THE LEGION - "KRILL"

The Legion were a hardcore rap crew from The Bronx that first made their mark as associates of Showbiz & AG and Black Sheep. It's not unfair to say that their music forms as a fusion of the above mentioned groups and shares many similarities with both. The Legion was made up of a trio consisting of Chucky Smash, Cee-Low and Molecules who also produced most of the group's material. According to Smash, 'Cules was a real street cat who also worked the SP1200, Cee-Low a player and club-goer and himself heavily into graffiti and the culture of hip-hop. With all these styles combined The Legion was born. Chucky Smash also told in the UNKUT interview how they used to live together with Showbiz and Dres and moving in the same circles which certainly rubbed off heavily on their own music.

Like most, my first introduction to The Legion was through that banging interlude on Show & A's "Runaway Slave" where a hardboiled beat's rocking and a voice declares that "The Legion's in the house... Cee-Low's in the house....Molecules's in the house" and so on. The first time that interlude cut off I was pissed because I was so hyped by the sounds of it and was just starting to expect to hear the full thing. However, The Legion got signed to Mercury Records and one year after the "Runaway..." interlude, in 1993 that is, the trio came out with their debut single and video, for the song "Jingle Jangle". The hard cooking sounds with its strong jazz influence was a common sound at the time but the guys displayed a lyrical style and chemistry that was both humoros and hardcore and made them stand out on their own. "Jingle Jangle" also featured an excellent performance by Dres of Black Sheep which revealed another connection that would prove important for the future.

After some moderate success with the single, Mercury gave the group the thumbs up and a budget to record a full-length album for the label. The result was to be the strangely titled "Theme + Echo = Krill", a largely self-produced album that continued where the preceeding single had left off both from a lyrical perspective as well as with the beats. Cee-Low, Molecules and Chucky Smash all hold down their parts on the microphone well, but what really has made this album stand the test of time, at least for the initiated who actually knows about it, is the banging production. The record is full of jazz and funk samples, prominently with keys and all sorts of horns, pounding bass (often accoustic stand-up bass) and thick drums. Not suprisingly, the sounds are reminiscent of what D.I.T.C. and Mista Lawgne were doing in the early '90s. Several of the samples would much later be used by major artists like Mobb Deep, Smif-N-Wessun and MF DOOM. Molecules would later go on to produce slamming records for Mos Def and Dres although his placements has been few and far in between.

The album was completed and ready for release in the middle of 1994 but was heavily under promoted by Mercury, in fact the vinyl version were only pressed up in promo copies and both versions quickly went out of print. "Theme + Echo = Krill" was a great album with a bit of an old school feel to it but in 1994 hip-hop was starting to move on into new territory. Had this album been released at the same time as "Runaway Slave" or "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" I'm confident in saying that this LP would have been remembered much in the same way as those records. Unfortunately for the crew, the hard work they put into making a great album passed quietly above most hip-hop heads and both the vinyl and CD copies of "Theme + Echo" quickly became out of print and an eBay item. Could we get a reissue please? Traffic, I'm looking at you!

Besides the underground classic "Jingle Jangle", highlights include the second single, the bass heavy party anthem "Legion Groove" and the two Mista Lawgne productions, "Once Upon A Time" and "Zootie Bang". And of course it wouldn't be a early '90s album without the obligatory posse cut to show for, now would it? In this case, Show & A fans will be thrilled that "Who's It On Pt. 1" is the entire version of the "Runaway Slave" interlude and features a classic AG verse plus some Showbiz vocals over that addicting ruffneck beat. "...Part 2" in the same series adapts a different beat and features the trio going head to head with Black Sheep and Chi-Ali and you can bet it's a lyrical clashing that will take you back to the golen days of rap. It can't compare with the defining masterpieces of its time as there are moments of the album that does sound dated and unoriginal, especially as the album runs on for slightly too long, but these are mostly minor flaws and as a body of work it is a very good, and sadly very overlooked, one.

