[Album] SADAT X - "Agua"

When the world first heard The Brand Nubians 1990 debut album "One For All", notorious for being praised with the much hyped five mics rating in The Source, few would think that Derreck X would be the artist out of that trio to have the highest profile and largest catalouge in a few years. In fact "One For All" treated Lord Jamar and Derreck X as Grand Puba's back up band, and didn't even appear on half of the album. But sometimes the tables turn, through hard work and dedication Sadat X (as he soon after changed his name to) crafted a unique style with an unmistakable voice with lyrics that often dealt with personal feelings and surviving in a world where friends and lovers often turn out to be willing to stab you in the back when you least expect it. The only problem was that he might have started to put quantity over quality a little too much in the last ten years or so.

It's been a long time since I've been really excited about an X album, though I did like his "Love, Hell or Right" album from 2013. Now the New York artist is back with "Agua" sporting a pretty damn impressive cast list of guest producers and emcee partners. How about Pete Rock, Diamond D, Da Beatminerz, Nick Wiz, DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, Fokis, Dub Sonata and Will Tell? What about Lord Jamar, Dres, Edo G, A-F-R-O, Rahzel, Cella Dwellas' UG, Milano, Shabaam Sahdeeq, RA The Rugged Man, and Wordsmith? That's a lot of features and producers and as I haven't had the time to listen yet I'm not sure how cohessive the X-Man has managed to make it sound but one thing's for sure, there's bound to be several real bangers on here to cherish. Probably more than any Sadat X albums in ten years or so. Released on Tommy Boy, the album is available for purchase in both physical and digital form now, and can also be streamed and purchased (both digital and on CD) in full via X's official Bandcamp. One thing though, the last I heard from Sadat X was that he's working on a full-length album entirely produced by Diamond D, and as usual we get one track to show for it. Well, I for one hope it's still coming. But what the hell, with Pete Rock, Da Beatminerz and Nick Wiz I sure as hell can complain. I also wasn't a fan of Will Tell on some earlier X albums, but the single/video "Murder Soundtrack" (above) with AFRO and Rahzel has convinced me has stepped his game up big time. You can also cop the physical from UGHH where you can also see the credits for each track. TURN IT UP!

[Video] Diamond D - "Superman"

Damn, I don't think I even posted the "Superman" video, one of only two Diamond D solo cuts on the best producers on the mic most recent hip-hop heast. This is also the only record on the album not produced by Joseph Kirkland himself, as DJ Scratch stepped in to do the honor. Word is that this was a song made for DJ Scratch album that was instead given to Diamond bcécause he liked it so much. It's never too late  for some "Diam Piece" y'all!

Oh and if you missed the news last week, Sadat X has officially signed a one album deal to Diam's Diamond Mine Records which means that The X-Man's entire next album will be produced by The Best Kept Secret. Stay tuned!

[comp] DJ SCRATCH - "DJ Scratch - Not DJ Scratchator"

With the summer being blazing hot I haven't had that much time to update the blog lately, and as I haven't made a compialtion for quite some time and I never before done based on of DJ Scratch's incredible catalouge I think it's about that time, don't you. Featuring 17 stand out tracks produced by George Spivey not featured on any of the album that the's been heavvily involved in (like all the Busta and Flipmode albums), ranging from his earliest production on the "I'm Mad" remix for EPMD back in 1990 to LL Cool J's "Rocking With The G.O.A.T." and as a bonus track I added his most recent remix, the lead single from his new Nas / Illmatic remix album which unfortunately is only available in digital for purchase. "Scratchmatic" which dropped late last month was released on the low-key and can be downloaded for a reasonable price @ DJ Scratch official site so HURRY UP and BUY!

The title is slightly ironic considering that a lot of people thing that DJ Scratch and Busta Rhymes' tour DJ and sometimes producer DJ Scratchator is the same person. Spivey definitely didn't proudce cuts like Mehtod Man and Busta's "What's Happening" to name one. But this is a great mix that I suggest you give a front-to-back listen as it's properly sequenced and works as a great career overview and features a wide array of Scratch's different style, featuring work for 50 Cent, PMD, EPMD, Erick Sermon, LL Cool J, Tha Alkaholiks, Xzibit, Cassidy/Nas/Quan, GURU and more. Don't sleep, and watch out for volume II in this series. This one goes out to you Mal! Enjoy my trusted readers and TURN IT UP LOUD while you're at it!

01. DJ Scratch - "Phuck It Up Scratch: Intro"

02. 50 Cent - "I'm A Hustler"

03. Das EFX - "Comin' Thru"

04. EPMD - "I'm Mad" [Scratch Jazzy Remix]

05. Ill Al Skratch - "Stick-N-Move"

06. Half-A-Mill Ft. Changing Faces - "Don't Go Away"

07. Busta Rhymes - "Live to Regret"

08. Bahamadia Ft. Rah Digga - "Be Ok"

09. Tiye Phoenix - "Revolving Door"

10. Tony Touch Ft. Xzibit, Tash & Defarui - "Likeit Rhyming"

11. Tha Alkaholiks Ft. Busta Rhymes - "Bully Foot"

12. Cassidy Ft. Nas & Quan . "Can't Fade Me"

13. Beanie Sigel Ft. Bun B - "Purple Rain"

14. Erick Sermon - "I Do"

15. GURU Ft. Angie Stone - "Keep Your Worries"

16. LL Cool J - "Rocing Wih The G.O.A.T."

17. Nas - "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (DJ Scratch Remix) [*]

DJ SCRATCH - "NOT DJ SCRATCHATOR" [Mirror 1]
DJ SCRATCH - "NOT DJ SCRATCHATOR" [Mirror 2]

DJ SCRATCH / NAS - "It Ain't Hard To Tell" [Remix]

 Now this is just fantastic news right here; I've been a fan of DJ Scratch's work and is it even possible to not love the best work of Nas? DJ Scratch will pay tribute to Mr. Jones by releasing the album (or mixtape?) "Scratchmatic" on July 4 - a collection of Nas acapellas over all new Scratch beats. The first taste is a remix of "It Ain't Hard to Tell" and it thumps HARD as hell. Shouts to Unkut for the premier. On a related sidenote, expect a DJ Scratch compilation to pop up here on The Lost Tapes any day now!

Mobetta Ft. Jean Grae - "Back At The Ranch" [prod. DJ Scratch]

This upcoming album by Maurce "Mobetta" trumpeter that I just heard about the other day sounds like something really interesting for anyone who's big on their bop and their hip-hop, and don't mind the two to intermix, like myself. Morbetta is a classically trained trumpet player whose been supported and mentored Ramsey Marsalis and Wynton Marsalis (wonder what he thinks of Maurce new direciton though HAHA). This skilled horn blower is also a a grammy award winning trumpet player who have appeared on on records by Prodigy, Talib Kweli, Cee-Lo, Ski Beatz, Santigold, Diddy, and many others.. So he definitely payed his dues!

Now he's up for his first solo album, "Maurice vs. Morbetta", sees the young artist reflecting on his roots in the jazz scene and taking a step towards the hip-hop culture. Over production by himself, DJ Scratch, and The Fyre Dept. you'll hear Mobetta's trumphant horn over thumping beats. It's not an instrumental project however; as witnessed by the DJ Scratch produced single "Back At The Ranch" where an evidently hungry Jean Grae steps up to the plate. Other vocalists set to appear on "Maurice vs. Morbetta".

Alright! That's it for today; I'm heading out to Vanguard Festival in Copenhagen where the line-up is Wu-Tang Clan, MF DOOM, De La Soul and the almighty Pharoahe Monch. Catch you there if you're around!