Progression: Bbm9 — Dmaj9(#11) — Dbmaj9
Style 11 represents Cinematic Soul at its finest. It utilizes high-impact "non-functional" harmonic jumps—moving from Bbm9 to a sudden chromatic Dmaj9—to create a dramatic shift in color. This variant is designed for soul beats and soundtracks that require deep emotional complexity and a high sense of drama.
A dramatic chromatic sequence for high-impact soul production:
| Bar | Chord | Harmonic Function | Root Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar 1 | Bbm9 | i (Minor Tonic) – The Dark Opening | Bb |
| Bar 2.1 | Dmaj9(#11) | Chromatic Shift – Sudden Color Transition | D |
| Bar 2.2 | Dbmaj9 | Parallel Resolve – The Warm Landing | Db |
"The secret to the Donny Hathaway sound is the 'Gospel Spread'—staggering the notes of the right-hand chord by 8–14 ticks so they roll into each other rather than hitting all at once."
