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Okayplayer News 7.31.07 31 Jul 2007

Wasn't there a "dookie monster" in that movie Dogma? I feel like dookie, yo! I dunno what's wrong, but it doesn't matter, 'cause being sick in the Summertime sucks ! Illness just feels wrong when it's hot outside. And that wrongness is exacerbated by sitting in a humid room, hunched over a computer with an unknown ailment that feels like a tiny monster's taken-up residence inside you and is gnawing on the important stuff that helps you live as you attempt to wax enthusiastic about records. You could get lucky though, and one of those records might have the word "monster" in the title. That'd be one helluva segue! Oh look, that's exactly what happened! Score! Hopefully you've noticed Monster Maker, the new "cross-genre-fusion" album teaming Bronx-born emcee C-Rayz Walz with Washington D.C.-based DJ/producer Sharkey, in our "Now Here This" section. But I've been looking forward to it all year, so I can't resist talking it up too! I've been a C-Rayz fan since he stole the show on Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein and Aesop Rock's Labor Days. I wasn't as crazy about Sharkey's production album, but it showed he had talent and good ideas. Just how good didn't become apparent until I heard the Monster Maker song "My Way," a stomping Indie-meets-Electro-meets-Hip-Hop jam. A Curtis Mayfield-esque number called "This Ol' Twisted World" only served to seal the deal. Even though these tunes are something of a departure for Walz, other cuts (notably "The Moment Before Crazy" featuring Vast Aire, and "Slim Chances") could've easily come from his previous LPs, and the album as a whole works surprisingly well as a C-Rayz record, despite it's experimentalism. In fact, it may be his most focused project to-date thanks to Sharkey's RJD2-meets-Doc (of Esthero and Res fame) beats, and a concept holding it all together. I just mentioned it yesterday, and coincidentally, Don't Give Up, the collaboration between Chicago's Serengeti and Polyphonic, is also a non-traditional sort-of Hip-Hop album that finds Geti stretching-out over Poly's experimental beats and crooning on a number of cuts. In the past I've compared Serengeti to MF Doom, so I guess the largely electronic soundscapes of Don't Give Up would make it his "Viktor Vaughn." Truthfully though, it sounds more like his "Postal Service." And I'm sure the similarity between titles (theirs was called Give Up) isn't a coincidence. So I guess he's actually Ben Gibbard, not Doom. Regardless, the music is beautiful. Geti's always been charming, but his off-kilter singing adds to that exponentially. And Polyphonic's array of sonic textures, including Detroit Techno on "Waste of Time," Downtempo Hip-Hop & Drum-N-Bass on "Puppydog Love," Electro-Bossa-Nova on "Slew of Things Differently," pseudo-Dustep on "Eleven", and glitchy Lap-Pop elsewhere, is rapturous. Don't Give Up is another "monster" record from the prolific Serengeti, and is already one of my favorite discs of the year. If you liked Gnarls Barkley and that Grand Analog record I featured last week, peep Monster Maker. And if you liked Polyphonic's Juba Dance joint, Postal Service, Fat Jon and Styrofoam's The Same Channel, or Vik Vaughn check for Don't Give Up. Listening to both actually made me feel a little less "dookified." -El Keter

"Rappers I Know" 31 Jul 2007

Median and his Relief Median, the sleeper favourite from North Carolina's Justus League, is preparing to drop his first solo album, Median's Relief on 9/25 with Halftooth Records. What does he have to hold us down til that fateful September day? Halftooth Records presents Median's Relief In The Making mixed by DJ Low Key and hosted by 9th Wonder. Produced by 9th Wonder, Nicolay, Khrysis, Von Pea, Forty, M-Phazes & Marshall Law -FWMJ

