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Video: The Foreign Exchange “Daykeeper” (Featuring: Muhsinah)

Posted in Music News with tags Foreign Exchange, Hip-Hop, Little Brother, Nicolay, Phonte on Friday, October 24, 2008 by Tim Althaus

Vodpod videos no longer available.

This is the first single off of the new Foreign Exchange album Leave It All Behind. I have been listening to this album on and off for a little while now, and the only conclusion that I can come to is that it’s definitely different. The last album Connected was a good mixture of Hip-Hop/R&B/Soul. Leave It All Behind is very Soul & R&B influenced with very little Hip-Hop. This album for the most part has Phonte singing, which is something that is definitely different for me but I really enjoy it. It’s nice to hear an artists almost out of his element (not doing what he usually does) and trying something that is a little different. From what I have heard this album is very good. I will have a review up soon enough for you guys to get to.

You can jump over to the Foreign Exchange site and get the Leave It All Behind Sampler to get a taste of what I am talking about.

Leave It All Behind Sampler

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PLEASE donate for Ma Dukes!

Posted in Music News with tags Hip-Hop, J Dilla, Ma Dukes, Maureen Yancey on Thursday, October 23, 2008 by Tim Althaus

Pete Rock, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey & Talib Kweli on Dilla Day 2008

So, if you know me, you know that I am a huge J Dilla fan/enthusiast. Many people would call me a “poser” Dilla fan because I haven’t been listening since the beginning (when I was like 5). I had listened to a little bit of Tribe, but never knew that Dilla was behind their later stuff. The first time I really actually realized Dilla production was on a Kweli mixtape, and I was completely mesmerized by the beat. I immediately got my hands on everything Dilla I could get and didn’t think twice about it. What Dilla did for my musical taste and outlook on life in general I will never be able to forget. He will always be my inspiration for anything that I do.

It came to my attention awhile ago that the Yancey family was in a huge limbo trying to pay all of Dilla’s outstanding hospital bills, and at the same time keep the “Dilla estate” alive. I just read a few weeks ago that Dilla’s mother Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey is suffering from the same tragic disease that took her genius son’s life. She needs all of the help she can get and all of you Dilla fans out there really have a chance to make a difference.

Please go over to the Giant Peach’s Website on MySpace and make a contribution. It doesn’t have to be a large amount of money, just do what you can. Every dollar makes a difference. If you don’t want to donate through PayPal, or just want to send a letter to Ma Dukes you can send your contributions to:

Maureen Yancey
8281 E. Brentwood
Detroit, MI 48234

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Black Milk: “Losing Out” (Featuring: Royce Da 5’9″)

Posted in Music News with tags Black Milk, Detroit Hip-Hop, Royce Da 5'9", Tronic on Thursday, October 23, 2008 by Tim Althaus

First off let me say Holy Shit! Here we are less than one week away from the release and I have heard three singles off of Tronic. I am already thinking this will probably be top 5 contender for my personal favorite album of the year. For all of you out there on the Kanye West tip, you need to get off it and start listening to Black Milk. This guy is one of the best producer/emcees I’ve ever heard. His flow on Popular Demand was liquid smooth, but his rhymes and flow are starting to get vicious. I want everyone to mark my words when I say “Black Milk is the future of Hip-Hop and production”, he is going to be a household name soon enough. It’s just a matter of time until the D (and all of Michigan) blows up on the Hip-Hop scene, because they arguably have some of the best talent in the game right now (Elzhi, Buff1, One Be Lo, Royce Da 5’9″ ) and Black Milk will be the tip of that spearhead.

This beat has a sick ass sample and Black just tears the shit out of this beat like a piece of paper. Royce has his poignant (as always) flow and the two torch this track like a Philly blunt with a butane lighter. Before the track starts Black says “Everybody gather around and listen”, that’s exactly what everyone is going to be doing when they hear Black. His first line is “Let’s talk about the most under-estimated plus underrated city in this Hip-Hop game?”. I couldn’t say it much better myself, Detroit Hip-Hop is HIGHLY underrated and it’s a damn shame.

October 28th folks, that is the day that it will all change. Go and get Tronic this upcoming Tuesday, it is going to blow everyone away.

Listen to the track.

“Losing Out” (Featuring: Royce Da 5’9″)

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DJ Babu: “The Unexpected” (Featuring: MF Doom & Sean Price)

Posted in Music News with tags Dilated Peoples, DJ Babu, Hip-Hop, MF Doom, Sean Price on Thursday, October 23, 2008 by Tim Althaus

DJ Babu (of the Dilated Peoples) is releasing his new solo album Duck Season Vol. 3 on October 28th, and he was gracious enough to let us hear this masterpiece (featuring MF Doom and Sean Price) which is titled “The Unexpected”. I have to admit that I wasn’t really a big fan of Doom until recently (I haven’t heard anything that great since Madvillain or Danger Doom). He has been doing a lot of projects lately with some of my favorite producers (Dilla, Jake One, Babu), and I have been absolutely loving it. This track is one of them. There are two things that really make this track: 1.) Babu’s beat is absolutely intriguing, and has a great melody that you can just bob your head to. 2.) Doom and Sean Price compliment each other so well on this track. Sean Price has a line in this track that made me laugh out loud in the middle of a parking lot with my headphones on (I think that people thought I was crazy): “I always throw sixes, return a Ike Turner I always throw bitches”.

