Rayzd - Are You Connected to Yourself? (2025)

Are You Connected to Yourself? marks the final evolution of Rayzd - a boundary-shattering collective led by G‑Clef da Mad Komposa. This 15-track sonic statement concludes the Rayzd trilogy with emotional honesty, anime-fueled atmosphere, and experimental soul rooted in jazz and hip-hop traditions. A follow-up to Rayzd's 2004 cult release Just Fade Away, this album represents G-Clef's most ambitious and personal work to date. Pushing his talents to new extremes, he reimagines beloved J-Pop classics, anime themes, video game music, and cinematic scores through the prism of modern jazz, hip-hop, and soul. The heart and voice of this project is longtime collaborator Jakineko (Jaki Barclay), whose stylistically diverse, and emotionally layered vocals, lead the album with haunting clarity and fearless vulnerability. Her performances thread together the record's sonic palette and narrative tone, acting as both storyteller and metaphysical center. Also featured are vocalists Peter Hartmann and G-Clef da Mad Komposa himself, along with emcees Drew Breezy and ThisIsGnosis, who bring grit, lyrical depth, and dynamic contrast to the project. Instrumental contributions from a stellar cast - including Tom Kozic (guitar), Patrick Poladian (piano & keyboards), Tony Marino (upright bass), Dennis Marks (electric bass), Attilio Troiano (flute), Brian "Lord" Sledge (trumpet), Adam Brenner (baritone sax), Rob Stoneback (trombone), and Marlon "Moshe" Sobol (percussion) - lend depth and organic fire to the project's cinematic scope. All other instrumentation, production, arrangements, and sound design are performed by G‑Clef da Mad Komposa, showcasing his multi-instrumental mastery and singular vision. From Japanese ballads to post-hip-hop dreamscapes, Are You Connected to Yourself? is both question and answer - an immersive journey through sound, identity, and the spirit of Rayzd.