[Album] KLAUS LAYER - "Restless Adventures"

German music connoisseur Klaus Layer is back with another plate of fresh instrumentals on Redefinition Records. Taking stamp in East Coast boom bap Klaus adds several layers of sounds to each track, combining live instrumentation and dusty samples in creating a unique musical experience that forms a cohessive whole. I'd go as far as saying that this is probably the producer's finest work yet, an album that comes highly recommended. Cop the LP @ RedefinitionRecords.com or grab the digital from Bandcamp.

[Album] KLAUS LAYER - "For The People Like Us"

German turned American boom bap producer Klaus Layer a.k.a. Captain Crook recently released his second album on Redefintion Records (following the outstanding "The Adventures of Captain Crook". I posted a couple of singles from this one a while back but thanks to Redef's Bandcamp page for the LP you can now stream/preview the entire album as well as purchasing a digital copy for $8. The instrumental album features 12 songs that makes for a great front-to-back listen which is the way I highly recommend you listen to it.  The album is of course also available on 12" vinyl from Redef's shop. Don't sleep!

[Album] KLAUS LAYER - "For The People Like Us"

Sometimes you gotta head over here to Europe to get that ill boom bap in it's truest form - Klaus Layer's "The Adventures Of Captain Crook" was without a doubt one of the most banging albums of last year. Now the German boom bap maestro is back with another album on Redefinition called "For The People Like Us" and while the vocal tracks has dissapeared all together this time, the signature sample-based Golden Age sound of filtered bassline, pounding drums, Rhodes and horns is in full effect. Consisting of twelve instrumenal bangers, Layer keeps growing as an artist and there's no question this one will get heavy play this summer. Stream it for free below but be sure to support by copping it via iTunes or Bandcamp; I can't seem able to find a vinyl copy on the Redef site but I have a feeling it will pop up sooner or later, so hold your eyes and ears open.

KLAUS LAYER - "For The People Like Us" / "Kool"

Since his signing with Redef, German based producer Klaus Layer has released interesing instrumental proejct after another - not least his official album debut "The Adventures of Captain Crook" and one June 17 Layer is releasing the official follow-up to that project. Already now the label is giving heads a chance to hear the first two singles (including the LP title track "For The People Like Us") on their Bandcamp page, and they both sound as dope and multi-layered as expected. Don't sleep on this and stay tuned for more info and music. As for now you can peep the tracklist and pre-order the digital here.

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.

[EP] KLAUS LAYER - "It's Like A Circle"

Since the release of his first Redefinition release, "The Adventures of Captain Crook", the German boom bap producer previously known as Captain Crook has been seen through my eyes as one of the absolutely most interesting young artists to emerge as of late. Of course, he's releasing his music on Redefinition Records, an incredible imprint that's always giv, as e their artists the highest creative freedom, as well as constantly following their slogan of "quality over quantity". Following the aforementioned "Adventures" LP, Layer has been busy releasing a couple of 45:s and lending his production talents to the likes of DXA. 

However, he relatively recently released his follow-up to his first Redef outing, albeit as a 6-track EP entitled "Es Ist Wie En Kreis (It's Like A Circle)". In isuaul Redef fashion, the 20 minutes deep projecct is available not only on vinyl but also cassette (who needs a CD anyway). Layer and the label have decided to give fans the chance to hear the album for free, by providing a free 320 kbps rip of the cassette available @ Redef's Soundcloud.

KLAUS LAYER - "Play Me Like An Old Melody"

German born Klaus Layer a.k.a. Captain Crook dropped one of the hottest instrumental records of 2013 when teaming up with Redefinition Records to drop his "The Adventures of Captain Crook". The album is still available in two different pressings on both CD, vinyl and cassette along with various EP:s and singles via Redef Records. And now Layer is releasing a brand new 7" single via the label featuring another one of his trademark boom bangers entitled "Play Me Like An Old Melody" which you can stream and download for free in full up top. Damn, a lot of hot new music coming out at the m.o.!

KLAUS LAYER - "Kool" / "REDEF Vinyl Review DJ Set"

Klaus Layer, a.k.a. Captain Crook, joined the high quality roster of Redefinition and dropped one of the funkiest instrumental LP:s of 2014 (a year filled with superb instrumental albums) with "The Adventures of Captain Crook". Here is a loose joint from the German wunderkind's stash called "Kool", recorded in 2008. Enjoy!

