​This fractious and exceptionally crafted conceptual universe carries psychosomatic layers that can be felt through the writing and sound. The motifs brilliantly arise as we follow variant Darth (S)Maul through his dharma reform. What is the price to purify ones' mind, should one try and save others along the way? As the narrative develops, so clears a path towards self-realization; where the weight of each decision is measured and we see how ephemera life can be.

With brimful production from Small Professor, a cast of some of the world's most talented writers and audio mastering from sound savant Brian Kidd; this project really is the sum of its parts, an expression beyond meaning. Although the album was largely written & recorded in three months (end of Sept—Dec 2023, with additional pieces locking into place Jan—July 2024); a manifest of this ilk takes over a decade of honing ones' craft and process.

On my last album (SSTR), listeners had a literal map to guide their journey. This time out, you'll have track-by-track synopsis breakdowns of Side A (1-5), Side B (6-10), Side C (11-14) and Side D (15-18). This is another jewel album, another conceptual masterclass or museum piece if you will; where two sages’ join forces. You'll never have to wonder about “If your life was a movie, what would it be like?” This particular offering is nothing but transfiguration.

Side A Breaking: a recluse breaks his silence​ after 9 years. He plans to return to the city in two days (the character being a zen variation of the Sith Lord going by Darth (S)Maul. Darth: ponders on his sense of self, the enlightened jewels he's received and meditates with his prayer wheel before the journey begins. Spurious: arriving at the city and observing​ the decay, slanted leadership etc. The​ forsaken state of things since his absence. unprecedented: his attempt at saving a few, reinvigorating spirits with intentions of revealing their true, original selves beyond the influences of their surroundings. Concealed: we hear about a fellow mystic (Nakama.) who holds concealed teachings. We locate him for the rare transmission.

Side B​ CROSSING: (S)Maul brings a group to a rare Sith cave system where they each​ get a time-travel token. One return-trip to either the past or the future, and back, they decide (made possible by a triquetra wormhole). Frolic: back in the city, a night of undivided, unrivalled celebration; think Matrix III in the city of Zion.​ Akogare: (S)Maul meets a woman and​ ponders on the serendipitous nature of their united encounter. There's joy in ones' layers of being.​ Rediscover: the new pair reanimate​ their senses and memories. Love expands, as does their aperture of sight and​ ability/ capacity for appreciation. Nothing to Be: (S)Maul realizes he's made​ an impact on society since his arrival. It's​ time to retreat back to a quiet life on hermitage. He proposes for her to join, albeit, already knowing her answer.​

Side C​ Darth (Remix): a reprise of his initial anthem​ floods his mind, although different now.​ Crooked-Level: the empowering feeling when​ you know you put your purpose first, despite​ others' perceptions. He ponders on the sacrifices we make sometimes for our (perceived or realized) life purpose.​ Great Per: further reflections follow, one​ sees that every decision ever taken is compounded; and has brought one to this very moment. the great perfection. Great Mo: a strange oil path through the forest along the return pilgrimage leads to an encounter with a woman who reveals a dark secret she’s never shared before.

Side D​ Signal: unpredictably, the world is ending.​ the finest artists are assembled for a lasting vocal encapsulation; to be preserved​ (each artists' greatest verse) and sent across the cosmos.​ Illusory: (S)Maul speaks for the first time​ from his spirit-form. He basks in the feeling of continuance, renewed existence (post-life);​ knowing now, that time never truly existed.​ (S)Maul Spirit: SP's short instrumental soliloquy, honouring spirits of past.​ FRACTAL: the irony of having sent a​ transmission to future life forms is that​ us as humans, tend to hear what we want,​ disregarding or ignoring the rest anyways. Nak. speaks about life after the apocalypse, right from an extinction-proof bunker.

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RUN TIME: 49M 04S 𝄞 | RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 15, 2024 | ALSO KNOWN AS ─╼ALA╾─ | DARTH (S)MAUL BLOCKBUSTER REEL | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: D.JULIEN & J.MARSHALL | CREATIVE DIRECTION: D.JULIEN | COVER ART & GRAPHIC DESIGN: D.JULIEN VIA MIDJOURNEY FOR ARTWORK BY DEX | OBI STRIP BY JONATHAN SHUTTLEWORTH FOR PARROTICE STUDIOS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA | SONGWRITERS: D.JULIEN (1-18), E.TUFT (3,13), K.MCDANIEL (3),​ A.MOURING (4,7), C.PRIOLEAU (5,18), J.BARNESIII (7),​ H.WALKER (8,15), M.PENNII (8), N.EDWARDS (9), S.ZALES (12), J.RAMOS (14), B.MARC (15), J.POWERS (15), G.TAYLOR (15)​ | ALL SONGS RECORDED & MIXED BY D.JULIEN & J.MARSHALL AT THE DISTRICT, arcNCR & PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | VOCAL ARRANGEMENT: D.JULIEN | INTRO ON​ "UNPRECEDENTED" BY CLARISH | ALL SONGS PRODUCED BY SMALL PROFESSOR IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | ALL SONGS MASTERED BY BRIAN KIDD FOR 1SOUND1VISION IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA | SEQUENCING & LINER NOTES: D.JULIEN | POST-PRODUCTION SOUND DESIGN: D.JULIEN | BIT RATE: 320 KBPS JOINT-STEREO | QUALITY: SP 翡翠石周波数 (SP JADE STONE FREQUENCY) | RENDER: 44 100 HZ 24 BIT STEREO PCM | INK IN HEADPHONES: AUDIO TECHNICA ATH M50X DS LIMITED EDITION | REY MORADO APPEARS COURTESY OF REIGNCLOUD | CURLY CASTRO APPEARS COURTESY OF WRECKING CREW & BACKWOODZ STUDIOZ | NAKAMA. APPEARS COURTESY OF 99SUBLIME | TITO LOPEZ APPEARS COURTESY OF THE DUNGEON FAMILY & GPT ENTERTAINMENT | BLU APPEARS COURTESY OF NEW WORLD COLOUR & DIRTY SCIENCE RECORDS | THE BUM. APPEARS COURTESY OF REIGNCLOUD | CRASHPREZ APPEARS COURTESY OF CATCH WRECK | NATASHA EDWARDS APPEARS COURTESY OF TIDY COUCH | ZILLA ROCCA APPEARS COURTESY OF WRECKING CREW & THREE DOLLAR PISTOL MUSIC | JESSE THE TREE APPEARS COURTESY OF STRANGE FAMOUS RECORDS | SENE APPEARS COURTESY OF BEAU NOVO | ELZHI APPEARS COURTESY OF THE JAE.B GROUP & GLOW365 | SKYZOO APPEARS COURTESY OF FIRST GENERATION RICH | PUBLISHED BY DISTRICT10 & BEAT GOLIATH | ℗ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED