Curtis Mayfield's classic soundtrack "Superfly" receives a dedication as a group of talented musicians known as Mimic cover the LP nearly 40 years later after it's release at Reggie's Music Joint on South State Street in Chicago. This event pays tribute to one of the finest musical works to depict the dire state of 1970 inner city America, with an authentic Curtis Mayfield-style vocal performance from Paris Brightledge and soulful instrumentation from the ensemble.
Personnel:
Allan Burroughs - Guitar
Fred Simon - Keys
Vincent Naples - Bass
Seth Vanek - Drums
Kalyan Pathak - Percussion
Michael Cichowicz - Trumpet
Chuck Parrish - Trumpet
Steve Eisen - Flute, Soprano and Tenor Saxophone
Ryan Miller - Bass Trombone
Andrew Zelm - Trombone
Tim McNamara - Tenor and Baritone Saxophone
Chuck Bontrager - Strings
Jennifer Grams Lowe - Violin
Dominic Johnson - ~Viola
Izzy Ice & DJ Majesty take a stand to briefly speak about career-related issues during one of Hip Hop's phases of industrial revolution. As Hip Hop began to generate more revenue for corporations in the early 90's, the bootlegging situation also rose as another section of lower class society searched for a way to profit from the growing industry of music. These street dealers began to stir the emotions of many artists who began to voice their opinions on record. "Krak Da Weasel" is one song by Da King & I which spoke on outside forces who threatened to stagnate their musical output, but didn't directly speak against the epidemic of street corner cassette bootlegging as songs like "Straighten It Out" by Pete Rock &C.L. Smooth or "Bootlegga" by The Hoodratz.
Moving forward into 2011, the issue of bootlegging still remains but has evolved to the form of digital downloads. The words which these two artists speak about awareness of the changing world around them speaks volumes about the path which contemporary artists must follow in order to maintain a successful independent career.
The legendary California group bring together 20 years of their best music into an hour and a 1/2 performance, live At Openair Frauenfeld 2011. This audio is courtesy of Mexican Taint. Feel free to check out the video footage of this performance on YouTube also.
Download/Stream: Cypress Hill - Live At Openair Frauenfeld 2011
Setlist:
Hand On The Pump
When The Sh*t Goes Down
How Can I Just Kill A Man
Real Estate
Latin Thugs
Latin Lingo
Armada Latina
Insane In The Brain
I Want To Get High
Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk
Hits From The Bong
Dr Greenthumb
K.U.S.H.
Julio G & Bobo Routine
Throw Your Set In the Air
Clock The Hammer
Hole in Your Head/Vato
It Ain't Nothing
Lick A Shot
Pigs
Illusions
A To The K
We Ain't Goin' Out Like That
Rise Up
Rock Superstar
A vintage cassette archive for your listening enjoyment! This Golden Era mixtape displays the raw, uncut 2 turntable & a mic, park jam-style of Hip Hop as Jeff spins mid-80's Hip Hop beats while Will Smith rocks the mic. This gem is courtesy of da mixtape library.
Download/Stream - DJ Jazzy Jeff Mid-80's Mixtape featuring The Fresh Prince
Music by Onra, Pac Div, Erykah Badu, Pharrell & Questlove, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Ishe, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ayah, Geno, Amp Fiddler, Emmanuel, Mark De Clive Lowe, Amerie, Median, Nate Smith, Freddie Joachim, Oliver Daysoul, Slakah the Beatchild, Slum Village, Dwele, Musiq Soulchild, J Soul, Chris Daddy Dave, Gretchen Parlato, Sam Champ & D Angelo.
In this 2003 episode on WBAI's Underground Railroad Show, Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz mine the crates to cover an array of music as one of Hip Hop's most skilled DJs. His style of spinning records is unique to the ear as a DJ who truly entertains, amazes and orchestrates his mixes as an art. Hear the original samples from classic Hip Hop records spanning through the 80's into the millennium.
Download/Stream - DJ Evil Dee - Breaks & Samples Mix on WBAI FM, 2003
"Autographs" is Hip Hop which encourages you to dream big through the imagination of a producer and MC. Reks flows like water with images of success and stardom over the production of Statik Selectah. Listen to this an start beginning to imagine all that is possible following your dreams.
