The first time we heard Gabe ’Nandez over a Preservation beat was on billy woods’ 2022 album Aethiopes, where the New York–based rapper rolled through for a verse on “Sauvage” alongside woods and Boldy James. Despite woods rapping “Everything smooth but the gun just hiccuped / Central American ubermensches in the bed of a pickup,” ’Nandez still manages to stand out, creating an intoxicating what-if scenario. His voice just sounds like it was made for Preservation’s menacing trouble-lurking-around-the-corner beats.
Now, we get the answer to what a full collection of songs from the duo might sound like in the form of Sortilège, their collaborative debut out now via woods’ Backwoodz Studioz. It’s an example of two singular artists with one-of-a-kind visions pushing each other with enough force that they create something new entirely—something shared and sacred and, in this case, punishing. This record is made for long nights with little sleep, nothing but the dregs of a whiskey bottle and leftovers to keep you going. Put this on your headphones and walk around the city, you’ll feel like there’s a secret you’ve been told that no one else is privy to (Sortilège does suggest some sort of witchcraft, after all).
To shed some light on how ’Nandez and Preservation captured this world, we had them offer up some influences that played a role in the making of Sortilège. Check out their picks below, and stream the new LP here.
GABE ’NANDEZ
Scaramanga, “Holdin’ New Cards”
Pres put me onto Scaramanga, I’d never heard of him—discovering a dope rapper from back in the day isn’t something that happens to me often, since I’ve done my homework pretty thoroughly, but he’d slipped under my radar. Insanely good.
Lunatic, “Pas l’temps pour les regrets”
This whole album is a masterpiece—Booba [one half of Lunatic] is one of my favorite rappers. This is all in French, which is my first language, so culturally it’s close to home, also. I play this album during pretty much all of my workouts.
Giuseppe Tartini, “Violin Sonata in G Minor, Devil’s Trill”
One of my go-tos for when I need to ponder, reflect, plan, visualize. Usually played on repeat and off of a couple espressos. Classical music really puts me in a zone that feels like a time capsule of sorts, which I really like. A time capsule to the past.
Sleep, “Dopesmoker”
This song is an hour long and heavy as fuck. I clean the crib to it sometimes, definitely work my shift to it; it helps with stress in the fast-paced environment I’m in. Metal/hardcore/rock is the first kind of music I ever got into as a kid and, although I listen to it less than I did back then. I definitely still have a soft spot for it
Herbie Hancock, “Mimosa” (Alternate Take)
I love playing this joint when I’m with company, perfect as the background to good conversations. Perfect in headphones as well—perfect everywhere. I typically also run this on loop. I’m big into playing one song on repeat for extended periods of time. I love jazz, and this is easily one of my favorites pieces.
PRESERVATION
Scaramanga, “Seven Eyes, Seven Horns”
I know Gabe picked him already, but so good it had to go twice. This album was being played a lot in the ride when Gabe came down to New Orleans to work on the album. One of my favorite albums and emcee’s of that era.
Raekwon, “Ice Water”
Another album that was played while Gabe was in New Orleans. I think the “Nom de Guerre” track on Sortilège captures the essence of that back and forth with a rhyme partner that was so prominent in the ’90s.
Black Moon, “Make Munne”
Drums & bass.
Ransom & Nicholas Craven, “Hell or High Water”
Played this on repeat in the ride when picking up Gabe to go to the studio. Jeep music. Bring those posse cuts back.
Batourou Sekou Kouyaté, “Alla Lake”
Had to pull out a few records from Mali while making this album to inspire and connect the sound to Gabe’s family heritage. The kora is a beautiful sounding instrument that always brings me to a calm place.
