[Album] CANNIBAL OX - "Blade Of The Ronin"

Yes this has been out for a whole week now but I'm not gonna be the guy that didn't post the follow-up album to one of my all time favorites. 2001:s "The Cold Vein" still stands as one of the bigget and most mindblowing projects ever crated in hip-hop, on level with albums like Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew", Sly & The Family Stone "There's A Riot Goin' On", Velvet Underground & Nico's self-titled debut, The Beatles' "Revolver", you get the drill. To me it's by far El-P's best work ever and I doubt he will ever be able to top it, and Vordul and Vast was such a fresh duo that fed so well off each other's energy. While they have ocassionally made guest apperances on each respective solo albums (if you haven't checked out Vordul's solo catalouge, your doing yourself a huge disfavor) until in 2011 they finally released the first new release under the Cannibal Ox name. A three track EP entirely produced by BILL COSMIQ, who delivered a melodic yet thumping sound that was a new sound for the OX, yet also a right sound. 

Two of the songs from the "Gotham" EP also appears on "Blade Of The Ronin", and the majority of the album is prodicued by BILL COSMIQ, which I like since I'm a fan of albums where the producer and artists works extremely closely and evolve the sounds and vibes of the records together. The only song not made in this fashion is the extraordinary single and posse cut with U-GOD and The Artifacts, "Blade: The Art Of Ox", which is produced by the always interesting Black Milk. So here we are, 14 years after I and many of us fell deeply in love with "The Cold Vein" about to press play on their first official sophomore, no bootlegs, no bullshit, no solos with features, 100% pure OX - today was a good day! Visit CannibalOx.com, head over to iTunes and purchase or get your CD from UGHH (haven't heard anything about a vinyl release yet unfortunately).

CANNIBAL OX Ft. U-GOD & ARTIFACTS - "Blade: The Art Of Ox"

Cannibal Ox dropped one of the best albums this side of 2000 some 15 years ago; an album that still holds up to this day as one of my all time favorites. While Vast Aire and especially Vordul Mega (especially the latter) has dropped some really hot solo projects, fans has been eagerly awaiting that sophomore, long awaited LP that finally lands in stores on March 3 (pre-order @ iTunes). So far all the singles have sounded incredible, with Bill Cosmiq stepping in to fill El-P's big shoes from the classic debut, but for the new posse cut "Blade: The Art Of Ox" the duo grabs the always impeccable Black Milk to provide a soulful backdrop that lets Vordul Mega, Vast Aire, U-GOD and The Artifacts loose to create a real headnodder. Can't wait for this album, for real!

THE REGIMENT Ft. Sadat X & El Da Sesei - "Raise Up"

Damn, there's just a whole lot of ill shit droping today, but I promise y'all this is the last one for today but this NEED to get the attention of as many people as possible. Detroit grou The Regiment is another powerhouse underground duo signed to HiPNOTT Records that three years ago delivered their last album "The Panic Button". In 2014 they are preparing a follow-u and the first single "Raise Up" sounds very promising, especially considering the contributions from The X-Man and the Sensei. Stay tuned for more information on the new album!

[EP] EL DA SENSEI - "Try Again"

Redefinition Records is getting bigger all the time, churning out quality release after quality release. El Da Sensei has been featured on some of the releases but it's first now that the once Artifacts member is actually signed as a full blown solo artist and the starting blast is an EP entitled "Try Again". Only featuring three cuts, the EP's running times strictly flies away and once you know it's over but oh what powerful joints the three tracks are and is a promise of good things to come. El Da Sensei flows right on spot on whatever beat he's given although the production range from straight up boom bap to atmospheric and reflective joints like the title track - but it's always straight up hip-hop, no question about that. 