This track is really good, and as you can expect Babu’s work on the ones and twos is incredible. Duck Season Vol. 3 promises to be a great addition to the Hip-Hop albums already out this year. There’s nothing better to me, than to see a producer coming out from behind the boards (working on other people’s music) and doing something for themselves.

If you want to see what a real DJ/Producer can do, go out and get Duck Season Vol. 3 on October 28th. Until then listen to the track.

“The Unexpected” (Featuring: MF Doom & Sean Price)

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Spylacopa ‘s new song rocks hard (and a future Candiria album?)

Posted in Music News with tags battle of mice, candiria, dälek, dillinger escape plan, dub tiro, dysrhythmia, Isis, kayo dot, made out of babies, spylacopa, suicidal tendencies, terrorizer magazine on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Spylacopa began as an obscure ambient-electronic side-project for Brooklyn-based Candiria guitarist John LaMaccia, but after accruing a band of notables – namely Greg Puciato of Dillinger Escape Plan, Jeff Caxide of Isis, and Julie Christmas of Made Out of Babies – the project was bound to gain momentum. Judging by the sounds of the new song “Haunting A Ghost” that was posted to the band’s MySpace earlier this week, Spylacopa has evolved into an entirely different beast all together. While LaMaccia proved to have a knack for combining head-pounding beats with ambient soundscapes on Spylacopa’s earlier output, this song is far more rocking and metal-friendly than anything I’ve heard from them so far. LaMaccia’s distorted guitar progressions and electronic sequencing seems to have matched perfectly with the lush mix of Puciato’s own touches and his trademark vocal approach – the high contrast of soaring melodies and screaming and bellowing – and the thick layer of groove from Caxide. The forthcoming debut self-titled EP (available November 18th) has already garnered high praise from Terrorizer Magazine, and Puciato seems to like it well enough… but don’t just listen to us! Listen to “Haunting a Ghost” for yourself online here.

In related news, John has finallly made an update regarding Candiria and LaMaccia also revealed more about the 4 volume (!) series of remix/interpretations 12″ LP’s entitled Toying With The Insanities that will be released on his label, Rising Pulse Records. The release is said to feature contributions from members of Suicidal Tendencies, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dysrhythmia, Dub Trio, Kayo Dot, Dälek, and more. However, this great collection will only be released as a limited edition available on vinyl (with free mp3 download with purchase) with only 250 of each volume pressed!

More intriguing perhaps is that LaMaccia implied that there will be new Candiria recording in the future, saying that the band is “moving forward” and was “back on track”. After news last year, that Candiria wasn’t allowed to release their last album through Type A records since they couldn’t tour, many people were unsure if we’d ever hear from them again. I’m looking forward to hopefully getting my hands on this remix collection, and now I’ve got hope for more Candiria in the future. Stay tuned here.

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Lil’ Wayne to put out another F*&!ing Carter III?

Posted in Music News with tags Garbage Hip-Hop, Hipster Rap, Lil' Wayne, Weak Sauce on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 by Tim Althaus

I was over at Pitchfork and read possibly the most disturbing article I’ve read this year. I have the preface that statement by saying that second most disappointing article was reading about Lil’ Wayne dropping The Carter III. Apparently Lil’ Wayne is going to drop another fucking album with the name The Carter III. WTF? Lil’ Wayne has to be the most un-original emcee I’ve seen in a great period of time. Let’s take a look at his last 3 record names: The Carter, The Carter II, The Carter III and now The Carter III again (not to mention that his next album after that is tentatively titled The Carter IV). I think that all of the media outlets that are praising him need to stop riding the hell out of his dick. The guy isn’t anything special, and the only thing that he has going for him is his beats (the ones on his album being made for him). A lot of people are calling Wayne “the greatest rapper alive”, all I can do is laugh hysterically at this statement. You mean to tell me that you were saying that when he dropped The Block is Hot? Were you saying Lil’ Wayne was the best emcee alive when he dropped 500 Degreez? The answer, as you all probably know, is NO. He drops TWO critically acclaimed albums and he’s the G.O.A.T., get the fuck off it. It sorrows me greatly to see that all we need to do is give Lil’ Wayne some mega-dope-dumbshit props to make Pop/Hipster Rap a genre.

