Kiefer Releases ‘Memory Bomb,’ His Blue Note Debut

Kiefer has released Memory Bomb, his first album as a leader for Blue Note Records. The pianist and producer co-produced the project with longtime collaborators Shibo and CARRTOONS. Its guest list includes Nate Smith, Walter Smith III, Cisco Swank, Erick The Architect, Tony Stone, Planet Giza, Relyae, Rae Khalil and Amber Navran of Moonchild, bringing together instrumentalists, vocalists and rappers across the record.

Kiefer’s music sits between jazz improvisation and hip-hop beat-making, an approach he calls “Over The Breaks.” For Memory Bomb, he made collaboration part of the album’s foundation rather than adding guests after the fact. He turned first to Shibo and CARRTOONS, whom he describes as his two best friends, because of their familiarity with his harmonic language and their experience with drum programming. From there, the project expanded to include a wider group of collaborators, with Kiefer using those combinations to introduce different influences while maintaining the musical vocabulary associated with his work.

Kiefer recently discussed Memory Bomb with Blue Note President Don Was on the latest episode of “First Look.” Among the ideas behind it, Kiefer explained, the title Memory Bomb is his poetic shorthand for “a dream.” The concept draws on three kinds of dreams: those experienced during sleep, wishful longing, and personal ambition.

Kiefer, who was raised in San Diego by two aerospace engineers and pianists, developed his musical background through both classical training and a deep interest in jazz before studying at UCLA under guitarist Kenny Burrell. He later signed to Stones Throw Records, releasing projects including Happysad, Between Days, and It’s Ok, B U, while building a résumé that includes collaborations with Dr. Dre, De La Soul, Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, Terrace Martin, and others. He is also a member of the collective FATHERS alongside CARTOONS, Nate Smith, and producer Kenneth Blume.

Listen to Memory Bomb here.