San Diego's Tranzformer and London-based American producer Big O return with their third collaborative beat tape, 'Dichotomy', an album that thoughtfully explores the vast "spectrum of human experiences or moral dichotomies". As with their previous collaborations, this latest offering showcases both producers' individual yet complementary styles, shining a bright light on their shared appreciation for soulful samples and meticulous musical arrangements.
While previous taps like ‘The Art of Duplexity’ and 'High Creative State' set the standard, 'Dichotomy' stands a testament to their evolving partnership, and the evolution of their individual strengths. In a layered form, 'Dichotomy' sees Tranzformer and Big O trading tracks, each contributing distinct musical snapshots.
Big O's tracks, including gems like 'Glass Butterfly', 'Trade It All', and 'Count On Me', offer spacious arrangements that shimmer with colourful, soulful bursts and a noticeable nostalgic glow. His production feels effortlessly fluid, blending a contemporary sensibility with a respectful nod to the golden era of sampling.
In between these moments, Tranzformer digs more heavily into intricate musical collages. His tracks, such as 'Gravy', 'Inspiration', and 'Cali', build upon robust bass lines, delicate vocal snippets, and a sense of old-school hip-hop aesthetics. It’s a grittier and busier, yet equally compelling, counterpoint, adding flashes of sound that break through Big O’s more expansive arrangements.
One of the true highlights of the album though, is 'Culmination'. It’s a triumphant showing of synergy between the two producers, elevated further by guest appearances from L.O.U., P-Rawb, and Decksterror. A powerhouse collaboration, it brings together the finest elements of both Big O’s and Tranzformer’s styles to make a complex, super-charged anthem. Equally, 'Run It Up' is a hot feature, adding a solo verse from Benny Canales (formerly 3D), and demonstrating the duo's ability to craft unified soundscapes when working in tandem.
It's almost impossible not to love a release like 'Dichotomy'. It’s more than just a collection of beats, but a showcase of two producers who, despite their different locations and stylistic nuances, share a profound love for the art of sampling and arrangement. It’s an informal yet educational listen, perfect for anyone looking to explore the dynamic interplay between contrasting sounds in the instrumental hip-hop landscape.
For more, be sure to keep up with Big O and Tranzformer on their socials. You can find Big O can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and X, along with Tranzformer is on Facebook and Instagram.
