[Album] DAMU THE FUDGEMUNK - "Public Assembly"

The last of the new Redefinition albums I'm posting about tonight comes from label co-founder and highly skilled beatsmith Damu The Fudgemunk. His new 12 track compilation album "Public Enemy" features rare instrumentals and rare tracks never before released on vinyl, and in some cases never at all, and will be released on brown or black 12" vinyl; originally intended an an Record's Fair 2014 exclusive, the label went ahead and releases a limited vinyl run available for order - being released worldwide on July 8 but for fans ordering now it's already shipping. It's an instrumental 12 track compilation featuring hard-to-find instrumentals to tracks like "Truly Get Yours", "Madvillain Revision", "Overthrone", "Supply For Demand Intro", "Yes We Can - Headphones Remix" and more. Through Damu's Bandcamp you can stream the entire set already now, order the HQ digital download and for the LP grab it straight from Redef. You'll definitely have your head nodding to this one, and as that wasn't enough also check out the masterful producer latest 45 single "Walk in the Park", a remix of the Raw Poetic/Pancacea joint of the same name with the instrumental on the flip. TURN IT UP (however notice that the embeded player below starts @ track #4 so be sure to rewind to track #1 before hitting play if you want the full experience)!!

EL DA SENSEI - "Try Again"

Redefinition Records keep bringing the heat, and amongst their most interesting upcoming releases are a three track EP from legendary spitter El Da Sensei which officially drops on 12" and digital on June 10 but is already now shipping. The lead track "Try Again" is a laid back with El getting it in HEAVY on the lyrical tip on a beautifully smooth jazz-influenced joint provided by the super underapreciated Joc Max and cuts supplied by Damu The Fudgemunk. Order the wax here @ Redef or if you wanna go digital hit up the official Bandcamp Page. We need a proper Sensei album on Redef with proudction by K-Def, Joc Max, Kev Brown and the gang ASAP!

REDEFINITION Back @ It

GOD DAMN, I just wrote a long ass article on the new releases of one of the most exciting upcoming releases and for some reason the vast majority of it just dissapeared. Oh well, I'm not giving up, but the article will hardly be as informative as the original, but it has all the vital information. Order these records directly from RedefinitionRecords.com when available. In addition to these isted releases, the imprint has also announced a host of interesting projects, ncluding  

DAMU THE FUDGEMUNK - "Top 10 Sample Flips"

This is a pretty funky DJ mix, originally released only as a free download and now as a cassette tape. The background for this short project gestated when Damu was asked to do a piece for EgoTripLand's recurring article series where a producer breaks dow his favorite samples and chops (you can read the article @ EgoTripLand.com). The article definitely sparked an idea in the young producer to mix those favorite records and put them out on a limited cassette tape on Redefinition. The result is what you hear above! You can buy the cassette for $10.00 USD @ REDEF.

KLAUS LAYER - "Play Me An Old Enemy"

German producer extraordinare Klaus Layer, the latest addition to the label roster, released his immaculate 90%  instrumental full-lengther "The Adventures of Klaus Layer" has just been reissued with an all new artwork and ´pressed on green wax (you can stream the entire LP and order it @ The Redef Shop. As if that wasn't enough, Layer is allso dropping a brand new 45 featuring the two non-album cuts ("Play Me An Old Melodu and the instrumental and electronica-tinged instumental version of "Come Back")                                                                                                                                                                                                         
K-DEF - "Tape One"

K-Def is by far one of my favorite beat maestros of all time, dating as far back as his many apperance son early albums by Lords Of The Underground, Inteligent Hoodlum,  LL Cool J ("Funkadelic Relic"; "Year Of The Hip-Hop") and many more. The next upcoming REDEF release is entitled "Tape One"  and though no release date or tracklist has been revealed yet, we got a few things to go on. Looking a the picture above it is suggested that it's actually not a cassette but a vinyl pressing of what I suppose is one of 'Def's mid-'90a beat tape being presemted on remastered vinyl. Definitely worthy addition´to ány respectabe collection,

In additional Redef news regarding Mr. K-DEF is the fantastic news bit that the New Jersey's finest is hooking up with one of my personal favorites of the past for an entire EP worth of new music - I'm talking about 45 King. Not much more info available but be sure to stay tuned for more info!

