raymond.

"This work is a self-reflection on my journey as an artist, as well as my contemplation on the journey and the destination." raymond. is a profound self-reflection on artistic identity, a defiance against musical constraints, and a realization of the "journey and destination" of a story, all envisioned by Taipei's young jazz musician, composer, and producer, TeacheRay. As TeacheRay's debut EP, raymond. anchors itself in contemporary jazz while seamlessly weaving multiple elements of hip-hop, soul, and electronica. Through an avant-garde, bold sonic landscape—at times intricately complex, at others purely moving—the EP captures the imagery of "light" and "time." It chronicles the chaos and tranquility, the hatred and love, the darkness and brilliance experienced by TeacheRay as he navigates the city through his multifaceted identities. Every track on the EP was crafted and produced by TeacheRay himself, bringing together an elite lineup of active and seasoned first-tier musicians from Taiwan. The stellar roster includes drummer Baron Jan, who has performed across the Golden Indie, Golden Melody, Golden Horse, and Golden Bell Awards; bassist UG, a multiple Golden Melody and Golden Indie Awards nominee; keyboardist Chan Tsung-Lin, featured on the Golden Indie Award-winning album for Best R&B Album; and bassist Derrick Lin from the TPO Jazz Orchestra. In the single "mister, teacher.", he joins forces with rapper WADE DAO—a GIMA "Best New Artist" nominee and featured musician on WORLDWIDE FM's (UK) Taiwan Initiative. Through a dialogue of groove, poetry, and music, they venture deep into the intersection of reality and illusion to explore the nature of time. "eleina." utilizes the fast-paced, driving groove of Drum & Bass alongside wild, almost audacious tones, channeling an all-out, exhaustive struggle; yet, in stark contrast, it sings of inner softness, vulnerability, doubt, and sorrow. Meanwhile, "arata." arrives like the first light of dawn and a burst of newborn vitality, using highly playful beats to collide with and echo the tranquility and maturity woven within the harmonies. 《raymond.》是台北新生代爵士音樂家、作曲家、製作人TeacheRay，對藝術家身份認同的自省、對既存音樂框架的挑戰，及其對於一段故事之「過程」與「結果」的體悟。 作為 TeacheRay 的首張 EP，《raymond.》以當代爵士作為骨幹，融合嘻哈、靈魂、電子等多重元素，利用如此前衛且大膽，時而錯綜複雜、時而清澈純粹的聲響，貫徹「光」與「時間」的意象，TeacheRay 以多重身份穿梭於鋼筋與混凝土砌成的叢林，紀錄旅程中所經歷的一切紛亂與平靜、恨與愛、暗夜與光輝。 EP 內的歌曲皆由 TeacheRay 親自操刀創作，並邀請眾多活躍於台灣、經驗豐富的一線音樂家，陣容包括：曾參與金音獎、金曲獎、金馬獎、金鐘獎演出的鼓手 Baron Jan 詹無季、多次入圍金曲獎與金音獎的貝斯手 UG 俞友楨、金音獎最佳節奏藍調專輯獎之錄音鍵盤手 Chan Tsung-Lin 詹宗霖、踢霹歐爵士大樂團貝斯手 Derrick Lin 林克安等。 在單曲《mister, teacher.》當中，TeacheRay 更與金音獎「最佳新人」入圍、英國 WORLDWIDE FM 之台灣合作藝術家——饒舌歌手 WADE DAO，藉由律動、詩詞和音樂的對話，共同潛行現實與虛幻的交界，探索流轉於無形的時間。 《eleina.》運用 Drum & Bass 急促且緊湊的 Groove 與狂野得近乎於囂張的音色，展現出幾乎竭盡全力的掙扎與奮鬥，卻又反差地唱出內心的柔軟、脆弱、疑惑與哀愁；而《arata.》像是黎明的曙光及新生的活力，以極具玩味性的節拍，衝擊、呼應著和聲內的那份寧靜和成熟。