Break Science has reigned down a notorious trip-hop, dub-laced sound and circulated throughout music festivals and intimate shows alike. The power-duo behind this craft, Borahm Lee and Adam Deitch, have perfected a musically integrative and dynamic technique through head nods to hip-hop heritage along with electronic-synth and instrumental matrimony. While Lee and Deitch are industry veterans and an iconic duo in and of themselves, when you can catch them playing as the Break Science Live Band, you know you have stumbled across pure musical bliss. The pair hit home in Brooklyn this past weekend for an electrifying two-night run. Held at the Brooklyn Bowl, the two brought not only their notorious style, but some friends along to play as well. Lee and Deitch teamed up with Lettuce vets Jesus Coomes, Adam
“Shmeeans” Smirnoff, Ryan Zoidis, and Eric “Benny” Bloom, along with world-renowned turntable-ist and Pretty Lights Live staple, Chris Karns.
Karns christened both evenings setting the tone for what was to come. His mastery is a spectacle when found playing amongst fellow band members, however experiencing a solo Chris Karns set is a beautiful rarity not to be missed. Frequent nods were thrown to OG Brooklyn hip-hop entirely engulfing crowd goers in a smoldering inferno of sound. Exmag followed Karns on night one with funk-filled beats. Sexy, up-beat tunes like the ones Exmag carries out are drenched in sensual lyrics and funky vibes. Jaw Gems followed Karns on night two with a slightly more down-tempo feel. Band members beautifully integrate an old-school groovy sound with modern day synth. With relaxed jazz and a vintage, down-tempo vibe Jaw Gems sent out enough warmth to keep you warm on a cold December night.
On Friday night, the Break Science Live Band was undeniably fueled by organic instrumentals toned with the proper electronic groove so trademark in this epic collaboration. The Shady Horns, Ryan Ziodis and Eric Bloom took a vibrant stance in the set.
Upon the thick musk of anticipation amongst the crowd, the Brooklyn Bowl was veiled in brass through tried and true saxophone and trumpet. Zoidis and Bloom evinced true mastery and consistent harmonic compatibility brought on by the blaring and ever so groovy notes unique to their sound. Deitch threw a proper nod to The Shady Horns and the crowd beamed in true awe only to throw that nod right back in sheer excitement. Brass was then caressed by keys and bass toning the evening with psychedelically melodic undertones. As Lee threw down some deep keys and commendable synth the room was flooded with the warmth of a mellow vibe. The combination of Lee’s penetrating sound along with Deitch’s unwavering percussion prowess formed a couloir for Karns to take a smooth spinning lead. With Karns on the tables, Lee on keys, and Deitch on the drums Break Science teased the crowd with their track “Funky Style (Feat. Lettuce).” The lyrics “I got a funky funky style with a funky swag” ever so subtly broke through an ultimate jam only to be brought back under the surface for a few more moments.
The pertinence of this track in the Live Band’s set is its ultimate homage to New York hip-hop and the overall undertone in which that serves for this two day event. While the track slipped under the surface, Deitch took to the mic to introduce a song off their new record dubbed “The Spins.” This is a deeply melodic tune graced with beautifully alluring vocals and bubbling electronic synthesis. The night followed with classic Break Science tunes such as “Forest of Illumination” in its psychedelic entrancement and trip-hop orient, along with a rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe.”
While the set followed, a continuum of harmonic jams brought together by both seasoned Lettuce members and Break Science in its core, it had an unforgettable finale. The band concluded their set in soul heavy, jam bumping renditions of Biggie, A Tribe Called Quest, and RJD2.
The second evening followed a similar, jam-filled path, however of a different energy. Before the set began, Deitch took a moment to shout out to his contributors and band-mates, gleaming a light of appreciation on each homie in their true talent. The set commenced with high energy from Smirnoff and Coomes hitting the crowd with infectious rhythmic grooves. Each of the Lettuce vets worked in true harmony, taking turns in their integral roles.
Karns, however, took an exemplary stance and really set a consistent and beat-heavy tone throughout. Karns’s presence on the tables did not go un-noticed; his energy was clear and vibrant, reflecting off of each member in the crowd. With frequent head nods, prominent scratches and an effortlessly perfected style he drove each song to a glistening peak. Lee and Deitch upheld a consistent relationship throughout the set, driving Break Science in its core forward throughout the night.
Tracks like “Double Dab (Feat. Citizen Chance)”, “Force of Nature”, and “Vibe Walk” played throughout the night while Lee and Deitch threw down some previous Lettuce collabs. Lee introduced “Double Dab” as a song for anyone who loves “marijuana concentrates.” The crowd was receptive to say in the least, as each got down to the trap heavy beat. As a relatively new release, Double Dab is heavy in its lyrical composure and when experienced through Live Band rendition it is blissfully intoxicating. Tracks like “Force of Nature” and “Vibe Walk” are Break Science staples, and whet the appetite of each member in the crowd. Through classic tracks, those newly released, Lettuce jams, and Chris Karns perfection the night was drenched in a moon-kissed haze that can only be set by this collaboration.
You can check out a full gallery from the run below, courtesy of Capacity Images.