The aforementioned joint is produced by one of the most underrated producers in the game, long-time DJ Spinna collaborator Joc Max, who does a wonderful job here with the low-key production, complete with cuts from Damu The Fudgemunk. "Smoke to Me" is another relatively laid back joint with El in fine form, inspired by the lesser known D-Smooth, whose blend of haunting piano samples, progressive drum and bass, and some minor changes throughout the beat. The final vocal track is produced by House Shoes, a Detroit legend yet another underrated producer, and here he really shines on what might very well be the best song on the entire 10" sigle. Shoes give Sensei some real true school shit that formally screams boom bap and is sure to have your nodding your head more than the previous two joints as it's simply irrestible. Redefinition has put up the entire EP for stream below (or at least the vocal tracks) - and you can order the physical from Redefinition's Web Shop. Don't sleep on this and pump that volume up!

MARCO POLO + MASTA ACE - "I Refuse"

Marco Polo held 2013 in a real tight grip with his excellent production, kicking the year off with a hot LP with Gang Starr Foundation veteran H. Stax, which was followed up by a free mixtape that had better guest and stronger production than the vast majority of projects released the whole year (I actually copped the wax of it as soon as it dropped) and rounded of the year with the equally excellent "Port Authority 2". Slice-Of-Spice was behind the latter and as usual with their releases they offered customers various special packages - one which included an exclusive 12" single featuring two cuts that did not make the album. The Artifacts' "Back to Work", as slamming as it is, was actually featured on "Newport Authority 2" but the boom banging "I Refuse" with one of the all time greats was exclusive to this release. I previously posted the snippet of the Masta Ace joint here, but now the label has made both tracks available for free download, so hurry up and download because these things are usually time restricted. Of course if you want the actual physical copy there's still a few left which you can get along with "PA2" on triple wax and a poster for about $70 @ Slice-Of-Spice. Listening for the second time, I gotta say DAMN that Ace cut is delicious!

[Album] GUMMY SOUL - "Bap City: The Video Remixes"

A lot of cool new albums up for free streaming today, which is always welcome and if you have a calm night at home just listening to new music this is a great night for sure. Next in line is the new project from producer Gummy Soul a.k.a. Amerigo Gazaway, who since he first entered the scene with immaculate remix projects for De La Soul vs. Fela Kuti and Souls Of Mischief, has continued his fast-rising career with both original material and more remixes and mash-ups of classic '90s hip-hop. 

"Bap City: The Video Remixes" is available as an eight track digital audio album where you can name your own price for download, as well as a DVD release featuring all the videos for the remixes from the project - which you can check out here. The DVD is available for $10 USD and starts shipping out tomorrow. The mini album features Gummy Soul's blending his vintage sound of jazz and funk samples, knocking drums, well placed cuts, and melodic interludes with vocals from some absolute hip-hop classics such as AZ's "The Fomat", M.O.P./Heather B's "My Kinda Nigga", "Wrong Side of the Tracks" by Artifacts, Teflon's "Get Mine", G Rap's"It's A Shame", The Beatnuts' "Hit Me With That", "Hustllin'" by Smoothe Da Hustler and last but not least an immaculate version of Tha Liks / Diamond D collaboration "The Next Level" - in other words a great front to back listen,, so what are you waiting for?!

DJ Dister Ft. Masta Ace - "Ain't No Thing"

This year the legendary Masta Ace has made strong apperances on producer drriven albums by Marco Polo and DJ Skizz, and now it's DJ Dister who grabs the Ace to add some extra flavor to his new single. The track which 0is called "Ain't No Thing" is produced by Dister, performed by The Masta, are turntabled out by DJ Ill-O and has all the ingredients of a monstrous underground hit.The song appears on DJ Dister's new album "Roll With Dis" which is out now and features guest performances from several of the best artists doing it; including AG ("Stop Frontin'"), Artifacts ("Regardless"), Fashawn & Torae ("Everywhere"), KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Lords Of The Underground, Jeru The Damaja, Kool Keith, Lil' Dap, Greg Nice, etc. Check out the snippet reel below and grab the vinyl or CD @ UGHH.
 

[Sampler] THE ARTIFACTS / EL DA SENSEI

Redefinition Records keeps winning, and the next project they got on the horizon is a full-length record by El Da Sensei with some help from his original crew The Artifacts. This is definitely sounding interesting on the paper, but the team has supplied a snippet reel of the upcoming album, and it's really sounding superb. Producers on the LP, and in fact all snippets heard here are produced by the criminally underrated Joc Max, Dee Smooth, and Def Dee. As is usual the deal with Redef, the project will be available for wax and more info should be up @ Redefinition Records.

