[Album Stream + EPK] MASTA ACE - "The Falling Season"

I am just as aware as you the lack of updates on The Lost Tapes the last six months or so, a place that once bragged about its daily updates and exclusive contents and again sorry about that. I hope some of you ocassionally check out what's happening here, because although I don't really have time for this blog at the moment (and to be honest the large amount of watered down music, even from the legends these days, have made me somewhat uninterested in any new hip-hop compared to just a couple of years ago). With that said I still will want to highlight some new releases that I feel are worthy of our time as well as the ocassional compilation and so on. So if you're still here, trusted reader, peace be upon you, and if not.. Well, so be it.

The first album that I want to talk to you about is Masta Ace's "The Falling Season" which dropped a week or so ago by now but as it has been a suprisingly low-key record as far as promotion goes I figure some heads might still have missed out on it. Ace used to be one of my favorite artists in this game for a long time, releasing some incredible album gems that I would argue are, if not masterpieces, then at least close to that classic status. I am of course talking about the two Masta Ace INC. albums as well as the undisposable "Disposable Arts" and the equally slamming "A Long Hot Summer". Nothing but bangers on those albums, excellent rhyming over excellent production that sounded fresh and cohessive despite featuring a multiple of producers and guest emcees sharing mic duties with Ace. If you remember, "A Long Hot Summer" was supposed to be Ace's final solo album, and as such he truly went out with a bang. Instead he was to focus the rest of his career touring and droping ocassional collaborative efforts with his groups EMC, Ace & Edo (G) and the MF DOOM produced (through recycled beats) concept album/mixtape "M.A. Doom: The Son Of Yvonne". All these albums had their joints to be sure, and Ace could still deliver hot verses, but I always felt that a large chunk of the production and overall themes left a lot to be desired on all of these albums.

Imagine then the hype when I found out that The Master was working on an official follow-up to "A Long Hot Summer", a real solo album with all original beats that told a story interweaving skits and songs into a cohessive concept album just like his last two highly acclaimed and aforementioned proper solo albums. That album is finally here - entitled "The Falling Season" which follows the young future underground star throughout his childhood years, all set to the production of newcomer KIC Beats. Of the latter, Ace has described the previously untested California beatsmith as a beatsmith that does not rely very much on samples but instead incorporates live instrumentations whenever possible. And this to me is the albums greatest weakness, although I suspect it might grow on me. But I really have a bug about these legendary emcees who on his recent projects got bangers upon bangers from some of the greatest underground producers in the industry (Domingo, MF DOOM, J-Zone, Beatnuts, Ayatollah, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Dug Infinite, Marco Polo, DJ JS-One, and so on). While KiC Beats has some good tracks his best work hardly reach up to the levels of the great tracks supplied for Ace by the producers mentioned above, and it definitely hampers the project. 

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad album per se, just an underwhelming one when you consider how amazing music Ace can put out when the chemistry between producer and artist is on top. Still well worth checking out, and don't take my word for it because I've heard several people highly praise this LP so judge for yourself - you can stream the entire project below via Bandcamp before grabbing a digital copy from their site. More good news is that its available on vinyl, CD and cassette so if you dig this or just want to complete your collection I say go for it (check out HHV for prices and editions). Check out the EPK up top, and stream the album above - oh and one more thing guests include Cormega, AG, Your Old Droog, Wordsworth, Pav Bundy, Stricklin, Torae and The World Famous Supreme Team. Give it a spin below right away!

RAY WEST & KOOL KEITH - "Runnin' The Field" (Ft. Cormega)

Ray West is probably one of the most prolific and hard working producer active in the underground field today. Having already laced countless EP:s and albums for New York royalty like AG, OC, John Robinson as well as the "Luv NY" compilation which featured Kool Keith, AG, Dave Dar, OC and Roc Marciano. Now West's beautiful combination of eclectic boom bap and smokey '70s jazz-fusion soul forms the platform for a collaboration with none other than the legendary Kool Keith, who is also keeping very busy as he almost simultaneously has released a full-length LP with producer L'Orange (you can stream and purchase the digital copy of that album @ Bandcamp now). The project is called "A Couple of Slices" and features 12 brand new tracks including guest cameos from AG, Cormega and Jesse West. The album drops via Red Apples label on October 30 and can be pre-ordered via iTunes now and will also be available in a limited edition box set featuring a T-Shirt, the album on vinyl, an exclusive 7" singles with additional tracks and a secret cassette of music (check it out @ FatBeats). Check out the two singles below - "Runnin' The Field" features Cormega, while "Destiny's Child" is the 3rd Eye collaboration. Dopeness!

[Article] Is "Mega Philosophy" CORMEGA's Best Album?

