Up-and-coming producer Medison delivers a respectably well-produced slice of downtempo hip-hop melancholia here that turns on an attractive acoustic guitar riff/ helium vocal hook and features a slightly ridiculous tale of love courtesy of emcee Skrein. It would seem that poor miserable skater boy Harry never really gets it on with the ladies but finally falls head over heels with the gorgeous Misha. Who he then finds out (would you Adam and Eve it?) is an ‘erotic dancer’. Does Harry a) promptly shout, “Waheyyy! Guess what boys?” b) dump the bitch ‘cuz he ain’t getting’ wit no slag’ or c) acknowledge that his missus might be doing this as a consequence of an abusive upbringing/ low self-esteem and respond sensitively? Does he fuck. The correct answer is d) he dumps her and then hangs himself in a ridiculous slough of unjustified self-pity. Tosser. The original rocks as does the acoustic remix by none other than Plan B and there’s also one of them noisy dubstep rerubs from Bare Noize and a dnb rerub from Ruckspin. Oh and a special bonus track in a similar vein only this one seems to be about two losers rather than one. Vid. of the Plan B mix below links, press guff below that… Medison - Myspace Skrein - Myspace Dented Records - Myspace
(PRESS RELEASE) One of the hottest artists on the underground circuit, Medison has been turning heads left, right and centre recently with his incredible production.
Medison has been racking up collaboration after collaboration working with some of UK’s finest MCs, singers, songwriters and musicians, continually crossing boundaries between different backgrounds of music with his own unique style. This fresh talent has featured productions on albums alongside the likes of Jehst, Chemo, Fliptrix, Kashmere and more and that experience shines through on 'Harry', a warm and bouncy track that won't fail to move some feet.
Having recently signed to the almighty Foreign Beggars' Dented Records, Medison now turns out an intensely emotional debut with 'Harry' featuring rapper Skrein.
Bare Noize turn in a disgusting dubstep rework that's as filthy as a mud pie with ebola ice cream on the side. Ruckspin throws the tempo to 174bpm and offers some D&B stylings. And finally, rounding off the package, is Plan B who turns 'Harry' on his head with an acoustic rework that'd be just as happy on the radio as it would on your iPod.
'Harry' EP Tracklist + Download Link
01. Medison ft. Skrein 'Harry'
02. Medison ft. Skrein & Verb T 'The Thrill Is Gone'
03. Medison ft. Skrein 'Harry' (Bare Noize Remix)
04. Medison ft. Skrein 'Harry' (Ruckspin Remix)
05. Medison ft. Skrein 'Harry' (Plan B Acoustic Remix)
Nineteen Ninety Now finds Army Of The Pharaohs cohort Celph-Titled spitting contemporary verse over some slept-on ‘90s beats from D.I.T.C. producer Buckwild. Hence the name. Get it? It’s no news that much of what passes for hip-hop these days is far from great, so going forward to the past is certainly one solution. The question will be whether this resurrects nineties glory or nineties folly and with only a backpack’s width to play with there’s little margin forever. These two should give you some flavour however: Listen to Styles Ain’t Raw HERE
and Listen to Step Correctly HERE (scroll below pic) (courtesy of onsmash.com)
Press guff below.
(PRESS RELEASE) CELPH TITLED & BUCKWILD TRANSPORT YOU TO NINETEEN NINETY NOW
Nineteen Ninety Now Features Appearances From Treach, Vinnie Paz, Apathy, Diamond D, Sadat X, Grand Puba, Chino XL, Esoteric, A.G, R.A. The Rugged Man & O.C
Its finally here and a hip-hop renaissance is about to begin showing that the lessons from the past can be combined with the innovations of the present, as Celph Titled and Buckwild have joined forces to create a neo-classic with Nineteen Ninety Now; bringing the art form full-circle through this groundbreaking collaboration. By having uninhibited access to legendary producer Buckwild’s original mid-90’s production, Celph Titled was able to select and record to over 16 unreleased bangers; bringing his charismatic flow and lyrical prowess to each one.
Nineteen Ninety Now is more than a collaboration of great minds with impeccable taste; it’s also the long awaited debut album from Celph Titled, who already has gained a huge underground following as a core member of Jedi Mind Tricks' Army of the Pharaohs crew, his own trademark Demigodz releases and his involvement in Mike Shinoda’s Fort Minor project. While Celph is a producer in his own right, the chance to work with Buckwild and actually have the opportunity to capture the lost sound of the 90’s by utilizing vintage tracks from Buckwild’s vault that have never been heard before was a no-brainer---and here’s why. Multi-platinum producer Buckwild from the legendary Diggin’ In The Crates crew (D.I.T.C.) has produced countless classics over the last two decades for artists ranging from Artifacts, 50 Cent, Big L, Brand Nubian, CNN, Faith Evans, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Diddy, The Game, Redman, Shyne, Swizz Beatz, Big Pun and Jay-Z. To boot, he’s also the producer behind indelible classics from Notorious B.I.G (“I Got A Story To Tell”), Black Rob (“Whoa”), O.C. (“Times Up”) and Organized Konfusion (“Stress”).
Revisiting the classic SP-1200 and Akai-S950 sound that reigned supreme in Hip-Hop’s “Golden Era,” the beats on Nineteen Ninety Now were originally produced by Buckwild between the years of 1994-1995--but never recorded to. Buckwild fondly recalls what it was like to dig back into those crates “although I've stayed ahead of the times as a producer, it was a lot of fun to load up these old disks. Joints I forgot I even had, stuff I haven't heard in 15-years. It was definitely a welcomed experiment that turned out amazing. Further, he comments on the concept he and Celph embarked on and its possibilities in the future “essentially this is a concept album that’s a first of its kind. I wanted to be able to resurrect a 90's sound that once was and combine it with 2010 rhymes. I consider this album to be monumental because it could literally not only change the game, but change the way people feel. Dudes complain about the game but they ain't doing anything. Nobody has done this concept before us. I wouldn't be surprised if this creates a demand for other MC's and producers who were around in the 90's to get together and dig through shoeboxes of floppy disks to feed the fans more of the lost sound they still crave for and I'm all for it.”
While Celph has enjoyed success with his Demigodz crew and all of his endeavors, it may surprise some that Nineteen Ninety Now is his true debut and the importance of this project was not lost on him, as he laments on how meticulous the recording process was for this project “We took three-years to construct this album. This is the project I've always wanted to do. To have my debut solo-album produced entirely by a legend like Buckwild can't be topped in my mind. My first album is always going to be looked at as a masterpiece to all my fans.”
Celph also comments on why harkening back into this very specific time period of Hip-Hop is moving forward and not backward “It's actually refreshing to hear authentic beats produced in the 90's finally unveiled. It reminds you of all the dope production methods and sounds that are no longer used today. Nineteen Ninety Now takes you right back to that feeling--even if it's just for one album.”
Celph Titled and Buckwild will release Nineteen Ninety Now on 10-26-2010 on No Sleep Recordings.
Celph Titled & Buckwild - Nineteen Ninety Now LP – tracklist
1.) The Deal Maker
2.) Out To Lunch f/Treach of Naughty By Nature
3.) Eraserheads f/Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks
4.) F*ckmaster Sex
5.) Swashbuckling f/Apathy, Ryu & Esoteric
6.) I Could Write A Rhyme
7.) Hardcore Data
8.) Mad Ammo f/F.T. & R.A. The Rugged Man
9.) Tingin'
10.) There Will Be Blood f/Sadat X, Grand Puba, A.G., O.C. & Diamond D
11.) Miss Those Days
12.) Step Correctly
13.) Wack Juice
14.) Styles Ain't Raw f/Apathy & Chino XL
15.) Where I Are
16.) Time Travels On f/Majik Most & Dutchmassive
I hate scat and when I say ‘scat’ I refer to the jazz style of singing and not those coprophagic pornos that that bloke at school who smelt of jizz used to go on about. Come to think of it - I ain’t even too keen on jazz - so I was surprised (and I can’t believe I’m going to say this) to find myself appreciating a track containing both jazz and scat. That and the fact that it contains a driving breakbeat and successively raises it’s game every couple of bars with a different kind of brassy flourish. I shouldn’t have been too surprised though, really, given the classy elegance of the previous Renegades’ drop compared to which this is, if anything, even better. Once again Wass label boss Smoove displays his flair for picking a winner. If he carries on like this I might have to call him Berry Geordie.
Yep it’s more Philly-funk-from-flicks-that-never-flew time. Those with previous experience of the band will know it’s always 1971 in Big Pimp Jones’ house though that doesn’t stop them trying to prove it. Close your eyes while listening to this and you’ll be whisked into the arms of a couple of dusky beauties clad in little more than skimpy bikinis, who tote sunlight-blocking afros and pump-action shotguns while dudes with names like Shuggy and Bumpy try and shoot your bitch ass because of that crap you pulled last week in Harlem. Horns, breaks, wah-wah…shit son - you know the drill - listen HERE. Press guff below links. bigpimpjones.com Big Pimp Jones - Myspace
(PRESS RELEASE) "After this fight, you're gonna call me Master Grant. Cuz I'll grant you life or death after whippin that ass" (Jimmy Ruckus)
What happens when you make a sequel to a movie that no one knows about? In the case of Jimmy Ruckus in the Five Fingers of Death, you end up with an overseas. smash !. The sequel of the film that nobody knew experienced a wide theatrical release. In Singapore, according to box office statistics, it was the number 8 movie in terms of gross in 1978 and resulted in a mild cultural phenomenon and catch phrase "I no want you tink I bad girl".
This rediscovered sequel, Jimmy Ruckus And The Five Fingers of Death, is a curious cinematic effort features over 20 beheadings; naked female assassins using poison lip balm; a chase scene involving a monarail, a harpoon and six bison; and one of the most bizarre sex scenes ever committed to film.
This slamming 45 is a teaser to wet the appetites of those discerning records buyers who flipped, slipped and fell in love with the preceding super rare blaxploitation soundtrack: Bad Bad Jimmy Ruckus.
The A side Hanging With Roscoe presents us with skuzzy drums, finger blistering bass lines and chicken shed saxophone, which is lucky as the vocals inform us that Roscoe makes the best fried chicken and if anyone knows his chicken its Big Pimp Jones! The B side is the pudding in this 2 part food theme funk-out Jump Up, Turnaround Popcorn is a sweet finish to this delicious meal!
He might be an emcee from Florida but he’s no Flo Rida. Yep, Protoman’s on a Ugly Duckling/ Foreign Legion tip again with Crazy - essentially a big fat bassline, a nicely uncluttered breakbeat and our hero sensitively exploring the fine line between love and out-and-out psychosis. We've all been there. Cop it below:
PROTOMAN - Crazy (Listen/ Download - via Usershare) PROTOMAN - Crazy (Download via Mediafire)
(PRESS RELEASE) Protoman calls upon the assistance of Miami based producer E.R. from the group The Vagabonds. The song is called "Crazy" and according to E.R., the track is "based on an inside look of a man who's been driven wild by a woman". The production on the track is very upbeat and up-tempo. Very funky and very different from most of the stuff Protoman has jumped on recently. E.R. is definitely setting himself up to be a producer to watch for. The crisply drums mixed with a driving bass and a set of horn samples with incredible personality. As far as the track, well, Protoman definitely goes in. Protoman's politically incorrect attitude and his "I don't give a f*ck" flow - definitely is refreshing to hear. Whatever you can imagine the perfect love song that ever existed sounds like...well, this is pretty much the complete opposite of that. And for this specific instance, it works. Its like a love story gone wrong. Terribly wrong.
Rapper/ producer Evidence of Dilated Peoples has been keeping himself busy recently by signing up to Rhymesayers for his forthcoming solo LP Cats & Dogs, and you can cop the – er – evidence of his hard work in the shape of the video for his first single To Be Continued below. Mind you, I say ‘hard work’, but the man appears to have interpreted this as ‘recite one of my rhymes whilst spending the day on a rollercoaster. Let’s hope his album has more ups than downs eh? Evidence - Myspace rhymesayers.com
Austria’s Resense label ought to be renamed ‘See sense’ for this one which, as far as the monkey is aware, is a long overdue second vinyl release for the criminally under-exposed Andy Taylor - Smoove’s Wack label having been the first to see the light earlier this year. A monkeyboxing favourite for mad long – Bank Of Panama is a b-boy-friendly slice of pumped-up boogaloo breaks that will have dancefloors rammed. And you can take that to the…er…bank.
Having diagnosed a distinct drop in the amount of decent new funk (and that’s ‘new’ funk not nufunk) in your ears this year, Sister Henry & The Prescriptions offer up some aural medicine in the form of this three tracker. Funky mod-style rnb on a sixties tip, Sister Henry sings it like she’s Dusty, and the band keep up admirably. He’s So Fine is the is the swinging-mod dancefloor one, One Monkey Don’t Stop The Show is the slightly slower smoocher but what you really want it for is My Good Lovin’ which kicks a dirty little rhythm and some brass that recalls Primal Scream’s Loaded, funnily enough. Full marks for tunes then but if I was being a picky bastard (and it has been known), this really needed a kick up the bass. Remix please!
Another funk/ soul outfit from Australia, but unusually not from Melbourne. Adelaide's The Transatlantics have backed Marva Whitney, shared a stage with Eddie Bo, and been described by the NME as, “a young, white Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.” Mighty associations and an equally mighty quote – though that last is a bit of a double-edged sword since the ‘new music’ that the NME champions is rarely other than white and indie and the Dap Kings are probably the only contemporary soul/ funk band they’ve ever heard of. Production is crystal on this debut LP but it's more your jazzy-tinged JB's-ness than your soul/blues flecked Eddie Bo style grit. In fact, actually, I've found more dirt in one of those sealed wipes you get at the end of a meal in a really good curry house. (Out 11 October 2010)
(PRESS RELEASE) Adelaide´s The Transatlantics came together in 2007 born of a shared love for gritty old vinyl, cheap guitars and quality barbequed meats. Described by NME as "a young, white Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings" The Transatlantic´s sound invokes the grainy warmth of southern American Soul and the rhythmic grunt of classic James Brown-era funk. Led by the commanding vocal presence of Tara Lynch and comprising three horns, two guitars, bass and drums, this eight-piece band has gained a well deserved reputation for their high-energy live shows, working hard on stage to create the unrelenting, deep groove so central to the soul tradition.
Following a huge 2009 which saw performances at Falls Festival, Big Day Out and Playground Weekender Festival, 2010 sees the release of The Transatlantic´s self-titled debut album on Freestyle Records. Entirely self-produced, the album showcases the many influences that have shaped the development of the band so far: from the Al Green inspired flavour of the lead single "Couldn´t Be Him" and the tortured soul reminiscent of early Aretha heard on the ballad "That´s When I Feel So Lonely" to the raw deep-funk of "Turn You Loose" and the fiery up-tempo cover of Marva Whitney´s hit "Things Gotta Get Better"
Mixed and tracked entirely from analogue tape, this debut effort by The Transatlantics displays the attention to stylistic detail and intelligent songwriting that the band strives for. In their short lifetime, The Transatlantics have shared the stage with New Orleans funk legend Eddie Bo, as well as being chosen as the band to back Soul Sister no.1 Marva Whitney on her 09/10 Australian Tour. Never a band to turn down an opportunity to turn it up live, The Transatlantics have also played support to the likes of Fred Wesley, Menahan Street Band, Roy Ayers and The Bamboos.
The Transatlantics – The Transatlantics - tracklist
1. Tea Legs
2. Couldn’t Be Him
3. I’ve Been Bad
4. Thumbin’ It
5. That’s When I Feel So Lonely
6. On Fire
7. Turn You Loose
8. Talk Like That
9. Save Me
10. Your Time Is Up
11. Keep On Running
Anyone who has heard what is probably The Apples’ best-known track (i.e. their instrumental cover of Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name) will know what to expect from this – namely scratchy, jazz-inflected breaknology. This time around the ‘four-turntables and no microphones (but lots of instruments!)’ crew hook up with former James Brown cohort, Fred Wesley and Israeli world music kingpin, Shlomo Bar, on new LP Kings due next month.
(Out 13 September 2010 on Freestyle)
(PRESS RELEASE) THE APPLES present: ‘KINGS’. The brand new release from the nine piece instrumental Juggernaut. This quite stunning collaborative album is available on CD, vinyl LP and as a digital download
In a musical first for the band, they wrote, arranged and recorded music with specific collaborators in mind. They held sessions with two of their heroes; a congregation with two musical and spiritual father figures from opposite ends of The Apples rich spectrum: Fred Wesley - Pioneer of funk trombone in particular and funk horn arranging in general with James Brown, The JBs, Parliament/Funkadelic and The Horny Horns. SHLOMO BAR - Vocalist, Percussionist, Godfather of Israeli world music. Figurehead of the highly influential, ethno-fusion ensemble HaBrera HaTeevit.
The exciting process of these recordings exposed the band's many roots and influences; elements of The JB's funky foundations, African, Cut & Paste, Soul, Middle Eastern, and Dub are all clearly displayed on KINGS, strained through the band's unique Decks-Horns-Soundboard Effects-Double Bass-Drums lineup.
This release signifies the next step in The Apples ever thickening groove stew, and the boys are intent on pushing it further and this summer will once again take to festival and club stages for another string of their relentless live sets filled with runaway grooves, countless twists and turns, dizzying transitions, spontaneous arrangements, the occasional reworking of early 90's alt-rock fist shakers, and the basic jump-up-and-down crazyness for which The Apples are known stages, dancefloors, sound systems, playlists, films, televisions, cars and ears worldwide.
As the conspiracy continues, watch this space….. and bring a change of clothes!
The Apples present Kings - tracklist
1. Howlin' with Fred
2. In the Air
3. All Right All Right
4. Kings
5. Batash (Alwoojdi)
6. Ani, Ata veHoo
7. Walking to the Palace
8. Banana Jam
