[Album] ROYAL FLUSH / GRAND PAPA TRA - "Grand Capo"

There's so much new music being released in a never ebbing flow these days that it's easy to miss out even on projects you're looking forward to. Such is the case for me with the latest album by Queens legend Royal Flush which he cooked up in conjunction with Swizz producer Grand Papa Tra. I posted a couple of singles and a 10 minutes snippet reel that had me pretty hyped but I had totally missed out on the release date which was this March 8. Well better late than never right!

"Grand Capo" features fourteen cuts, all produced and mixed by Grand Papa Tra, that sees Royal Flush in fine form for the first time following up on the early promise of his '97 debut "Ghetto Millionaire". There's also a whole lot of guest apperances on here, some a lot more interesting than others - like Sean Price, Mic Geronimo, Nutso, Illa Ghee, Lil' Fame, and even a posthumous feature from Ol' Dirty Bastard (!). The album definitely packs that real New York sound, and although it was recorded @ Goblin Music Studios in NY, it's beautifully ironic that it took a Swizz producer to create that vibe that Royal Flush best thrives on. The album is available on limited double vinyl, CD and digital and can be bought in various packages including a pretty sick T-shirt @ the "Grand Capo" Bandcamp page. A big treat is that the entire album is up for free streaming at that same site so be sure to check it out either there or via the embeded player below.

ROYAL FLUSH / SEAN PRICE - "Beasting"

First official single from the upcoming Royal Flush album with producer Grand Papa Tra. This one's called "Grand Capo" and features Sean Price on the guest verse.

[Album] GRAND PAPA TRA - "Lost In New York"

Granted this baby was released almost two years ago now, but I'm sure it flew straight over a lot of hardcore hip-hop head's heads, just like it did mine. I became aware of Swizz producer Grand Papa Tra through the news that he has been enlisted by Queens veteran Royal Flush in lacing all of his forthcoming "Grand Capo LP", a beautiful teaser which can be heard here. It's clear that his affinity for that real NYC golden era boom bap sound reflects in Tra's music, and his ten track project "Lost in New York" is nothing but pure hardcore hip-hop medicine for the soul. And not only does it features quality beats but listeners are treated to on-point verses from the likes of Sadat X, Royal Flush, Mic Geronimo, Nutso, Punchline, and a few others. This is a perfect project to get aquainted with Grand Papa Tra's music before the Royal Flush album drops, and it's also available on both CD and vinyl via Tra's Bandcamp. Don't sleep!!

[Video Sampler] ROYAL FLUSH - "Grand Capo"

In 1997 Royal Flush released a damn good album that never got the recognition it deserved called "Ghetto Millionaire". Since then he has released two independent albums of very varying quality, but his more recent guest apperances (NYG'z "Bulls Eye" and Pete Rock's "Question" comes to mind) proves that he's still a sharp lyricist. The news that 2014 will see Flush return to the scene as a solo artist comes as welcome news, and judging by the info I have on it and the 10 minute long promo teaser you see above I think he might very well be on something here. 

The LP is entitled "Grand Capo" and will be entirely produced by Swiss producer Grand Papa Tra who previously has worked with NY heavyhitters such as Nutso, Sadat X, Punchline, Royal Flush, Mic Gernomino, Debonair and more. Chek out his Bandcamp and stream his previous music @ his bandcamp; I strongly suggest his "Lost in New York" project which features all guests mentioned above over Grand's grand production. The Flush album will also features guest verses from Sean Price, Lil' Fame, Nutso, Mic Geronimo, Meyhem Lauren, and even an exclusive verse by the late Ol' Dirty Bastard amongst others. Sounds very interesting indeed, and the news that it will be available both in digital, CD and vinyl formats is very welcome... Stay tuned for more info, singles, and release dates.