Okayplayer News 7.30.07 30 Jul 2007

NYC Rock The Bells Re-Cap, Common In Stores Tomorrow, Kweli and Mos Celebrate 10 years of Black August Festival. the bells are still ringing • New York had its bells rocked this past weekend. As expected, those who were there have their favorite parts as well as their not so favorite. At the end of the day, a line up such as the one Rock The Bells brings together is truly incredible. Being fortunate enough to go behind the scenes, the sense of camaraderie between the artists was a definite highlight. One thing I'd like to add is that even after all these years (no disrespect) Chuck D is a beast on the stage!! Dude was tearing it up along side the S1W. And of course Flava Flav has transformed his career from the greatest hype man of all time to media darling. Who would have ever guessed? Those interested in official recap and commentary can read Adrian's review of Saturday's show for Okayplayer as well as the review in this New York Times. • In addition to rocking the hell out of the bells, Talib Kweli and Mos Def have been tapped for their 10th headlining appearance at the 10th Annual Black August Festival, which takes place August 26 at the Nokia Theatre in New York. Now that's tradition! • Immediately following RTB, The Roots headed up to Toronto for the Rogers Picnic fest. Unfortunately, inclement weather prevented ?uesto and Kamal from getting out of the airport. De La and Lupe helped fill the void. • Forever is here! We're the only place where you can get the exclusive best of Common Time Travelin' mixtape FREE with the first 500 orders. Get yours!. • Also in stores tomorrow, the Dilated Peoples documentary film and 7 song CD The Release Party. We can't begin to tell you how well done this project is. Again, if you appreciate stories of artists who started in the basement and ended up on stages like Rock The Bells, you will want to check this. Included on the DVD is a live performance, bonus footage, and all DP's music videos. Check blog entry #6 on SOHH describing the making of the "Worst Comes To Worst" video, as introduced by DJ Babu. Check back tomorrow for a clip introduced by The Alchemist. • New in the Okayplayer store, gear for the kids/tots. More babies!

Blogarhythms 30 Jul 2007

Recap-a-rhythms I've covered so many records by so many artists since I started Blogarhythms, I figured it was high time to recap previous features and provide an update or two. • Kevin Barnes is working on Of Montreal's ninth album, tentatively titled Skeltal Lamping, which he claims will be "one long piece with hundreds of movements" composed of "a bunch of 30-to-50-second sections." The band's also back on tour across the US from September through November. Their newest video is "Suffer for Fashion." • Definitive Jux head-honcho El-P contributes vocals and production to label-mate Aesop Rock's newest LP None Shall Pass. • New York's LCD Soundsystem will hit stages alongside Arcade Fire in September and October. • Chicago emcee Serengeti, and beatmaker Polyphonic of Juba Dance, just released a collaborative effort titled Don't Give Up on Audio8 Records. I'll be offering a more in-depth look shortly. • DJ/producer Mark Ronson's covers LP Version saw stateside release earlier this month. If you haven't copped, now's the time. So far he's released two videos (#1, #2) for "Stop Me" featuring Daniel Merriweather, and a clip for "Oh My God" featuring a (Fafi-designed) animated Lily Allen. • Detroit producer Waajeed's two-disc The War LP, featuring contributions from Jay Dee, Tiombe Lockhart, Ta'Raach, and Invincible hit stores this month. • Pennsylvania's Black Moth Super Rainbow will head out on tour across North America supporting Aesop Rock from October through November. • London's Hot Chip reportedly have as many as 20 songs written, and a number recorded, for their third full-length, tentatively titled Shot Down in Flames. A couple tracks have popped up on MySpace, and all signs indicate that the band intended to release the record this year. Their label on the other hand probably won't be ready to roll that soon. • L.A.-based emcee Blu finally drops his debut LP Below the Heavens on August 14th! It's available as a digital download on iTunes now! • Canadian Electro-Funk duo Chromeo's long-awaited sophomore LP Fancy Footwork hit stores in the states last month. They just premiered a video clip for the single "Tenderoni" the other day. • The debut LP †, by French Daft Punk-a-likes Justice finally hit our shores earlier this month. Believe it or not, I actually saw the "D.A.N.C.E." video on TRL! • I've heard through the grapevine that The Yes Yes Y'alls have been hanging out with "famous people" and making "industry contacts." Since there's vague rumblings I just wanted to say that somebody needs to put some money and promotional muscle behind these guys! • Brooklyn-based Nuclear Family continues to "blow up," with The Boys and Girls Club's A Simple Night of Dancing EP out now, Iller Than Theirs' self-titled debut scheduled for September 25th, and Junk Science's sophomore effort Gran'dad's Nerve Tonic due in October. • The new Architecture in Helsinki album Places Like This won't arrive in stores until August 21st. They've just released their second video from the project, a clip for the tune "Hold Music." • Dan Snaith's Caribou drops it's new record Andorra on August 21st as well. He also just released a new video for the first single "Melody Day." -El Keter

