Tim Althaus

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XLR8R TV Episode 95: The Alchemist

Posted in Video with tags Alchemist, Evidence, Hip-Hop, Step Brothers, XLR8R on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Alchemist is a guy that really needs no introduction. He’s been behind some of the best produced Hip-Hop for the last 15 or so years. He is also lifelong friend of Evidence with whom he will be releasing an album entitled Step Brothers. This is a good interview, and after watching this I think that Alchemist is pretty much a genius. The way that he relates him making music to art is unreal (him talking about making a “collage” beat), and he puts an awful lot of thought into his beats when he is making them for other artists. If you haven’t make sure you go out and get The Alchemist Cookbook EP which is out now.

Spotted at Hip Hop Official

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Video: Black Star, Live @ The House of Blues

Posted in Video with tags Black Star, DJ Rhettmatic, Hip-Hop, Karriem Riggins, Madlib, Mos Def, Talib Kweli on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

First off I want to say that Black Star is one of the main live acts I’ve wanted to see since I became a die hard fan of Hip-Hop. 2nd you will notice that there is an incredible roster of people on hand at this show (Karriem Riggins, Madlib & DJ Rhettmatic), and to me it’s no big surprise. Mos Def & Talib Kweli recently performed at the House of Blues in Los Angeles to a packed crowd, and needless to say they completely rocked it.

In this video they perform “Definition” & “Respiration” which are definitely classics. When you watch this video you will realize how amazing the dynamic is between these two, and my heart jumps in great excitement when I think about these two doing another album together. They both have so much energy and both of them feed off each other on a constant basis. I think the game needs another Black Star album, after all the first album changed the way I looked at the game.

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Colin Munroe on HipHop Dx’s DX NEXT

Posted in News with tags Black Milk, Colin Munroe, Detroit Hip-Hop, HipHop DX, Tronic on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

colinmunroe I have already made a post about this extraordinary artist and prodigy Colin Munroe. This guy is absoutely captivating and is one of the most talented singers and musicians that I’ve heard in awhile. I normally am not a big fan of singers usually but this guy is a completely different story. I first heard this guy on Black Milk’s new album Tronic on the track “Without U” and was blown away by his talent. Some of you might have also heard of him from the “Flashing Lights (Remix)” and chances are if you haven’t heard of him yet you will very soon.

HipHop DX just did a feature on Colin Munroe in their DX Next feature. Apparently Colin is a huge fan of Detroit Hip-Hop and I’m guessing that’s how he got linked with Black Milk. Check out the article because it’s a great read on the future of music, because this kid is it.

HipHop DX’s Next Features Colin Munroe

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Video: DJ Revolution, “Man or Machine” (Feat. Kbimean)

Posted in Video with tags DJ Revolution, Hip-Hop, King of the Decks on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Tim Althaus

This track is off of an album that I wish I would have found out about much much earlier. “Man or Machine” is off of DJ Revolution‘s album King of the Decks. In my opinion, this guy might be the sickest DJ I’ve ever heard, nobody has anything on this guy’s cuts. This video features the emcee Kbimean who drops a sick verse on this sick ass beat. Rev cuts this beat like steak, and makes it look completely effortless.

On a side note, the album King of the Decks is nothing short of amazing. We are talking about a guy the DJ Premier heralds as one of the best DJ’s he’s heard in the history of DJing. I highly reccomend you watch the video and go out and get the album.

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Album Review: Madlib, The Beat Konducta, Vol. 5&6

Posted in Music Reviews with tags Beat Konducta, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, Madlib on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

beat-konducta When it comes to incredible duos a few come to mind: Batman & Robin, Abbot & Costello, Tom & Jerry & last but not least Jaylib. J Dilla was Madlib’s good friend and comrade and during his new Beat Konducta series it is completely evident. Madlib sculpts together 42 beautiful instrumentals that seamlessly and perfectly pay respects to one of the greatest minds of our time, J Dilla.

I want to make it blatantly clear that Madlib doesn’t however try to replicate J Dilla, he pays tribute to Jay in his own way and it makes for one of the best Madlib beat tapes I’ve heard in years. I also have to say, if there is anyone out there whose production style is very similar it’s definitely Madlib. I would absolutely love to tell you about every track on this album, but I have no where near the time required so I will highlight some of my favorite beats.

“Rolled Peach Optimos (Call Day)” is one of those tracks that are very mellow chill out track, and almost reminds me of something Jay would be smoking to while he’s chopping records in the studio. Another thing that I should point out is that the samples that Madlib uses in this instrumental series are impeccable and fit in perfectly. “King Chop (Top Line)” is the epitome of a nasty beat that just makes you nod your head. “All Love (The Movement)” is incredible because in the backdrop of the beat you can hear the strings from “Act Too (Love of my Life)” in the background (which is one of my all time favorites). I have to say that in my opinion “Dillalade Ride (Contact High)” is what I would consider to be the highlight of the album. The track is so beautiful it almost makes me tear up because the strings are so perfectly picked that I can imagine Dilla smoking a blunt in his Dillalade laughing and having a good time.

Just because I left out 39 beats that I didn’t talk about doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth listening to, because that’s nowhere near the case. Every beat on this album is top notch, and judging by the quality of Madlib’s work this might be the best instrumental album you will hear all year. I can’t imagine how big that signature smile is on Dilla’s face while he’s listening to this with the high exalted.