Download/Stream - Reks - "Autographs" (produced by Statik Selektah)
Check out a preview of this box set above, the music sure sounds funky! "Wheedle's Groove" Limited-Edition Box Set - Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-1979 box set by Light In The Attic Records is now available at Amazon.com
"Wheedle's Groove" is also a film which documents Seattle's 70's Funk and Soul scene, check out the official trailer for "Wheedle's Groove" here and watch the full movie here at Amazon.com Instant Video.
+ Only 2,000 hand-numbered copies worldwide
+ Ten 45rpm singles featuring original label art and housed in a gorgeous custom made magnetic flip-top box
+ 96 page book with new liner notes interviewing the musicians and key players, unseen photos, endless ephemera, replica Seattle SuperSonics trading card, countless photos, and loads of other archival gems
+ CD of “lost” Robbie Hill’s Family Affair session, circa 1975
+ Meticulously remastered
+ Free Download Card for all songs
The electronic music magazine Synapse has been dedicated enough to archive their issues digitally online for those who are interested in musicians and technological innovators of synthesis during the 1970's. Read through their 1977 issue which features three figures of music who are still admired today for their contributions to modern music.
Live in stereo, John Robinson brings lyrical jewels and gems on his 2011 album "Gifted". Influential on instrumentals and blessed with rhymes, John Robinson continues to help you to realize the big picture of skillful expression of life through Hip Hop.
This is a good introduction to 90's Hip Hop for those who may just be learning about the era, a refreshing listen for those who lived through the era and appreciate these gems cut up by the hands of skilled DJs. Grab the free download of this project while it's available at their bandcamp page.
Get into the Christmas spirit with the R&B/Hip Hop vibes of Black Milk & Melanie Rutherford on "Simply Having". This duo sounds like the next thing to look out for from the Detroit music scene as Melanie lends her vocals to cover "A Wonderful Christmas Time" by The Beatles.
Download/Stream - "Simply Having"
Watch a 2011 interview and performance footage of Bernie Worrell here and listen to snippets of "Bernie Worrell: Standards" here at iTunes.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Backed by a live band, Com performed many new cuts as well as some of his classics live at Highline Ballroom, NYC 12-19-11. This special performance includes a surprise appearance by Nas to perform NY State of Mind and Ghetto Dreams. ItsAllTheWayLive.net does it again in capturing quality soundboard audio recording for a great live performance. They are one of the most consistent and dedicated music blogs to watch out for in 2011 and beyond. Download the full concert which they have separated song by song in a zip file for your convenience and listening enjoyment.
Download: Common – Live @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 12-19-11 by ItsAllTheWayLive.net
Setlist:
1. The Dreamer
2. Be
3. The People
4. Blue Sky
5. The Light
6. Freestyle
7. Lovin I Lost
8. Testify
9. The Eye
10. The Corner
11. NY State of Mind (ft. Nas)
12. Ghetto Dreams (ft. Nas)
13. Sweet
14. Raw
15. Go
16. I Want You
17. Acapella
18. The Believer
19. Celebrate (ft. James Fauntleroy)
20. The Food
21. UMC
“Music of the Misinterpreted (Deluxe Edition)" The LP by Focus.. is available on iTunes and at Focus.bandcamp.com.
Setlist:
1. The Pharcyde Set (includes Dilla produced songs Bullshit, Runnin, Drop + more Pharcyde classics)
2. Flex Mathews – Stakes Is High
3. Gods’illa – Raise It Up
4. DJ Roddy Rod & Flex Mathews – F*ck The Police
5. J Laine (leader of the Players) “Whip Me With A Strap”
5. Kaimbr & Kenn Starr - (Busta Rhymes/Dilla set) – Just Another Day At The Range > What Up > Turn Me Up Some > So Hardcore
6. Memory Montage from Common, Busta Rhymes, T3 (of Slum Village), Pharoahe Monch, Questlove, Ghostface, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (from past Dilla specials on Subsoniq).