It's not all fun and games though; most of the latter part of "Theme + Echo" revolves around more serious subject matters including the use of the word nigga, it's origin and the meaning of it. Several important skits deals with this topic while songs like the dark and moody "New Niggas" has the crew spitting over a sinister piano-laced track where a murky bass clarinett gives a chilling effect as it floats in and out of the composition. One of the LP:s finest moments however comes with the closer, "Rest in Peace", a heartfelt tribute that deals with the pain of losing someone close and anyone who've done so should be able to relate. It's ill that Molecules flips the repetitive bass line (later used by Alchemist for Mobb Deep's "The Realest") for the basis of the song while he's adding several horns fading in and out to emphasize the theme. "Rest in Peace" is a great closer for a great album and will have you wishing these guys would've actually blewn up the way they deserved. After the album went wood, the group made the occassional guest apperance on albums by Black Sheep/Dres but has since faded into obscurity. I have a memory of reading somewhere in the mid-'90s that Dres was starting a record label and that he would sign The Legion as his main act; guess that never materialized.

01. "Enter The Realm"
02. "Jingle Jangle" (Ft. Dres)
03. "Buddah Break" (Ft. World Famous Brucie B)
04. "Legion Groove"
05. "Back in the Days"
06. "Step to the Stage" (Cuts by C.M.E.)
07. "Makin' Noise" (Ft. Dennis '3D' Scott)
08. "Krill Ill"
09. "Representanto"
10. "Zootie Bang" (Prod. by Mista Lawgne)
11. "Once Upon A Time" (Prod. by Mista Lawgne)
12. "I Like The Way It's Going Down"
13. "Bring It"
14. "It's Thorough"
15. "Who's It On Pt. 1" (Ft. Showbiz & AG)
16. "Who's It On Pt. 2" (Ft. Black Sheep & Chi-Ali)
17. "The Word Nigga"
18. "New Niggas"
19. "The Truth"
20. "Rest in Peace"

THE LEGION - "THEME + ECHO = KRILL"

Heavy D Tribute mix by Preem

A few days ago I reported on the sad and way-to-soon passing of rap legend Heavy D (Dwight Arrington Myers) and now that the realization really has sunk in, the tributes are starting to come. Busta Rhymes released a track called "When I'm Gone" (which was supposedly a tribute to the man but more sounded like Busta shamelessly self-promoting his own legacy with lines like "You don't have to wait til' I'm gone to celebrate me..." amongst other inappropriate lines), Statik Selektah conceived a nice blend of Heavy D's "Nothing But Love" over Pete & CL's classic "T.R.O.Y." which was a fitting tribute considering the latter was a dedication to Heavy D & The Boyz late dancer T-Roy.

But the most interesting and worthy tribute to the big man so far in my opinion is DJ Premier's fourty-five minutes set on the wheels of steel in honor of the man and his music. Lots of choice cuts on here, skillfully mixed and plenty of raw turntablism which makes this a winner. If you're not too familiar with Heavy's work since befor, this is a great way to start as Preem focuses on the choice cuts only. Spotted @ DJPB where you can also choose to stream the entire session (click the DJPB link) if that's what you prefer.

HEAVY D - DJ PREMIER TRIBUTE MIX

12" Throwback: RAPPER BIG POOH

Like many I frst came in contact with Rapper Big Pooh as one third of the soulful trio known as Little Brother. These three North Carolina natives created a unique style that draw heavily from the days when hip-hop was an original and incredible artform that based its music on sampling. Not to say that it isn't anymore, but thanks to greedy A&R's who believes money is the only factor in making great music it's becoming more rare. Little Brother released two critically acclaimed full-length albums as a full trio; 2003's debut "The Listening" and 2005's "The Minstrel Show", both produced in 9th Wonder's trademark soulful boom bap sound. Emcees Big Pooh and Phonte sounded great on these type of tracks but turmoil was starting to take place within the trio. 9th Wonder left the group shortly after the finished '05 album while the group continued to make music on their own and releasing two albums under the Hall Of Justice imprint.

