[EP] KARRIEM RIGGINS vs. THE ROOTS x COSTELLO - "Wise Up: Thought"

Long-time readers of The Lost Tapes know very well what a huge admirer I am of both Philly's finest The Roots and super underrated Detroit alumni Karriem Riggins (click on "The Intersection" to check out my recent compilation career overview of the highly skilled musician's production). Earlier this year The Roots, the most broad minded collective in hip-hop, released the full-length collaboration with great musical punk rock pioneer / singer/songwriter Elvis Costello. While the album was The Roots least hip-hop oriented LP yet, it definitely made for an interesting listen though many of us had hope for a bit more of a hip-hop or soul vibe.

For those who felt that way, a 7 track CD EP called "Wise Up Thought: Reworks & Remixes" was released exclusively for Record Store Day Friday, featuring two crazy Karriem Riggins remix (including a fantastic take on "Cinco Minutos Con Voy" (already one of the strongest cuts on the original album), featuring a large chunk of a brilliant Black Thought not featured on the OG version. In addition to this the EP also featured three immaculate Karriem Riggins beat interludes based or sampled on original songs from the LP. Since it seems that this was only available for a very short time and it can't be purchased any more, I have decided to upload all of the five Riggins track that in length make up about 10 minutes of the 7 tracks 20 minutes clocking time. If this is in any way going against the copyright infrigment, please contact me and I'll take it down immeaditly. But until then, sit back, make yourself comfortable and TURN THIS FUCKER UP!!

01. "Cinco Minutes Von Coy" (Ft. Black Thought) [Riggins Remix]

02. "Sugar Won't Work" [Riggins Beat Interlude]

03. "Come The Meantimes" [Riggins Remix]

04. "The Puppet Has Cut His Strings" [Riggins Beat Interlude]

05. "Viceroy's Row" [Riggins Beat Interlude]

RIGGINS x COSTELLO x ROOTS - "WISE UP: THOUGHT"

ELZHI - "The Recap" [prod. K.Riggins]

eLzhi and Karriem Riggins hits home with "The Recap", a two minute snippet from a recent studio session in the Motor City. I need more of this!

[Comp] KARRIEM RIGGINS - "At The Intersection"

I've been wanting to do something to honor the work of Karriem Riggins for a long, long time. He's definitely one of hip-hops best kept secret that is finally starting to get his due credit over the last few years. Being a huge fan of both jazz and hip-hop you have got to show a lot of admiration for what this guy is doing on both ends of the specrum. On one side, he's a superb jazz drummer who's pulsating grooves and perfect timing has landed him sessions and/or gigs with legends like Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, and Milt Jackson. Add to that that he's one of the most interesting producers around, as proven through his small but spotless catalouge which includes collaboration with people like The Roots, Common, Slum Village, and Proof. These hip-hop productions also landed him a deal as a solo artist with Stones Throw Records, resulting in the instrumental double LP "Alone/Together", a 34 tracks beat tape refined into an album that stand alongside similiar HQ projects by Madlib, JD and Oh No.

Many know that he was a very close friend of Jay Dee, often swapping ideas and beat tapes between them and already back in 2000 Riggins was the only outside producer to get the chance to work on Dilla's solo debut album "Welcome 2 Detroit", where his contribution "Clap!" became a favorite among many listeners. Not to mention that he was the one entrusted to complete "The Shining" after Yancey passed, a project that reportedly was about 75% done but came together seamlessly. So while The D is bubbling with incredibly talented proucers like Black Milk, Apollo Brown, Mr. Porter and NameTag, I feel that its Karriem Riggins that's closest to Dilla's sensibilities though there's no question that he has evolved a unique style of his own through a rich musical palette.

So with that brief presentation, the latest The Lost Tapes compilation focuses on the production work of Mr. Riggins. The 18 tracks here is meant to reflect his entire prouction career, from early Detroit classics to his recent instrumental stuff, without using any material from the actual LP (the few ST cuts are all singles that have been released for free download). I've put a lot of thought into the sequencing into this one and hope you will let it play through in its entire 68 minutes. TURN IT UP, enjoy and please support Karriem Riggins by purchasing "Alone/Together" @ ST.


01. "Chopped Worm Intro"

02. "Matador Posse Cut" (Ft. Guilty Simpson, KRNDN, Jon Wayne & Homeboy Sandman)
03. "Soldier" (w. Erykah Badu)
04. "Uncle Raheim" (w. Consequence)
05. "Next Time" (w. Common)
06. "Harmony" (w. Slum Village)
07. "Aerodynamic" [Slum Village Remix] (w. Daft Punk)
08. "E + 1 Equal None"(w. Proof)
09. "VIP In" (w. Phat Kat)
10. "Who Got It?" (w. Talib Kweli)
11. "Quills" (w. The Roots)
12. "Play Your Cards Right" (w. Common & Bilal)
13. "Evil Ways" [K. Riggins Remix] (w. Willie Bobo)
14. "Mona Lisa" (w. Black Thought)
15. "We Be Dem Pt. 2" (w. Slum Village)
16. "Vernors" (w. The Detroit Experiment)
17. "Body Movin'" (Dilla x Riggins x J-Rocc)