Since a documentary on the making of this beautiful album is soon to be released I would like to go back and see how well Cory McKay's "Mega Philosophy" actually holds up one year later. The short answer is that it probably even better now than it was when it first hot stores, as both the production and verbal intercourse now finally has had the chance to truly sink into us as listeners. Sure there were never no question at any time or point that this was not a very good album, though I remember hearing some "The Realness" fanatics shedding a tear over how they missed the hardcore beats and violent, drug slinging lyrics. In fact I'd go as far as to say that "Mega Philosophy" is Cormega's best album yet. If we first look at the foundation, which is the production, it's from top to bottom extremely well produced and varied enough while never sounding the least forced. After all Queens' legend Large Professor created every single beat on the album, in the studio with Cormega where they worked hard together on the sound they envisioned for the record. This can definitely be heard throughout the first to last track, and as Extra-P revealed in the extensive XXL interview shortly before the albums relase how its making was a new experience to him as no emcee he had previously worked with had been so detrimet and hands-on in adding small samples and a touch of his own flavor to the LP:s sound. The co-production credit 'Mega receives on the back cover next to Large Professor is therefore hardly a fluke or a shady label decision as is so often the case.  

"Mega Philosophy" was also released in a completely instrumental version and if you ask me this is a brilliant companion piece to the original that any fan of the album truly need to hear. It will bring you a deeper respect for not only how well crafted these ten cuts truly are, but you'll also notice that there's plenty of little vocal samples and sound effects that you'd be hard pressed to find under the vocals on the original retail release. Unlike many instrumental editions of already released albums this one is actually a project that stand on its own two legs and are a great listen on its own. Take a track like "Industy" whose chops, wild piano meodies, well arranged drums and short vocal samples from 'Mega and KRS-One will have your head nodding in seconds. After having heard the single countless times and no matter the amount of important truths Corey speaks on the song I actually prefer to zone out to this instrumental. This might also be a result of me having heard the original single countless times by now and it has never really been one of my favorites of mine compared to the rest of the LP.

But of course what really will make this a future classic is mainly Cormega's performance - he is so mature and wise beyond his years here as opposed to much of his earlier material. With that statement I must say that I've been a big fan of Cormega since I first heard him on "Affirmative Action" and later "The Realness" and "The True Meaning", so don't misinterpret the above statement. Everyone who comes from a rough background will need to come to the realization that you can't keep on living that destructive and violent lifestyle forever and is forced to grow up - and that's one major difference between this legenday emcees earlier output and this one. A key track and a personal favorite is "More" where The Professor hooks up raw boom bap drums, addictive piano keys, a beautiful breakdown of sirens and sound effects and best of all a part where the boom bap gives way to African Tribal drums to underline Mega's lyrics. Here 'Mega attacks the entire American "justice" system and the way African Americans have been and continues to be treated yesterday, today and tomorrow. The song is filled to the limit with uplifting and clever quotables - "[They] destroy our mental everyday, we more conditioned, to confirm to ignorance and ignore wisdom/ A darker pigment gets you 50 shots and a cop aquitted, while Mumia dreams of freedom in a cot in prison". And that's  just the beginnning of the first verse, I could quote the whole song but give it a spin instead, but I have to mention this clever line "We more than pant saggin' ignorants/ In fact spelling saggin' backwards is niggas/ Pick up your pants and ehance your apperance because it traps us". Almost like a sequel is the beautiful Maya Acazuna collaboration known as "Rise". With lines like "I put it it all together and realize money causes convention, resentment and moral conviction. Rappers tell you lies and glorifies the ghetto, they never speak of mother's inconceivable cries/ So the oppressive agressive of those sworn to serve and protect us, harm us/ Sean Bell the martyr was a father" there's no question Cormega is one of the illest and most important emcees of our time. Like a sister to "More", the themes and topics here are some of the most potent, truthful and important that Corey has ever spat, and just like the former has a somewhat laid back feel that make sure you don't miss a word, "Rise" too is a mellow cut centered around a beautiful guitar melody and one of Large Pro's many different trademark drums.

Now don't be fooled into thinking that there's no hardcore jams on here because there obviously are and we're gonna break  a few of them down in just a second. There's just one more of those siblings of songs I just feel I need to touch upon a little extra, which I feel together forms the albums core, and that is together with "More" and "Rise" the album closer "Valuable Lessons". Another relatively laid back jam with a sung hook by relatively unknown guest artist Jarrell Perry who does a great job. I've read a wack review saying that "Valuable Lessons" was hampered by a cheesy chorus which really undermined the songs potential. I think this is straight up BS (well HipHopDX isn't exactly known for their great reviews) - the song itself is one of the albums best and an absolutely excellent album closer where Cormega take the time to get maybe more personal than he's ever been on wax before. Although it bugs me how short the album is, which I'll be getting into soon, I coudn't think of a better way to close this LP. The tracks foundation is an irrestible mix of an accoustic guitar riff, a vintage vocal sample, accoustic background piano and that perfect drum programming that helps Large Pro's beats always knock hard as hell no matter how laid back the instrumentation is. Split into three verses, the first deal with fake friends, and how the older you get and the more problem you get yourself into you are often left on your own - something I'm sure a lot of us slightly older people here can relate to. "I risked my life for niggas who didn't write or visit, during my time in prison I realized my friendship isn't what I invested,and I'm tired of giving with no reciprocation. Thankfully times are different...". The second verse gets even more peronal as Corey airs out his dirty family laundry, including drug use, gossiping and even how his own grandmother was robbed by younger relatives, something a lot of emcees wouldn't ever dare to touch upon us. But "Mega Philosophy" from start to finish is 'Mega's journey and where he has now ended up in his life, which is why I think the three songs discussed here are the center pieces of the projet. The final verse of the album is directly dedicated to one person, McKay's ex-wife and how a great thing like love can turn to heartache and hate. If you ever had bad experiences with women in your life (and who haven't) this verse is so rewind heavy that it's just ridciolously filled with jewels. "You'd rather hate me than be mad at yourself. Now you free, we no longer trapped in lies, you never find happiness until you're happy inside".  The hook actually fits the song perfectly and the last bridge/outro really puts the dot over the i as Perry croons "Now I can finally sleep at night... I can finally sleep at night", of course meaning that our hero is on his way to overcome all of this bullshit. What a wonderful and clever way to close an album of this spiritual nature.