EL DA SENSEI - "Try Again¨

One half of the legendary Arsonists crew, El Da Sensei has been featured on a couple of Redef records already but the 12" single "Try Again" is the first actual release under his name.No tracklist or number of included songs have yet to be announced but what we do now is that the project will be released on June 25 so a tracklist should appear any minute now. Producers announced for "Try Again" are House Shoes, the underrated DJ Joc Max and¨D. Smooth, with The Fudgemunk providing the turntable wizardry. Would love to hear another K-Def collabo, followingtheir amazing "Back to Basics" but this sould still be one worth waiting for. In further news, it actually doesn't seem that an El Da Sensei / K-Def album is too far on the horizon according to Refdef's laest news letter, so let's pray for that one! 

One more thing that Redef Records got on te horizon followinng this El Da Sensei single is a planned release of an actual The Artifacts 12"  single on the label. If this goes down this is the first proper Artifacts single since the late '90s and The Artifacts slept-on sophomore LP "The Ultimate".

RAW POETIC & KEV BROWN - "Concentrated"
Raw Poetic, one half of the duo Panancea, has already been in an important figure since the early days of REDEF; starring as sole emcee on K-Def's "Night Owls" ("Night Shift", 2011). The following year Poeric was cast as a guest emcee on two distinct Redef records; Damu The Fudgemunk's "Killawatt 1.5" and K-DEF's "´Easy Way Out " EP. As you can see Redefinition Records has got a whole lot of ill shit lined up for 2014.

[Mixtape] DAMU THE FUDGEMUNK - "Top 20 Favorite Samples"

If you've been following the brilliant site that is EgoTripLand you should be aware that they run a regular series of interviews where some of the finest producers in the game break down their favorite sample flips of all time. There's been some really interesting articles with cats like Da Beatminerz, Lord Finesse, K-DEF, DJ Spinna, and many more. For Damu The Fudgemunks entry, the Redefinition artist takes it a step further by providing a continious DJ mix of his personal favorite sample flips s a long with the hip-hop tracks using them. A definite listen with excerpts of both jazz, soul and cassic hip-hop expertly mixed by The Fudgemunk himself... So what you're waiting for?

[Album] DAMU THE FUDGEMUNK - "Supply For Demand"

Damu and JNOTA's Redefinition Records continues to be one of the strongest and most innovative underground imprints there is, specializing in superb music of all formats (cassette, 12", 7", 10", CD:s, and then some). With a main roster of artists like K-DEF, Damu, Klaus Layer, Grap Luva, and Kev Brown (who operates his Low Budget Records via Redef) they are constantly dropping hot shit. 

More recently they have started uploading rips of the cassettes in 320 kbps to the net for free download via Soundcloud; a way to not only make fans interested but also a way to show how incredibly good these cassettes actually sound. Next in line is a rip of the MC of Damu's "Supply For Demand", a 30 minutes long "mini album" that is chock full of heat, seeing Damu dig deep into his crates to put together a myriad of samples that together form what is the unmistakable Fudgemunk sound. Take a listen below and head over to Redefinition Records as you can still purchas this album in your fomrat of choice (tapes, CD, remastered vinyl). Also check out Damu's latest release "Live On Because" right below the first player, and be sure to click here for the interesting story.

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Spirit Of Ummah"

Yesterday I posted Damu's "Coffe Run", which will land as side B of an exclusive 45 given away as a bonus item with the release of The Fudgemunk's new LP "Spare Overtime Re-Inspired". Tonight I got the A-side of that 7" for y'all, a smooth remix of the instrumental "Randi" - recorded in late 2011 in the spirit of Jay Dee's, Q-Tip's and Ali Shaheed's mid-'90s sound. "Spirit Of Ummah" courtesy of 2DBZ, thanks!

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Coffee Run"

Damu The Fudgemunk is back with another super tight 7" release for Redefinition Records; an addictive instrumental piece filled with immaculate scratches, breakneck drums, vibraphones, horns and the occassional female vocal sample. The result is the aptly titled "Coffe Run", which in fact is a reimagining of fan favorite "Coffe Table", originally heard on Damu's "Space Overtime" 2008 LP. This version, along with a new imagining of "Randi", will both be included on a bonus 45 with the 2013 re-release of "Spare Time" which will be available on CD, digital and a nice 2xLP set.Redef's where's it at!

DAMU THE FUDGEMUNK drops "Spur Moment Trailer" 2x12"

Damu The Fudgemonk is undobtedy one of the most interesting producer/emcees to have hit the scene in past few years. He's been around longer than that though. His style is known for dropping quality material, taking inspiration and sample sources from everythinng from classic jazz, soulful funk, reagge and of course hip-hop.

