Archive for the ‘Lil Ben’ tag
That’s right, I’m talking to you. Actually, no, not correct. DUMMO is, in fact, the latest collaboration between Das Racist rapmaster Kool A.D., aka Victor Vazquez, and Oaklandish shaman/lover of the finer things/producer Ben Sinclair, aka Lil’ Ben. Just about a year ago the duo put out the Zoot Fantastic mixtape, and just like (annual) clockwork, they’re back again.
DUMMO is a re-exploration of the avant sound avenues of Zoot Fantastic, bouncing between psych, freeform, and synthed-out groove. As always, Vic/Kool A.D. rides the musical elements with the free associations and cultural references (both pop and otherwise) that fuel much of his work.
Get get get it in.
The title says it all. Lil’ Ben – aka Ben Sinclair – Oakland-based dj (9th Floor Radio), producer (Das Racist), and sometimes bandmember (Safe) recently put this mix together from his recent findings in his ever-ongoing auditory collecting. As it’s absolutely delightful Sunday afternoon listening (this cover of “Dancing Queen” is currently accompanying my daily stroll around the immaculately-manicured grounds of the Last Night’s Mixtape compound), it only feels right to share it with you.
It’s an hour long, and ranges from psychedelia through funk, Middle Eastern jams, and future beat breakdownedness. If I had a tracklist to provide, I would, but Lil’ Ben doesn’t play that way (you hear that Lil’ Ben???). UPDATE: The man himself comes through to drop the tracklisting off for you. Check it below the jump.
Heems, Prince Paul, Victor Vazquez (Photo via teh Twitter of Ashok Kondabolu)
UPDATE: I am officially a terrible journalist. In fact, I’m not even a journalist. Turns out the KOOL A.D. aka Victor Vazquez Zoot Fantastic project isn’t an older thang thang, but is in fact brand new and fresh off the presses. I am officially an asshole. Continue, and download Zoot Fantastic.
You may know Victor Vazquez as the hairier of the dudes in Das Racist. Fair enough. Well, before Das Racist was in the picture (I think – trying to confirm some dates via the interwebs), Victor rolled solo under the KOOL A.D. moniker. Dap, aka Ashok Kondabolu aka the Hypeman’s Addendum aka the third leg of the Das Racist stool, just put a link to an early KOOL A.D. EP, Zoot Fantastic.
It’s a short drop, five songs (one running nine minutes long, damn son), and it’s not what you would call easy listening – high concept is one possible label (and if so, daddy must have it – h/t to Hari Kondabolu). Two cuts on it, Chalupa la Cheapa and Who This, are official cuts, and the other tracks are solid and offer something to digest, whether or not you would use it as a saturday night soundtrack. Plus, the whole thing is produced by the homie Lil’ Ben, out of Oakland, CA.
Perhaps think of this as a portrait of the artist as a young man. Good shit, and from what we’ve heard from DR and more, it’s getting better.
