[EP] MED / MADLIB - "Classic - The Outtakes"

In celebration of the release of the new MED / Blu / Madlib collaboration (see post below) I've dug up a gem from MED's Soundcloud page that I never saw catch the buzz it should've. Medaphoar came up with Madlib in Oxnard and been an integral part of Madlib's career, appearing as the only guest emcee on projects like 'Lib's excellent Blu Note remix album. Madlib has also been the main producer of MED's two first albums, "Push Comes to Shove" (2005) and "Classic" (2011). The latter project is what this post pertains to, as an "outtake reel" of almost 15 minutes of previously unreleased material was made available for free streaming via MED's Soundcloud page a couple of years back. Featuring seven tracks originally recorded for "Classic", with guest apperances from Aloe Blacc, Oh No, Steve Arrington, and Pok, this makes for a gripping listen and a perfect addition to throw on following your next listen to the original LP. And did I mention that all of the music included here were produced by Madlib? Much of these beats, in slightly altered form, ended up on other projects created around the same time - most noticeably Guilty Simpson's "OJ Simpson" and the Strong Arm Steady LP. If you missed out on this set the first time around... TURN IT UP! [illest track - "Hold U Down", damn!]

[Stream] MED x BLU x MADLIB - "Bad Neighbor"

Three of the West Coast's most interesting and innovative artists of the day got together to record the full-length LP "Bad Neighbor" which is now available on wax, CD and digital through MED's own BangYaHead imprint. Since its announcement a month or so ago I've been absolutely stoked for this project and I can say that it does not dissapoint. Blu and Medaphoar have a really strong chemistry and their voices and styles go really well together and there's a lot of strong concepts to assure a satisfying listen. Madlib is the captain of the ship however and while it might not reach the incredible heights of "Pinata", 'Lib does create magic here through his delving into his vintage 1970's Soul crates. An interesting note on these recordings is that this album has been gestating for several years, going through a severe transformation guided by MED. Originally Blu recorded a bunch of new songs over beats he had received from The Mad Kid, much of which was put out (and soon after withdrawn) on the free Blu LP/mixtape "UCLA". MED then took it upon himself to use those aborted sessions into building a full scale MED/Blu/Madlib collaboration LP with some massive guest features. And the result speaks for itself... While I felt that the second half is a little stronger, I also gets the feeling that this is one of those projects that will grow a whole lot on you so I'm reserving my final call on this one. But I can put it like this - it is definitely one album I will purchase to add to the record collection.

Stream the entire LP below via Spotify and be sure to support the artists by purchasing a copy of "Bad Neighbor" in your format of choice @ Rappcats (just noticed that the 2xLP set isn't released until December 1, but pre-orders are up).

BLU x MED x MADLIB - "Knock Knock"

Some very interesting news just hit the net, concerning an album that could very well end up being one of the best of the year. The trio of Blu, Medaphor and Madlib was heard about a year ago on an EP called "Burgundy Whip" but it turns out that was just a small taste of what these group have in stores for us. The project is described as having been in gestation for some time, initiated when Blu received and recorded over a bunch of Madlib instrumentals that remained unreleased. Some time ago MED got a hold of these rough drafts, added verses of his own to them and invited a bunch of dope guest emcees to complete the set. The resulting album "Bad Neighbor" will be available on CD, digital and 2xLP on October 30 and December 1, respectively. 

The first single is something of a Madvillain reunion as the masked villain jumps on "Knock Knock". Read more and get your pre-orders on @ Rappcats. Also check out this info with MED @ Rolling Stone.

[Mixtape] BLU x MED x DJ ROMES - "Bad Neighbor Tour CD"

Heavily skilled DJ Romes (of Lootpack fame) has put in a lot of work with especially Oh No, MED and other Stones Throw alumnis over the years so you can count on him knowing how to put together an ill mix. This little mix was done specificially to celebrate last years one month long tour that Blu and MED did together, two interesting West Coast artists. Though the mixtape is light on new material (which doesn't mean that they aren't at least a few brand new joints), it's a very good listen as it features remixes and a load of collaborations between this dynamic duo recorded and/or released between 2009 and 2014. Enjoy!

MED Ft. BLU, MAYER HAWTHORNE & MADLIB - "The Buzz"

Following MED and Blu's recent collaborative EP with producer Madlib "The Burgundy Whip", the trio joins back together for the Mayer Hawthorne assisted "The Buzz". The single comes from the album of the same name by MED which is due in stores on November 26 via Bang Ya Head/Fat Beats. The thumping soul excursion is also available on a 12" single released by Stones Throw, featuring Dam-Funk's "Peroxide" on the flip. You can grab that one directly from Stones Throw.

[EP] M.E.D. x MADLIB - "Classic: The Outtakes"

In 2011 Stones Throw alumi M.E.D. released his second official solo album, "Classic" on the label. Out of the fourteen tracks Madlib produced ten songs if I'm not mistaken, and as with any album there's some dopeness bound to end up on the cutting room floor. But there they doesn't make anyone much good now do they? M.E.D. and producer Madlib have wisely decided to throw the fans a tasty bone with all the completed tracks that in the end didn't make the final cut. And it's a lot of really tight music here too...

