Sly5thAve (@sly5thave) is the project of multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, and composer, Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II. Not too long ago, he released a mesmerizing jazz single, “Big Brother,” featuring Daniel Wytanis.
Sly5thAve – “Big Brother” featuring Daniel Wytanis
“Big Brother” features and pays tribute to Snarky Puppy’s multi-Grammy–winning percussion duo and Ghost Note bandleaders Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, alongside Ghost Note member and mixing engineer Ben Burget. Reminiscent of the mentorship from Ghost Note members over the years, Sly5thAve expresses gratitude for the fraternity captured throughout the track.
Delving into his hip-hop roots, Sly5thAve seamlessly integrated live beat production with a nod to the genre’s pioneers. Drawing inspiration from Roy Hargrove, the horn solo pays homage to the legendary musician, while the emotive strings evoke the power ballads of ‘90s R&B.
The string glissando in the intro, adds a distinctive touch, embodying Sly5thAve’s innovative spirit as he pushes the boundaries of contemporary music. The track comes to an end as Sly5thAve’s Ghost Note bandmate Daniel Wytanis, an incredible young talent, delivers a prominent trombone solo, seeing Sly5thAve come full circle mentoring Daniel in the same way Nate, Sput, and Ben did for him. Furthermore, “Big Brother” is taken from Sly5thAve’s third solo LP, “Liberation,” available on Friday, March 22nd, 2024.
Sly5thAve – “Liberation” album
“Liberation” marks Sly5thAve’s first full album of original orchestral arrangements. Alongside the musicianship of Sput, Nate, and Daniel, it also features previous collaborators Roberto and Todd M Simon.
Sly5thAve’s passion for collaboration manifests in released singles from “Liberation,” as he revitalized the timeless Destiny’s Child classic “No, No, No Pt. 2” with help from Jonathan Mones as well as infusing “Monoxide” with MonoNeon’s bassline complemented by vocals from MacKenzie and guitar by Peter Knudsen.
Known for his sophisticated compositions, Sly5thAve’s first experiences with large-scale arranging were with the Club Casa Chamber Orchestra and recording instrumental covers of popular modern songs. Notably, his orchestral tribute to Dr. Dre, “The Invisible Man,” garnered widespread praise and attention, even earning the admiration of Dr. Dre himself. Through these recordings Sly5thAve felt he had found a way to make people connect with orchestral music; “I’ve long felt orchestras around the world are inaccessible to most people – whether it be the programming, the cost, or the location.”
With a core underground following, Sly5thAve has been backed by famed tastemakers including Jarobi White (A Tribe Called Quest), Dr. Dre, Questlove, The Roots, and actor Martin Freeman. Sly5thAve has also attained much respect from his work with a host of highly- fêted musicians including Prince (as a member of the New Power Generation Band), Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Taylor Swift, Janelle Monae, Freddie Gibbs, and Quantic. Sly5thAve has toured and recorded as a member of Ghost Note, Quantic, with his side project IGBO, and recently supported Alfa Mist on his North American tour.
Sly5thAve
Sly5thAve’s musical inspirations span the worlds of jazz and hip-hop, with icons like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Cannonball Adderley influencing his artistic journey. Sly5thAve released several acclaimed projects, including “Akuma” and the “Vein Melter” EP, inspired by Herbie Hancock’s “Head Hunters.” He signed to Tru Thoughts, releasing his “Composite” EP, which featured orchestral covers of tracks by Rihanna, Drake, and Frank Ocean, performed with the Clubcasa Chamber Orchestra.
Following the release of “The Invisible Man,” Sly5thAve returned in 2020 with “What It Is,” showcasing his abilities as a producer and collaborative musician, the LP featured the likes of Denitia, Marlon Craft, Melissa McMillan, and Grammy-nominated Thalma de Freitas and celebrated Sly5thAve’s multifaceted musical nature. 2022 saw him collaborating with fellow composer and pianist Roberto Verástegui on ‘Agua de Jamaica’ and with New York MC/lyricist JSWISS on “Somebody’s Gotta Do It.”
Sly5thAve – “Big Brother” featuring Daniel Wytanis
We recommend adding Sly5thAve’s “Big Brother” single to your favorite jazz playlist. Also, let us know how you feel in the comment section below. Mel Blanc’s famous catchphrase, That’s All Folks! Thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment – the hot spot for new music and positive entertainment news. Always remember that (P) Positive, (E) Energy, (A) Always, (C) Creates, (E) Elevation (P.E.A.C.E). Contact us on social media via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, and let us know what’s going on. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, support our merchandise, and become a Patron of Bong Mines Entertainment. Disclaimer: This post contains Apple Music affiliate links. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site. That little compensation will be used towards keeping this website up and running.