The more I explore the more I realize I will never be able to discover all of the music the world has to offer let alone our own nation. Made of Wood makes me realize that this is why I am trying to discover as much of that music that I can. On the new album, The Chill/Funk Trip, you will get an instrumental barrage that can be described as Downtempo with 70’s Funk and modern Jazz elements.
In an email I received from I AM PR Agency it suggests that you listen to this album at a lounge, in your car or in your bed. 2 weeks ago on a Saturday morning I did just that. Well, excluding at a lounge or in a car. As I laid in bed and drifted through an hour of life reflection where I may have been under the influence of some really damn good instrumental music. Yes, that morning I decided Made of Wood was worthy of a listen if you are in the mood to relax, think or ready to go on that voyage(whatever “that” voyage may be for you).
Dan Waldman is the man behind the curtain in his musical land of Oz and Made of Wood is the solo project from this composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. The first track “Are We There Yet?” would be a perfect fit for any snowboarding video worthy of such a smooth and buttery theme. As the album plays on you realize you are along for a ride for the entirety of the album.
If you like orchestra, if you like funk, if you like the piano, if you like drums or if you like strings you are going to like Made of Wood. This album does a perfect job of blending everything together to make an original work of musical art. The most important part when listening to Made of Wood is to make sure you really listen to every sound being created and appreciating all the different elements that he blends together.
Lay down, relax look for Made of Wood The Chill/Funk Trip and start making your dreams a reality or your realities a dream.
Album Release Date: February 1, 2012
It seems as though everything that Brother Ali touches turns to gold. Everything that this Twin Cities native has put out has been well above par. Earlier this year he dropped The Truth is Here EP, which was 9 straight tracks of sheer brilliance, and now he drops Us into the hands of the people. Much like everyone else is saying, I will agree that this is one of the best albums of this year. It has everything you’ve come to expect from a Brother Ali album: powerful production from Ant and legendary lyrics from Brother Ali. Ali is quickly on his way to becoming a legendary emcee, and Us is yet another nail in the pivotal coffin of truth. Brother Ali’s story telling abilities come alive like a beast in hibernation, and the outcome is simply stunning. 
I think the first time I heard about Blue Scholars was in Spin Magazine or a similar publication. I recall the memory because I was reading a review of their album Bayani. The review that I read was highly favorable, and naturally I wanted to see what the hype was all about. Prior to buying the album, I had never really listened to any artists from Seattle. I mean I knew West Coast Hip-Hop was dope, just not this dope. Bayani is one of my favorite albums I’ve picked up over the last couple years. I’ve been listening to this album a great deal since I found out about it, and to be put quite simply, it never gets old. 
Wu-Tang has been one of the greatest dynasties that Hip-Hop has ever seen. Just about every group album has been stellar, not to mention that every solo album is top notch quality. Raekwon comes into Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 fourteen years after the original Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, which, to this day is a classic. The aforementioned information may pose the question: Is Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 as good as the original? The answer, in my opinion, is a definite yes. I took one run through this album in my car, and I knew immediately I was listening to a classic . Raekwon brings along an all-star cast of producers and emcees to “cook up”, without a doubt, one of the best albums of 2009. Creating a magnificent masterpiece that is just as good as it’s predecessor is no easy task, but as OB4CL2 shows, for The Chef it comes naturally. 
MIND INVERSION 