Okayplayer News 7.27.07 27 Jul 2007

Interview w/ Little Brother, Time Travelin' Tracklist, New Videos featuring Kweli - Hezekia & Bilal, NYC RTB. • From our good peoples at SOHH, an exclusive interview with Little Brother "Get Back" Minus One. • We did it again! DJ Soul worked day and night between his many gigs to deliver the second installment of our mixtape series. Following the Assorted Donuts tribute to J. Dilla, Soul and Okayplayer bring you Time Travelin'. Pre-Order Common's Finding Forever today and get the "Time Travelin'" mixtape FREE. • LA: Hear the sounds of DJ Soul tonight at the Nike Party and Sunday at DJ AM's club LAX. What, you thought he just did mixtapes? • VIDEO: Strong Arm Steady f/Talib Kweli "One Step" taken from their forthcoming debut LP, Deep Hearted, coming out on Nature Sounds Records this August 28th. [click here] • VIDEO: Hezekiah's "Looking Up" f/Bilal off Hez's sophomore LP, I Predict A Riot, being released by Rawkus/Soulspazm Records on September 18th. [click here] • Doing more than 100 shows a year, Z-Trip is one of this generations biggest DJs. His latest release, All-Pro, is 13 original tracks feat. Slug, Rakim, dead prez, Chali 2na, w/ rockers Deftones, Chevelle, & Rush. Preview it in it's entirety on his MySpace page. On tour now along side Gift of Gab and Aceyalone. • Also on tour now, our boy Aesop Rock • See you at Rock The Bells this weekend! Come see us at our Okayplayer booth. Then hit up DJ ?uestlove at the Hiro ballroom for Okayplayer's official after party.

Blogarhythms 27 Jul 2007

Records at Random Vol. 19 - Puzzle Puzzle Let's say you buy a crate of records from some jerk for $3. He doesn't care what's in the crate, he just wants them gone. When you pick the crate up he tries telling you "you can only take the records in the crate, not the crate itself." You tell him his sign said the "crate of records" was $3, and he can't expect you to haul them away without something to carry them in. He relents. You walk away with your prize. You head to your beatmaking homie's house to let him hear your new finds. Rather than lug the entire crate up the six flights of stairs to his apartment you flip through it, picking out anything that looks promising. One of your picks is an album on Motown by a group called Puzzle. The font on the cover looks sort-of '80s, so you're not sure what you're getting into. Then you notice the guys in the picture on the back are all a bunch of Caucasoids. "Put that Puzzle joint on" your boy says. "Hmmm, I wonder what this is gonna sound like" you think. Cuts like "Brand New World," "On With the Show," "Never Gonna Leave Again," "Lady," and "You Make Me Happy" present Puzzle as a Jazz-Rock band. But as you get into the album you note that between honey-dipped blue-eyed-Soul harmonies, grandiose horn-arrangements and poppy Rock-meets-Jazz jamming, they delve into Axelrod-esque Fusion, spacey New-Age-Jazz a-la Weather Report, Classical-sounding chamber-orchestra arrangements, and even some Proggy-sounding stuff, on tunes like "The Grosso" and "Suite Delirium." "What the hell is this..." you ask yourself. Sadly you never find out anything about the band beyond the music committed to wax, the photo on the back cover, and what you read on a website indicating their early singles were released on the Rare Earth sub-label, not Motown proper. A number of years later you make a beat out of one of the album tracks, send it to another one of your "rappy-rap" friends over the internet, and he records an emotionally-revealing tune about his family to it. Then you stay up late one night and knock out a disjointed 500-some-odd-word essay about the record for people to read over the internets. Unfortunately, that's where your story ends. Thankfully, there's a little more worth saying about the music. Though I still don't know much about the band, and the internet is sorely lacking in information, as far as I can tell they never had a major hit. But if they did, I'm sure it would've been the bouncy "Don't Know Where I'm Gonna Be Today," which chugs along at a refreshingly brisk pace, aided by an unadulteratedly optimistic vocal, feel-good lyrics imbued with a lackadaisical, care-free attitude, polished horns, and a rollicking hand-clap-inflected beat. Though the song is very-much within the framework of Chicago and Three Dog Night, the drums, which feature a prominent tambourine, give it a Motown flavor, and I can't help but think it'd make a good candidate for an Amy Winehouse-style revamp. Maybe some day you'll get to write a post-script saying "and then, some new-school Soul-singing mofo did a cover, just like I'd suggested?" -El Keter

