December 2008 Archives
UPDATE! The collaborative album Overdue Process from producer/keyboardist Zo! and emcee Asylum 7 now slated for a January 1st release through Tasteful Licks Distribution. Below is background info regarding the project written by Zo!.
PRE-ORDER: Zo! & Asylum 7 - "Overdue Process" (Ships 12/29)
DOWNLOAD: Zo! and Asylum 7 - “Gotta Live” (ft. Asheru)
- Produced by Zo!, All Instruments by Zo!, Written by Asylum 7 & Asheru
DOWNLOAD: Zo! and Asylum 7 - "Overdue Process"
- Produced by Zo!, All Instruments by Zo!, Written by Asylum 7
Introduction to Overdue Process
Back in the summer of 2004, as I did almost every Tuesday night around that time I ventured down to the Carbon Lounge in Hamtramck, MI. Carbon was a spot that would showcase different local hip-hop artists every week and would follow their performances with a cipher of freestyling emcees that would show off their best or simply sharpen up their skills. Being that I have never been an emcee, just laying low and watching the overflow of talented kats pick up the mic in that place was satisfying enough for me. One night in particular, I was in the spot checking out this duo who called themselves The Runaways. Now normally, being that I'm always so immersed in the music and trying to take a song apart and put it back together in my head I have never been one to really pay attention to lyrics like that (it takes me forever to learn the words to songs) – but one of the kats by the name of Asylum 7 stood out as he rhymed with the hunger of a young LL (circa 1985). His wordplay, stage presence and command of mic was undeniable. So after the set, I walked up and introduced myself and suggested that we should work. The next day we were on the phone scheduling a time to meet up…a couple days later 7 was at my house picking out music we should work on (I ended up constructing the beat right then and there for him to take home and write to)...and a few days after that, we were in a studio in Ann Arbor, MI recording our first joint together, "Listen Up." We ended up working together on another joint that ended up closing A7's debut EP Brown Study entitled "Observe (Remix)." With the feedback we received from these couple of songs and the ease at which the results came, it was almost a no-brainer – we need to start on an album, or at LEAST continue working. We talked about that even before I moved east in early 2006…
We recorded the first song for the album back in July 2007. At that point, we were both working on other projects and we decided to let the music dictate the flow of the album without forcing creativity. Soon after all of the production work was finished for the Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80's album and 7 finished working on his Lights Out project with producer Eddie Logix, the production for our album was then put into overdrive. I basically went from Phonte's great work ethic to Asylum 7's…and what an easy transition that was. Everything I was sending A7's way was being turned around in 24-48 hours with a, "Send the next one through when you get a chance" message attached to it. Those who we asked to be a part of the album recorded without even a second thought – This lead to contributions from emcees such as: Asheru, Buff1, Finalé, Miz Korona, Metasyons and talented vocalist AB. DJ's Roddy Rod, Dirty Ice and Crate Digga came through for us on the cuts…Hundreds of back and forth emails, thousands of tweaks and 13 songs later, we now have a complete product on our hands….
Zo! & Asylum 7 Overdue Process tracklisting:
one. Intro
two. Timeline (cuts by Roddy Rod)
three. Overdue Process
four. Mentality Maker
five. Crossover (ft. Miz Korona)
six. Resistance is Futile
seven. Crushing (ft. AB)
eight. In Yourself
nine. Simplicity
ten. One Bad Thing (cuts by O. Hunter a/k/a DJ Dirty Ice)
eleven. The Lineup (ft. Metasyons, Finalé & Buff1) (cuts by Crate Digga)
twelve. Rigorous
thirteen. Gotta Live (ft. Asheru)
Produced by Zo! for Chapter 3hree, Verse 5ive Music / BMI
Written by Asylum 7 (except where noted)
LINKS: OFFICIAL ZO! SITE | ASYLUM 7 MYSPACE
Recently, Fresh Selects dropped this nice treat from Karma Stewart, who is an Austin, TX-born now LA-based vocalist featured on the upcoming PPP album Abundance, including the first single "On A Cloud". The EP is for free for download and produced by Waajeed and Saadiq of PPP. Hit the link below to download it and to read a Q&A session with Karma about the project.
DOWNLOAD: PPP Presents... Karma Stewart - The Karma EP
Remember, PPP's latest album Abundance drops January 20th via Ubiquity Records. For more info and audio samples, click HERE.