Here is a video that proves Lil’ Wayne is complete garbage…

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Evidence: “For Whom The Bell Tolls” (Featuring: Phonte, Blu and Will.I.Am)

Posted in Music News with tags Blu, Evidence, Hip-Hop, Khrysis, Little Brother, Phonte on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 by Tim Althaus

Yet again the folks over at Okayplayer brightened my day after a long day at work. I checked my handy RSS feed to find that Evidence dropped yet another track off The Layover EP. This track is absolutely ridiculous, it’s produced by North Carolina native Khrysis (who has done tracks for Little Brother in the past) and features Phonte, Blu & Will.I.Am. Blu is one of those emcees that you only hear once in your lifetime, and he completely murders his verse on this track (I will have a review of the Blu and Mainframe project Johnson&Jonson later this week). If none of you have ever heard of Blu please go out and get Below the Heavens which was a duo with Dj Exile not to mention one of the best albums of last year. Phonte is great on the track, and Evidence as always kills the beat with that laid back EV sound. I have heard two tracks off of this and am already itching for this EP like crack. I can’t wait for the day of my contentment which will be November 25th when this EP drops. PLEASE go out and get The Layover EP when it comes out, it will NOT disappoint. The Layover EP will be accompanied by a DVD for 6 or 7 videos (still to be determined) out of the 9 songs on the EP.

For now listen to this:

“For Whom The Bell Tolls”: Featuring: Phonte, Blu and Will.I.Am)

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Madlib issuing a plethora of music as usual…

Posted in Music News with tags Beat Konducta, Hip-Hop, J Dilla, Madlib, Stones Throw on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 by Tim Althaus

Well, for all of you Madlib & J Dilla fans out there, this should be a great few months for you. Earlier in October Madlib released part of an instrumental series entitled Beat Konducta Vol. 5 Dil Cosby Suite (which is only available for digital download right now, you can get the vinyl on November 11th). Now this month he is releasing Beat Konducta Vol. 6 Dil Whithers Suite for digital download (the vinyl will be released in December). Both of these Beat Konducta volumes are tributes from Madlib and J-Rocc (of the Beat Junkies crew) to the late great J Dilla. Volumes 5 & 6 will be released in early 2009 as an album (so the two will be combined into one album). I have had the pleasure of listening to both of these beat tapes and I can honestly say that Dilla Dawg would be proud. Each mix is just over 30 minutes (which means they are small packages, most albums are at least 50 minutes long usually), but good things come in small packages.

On top of both of these beat tapes, Madlib will also be releasing a 10″ Vinyl EP with three previously unreleased tracks from his Jazz/alter ego side project Yesterday’s Universe. The 10″ EP that is being released will coincide with the release of an art book by Jason Jägel entitled 73 Funshine. Jägel is best known for his work on album cover art for artists like MF Doom (MM FOOD) and Dudley Perkins.

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Ephel Duath channels their dogs on new album

Posted in Music News with tags avant-garde, ephel duath, jazz, progressive metal on Thursday, October 16, 2008 by Ryan Buege

Progressive metal’s best Italian trio, the bizarre, jazz heavy, avant-garde experimentalists in Ephel Duath, have revealed a bit more of their plans for their forthcoming followup to Pain Necessary To Know. The band will release their fourth studio album, Through My Dog’s Eyes, in January 26, 2009 through Earache Records. Over the past couple albums, Ephel Duath has progressed through a number of (..pardon the pun..) palettes and have never failed to bring something new to the world of music. From the forward thinking progressive-influenced black metal of their early albums, to the off-time chaos of The Painter’s Palette, to the spacecy avant-garde jams of their most recent album, Ephel Duath always keeps everyone (including themselves, it seems) guessing about where they’ll take their sound next. Thus far, it appears that the band’s next album will not be an out of line with this trend… Continue reading →

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Dilated Peoples: Last is First (Produced by Alchemist)

Posted in Music News with tags Alchemist, Dilated Peoples, Hip-Hop, Okayplayer on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 by Tim Althaus

I logged onto my computer yesterday after work and was delighted when I looked on my Okayplayer rss feed for Firefox. It turns out that Dilated Peoples just released a new single from Decon’s Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Vol. 1 EP/DVD (Which dropped Yesterday). The one thing that I was super pumped about is that (of course) it was produced by Alchemist. When Alchemist and Dilated get together you can count on a four alarm fire because you know it’s going to be a hot track. This next year is going to be one of the busiest years ever for the Dilated Peoples crew. Dj Babu’s new album (Duck Season Vol. 3) Drops on October 28th, Evidence has the Layover EP dropping Nov 25th (as well as The Layover Mixtape and a collaboration with Alchemist entitled Step Brothers), a Purple Tape Instrumental album (He’s already released Red and Yello) and Rakaa’s Crown of Thorns was rumored to still be dropping sometime this year. All of the aforementioned information is on top of a new Dilated Peoples album as well as Evidence’s second solo album Cats & Dogs dropping next year. Even if these were the only releases for the next year in Hip-Hop I would still say it’s going to be one hell of a fucking year. Please go grab the 6 track EP/ T-Shirt combo from Decon here and cop all the Dilated material that is coming out this year.