Often creating terrific hip-hop beats heavily influenced by the jazz scene of the late '50s to early '80s, realaying on instruments like vibraphoes, acoustic pianos and the overall mood of bop, Damu is one of those MPC instrumentalists who, unlike some beatmakers, packs the quality to both appeal to jazz and undergrund hip-hop heads. Damu's latest endeavor on Redefinition Records is a vinyl EP from Damu called "Spur Moment Trailer" which features "Fade's 'Em Gone (Organ Grinder)" which you'll find at the bottom of this post via Redef's Sooundcloud . Other choice cuts include "Redef Mission Statement", "Assembly Line", "Meadows", to name a few.

The EP is available now from Redefinition Records, and I strongly suggest you pick this one up as ReDef constantly knows how to get rid of filler meterial whether it a long or short porject.  Order the CD or LP here.

V/A - "THE SPICE RACK (An Ongoing Vinyl Adventure)"

Remember a few days ago, I posted the Slice-Of-Spice Soundcloud sets of all the released Lord Finesse and K-Def vinyls, respecitvely on the label. Besides those legends, S-O-S have brought us a lot of amazing music, both new and rare/unreleased, from incredible artists like Masta Ace, Oxygen, AG, Damu The Fudgemunk, Gensu Dean, DJ Format, Paul Nice, Biz Markie, and more. Much of these monsterous cuts have been collected in one set for our enjoynment, so press play, sit back and let it BANG.

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Brooklyn Flower"

Over the last couple of years, Slice-Of-Spice has rapidly becoming one of the most interesting underground label around. Specializing in limited releases of rare and previously unreleased cuts by the finest artists this rap game has to offer, S.O.S. has so far been responsible for hot wax from the likes of Lord Finesse, Paul Nice/Jay-Z, Biz Markie, K-Def/LL, Masta Ace and many more. This time, they have hooked up with Redef in order to bring fans an exclusive Damu The Fudgemunk joint called "Brooklyn Flower". And as a free download nontheless, so make sure you TURN THIS ALL THE WAY UP, and much props to S.O.S., Redef and Damu. 

OC - "Who Run It "[Damu Remix]

A lot of Ocee on The Lost Tapes lately, which almost alwayss equals interesting music, both from a lyrcail and musical standpoint. I hold his 2003 album "Starchild" as a true classic, and I consider myself very lucky to have gotten a copy of the CD since it's not out of print. The featured song "Who Run It", gets the remix treatment by Damu the Fudgemenk, who does a  great job transforming the sound of Locsmif's more laid-back original to incorporate hardhitting, bass heavy rhythm with aggressive drums, and a very jazz-esque sample chop reminiscent of the Diggin' sound, which of course fits O' perfect. Damu's new take right away connects and compliments the emcee's flow on the cut. I love both versions, but I might very well prefer this over the album version.

Back to "Starchild", Ocee's fourth solo album, released in a very limited pressing on CD in Japan and some European countreis, in a very limited pressing. For vinyl, most of the songs were released on two equally limited vinyl EPs; "The Funk Star", and "The Soul Star". The album was released on Grit Records, a small hip-hop label that had some success around this time with great releases by KRS-One and Soul Supreme along with OC. From there, it was said that "Starchild" would get a proper retail release, but a completely remixed take. Some of y'all might remember that it was originally Pete Rock who were said to remix the entire project, as "Soulchild", later we heard that the remixes would be handled by Beat Fanatic Productions. In 2011, however, the good folks over at Redefinition Records released a White Label 12" with Damu the Fudgemunk's remix, and now that Redef uploaded it to Soundcloud, it now says this was also for a "Starchild" remix project. It seems most likely that they were working on a remix album, with some Pete beats, some Beat Fanatic beats as well as some outside producers. What I know, is that I would fucking love to hear the project in full. You can check out a gang of those remixes in this previous post on the subject.

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Yes We Can"

Redefinition Records remains one of the illest labels out there, especially when it comes to instrumental true school hip-hop. There two flagship artists are the impeccable K-Def and co-owner Damu the Fudgemunk. The latter has just dropped a fantastic freebie that he recorded, produced and mixed in 2008. It was made in the upcoming election time and given the title "Yes We Can" and is of course an homage to Barack Obama; a musical prayer that he would take home the victory, which he of course did.