DJ Doom & Nutso Ft. Large Pro, El Da Sensei & Tony Touch - "It's Just Begun"

To celebrate the memory of the late Jimmy Castor who passed away around this time last year, DJ Doom and talented Queen's spitter Nutso join forces in the creation of their own homage to the #1 B-Boy anthem "It's Just Begun". The funk provided by Doom is definitely right on target and the performances by Large Professor, El Da Sensei, Tony Touch and DJ Tha Boss (on the cuts) are certain to grab your attention. Blunted Astronaut Records is releasing this joint as a limited 7" single which you can purchase via the embeded link below so "hurry up and buy".

MARCO POLO x ARTIFACTS - "Back to Work"

Marco Polo is killing shit this year; the Artifacts blessed "Back to Work" is the third master meeting in like three months following "What's Wrong" w/ Rakim, and "Night & Day" w/ Big Daddy Kane. All three songs will appear on Polo's upcoming mixtape/street album "Newport Authority II" which will also include tracks from Das EFX, Lil' Fame, Torae, Ruste Juxx and more. As if that wasn't enough, this will be followed by Polo's official sequel to his critically acclaimed "Port Authority" LP which will pack an even crasier tracklist (Organized Konfusion, OC, Inspectah Deck, Gangrene, Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Posdnous, Large Professor, etc...).

New ARTIFACTS - "Easter"

Two of Newark's finest, El Da Sensei an Tame One, who made a couple of class-A albums as The Artifacts between 1994 and 1997 before disolving to focus on respective solo careers. Today is a great day for boom bap fanatics as Artifacts just released their first singe this side of the new millenium. Over a hardbody beat supplied by the sick producer known as Khrysis, El and Tame gets busy as it was the mid-'90s all over again. And to add an extra pure hip-hop vibe to the joint titled "Easter", DJ Dutchmaster adds some terrific cuts and Khrysis makes brilliant use of the "Back to life..."  vocal sample immortalized by Marley Marl (or was it Large Pro) on Tragedy's "Intelligent Hoodlum" debut. Can't wait for a new Artifacts album, it's way overdue and if this is the type of sound we should expect, we're looking for another masterpiece.

El Da Sensei / Nutso / Soul Khan

El Da Sensei, the New Jersey emcee who was one half of the acclaimed duo Artifacts returns with a new banger featuring Nutso and Brown Bag All-Star's Soul Khan. The joint is taken from a remix EP called "The Nu World Remix EP" which is the follow up to last years critically acclaimed solo album "Global Takeover 2: Nu World". The EP will hit the net in less than two weeks and will feature five remixes of songs from the abovementioned album. The EP will feature production and cameos from !llmind, M-Phazes, Sean Price, Bekay, Tame One, Rah Digga and Mela Machincko.

El Da Sensei feat. Nutso & Soul Khan - Nu World (Part II) by Diamond Media 360

Artifatcs return after 15 year hiatus!!

You know I had to post this one, The Artifacts was one of the illest undergroud/backpacker rappers of '94-97 (backpackers as in graffiti writers not emo-rappers) with classic tracks like "The Wrong Side Of The Tracks", "Return Of The Wrong Sidde", "New Jerusalem", "The Ultimate (Showbiz Remix)", "Collabroation Of Mics", "C'Mon With The Get Now" plus its remixes, "Comin' Thru Ya Fucking Block" and much more. If you haven't peeped their two previous albums, don't wait longer because they are both quality mid-'90s hip-hop.

They haven't released an album since 1997s "That's Them" and now 15 years later El Da Sensei, Tame One and DJ Kaos are finally back in business. Their latest efforting was released today and is called "Turn It Out" and is produced by King I Divine. So what y'all think, is this the Artifacst we want to hear?

ARTIFACTS - "TURN IT OUT"