Archive for the ‘art’ Category
Classic cello and Memphis-style Jookin together at last. Swag.
When I saw this new video on UGSMAG, purveyors of new hiphop media for those seeking refuge from the swag and trap stylings of the day, I rushed to the record shop and copped the album Dialogue. After listening through and blabbing to the homies about how dope the whole album is, I was surprised to find out that the album actually came out in 2009. I’m more than a little embarrassed for managing to sleep on Thavius Beck, cause the album is more creative and cutting edge than most of the hip hop I’ve heard for a minute.
“Go” and the rest of Dialogue speak to my love for lyricism. Beck’s rapid fire delivery kinda reminds of me of Living Legends Eligh, however unlike many dense rhymers he shares space with his epic, degenerate beats in a sonic dialogue that shatters the standard verse/bar formula. If I had to go into battle against an army of soulless terminators – this is what I would bump before facing my fate. A Mush records signee and certified Ableton guru, Beck boasts collaborations ranging from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta, Saul Williams’, and 2MEX. I will be watching/hoping for some new face-mashing music from dude soon.
While our spoiled LxNxM brothers are dropping tequila shots, and dropping pounds traversing under the hot- ass sun of downtown Austin at SXSW, it’s only right that me and the Krieganator – without the slightest shred of jealousy – soldier on to bring you that new new.
Enter the Dropping Gems crew “a collective of musicians based in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to share a particular vision of the future of humanity as it’s expressed in the form of electronic music. So we produce and release albums, and create events for people to come hear us and those that we love and respect”. This combination of ambitious vision and love shines through the amphibious, conscious-percolating sound layers of Gem Drops. Representing the crews first digital compilation, and featuring a mindful selection of other U.S. based electronic innovators – all of the proceeds of Gem Drops are entirely committed to raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Listening through, I haven’t been this pumped about an electronic compilation since the first Beat Dimensions in ’07.
Don’t be a cheapskate when you name your price for this album. Whet your appetite for future-hop and support a good cause. For $15 you can get the handmade CD with artwork. Don’t sleep on these big beats made by big hearts.
The Medulla Transmissions is the soundtrack for your long overdue inner-space road trip. Your navigator is Renaissance man Jahon Mikal; a classically trained pianist, dancer, singer, producer, and reader of auras.
Throughout the decidedly future-funk, electro orchestra of Transmissions – Jahon Mikal’s other artistic confluences can be heard – from the fundamental hip hop mastery of his big bro/hip hop vet Vitamin D to his current work with the up-and-coming Seattle based Hip-Doo-Woppers The Heartfelts. The album also features vocal support from emcee/dance artist Maxie Jamal.
The complex beats and lyrical harmonies are so polished but maintain an organic vibe that is autonomic like the functions of the medulla, kinda like the art behind the simple act of breathing. Fresh.
Please show love and offer what you can, for this this pay- what-you can download album.
Here’s a nifty video done by the good folks over at Pomp & Clout that deserves some blog love. They went all kaleidoscope crazy for the The Suzan’s recent video of their song “Home” and if it doesn’t make you dizzy, you’ll appreciate the visuals. I’m really just becoming hip to who the Suzan’s, an all girl J-pop band from Japan that specialize in surf guitar, fuzz rock, revved up J-Pop, with a sprinkling of cuteness on the side, actually are. They’re from Japan and are currently signed to Fools Gold Records and are on tour right now opening for Chromeo. Peep their site for more info on them and check out the video above. And if you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, you might dig this new app that just came out which allows you to play with the speed and direction of the kaleidoscope among other things.
Who knew that Himanshu (Heems) Suri would ever refix a Katy Perry track? If you say, “I did,” you’re a motherfucking liar. Nevertheless, one of the funniest rappers from Queens has chopped, flipped, and rapped over Katy’s Perry’s omnipresent jam of 2010, “Teenage Dream.” Check it out below. And for more commentary from brother Hima, check out a piece that came out today from yours truly in the Metro Times of Detroit on Das Racist. The trio are cracking jokes the whole time.
Das Racist’s Heems x Katy Perry – Teenage Dream by Hypetrak
Read the rest of this entry »
Every time I get an email from Otis Calvin AKA OC Notes, it contains a series of music that puts to shame every other email full of music I’ve received all month. The email I got this morning is no different. It’s the type of music that you just need to listen to in full in order to comprehend. No pre-listen write-up will do it justice. Hence, here are the words straight from Otis’ mouth.
The unplanned genius of human error is taken for granted in these times. Dope Fiend Jazz was performed and recorded live by OCnotes & Rik Rude on christmas day for a ghost audience. Take what you will from this experiment because at the end of the day we are the scientists of sound, we truly enjoy the process. Ladies and gentleman….Dope Fiend Jazz.
Some of you may be up on this mix already, but for the rest of you I feel obligated to put you on to this here hot ish.
By the tasteful selection and mature vibe of the mix, its hard to believe that Greene is just 21 yrs old. The mix has all of the nostalgic warmth and soulful sonic foundation of the house and garage you fell in love with- but weaves in the creative blippage and vocal experimentation of the new school.
Overall it feels like a smooth but high energy contrast to the epic and raunchy booty tech sound that seems to be carrying the banner for house at the moment. Look out for Greene’s upcoming album “The Look” in just a few days on Jan 5th, released on NYC label LuckyMe also home to LxNxM faves Lunice & Hudson Mohawke. Download the mix, check out the teaser for “The Look” the below, tracklist for mix after the jump.
This is a video that’s been out for awhile but makes me proud of urban youth who find creative ways to stay out of trouble. It seems like the media is so quick to jump on young folks of color for the things they do wrong, but doesn’t spotlight small, but impactful things like this. All the footage above is from Oakland, CA and the music is a sample from Bay Area rapper Erk Tha Jerk.
Speaking of Erk Tha Jerk, he dropped a free EP two weeks ago called The Prelude which is a teaser for his upcoming album, Nerd’s Eye View, hitting stores November 9th. I haven’t listened to a ton of Erk Tha Jerk material until now, but his latest video for the song “Perfect Mistake” is intense and worth watching. Check that out after the jump.