 
I mentioned the three songs described above as the center pieces of the album, but since I view this album as a 5/5 masterpiece that doesn't mean that the remaining eight tracks are any less dope - its just that they are other type of records than the extremely motivational and mature tracks that together form a new era in Cormega's music. "Rap Basquiat", for example, shows us how truly unbelivable the chemistry between Extra-P and 'Mega really is - the beat with it's high-powered vocal sample loop, the sampled Fender bass and boombastic drums married with the veteran spitters equally brilliant flow. I can't hear this without shaking my head at how dope his delivery has become over the years and how incredible Large's beat is. There's not many guests featured on the album, a great thing, and the few who do appear are chosen with the utmost care. Early on we are introduced to the one posse cut on the album - "M.A.R.S." featuring AZ, Styles P, and Redman. I really don't feel Redman fits in on the LP at all, but it's not much to complain about since especially AZ and Styles does a terrific job as they so often do. I also like how the album opens up with a posse cut as it reminds me of the '90s where that was pretty much a standard practice. Raekwon appears on "Honorable Mention", the first single and only to be released on physical (7" single) - most likely the hardest record on the album which explains why they went with it as the first single whereas a track like "More" might have turned off some of those "The Realness" fanatics. Rae and Mega always had a great chemistry together, going as far back as 2000 when the latter appeared on a very rare remix of The Chef's "Yae Yo" (if anyone have this please post it in the comments or e-mail me)!

Now to the final part of this article about how this album that after having marinated for almost a year has grown to be even more brilliant than when it first hit stores, likely because it was such a mature and introspective Cormega album that we might not have expected it. However, I'm all for quantity over quality but when a bunch of excellent tracks are left off a 30 minutes short record it does bug me a bit. After only roughly thirty minutes no matter how perfect the soundscapes, the lyrics, the flow and the production are, your mouth will definitely be watering for more. In my opinion they should have put a blank track of silence for 1-2 minutes and then added all of the Cormega/Large Professor songs made between "Born & Raised" and "Mega Philosophy".The album was in the works for about three years so you can count on there being lots of tracks left off the final product which in a way speaks well for the two artists integrity and how exact they knew what they wanted from the project. 

THE LOST & FOUND TRACKS FROM "MEGA PHILOSOPHY"

When asked how the album came about they both said it was beause of the insane response to "Journey" ("Born & Raised"). In that same interview they said that in honor of this they were definitely include the monster posse cut remix using roughly the same beat, but adding new verses from Cormega, Large Professor (this is another thing, I would've liked to hear a couple of verses from Extra-P on the LP), one of my all time favorites in OC and the almighty Sadat X. "Journey" was definitely a stand out on the preceding album and making a Part 2 as a posse cut was just a briliant idea. I loved how they was to pay homage to how the process started by including it on the album, but unfortunately it was scrapped and the only version that exist is the exclusive DJ Rated R mixtape premiere. Also in 2012 a single was released under Cormega's name said to be from the album called "M.A.R.S." - another posse cut produced by Large Pro and featuring Roc Marciano, Saigon, and Action Bronson that gained a lot of hype amongst underground heads at the time. In fact I would have a hard time deciding which of the two "M.A.R.S." cuts better sutied for opening the album. The one they went with is probably more in tune with the rest of the disc, but at the same time the predecessor is a HARD ASS joint, and as you know from my compilations I always figure it's a great way to kick things off with a real raw banger. The track however ended up on Large Pro's 2012 solo album "Professor @ Large", despite not even featuring so much as an adlib by That Guy With The Glasses. That same album also featured another very dope joint produced by Large Pro, with Cormega, Tragedy Khadafi (who was perhapst the one person truly missing from the album IMO) and Large. The final 2012 cut was possibly not ever intended for the album in question but it's not an impssobility either, and more than that it's an absolutely excellent cut in a way remiscent of "Fresh" from "Born & Raised" as it sees the younger Queensbridge native team up with some of his hip-hop heroes from way back in 1986. I'm talking about the Large Pro/Cormega assisted Public Enemy joint "Catch The Thrown". This is an excellent mix of the politically charged styles of CHUCK D and Corey's reflective yet street oriented gut punching attacks on the powers that be. It is not entirely impossible that this was recorded for "Philosophy". I imagine tons of music must have been recorded for the LP and perhaps Chuck D reached out to Large for a beat and he gave them this complete with the Mega verse. Also not too long ago Large Pro himself uploaded a 1:30 snippet of a song called "NGA" from the "Philosophy" sessions; see below.

