[EP RAY WEST w. KOOL KEITH & KURIOUS - "Don't Know Why"

Following up ont the Ray West theme, here's the last and third project I'm going to post for y'all right now, though it made me realize that I need to do a R.W. compilation soon enough (I also got an interview with the man lined up). About a year ago the duo teamed up with the lost-and-found MC Kurious to release "Don'tw Why". The five track EP works as a precursor to the full-length CD "A Couple Of Slices" which dropped last october so pick it up, pick it up, PICK IT UP!!

RAY WEST Presents "LUV NY" (The ReIssue)

Ray West has undoubtedly been one of the most prominent producers in the Hip Hop underground for the last few years, supplying heat for full projects by John Robinson, Kool Keith, AG and OC as well as his LUVNY compilations. Back in 2014 he released a cassette called "The Snake Tape" exclusively on cassette, featuring emcees such as AG, Lord Tariq, L-Fudge, Kool Keith, Kurious and Dave Dar. The cassette featured selections from a compilation that a lot of heads unfortunately slept through on its initial release - "LUVNY" was originally marketed as the release of a super group of the same name, mentioning each featured artist (who appeared on a two song average) as a member of the crew. I personally see it more as a Ray West production album with the help of some dope emcees and close friends (Roc Marciano, AG, OC, Kool Keith, Kurious, Lord Tariq, etc.).

Both the original "Snake Chamer" and the "Snake Charmer Part 3" posted up top  (just posted to Dave Dar's YouTube channel) both appear on a new reissue of "LUV NY" pressed up on a new 2 180 grams vinyl set. Looking at the tracklist it looks as all the fat has been trimmed (as those remixes), and some strong new cuts. If you're a fan of rugged New York hip-hop, DITC, great lyrics and beats, be sure to order the 2xLP @ FatBeats ASAP. You can also stream the full alubm below. A big shout out to the homie Ray West!

[Mixtape] RAY WEST PRESENTS LUV NY Collective

In the summer of 2012 Red Apples 45 creator and super talented producer Ray West gathered a group of friends that also happens to be some of the dopest rappers New York City has to offer. The goal was for to produce a compilation of all new material with these emcees which included OC, AG, Kool Keith, Roc Marciano, Kurious, Dave Dar and Sean G. The result was "Luv NY", a project aimed at bringing back the essential vibe of early hip-hop from its birthplace of NYC. While the record definitely was dope it unfortunately didn't make that much noise, but now Ray West is back at it again, crafting fat instrumentals for AG, OC, Kool Keith, L The Fudge and the rest of the crew. "The LUV NY Collective" is somewhere between a mixtape and an album, there's nothing but original beats and rhymes, no DJ shouts or blends and nothing but full songs. There is however some previously released joints, remixes and skits but all in all it makes for a fascinating listen. Ray West keeps improving on his production and the spitters is just talent personified so don't sleep on this gem right here!

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

Despite consisting of only four songs, there were few releases out this past winter that got me as excited as The Audible Doctor's brilliantly executed "The Winter Tape". With every track the good Doctor managed to catch and construct the vibe of a cold, winter day and/or night and I loved having that EP blazing in my headphones during train rides absorbing the freezing weather outside the window. Now, he's back with the second installment in his Seasons themed EP series, and as it's a strikingly warm summer this will be the perfect addition to your music library for the coming month. As usual there's a bunch of interesting guests joining in on the all produced Audible Doctor sessions; amongst others we are treated to Edo G, Kurious, Guilty Simpson, Oddisee, Hasaan Mackey and more. Just like, or should I say in contrast, with the previous tape I'm amazed me how well he caught the feeling of a nice warm summer day with that one... The project will be released on actual cassette and later this week on iTunes, but for now you can check out the entire project for free.99 below. I can only hope we will get more additions to this series, and even if the Winter/Summer EP:s are released as a double feature on wax you can bet your ass I'm cashing in!

Ray West Presents "Luv NY"

Featuring all new tracks by Kool Keith, AG, OC, Kurious, Roc Marciano and Dave Dar, "Luv NY" is a compilation of expert rhymers representing The Bronx, Long Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan. The album will be released via Red Apples 45 / Ascetic Music Records sometime this July, and judging from the performers and provided snippets, it's sounding pretty serious. The entire project is produced by Ray West, who AG fans will remember for his work on the various "Berries" releases from the last couple of years. Check out the project @ RedApples45.

01 Intro
02 Legacy feat. O.C.
03 Egyptology feat. A.G. & Roc Marciano
04 Snake Charmer feat. A.G., Kurious & Dave Dar
05 Extreme Status feat. A.G. & Kool Keith
06 The Ritual feat. Sean G
07 Shorties Watching feat. Kurious
08 These Rappers under the hex feat. A.G.
09 Last Night Finesse feat. Dave Dar
10 I Been Luvin U feat. Kool Keith
11 Pressure Up feat. Kool Keith & Roc Marciano
12 The Blues Got Ya feat. A.G.
13 Acid feat. O.C.
14 Random feat. A.G.

Kurious / AG - "Magic" [prod. DIAMOND D]

Jorge Alvarez, better known as Kurious Jorge, took the world by storm with his 100% hip-hop, yet weird ass, banging '94 debut "A Constipated Monkey". The East Coast emcee had an unforgettable deliver, filled with humor, lyrics that many didn't even want to touch and slaming beats by The Betnuts family and the SD50's. The album is still remembered today as one of the standouts of the mid.'90s, and the pressure for a sophomore LP was skyhigh. 

However, that second effort didn't land in stores until about 15 years later, simply called "II". The LP felt quite outdated in most aspects and despite a few beats by the likes of Hi-Tek, The Mighty V.I.C., 88-Keys and Domingo, the project was a far cry from Kurious debut. Now, the South American rooted emcee has returned again with a new single, enlisting two D.I.T.C. legends in the form of rapper AG an producer Diamond D. Maybe there's still hope for the guy who absolutely molested "?" alongside DOOM on "Operation Doomsday". Check it out for yourself!

KURIOUS / AG - "MAGIC" [DIAMOND D]