12/30/16, 4:05am

February 18, 2010, the release date of the original version of our debut album, "V.I.S.I.O.N.S." This was our college years in a musical summary. Everything that came before it, at one point, was considered to make this album. It defined our first era as a group. I know that some of you maybe more familiar with the live band version of the album (we refer to as "V.I.S.I.O.N.S. 20/20"), but looking back on it now, this version, the original version, will hold the place in my heart as the definitive version.

Reason why that is to me is it encompass the spirit of what Honor Flow Productions always been about. It reminds me of the love and passion of the music, the four year journey to get this record done, and how we grew as young men in the process. Sure you can call that reasoning more sentimental, and that is not to discredit "20/20" which still sounds great, but I've found this version to be like fine wine, as it as aged better with time.

I'm still in debt to everyone who believed in this record: from those who played a role in it's creation, to those who still to this day, tell me you not only still play it, but own a physical CD of it, lol! I know I can speak for everyone involved when I say, that right there made all those late nights worth it.

This is very reason why I have decided to un-earthed it as one final gift from us to you in honor of our HFP10 celebration. I also did this to also give the album its proper due and place in the H.F.P. timeline; with some additions and corrections.

First off, you will notice contrary to the original pressing, "Get A Minute" and "Hold You Down," two fan favorites from that time that we're bonus tracks only on the digital version, are now included. It should have been there in the first place and was a lesson I learned on listening to The People when a record connects; regardless if I didn't think it "fit" on there. It did, and always has. Second, "Love & War," which only appeared on the very first pressing, has been placed back on the album. I was a little insecure about the song for a couple reasons back then, but it's an important part of the V.I.S.I.O.N.S. story and some people asked why did I ever take it off? So boom, it's back on there lol!

Third, some of the best records from that era that appeared on "Prelude Projects" such as "The Becoming" and "The Master Plan" have only been heard by a handful of the world's population, specifically old classmates of ours lol! So I have sequenced 7 bonus tracks after the album's closer "Make A Run For It," that acts as an "Encore" EP. This also includes an original mix of "Move!," and the original versions of "V.I.S.I.O.N.S. 20/20" tracks "In Full Effect" and "2 LA" which has never been released.

Lastly, to complete "V.I.S.I.O.N.S." experience, the 22th and final track is the new Beat Tape/Instrumental album entitled "The Danger Room (2007-2012)". It is a companion piece to "V.I.S.I.O.N.S;" a la what Kendrick's "Untitled Unmastered" is to "To Pimp A Butterfly." It is 24 of my favorite instrumental compositions from that era that I will no longer kick myself in ass for not letting the public hear lol! Some of these beats exist as half recorded sessions or the songs that were written yet never recorded. All of these beats at one time or another was either intended for "V.I.S.I.O.N.S." or two previous incarnations of what has become our forthcoming sophomore album. Yes, the title and concept as been around THAT LONG! In due time, I will explain all.

Below is my OG liners for the album that I wrote in the LMU library on the eve of release day. To know where we going next, you have to know where we have been. This album is the foundation of what will become our next "Odyssey." So dream with us before you move with us.

Soul Claps And Salutes and Thank You For Listening,

DJ Chuck "thE oLd SouL"

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 8:00pm

The question that appears in the ads for this project, “What Are Your V.I.S.I.O.N.S?,” is more than just some catchy advertisement slogan. It’s a mindset, a thought process, a reflection of how one perceives their life. How do you want to live your life? What do you want out of your life? Regardless how others may perceive the size of your passion, for you, it means the world to you. It is a reminder why it’s a blessing to open your eyes in the morning. It is what makes you feel alive. It was these ideas that Key and I kept in mind in the midst of crafting our debut album.

When people ask me “What does this album represent?” My response as of late has been “It’s a coming of age story.” You have to keep in mind that when the concept of this LP was first conceived a little over four years ago, we were still just two high school students who were on the verge of stepping out on our own. Like anyone else at the age, we thought, although we have been called mentally mature by our elders and peers, we had just about fully reached the pedestal of adulthood. Ha! Little did we know that we had just barely scraped the first steps up the ladder of that platform.

The 14 tracks that are now in your possession, sonically reflects those grand daydreams, euphonies, and conversations of ours from this past four year journey. It is a recording testament of two ambitious young men just basically trying to find their way in the world; while trying to both, make sense of it and change it. Some people have scrapbooks, some people have home videos, we have this album (and God-willing, many more to come).

I am a firm believer in creating full front to back albums with a concept in mind with no filter. Unlike many albums today where it’s basically a mix CD with no focus and only highlights singles, rather than a complete body of work. I am firm believer in creating an LP that is worth both your time and your money (and God knows we only have some much of those these days) and could be remembered years down the line. Personally, I think that an artist is in no position to call their own work “classic,” because that is title that the listening audience has to bestow upon the work. Of course every artist is going to call all their own work “classic” because since it’s their work; it’s going to resonate with them the most.

For a piece of work to receive the overused, over-exaggerated title of “classic” in this day in age in music, especially Hip-Hop, like the classics of yesterday, it not only have to resonate with others, but it has to be high in quality. While a musician should not call their own music “classic,” they can say they created a “complete body of work that was made with quality.” That is what Key and I attempted to assemble. And with confidence, I can say for our own personal standards, we met that goal. We hope upon listening, you will share those same sentiments.

Part of me is a little bit sad because I have to now finally say goodbye to something that has been a labor of love and an intricate part of both of our lives for a long time. It’s kind of like what a parent might feel like the day their child moves away for college. But at the same time, they feel proud of the growth of their child and excited to witness the impact he or she will make in this world. That is how Key and I are our feeling literary four hours away from release date. Words cannot express how extremely ecstatic we are for all of you to finally hear what has taken all this time to create (Sidenote- To my sister Tyler, told cha we would beat “Detox” to a release date, lol!!!).

While the journey may be over, the ride to the destination, which has been one full of memories, will continue to be told and looked back on fondly by myself, Key, and everyone else who has been a part of this process throughout our lifetime. Like any journey, the fun is not the destination itself, but rather the ride to the destination. I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart and soul, this has been one hell of a ride that I will never forget. But with end of one journey, comes the start of the next one. And something tells me that journey will begin as soon as tomorrow.

They say in music you can’t save the world in 4 minutes, but they never said you couldn’t talk about the world in 4 minutes. So here it is… the world as we see it. How you intrepid it, I leave that up to you and your own Various Inspired Stories Insightful On Night & Sunlight (V.I.S.I.O.N.S).

Thank You For Listening and Soul Claps & Salutes,

DJ Chuck "thE oLd SouL"