PURCHASE: PPP - "On A Cloud" 12" INFO | ITUNES | AMAZON | EMUSIC
My boys at RandomReason will be bringing out the duo known as Dark Party on January 9th at the Park Bar in Detroit. Dark Party is a collaborative project from Chicago's Leo123 and New York's Eliot Lipp that was inspired by their favorite classic electro, techno & hip-hop producers. The two met a few years back in San Francisco and are currently finishing their album to be released on Mush Records. Eliot Lipp was in Detroit along with Daedalus a few months back to a packed crowd at The Old Miami so you do not want to miss it. Below is a little sampler the RamdomReason boys been passing out around Detroit in promotion for the show. Also playing the party is the great Kevin Reynolds and RandomReason residents K. Attic, Mr. Joshoooa, and Jeremy Kypta. The Park Bar is located at 2040 Park Ave in Detroit. The party starts at 10pm and runs until 4am. Admission is $5 before 11pm and $10 after.
DOWNLOAD: Dark Party @ Park Bar in Detroit Sampler
LINK: DARK PARTY MYSPACE
Put your 5 fingaz up for 5 Ela. The legendary Detroit group of Mudd and Thyme that once included the late great Big Proof and were produced the late J. Dilla are back with a new mixtape album ...Will Be Televised with their newest member DJ Sicari. The project includes beats from Black Milk, J. Dilla, Reno Wesly, Bee Lee, Big Tone, 9th Wonder, Denmark Vessey, and Nick Speed along with guest appearances from Finale, Baatin, and Marcellus. The album is available now on CD and digitally via their MySpace page listed below and we were able to include a little treat here for your from the project.
DOWNLOAD: 5 Ela featuring Finale - "5 Fingaz Up"
PURCHASE: 5 Ela ...Will Be Televised
Full instrumental albums from A-Side Worldwide releases of Now On's Tomorrow Already and Buff1's There Is Only One are now available digitally via iTunes.
PURCHASE: Buff1 There Is Only One Instrumentals | Now On Tomorrow Already Instrumentals
LINKS: A-SIDE OFFICIAL SITE | BUFF1 MYSPACE | NOW ON MYSPACE
FWMJ's Rappers I Know dropped a new track called "Swagger Jackson's Revenge" featuring Jay Electronica, produced by 14KT. Link to download the track along with lyrics from the song are below.
DOWNLOAD: FWMJ & Jay Electronica present Scratches & Demo Tape Volume I - “Swagger Jackson’s Revenge”
Classic Drug References just posted an interview with one of Detroit's top shit-talkers, international badass, and manager of the likes of Black Milk, Elzhi, and Guilty Simpson - none other than my big brother Hex Murda. If you know Hex, you already know this has to be pure comedy and it is.
FWMJ's Rappers I Know just dropped the newest mixtape from Montreal-based produced Dela featuring tracks from Detroiters Elzhi and Finale. The Elzhi track "My Nigga" is from Dela's ebut album, Changes Of Atmosphere, coming out worldwide January 2009. The Finale track "Motown 2K9" is update of a track found on Atmosphere Airlines Vol. 1. The complete mixtape is available for download for free at the link below.
DOWNLOAD: Dela - Atmosphere Airlines Vol. 2
LISTEN: Elzhi - My Nigga
LINK: DELA MYSPACE
The first single fro Royce Da 5'9"'s upcoming album Street Hop, executive produced by DJ Premier, dropped for the song "Shake This", produced by DJ Premier along with the single's b-side, the Carlos Brody produced "Part Of Me". Also, the video for "Shake This", directed by Rik Cordero, has been unveiled so enjoy.
DOWNLOAD: Royce Da 5'9" - "Part Of Me"
DOWNLOAD: Royce Da 5'9" - "Shake This"
LINK: ROYCE DA 5'9" MYSPACE
I'm a little late on posted these but whatever. The two videos for "We Here" and "R U Listenin'" from Illa J's Yancey Boys album out now via Delicious Vinyl. Below is the description of these videos.
In the video for "We Here," we're hanging out with Illa J's gang in a swanky nightclub, sippin' bubbly and watching Illa floss his tux (both as the hired help, and as the evening's entertainment). If "We Here" is the party, then "R U Listenin" is most definitely the after-party. Featuring the same personal vibe (and foxy lady in the whip) as the fist video, "R U Listenin" takes us all back to the Yancey family home, back to Detroit. With a signature mellowed-out Dilla beat, we're all sliding through the door of a house party just like the good ole' days, except this time we have Illa J, rhyming tight, and Guilty Simpson lending his distinct voice to the track. In this video, you're just part of the crew, wandering around this house party, takin' in the sights, sounds and substances. There are pretty ladies, comfort food, 40's, smoke in the backyard, a visit from dear old mom, and in the background of it all is that classic Dilla beat making you feel right at home.
