Fraction and Fresh Kils Find A Perfect Balance With Extra Science
Fraction, one of Canada’s most lyrically-gifted emcee’s, along with established Toronto-based producer/engineer Fresh Kils released their first collaborative effort, Extra Science on April 5th. It was during one night at BeatLounge, an event featuring some of the GTA’s finest producers dropping beats in a competitive free round robin rotation, where what began as a simple idea in the wind led to a studio session a month later. “It wasn’t even supposed to be a studio session” says Fraction. “We just ended up vibing out and making something insane – that’s when I knew the creative chemistry was crazy.”
That chemistry can be heard in spades on Extra Science, dripping with a classic, soul-infused vibe and is the kind of record which will have fans of underground and mainstream hip-hop moving all the same. From the lyrically poignant title track which opens the record, the album maintains an intoxicating pace that rises and falls out of its own volition. Tracks like “Change” and “This Is My Life” occupy a space reminiscent of a smoky jazz club at 3 A.M. First single “The Balance,” a beautifully haunting peek into the psyche of these two highlights the album’s themes: importance of knowledge of self, knowing how to balance life’s variables all the while maintaining a grip on sanity. In short, Extra Science should be mandatory listening for all those who consider being stuck in a traffic jam as a serious problem in one’s life.
When one looks back at what Fraction and Fresh Kils have accomplished, you can see how Extra Science was in a sense, unavoidable. Fraction was named one of the winners of 91.5 the Beat’s Rhythm of the Future Contest in 2008. That same year, he released the hit single “My Way” featuring Canadian legend Saukrates to considerable acclaim. In 2011 he appeared on CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den promoting an educational LP. Fraction has performed with Raekwon, Akon, Nas, Redman, and Obie Trice among others. An Honours graduate of the Harris Institute, Fresh Kils has been in front of a soundboard since the early nineties, having toured the US and Europe with some of Canada’s most esteemed hip-hop artists including De La Soul, GZA, Kid Koala, and Buck 65. He is a JUNO nominated producer and engineer and his resume credits collaborations with notables including D-Sisive, Fabolous, and Ron Sexsmith.
Much like the BeatLounge surroundings which brought Fraction and Fresh Kils together, Extra Science is a record full of life, love and beats. It looks at the bigger picture and remembers a time when hip-hop was expressive, if not slightly rebellious at times but always endearing to those who treat it as the search for something bigger.
Live dates here:
April 22nd – Toronto, ON – The Ossington
April 26th – Ottawa, ON – Buddha Bar
April 27th – St. John, NB – Pepper’s Pub
April 28th – Moncton, NB – Plan B
April 29th – Halifax, NS – La Trinidade