap.
- Come and Go (feat.VanJess): This soulful track stands out with a dash of funk! Couldn’t help but do a quick deep dive of who these R&B goddesses were. Check out the duo’s 2018 album: Silk Canvas.
- To be Remote: Perfect track title and instrumental for the time of quarantine. Take a trip into a dystopian digital journey with this one.