9/10

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R.I.P. J Dilla

Posted in Music News with tags ?uestlove, Chaundon, Dilla Day, J Dilla on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

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Today marks the third anniversary of James Yancey’s untimely passing. As all of you know this man is a great inspiration to me in every aspect of my life. I truly wish that I would have gotten in tune with this man’s music earlier in my life because there isn’t a single artist or producer that can replicate the beauty that he created. A lot of people would call me a bandwagon jumper seeing as I only found out about Dilla shortly before he passed, but the impact that he has had on me I will never forget.

I gave a 10 minute speech on Jay in one of my classes last year and I ended the speech with a quote by Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson from The Roots: “I am devastated at the world’s loss of a musical genius of Charlie Parker proportions. Too often we bestow the “greatest” title upon those who have the attention of the press, charts and radio. But if you were to secretly ask the most praised Hip-Hop producers, if given a top three, who they feared the most, Dilla’s name would chart on everyone’s list. I am fortunate to have known this man. He inspires me to perfect my craft in every way. Dilla was and always will be my hero.”

I really don’t think that I could some up any argument or statement about James Yancey any better than ?uestlove. If I can do what makes me happy for the rest of my life like Dilla did, then I will certainly be able to die happy. My guess is that God himself had an MPC 2000XL ready for Dilla when he got to heaven just so the lord could take lessons from the greatest. I find myself listening to Donuts and being physically grabbed by some of the tracks, almost as if Jay is trying to tell me something. I will be a Jay Dee fan for the rest of my life. I can honestly say that J Dilla changed my life.

Like Chaundon once said “If it ain’t Jay Dee, FUCK YA DAMN BEATS!”

R.I.P. J Dilla – February 7th, 1974 – February 10th, 2006

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New MF Doom & Dilla track!?

Posted in Media, Video with tags J Dilla, J Rocc, MF Doom on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Tim Althaus

This is a track that J Rocc decided to pull out when he was Dee Jaying for a Dilla tribute. This is a new Doom track over Dilla’s “Phantom of the Synths” beat. Some of you might notice the “Phantom of the Synths” beat from Jay’s beat tape series. The Doom verse is really hard to make out, but the beat really isn’t. Lets all just hope that we get to hear more Doom x Dilla material because it sounds very promising.

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If You are in New York Tonight…

Posted in Concert Dates with tags Dilla Day, J Dilla on Sunday, February 8, 2009 by Tim Althaus

I don’t really need to say how wild this show is gonna be… you can imagine.

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Be there… I would be.

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Dilla Day Mix by Alteezimo

Posted in Downloads with tags Dilla Day, J Dilla on Sunday, February 8, 2009 by Tim Althaus

blurry-2 Hey guys, I just wanted to contribute something really special for Dilla Day. I know most of you have probably heard these songs at sometime or another, but I just wanted to highlight my favorite tracks by my idol. These tracks are what I consider to be my favorites from Jay Dee’s career. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

For the record these are all tracks that were either produced by Dilla or songs featuring Dilla or both. This actually took me quite some time to put the tracks in order in the way that I think they would be most effectively listened to. I can promise you though that this is going to be an incredible mix if you are a J Dilla fan. So download the mix and TURN IT UP!

Tracklisting:

1. Welcome 2 Detroit (J Dilla)
2. Runnin’ (Pharcyde) (Prod. by J Dilla)
3. Fuck The Police (J Dilla)
4. Renaissance Man (Jay Electronica) (Prod. by J Dilla)
5. The Light (Common) (Prod. by J Dilla)
6. Jam (A Tribe Called Quest) (Prod. by J Dilla)
7. Make Em’ NV (J Dilla)
8. Move (Q-Tip) (Prod. by J Dilla)
9. Aerodynamic (Daft Punk Remix) (Slum Village)
10. As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix) (Four Tet) (Prod. by J Dilla, Featuring Guilty Simpson)
11. Fall In Love (Slum Village)
12. Won’t Do (J Dilla)
13. Cold Steel (Phat Kat) (Prod. by J Dilla)
14. Reunion (Slum Village)
15. Can’t Stop This (The Roots) (Prod. by J Dilla)
16. Niggaz Know (Pete Rock) (Featuring J Dilla)
17. Concrete Eyes (Elzhi) (Prod. by J Dilla)
18. What It’s All About (Slum Village)
19. Little Brother (Black Star) (Prod. by J Dilla)
20. Sun In My Face (J Dilla) (Featuring Blu & Jontel)
21. Clap Your Hands (Guilty Simpson) (Prod. by J Dilla)
22. Starz (Jaylib) (Prod by. J Dilla)
23. Skyzoo’s Last Donut (Skyzoo) (Prod. by J Dilla)

Download: Alteezimo’s Dilla Day Mix*

*Note to all Mac users, a few of the files are in .wma, so you may have to convert.

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Live Audio Bootleg: Jaylib, Live at the Henry Fonda Theater, 4/2/04

Posted in Downloads with tags Beat Junkies, Common, Dilla Day, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, J Rocc, Jaylib, Madlib, Stones Throw on Saturday, February 7, 2009 by Tim Althaus

jaylib-live

Here it is folks, the first Jaylib show with Dilla and Madlib. I decided to check out Stones Throw‘s website figuring that they may have some current news about Dilla on this gracious day. It turns out that they posted the first ever Jaylib show from 2004. This set was spun by J Rocc (of the World Famous Beat Junkies Crew) and features Melo-D (also of the Beat Junkies) on commentary and a special guest appearance from Common. This show was actually for the celebration of the Madvillain release party. Make sure you check this one out, there is no way that it can dissapoint. Two of the greatest minds of their time on one stage, shut shit down.

Download: Jaylib, Live @ The Henry Fonda Theater 4/2/04

Spotted at Stones Throw

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