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Notes: J-Live is one of my heroes. Standard. I did a support slot before him with the Kidk show. He’d just finished working on a song with a friend (Will Quantic) and we talked about the possibility of his working with Homecut and (after registering this conversation wasn’t a dream) I hounded him until it became a reality. | Working with J is very easy, and in every aspect lived up to his world renown. Thankfully he’s one of the few emcees I’ve met who is actually bears resemblance to the person you hear on record and is indeed a great bloke. | After a chat with super-deejay/producer Mike-L about the logistics of communicating with someone an ocean away (plus the Beatles A Day In The Life being one of my favourite joints) the theme suggested itself.
lyrics
(J-Live)
Ay-yo, 6 AM in the ATL
NYC seems miles from here
Like the minute Big Ben being seeing the light
Before I even rolled out of the bed
Jump on a chat for the toll free business
Hands on keys like ears to the ground
Holla at my overseas peoples in an instant
Trade food for thought swaps words for sounds
(Testament)
The sounds at the venue checked, head downtown
‘round ten pm, …chow with my friend
I’m…late turning up and she’s watching the clock
Sharing a cuppa Mint Tea at this Persian spot
Says the “old her’ s” gone, since she’s learnt lot
when a temporary lover, made-her permanent Mum
Now works a sex line to, earn some crust
Mid-conversation,(what?) midnight: I gotta run (cos its time)
CHORUS:
Time difference, the difference in time
We trying live in these difficult times
UK to US, LS to NY
Testament, J-Live
Things look different with time
Time difference, the difference in time
We trying live in these difficult times
UK to US, LS to NY
Testament, J-Live
Things look different…
2.
(Testament)
First-hand on 3, weave through second-hand smoke
New Bohemia closed, so I catch a cab home,
Couldn’t properly chat, with my pal at the show
Apologetic text message tapped into ma phone
He’s stand-up bloke, b-boyed when we were younger
Became Policeman, in his London borough
See I thank God for the seasons that we livin’ with
Getting through meantimes, like the Greenwich meridian
(J-Live)
Deejay at Greenwich Vilage, today’s mission
Grab a camera full of landscapes and friends
Can’t miss a moment cos you never know when this life might come to an ends
Catch a value of a dollar and it don’t make sense
Now I’m trying to make a punds out of fifteen pense
See I don’t get gas like sight for sound
Contemplating how the modern day cipher sounds
CHORUS:
3.
(J-Live)
From 3 o’clock to 6 then I get to La Guardia
Two days before I need JFK
Almost missed my flight with a close encounter
From the Biblebelt C cycles here in the A
And it ain’t no different in the Empire State
From forty-one to fifty, the shots hardly miss me
At 8 O’clock reach Harlem according to plan
10 O’clock I start the party with the Settlement jam
(Testament)
Jam on toast, 10 o’clock, I think maybe I changed?
Raised my game and moved on, well, then again maybe I aint?
…The time zones of life jetlag me now
Been undergrad, unemployed now I’m underground
I understand this: “freedom means sacrifice”
Jump online, contact the J-Live
Leave the house, say a prayer, grab my plane ticket
Hear the sound of children, playing in the distance…
credits
from No Freedom Without Sacrifice,
released June 8, 2009
[A. Brooks, J. Cadet]
Programming & Instrumentation: Testament
Trumpet: Malcolm Strachan
Vocal: Testament
Vocal: J-Live
Homecut is the brainchild of MC/producer Testament. Conscious lyricism, live instrumentation and mix of Soul, Hip-Hop and
sonic experimentation mark out Homecut on the UK landscape. The critically acclaimed debut album “NO FREEDOM WITHOUT SACRIFICE” features collaborations with Corinne Bailey Rae, Soweto Kinch, US rap legend J-Live, Andreya Triana and members of the Cinematic Orchesta....more
supported by 11 fans who also own “Time Difference ft J-Live”
Not decided on a favourite track but the album as a whole is positive, reflective and mature - aside from the lyricism and the recognisable voice, things have changed since 'The Essance' (still a great album though!) Great LP. Scissorino
