N.A.S.A.
The pairing of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon began simply enough at a party in San Paulo, Brazil. The two music lovers bonded over a shared appreciation of classic Brazilian funk and soul, and instantly began making what would be the basis of their debut record, The Spirit of Apollo. The two spent a full five years and charted half the globe in order to bring the record into full flaming life. And like a certain Aeronautical Administration the duo's moniker shares initials with, the project was characterized by experimentation and innovation. N.A.S.A. actually stands for North America/South America in this case.
Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon both recognized that their culturally diverse and wide ranging output could be enhanced by friends and heroes alike to embolden the record with a truly universal aesthetic. Thus, The Spirit of Apollo reads like a who's who of accomplished guest performers. From Chuck D and Kool Keith, to the RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard's final recording before his untimely passing, the album is filled with the cream of Hip Hop's crop. But it is the appearances from legends like George Clinton, David Bryne, and Tom Waits that simply propel the album into the stratospheres. And once the shock of hearing all of these voices smoothly incorporated on edge cutting tracks, the imaginative funk and sheer exuberant soul are the most lasting and satisfying aspects of N.A.S.A. CHARLIE SWANSON
