[Album Stream + EPK] MASTA ACE - "The Falling Season"

I am just as aware as you the lack of updates on The Lost Tapes the last six months or so, a place that once bragged about its daily updates and exclusive contents and again sorry about that. I hope some of you ocassionally check out what's happening here, because although I don't really have time for this blog at the moment (and to be honest the large amount of watered down music, even from the legends these days, have made me somewhat uninterested in any new hip-hop compared to just a couple of years ago). With that said I still will want to highlight some new releases that I feel are worthy of our time as well as the ocassional compilation and so on. So if you're still here, trusted reader, peace be upon you, and if not.. Well, so be it.

The first album that I want to talk to you about is Masta Ace's "The Falling Season" which dropped a week or so ago by now but as it has been a suprisingly low-key record as far as promotion goes I figure some heads might still have missed out on it. Ace used to be one of my favorite artists in this game for a long time, releasing some incredible album gems that I would argue are, if not masterpieces, then at least close to that classic status. I am of course talking about the two Masta Ace INC. albums as well as the undisposable "Disposable Arts" and the equally slamming "A Long Hot Summer". Nothing but bangers on those albums, excellent rhyming over excellent production that sounded fresh and cohessive despite featuring a multiple of producers and guest emcees sharing mic duties with Ace. If you remember, "A Long Hot Summer" was supposed to be Ace's final solo album, and as such he truly went out with a bang. Instead he was to focus the rest of his career touring and droping ocassional collaborative efforts with his groups EMC, Ace & Edo (G) and the MF DOOM produced (through recycled beats) concept album/mixtape "M.A. Doom: The Son Of Yvonne". All these albums had their joints to be sure, and Ace could still deliver hot verses, but I always felt that a large chunk of the production and overall themes left a lot to be desired on all of these albums.

Imagine then the hype when I found out that The Master was working on an official follow-up to "A Long Hot Summer", a real solo album with all original beats that told a story interweaving skits and songs into a cohessive concept album just like his last two highly acclaimed and aforementioned proper solo albums. That album is finally here - entitled "The Falling Season" which follows the young future underground star throughout his childhood years, all set to the production of newcomer KIC Beats. Of the latter, Ace has described the previously untested California beatsmith as a beatsmith that does not rely very much on samples but instead incorporates live instrumentations whenever possible. And this to me is the albums greatest weakness, although I suspect it might grow on me. But I really have a bug about these legendary emcees who on his recent projects got bangers upon bangers from some of the greatest underground producers in the industry (Domingo, MF DOOM, J-Zone, Beatnuts, Ayatollah, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Dug Infinite, Marco Polo, DJ JS-One, and so on). While KiC Beats has some good tracks his best work hardly reach up to the levels of the great tracks supplied for Ace by the producers mentioned above, and it definitely hampers the project. 

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad album per se, just an underwhelming one when you consider how amazing music Ace can put out when the chemistry between producer and artist is on top. Still well worth checking out, and don't take my word for it because I've heard several people highly praise this LP so judge for yourself - you can stream the entire project below via Bandcamp before grabbing a digital copy from their site. More good news is that its available on vinyl, CD and cassette so if you dig this or just want to complete your collection I say go for it (check out HHV for prices and editions). Check out the EPK up top, and stream the album above - oh and one more thing guests include Cormega, AG, Your Old Droog, Wordsworth, Pav Bundy, Stricklin, Torae and The World Famous Supreme Team. Give it a spin below right away!

[EP] THE AUDIBLE DOCTOR - "The Spring Tape"

Wow this is hard as nails and much anticipated! Super producer and Lost Tapes favorite The Audible Doctor is back with the third installment in his Seasons EP:s - the 2015 version of "The Spring Tape". Capturing the sound of a hot Spring Audible experiments with exquisite soul samples, boom bap drums that is guaranteed to keep your head nodding for its full running time. Featuring only four tracks with guests including Tragedy Khadafi, Hus Kingpin, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Has-Lo and Davenport Grimes, this is definitely worth the 4 dollars it cost you to download a HQ version of your choice @ Audible's Bandcamp. You can of course stream the entire project in 128 kbps below, and let me tell you that this is nothing short of excellent and is an excellent follow-up to the previous volumes in the series.

eMC - "Fly Thoughts"

eMC is back with a new single called "Fly Thoughts" and it is really, really sick. I love the smooth vibe of this; that beautiful bass line, the melancholic piano line and knocking drums concocted by Kic Beats together with Strick, Punchline, Wordsworth and an especially outstanding verse from Masta Ace really makes this one a standout. Not sure about the hook courtesy of Pearl Gates, I could probably do with or without so it's whatever. I'm hyped for "The Tonite Show" which drops on May 5.

