DJ Vadim’s “U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun”

When we last heard from DJ Vadim, the Russo-British producer was struggling with eye cancer. Thankfully, he had a successful operation to remove the cancer, and then finished his latest album, U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun. The album drops via BBE Music on May 12. MP3s and a YouTube video for the first single, “Hidden Treasure,” are posted below.

Here’s a bio snippet:

Though producer/DJ’s these days are a dime-a-dozen, a veteran like Vadim is not the kind o’ cat to release 12 tracks of the latest in-vogue soul loop. In fact his new album, “U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun” is one of the sickest joints on the block, continuing – and embellishing – the producer’s inventive journey into the realm of sound. Anyone that knows anything about Vadim knows to expect the unexpected, and “UCLI” has surprises – and dopeness – in abundance.

Which is extra impressive considering the last year has not been Vadim’s happiest. “2008 has been the worst year of my life,” he reveals. “I went through the most gut-wrenching emotions due to family trauma and personal health. My father went partially blind after having three failed cataract operations. My mother nearly lost her house in the credit crunch and ended up having anxiety attacks. My wife had a bad illness and I went blind in my left eye. I was diagnosed with eye cancer in summer and had a very precarious operation to remove it. For the first time I had to dwell on the idea of death and not being invincible. I saved my eye, got rid of the cancer and since then I have gone on to complete a new album.”

Out of the negative comes the positive. And “U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun’ is all about mining the deepest parts of the psyche to find inspiration. It’s about how, even though we learn so much at school – courses in languages, computer studies, science, religion, sport – and live in a time of unprecedented technological prowess (phones, computers, ipods, music software), imagination is the one thing you must journey deep inside yourself to find.

“Cheap computers and powerful software can’t make music for you,” states Vadim. “That comes from the imagination, from the will to fight for your life, to love and to struggle. These things can’t be learned in universities, but they can be discovered within ourselves. So many people live their lives without asking ‘why?’ or ‘if…? We just accept the rules, play the cards we’re dealt with. Being diagnosed with cancer gave me a reason to fight for my life. I wasn’t going to let the cancer overcome me – my body nor my passion, music. Even with tragedy knocking at the door I looked within myself to create something new. I felt kindness, love and appreciation from so many people around the world praying and sending positive energy. I didn’t accept the cards dealt to me and since recovering I feel healthier for it. I now know who my real friends are. I would never wish what I went through on anyone else, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because it made me is making me into a better me” …

On “U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun” Vadim hits every note and every colour, not just the black and white ones. Like all Vadim projects, the songs here are fresh, funky and fun. There are reggae rubs that could sit next to Desmond Decker; neo-soul and conscious-rap jams that recall Q Tip or Jill Scott; experimental gems akin to the work of Flying Lotus or J Dilla. Mostly though it’s the sound of music being embraced and loved, and of a re-inspired life being lived. If ATCQ hadn’t already used Beats, Rhymes & Life as an album title, it would be equally suitable here…

Here’s the track listing:

• 1. “Soldier” (feat. Big Red & 5Nizza)
• 2. “R3 Imaginashun”
• 3. “That Lite” (feat. Juice Lee & Rjay)
• 4. “Thrill Seeker” (feat. Sabira Jade)
• 5. “Beijos” (feat. Heidi Vogel)
• 6. “Saturday” (feat. Pugz Atomz)
• 7. “Strictly Rockers 215”
• 8. “Under Your Hat” (feat. Kathrin deBoer & Governor Tiggy)
• 9. “Game Tight”
• 10. “You Are Yours” (feat. Yarah Bravo)
• 11. “Maximum” (feat. La Methode)
• 12. “I Want To Shout Out” (feat. Sabira Jade)
• 13. “Always Lady” (feat. Pugs Atomz & Wes Restless)
• 14. “Pink Stilettos” (feat. Sunny)
• 15. “Thrill 103”
• 16. “Rock Dem Hot”
• 17. “Hidden Treasure” (feat. Sabira Jade & Kwasi Asante)
• 18. “Tu He Ma Ne Toddy”

“Hidden Treasure” (feat. Sabira Jade & Kwasi Asante)

“Soldier” (feat. Big Red & 5Nizza)

Here’s the video for “Hidden Treasure”: