M.E.R.C. & DJ A to the L – Daylight Marauders (2011)

I’m certainly not the first to post about this release, but even though I knew this was gonna be rocksolid at the very least, I wanted to take the time to let it work its magic on me.

In a nutshell, DJ A to the L and his partner MC M.E.R.C. from Talahassee, FL have gotten their wits and skills together to craft an album based on the alltime classic Tribe Called Quest record we all know and cherish. Calling it a “mixtape” really is a bit too modest, cos what they did was re-create the beats from the basics, adding a little twist here and there, while M.E.R.C. drops fresh verses over them that are playfully reminiscent of the originals, but still entirely new. In fact, M.E.R.C.’s voice is vaguely similar to Q-Tip’s, so that it’s both unsettling and the perfect fit, but he’s far from just copycatting. When I listen to M.E.R.C. I can’t help but think of how much work it must be to make it sound so effortless. He’s certainly on equal eye level with the Q, if not a bit above. On top of him, the album boasts the occasional guest-appearance on the mic of none other than A to the L himself (who kills it, if you ask me) and their local crew, some of whom can be heard on the Blazin’ 102.3 radio show Diggin in the Crates, as well, which is one of the outlets from where A to the L usually blesses his listeners with gems from “the deepest crates in the 850.” And that’s not just a gimmick line.

As you listen to this, what you can’t miss is the love and dedication these underground cats have for their art, and how fucking good they are at it. That’s what Ali Shaheed Muhammad says, too.

Have I mentioned it’s hilarious and clever in more ways than meets the ear at first? I’m pretty sure I’ll be pumping this joint for a good couple of months without getting tired of it.

I could babble on and on but I can’t spare you the listen. Go and do yourself a favour now. Thank them later.

M.E.R.C. & DJ A to the L – Daylight Marauders (2011)

 

Promoe – These Walls Don’t Lie (Video)

Amazing video, catchy-as-hell beat. And it’s a wonderful dedication to one of their fans and to all the graff writers sneaking around the block at night.

 

Front Porch Poets – For and off the Record

Hailing from Arnhem, Netherlands, this duo of Dave Redi and Mr. Ramble have put out their debut album early this year, in February, only to follow it up with a remix album this October, which features work by Henning, Jeejaa, DangarusC (Nation of E.L.Z.I.), DJ A-Z Atic, L. Reinders for Colt Chillin and many more. (Yes, I don’t know any of those names either, but the beats are wonderful nevertheless.)

Suffice it to say, both are top notch quality. Great relaxed-mood music to bob your head to.

But listen for yourselves, cause the beauty of it all is they’re offering both albums for zilch on their bandcamp site.

Happy Thanksgiving, or whatever.

For The Record (February 2010)

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Off The Record (October 2010) (Remix album)

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By the time they got to Arizona…

Surely you’ve heard about recent efforts in Arizona to make it legal for police to stop and demand documentation from pretty much anyone who looks like he should not be hanging around in the glorious US of A. In other words: Police just got a stop-and-search free card to go after anyone who looks Latino or otherwise like an illegal non-Arizonian – which is where the fun starts, right, my O’Odham and Navajo brethren?

Meanwhile, play this and keep reading…

Latin Alliance – Runnin (1991)

I mean, where do you start? With the fact that an immigrant nation such as the US should really be more aware of its own history, like how the native nations  had to get the fuck outta dodge to make room for European settlers and their hunger for space, minerals and metals?

Or the fact that in post-Columbian times, the area was claimed as a Spanish territory, then, after independence in 1810, belonged to The United States of Mexico and was then conquered/purchased from Mexico around 1850. As an individual state, Arizona only entered the federation of the United States of America in 1912 (!).

Show some sense and sensitivity, you guys. By the time Anglo Americans got to Arizona, the US were the second colonial power to move around people who seemed to not fit in with the new neighbours. Neither Navajo nor Mexicans seem to get an break in the state, it seems. Who’s taking away shit from whom, I ask.

Anyway, there’s a great debate going on about this, for instance on my man Davey D’s website, and lots of musicians like Toki Wright, Chuck D and many more are weighing in with tracks about this bill SB1070 which is only one of many measures to make Arizona whiter and more ignorant about its own past. The bill was sponsored by notorious white supremacist Russel Pearce, and it was signed into law by current governor Janice Brewer, a pro gun-carrying, anti-gay equality, anti-KidsCare Republican.

My guess is, there is more to come where this is from… Damn, I hate it when I’m right…

But let’s get to the musical bit I was gonna introduce you to here. One such track calling out anti-social legislators in Arizona is by Phil Harmonic, an Arizonian himself, and here you can listen to it or download it for free. Sounds dope.