EMC Interview on "The Turning Point" @ Str8OutDaDen

I always felt that on paper and in a live setting (which I was lucky to see them together a couple of years ago), EMC is a fantastic group with four true lyricists but to be honest I wasn't exactly blown away by their debut "The Show". It's a good album, but there were definitely some questionable beat choices for my personal taste on there. Now they recently came through with their new, much anticipated project; the EP "The Turning Point". To be honest I wasn't exactly blowed away this time either beside fantastic performance of a four-time crew, that not only includes one my favorite emcees of all time, but three additional strong lyricists as well. I might need to listen to it more, but at this point (on two-three listens) I feel that only the two last songs and maybe one more does the group justice. 

I never posted the official album stream premiered @ 2DBz when it was first released, but better late than never for those of you haven't heard it. And at the same time, Str8OutDaDen has conducted a fifteen minutes radio interview with the crew about the making of "The Turning Point", which I always find interesting so check that one up up top, while the full album stream is right below. Don't take my word for it, a  lot of people seem to love this so give it a good spin and please drop a comment on how you feel about the project.and if you are feeling it, cop it @ iTunes. 

EDIT: Unfortunately, the free streaming link has been taken down but I'm sure a lot of y'all have heard it by now any ways so it's what it is. Enjoy the internet if not, and I encourage you to get a hold of the EP if you haven't already, it definitely got strong moments and are worth hearing.

[Trailer] eMC - "The Turning Point" LP

Being as Masta Ace is one of my absolute favorite rhymers of all time, the recent news of a brand new eMC album on M3 Records to drop very soon is amazing shit in my book (despite "The Show" never being the classic many claimed to me). I've seen them live too a couple of years back, and the flawless chemistry they provide on scene was even better proof than their debut of how good these guys (Ace, Stricklin', Punch & Words), compliment each other. Let's just hope they grab some crazy beats and we should all be good. The album is called "The Turning Point" and drops worldwide already May 20 so be on the lookout. Being that it's Ace and M3 I would be very suprised if this doesn't make it to a vinyl release as well. Check out the trailer above and make up your own mind!

eMC - "Charly Murphie"

eMC, the crew consisting of the always on point Masta Ace with Punchline & Wordsworth and Stricklin', released the strong group album "The Show" a few years ago and despite a few loose singles not much concrete has materialized since. However, now the quartet is about to hit the world with a brand new EP called "The Turning Point". May 20 is the date, but already now fans are treated to a sneak peak as eMC is letting loose of the first single "Charlie Murphy". 

eMC - "Spun A Web"

Masta Ace would easily find his way into my top 10 hip-hop artists of all time, the true definition of an emcee - great live shows, terrific back catalouge, true lyricist, veteran in the game, and a true role model for the youth. His album with his quartet eMC, "The Show", featured several slamming jams but I wouldn't count it as one of my favorite Ace projects to be completely honest. However, Ace, Strick, Punch & Words definitely got a good chemistry going and when they get the right beats going they can be pretty damn dangerous. So news of a new album is most definitely interesting, but before the release of that this summer, the group is planning on dropping an EP to test the waters. Planned for sometime this April on Penalty Entertainment, and judging by the first single "Spun A Web" (produced by David E Beats) I'm hyped!

MARCO POLO Ft. Masta Ace & Wordsworth - "I Refuse"

I included Marco Polo's excellent double feature release of 2013 in my best of the year countdown, making a case for how fantastic both "Newport Authority 2" / "PA2: Director's Cut" really are. In fact, on many days I feel that "Newport Authority 2" is most focused and best between the two, by a small margin. So of course any material that didn't make the album is something I really want to hear, so it came as a pleasant, although for me late discovery, that he together with Fat Beats and Soulspazm Records released a 12" single featuring the Artifacts' banger "Back to Work" from "Newport #2.", but what's really interesting is the flip side which is song created for the album(s) but ultimately didn't make the cut; which is unfortunate considering how absolutely dope it is. 