Other guests on this December 2011 episode of Wax Poetics radio include DJ Wordy who discusses hip-hop in China and the WordySoulspeak project and Quinton Scott at Strut Records who talks about the Factory Dance – Factory Records 12″ Mixes and Rarities 1980–1987 release.
Watch the video for "Much Longer" which displays the lively musical vibe of 45's music. "Much Longer" features Gizell Smith of The Night Mocambos on vocals.
"Stop! Look! Listen!" is bound to enlighten your ear and perspective of 70's Jazz and Soul music as 45 experiments in merging contemporary sound with his influences.
Grab the EP today here at the Wandering Worx bandcamp page.
No I.D definitely laced Common with some soulful production this time around as the duo return to collaborate for their 2011 LP "The Dreamer, The Believer". For those who appreciate learning more about the music behind Hip Hop, here is a compilation of some original samples used to create the production for a great album within Common's discography.
Tracklist:
The Fellows – Make It Last [Sampled for Ghetto Dreams]
NaS – Hope [Sampled for Ghetto Dreams]
Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky [Sampled for Blue Sky]
Orange Krush – Action [Sampled for Sweet]
Graham Central Station – The Jam [Sampled for Gold]
Doris & Kelley – You Don’t Have To Worry [Sampled for Sweet]
Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions – I Loved & I Lost [Sampled for Lovin’ I Lost]
Kenny Loggins – Celebrate Me Home [Sampled for Celebrate]
Get yourself a copy of this song here at iTunes.
In the year of '94, Jeru redefined the meaning of underground buzz with his debut single "Come Clean", a very dark song which circulated heavily to build momentum and introduce the world to his brutally honest approach towards attacking the fakes and frauds of Hip Hop culture. I like to think of this song as an example of how The Gangstarr Foundation seemed to have a knack for attracting people's attention based on providing the truth regardless of how dark and against the normal format of commercial music their songs might have been.
In this interview, Jeru explains the deeper meaning of "Come Clean" to Big Lez of Rap City on a sunny New York City day. Take a look back to the debut of an artist who brought his own view of knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the world around him into Hip Hop.
Enjoy this radio show and be sure to grab a copy of his 2011 mixtape "The Hat Trick" here.
The annual Hip Hop Takeover of WBAI FM radio New York always holds it down with good music, the insight of the culture's pioneers and taking action for a positive purpose. This segment of the Hip Hop Takeover focuses deeply on the health issues which effect Hip Hop, particularly the important topic of cancer and living the longest, healthiest life possible. You will hear the words from listeners and studio participation from artists such as Greg Nice, Kangol Kid from UTFO, Kool Kim, Nikki D, Crazy Legs, DJ Johnny Juice, and DJ Evil Dee. This is education, awareness and an appreciation of life through Hip Hop which is rarely heard of in mass media.
Hip Hop TakeOver Continues - Crazy Legs of The Rock Steady Crew, 6pm: NYOil aka Kool Kim of the UMC's
Listen to snippets here at Undergroundhiphop.com where the 12" is now available.
This episode of Universal Communique Radio begins with a journey into 70's Jazz fusion then ventures into the sounds of current R&B, Soul and future instrumental music. Check the tracklist below for this great selection of music.
Feqadu Made-Mesqel - Asmarina (My Asmara)
Zambezi Dance - Eddie Harris
David Axelrod - The Fly
Donald Byrd - I Feel Like Loving You Today
Mahmoud Ahmed - Ohoho Gedma
Mahmoud Ahmed - Metche New
Mahmoud Ahmed - Atawurulegn Lela
Yusef Lateef - Technological Homosapian
Jack McDuff - The Shadow Of Your Smile
Ramsy Lewis Trio - Something About You
Andy Bey - You Should Have Seen The Way
Yusef Lateef - Street Musicians
Yusef Lateef - Hellbound
Lennie White - Sweet Dreaming
Dwele - Weekend Love
Destraments - Sexual Chocolate
Afta-1 - Sit Still
The Weeknd - Come Down
LP - For The Blunts
9th Wonder - Never Stop Loving You
Shawn Hammand - War Drum
Prime Cut - Happy Grove
Memorecks - Nintendoe
Giraffage - Luv
O-D - The Temple
Abjo - A Volta Por Cima
???? - The People ft Vida
Afta-1 - Petal Movement Slow
BE.water - A Disappearing Act
Trey Hemingway - Sir Yancy (A J.DIlla Tribute)
Listen to Universal Communique Radio 12|10|11 here
About TruthSeekers (Universal Communique) Radio:
"This show is not typical! Our goal is to provide the soundtrack to mind expansion and enlightenment through music! Love, peace, understanding and self discovery are at the core of our intentions when we start selecting tracks for every playlist. We take pride in playing independent music, in addition to, podcasting eclectic mixes from a range of hand picked producers and artists. It is with this freedom from typical \"music directors\" that we are able to weave together shows that encompass a wide range musical genres and time periods. Unformatted, unpredictable, and unF*ckwitable since 2003 on one of the most progressive stations in the world is where you will find us 2am-4am (Pacific) every Saturday morning/Friday night in most minds! As Sun Ra said \"music is a universal language.\" We broadcast to the omniverse and our message vibrates to the sound of CREATION!"