 
Last but definitely not least we were treated to two remixes of the main single "Industry". The two very different versions were leaked for free to the net as promo material to boost the sales of the recently released "Mega Philosophy". The first remix entitled "The Juice Crew Remix" is an absolutely beautiful take on the original, and to be fair I'd got to say I prefer this version. The chilled out beat with it's smooth female vocals, dual accoustic piano melody and bridge set to vintage hip-hop drums really has a nice summer vibe anthem to it, which was kind of missing from the original despite the use of the same beat... and while Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Craig G and Cormega all speaks their mind on the shady industry it isn't done in the same dark, depressing mood as on the solo version. The second installment, simply known as The Alternative Remix, is more of a sequel than a remix as it comes equipped with a completely new beat and all new verses. Since it was first made available as an exclusive free download in a rather prety damn shitty sound quality sometime in 2014, I had a hard time to truly appreciate the brilliance of this powerful, dark and brooding sequel until Large Pro included a mastered version of it on his recent "Re:Living" LP. Inspectah Deck can be very hit or miss these days but here he viciously murders the atmospheric but drum heavy remix with lines like "Nowadays everybody want to get on, they don't want to put in work, they just riding a long/ Pretty hoes in the videos styling in thongs, a few views on YouTube but who's buying the song?/ WorldStar don't give a fuck how you bodied the work, they'll desecreate your mixtape so KanYe can twerk". The same can be said about Roc Marciano, Sadat X, Lord Jamar and of course Cormega who hasn't even come close to spit a corny line on neither the entire album or the released songs from the sessions which I compiled for you below (making the album 60 minutes). In that same interview with XXL published a week before the LP:s official release date of July 22, Corey McKay reveals that he "got some remixes coming. We got one with the Juice Crew - me, Craig G, Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap. And then I got one with me, Lord Jamar, Sadat X, Rock Marciano and Inspectah Deck. Two remixes of 'Industry'" - confirming that all of these songs mentioned under this second section of this article (except for perhaps the Public Enemy/Cormega/Large Pro collabo) was recorded and in the can by the time the album came out.

CONCLUSION

With just eleven songs and a running time of 33 minutes it's not only Cormega's shortest album, it's also his most focused and to be honest his best work yet in my honest opinion. With each listen this album has grown even more on me, there are absolutely nothing that comes even close to filler, and there's a thin red line running through the project both from a lyrical and a production standpoint. In a way I could see why they woud ditch the bonus tracks and sequels mentioned above since they don't quite fit into the mold of the main album. Still as good as Large Professor's and Cormega's chemistry is here, I strongly recommened listening to it as released, with all the bonus tracks and also give the fully instrumental album at the very least one chance. I had the pleasure of seeing Large Pro and Cormega perform in Copenhagen around 2011 (what's up Rob), probably right as they were beginning to produce this album and I just hope that I will get to see them share the stage again very soon. I really don't like to give out ratings but rather let the review/article speak for itself, but this is a modern hip-hop masterpiece if I ever heard one so the rating can of course be no less than 5/5.

12. "Industry" [Juice Crew Remix] (Ft. Kool G Rap, Craig  G & Masta Ace)
13. "Journey" [Remix] (Ft. Sadat X, OC & Large Professor)
14. "Catch The Thrown" (Ft. Public Enemy & Large Professor)
15."Industry Part II" (Ft. Inspectah Deck, Rock Marciano,& Lord Jamar)
16. "Focused Up" (Ft. Large Professor & Tragedy Khadafi)
17. "M.A.R.S." (Ft. Action Bronson, Rock Marciano & Saigon)

CORMEGA - "MEGA PHILOSOPHY" [Bonus Tracks]

CORMEGA Ft. ROC MARCIANO - "No Filter"

 Two of my favorite emcees gets busy on this boom banger prodived by Marco Polo (production) and DJ Skizz (wheels of steel) to great effect. You know that when 'Mega and Roc collaborate, you're in for a treat and now there's beginning to be so many of them that a Lost Tapes compilation of the two might be ready in the near future. Not sure where this is gonna land but it is labeled as a Cormega single and it's RAW as fuck, so let's hope he's readying a new LP this year!

CORMEGA Ft. ROC MARCIANO - "NO FILTER"

[Album] DJ EFN - "Another Time"

DJ EFN is a DJ and producer originally hailing from Miami, originally known for his early '90s "Crazy Hood" mixtapes series, Now after over 20 years in the industry, learning the ropes, and building connections, EFN is stepping to the table with a retail album under his own name - entitled "Another Time". The album is oficially released today and is filled to the fucking limit with incredible guests from all coasts and different generations - or how about Scarface, Inspectah Deck, MC Eiht, Blu, Sean Price, Your Old Droog, M.O.P., Guilty Simpson, KAM, Fashawn, Cormega, Cory Gunz, Masta Ace, Killer Mike and many more. Sounds almost too crazy to be true right? While the majority of the production is handled by DJ EFN himself, DJ Premier, Hazardis Soundz, Davincci and Miami Heat Wave each contribute a track or two as well. Damn sick cover by Skam2? as well, everything about this project screams true ass hip hop if you ask me... Another incredible release from the always trustowrthy Redefinition Records - order it directly from REDEF, Fat Beats or iTunes.

