Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Home Girls' Got A Blog




Just a quick heads up that Miss Diola aka DJ, Singer and Songwriter (triple threat related) has finally got off facebook and started her own blog entitled Boom Bap Clap. Home Girls got impeccable taste in music so make sure you check it.

Peep Here or follow the link on the blog roll

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The King of Monotone



Gang Starr were one of the realest and purest hip hop groups that there was. They never diluted their sound or compromised for anyone. you always knew that they were going to bring that real hip hop sound. Guru was an MC of balance. Totally at ease with the hood and the street side of things, He was equally the teacher, Dropping gems of wisodm, waxing about jazz and teaching the youth to stay clear of drama. Guru was originally from Boston and Premier from Texas. Together they made Brooklyn home and created a sound that was so representative of New York.
I first heard Gang Starr on 411 videos in the mid 90's No Shame in my Game was featured in a section and i was hooked instantly. We grew up on Gang Starr, We skated, partied, and chilled to this music and im having a hard time thinking that Guru is gone and there will never be another Gang Starr album.

First up is Premier's Tribute and he sets a few things straight about the circumstances surrounding Guru's passing.

DJ PREMIER setting sucka's straight

Mister Cee on Hot 97


Matthew Africa's Tribute

Statik Selektah's Mix

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

RIP Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal

Damn. Im searching for words. We just lost one of the greats today.
I grew up on Gangstarr and simply can't fathom that Guru is gone.
RIP to one of the illest EVER to hold a mic. More on this when i can get my head around it.











Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Off Track Brooklyn




Back in the day when Kon and Amir's original On Track mixes dropped i remember chillin in Next Level and watching Mylk and Blaze (both of you need to call me !) trying to work out what all the samples were and who used them. It was informative and entertaining to say the least.
Now several volumes later, the On Track series has become the Off Track series and has also been picked up by BBE and pressed to wax as well.
The last installment was Queens. This time around Brooklyn gets the treatment. And its a warm summery affair ranging from modern soul to afro disco.
To help promote the mix Kon has released an edit of Donny McCollough's From the Heart which will be released as a limited edition 10" through Carhartt Europe. There's only 500 of them so get in quick. Peep the mp3 below its pure heat.
Off Track 3: Brooklyn drops April 26th.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Sydney Dam Funk




Those cool cats at Niche are bringing out the world's premier expert on all things Boogie and Electro funk related, LA's Dam Funk.
Fresh from conquering Tower Records in Japan. Dam will be hitting Sydney for a Basement show on May 15th.
This will sell out so grab your tickets now.


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ante Up...Whats that Sound



Thanks to the peeps at Freshin and Stick Up Kids ANTE UP will be hitting the Brighton Up Bar Saturday April 17th.
So if you want to get down to the sounds of 90's Hip hop, RnB and New Jack Swing then come on down
I'll be playing the late night slot dropping some killer 80's dancehall tunes.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Year of The Madlib



Its been a running joke for us for a while that Madlib releases everything that he produces, And with news from Stonesthrow that this year Madlib is going to release an album a month it seems that we weren't that far off. Peep it, Its already April and were up to album number 4.
Up until 2004 you could pretty much pick up any record with a Madlib credit on it and know that it was going to be dope without listening to it. Now days with so much product out i can't wade through all the mediocre tracks to find the good ones. I simply tune out.
While i respect that Stonesthrow let their artists release what they want maybe a little quality control might be in order.
Now having said that Madlib is still cable of doing straight bangers. The new Strong Arm Steady album Search for Stoney Jackson is probably their best release to date. Madlib's chopped soul loop sits perfectly with Phil and Krondon's verses.
Phonte kills it on the his verse and the hook as well.
Peep the J.Rocc ( aka Stoney Jackson) cameo.

TREME





New HBO show from David Simon one of the creators of The Wire about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans and how a community puts itself back together.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Andres II



Most people will know Andres better for his hip hop alias DJ DEZ. Providing the cuts for many legendary Detroit hip hop acts such as Slum Village, Phat Kat and Black Milk amongst others.
However the Detroit sound is as diverse as it is deep ranging from everything from Hip hop, house, techno, electro to disco, funk, latin and of course Soul.
This is where Andres II comes in. Blended together by a sampler and a drum machine but left raw around the edges, Its a sonic melting pot of all the styles mentioned above and moves effortlessly between them. Several well known samples are used but Andres flips them in such a way that a sense of familiarity is created likened to playing your favourite records and only enhances the listening experience.
Co-produced by Moodymann and put out on his own label Mahogani Music it also features Amp Dog Knight aka Amp Fiddler playing keys on several tracks.
For people who have a love of deep soul music whatever style it may take Hip hop or house this is a perfect album for you.