Marquis Hill - Soul Sign '2020

Tracks list

 Marquis Hill understands what we call “vibes.” That feeling of
being in tune with unseen forces, one with the rhythm of our moment. During the
past few years, his beat tapes—released through his own Black Unlimited
Music Group imprint—have been able to capture that sensation. Moving
through hip-hop and neo-soul, his latest effort, Soul Sign, is a continuation of
these sounds, relying heavily on lyrical contributions from a few guests. And it
works.

Joining the trumpeter are two Bronx astrologers, Mecca Woods and Boro the Lucky
Libra. They offer both poetic and prosaic knowledge to support and enliven the
meaning of every sign of the Zodiac, which gives each track here its title.
Those wisdom-filled lyrics often take the form instructions, as on
“Aquarius | I Change | Uranus & Saturn,” when Mecca Woods reminds
listeners that, “Aquarius, as independent as you are, there are times
where you’d much rather be a part of a community than be alone, to the
point of shrinking yourself to belong. But never give up who you are, Aquarius.
What makes you lovable are the very things that set you apart from the
crowd.”

Though the spoken-word pieces are central to Soul Sign, the album never feels
too preachy or heavy-handed. Most importantly, the music remains inviting. Hill
offers both trap beats and ballads, a kind of dissonance that perfectly captures
the various aspects of the Zodiac. The crisp production from ChallyMikes,
MitchyTime and Gengis Don breathes across the album, and Hill’s horn
lights our souls afire.

1.01 - Marquis Hill - Aries (Mars) [I Am] (4:00)
1.02 - Marquis Hill - Taurus (Venus) [I Have] (4:47)
1.03 - Marquis Hill - Gemini (Mercury) [I Think] (2:34)
1.04 - Marquis Hill - Cancer (Moon) [I Feel] (3:38)
1.05 - Marquis Hill - Leo (Sun) [I See] (3:26)
1.06 - Marquis Hill - Virgo (Mercury) [I Analyze] (2:56)
1.07 - Marquis Hill - Libra (Venus) [I Balance] (2:51)
1.08 - Marquis Hill - Scorpio (Mars) [I Desire] (2:48)
1.09 - Marquis Hill - Sagittarius (Jupiter) [I Seek] (2:21)
1.10 - Marquis Hill - Capricorn (Saturn) [I Utilize] (3:04)
1.11 - Marquis Hill - Aquarius (Uranus & Saturn) [I Change] (2:32)
1.12 - Marquis Hill - Pisces (Jupiter & Neptune) [I Dream] (3:38)

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