Zeros and Ones by JD73: A Genre-Bending Joyride That’ll Mess With Your Brain (In a Good Way)
Let’s cut to the chase—JD73’s Zeros and Ones is like that one friend who shows up at a party wearing six different hats and somehow pulls it off. Released in 2008 under Ropeadope Records, this UK-born gem straddles so many genres—Electronic, Hip Hop, Funk/Soul, Jazz—that you might need a flowchart just to keep track. But instead of being messy, it’s more like an eclectic playlist curated by someone with impeccable taste but zero chill.
The album bounces between styles like Trip Hop, Future Jazz, Jazzy Hip-Hop, and Breakbeat, making it feel less like a traditional record and more like a late-night jam session where everyone brought their A-game. And hey, shoutout to Luke Flowers on drums—he’s basically holding down the groove like a musical superhero while everything else spirals into glorious chaos.
Now, let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck in my brain like gum on a hot sidewalk. First up, “E.T. Funk” (or is it “ET Funk”? The capitalization game here is wild). This track slaps harder than your average alien abduction story. It’s got this thick, syrupy bassline paired with beats that sound like they were stolen from a secret jazz club orbiting Saturn. Every time I hear it, I picture myself cruising through neon-lit streets in some retro sci-fi movie, except I’m not driving—I’m floating. Pure vibe fuel.
Then there’s “Signs (feat. Ella May & Earl Tutu)”, which hits differently because, well, it’s smooth as butter melting on warm toast. The vocals are haunting yet soulful, like a ghost serenading you after a breakup. There’s something hypnotic about how the melody loops around your head, refusing to leave until you’ve listened to it three times in a row. By then, you’re convinced life would be better if all songs sounded this good.
Other standouts include “Tom Tom,” which feels like a drum solo having an existential crisis, and “Swing ‘Til It Hurts,” which lives up to its name in the best possible way. Oh, and don’t even get me started on “Dark Dub”—it’s moody, atmospheric, and kinda makes you wanna sit in a dark room pondering life choices.
What’s wild about Zeros and Ones is how effortlessly it blends genres without ever feeling forced. You’d think throwing Jazz, Hip Hop, and Electronica into a blender would result in a sonic smoothie no one asked for, but JD73 pulls it off like a pro chef. Sure, the tracklist repeats itself a bit (cough “Tom Tom” cough), but honestly? At this point, I’m too busy vibing to care.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this album feels like discovering a hidden treasure chest buried deep in the sand. It’s not perfect, sure, but it’s packed with moments that make you go, “Wait…what year did this come out again?” And maybe that’s the magic of Zeros and Ones. It’s timeless in its weirdness, proof that music doesn’t have to fit neatly into boxes to resonate.
So grab your headphones, hit play, and prepare to have your mind gently scrambled. Just don’t blame me when you start hearing aliens whispering sweet nothings during “E.T. Funk.”