The track called "I Refuse" sees Ace and Wordsworth (eMC in the house) going in HARD over an equally raw Polo boom banger. The vinyl side features the dirty main version, the accapella and the instrumental version. Although it was released last month, it totally went over my head and I just listened to it only a week ago, but considering that Ace is one of my top 10 emcees out there any audio of this is very welcome since I don't have any cash to buy the 12" at the moment (I just ordered and received "New Port Authority" on 2xLP and pre-ordered the 3xLP set of "PA2" along with some other records). Being that Marco is also an excellent DJ (whcih he certainly proved when I saw him as eMC's back up tour DJ a year or two ago in Copenhagen), the way he includes the first verse and two hooks from the dirty main version, this is followed by the second part sees him making a smooth transition to the accapella  with the acapella for a verse which works real well. Then you get the beat back and the last hook before the track fades out for the last minute with the beat riding out (the instrumental).All in all sounds fantastic, and is strongly recommended if you haven't it heard yet. You can buy it together with a "PA2" bundle for $69.00 including the 12", the 3xLP set, and a nice poster. All high quality stuff - but hurry up because there's only a few left (order @ Slice-of-Spice).

[Video] WORDSWORTH - "Living Life Check to Check"

eMC, Punch & Words, Dino 5... Brooklyn freestyle spitter Wordsworth has been holding it down for years. I saw him open up for Masta Ace a few years ago, and he defo had a nice stage presence but the real treats are found on his solo albums "Mirror, Mirror" (2004), and last year's brilliant "The Photo Album" which featured several stand out tracks and a myriad of interesting guests.

 

Words' third solo album has been given the title "The Blue Collar Recital" on PledgeMusicCom. The first single is the very promising "Living Life Check to Check" which can be seen above. The CD and digital album will be available everywhere on September 17, this year so keep your eyes and ears THE FUCK OPEN!

MidaZ / Wordsworth - "Speech Impediment" [Remix]

MidaZ The Beast brings out another damn tasty remix from his brilliant street album "LOOPS" which was one of my personal favorites from last year. For the brand new remix of "Speech Impediment" he enlists Wordsworth for a guest verse, and you know MidaZ and Words is a comination worth listening to purely on the strength of their names and respective catalouges.

[MIXTAPE] M3 Entertainment - "M3RRY CHRISTMAS"

As promised when the brilliant eMC singles, "4 Minutes", Masta Ace's M3 Entertainment drops the free mixtape compilation "M3RRY CHRISTMAS". Besides the new eMC cut, we are treated to brand new tracks by Torae, Punchline, Stricklin', Wordsworth, Masta Ace, The Bundies, DeLaZoo, and more. The mixtape is available over @ DatPiff with no need for registration. Enjoy this Christmas treat!

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eMC - "4 Minutes"

The fantastic four man crew known as eMC, consisting of Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punch and Strick, is back in business with a brand new cut entitled "4 Minutes". This will be followed by the free M3 Entertainment compilation fittinngly called "M3RRY XMAS" on December 25, packing new music from eMC, Torae, Stricklin, Punchline, Delazoo and more. Pav Bundy on the beat, sure sounds complete...

Wordsworth - "The Photo Album" [Sampler]

Not too long ago, me and my man Rob catched a pretty amazing EMC show (minus Punchline), and a lot of new music was debuted from both Masta Ace's upcoming "Son Of Yvonne" and Wordsworth's "The Photo Album". The latter drops in only two days now, and from the live premieres and four singles, I'm counting on this to be a real interesting and well executed follow up to Words' 2004 solo debut LP, "Mirror Music". The features on the album looks promising, but there's no doubt in my mind that Wordsworth could be able to hold down the entire project by himself if he wanted to; a smooth flow, clever lyrics, a sharp delivery and a voice that easily catches your ears, all set over beats from peeps like Apollo Brown, Belief, The Are, Ill Poetic and more. Why not pre-order "The Photo Album" @ UGHH, while you grab the three previous singles below and check out the brand new video "Coloring Book" at the top of the page.

01. "Joy & Pain"
02. "Knock On My Door"
03. "Betrayed" (Ft. Skeematic)

WORDSWORTH - "PHOTO ALBUM" [SAMPLER]