Biography
Saturn Return is more than an album... It’s a story that was developed by two friends, while they were individually working their way through one of the most grueling transition periods of their lives. This period left them both questioning their purpose in life, what they wanted for themselves, what made them happy, as well as who they were.
Their conversations and the continual support of each other led soul singer Aaron "AB" Abernathy and beat-smith 14KT to co-produce a progressive soul album focused on a love story between characters Ab and Lalah. However, it is an experience that anyone can relate to.
Read full biography ↓
While the story is great, it doesn’t overshadow the music. Saturn Return is filled with a plethora of different musical landscapes. 14KT’s signature hard-hitting drums and euphoric atmosphere mixed with Ab’s melodic and soulful approach to instrumentation consistently mirror each other in every stage of this album and sonically lays the foundation for its in-depth lyrical content. It’s the perfect way for listeners to sit in on the intimate love relationship between characters Ab & Lalah and witness all the vulnerability that comes with it.
In addition to lyrical vulnerability, Ab’s vocal versatility matches his emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. On the opening selection his Marvin Gaye like falsetto and background vocals are haunting and resurface again on "Heavenly", where he bares his love for Lalah. Aggressive styles of funk vocals are revealed on "Lover's Galaxy" in pursuit of his lover while his sinister harmonic lead on "Forget Who I Am" is reminiscent of Prince over 14KT’s pulsating deranged production. Ab is a choir of voices on "God (Food & Water)" and last but not least you’ll find his subtle and somber vocal style on "Sweat Pants & My Cardigan", the self-produced duet with vocalist Shelley Barnes.
Then there is "Forgotten". This stand out record is where you’ll find the duo’s co-production at its best. It features Ab’s Nat Turner affiliate Malik Hunter assisting on upright bass coupled with both producers on keys and percussion and leaves you no choice but to get up and dance.
It’s not often that two producers with two different styles go through the same thing at the same time and collaboratively use their personal struggle in their everyday lives to create something that has the possibility of being so impactful. Saturn Return is a conceptual journey through music and love that pulls you in because the album is about a part of your past or present life.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.