Music
5 Albums That Inspired River Tiber's 'Indigo'
How Kanye West, D'Angelo, Jorge Ben and others influenced the rising Toronto artist's debut album.
River Tiber
© Koury Angelo / Red Bull Sound Select / Content Pool
Tommy Paxton-Beesley, the 25-year-old producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer from Toronto who makes music under the name River Tiber (and who had a song sampled by fellow resident of "the 6," Drake), has been working hard crafting his debut album, "Indigo," which comes out today.
In recent months, the Berklee College of Music grad has collaborated on new tracks with fellow Canadian Kaytranda and rapper Pusha T that were released by Red Bull Sound Select. Now with the release of "Indigo," 2016 has been a good year for River Tiber.
To get a deeper understanding of "Indigo," we asked Paxton-Beesley to share with us the five albums and artists that inspired him while working on this debut full-length.
The inspiration he pulls from R&B and jazz artists like D'Angelo and Bill Evans may come as no surprise if you've heard his music — which tends to be sexy, precise and cool — but Kanye West's "Yeezus" was a big motivator, too. Find out how below.
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5. Arthur Verocai, "Arthur Verocai"
"The detailed string and horn arrangements that weave in and out, the psychedelic synth experimentation, all of the melodies that carry these songs. This album continues to be one of my biggest inspirations. So much of that faded, nostalgic tape sound that I love comes from this album."
4. Bill Evans, "Everybody Digs Bill Evans"
"Bill Evans is one of my favorite piano players. He creates a perfect blue on songs like 'Young and Foolish' and 'What Is There to Say.' But his voicings are filled with color that flows out when you listen closely."
River Tiber, Pusha T and Kaytranada
© Carlo Cruz / Red Bull Sound Select / Content Pool
3. D’Angelo, "Voodoo"
"The feel, the vocal layers, the depth of this album. One of my all-time favorites and a huge influence on me in so many ways. 'One Mo' Gin' is like the deepest purple to me. Every note has so much intensity."
2. Kanye West, "Yeezus"
"The first time I heard this record, I didn’t really know what to make of it. Like a lot of great art, the genius in it took time to reveal itself. But what a f---ing record. The production is from the future. The textures, the structures, the messages are crazy. There are a lot of moments on 'Indigo' that were influenced by 'Yeezus.' It’s this wild, aggressive, psychadelic, electronic, emotive masterpiece to me."
1. Jorge Ben, "Africa Brasil"
"Brazilian rhythms are some of the most powerful to me. This album synthesizes samba and funk masterfully, and every groove unfolds and shuffles forward in an irresistible way. The basslines are crazy dope. The feel is everything."
River Tiber at Red Bull Sound Select: Toronto
© Maria Jose Govea / Red Bull Sound Select / Content Pool