01. Intro feat. Umar Bin Hassan (The Last Poets)
02. Another Time feat. Inspectah Deck, Guilty Simpson, M.O.P., Bernz (¡MAYDAY!)
03. Selfish feat. King Tee, Fashawn, Kurupt
04. Lane 2 Lane feat. Don Logan (Gunplay), Denzel Curry
05. South-West feat. MC Eiht, Blu, Kam
06. Crazy Dope feat. Milk Dee, Sean Price, Murda Mook
07. Revolutionary Ride Music feat. Your Old Droog, Royce da 5’9, OC, Reks
08. Crazy (Interlude) feat. Umar Bin Hassan (The Last Poets)
09. Who’s Crazy? feat. Troy Ave, Scarface, Stalley, DJ Premier
10. Fiyah Gun feat. Smif N Wesson, Spragga Benz, Kardinal Offishall, Bittah Sosicka
11. If U Run feat. Killer Mike, Webbz, KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)
12. Survival feat. Juvenile, Dead Prez, Trick Daddy
13. When I’m Dead feat. Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, Keith Murray, Skam2
14. Warrior feat. Sizzla, David Banner, N.O.R.E., Jon Connor
15. Power feat. Sa-Roc, Masta Ace, Thirstin Howl III
16. Role Model feat. Bun B, Jarren Benton, Eric Biddines, Amber Monique
17. Paradise feat. Talib Kweli, Wrekonize, Redman
18. Motivation feat. Defari, Cormega, Boaz
19. G Shit feat. McGruff, Prez P, Grafh
20. #HomeTeam feat. Garcia, Dynas, Skam2?, Heckler, Society, Mother Superia
21. We Earned It feat. Ras Kass, Black Milk, Black Collar, Cory Gunz

STREAM "ANOTHER TIME" @ DJBOOTH

[Review] A look back @ CORMEGA's "MEGA PHILOSOPHY"

Since I started this blog about five years ago I always featured an in-depth article/review for the five to ten of my favorite albums of that respective year. I'm a big reviewhead, but writing these takes some time, and I've been quite busy as of late (which is why The Lost Tapes has kind of lacked in updates recently). There was however some absolutely tremendous projects released last year by some of the most esteemed emcees and producers doing it, so I say better late than never to give some of these albums a more thorough spotlight. Since his official debut "The Realness" in 2001, a hardcore QB album filled with rugged beats and equally rugged street stories, metaphorical songs, and agressive diss tracks the album became an instant classic. "The True Meaning" was much in the same vein, though sporting some higher profile producers like Buckwild, Large Pro, Emile and The Alchemist. It also featured more reflective tracks that still stands as some of 'Mega's finest ("Love in Love Out", "Ain't Gona Change", "Live Ya Life", etc.). Although dropping several mixtapes and the street album "Legal Hustle Volume One" it wasn't until 2009 that one of QBs finest dropped his third official LP - an album ("Born and Raised") that showed a much more mature sound of Cormega. With titles like "Love Your Family", "Live and Learn", "Define Yourself", "One Purpose" and "The Other Side" it was clear that Cory wasn't very interested in being stuck on rapping about crack and smack but rather grow as a person while inviting listeners to hear his own personal growth. With backdrops by Large Pro, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Havoc, Easy Mo Bee, Ayatollah, Buckwild and Fizzy Womack it was more a laid back effort, yet an extremely well crafted front-to-back listen.

Which leaves us in 2014 when the long awaited joint collaboration between Cormega and producer The Large Professor, that had been discussed for years, finally saw the light of day. As mentioned earlier, each of his albums up to this point has enabled listeners to follow his growth not only as a talented wordsmith, but also as a man - which gives listeners the feeling of actually knowing the man, much in the same way that Nas has done throughout his career. Listening to "Mega Philosophy" there is no question that this is 'Mega's most personal album to date, venting about the industry and how especially treat black artists, the negativity of being incarcerated, personal issues both about his baby mother and close family members, the marginalization of Africa as a country of old wisdom and knowledge, and much more. Pretty much every song has something to say; even in the opening posse cut "MARS II" there are bars touching on the police brutality and loss of young black life that we see today. It's a short album but from the first to last song the lyrics is incredibly well written, representing Cormega's finest hour as an emcee's emcee (not to say it's his best album overall). A few times listeners will find him rhyme slightly out of pocket, as he sometimes trying to squeeze to many words within a couple of bars, but this is a minor complaint as for the vast majority of the LP he is really on his grind. Guest spots on the album are thankfully limited, but the few emcees who help Cory out, is Raekwon, Nature, and Black Rob as well as the second installment of the posse cut "MARS" which features Mega, AZ, Redman, and Styles P. 