But this post is not about Litlle Brother, although I always likes to give a little background on the music that I'm writing about. In 2004 Pooh released his debut solo album, "Sleepers", featuring usual suspects Median, Joe Scudda, Murs as well as an official LB joint (meaning a Pooh/Phonte track produced by 9th Wonder). I must admit that I haven't heard the album in full yet but some months ago I picked up the first 12" from the project, "The Strongest Man" which is a really tight record that I've been banging alot since. All of the three songs are produced by 9th Wonder, and neither of these collabos dissapoint. As should be the case with any respectable single release, "Strongest Man", includes a B-side that's exclusive for this release; "Theme Music".

Rapper Big Pooh has also just released his new album "Dirty Pretty Things" on the For Members Only label. It's the first of a fomer L.B. members work to not feature any input from former P.N.C.'s. Instead we get fresh beats provided by Khrysis, DJ Khalil, Focus, King Karnov and Nottz. You can order your copy of "Dirty Pretty Things" @ UGHH now.

Side A - Strongest Side

01. "The Strongest Man" (Clean)
02. "The Strongest Man" (Dirty)
03. "The Strongest Man" (Instrumental)
04. "The Strongest Man" (Accapella)

Side B - Strong Side

 01. "Scars" (Ft. Median & Joe Scudda) (Clean)
02. "Scars" (Dirty)
03. "Scars" (Instrumental)
04. "Theme Music" (Ft. L.E.G.A.C.Y.) (Dirty)

RAPPER BIG POOH - "STRONGEST MAN" VLS

Another Showbiz & AG Killer

My original idea, before I conceived The Lost Tapes, was to make a D.I.T.C. blog/site and I actually came quite a long way in designing it and was close to completing it (I still have that somewhere, so maybe one day). If anyone, for some very strange reason, wonder why there's so much Diggin' stuff on here, now you got your answer. Plus of course that these guys are basically my all-time favorite crew tied with Wu-Tang Clan. Today AG uploaded the brand new single from their upcoming "Mugshot Music" (their first release since late 2007 but more than fifteen years since their last actual official album, the classic "Goodfellas"). "South Bronx" is the fifth album leak, and not to sound like a idiot but I hope this is the final single before they release the actual LP. This is at least the last track off it that I'll be bumping since I want to keep things as fresh as possible once I'm able to hear it as a whole. "South Bronx" is produced by Show himself and mixed by DJ Premier at D&D Studios (now HeadQuaterz). Another banger from the Bronx Bangers.

01 SOUTH BRONX SHIT by AGofDITC

Free Mixtape: SCRAM JONES

Scram Jones older work rarely stood out to me and I still thought he was a so-so producer even as he started making a name for himself. My mind started changed when I heard his four contributions to Rae's recent opus, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II" where he provided a string of joints for The Chef that was as good as the beats done by MoSS, True Master, Eric Sermon and Alechmist. I didn't really know he also rhymed though; my personal opinion is that in most cases producers should stick with his SP's and MPC's considering that there's not many that can handle both succesfuly. There's of course a few notable exceptions to this rule (early RZA, Large Professor, KRS-One, Diamond D, Large Professor, Grand Puba, Q-Tip and even True Master to name some.)

"The Hat Trick" hit the net today as a free digital download, so that should at least guarantee a listen to see if it's worth for Scram to go solo. There's no individual production credits attached to the tracklist but according to several sources outside proucers working on the album were Gangrene (Alchemist and Oh No), Vin the Chin, Sixth Sense, Scott Blanco and Blickstreet. I'm all for new Alchemist and Oh No beats but cosidering that Scram is a nice producer in his own right it makes me wonder why he would need Vin the Chin, Blickstreet and Scott Blanco... Oh well, let's see how this works out in reality. Anoter thing that comes to mind; the Gangrene collaboration "How to Drown A Fish" (which was a early sneek peak as it leaked late last year), I wonder if that's one of The Chemist's or Oh No's production which literally would make it a new Gangrene song. Aight I'ma shut up now so you can listen; feel free to drop a comment with your thoughts (positive or negative). Shouts to DatPiff for the link!