"Rappers I Know" 27 Jul 2007

Starchy Arch, Little Brother, The Foundation Today from Rappers I Know, we got my boy Starchy Arch and his most recent collab with The ARE "Alright", which you can also hear on that new Cornerstone Mixtape mixed by Houston's premier DJ crew, the m*thaf*ckin' Almighty Kracker Nuttz. Starchy Arch "Alright" 8.9 MB MP3 Audio Little Brother is on 'bout ready to drop The Getback on September 25th (same day as Median's Relief, I think Young H dubbed it Justus League Day). I can't be the only one excited about the Weezy F. Baby feature (hello backpackers!). I heard my boy DJ Cozmos landed a track on the album (!!!) but I guess we'll see when the album drops (or I get the liner notes from Tay...hi Tay!). Caught Robert Glasper and Chris "Daddy" Dave at the Village Vanguard last night. They'll be there playing twice a night until Sunday, so make sure to swing by if you're in NYC. Anyway, got a copy of The Foundation's new album Behind The Music which'll be out on Rawkus 50 soon, and shucks— I'm geeked. You can check a new track off the record on the Rappers I Know myspace page. I need to get started on the artwork for this already... - FWMJ

Okayplayer News 7.26.07 26 Jul 2007

Common Pre-Order, ?uesto raps with Giles Peterson, Jazzy Jeff audio interview, NYC Rock the Bells and After Party. • Pre-Order Common's Finding Forever today and get DJ Soul's "Time Travelin'" mixtape FREE. • During The Roots whirlwind European tour, ?uestlove found time to swing by the BBC Radio 1 studios and talk to Giles Peterson. Listen to the interview where ?uesto talks music, politics, and... The Dixie Chicks? • Another audio interview treat, this time with Jazzy Jeff. Since the 45 minute interview ended up being too long for print, we get the mp3s and the actual audio. Listen up as Jeff dishes on Will, Philly, New York rappers, Jive, Hollywood, Skillz, his favorite DJ, Serato, and more. • Fresh off the road, Roots guitarist Capn' Kirk made a celebrity appearance last night in Brooklyn. I ran into him at a Burnt Sugar concert, his old band, where he sat in, one of five guitars, and TORE it up (of course). • NYC, after you watch The Roots perform this Saturday at Rock the Bells, and after you make sure to stop by the Okayplayer booth, you'll be just about ready for the after party. Good thing we think ahead. DJ ?uestlove at the Hiro ballroom, nuf said? That's right, eff a high school reunion, this will be WAY more fun. • DJ Babu demonstrates using the turntable as an instrument in Dilated's 4th SOHH video and text blog. -gingerlynn

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