KARRIEM RIGGINS - "AT THE INTERSECTION" 

[Mixtape] KARRIEM RIGGINS - "Music Kaleidoscope"

Producer, DJ, and live drummer Karriem Riggins was a close friend of J Dilla, played extensively with Eric Reed and Oscar Brown, and produces instrumental hip-hop for Stones Throw. Easily one of Detroit's finest modern musician and just as easily someone that more heads should be very aware of. I'm not going to write too much about him right now as I intend to drop a 20+ tracks compilation of his outside production work here on The Lost Tapes already tomorrow. So, see this is a little warm up for you all to get acquainted with the musical wonderchild that is Karriem Riggins...

"Music Kaleidoscope" was a limited promotional CD released in 2009 on an imprint called Jae.B Group. During its 50 minutes run we are acquainted with Riggins the DJ, Riggins the producer, Riggins the drummer and Riggins the jazz lover in a seamless mix. Press play on the Soundcloud player below (thanks to Furious.Styles for the original upload) and enter Karriem's grooving mix of classic jazz, fusion, funk, R&B, and new compositions. A definite sure shot while you're waiting for the "official" compilation to be brought forward tomorrow... Keep that head moving!

01. Soft Machine - "Sly Monkey"
02. Miroslav Vitous - "See You, November"
03. Donald Byrd - "Think Twice"
04. Karriem Riggins & George Duke - "Untitled"
05. Common - "Sex For Suga" [Karriem Riggins Remix]
06. Rhythm Heritage - "Three Days Of The Condor"
07. Karriem Riggins - "Soon"
08. Karriem Riggins - "If This World Were Mine"
09. Dizzy Gillespie - "Matrix"
10. The Moments - "Sho Nuff Boogie"
11. Bobby Timmons - "I Don't Know What Time It Is"
12. Wee Three - "Reflection"
13. Guillermo Klein - "De Sábados Prá Dominguinhos"
14. Karriem Riggins - "Chinese Arithmetic"
15. Karriem Riggins - "12's in 8's"
16. Karriem Riggins - "Pacman @ The Prom"
17. Karriem Riggins - "Trance Delight"
18. Karriem Riggins - "Better Days"
19. Nohelani Cypriano - "Lihue"
20. Johnny Hammond - "Quiet Storm"
21. Robertinho do Recife - "O Elefante"
22. Isaac Hayes - "Title Theme (Tough Guys)"
23. Karriem Riggins - "Harp Me"
24. Mike Oldfield - "Part One (Tubular Bells)"
25. Karriem Riggins - "Outro"

MadGibbs - "City" (Ft. Karriem Riggins)

I'm so anticipated the full-length project by Madlib and Freddie Gibes which should be out later this year; the two 12" singles released since last year are truly incredible and some of the best I've Heard from the very talented Gibbs. Now comes Another low-down Dirty banger from the duo, which also features the talented drummer/beatsmith Karriem Riggins getting busy to great effect. I've been praying for a superb Gibbs album that you can truly play from front-to-back; I love his emcee style but many of his beats does not appeal to me, with some true standouts being available on each project.

 

The MadGibbs LP will hopefully change all that, as I feel the dirty sample driven sounds and chopped up drums is a perfect fit for Gangsta Gibbs based on the several singles and B-sides we've heard from the team so far. Their collaborative album, "Cocaine Pinata" as it is now called is shceduled for a late October release and I have a truly, great feeling about this one... If the're no pushbacks or setbacks there' just a couple of months until we should have this in our respective record collections. Take a listen to the Riggins x Madlib x Gibbs on the single "City" below, and stay tuned for more info on the project. Could this be one of the best albums of the year, I would be extremely suprised if it doesn't reach a real Buzz in the underground circles. All tracks are straight up fantasitc, and I am really starting to Think that 'Lib and Gibbs display true Chemistry togetrher..

[Video] KARRIEM RIGGINS - "J DiLLA The Greatest"

Karriem Riggins - J Dilla The Greatest from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

In celebration of the birthday of his friend and collaborator, the late James Yancey a.k.a. J Dilla, Karriem Riggins releases a music video for the closing track on his "Alone Together". Breaking down and flipping one of my favorite Jay Dee cuts ("Featuring Phat Kat"), the song is aptly titled "J Dilla The Greatest".

Karriem Riggins - "Chopped Worm"

With the release of his "Alone Together" album this year, hip-hop head's are finally starting to give more recognition to Karriem Riggins which is so well-deserved and so great to see. The latest single is not a cut from the album, but rather a new mini-composition made in tribute of Ohio Player's Leroy Bonner who passed away last week. Here, Riggins' gives his own funk driven interpretation of the Player's classic "Funky Worm".

