New Music: Phatman & Likkle Bwoy
Posted on | January 14, 2010 | No Comments
I’m always slacking on posting. Just can’t seem to get in the habit of doing this regularly… But no better time than to give a quick congrats to friends DJ Ambush and Curly Castro on their new project, Phatman & Likkle Bwoy. I know I’m late on this, but the credit due is well worth it.
The album is interestingly named after Fatman and Little Boy, codename for the two nuclear bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. To be honest, I’m not listening to very much hip hop these days. At best, I find it to be mildly entertaining. Historical references, however, I love. According to Curly, this work somewhat symbolically represents their destruction and reconstruction as artists moving into new territory; DJ Ambush honing his chops as an emcee, and Curly Castro finding stability as a solo artist for the first time. Concept albums, I really love.
The mixtape consists of “recycled” tracks that the pair handpicked (and at times “re-composed”) to create the feel of a new work, connecting the dots by borrowing samples from the 1989 film, Fatman and Little Boy. Two years in the making, and contributing to a growing body on work from solid independent hip hop material coming out of philly, the duo drew inspiration from likes of independent Flying Lotus and Raekwon alike.
The classic boom bap is apparent. The humor fuses against a revolutionary chant tied together by film samples. Overall, I think the album bridges a gap. Exactly what gap remains to be seen. In the meantime, lend the Phatman & Likkle Bwoy your ear.
Nicolay, City Lights Vol. 2
Posted on | September 7, 2009 | No Comments
I know… I’ve been away for a while. I have absolutely no excuses, just enjoying the summer. So I’m back (hopefully), and i’m excited about the upcoming release from Nicolay. I’m always intrigued by this producers work, and the City Lights series has been a favorite. The sequel, City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya, is planned for release next week. Inspired by a 2006 five-day trip to Tokyo, volume 2 is a musical tribute to Shibuya, one of Japan’s fashion centers and Tokyo’s busiest districts.
“If I wanted to begin unlocking my true potential, I had to open myself up completely to whatever ideas would present themselves to me, ” reflects Nicolay about his new work.
I’m eager to get my hands on this. For now, check out the 7 track sampler of the album.
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philly bonus: here’s the 2005 nicolay remix of Philadelphia’s United Soul song, Soul Clap featuring (the lovely) Yahzarah & Phonte.
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Another Eavesdrop…
Posted on | June 19, 2009 | 1 Comment
Eavesdrop Sessions is back for the third installment! This time on deck is Eric Rico and Philly’s own Dotmatic. Get ready!
LIVE: Eavesdrop Sessions
Posted on | April 29, 2009 | 1 Comment
Thanks to everyone who came out to the first show for Eavesdrop Sessions in March with Muhsinah (how great she is). Well, we’re ready to do it again, this time with more action! The lineup includes Taylor McFerrin, OP Swamp 81 and La Melodia.
In the dark? Let me familiarize you.
Taylor McFerrin: brooklyn bedroom producer and performer. “Broken Vibes,” his debut EP has yet to acheive its full potential. Keep your ears near this guy.
OP Swamp 81: “a community driven task force organized to expose hate. In turn, they produce love.” Inspired by Operation Swamp 81, this supergroup is somewhat of an enigma. Feel the love.
La Melodia: amsterdam mellow hip hop. Worldwide.
Listen in on May 20th. Johnny Brenda’s.
Tags: eavesdrop sessions > la melodia > op swamp 81 > taylor mcferrin
Quantic: A Postcard From Cali
Posted on | April 24, 2009 | No Comments
Tradition in Transition: A Postcard from Cali (TRAILER) from Quantic on Vimeo.
B+ gives us a window into the new work of Will “Quantic” Holland in a film, A Postcard from Cali, that documents Quantic’s new musical explorations. Since moving to Cali, Colombia in 2007, he’s assembled a group of the area’s most talented musicians and musical minds to present the forthcoming album, Tradition in Transition (Tru Thoughts, July 2009)
Mayer Hawthorne: Maybe So, Maybe No…
Posted on | April 23, 2009 | No Comments
Stones Throw annouced the 12-inch release of “Maybe So, Maybe No” b/w “I wish It Would Rain” in sometime in May. Fortunately, the exclusive digital advance download is available now (including instrumentals).
Philly, check him out with the rest of the Stones Throw family.
RBM: Vicelounge + dot.|maTic
Posted on | April 19, 2009 | No Comments
2009 is shaping up well for Philly indie label, Record Breakin’ Music, releasing more quality cuts. RBM keeps the tables spinning with two new releases coming next week.
Vicelounge is back with a digital maxi-single and limited edition vinyl release of Dear Man with Dee Ferguson. And dot.|maTic, love child of Philly Soul producer Phil Hurtt and jazz/gospel soloist Ann Swain Clark, delivers for the soul groove sampling beatmakers with his instrumentals release, citY.
Sneak a listen before Monday’s release.
Tags: Dee Ferguson > dot.|maTic > Record Breakin > Vicelounge
The Cure: The Connection
Posted on | April 16, 2009 | No Comments
The Connection – Compiled by Rich Medina & Bobbito from R2 Records on Vimeo.
Check out Philly favorite, Rich Medina and his long-time partner in crime, Bobbito Garcia on The Connection, Volume 1: Modern Explorations in Afrobeat & Afro Latin out on R2 Records. You won’t be sorry, plus Rich promises to cure your this-music-sucks blues. Who doesn’t want that?
Tags: Afro Latin > Afrobeat > Bobbito Garcia > R2 Records > Rich Medina > The Connection
PE
Posted on | March 22, 2009 | No Comments
I started my new gig this week, so I’m late on this… Anyway, Public Enemy performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon along with The Roots (of course) and Antibalas on horns. Great stuff. It’s got me looking forward to The Roots Picnic.
Stax on Hip Hop
Posted on | March 16, 2009 | No Comments
While I haven’t been the biggest fan of hip hop in a long while, I do, however, totally dig its roots (funny pun). Next month, Stax Records will release The Soul of Hip Hop, Volume 1, a collection of tracks from the 60’s and 70’s.
“The compilation is a testament to the enormous influence of the Stax sound, energy and attitude on the entire hip-hop generation. The Soul of Hip Hop, Volume I features hits from Stax luminaries like Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & The MGs, The Emotions, The Bar-Kays, The Dramatics, Rufus Thomas, William Bell, David Porter and Little Milton. Since the ‘80s, these artists and their classic recordings featured here have become source material for rap and hip-hop artists and producers like Rakim, DJ HiTek, Cypress Hill, DJ Muggs, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, DJ Quik, Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, RZA and so many more.”
Pre-order your copy here.
Tags: Booker T. & The MGs > Cypress Hill > David Porter > DJ HiTek > DJ Muggs > DJ Quik > Ice Cube > Isaac Hayes > Little Milton > LL Cool J > Notorious B.I.G. > Pubic Enemy > Rakim > Rufus Thomas > RZA > Stax > The Bar-Kays > The Dramatics > The Emotions > William Bell > Wu-Tang Clan
