With the autumnal solstice already arriving upon us, a new mesmerizing movement is emerging from the creative sectors of the Windy City. As the sun cycles shift to falling leaves, collections of cirrus clouds and rolling showers — a new array of botanical beats and boisterous bars are blooming from the earth. A new sensibility of sentimentality and head strong smarts can be felt from the percussive rumble loop of L trains to the prosodic bustle of commuters making their way between the multilevel layers of streets and subterranean corridors. Those who listen closely can hear a new sound, a new mode of confidence, a new tier of inspired energy and a new chorus of joyous clamor that packs the collective force of fanaticism one feels at a Cubbies, Bears, Bulls, ‘Hawks or ‘Socks game.

Introducing Chi-town’s new producer to know, C3zR, of whom today announces the breakout album Round Voyage for 600 Block Records with the stunning debut of “B.B.B” that features fellow local talent Ifeanyi Elswith. Born Cesar Pino, the multi-instrumentalist has built a style from the books of jazz greats, citing Bobby Caldwell, Ramsey Lewis to contemporary luminaries like Enny, Kaytranada and many more as guiding lights. Beyond these catalogues of favorites, C3zR has been busy fusing a brand new fashion and line of focuses that are all his own. Working alongside fellow rising star Ifeanyi, a new tier of rhythm and bops can be found from a collaboration that feels like nothing experienced before or since. Call it a mood. Call it a vibe. “B.B.B” bursts through to the surface from the underground with a coolness and suave that cannot be denied.

Not just a jam for the fall season, “B.B.B” is a lush and wavy track for any and all seasons. C3zR conducts synths to shine in sequences of forward flashes that emanate in a spondaic manner akin to strobing neon lights. Drum and bass progressions are seamlessly interwoven into a bouquet of synths that are entangled with all the percussive elements that further both the atmospheric and harmonic components of “B.B.B”. Euphoria can be felt from the onset of the track, a mindset and mode that first hits the head, then the heart, moving the hips, the knees, arms, hands, legs, feet, fingers and toes in a dance that treats a Chicago sidewalk like a full on fashion week runway. An elevated track that levitates high above the sum of all its influences and sources of inspiration; C3zR delivers one of the top grooves of 2023 that turns the day to day itinerary of things extraordinary and makes the rituals and natural orders something that is extraordinarily supernatural.

Ifeanyi Elswith makes her big international debut on “B.B.B” with bars that bounce from an inspirational source that revolves around a love for blue bell bottoms. This passion for flared denim propels the emcee’s rhymes that swiftly rocks from the east side, en route to the west, north, south and all four corners (and anywhere in between). Elswith in conjunction with Cesar’s musical production engineers a full on Chicago state of mind, a type of walk that steps with a calculated calm and unfettered certainty, a movement that commands the heavens and earth and all their respective inhabitants. Spitting stylish psalms for all creatures both big and small, Ifeanyi operates with skilled smarts that brings slick spoken statements of truths with chorus breaks that showcases an unmatched melodicism. With all of this and much more, both Ifeanyi and C3zR have embarked upon a big time genre of their own that draws from the songbooks of soul, jazz, r&b, hip hop and all of the advancements the world has witnessed beyond these constructs and their limitless permutations. “B.B.B” proves to be something that is more than just an aesthetic, more than the conceits of any pigeonholed adjective but a major breakthrough worthy of note in the mythic pantheon of music’s greats. C3zR and Ifeanyi Elswith are some of today’s most exciting new artists, making some big moves and have only just begun their reign of dominance.

Reflections by C3zr, aka Cesar Pino:

"B.B.B” initially started out as just an instrumental track that I was putting together. At the time I was listening heavily to Kaytranada and Enny and was inspired to produce a track with an Afrobeat or house style. The percussion, particularly the clave, plays a significant role and I was also experimenting with the harmonies too. I'm always a fan of playing outside the key, you're able to hear that particularly in the last chord change, from G# minor to F# minor.

The song is also my second collaboration with Ifeanyi. I had a rehearsal with her one day and was playing the track in the background, which immediately got her attention. From there, she was already brainstorming on lyrics and everything started to connect instantly. She added lyrics the next week, and I tweaked the production to channel Kaytranada and H.E.R. when adding and mixing her vocals.

Introducing exclusive insights from Ifeanyi Elswith:

"B.B.B” stands for blue bell bottoms. It’s about my favorite pair of pants that I wore A LOT. People would always compliment how my shape looked in them. One day I wore them with a leotard and a slicked back bun for my hairstyle. I got a lot of guys’ numbers that day. It stroked my ego to the point that I wrote raps about this experience and my overall journey to C3zR’s production.

C3zR’s Round Voyage arrives later this fall via 600 Block Records.