On April 20, 2025 — a rare Easter Sunday shared by both Catholic and Orthodox churches — Oran Juice Jones II released his most personal project to date: Juicetopher. Issued independently through his Esclave imprint, this fifth studio album is a raw, analog-driven meditation on loss, healing, and spiritual renewal.
The name Juicetopher is more than just a clever title — it merges Oran Juice Jones II’s “Juice” persona with the creative alias of Chris (Christopher) Pinset, the album’s producer and guitarist. As both muse and musical architect, Pinset’s influence runs deep, shaping the project’s identity from its analog recording roots to its thematic core.
The timing of the release was no accident. Easter, a holiday rooted in themes of sacrifice and rebirth, underscores the album’s emotional core. And this year’s celebration marked a rare convergence, with both Christian traditions observing Easter on the same day — a symbolic alignment that adds even more depth to the project. The album cover doesn’t shy away from this imagery either, portraying Jones as a modern-day Christ figure crowned with thorns, embodying both grief and transcendence.
The story behind Juicetopher begins with tragedy. After finishing the Rap & Weed project with collaborator B-hi, Jones began working on new music with vocalist Charles Paul. But in November 2023, B-hi was murdered in Harlem — a moment that forever altered the direction of the music. Rather than retreat from the process, Jones chose to confront the grief head-on, creating a work that feels more like a resurrection than an album.
Juicetopher is unique not only in message but in method. It was recorded entirely in one take to 24-track analog tape at Mood Recording in Nyack, New York — no computers, no edits, just pure performance. This deliberate decision gives the album a warmth and immediacy that digital production often sterilizes. Every drum hit, bass line, and vocal breath was captured as it happened, mistakes and all — making for a listening experience that’s as human as it is soulful.
For the modern listener, the album was also remixed in Dolby ATMOS, delivering immersive audio while preserving the spirit of the live sessions.
The recording sessions brought together a deeply talented ensemble. Adam Deitch led the rhythm section on drums, joined by Lamar Moore on additional percussion. Tre-Bor brought rich textures on the organ and Rhodes, while Chris Pinset handled guitar and bass. Baron Raymonde added expressive layers with saxophone, and Laura Paul’s haunting background vocals drift across the mix. The late Charles Paul contributed vocals before his passing, leaving behind a poignant sonic footprint.
Lyrically, Oran Juice Jones II is at his sharpest — and most exposed. On songs like “November Smoke,” he reckons with death and memory, while tracks like “Still Got Juice” showcase resilience and renewal. His performance doesn’t just tell a story — it bleeds truth.
More than just an album, Juicetopher is a statement of purpose. It honors those lost, defies industry norms, and affirms the power of art to transform pain. And released on a day when both East and West united in spiritual observance, it delivers a message that’s bigger than music: no matter how dark the season, there’s always a second coming.
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/oran-juice-jones-ii/1084136084