A Cormega album entirely produced by Large Professor has been on mine, and a load of true hip-hop heads, wishlist for years. With previous tracks like "Journey", "The Come Up" and the original "MARS" has proved what an incredible chemistry these two Queens representatives can bring  out in their best moments. In fact both Cormega and Large Professor are two of those rare type of artists which I rarely have heard a wack track from. Add the fact that "Mega Philosophy" was first conceived some two or three years ago and this tells you a lot about the thought and quality time put into this project. At first listen some listeners only knowing this duo's more hardcore material might be a bit suprised as the sound here is, although filled with pounding drums and booming basslines, more laid back, filled with melodic samples that often feel like analog live instruments. Though there are a few harder joints on here, "Honorable", "D.U.", "Rap Basquiat", these are also the songs that find 'Mega in a harder B-Boy stance, showing off his immense skills on the mic. On the other hand of the spectrum are songs like the beautiful "Rise", "More", and the incredible album closer "Valuable Lessons". These are also some of the most reflective and thematically important records on the LP, which Extra-P's prodution really grounds and amplifies with his melodic sample-centered use of keys, guitars and african rhythms (on "More"). The eleven songs found here really showcases how good an album can turn out with just one emcee and one producer if the two have the extreme type of chemistry that these two definitely does. It should also be noted that Cormega himself was heavily involved in the production, picking out samples and working hand-to-hand with Large Pro at times as told in the excellent interview article that XXL published shortly before the albums release.

Clocking in at only thirty three minutes, and as it definitely follows a theme, I'm torn between whether or not I would like to have more songs on here or not. When I listen to the digital version of the album I often add the first version of "MARS", the remixes of "Industry", and the remix to "Joruney" with OC and Sadat X (which in fact was created especially for inclusion on the LP but was scrapped somewhere in the process, perhaps due to the fact that it had been out for too long - I'm still waiting on a CDQ version of that though, such a slamming joint). With or without bonus tracks "Mega Philosophy"  is one of Cormega's finest works yet, and it's amazing how he just keeps on growing as a lyricist. You can tell he means every word, straight from the heart, and he's never been one to shy away from any topic. If you don't already own this, then HURRY UP AND BUY!

[Album] HAVOC - "Thirteen Reloaded"

Legendary Mobb Deep emcee/producer Havoc is back with his new project, "13 Reloaded". Though it may sound like some expanded edition of 2013's "13" this is brand new album featuring nothing but new material and from what I've heard so far it is most likely Hav's finest solo offering yet. The beats are hard as nails, stripped down and packing a thick, dark atmosphere that will definitely cater to long time Mobb Deep fans. Guest apperances come from Prodigy, Cormega (on the excellent "Fallen Soldiers"), Sheek Louch, and Mysonne. Entirely produced by Havoc too; overall a real nice suprise! Stream the album below via HotNewHipHop.com and get your official copy from iTunes.

[Video] CORMEGA - "Reflection"

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums of the year get the visual treatment. I'm talking about "Reflection", the short but powerful acapella from Cormega's "Mega Philosophy" produced by Large Professor. Tons of knowledge being spoken in less than a minute right here. If you haven't picked up 'Mega's latest yet, stop sleeping and order your copy @ UGHH or HHV.

[EP] JASON DEAN - "Straight Out The Projects"

Jason Dean is a new name to me but his album "Straight Out the Projects" really is a reminder of why I originally fell in love with hip-hop. The Norweigan producer seamlessly blends smooth soul and hardcore rhythms which he attracts some of the illest spitters around. How about Masta Ace, Cormega, AZ, M.O.P, Ruste Juxx, Big Shug, Prop Dylan, and Rasco? With only six songs it's a quick but definitely satisfying listen, it will be interesting to say what this Scandinavian boom bap fanatic will bring to the table in the future. The entire EP is available to stream for free via Spotify below, and can be purchased from iTunes or Amazon so don't sleep!

01. "Da Ville" (Ft. Masta Ace)

02. "Bring it Hardcore" (Ft. M.O.P.) [Video]

03. "Sniper Scope" (Ft. Ruste Juxx) [Video]

04. "3rd of September" (Ft. Rasco)

05. "Blood Drip Drops" (Ft. Prop Dylan, Big Shug & Paul B)

06. "Not Too Late" (Ft. AZ & Cormega)

JASON DEAN - "STRAIGHT OUT THE PROJECTS" @ SPOTIFY

[Comp] PHD (The Poet & DJ Hot Day) - "Non Album Tracks"

Another slamming Lost Tapes compilation is here for the real hip-hop heads to enjoy! This is one I can't take credits for as it was compiled and uploaded by Debonair P, a very good producer in his own right, who here has collected all non-album tracks by the early-'90s Queensbridge duo known as PHD. For those who don't know PHD was an emcee/producer DJ made up of two real 'Bridge legends, the legendary DJ Hot Day and the too often, still to this day, overlooked rugged emcee these days known as Blaq Poet. The latter is still going pretty hot, releasing an almost classic album with DJ Premier on production back in 2009 called "Tha Blaqprint" and the stellar 2006 solo effort "Rewind: Defja Screw". Since then he has dropped several less stellar albums with producers like Stu Bangas and Vanderslice. On the other side of the spectrum, DJ Hot Day has slowly been coming back to the mainstream, at least as he was one of the mian producers of one of the standouts on Nas Jones' masterpiece "Life is Good" album - on "Reach Out" which featured Mary J. Blige and strived to really capture the block parties vibe in Queensbridge back when guys like these were coming up. He's also reunited a couple-three times times with Cormega on "The True Meanign" and "My Brother's Keeper".

