thePULSENovember 2003 – Jerry Kazarian is Kaz, a.k.a Supernova. He was in one of the first groups at the core of Worcester’s hip-hop scene in the late eighties. Nationally, he was mentioned in The Source magazine. Locally, he produced two tracks on 1997’s Live in Peace album. Perfecting his deejaying, writing, and producing skills over the past fifteen years has lead to this moment… the release of his debut album The Shi. We hope Wormtown is ready.
Supernova is a pseudonym inspired by an unexpected incident in 1999. “The album I was working on was called SUPERNOVA”, Kazarian says, “and it was just about complete [when] a power failure [occurred] while I was backing up my hard drive. I lost like half of the album. There was a song on it called “Supernova” that some people around me heard, and [they] started calling me SUPERNOVA.”
This album has a sound that could only emerge from the Supernova Soundlab, the innovative studio where Kaz wrote, produced, arranged, and composed every song on the album. He plays virtually every instrument from the guitar to digital turntables. Beside him are musicians Jamie Kahn on the saxophone, Ricardo Leigh on guitar, and Darrell Ginese on bass, with background vocals provided by Eve Robinson.
The CD was mastered at Jigsaw Sound in New York City where David Bowie, Jay-Z and other big names have worked. Kazarian’s musical influences are apparent, but not overwhelming, as his style is fresh and unique. “Whatever Bob Marley is to Wyclef, that’s what Prince is [to] me”, he says.
Kaz obliges listeners to dig deep into his multifaceted musical persona. Using music as a medium for communication, he hopes to liberate the minds of all who listen to his music. “I try to do things on my own terms”, he says. “I want [people] to feel inspired and that they can listen to someone create without being boxed in by what the music industry tells them to do.”
The evidence is laid out over 18 tracks of The Shi…. After the first listen you think, did I just hear that? The high-energy electric guitars, dance hall rhythms, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues cohesively balance the range of material. The sound is analogous to an hour-long roller coaster ride, with Kaz the conductor speeding things up, slowing things down, and leading the listener through unexpected transitions. The moving montage of emotions is made complete with intricate word plays that deliver the message behind the music.
The opening track, an explosive rock/hip-hop hybrid, “Kiss the Jewels”, reveals Kaz as a fanatic for provocative lyrics. On the dysphemistic title track “The Shi…”, he taunts opponents with, “You think I’m going overboard because I’m passionate/but ya’ll about nothing, I’m ’bout something and that’s the shit”. On a mellower note, “I Just Can’t Help It” featuring saxophonist Jamie Kahn, exudes smooth rhythm and blues that capture the soulful sultriness of a yearning lover.
Kaz is already working on new projects with Arablak formerly Alchemist, and plans to do production with rappers K Slaughter, Dibbs, Co-D, Diamond T, and L the Head Toucha of Massappeal are in the works. Kaz will also be featured on the remix of 7 Hill Symphony, 7 Hill Xperience Volume 2 due out later this year.
“My main goal is to get my music to as many people as possible”, he says. His attempt is successful mainly through the blending of several influential genres of music into one solid sound. Be on the lookout for this dynamic album in local CD shops this month.
