It's time for some newness around here, C.R.D.S. is out and J.M.S. (Jaz's Musik Spot) is in...why? because simply focusing on just Hip Hop has become stale and I don't just listen to Hip Hop.
I guess it's growing older and always searching for music that moves these raggedy old bones hah.
So for the first J.M.S. post...here is a small collection of really dope chill/soul and ultimately atmospheric music tracks...these tracks have become to the soundtrack to my hectic, yet very rewarding life lately...
Peace and my humble apologies for the lack of updates here on CRDS (I have been busy with life basically and preparing (somewhat) for Fatherhood...so exciting times ahead indeed) anyway...here is a post of some crucial videos and albums, links you may or may not have missed...
Mello Music Group always come through with the dope goods...Multi talented producer L'Orange (who has already released the dope The Night Took Us In Like Family LP) with Jeremiah Jae and the infamous and the supremely out there, man of a million and two aliases Kool Keith deliver an album full of well to be expected off the wall rhymes and great production.
Utilizing vinyl borrowed exclusively from Afrika Bambaataa's historic and genre-defining record collection, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist's acclaimed Renegades Of Rhythm set touches down in Oakland, California in this professionally-documented film experience. You're there in the audience as the two DJ's unravel the evolution of Hip-Hop music and culture, using the same artifacts that helped create it. "Not just any records- the MASTER OF RECORDS'
records."
Squires, The Cynic, & Rapswell are...PEN PALS
From the Chopped Herring Records description:
"Hailing from Brooklyn, Squires [Beat maker], The Cynic [MC] & Rapswell [MC] are...Pen Pals. Dudes hit us up to check their music and honestly yo, we were COMPLETELY blown away. Was this a classic super group using a pseudonym? Q-Tip, Ad-Rock, Edan, Slick Rick, Doppelgangaz with Prince Paul and [lost] Paul C production? It made no sense - how could a first release be SO well put together? There was/is something suspicious about it!! They hit us up with 2 tracks [of the 10 here] and we cut a deal there and then - didn't need to
hear any more.
The second project is already recorded and will be droppin' ASAP. PURE HERRING YO.......PLEASE ENJOY, RAP FANS..."
Cop the EXCLUSIVE vinyl :Here
There will be 350 copies pressed ONLY
Full colour jacket with spine
The first 75 are on Clear, Red & Blue mixed coloured vinyl.
The next 75 copies are on Solid Blue & White coloured vinyl.
And the remaining 200 are on traditional black vinyl
For the past 15 years Thaione Davis has managed to remain steadfast within the ranks of underground hip hop both domestically and abroad. Over these years, he has stayed consistent with his contributions to the essence of the culture, providing a balance of raw grit open face lyricism over progressive boom bap soundtracks.
With this being the release of his 13th studio album, he continues to paint clever wordplay over hard beats and has perhaps created his most comprehensive album to date. As the character Donald Mayhem, aka Donnie May, Thaione engages the listener to take flight on this vivid opus of commentary called SKYWRITTERS. This carefree delivery of urban poetry will truly define why he is often known as a "rapper’s rapper".
One of the most fluid voices behind the microphone, he effortlessly weaves from braggadocio to social injustice warfare, to nightmare scenarios and even late night adventures on the west side of Chicago.
Incredible and very in depth tribute and and write up on Organized Konfusion's classic LP-Stress: The Extinction Agenda.
Dope and prolific Producer/MC/Writer and Founder of Weightless Records, Blueprinthas a new album available titled King No Crown and has just released a new video "Great Eyedeas Never Die" which is a heartfelt tribute to his Friend and dope MC in his own right, Eyedeawho passed away in 2010.
I haven't checked the full LP yet but I know what to expect as Printmatic has always been a very consistent artist and pours his heart and soul into his rhymes and his production, Blueprint also released a tribute to the art of B-Boying earlier this month with "Just Move" (which doesn't appear to be on the new album but can be downloaded here.
