Federal Prism Presents: Kelis & Dave Sitek - "Jerk Ribs" (Brazzaville Teen-ager)

Since we're being honest, I don't think I've ever actually heard anything from Kelis besides "Got Your Money" and "Milkshake;" "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard and they're like, it's better than yours..." After a few rough years full of shelved albums, label drama, and the dissolution of her marriage to Nas, Kelis has signed to TV on The Radio multi-instrumentalist/producer Dave Sitek's new label imprint. Federal Prism plans to unleash 2 Kelis albums and a single by year's end, along with new material from Scarlett Johansson, Maximum Balloon/Miguel, Freddie Gibbs, CSS, Chuck Inglish, and more. Kelis uploaded "Call On Me" to Soundcloud mid-Monday afternoon, which was later re-upped in substantially higher quality as "Jerk Ribs." Dave Sitek weaves a densely-layered soundbed that includes squalling horns, Funky basslines, and African drum rhythms; It almost has sonic accents reminiscent of Graceland (1986), Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, TV on The Radio, etc.


"Jerk Ribs" is essentially 4 sweet minutes-worth of sun-soaked Space R&B/Dance @ it's finest, just in time for Summer...if Mother Nature ever decides to warm up! Federal Prism has yet to announce a solid release date for either of the 2 Sitek-produced albums, but since the single's out now, I'd imagine it won't be too much longer. From what I understand, Kelis has shelved material recorded with Cee-Lo, songwriter Guy Chambers, and Annie Lennox (Eurythmics) dating back to 2007-10, which may or may not ever see the light of day. Michael Cera enlisted Kelis for his JASH/direcotorial debut, Brazzaville Teen-ager that follows a young man's "self-effacing attempt to save his father from a death by deterioration." It seems as though TV on The Radio have parted ways with long-time label, Interscope and are currently recording pressure-free material, which could eventually be released on Federal Prism in some way, shape, or form.