Shouts to the homie Shake over at 2DopeBoyz. This track is absolutely killer, and I hope it gets you guys as excited for Blackout 2 as me. The beat on this track is super dirty and Method Man & Redman completely kill it like Ted Bundy. Make sure you check out this bomb ass track and cop Blackout 2 when it comes out.
Download: Method Man & Redman, “Dangerous MCs”
I have to admit that I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get a review up of this project. I remember hearing about this project a while back during the whole Ma Dukes controversy with the Dilla Estate. I felt so upset that I couldn’t go to LA and see the concert performed, but I knew that the EP that was going to come out would be just as good. The display that Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson put on is amazing and truly beautiful. I can’t believe how well this whole project came out.
The EP is only 4 tracks long, but they accomplish in four tracks what most can’t do in an entire album. Hearing Dilla’s compositions with an orchestral twist is something that can truly not be explained by words. The tracks that we picked out for this showcase are so good that they seem as though they should be original orchestra pieces. “Fall In Love” is one of my favorite songs that Dilla produced (I would say easily top 10) and the interpretation is perfect. It starts off with some beautiful harp playing, and transitions smoothly into the rolling piano in the background with some violin. The most beautiful part of it all though, is the flute that plays in the orchestra. With every note the flute hits, you can almost feel shivers run down your spine. The trend continues through the other three tracks that are on this EP (“Antiquity”, “Nag Champa” & “Find A Way”). I’m pretty sure that Dilla is showing that signature Jay Dee smile when he looks down from up above and hears these tracks.
If you are a J Dilla fan or a fan of beautiful music in general, this one is truly for you. I’m really not a big fan of orchestral music (although I feel as though I should be) but this EP really turned me onto it. Like I said previously, there really aren’t many words that will do this album much justice. It’s something that you literally have to hear for yourself. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to see a 30 piece orchestra perform this set, if I would have seen it I probably would have cried.
10/10
According to an article over at HipHop DX, De La Soul will be releasing their first full album in five years partnering with Nike to release Are You In? The Hip-Hop pioneers will be releasing the 44-minute workout album tomorrow (April 28th) via Nike’s label SportMusic. Apparently the folks over at Nike promote creativity and meshing of minds. The guys in De La said that’s the main reason why they chose Nike’s SportMusic to release their album instead of a major or independent label.
I can assure you that this is going to be one workout album that you are going to want to have on your iPod. In addition to this album, the article mentioned that De La is in the lab working on another full length, as well as touring Australia & Europe. You can pick up Are You In? on iTunes tomorrow 4/28/2009.
Here is an awesome, yet very inexpensive video for DOOM’s song “Microwave Mayonaisse” off of Born Like This. The video is directed by Dallas Penn. Make sure you go out and get the new DOOM album if you haven’t, it’s pretty fucking killer.
I was really upset when I found out about Reflection performing at the University of Minnesota way to late (Ryan: which, unfortunately for EVERYONE in MN, he ended up cancelling late last night anyway. No word whether it will be rescheduled, but considering it was planned exclusively for the U’s Spring Jam festivities, it’s doubtful). These guys put on one hell of a show, as you can clearly see from the video. The sound quality isn’t the absolute greatest, but you can tell that the show is sick as hell. Kweli tears it up as he rolls through the set, make sure you check this one out. Kwe performs his verse on Kanye’s “Get em’ High”, The new Reflection track “Back Again” and Kweli’s always classic “Get By”.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Here is the 4th episode of “your favorite show about nothing in particular”, The Sunday Show. The topic in this episode is skiing (note the beautiful Mind Inversion banner in the beginning of the episode). They also talk a little bit about snowboarding, but all three guys predominantly ski so that is the bulk of discussion. Another thing that I didn’t mention that I love about this show, is that they talk about what beers they are drinking on every episode. I am the type of guy that loves to try new brews, and this is a perfect place for suggestions. They discuss their ski trip up north, and some of their favorite places to ski in North America. Make sure you check out this episode and go over to sundayshow.tumblr.com to check out all the previous episodes and the latest news.
This is another album that almost made my top 10 most influential albums. The lyrical content that is displayed on this album is damn near untouchable. Mos Def & Talib Kweli go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. They mesh on just about every level that you can possibly imagine. This album came out originally in 1998 and this is an album that I feel will echo in the hallways of Hip-Hop for a long time. I remember being in eleventh grade and learning about poetic devices. When I found this album, it was the epitome of everything I had learned about.
From the minute that “Astronomy (8th Light)” kicks off, Kwel & Mos pass the mic back and forth shouting similes and metaphors faster than most people can comprehend. “Definition” is a great upbeat track with Mos & Kweli rapping about the things going on in the country (at the time), and why they are the “definition” of a group. Continue reading
Vodpod videos no longer available.
This video really gets me excited for the things that Kweli & Hi-Tek have in store for us. I caught this video on my MySpace feed on a bulletin from Kweli. This video is just some classic Kweli and Hi-Tek chemistry with Kweli spitting some great bars over a nice beat. Make sure you keep a look out for that new Reflection album coming soon.
Here’s a good one for you guys on 4/20. Here’s a video of Evidence taking a handstand after smoking a bong. It looks like these guys are having a good time in the studio. I sure hope we get to hear the product of this studio session.
Here is another quality track from your boy Elzhi. This one is produced by none other than the great Black Milk. Elzhi spits a vicious flow over this one (just like any track) and Black Milk provides a perfect back drop. This track is apparently off of his upcoming project The Feed. Make sure you look out for anything that this guy has coming out (you know we will keep you posted) because he’s on his way to becoming one of the greats.
Download: Elzhi “Deep” (Produced by Black Milk)
Spotted @ 2DopeBoyz
MIND INVERSION 