The latest dope release from the long running underground Hip Hop label, Chicago's Galapagos4label is Asphate's (of Maxilla Blue and Bumrap fame) 10 track album titled Closed Doors To An Open Mind solely produced byMakerwho has made more than a few dope albums with label mateQwel (Typical Cats) amongst many other memorable albums and tracks over the years.
Closed Doors To An Open Mind is in all honesty a breath of fresh air, it doesn't sound like today's Hip Hop and it doesn't sound like 90's Hip Hop, if anything the sound and style lies within early 00' to mid 05 and it is incredibly refreshing to hear mad cuts and scratches through "Maud Dib" (provided by DJ TouchNice) which features label mates Qwel,Hell.sent and Qwazaar (Typical Cats), Qwel also appears on "A Shadow's True Colour's" and I can only gather there will be another Maker and Qwel LP in the near future.
The Vinyl purchase for Closed Doors To An Open Mind includes download code with full album and instrumentals, as well as digital lyric-photobook, in G4 label jackets with art print by LETER91, a fellow Scarce Elementz member alongside Asphate himself.
Massive props to Jeff at G4 for sending this smooth album through.
You can pick up the new album here
DJ ART AND FRIENDS @ HAVANA BAR-FRIDAY MARCH 6TH 2015
Friday March 6 @Havana Bar
10pm
Live sets from K*Saba and Raw Deezy
with DJ sets from Jaz and Art
K Saba's bio:
Somebody tell this dude that his time signatures are confusing me. Where’s the 1? What key is this in? What is consciousness? I’m stuck in a jazz trance and I can’t get out. Damn you K-Saba. I want my boom bap back. Things will never be the same.
DJ Jaz + DJ Art:
2 Veteran DJs from NZ's longest running Hip Hop / Funk radio show 'Wednesday Night Jam'. Jaz runs the internet channel Cold Rock the Spot (CRDS)and CRDS Radio and Art runs Newtown Sound promoting local music and hosting the biggest stage of the Newtown Festival (the biggest free street festival in NZ).
YT Bio: The Suffolk town of Ipswich is not where you would expect to discover a leading light in UK reggae, but this is the reality of YT, the artist whom David Rodigan refers to as ‘an original and inspiring social commentator’.
Bursting onto the scene with an unashamedly British sound and story, YT has cemented his place as one of the stars of contemporary reggae, making a name for himself as a white British artist in a predominantly Caribbean-dominated genre.
Growing up on a diet of Saxon sound tapes and practicing the lyrics of 80s UK veteran deejays such as Tippa Irie, Papa Levi, Asher Senator and Smiley Culture as well as Jamaican artists like Papa San and Yellowman, gave the young YT an education in reggae lyrics and how to flow over a beat.
YT became part of Ipswich sound, Ashanti, and in 1992 went into the studio for the first time in Brixton with Dennis Rootical. He went on to link with Patrick Donnegan at Progressive Sounds in Battersea, Jack Reuben, The Riddler and a young Seanie T, and Stingray (one of the major London labels). It was this link that eventually took him to Jamaica to work with Big Ship, John John and Shocking Vibes among others.
YT has founded his own label, Sativa Records, and has had hit singles with leading producers from around the world including Mungo’s Hi Fi, Necessary Mayhem, Congo Natty, Vibronics and many more. They include the international smash hit ‘Wicked Act’, a thought provoking account of 7/7 London bombings, and the chart-topping ‘England Story’.
He has also released three albums, ‘Straight Outta Britain’, ‘Born Inna Babylon’, and the last in the trilogy, ‘Revolution Time’, which was released in July 2012.
YT has toured across the UK and Europe, South America, and Asia, and his live shows are renowned. He has the ability to cross genres and sounds, spanning reggae, dancehall, jungle, and drum and bass. Event at Facebook sativarecords.com YT at Facebook NiceUp
