Track by Track
Ryan Leslie– Transitions
Article by: MediK
If you are reading your first Track by Track, here on iStandardProducers.com, then there are a few things you must know:
#1 The writers here at istandardproducers.com focus mostly on the beats … obviously – hence the name “PRODUCERS” in iStandardProducers.com… however we are still reviewing the record as a whole.
#2 EVERY track gets equal shine…
#3 You know how we do it…we don’t check the credits until the album is heard in its entire.
1. ‘Never Gonna Break Up’
Ryan Leslie opens his album with very smooth vocals on a slow-tempoed song . Over a simple groove, he subtly layers synths over the bass line. He plays long phrases using a synth that has a gentle wah effect that keeps you under hypnosis the whole time. Ryan is always good at keeping the listener interested wtih the transitions he writes in his music. This is definitely one of my favorite tracks and a great opener to the album.
2. ‘Something That I Like’ ft. Pusha T
Classic Ryan Leslie joint here. Even tempoed drums with 808 percussive elements keep the track moving. Ryan tries his hand at rapping on this track and there’s def something to be said when a singer/somngwriter flows better than most rappers out there…..thats just my personal opinion. He again layers 4-5 synths covering the hi and low end. Simple structure with a very warm feeling in the mix.
3. ‘Zodiac’
I think Ryan channelled a little Prince on this track. He gets you in the groove with a funky slap bass line. He uses a distorted synth pad to build the anticipation going into the chorus where he drops synth hits over layers of pads and effects. After the third verse, he switches the melody keeping you on your toes for his next move. Solid track.
4. ‘Is It Real Love’
If you listen carefully, there are a lot of layers that are subtly overlayed to complement each other. The track never feels too clutterred and there’s just enough room for him to lay his vocals. He does this seamlessly over a walking bass line and a funk wah guitar heard in the back. This track def initely has Ryan Leslie of 07/08 written all over it.
5. ‘Sunday Night’
When I heard the intro to the song, I wasn’t very interested in listening to much more but once the song came in, it wasnt too disappointing. The clanking noise in the kick is a little distracting and the fruity loops snare gives the track an element of cheapness. A pretty simple construction but not very memorable.
6. ‘You’re Not My Girl’
He’s got your head nodding from the very begining with the funk bass line over some boom bap drums. The melody is very addicting like candy for your ears. This track reminds me of some early 80-s funk inspired R&B (Atlantic Starr comes to mind). Simple, radio ready and one of my favorites on the album.
7. ‘To The Top’
This song has so much swagger…for lack of a better word. He has solid instrumentation on the bass, electronic guitar and a doodling Wurli EP . Over this foundation he layers soothin synth patches to enhance the melody. He has mastered the art of subtly and this track is a great example of that. Repeat worthy for me.
8. ‘Nothing’
I don’t know if its just me but the intro sounds like a cut from outkast’s ‘Slum Beautiful’ off ‘Stankonia’ Listen to the the first 15s here. Despite that, the song moves in a different direction than you initially expect and has a live feel. I honestly don’t think this song came together as it feels a little disadjointed/unrealized. It almost feels like a jam session freestyle with him and his band which is cool. It just didnt keep me interested.
9. ‘Guardian Angel’
This one is the piano ballad for the album. The production is bare bones and kept simple to not distract from the content. A piano, bass and a few supporting synths help support Ryan’s warm vocals. The production wasn’t stand out on this ballad and I expected the vocals to pick up that shortcoming but it didnt quite meet my standard. Depite that, its a decent listen.
10. ‘I Choose You’
He captures you from the beginning with the wah-bass line and up-tempo drums. By this point in the album you get a sense of his style on this album and this song gets a little predictable. Over the bass line, he layers an electric piano, pad, and a synth. Good melody and a well balanced instruments but the song needed a little more edge.
Transitions is a solid effort from Ryan Leslie. The production style on this album seems to have strong influences from Prince, Stevie Wonder, and generally the early-mid 80s R&B sound. As a singer/songwriter, he was impressive and entertaining. As a producer though, his style became predictable towards the end. I still think this is a great effort from Ryan Leslie thats worth your time and and your $11.99. Get it here.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Tomorrow, 
