Pre Summer Tape 89

Pre Summer Tape 89 (PST 89) is a 4 track EP by producer/DJ Teck-ZIlla that serves as the newest addition to his summer-themed instrumental projects. Following 2018’s Summer Zilla, PST 89 charts its own path with a plethora of soulful and nostalgic textures that capture a certain time in the producer’s life. Growing up in a family where music was always in the background, he soaked up more than a handful of influences ranging from soul, pop, rock, and hip-hop. He later discovered a whole new musical world after being gifted his parent's stash of mixtapes cassettes and proceeded to start his own self recorded tapes later in his early teens. The 89 represents an essential year in hip-hop as well as De La’s 3 Feet High and Rising dropped in March, Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique dropped in July (Teck-Zilla’s birth month) while EPMD’s Unfinished Business came in August.  The tape kicks off with the solemn ‘Less Mondays More Summer” which is built on a  soul sample layered over the unforgettable Mtume’s Juicy Fruity drum break. Like the title suggests it evokes the need for brighter days than the spirit-killing Monday blues we often experience from time to time.  “Summer Time Plan” goes for more of a happy go lucky vibe with lush guitars and smooth baselines that help capture the fun-filled spirit of being off school in the summer.   “A 1000 Lonely Summers” is all about melancholy and how sometimes we all fall into depression while battling our own demons. We all go through the same inner turmoil from day to day and it’s only by will power and determination that we keep a smiling face to the world. “Summer Happiness” serves as the counter track to “A 1000 Lonely Summers”  and opts to see the silver lining int he dark cloud above our heads. Teck chops up a lush, glimmering sample and laces it with head-nodding boom-bap drums that exude hope from a dark place.