In 2012, Marcus D cemented his status as one of the most proficient producers of jazz-themed hip hop in the business with the release of Melancholy Hopeful – an album that garnered features from some of the underground’s most respected emcees. As part of that project, the former Seattle and current Tokyo resident also released Melancholy Prequel (originally pressing only 100 copies as a Kickstarter perk) featuring tracks that didn’t make the album. Now, due to an unexpectedly strong reception and popular demand, MD is re-releasing Melancholy Prequel for the masses with seven new tracks. Released and distributed by his label Absolutzero, Melancholy Prequel is entirely instrumentals save for one, which features DMV area-based emcee Javier Starks. This re-release also features the introduction of Yojimbo, a Japanese producer and recent signee to Absolutzero. Melancholy Prequel drops on April 11th, and physical and digital copies can be purchased on marcusd.net as well as all other major digital download and streaming services.
– Ari Liljenwall (Buddyhead/MLS)