What Are We Looking For

2016 release from the prolific St. Louis producer best known for working behind-the-scenes with artists like Dâm-Funk, Shuggie Otis, Run The Jewels and Shafiq Husayn. Five years since his debut All In My Mind, this time I, Ced has taken greater creative control by distributing his work through his own independent flagship, MoveNext Media. Throughout What Are We Looking For?, we see an artist becoming the conductor of his own course, acting as executive producer, singing every arrangement and playing virtually all instruments. The title track sets the tone by inviting the listener to share I, Ced's journey of self-discovery and search for answers, while having a little fun along the way. With reflections on love, life and spirituality, the album draws from the artist's diverse musical influences, from the soulful 1970s psychedelia of "Things We Like To Do" - a cover of previously unreleased Shuggie Otis material from the Inspiration Information sessions-the 1980s boogie-inspired "Wildest Dreams", the Minneapolis cosmic funk of "Signed Sign Signal", and the powerful piano ballad "Not A Farewell". While the album is deeply personal, it features contributions from I, Ced's extended musical family: Thundercat, 14KT, Om'Mas Keith of Sa-Ra, Dotmatic, Jimetta Rose, Quelle Chris, Suzi Analogue, P. U. D. G. E., Erik Rico, and fellow Hawthorne Headhunters member Black Spade all add their immense talents to the work.