I Don’t Wear Suits

To pronounce SaxKixAve correctly, you have to break it down like this: Sax – Kicks – Ave. Frome there, things get rolling. I Don’t Wear Suits is a meeting of minds between New Orleans MC Alfred Banks and Albert Allenback, the saxophonist of Tank and the Bangas. The project was born after a tour in 2019, and based on an idea from their manager. Saxophone watercolours on a Nike Air Jordan canvas, this is the tone of a record which, although short, is no less enjoyable to listen to. The jazz sounds of the piano and saxophone provide a discreet backdrop for rhymes that are more melodious than usual, accompanied by light beats and sung choruses. “Mr. Apricot” is embellished with the voice of a certain Tarriona, and enhanced by a kick-snare and a sound reminiscent of our tender years spent in the company of Sonic the Hedgehog. The subtle saxophone is used here and there, as in “Back at Home”, riding the handclaps that embellish the piano lines, whose rhythm recall the rapper Oddisee and the Chicago school, leaving beautiful space for the instruments at hand. More simply, this album evokes the atmosphere of New Orleans, the image of a nightlife full of blues and charm. A classic recipe, but one that hasn’t lost its freshness, for a successful project that will be appreciated even more in concert.