Also check out Captain Crook's DJ set recap of Redefinition Records 2013 catalouge which I totally missed when it was first uploaded (though I own a bunch of the records). Featuring Crook mixing music by Blu, K-DEF, Damu The Fudgemunk, Kev Brown and Klaus Layer himself. Will be interesting to see what's in store from Redef in 2014.

DXA / KLAUS LAYER - "Rise Up" / "Get On The Beat"

Following German beat genius Captain Crooks/Klaus Layer's first release on Redefinition, the amazing "Adventures of Captain Crook", the emcee/producer quartet DXA enlist Klaus talents for their new 7" single. With Layer lacing both the A- and B-side, "Rise Up" and "Get On The Beat" you can count on it being sample based boom bap hip-hop at its finest, with thumping bass and drums, slick cuts, horns fading in and out, distant vocal samples, allowing the emcees a chance to really shine. A highly recommended self-released vinyl single that should definitely find its way to your collections. In fact the guys are so confident in their product that they allow potential buyers test the product by both streaming and download HQ rips of the track below.

KLAUS LAYER - "When The Sun Came"

This past summer, Germany based atmospheric boom bap proder Klaus Layer (also known as Captain Crook) got the opportunity to place his unique hip-hop on a full-length produced and distribitued by Redefinition Records. Filled with majetic horn, nostalgic saxophones, and melodic basslines, "The Adventures of Captain Crook" still stands as one of 2013:s most original albums. Before the year comes to an end, Layer has been given the opportunity to let his fans (who are
a steadily growing group) hear its companion piece. Releaased on December 10, the 10" EP is called "Es Ist Wie Ein Kreis (It's Like A Circle)", is  pressed on clear vinyl and unlike its predecessor is a completely instrumental affair. Stream the first single below, the opening track "Als Die Sonne Kam (When The Sun Came)" and order your copy @ REDEF.

01. Als Die Sonne Kam (When The Sun Came)

02. Gementzel, Geplant, Ganove (Slaughter, Planned, Crook)

03. Es Ist Wie Ein Kreis (It's Like A Circle)

04. Die Gefährten (The Homies)

05. Immer Noch Hungrig (Still Hungry)

06. Ich traeumte Von Diesem Tag (I Dreamed Of This Day)

[Album] KLAUS LAYER - "Adventures Of Captain Crook"

Redefinition Records keeps bringing the heat, alternating releases of rare records (just a couple of days ago we finally got a vinyl release of House Shoes ultimate Dilla tribute "King James Version") with given the chance to new and old underground artists to release their music as they want to release it... That they also experiment with formats like 45:s, 10" LP:s, cassettes, etcetra is hardly a bad thing either. One of their most recent releases is the debut album of German producer extraordinary Klaus Layer, "The Adventures Of Captain Crook". I have posted this before, including a link to the full stream of the album back when it was first released back in late August. However, Redef is now releasing a limited run of cassettes for this mostly instrumental album which is available now for only 10$. I personally don't own a cassette player but the good folks at the label has also uploaded the entire album for both streaming and free download. Layer's debut album is a spectacular project filled with bass heavy beats, crispy drums, spaced out filtered samples of melodic flutes, synths, saxes, etc. You can hear influences from both Pete Rock and DJ Shadow here, and it's clear he's got a lot of jazz in his crates. Though mainly instrumental, Blu appears on two individual tracks! Buy the album @ Redefinition. Click here if you can't see the player below!

[Album] KLAUS LAYER - "Adventures of Captain Crook"

Klaus Layer, sometimes known as Captain Crook, is a producer hailing from Germany who as such is the first international signee to acclaimed underground hip-hop base Redefinition Records. "The Adventures of Captain Crook", which is now available, takes the listener on a journey through lush sonic landscapes filled with moody melodies, ghostly voices and jazzy grooves; at times reminiscent of early Shadow. Klaus cites artists as diverse as Gunther Fischer, Pete Rock, Can, Michael Himel, Damu and Lord Finesse as inspiring sources, and while all of these influences can be heard here, there's no doubt that the overarching vision and sound is uniquely that of Klaus Layer. You can stream and purchase the digital album via Bandcamp, while the LP/CD is available @ Redefinition.