(March 15, 2019) Hidden Beach Recordings has been one the most creative independent labels of the past two decades, helping to launch the careers of Jill Scott, Kindred the Family Soul and more. And particularly inventive was the label’s Unwrapped series, featuring jazzed up versions of R&B and hip-hop hits.
After a long absence, Unwrapped is returning this May with its eighth volume, and to lead it off is a cool version of Travis Scott’s double platinum single “Pick Up The Phone” — redone by musicians Ivan Dupee (piano, keyboards, producer, arranger), James Perkins (saxophone), and Richard Patterson (bass), as well as vocalist Taylor Mallory.
“In the same tradition of great jazz players who chose popular songs to unpack, unfold, and unwrap into new jazz standards, we chose Travis Scott’s monster hit ‘Pick Up The Phone’ as an instant classic worthy of this musical reinterpretation,” says Steve McKeever, executive producer of Unwrapped and founder of Hidden Beach Recordings, which releases the Unwrapped series of albums. “We wanted to relaunch our Unwrapped series with a song that could achieve what all the previous Unwrapped hip-hop hits have: reach a wide spectrum of demographics simply because it is good music.”
The Unwrapped version of Travis Scott’s “Pick Up The Phone” is slated to be included on Hidden Beach Recordings Presents: Unwrapped Vol. 8: The Chicago Sessions, which is scheduled for a May 2019 release.
“Pick Up the Phone” is our newest SoulTracks First Listen. Check out this incredible reimagining of this hit song, and get ready to be UNWRAPPED!