Peace, 9@home

 

Jon Phonics – Jonathan’s Beats & Pieces and Half Past Calm 1 & 2

A bloke I’ve only just recently stumbled upon is Jon Phonics, an MC and producer from London. I just need to make sure you’re not sleeping on this one as I have for too long.

It started with a beat album he made and I found: Jonathan’s Beats & Pieces. There’s something incredibly gratifying about a beat album that is just right up my alley, and it’s all for free, too!

Jon Phonics – Jonathan’s Beats and Pieces (2009)

And as I feverishly kept searching for more, I came onto his Half Past Calm producer album which features some of Britain’s finest, mostly his fellow Londoners and YNR label mates who all put in serious work and make this album a real gem. YNR (Young and Restless) is Jehst’s own imprint, which should clear up any questions you may have. Take my word for it, YNR is stamp and seal for dopeness. If in doubt, peep the tracklist and take an earful.

1. State Of Hip Hop feat. Melanin 9 & Prophet
2. Remember feat. T- Bear, Sir Smurf Lil’ & Zulu Rebel
3. Nothing Wrong feat. Mr Drastick & Luc Skyz
4. The Lions Den feat. Cyrus Malachi
5. Black Tragedy feat. Phoenix, iVerse & Prophet
6. More Forward (Ill Rhythmikz Remix) feat. T-Bear
7. Alternate Take feat. Verb T & Fliptrix
8. Lost Planet feat. Melanin 9
9. In The Ends feat. Sir Smurf Lil’
10. Forbidden Chamber feat. 9 Planets
11. Jealousy’s A Bitch feat. Verb T & Mr. Drastick
12. Celebrate feat. T-Bear

Jon Phonics – Half Past Calm (2008)

And just now, only days ago, the man’s dropped his eagerly awaited follow-up to this beast. And for some reason I’m not even surprised to find that this is even better than the first. The beats have my head bobbing and weaving and the lyrical handicraft spread over them is top-notch verbal tapestry. (Yes, I’m officially on Jon’s sack now.) ;)

01. Intro
02. Raw Ingredients feat. Cyrus Malachi & Jehst
03. Buried Below The Ground feat. Micall Parknsun
04. Pump feat. Fliptrix, Sonnyjim, Ramson Badbonez & Verb T
05. Spirit Of The Golden Sun feat. 9 Planets
06. Phonetically Obba feat. Obba Supa & Evil Ed
07. Tug The Rope feat. Melanin 9
08. Wrong Way feat. Prophet
09. The Other Guy feat. Kosyne
10. I See You feat. Kal Sereousz
11. Dark Days feat. Fliptrix & Jam Baxter
12. Mind Over Matter feat. Verb T & Kashmere
13. Rabbit Jab feat. Masikah
14. Road Rage feat. Nasheron & Melanin 9 of Triple Darkness
15. Changes feat. T-Bear & Yasine

Jon Phonics – Half Past Calm 2 (2010)

Most of Jon’s discography can be got for free from his Bandcamp site, in case my links don’t do it for you.
And while you’re there, he has a bit more that you should probably think about buying for cheap.
Do show some support for the man.

Peace, 9@home

 

Marco Skinny & DJ Makei – Fuego Macarena (2010)

On the same site I got Juaninacka’s mixtape from, DJ Makei’s got another banger lined up. This EP he made with young Sevillan compadre Marco Skinny. To be honest, I’d never heard of him before, and going by his name I wasn’t expecting too much, but this kid is a great surprise. He rides the full breadth of Makei’s beats with the skills of a seasoned veteran. Turns out, this his 4th mixtape, so he’s not as new to the game as I thought. One mixtape I have found dates back to 2006, which is coming up soonish. And I must say, Makei is surely but slowly making it up on my favourite producer shortlist. Dude’s work is just rock-solid.

Do not be fooled by the title. This has nothing to do with annoying-ass dancy pop songs. This is just great free hip-hop from the southern tip of Spain. Enjoy.