Having released some hard but forgotten 12":s together with producer Norman Rockwell, and mix engineer all star Marley Marl, in the late '80s, it was first when Blaq (then known as just The Poet) hooked up with DJ Hot Day in early '91 that he truly started to come into being an artist that could his own. The same can be said for Hot Day as he had been Tragedy Khadafi's original DJ in The SuperKids before they disbanded around 1987, following Marley snapping up Tragedy for a solo deal, and later released an album called "It's My Turn" in 1989. Despite being a solid effort, it failed to capture the attention of  neither the hood or the suburbs - interesting trivia is that album featured the first ever apperance by Cormega on wax, as he appeared on the posse cut "Going Straight Up"). Slightly reminiscent of the saga of The Gravediggazs, Poet and Hot Day came together and formed PHD somewhat as a response to the way their musical careers had been handled by the corporations, resulting in they both having something to prove to listeners and to the industry as a whole. And the chemistry between the two is unuqestionably there throughout, although they were still honing their skills and getting better every time. The result was one album from the duo after being signed to Tuff City, the early hardcore QB shit not too dissimiliar to what Trag was doing with his Intelligent Hoodlum albums. People saying that Mobb Deep and Nas invented the QB sound we hear today need to get a reality check; all they did was add their own spin to it and take it to the next level but the seeds had been planted through several acts already. The 1991 album was called "Without Warning" and it's twelve tracks, entirely produced by Hot Day, still to this day stand as a testament on just how booming this LP was botj tjem amd now with the perspective of the past. If you haven't heard the album for before and isn't one of those hip-hop fans that can't listen to hip-hop made prior to 1994 this one comes highly recommended, if not for anything else, then at least you should be able to appecaite it's historical weight.

For this compilation Debonair P has collected all non-album tracks ever released by PHD (a.k.a. Poet and Hot Day) as a group, including instrumentals on the projects "B-side" so to speak, and it's of course an all around great listen. This was made possible since Tuff City continued releasing PHD tracks they had in their vaults on 12" singles and EP:s all the way into '96 - it's obvious that they owned the masters, but I wonder if they had the group's  content. Either way you don't want to miss it, so a huge thanks goes out to Debonair for this comp! If you haven't heard Debonair's music before I'm sure you'll be very thrilled by the recent EP he did with mid-'90s East Coast underground phenomenon Omniscence called "Sharp Objects". Well 'nuff talk for the time being, so be sure to download this ASAP, take a trip down memory lane in the Queensbridge section of Queens and of course... TURN IT UP!!!

01. "This is For My Peeps" ["This is For My Peeps / Set it Off" 12"]

02. "I'm Flippin': Vocal Remix" ["I'm Flippin'" 12"]

03. "Life On The Edge: Remix"

04. "Let The EP Kick" ["EP" VLS]

05. "I'm Flippin: Video Remix" ["I'm Flippin'" 12"]

06. "Bringing Forth Terror" ["EP" VLS]

07. "This is For My Peeps: Remix"

08. "Keep It Real: Remix" [**] ["Keep it Real Remix" 12"]

09. "Concrete Jungle" ["Keep It Real Remix" 12"]

10.  "Set It" (Ft. Havoc, Kamikazee & Legacy)  ["This is For My Peeps / Set It"12"]

11. "Kick That Shit & Get High" [***] [" Kick That Shit / "The Grand PO" 12"]

12. "Set It Pt. 3" (Ft. Havoc, Hostyle, & Legacy) [***]  ["Set It Pt. 3" 12"]

13. "I Am The Authentic" [***] ["Set It Pt. 3 12"]

14. "The Grand P.O." [***] ["Kick That Shit / "The Grand PO" 12"]

15-27. INSTRUMENTAL VERSIONS of MOST TRACKS

All tracks produced and mixed by DJ Hot Day, except

[**] Remix and additional production by Sha (formerly of Horror City)

[***] Produced and mixed by Marley Marl

PHD - "Non Album Cuts: The early 1990s sessions + Instrumentals"

CORMEGA Ft. INSPECTAH DECK / ROCK MARCIANO / SADAT X / LORD JAMAR - "Industry - Deluxe Remix"

Cormega and Large Professor once again rounds up some of the greatest emcees of all time for a remix of "Industry". They actually revealed the line-up for this remix around the time for the release of "Mega Philosophy" in an interview with XXL (very good read), so I've been eagerly awaiting this banger and it does not dissapoint. If you still haven't grabbed 'Mega's latest it's not too late to support the movement - grab @ iTunes, UGHH or HHV. Also the vinyl edition is being repressed and will be available for purchase again on October 17.