 

Many of the tracks have since been sold by Madlib to other artists; especially interesting is that a demo version of the beat for Guilty Simpson's Jay Dee tribute "Cali Hills" appears here as "Sleeper Bag". Other cuts have been given to Freddie Gibbs. M.E.D. and Madib has time and time again proven to be a Power duo and these 7 tracks doesn't exactly put a halt to that fact. On the micropone, Medaphoar are joined by the aforementioned Oh No, Aloe Blacc, Pok, Mellow D, and Steve Arrlington. I gotta say that I take this over that "Burgundy Whip" EP any day (although the last track cutts off rather abruptly)!

 

J. ROCC / MED - (AXEL F) - "All Day" (Ft. Oh No)

Axel F is a new collaboration by Stones Throw legends DJ J. Rocc, and MC MED who's about to release their debut record in the form of a six-track EP entitled "Sofa Set EP" (also featuring instrumentals). The second sigle from the group is sounding as promising as the first and is called "All Day" which features another dope verse from another Stones Throw ver in the form of Oh No. In other words, enjoy this banger!

14KT Ft. MED & Black Milk - "Crown"

Michigan beatsmith 14KT have been making quite some noise for himself since his breakthrough on the scene a few years back. Now he's back with a 15 track instrumental LP called "Nickel & Dimed" which drops September 3 on Mello Music Group. The album also includes a bonus EP consisting of vocal takes; from there we get "Crown", featuring MED & Black Milk.

MED x BLU x MADLIB - "Burgundy Whip"

Originally heard on last year's Blu/Madlib mixtape "U.C.L.A.", "Burgundy Whip" now serves as the title track and lead single from an upcoming EP collaboration between Blu and MED. The EP consists of four songs, all produced by Madlib with the exception of one G.A. Muldrow joint, plus instrumentals. Available in digital format and on coloured vinyl via MED's Bang Ya Head label this Tuesday; will definitely be one for the collection!

01. "Burgundy Whip"

02. "The Arrangement"

 03. "This is Your Life" [Gee-Mix]

04. "Belly Full" (Ft. Black Spade) 

House Shoes x Nottz x Oh No x MED

House Shoes, one of the foremost representants of the Motown hip-hop scene, is releasing his album "Let It Go" on June 19. From there, we hear the fat single "Last Breath", featuring Nottz, Oh No and MED ripping the mic. Other guest spots on the LP are held down by people like Guilty Simpson, Roc Marciano, Alchemist, Charlie 2na, and many others; all produced by Shoes himself. I'm especially looking forward to hearing another "Greneberg" collaboration. Pre-order here.

01. "Let It Go" (Ft. Shaqif Husaayn)
02. "Empire"
03. "Goodfellas to Bad Boys" (Ft. Moe Dirdee)
04. "Dirt" (Ft. Greneberg)
05. "Time" (Ft. Big Tone)
06. "Crazy" (Ft. Black Milk & Guilty Simpson)
07. "Last Breath" (Ft. Nottz, Oh No & MED)
08. "Keep On" (Ft. Co$$)
09. "Sweet / Noodles"
10. "So Different" (Ft. Charlie 2na)
11. "Everything (Modern Family)"
12. "Sunrise" (Ft. Black Spade)
13. "Trouble" (Ft. MarvWon & Moe Dirdee)
14. "Nails" (Ft. Quelle Chris & Guilty Simpson)
15. "Castles (The Sky is Ours" (Ft. Jimetta Rose)
16. "Cry Now"
17. "Roller Coaster" (Ft. Self Sayes & Fat Albert Einsteen)
18. "Empire (Reprise)" (Ft. Sam Beubien of Will Sessions)

HOUSE SHOES - "LAST BREATH" (Ft. Oh No, MED & Nottz)

M.E.D. - "War & Love"

"War & Love" is the title of this sick Alchemist produced track from M.E.D.'s latest release - "Classic". Besides Alc on the boards, the song also features a guest apperance by Oh No so both Gangrene partners were involved on this one. The video is directed by Shane Sakanoi.

M.E.D. reveals tracklist for "Classic"

Stones Throw emcee Medaphoar, a.k.a. M.E.D., has finished his second official solo album, following 2005's "Push Come to Shove". As he's always been close to Madlib it should come as no suprise that his fingerprints are all over the production on the LP, which is called "Classic" (didn't Rah Digga just drop an album with the same title haha). Besides 'Lib's 10 contributions we'll also hear M.E.D. rip tracks by Alchemist, Oh No, Kareem Riggins and Georgia-Anne Muldrow with guest features coming from Planet Asia, Kurupt and Talib Kweli. Sounds like a cool album to me and the things we've heard leading up to this album has all been some heavy, vintage Stones Throw ish - I'm talking about the Kweli featured title track seen above and the sick mixtape released last year, "Bang Your Head III".

01. "Int'l" [prod. by Georgia Anne Muldrow]
02. "Where I'm From" (Ft. Aloe Blacc) [prod. by Oh No]
03. "Too Late" [prod. by Madlib]
04. "War & Love" (Ft. Oh No) [prod. by Alchemist]
05. "Classic" (Ft. Talib Kweli) [prod. by Karriem Riggins]
06. "Get That" (Ft. Poke) [prod. by Madlib]
07. "JWF" [prod. by Madlib]
08. "Roll Out" (Ft. Planet Asia & Kurupt)
09. "Blaxican" [prod. by Madlib]
10. "Outta Control" (Ft. Hodgy Beats) [prod. by Madlib]
11. "Flying High" [prod. by Madlib]
12. "Medical Card" [prod. by Madlib]
13. "1 Life 2 Live" [prod. by Madlib]
14. "Mystical Magic" [prod. by Madlib]