Also check out the song "Showtime" from the album. The song is described as followed:
"Showtime" evokes images of a smoke-filled lounge, like a scene from a swanky black-and-white movie. But rest assured, this is no dusty joint of yore. Illa J and J Dilla take a different approach and update this scene for the present day with big talk and stylistic swagger. Dilla's jazzy beat sets the mood for this track with Illa crooning and rapping along. Despite the complicated rhythm of Dilla's production, Illa J doesn't miss a beat with his rhyme scheme and takes the track to hypnotic heights in the hazy, chromatic chorus.
LISTEN: Illa J - "Showtime"
LINKS: PURCHASE ON ITUNES | ILLA J MUSIC
Detroit's own DJ Dez (Slum Village) and DJ Butter are currently working on their collaborative CD A Piece Of The Action. The cover artwork is posted above and the two also take time to talk about the art of DJing and mixtapes.
LINKS: DJ DEZ MYSPACE | DJ BUTTER MYSPACE
The trailer to the upcoming documentary 7 Mile, presented by DJ Butter, with footage from the funeral of M.C. Breed held in Flint, MI featuring D.O.C., Bootleg, DJ Butter, and Don Diva Magazine among others. For more information: www.7milemovie.com.
The Tokyo based label Circulations teamed up with Jay Scarlett from Spacek Soundsystem/Beat Dimensions to celebrate the 10th anniversary of HMV Shibuya, the best major record store in Japan representing real music. The compilation titled New Worlds features 14 cuts from the latest in up and coming cutting edge producers, including the track "Knockout Kings" from the Japanese beat trio Super Smoky Soul featuring Detroit's own Guilty Simpson. Other featured on New Worlds include Dorian Concept, Quadron, The Clonious, Sa-ra Creative Partners, Take, Jay Scarlett, The Big Payback, Paul White, Busy, Taz Buckfaster, Hudson Mohawke, Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program, and Mono/Poly.
DOWNLOAD: Super Smoky Soul feat. Guilty Simpson - "Knockout Kings"
LINKS: OFFICIAL CIRCULATIONS SITE | CIRCULATIONS MYSPACE | JAY SCARLETT MYSPACE
So decided to spice up Rensoul.com by reaching out to my closest homies and having them do guest podcasts for me. The first to hit me back with one is my Guinness drinking brother Paradime, who cut the podcast while home for a minute from touring as Kid Rock's tour DJ. This shit is hilarious!!! He was drunk while doing this (big surprise) and coined the podcast as The Merlot Show (guess what he was drinking). Dime mostly plays some of his favorite Detroit hip hop joints so enjoy and expect more guest StoopidFresh Podcasts (yes! I'm coining my podcasts that too) and hopefully more installments of The Merlot Show. I think House Shoes needs to do an episode of The Merlot Show for me. Get on that!!!
Oh yeah! Check out Paradime live on December 19th at The Hayloft Liquor Stand in Mount Clemens.
DOWNLOAD: Podcast #3 - Paradime Presents The Merlot Show
LINKS: PARADIME MYSPACE | OFFICIAL PARADIME SITE
Exchange Bureau Music just released the newest EP Late Night Drive from Detroit-now-L.A.-based producer Snowman Jack featuring Guilty Simpson and DJ Rhettmatic on the cuts. The release also features two new Snowman instrumental tracks and a remix from The British Knights (Joshua Adams and Paul Katcher). You may have remembered Snowman from his previous 7" vinyl release on All City Records for "Street Corner Music" or his work on Shawn Jackson's album First Of All....
DOWNLOAD: Snowman Jack feat. Guilty Simpson - "Late Night Drive" (The British Knights Remix)
LINKS: EXCHANGE BUREAU MUSIC | SNOWMAN JACK MYSPACE | PURCHASE on EXBM
Recently launched is the new online record label Exchange Bureau Music. According to their site exchangebureaumusic.com, they describe this venture as the following:
"Bridging the gap between Detroit's funk and techno history, Exchange Bureau Music stands to unite the organic and electronic with a new collective of established and up-and-coming Detroit based musicians and producers all under one organization. The band-turned-label will still maintain the funk-driven Exchange Bureau sound, expand with EB side projects and remixes, and introduce new agent releases incorporating house, funk, broken beat, techno, hip hop, electro, and more."
The roster of talents includes such "agents" as Exchange Bureau (the band), Szymanski, The British Knights, Joshua Adams, Daz-I-Kue, John Arnold, Paul Randolph, Alton Miller, E. Spleece, Snowman Jack, DJ Godfather, and Ibex. All releases thus far are available digitally on the EXBM site or on over 150 other digital download sites worldwide.
LINK: EXCHANGE BUREAU MUSIC | EXBM STORE
One of Detroit's brightest up and coming emcee's NameTag is back with a new EP, Courtesy Of Ambition that he released digitally last week. The EP includes production from Black Milk and Black Beethoven and guest appearances from Buff1, Marvwon, Quest MCODY, and Journalist 103. It's available now at the iTunes or on his MySpace page via SNOCAP (links below).