Roc C returns in 2011 with aggressive beats and rhymes on his solo debut "Stoned Genius". In this album preview mix for "Stoned Genius" by DJ P-Trix you will get a good introduction to Roc's approach to Hip Hop, as an MC he excites with a threatening flow against beats that bang and match his dark mic persona. "Stoned Genuis" is produced by Alchemist, Dae One, Jake One, Jansport J, Lee Bannon, Lex Luther, Madlib, Oh No, Soul Professa, The Unknown. Guest features include Termanology, Big Pooh, Blu and Chali 2na.
Listen to the snippets of "Music Is My Weapon" below at iTunes, Hasan definitely holds his own lyrically with a strong skill display and deep expressions of life:
Here is a review from Fat Beats:
Will Sessions impressed with the meticulous craftsmanship of their studio re-workings of the classic tracks on The Elmatic Instrumentals. With their new two-part video "Mix Takes," the five-piece band is taking a similar approach in recreating some of their favorite songs--only this time it was all recorded and filmed live in real time. Whether referencing music by jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Bob James or replaying beats made famous by Nas or J Dilla, it's all presented with seamless transitions in the style of a mixtape, and "Mix Takes" both showcases the band's individual talents and reflects the airtight performances that have made them one of the hottest live bands in Detroit.
As a companion piece to The Elmatic Instrumentals, the soundtrack to "Mix Takes" will be available as a limited-edition Vinyl release in January 2012.
To commemorate the release of their 13th album, Undun, The Roots performed three sold out shows at Highline Ballroom in NYC. ItsAllTheWayLive.net was present to capture this November 2011 show and provide us with the soundboard audio recording. Bilal joins Black Thought and The Roots for an electrifying 15 minute performance of "The Otherside" Listen as the crows goes wild at the effort of this performance which features a combination of great vocal, drum and guitar solos towards at the end.
The performance gets even more emotional and inspirational with Dice Raw joining Thought for the life-driven messages of "Lighthouse". This is truly elevation of musical performance in Hip Hop as The Roots begin another great album with "undun", now available in stores.
Download/Stream - The Roots – The Otherside (ft. Bilal) @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 11-29-11
and
Listen to 2 separate episodes of Pete Rock & Marley Marl's Future Flavaz show from early 2000 which feature a couple of lyrical beasts from the borough of Queens, Kool G Rap and Akinyele.
The Kool G Rap episode was conducted just before the release of his Rawkus LP "The Giancana Story" and features an interview with Marley, in addition to an unreleased promo with Ma Barker and a killer freestyle. The episode is also an unfortunate one though, since it was also dedicated to the passing of Pete Rock's father.
The Akinyele episode is a funny and entertaining one during the release of his "Aktapuss" LP and the success of his single "Put It In your Mouth". Ak gets wild during the interview, sounding hella enthusiastic and overjoyed with life probably due to the amount of females he was dealing with from his new player image.
After checking out "It's Like That", watch the December 7th episode of DJ Eclipse's Haltime Show which features an interview and freestyle with Fresh Vetz here on Ustream. They speak about their forthcoming album as well as their history as a group.