The booming, bass heavy track with it's great turntablism and punch you in the face drum beat is nothing short of an amazing musical statement. I love how Damu incorporates the bassline from KRS-One's classic "Squash All Beef" every now and then, as it's one of my favorite KRS joints of all time. You can both stream and download the song for free so make sure to do just that, enjoy and TURN IT UP!!

Damu the Fudgemunk / Raw Poetic - "Streamline"

Redefinition Records keeps cementing their position as one of the leading labes for pure underground hip-hop. The latest forthcoming project out the camp is a Damu the Fudgemunk 16-tracks album with Panacea emcee Raw Poetic (who made a marvellous recent apperance on K-Def's "Night Shift"). The LP will serve as the follow-up to a previous collaboration between the two known as "Kilawatt V.1" (the new project is instead titled "Killawatt V.1.5") The first single which you can hear below and is sure to get you hyped goes by the name of "Streamline". February 28th is the release date so be on the lookout. For more info and to place orders head over to The Redefinition site.

The Union / Talib Kweli [Damu Remix]

Here's a cool song I had missed out on before by a duo who calls themeselves The Union. I don't know much about the group besides that they are one of Fat Beats latest signees and consists of two producers (OJ & Gold) out of Paris. This song is called "Time Leak" features vocals by Talib Kweli and the sweet voiced Syleena Johnson. It's available on a triangle shaped 9" vinyl (!) including original version, instrumental, Flako remix and the remix by Damu the Fudgemunk which you can check out below. You can order the single from Fat Beats.

The Union ft Talib Kweli - Time Leak - Damu's REDEF REMIX

Damu The Fudgemunk - "Faster Rhyme..."

DC's own super-producer Damu the Fudgemunk delivers another winning vinyl exclusive for Redefinition Records (where he's also the co-owner). Besides beat and scratches he also deliver some bars for this one, although instrumental needs are also met on the B-side. The 7" single is limited to 225 copies so if you want your copy you better hurry over to the REDEF Shop and make a move.

DAMU The FUDGEMUNK - "FASTER RHYME FOR SELF" 

GRAP LUVA - "Work is Never Done"

Grap Luva is finally preparing to release his first official release, "Work is Never Done", which is quite unbelivable considering Pete Rock's younger brother been ripping mics and producing heat since 1992. The EP will be released on both CD and wax via Splice-Of-Spice Records with executive production by Earl Davis for Redefinition Records; two of the most reliable underground labels of today. The record features a mix of Grap spitting heat over Damu The Fudgemunk's, Kev Brown's and Joc Max productions as well as some choice beats from his own SP-1200 archives.

The release date is set for the 4th of November but since it's a limited release, place your pre-order as soon as possible! The site put up for the release also includes links for streaming most of the songs on the EP, and below you can check out the banging ass intro, featuring Damu on turntables, that sets things off lovely for the project.

Work Is Neva Done - Grap Luva ft Damu The Fudgemunk by Redefinition Records

Grap Luva & Damu teams up for EP

Pete Rock's younger brother, former InI member Grap Luva, is no joke on either the mic or on the production side of things as proven on the shelved classic "Center Of Attention". On that album he produced the impeccable joint "Step Up Time", and also created a few other Pete Rock assumed productions like "Markd4Death", "Press Rewind" and "Half Man, Half Amazin'" from "Soul Survivor". While he's been rather quiet over what could've been his glory days, but these two recent videos proved that he has kept up his SP1200 skills to the fullest. And Damu The Fudgemunk is another fantastic producer of the "younger generation" who has released loads of simply incredible instrumental music, most recently on his new label Redefinition Records. If you haven't heard of him yet (I would first ask you if you'd been sleeping under a rock though), quickly check out "This How It Should Sound Vol. 1 + 2".

With such amazing artists it's not hard to figure out that them combined will produce great things and that is just what label Slice-of-Spice Records will treat fans with in a very near future. The A-side will feature two previously unreleased tracks with Grap on the mic, while the B-side will have six previously unreleased Grap Luva SP1200 instrumental beats, fully remastered. Damu The Fudgemunk is featured on this EP as turntablist, producer or engineer/recorder of the material. This is definitely one to watch out for and if you don't believe me you can listen through high quality snippets of ALL THE TRACKS through SoundCloud below (all the songs on the first page is from the EP besiddes the two at the bottom). Enjoy!

GRAP LUVA Ft, DAMU - "NEVA DONE EP" [SNIPPETS]