LINKS: PURCHASE @ ITUNES | NAMETAG MYSPACE
(source: press release) - Illa J's in the mood for love, and there are no flowers and lacey hearts involved. "DFTF" is is one carnal joint. In this raunch-tastic track, Illa tries to convince one of the club honeys he's had his eye on to join him for an evening of good, wholesome fun. Yeah, that's a flat-out lie. Let the chorus speak for itself: "Baby why you fightin' the feelin' / With your body all nice and appealin' / Baby take my hand / I'ma give you a night to believe in / By the end we'll be bitin' and screamin' / A nice evening." Well, it may not be a candle-lit dinner or a box of chocolates, but hey, we're not complaining. How could anyone not fall victim to the mellowed-out, hazy, dream-like Dilla beat, perfect for a little modern romance (::wink wink, nudge nudge::)?
LISTEN: Illa J - "DFTF" featuring Affion Crockett
LINKS: ILLA J MYSPACE | DELICIOUS VINYL MYSPACE | ILLA J @ ITUNES
The Canadian homie Colin Munroe just dropped a mixtape titled Colin Munroe Is The Unsung Hero which features Black Milk on production on the track "Piano Lessons" and on guest vocals with Saukrates on "Break Off". You might remember Colin Munroe's "I Want Those Flashing Lights", a rendition of Kanye West's "Flashin' Lights", also on the track "Without U" from Black Milk's Tronic. The album also features collaborations with Wale, Mickey Factz, Joell Ortiz, Blaqstarr and Dallas Austin.
DOWNLOAD: Colin Munroe - "Colin Munroe Is The Unsung Hero"
LINKS: COLIN MUNROE MYSPACE | COLIN MUNROE SITE | COLIN MUNROE BLOG
Sorry. I'm late but here I am. Q-Tip's new album The Renaissance features a couple of Dilla produced tracks, "Fever" and "Move", so go cop it now!!! And above is footage of Tip performing "Work It Out" & "Fever" on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Q-Tip - "Move" (produced by J. Dilla): LISTEN | WATCH
LINK: Q-TIP MYSPACE
OK! My lack of updates recently has a good reason. I was working on this new weekly I just started. It's called STOOPIDFRESH and it goes down every Tuesday at TV Bar in Detroit. The spot is real dope and I brought on DJ Dez to do the night with me. It's a hip hop night infused in a dance party of soul, funk, and electronic music. We trying to give Detroit back a spot for anyone who loves that real hip hop. We've been lacking this and this is all for your, so please come and support. We can't wait for anyone else to do anything for us. We have to be proactive and build something for our own, so have faith and come party with each week.
Starting, December 9th, we will have drink specials each week. Specifics on that to be announced. Plus we will have loads of free giveaways from Stones Throw Records (t-shirts, posters, vinyl, etc). I'll always be posting information about giveaways, special guests, along with pictures or whatever from STOOPIDFRESH here on the site regularly.
StoopidFresh Tuesdays
TV Bar
2554 Grand River
Detroit, MI 48021
21+ | 10p-2a | $5
TV Bar is located at 2554 Grand River in Detroit, a couple blocks down from the Motor City Casino. Its a real dope spot with a bunch of flat screen TVs in both rooms (hence, the name). Its a real comfortable place with a lot of places to sit, even couches. We plan to have hip hop related movies and music videos playing on the screens in the near future.
With venues dwindling in Detroit that will support our scene, it's important to support nights like this early on, because you never know when another spot will get the axe for us. And support other spots like Elements Gallery on Michigan Ave (across from Slo's), THC in Hamtramck (formerly Lush Lounge), or Oslo on Woodward because these are spots ran by our people in our own music community. They belong to us. And if you can't come out to a night, supporting is as easy as telling someone else that doesn't know, handing out a flyer, or reporting a MySpace bulletin, among many other ways. No one else is going to help us so its time to to it on our own just like any pioneers of our city's cultural movements have in the past.
Additional support from PUBLIC MEDIA GROUP (Thanks JD for the flyer design) and FUSICOLOGY
LINKS: K-FRESH MYSPACE | DJ DEZ MYSPACE
Check out the video for the Nick Tha 1da produced Finale track "All Day/Jungle Music", a song taken from Finale's forthcoming pre-album mixtape. Finale full-length solo debut A Pipe Dream And A Promise is due out March 2009 via Interdependent Media.
DOWNLOAD: Finale - All Day/Jungle Music
LINKS: FINALE MYSPACE | OFFICIAL IM SITE
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K-Fresh Email: kfresh [at] rensoul.com |