One of Japan's best DJs takes to the wheels of steel for about an hour of current Hip Hop, departing for his usual format of spinning the rarest of breaks. From the looks of the tracklist it's mostly a set based on the quality output of Stones Throw Records.
In addition to the mix, be sure to check out Muro's 2010 picture book "45 RPM Cover Museum". I think this is only available for ordering in one spot outside of Japan at a store called Dusty Groove. Here is their review of Muro's book by Dusty Groove:
"A totally great book for 7" collectors – especially if you dig unusual picture sleeves! The book was put together by DJ Muro – an artist we've come to love for his work on mixes and compilations, but who's also well-known for his massive record collection, too – one that's certainly informed his music, but which stands well enough on its own – as you'll see in the book! For the volume, Muro brought together rare 7" picture sleeve images – all in a full-color, 7" package that's just the size of a vintage 45 – so that flipping the pages is almost like sifting through a stack of singles. Most of the images are from rare Japanese and Asian pressings – which means that you'll see unusual covers for funk, soul, soundtrack, and other groovy music styles of the 70s and 80s. Some of the images are odd variations on the American LP covers, and others are completely unique – and together, they provide a fascinating visual document that's sure to please any collector of rare singles. Almost 250 pages, full color!"
Grab 45 RPM Cover Museum Book at Dusty Groove.com
Muro DJ set Tracklist"
Strong Arm Steady - True Chumps - Stones Throw
Raekwon - 10 Bricks - Lexington
J Dilla - Geek Down - Stones Throw
Prodigy - Baby Baby - Loud
Gangrene - Breathing Down Yo Neck feat. M.E.D. - Decon
Gangrene - Papercuts - Decon
OhNo, Roc’c & J Dilla - Move Pt 2 - Stones Throw
J Dilla - Mash - Stones Throw
The Roe-O-Tation - Special Category - Gerim
Quasimoto - Rapp Cats Pt 3 - Stones Throw
Percee P - Put It On The Line (Ox Remix) - Stones Throw
Percee P - No Time For Jokes feat. Chali2Na - Stones Throw
J Rocc - Take Me Away - Stones Throw
J Dilla - Stop - Stones Throw
M.E.D. - Flying High - Stones Throw
Monica - A Dozen Roses - J Records
House Shoes - The Making - Unknown
Mayer Hawthorne - No Strings - Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No - Stones Throw
Mayer Hawthorne - Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out - Stones Throw
Cut Chemist & Medaphoar - Blind Man From La Carnival - Stones Throw
Low Profile - Pay Ya Dues - Priority
Dam-Funk - Hood Pass Intact feat. MC Eiht - Stones Throw
M.E.D. - Where I’m From feat. Aloe Blacc - Stones Throw
J Dilla - Light My Fire - Stones Throw
J Dilla - The Diff’rence - Stones Throw
"Behind Closed Doors" Producers DVD Magazine Vol. 3, feat. J. Bizness, Rhettmatic, Houseshoes & more
Check out the trailer above which features interview snippets from Aspect One, Houseshoes, !llmind, J. Bizness, Kelakovski, Khrysis, Mr. Thig, Myke Forte, Rhettmatic, Samiyam, Suff Daddy and a look into the headquarters of Native Instruments.
This DVD is packed full of in-depth interviews, studio tours, production tips/techniques, producer insights and banging beats. Also included with the DVD is a BEAT TAPE with beats from all the producers involved, a limited 7" VINYL, exclusive Soapbox Clothing T-SHIRT, poster and stickers.
Order a copy of Behind Closed Doors Vol 3 DVD magazine here.
Download "The UnCommonly Good Common Remixes Vol.2" here
Brooklyn based producer & pianist Jason "ClassicBeatz" Minnis blesses the keys for his 4 song classical piano EP "Romantic Reflections", which will be released (digital & physical CD's) in mid December. The first single "Rachmaninoff - Prelude in C sharp minor" is a dramatic composition which displays Jason's musical abilities and shows a sharp contrast of mood from his previous project "Ntale's Groove".
"Romantic Reflections" is even more interesting once you begin to learn more about Jason Minnis the artist.You can view videos, photos and additional content at ldbk.eu/romantic.
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