First Box Then Walk

"My brother used to sit down on my head. He called this strange game 'hatching'. " HATCHING ***

Oy's record entitled First Box Then Walk is so playfully unpredictable and colorful, that if it were a screenplay, it could easily be the next Michel Gondry film. Inspired by the Dadaist spirit, the love for improvisation and loosely based on childhood memories, this seasoned sounding debut is truly a heartfelt roller coaster odyssey through the outer limits of music. Joy Frempong's light hearted storytelling filled with a child like wonder, a sense of surprise and a wholesomely absurd, giddy sense of humor provides the perfect backdrop for this musical exploration. In a sense this record is all about rediscovering the magic in music.

It should come as no surprise then that a whole army of children's toys comes to life on First Box Then Walk to form a big band supporting a tribal chant in an imaginary language, or that the sound of a noisy street in the background effortlessly morphs into a delicate harmony. Time and time again we are challenged as listeners and reminded by the artist that nothing here is what it appears to be and that everything is possible.

"Childre's dreams, children's dream - which motionlessly bathe in the sun for a long time, like dragonflies between peach blossoms; and there! Suddenly they blast through the air like silver arrows. For a moment, the world is standing still: clear, silvery and transparent - like glass. It's impossible for adults to imitate what children do. Yet every grown-up has once been a child." KUMAKEY ***

From the very beginning of the album the idea of genre is deemed inoperative, but traces of Jazz, Soul, 70s progressive Rock, Avant-Pop and contemporary experimental Electronica can be found throughout. The whole spectrum of voices on this record from the over-the-top theatric's spoken word recitals to the soaringly soulful hook lines, the abstract backing Electronica soundtrack and the more classically inclined compositions supporting them - that's all Joy from beginning to end. And what's important to point out - Oy can singlehandedly bring it all back to life on stage.

"New Year's eve..a new year is descending from the sky. Arriving at midnight sharp. And this explains why the bells are ringing." NEW YEAR ***

Four long years in the making, often interrupted by endless tours and all sorts of musical collaborations, but a unique solo artist was finally born!

*** Words adapted from 'Der Tod und Das Püppchen' by Cecile Ines Loos (1883 - 1959)

Oy - First Box Then Walk (CRDS21)

Download Album

1.		Oy - First Box Then Walk	2m 28s
2.		Oy - Trolls	2m 46s
3.		Oy - Gap	57s
4.		Oy - Hatching	2m 52s
5.		Oy - World Whale	57s
6.		Oy - Camp Tiki	1m 45s
7.		Oy - Tooth	2m 7s
8.		Oy - Waha!	17s
9.		Oy - Kumakey	2m 19s
10.		Oy - Snake	3m 17s
11.		Oy - Sex	2m 12s
12.		Oy - Dangeroo	40s
13.		Oy - Twenty	2m 8s
14.		Oy - The Kitten	31s
15.		Oy - Aeh	2m 16s
16.		Oy - Positivili Two	43s
17.		Oy - Cloudy Gallery	3m 20s
18.		Oy - Dogrose Battle	2m 20s
19.		Oy - Toilet Witch	24s
20.		Oy - Naughty Girl	2m 52s
21.		Oy - I'll Build My Church	1m 22s
22.		Oy - Laundry	3m 11s
23.		Oy - Bone Bells	1m 54s
24.		Oy - New Year	1m 41s
25.		Oy - Rosa	2m 39s
26.		Oy - Tonight	13m 40s

Oy - First Box Then Walk (CRDS21)

CD Album

1.		Oy - First Box Then Walk
2.		Oy - Trolls
3.		Oy - Gap
4.		Oy - Hatching
5.		Oy - World Whale
6.		Oy - Camp Tiki
7.		Oy - Tooth
8.		Oy - Waha!
9.		Oy - Kumakey
10.		Oy - Snake
11.		Oy - Sex
12.		Oy - Dangeroo
13.		Oy - Twenty
14.		Oy - The Kitten
15.		Oy - Aeh
16.		Oy - Positivili Two
17.		Oy - Cloudy Gallery
18.		Oy - Dogrose Battle
19.		Oy - Toilet Witch
20.		Oy - Naughty Girl
21.		Oy - I'll Build My Church
22.		Oy - Laundry
23.		Oy - Bone Bells
24.		Oy - New Year
25.		Oy - Rosa
26.		Oy - Tonight

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