[Video] CORMEGA - "Rise"

Here's another video that's been out for a while, but since this is my favorite album of this year, and one of the finest tracks from that album no less. I am talking about Cormega's Large Pro produced "Rise" introducing singer Maya Azucena. If you haven't copped "Mega Philosophy" yet, be sure to grab your copy @ UGHH or HHV while it's still available.

CNN Ft. CORMEGA & NATURE - "Rap Rushmore"

Queensbridge is in the house with this one! Capone-N-Noreaga grabs perhaps the artist of the year with Cormega a long with Nature (who had some of the best guest verses on "Mega Philosophy" for their new single. "Rap Rushmore" is produced by frequent CNN collaborator Hazardis Sound who does a great job bringing the necessary hardcore vibe to this giant lyrical meeting.

CORMEGA Interview @ NPR Microphone Check

Having dropped perhaps the best album of the year so far, Cormega sits down with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley for an interview from NPR's Microphone Check. Here 'Mega discusses his growth as an artist, his relationship to Nas, the industry, family life, and of course his new album "Mega Philosophy". Enjoy!

CORMEGA Ft. JUICE CREW - "Industry Remix"

Cormega has proven himself in the past to be an amazing assembler of posse cuts and the new remix to his latest single "Industry" is one of the most impressive yet. Letting Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Craig G and Mega release lyrical fury on this Large Professor produced banger results in what is unquestionably one of the most interesting tracks of 2014. Support "Mega Philosophy"!

[Album] CORMEGA - "Mega Philosophy"

Cormega is by far one of the realest and best artists out there, just like Large Professor is without a doubt one of the sickest producers to do it. Their past track record as a duo speak for itself ("Journey", "M.A.R.S.", "The Come Up", "Focused Up") so the news that the two Queens' legends was about to collaborate for a full-length album was obviously an early contender for album of the year on paper. And though a bit too short at only 33 minutes it does not dissapoint in the slightest and will go down in history as a legendary album. Both Extra-P and 'Mega sounds brilliant on here, though perhaps a little suprisingly many of the beats are more laid-back than some might have expected. But there's definitely no weak tracks here, far from it - the album hit stores on July 22 on CD and cassette with vinyl LP following August 8 but for some reason Spotify has already uploaded the album so if you have that software just press play below and get that head banging! Shouts to Big Rob for noticing that Spotify jumped the gun on this slamming album.

EDIT - For those of y'all who aren't signed up to Spotify you can now stream the album @ DJBooth, but I strongly recommend y'all support this by purchasing a physical copy; it's short but potent as hell.

CORMEGA - "Rap Basquiat"

 Ever since "The Come Up", it's been a well established fact that few emcee/producer constellations are as potent as Queens duo Cormega and Large Professor. Since they always appear on each respective projects it's only right that this year will see them team up for a full-length album. And what an album "Mega Philosophy" is shaping up to be if going by the singles released so far; "Honorable", "Industry" and now "Rap Basquiat". Some very good news is that the album will be available on both wax and cassette a long with a limited 7" pressing of "Honorable", pre-order them both from Red Line Music Distribution.

CORMEGA - "RAP BASQUIAT"

[Live Clip] CORMEGA - "Valuable Lessons"

Cormega has completed his long-awaited album with legendary producer Large Professor, and the 11-tracks deep project will be released on July 22. So far we have heard "Industry" and the Raekwon assisted "Honorable", and now thanks to 12:06 Studios we are also able to hear a HQ live version of the album closer "Valuable Lessons". Before the footage and sound cut off we have time to hear slightly over two minutes, which adds up to about half the song if we're to believe the track times on iTunes. Definitely sounds like a potent and fitting way to round of an album by 'Mega - a big shout out to Ian Reobey of 12:06 Studios for filming/editing  and also peace to FasterBlade for putting me on to it. Salute!

CORMEGA - "Industry"

Cormega gives his take on the "Industry" on this slamming new joint with Extra-P, announced to be the first official single from the duo's upcoming collaborative LP "Mega Philosophy". While we'll have to settle for the clean version for the time being this should be a moment of bliss for any hardcore hip-hop fanatic.

EDIT - A long with the leak 'Mega and his team has released the artwork, tracklist and release date for "Mega Philosophy" which is slated for a July 22 release (pre-order @ iTunes). Album of the year? 

01. "A New Day Begins"
02. "MARS (Dream Team)" (Ft. AZ, Redman & Styles P)
03. "Industry"
04. "More"
05. "Reflection"
06. "D.U. (Divine Unity)" (Ft. Nature)
07. "Honorable" (Ft. Raekwon)
08. "Rap Basquiat"
09. "Rise" (Ft. Maya Azucena)
10. "Home" (Ft. Black Rob)
11. "Valuable Lessons"

J-LOVE / CORMEGA / GHOSTFACE - "Glorified Excellence"

Now I now this is a few days old, but Cormega and Ghostface on a soulful banger for the first time since the all-time hip-hop classic "Tony/Montana", which earned Ghost a Quotable of the Month in The Source, is not something I'm gonna skip over. J-Love is also featured as both producer and emcee as it's a song from his latest album offering "Not Designed to Quit" which is out now on iTunes. Click here if you don't see the player below... The sickness!