Marco Skinny & DJ Makei – Fuego Macarena (2010)

 

Juaninacka & DJ Makei – Canciones de Ahora y Siempre (2010)

From our old friend Juaninacka, this is a free EP the man and his DJ Makei are giving away online. The 8 “Songs of now and always” are aiming at nothing less than the renewal of the scene as it is. Carefully crafted beats using real instrumentation and mind-boggling lyrics are here to raise the level and prove once again who’s been writing history in Spanish hip-hop. Check the albums under the first link above. I dare you to show me one track in Juaninacka’s catalogue that sucks. (Okay, some links are down, and out of fairness to Juaninacka, I’ll leave them down.) But best of all, this is free. You’d be a fool to pass this up. ;)

Juaninacka & DJ Makei – Canciones de Ahora y Siempre (2010)

 

Spelling “prolificacy”* with Gangstarr: Rarities A-Z

Re-post, you know why. Keith Elam is no more. Probably the one death in hip-hop that shocked me the most. I didn’t give two shits about Tupac, and Biggie had it coming, too. Then again the murder of Jam Master Jay was a real tragedy, without a doubt. Now the Guru was supposed to grow old and grey, wasn’t he? Rest in peace.

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Keith Elam and Christopher Martin are among the rare cats that have had a career in hip-hop that spans more than 20 years. Most people fall off at some point, but these keep going. From the beginnings when they were the flagship for jazz-rap to the dirty, choppy, “classic” New York sound of the Nineties and Noughties that has been coined in great part by Premier himself, it’s pretty safe to say that this duo has left its mark on hip-hop music. DJ Premier’s magic beat formula has helped countless MCs to have their instant classic singles while Guru has guest-starred on tracks and connected with people around the whole world. Guru and Premier are the embodiment of NY City hip-hop, even though neither of them was born there, Primo being from Houston and Guru from Boston. Together, they’ve brought the Big Apple sound and style to every head on the globe.

This is a compilation (a bootleg, I guess) of the tracks they’ve done outside their Gangstarr releases, i.e. either Premier production/remixes or Guru guest spots as either an MC or a producer himself.

All in all, there are no less than 476 tracks, or 2.5 GBs that come in servings of about album-size, lettered from A to Z. The tracks themselves are in no particular order, but if you want to know what’s there to have, peep the tracklist here.

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Gangstarr – Rarities A-Z (each letter = one archive!)

A – B – C – D – E – F – G1 – G2 – H – I – J – K – L – M

N – O – P1 – P2 – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z

Peep my Mediafire folder for about half of these…

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Enjoy and have a nice summer.

Peace,

9@home

P.S.:

*pro·lif·ic (pr-lfk)

adj.

1. Producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile.

2. Producing abundant works or results: a prolific artist. See Synonyms at fertile.

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[French prolifique, from Medieval Latin prlificus : Latin prls, prl-, offspring; see al-² in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficus, -fic.]

---

pro·lifi·ca·cy (--k-s), pro·lific·ness (-k-ns) n.

pro·lifi·cal·ly adv.

 

QN5 Music – Baby Blue For Pink (2008)

Released for Valentine’s Day 2008, this is a quick EP from my favourite peoples, the kids over at QN5. Dope and a good laugh. Nuff said.

1. PackFM – “Plucking Daisies” [Prod by Deacon The Villain]
2. Session – “The Letter” [Prod By Tonedeff]
3. Cashmere The Pro – “Know I Do (RMX)” [Prod By Kno]
4. Substantial – “R Love Songs Gay?” [Prod By Tonedeff]
5. Mr. SOS – “Digital Video (f/ CunninLynguists & SunnyStylez)” – [Prod By Deacon The Villain]
6. Tonedeff – “Close” [Prod By Domingo]

QN5 Music – Baby Blue For Pink [EP]

 

Park-Like Setting – Craftsmen (2005)

John Smith, mcenroe and Yy, all from the beautiful provice of Manitoba, Canada. While being independently active within the Peanuts & Corn collective, they’ve also put out two albums as Park-Like Setting. Do not be fooled by whatever you think you know or don’t know about Manitoba, this album is a great listen. Some nice relaxed tongue in cheek lyrics and fresh production by the work-animal mcenroe who produces for damn nearly everyone on his label, besides rapping, artwork and whatnot.

1 Wax On, Wax Off
2 Cut Once ft. Pip Skid
3 Craftsmen
4 DFA
5 Short Pants Long Sleeves
6 Overrated
7 Eight Bars Each ft. Birdapres, Cadence Weapon, Evil, Gruf, Pip Skid, Satchill Paige
8 By My Lonesome
9 Bush League Psych-outs
10 Barbie Doll Eyes
11 The Five Year Plan
12 Church Of The Poisoned Mind
13 The Boss Of Me
14 Our Turn (Scratches by Hunnicutt)
15 Small Market Team

Park-Like Setting – Craftsmen (2005)

(including a compilation from their label entitled “Tape Hiss” as a free throw-in from me)

Park-Like Setting label site

Peace, 9@home