On a cold, snowy Friday night, Caleb Stine and Saleem (that's no typo, the emcee changed the spelling of his name for personal reasons) took over Nice Package Recording Studio in Towson with a group of their closest friends to record a live album of their recent collaborative efforts. This writer was more than honored to have been invited, and being in a room full of like-minded people with two artists whose hearts are really in their craft was a beautiful and uplifting experience. 

The set was raw and honest, with a texture of imperfection that gave the experience a realistic patina. Most of the songs are newborns and, as such, are just learning to walk on their own without any help from the writers. Saleem referred to his composition book of lyrics, Stine to his, and the audience was enraptured in the experience of watching each song commit itself to record. The moment was captured by Jason of Nice Package, who will mix the set into a live album yet to be titled. The duo of Stine and Saleem have yet to formally name their project, and solicited ideas from the audience.

The collaboration was midwived by WTMD's Baltimore Music Project, who contacted Caleb Stine to see if he would agree to a collaboration with an artist. Stine agreed, but insisted upon being placed with someone who was not similar to himself. Thus came to be the meeting with Saleem and the writing of songs like "Baltimore", a track that condenses what it means to be from our fair city. Hearing Saleem's voice over Stine's finger-picking is at first foreign, but quickly feels right at home. Saleem's flow is not loud or affronting; rather, it is poetic and serene. Caleb Stine's voice is not flawless or captivating; rather, it is distressed and freeing.

Both performers have an impressive following. But from genre to genre the crowd can be segregated if not entirely exclusive. Saleem and Caleb seek to break the mold by blending their audiences together, squeezing their following into the same room. Keep your mind open and your hips will follow. This project is fascinating and freeing all at once.

Tags: Baltimore, Caleb Stine, Live Records, Nice Package, Saleem