Skyzoo goes further saying: 'I went to who I felt made sense for the records I put them on. These artists are Heltah Skeltah, Torae, Styles P, Buckshot and Rhymefest. Skyzoo and Illmind secured features from artists that matched the Live from the Tape Deck concept. I think our debut record, 'Frisbees' was a cool way, sonically, to introduce the sound I was going for.' Guest performers Combined this with using my ASR-10, I was able to capture that feeling, but with a slightly updated feel. Most of the keyboard and synth sounds I used were from analog synths made in the late 80's. Illmind took a custom approach to the production for the album based on Skyzoo's concept of Live from the Tape Deck, explaining that 'I wanted to keep the soundscape warm and 'analog' sounding, just like how 2-inch tapes used to sound. The album was produced, mixed and arranged by Illmind, and was mastered by Ricardo Gutierrez. Live from the Tape Deck was recorded at Big China Studios in Brooklyn, New York in 2010. Once the option of buying a cassette in a store was gone, that's when things changed and music got whack.' Music Recording and production Skyzoo's goal while recording the album was 'to make something that felt like a 2010 cassette tape.' He further explained why he named the project Live from the Tape Deck: ' When labels made cassette tapes, it just so happens that was when records were dope. This one is more of a 'beats and rhymes' type of album. There are still parts of the album that are stories and concepts, but not as much as his debut had. While composing Live from the Tape Deck, Skyzoo wanted the content to be raw and lyric driven as always, but not as story driven or emotional as his previous album was.

Yet, Live from the Tape Deck isn't a throw back to the sound of the 1990s. & Rakim, Gang Starr, EPMD, N.W.A and A Tribe Called Quest brought by having one producer with one sound and one theme. With this project, Skyzoo and Illmind have planned to bring what hip hop veterans such as Eric B. The album is a collection of 'raw' hip hop with a cohesive backdrop. Unlike Skyzoo's critically acclaimed debut album The Salvation (2009), there aren't any deep undertones or personal records in Live from the Tape Deck. So the happy medium was 'okay let’s put out a project to keep the buzz going and the fans lined up without it being a second album.' The second album is going to be called A Dream Deferred and it's going back to what The Salvation was.' With that being said, you gotta keep music out there. So you have to keep your name on the blogs. However, we live in a blog world, here today gone today. 'I felt like I needed to live in order to have something to write about because I write about what I am living. 'It's leading up to the second album It's not the second album because I didn't want to just rush out with another album right away.' Skyzoo believes that experience is the best teacher. In an interview for HipHop DX in June 2010, the Brooklyn emcee also clarified that this project isn't the follow-up to The Salvation. In May 2010, after almost a year since releasing his critically acclaimed debut album The Salvation (2009), Skyzoo announced that he has joined forces with acclaimed record producer/beatsmith Illmind for an album he entitled Live from the Tape Deck. The album was also met with positive reviews from music critics. The album entered the Top Rap Albums, peaking at #16, as well as entering at #30 on the Top Independent Albums and #33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Live from the Tape Deck debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums. The album's release was supported by two singles – 'Frisbees' and 'Speakers on Blast.' The record was entirely produced by Illmind and features guest appearances from Buckshot, Torae, Styles P, Rhymefest and Heltah Skeltah. Recording sessions for the album took place at Big China Studios in Brooklyn, New York in 2010. The album serves as a prelude to his second studio album A Dream Deferred (2012). It was preceded by Skyzoo's first studio album, The Salvation (2009), although it isn't its follow-up.

Live from the Tape Deck is the collaborative studio album by Brooklyn rapper Skyzoo and New Jersey producer Illmind, released on Octoby Duck Down Records and distributed through E1 Entertainment.

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