Karriem Riggins - "Matador Posse Cut"

For the release of the "Matador" single from his recent gem of an album ("Alone Together"), Karriem Riggins beefs up the original instrumental with a new mix. Featuring ill guest featres from Krondon, Homeboy Sandman, Guilty Simpson, Jon Wayne and J. Rocc this is a bad ass Stones Throw posse cut right here.

KARRIEM RIGGINS - "MATADOR POSSE CUT"

Karriem Riggins - "Matador"

If you're not up on Karriem Riggin's, you definitely got some enlighting homework to do. He was one of few people J Dilla trusted as an outside producer on his own projects, in fact he was even the one trusted to put the finishing touches on Jay's last official opus "The Shining", he has played drums behind the legendary Herbie Hancock, and knows his way around hip-hop and jazz purists. Today, Riggins is releasing "Alone/Together", an album of 34 bite size instrumentals in a format not too different from "Donuts" or Madlib's "Beat Konducta" projects. Take a listen to the single "Matador" below, and get your order on from the Stones Throw shop.

Talib Kweli - "Take It Back" [2007]

Talib Kweli recently hit us with the free "Attack Of The Block", but the Kweli project that's really been in heavy rotation for me lately is 2007's excellent "Eardrum"; in my opinion the BK poet's finest hour as a solo artist. I love how it blends political/conscious rhymes with self-reflecting shit as well as lighter material. But what really brings it home is the soulful production that so seamlessly blended live instrumentation form The Fyre Dept. with sample based records by beat wizards like Madlib, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Kanye West, Just Blaze, DJ Khalil, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, and more. 

One amazing track from those sessions that really manages to capture the vibe of the entire album is a joint called "Take It Back", produced by the multi-talented Karriem Riggins. Reminiscing on hip-hop's golen age and how that music can still pick us up in the worst of times, coupled with a soothing backdrop that includes guitar, acoustic piano, live drums and the beautiful voice of Marsha Ambrosious, this is classic Kweli right here.

TALIB KWELI - "TAKE IT BACK"

Karriem Riggins prepares "Alone Together" LP

As a huge fan of both hip-hop and jazz, Karriem Riggins' has always been a musician and producer I held in the higest regards. ?uestlove is most often given the title of "best hip-hop drummer", but if that's the case then Riggins sure ain't far away. Besides providing impeccable drumming on hip-hop classics by Common, Jay Dee, Erykah Badu and Percee P, he has also performed and recorded with people like Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Milt Jackson, Herbie Hancock, and even Paul McCartney. 

For Riggins' forthcoming official solo debut, "All Alone", the focus will be on his work as a hip-hop producer, and combines 34 exclusive instrumentals in a "The Beat Konducta"/"Donuts" fashion. The qualiy of his past work points towards good results coming out of this, after all Riggins' was he one Jay Dee trusted to complete his final release, "The Shining", which was about 75% completed when he departed from this world. If you want to hear a good mix of his production work, peep the "Karriem Riggins Produced This" podcast from Stones Throw.

PRE-ORDER KARRIEM RIGGINS' "ALL ALONE"

KARRiEM RiGGiNS - "Karriem Produced This"

If you don't know the name Karriem Riggins, you definitely need to do your homework ASAP. Next to ?uestlove, he might just be the sharpest live drummer around; playing drums for countless classic jazz and hip-hop artist; Hank Jones, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd and even recently backed up piano king Herbie Hancock on his terrific performance during last year's Elvis  Cosstello show. As if that wasn't enough, Riggin's is also a more than capable producer, having laced some mind blowing gems on his MPC; hitting up the likes of Common, The Roots, eLzhi, Phat Kat and Erykah Badu, just to name a few.

Most heads might know him for is his close relationship with the late, great James Yancey, a.k.a. J Dilla, a.k.a. Jay Dee. With both being Detroit, Michigan natives, both Karriem and Yancey have told stories about friendly competition in creating beats, trying to outshine eachother. Riggins' is also one of few producers to have caught placements on JD albums throughout the years. Matter of fact, my introfuction to him was the heavy hitter "The Clapper", the sole outside production on Jay Dee's unbeliavable 2001 debut, "Welcome 2 Detroit". He continued producing and playing drums on various Slum Village records, guest produced a Dilla solo for his unreleased MCA debut a year later. The real proof of the Dilla estate's trust in Karriem Riggins' came when James Yancey tragically passed away as a result of a long fight with lupus and a rare blood disease. For years, he had been working on his second vocal album, "The Shining" which according to those involved was about 75% completed at the time of Yancey's passing. Ma Dukes entrusted Riggins' to complete and finalize the album which eventually was released as a full-length LP in August 2006. 

At the moment the producer is signed to the always trustworthy Stones Throw Records, and is one half of the duo Supreme Team together with Madlib. Stones Throw's latest free podcast is dedicated to the way too often overlooked Detroit producer/drummer, in preparation for his upcoming solo album on the label - "Alone Together". Mixed and prouced by K. Riggins, the podcast can be listened to in its entirety free of charge via iTunes, so what are you waiting for?!

KARiEM RiGGiNS - "RiGGiNS PRODUED THAT"