Flying Colours (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Flying Colours
Type = studio
Artist = Bliss n Eso


Released = 26 April 2008
Recorded = The Devils Playground & Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne
Genre = Hip hop
Length =
Label = Illusive Sounds/Liberation Music
Producer = Jonathon Notley, Harley Webster, Hattori Hanzo
Reviews = *Triple J ( [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s2220638.htm link] )
Last album = "Day of the Dog"
(2006)
This album = "Flying Colours"
(2008)
Next album =
Misc = Singles
Name = Flying Colours
Type = studio
single 1 = Bullet and a Target
single 1 date = October 29, 2007
single 2 = Woodstock 2008
single 2 date = 2008
single 3 = The Sea is Rising
single 3 date = May, 2008

"Flying Colours" is the third album by Australian hip hop group Bliss n Eso. It was released by Illusive Sounds on April 26, 2008.

The album was recorded in three different continents over twelve months, and features Illmaculate (World freestyle and Scribble Jam champion), a 20 piece African Zulu Choir (The Zulu Connections Choir), Debaser (US), Hyjak and Phrase. In an interview with The Age newspaper Jonathan Notley (Bliss) explained that the band's previous albums were recorded on the fly, in sporadic periods whenever they could score some studio time, whereas with Flying Colours, the Sydneysiders relocated to Melbourne for three months of dedicated writing and recording at Richmond's Sing Sing Studioscite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/gig-previews--reviews/bliss-n-eso/2008/09/04/1220121416657.html |title=Bliss n Eso|publisher=The Age|last=Murffet|first=Andrew|date=2008-09-04|accessdate=2008-10-08]

"We decided to get out of Sydney and go somewhere where we could get up every day and just focus on making the record. It was great. We weren't worried about the pressure of what people would think, or forcing it or trying to make hits" - Notley

The cover of the album features artwork by tattoo artist, Steve Cross from Melbourne. It depicts a man with blazing coloured wings leaping off a cliff.

"With this album we wanted to do something a bit different than just pictures of us. We kinda wanted to go a little bit more creative and imaginative. We thought of this concept of this guy like leaping off this cliff with these flaming colourful wings, and it kind of really worked with the context of this album and obviously the title." - Notelycite web|url=http://www.inthemix.com.au/features/37888/Bliss_n_Eso_Flying_back_in_full_colour|title=Bliss n Eso:Flying back in full colour|publisher=In The Mix|date=2008-05-20|accessdate=2008-10-09]

The first single from the album, a reworking of Citizen Cope’s "Bullet and a Target", gained major national commercial radio and television airplay. "Flying Colours" features production from Bliss, M-Phazes and Hattori Hanzo, the album was mixed at Sing Sing Studios (Melbourne) by Noam Dishon and Andy Baldwin (The Cat Empire, Spiderbait, Killing Heidi).

It was featured as the Triple J feature album in the week leading up to its release. [cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s2220638.htm |title=Triple J Feature Album |accessdate=2008-04-26] The album debuted a week after its release at the No.10 position on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart. [cite web |url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_album.asp?chart=1G50 |title=ARIA Top 50 Album Charts |publisher=ARIA |date=2008-05-05 |accessdate=2008-05-06] [cite web |url=http://elevenmagazine.com.au/2008/05/06/bliss-n-eso-scores-top-10-debut/ |title=Bliss N Eso scores top 10 debut |publisher=Eleven magazine |last=Kachor |first=Kate |date=2008-05-06 |accessdate=2008-05-06]

The album was nominated for a J Award in August, 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/jawards/bliss_n_eso_flying_colours.htm|title=2008 J Award Nominations |publisher=Triple J |accessdate=2008-09-01]

The album was also nominated for an ARIA award for 'Best Urban Release' in 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/major-aria-award-nominations/2008/09/10/1220857602578.html |title=Major ARIA award nominations |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=2008-09-10]

In an interview with Xpress magazine Notley indicated their suprise at the albums success.

"To tell you the truth it smashed any of my expectations. The reception for the record has been fantastic so we couldn't really be happier at the moment." - Notleycite web|url=http://www.xpressmag.com |title=Pass with Flying Colours|publisher=Xpress magazine|last=Hayes|first=Joshua|date=2008-10-09|accessdate=2008-10-09]

Track listing

All songs written by Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon and Noam Dishon, except where noted [ [http://www.apra.com.au/site/public/searchworks.stm APRA database] at the Australasian Performing Right Association website (search each song title)]

Flying Colours
#"The Beginning" - 1:41
#"Woodstock 2008" - 4:27
#"Eye of the Storm" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, A Stone, J Stone) - 3:27
#"Bullet and a Target" (featuring the Zulu Connection Choir) (Clarence Greenwood) - 4:15
#"Happy in my Hoody" (featuring Hyjak and Phrase) (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, J McCarthy, Harley Webster, Vester) - 4:19
#"Destiny Lane" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Mark Landon) - 3:41
#"Zion Bash" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Mark Landon) - 2:51
#"The Sea is Rising" - 5:36
#"Gorilla Militia" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Mark Landon) - 3:14
#"How to Listen, Part 1" - 3:02
#"Climb these Cliffs" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Noam Dishon, Mark Landon) - 3:41
#"At Midnight" - 5:21
#"Royal Flush" - 3:52
#"$5 Steak" (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Noam Dishon, Etheridge, Montgo) - 5:35
#"The Truth" (featuring ILLmacuLate and Sapient) - 4:41
#"Never Give Up" (featuring Changes) (Jonathon Notley, Max MacKinnon, Noam Dishon, Mchunu, Mhlongo) - 4:31
#"Field of Dreams" (featuring Paris Wells) - 3:24

Flying Colours Limited Edition Bonus Disc
#"The Dark Tower" - 5:49
#"Lonely Streets" (featuring Debaser) - 4:33
#"Bullet and A Target (Acoustic Version)" (featuring the Zulu Connection Choir) - 3:58
#"Mexican Spit Fire" - 2:30
#"Choof Choof Train" - 4:09

References