SCRAM JONES - "THE HAT TRICK" [via. DatPiff]

DJ Clark Kent tells all @ Complex

Following Complex Magazine's superior series where some of the finest producers and artists of the '90s (and in many cases those who's still superior). This time has come to DJ Clark Kent, a true DJ pioneer that's been responsible for countless classics for legendary artists like Audio Two, Capone-N-Noreaga, Nas, Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, Original Flavor, A.D.O.R., Rakim, Notorious B.I.G, Das EFX, Mad Skillz and many, many more. Complex + hip-hop artists interviews = The G.O.AT. interviews at the moment for sure.

DJ CLARK KENT ARTICLE @ COMPLEX.COM

Diamond D working on soul album

D.I.T.C. producer mastermind, Diamond D, is currently working on a soul album with long-time collaborator Blake Carrington to be titled "Blake Moses". On Twitter he has described the forthcoming album as "the perfect marriage of soul and hip-hop" which of course sounds exciting considering Diamond's got a history of crazy ill soulful records. Not much is known about the project besides the artists involved and that the mix/engineering is being handled by legendary Mixmaster D.ST so this should definitely sound good. Based on the sound of the three snippets (one in the BTS video above and two from Soundcloud) I'll be checking for this whenever it drops. The best one won't embed from Soundcloud, so click here to check it out.

never give up-Blake Moses by DIAMOND D

Alchemist x Dilated Peoples EP

The combination of the L.A. quartet consisting of Dilated Peoples and producer Alchemist has proved to be a safe way to create incredible records since Dilated's first official 12" single in '97. Alchemist has been a major part of every one of their albums as well as contributing heavily to Evidence's banging solo projects. In 2003 he released "Heavy Surveillance" on his own independent ALC Music Library imprint. It's a nine tracks mini album released in promotion of Dilated's then upcoming "Neighborhood Watch". 7 of the 9 tracks are produced by Alan the Chemist himself with T-Ray and Babu/Ev each contributing one song.

As you would expect the music on this disc packs that heavy thump and superior turntablism we have come to associate with this crew throughout the years. Besides the usual M.O. of Rakaa and Evidence holding shit down on the microphone, they are joined by Infamous Mobster's Prodigy, Havoc and Big Twinz as well as Talib Kweli and the late, great GURU. The two remixes at the end were previously available as B-sides and "Marathon" would appear on "Neighborhood..." but as far as I know the remaining tracks were exclusive to this impeccable release. Don't sleep!

01. "Alchemist Intro"
02. "Heavy Surveillance"
03. "Thieves" (Ft. Prodigy)
04. "Big Twinz Interlude"
05. "Marathon"
06. "Under the Sun" [prod. by DJ Babu / Evidence]
07. "Dilatin'" [prod. by T-Ray]
08. "Worst Comes to Worst" [Remix] (Ft. GURU & Havoc)
09. "Live On Stage" [Remix] (Ft. Talib Kweli)

DILATED PEOPLES x ALCHEMIST - "HEAVY SURVEILLANCE"

Anthony Hamilton w/ Scarface (2003)

As good as all the music that passes as Soul and R&B today are absolutely horrendous and lacks all feeling and actual soul, but that's not at all the case with Anthony Hamilton. I picked up his 2003 album "Comin' From Where I'm From" a while ago and I can strongly recommend it to fans of classic 70's soul. Hamilton's voice is incredible and the production is extremely well executed. I'd say that it's probably the best soul album since D'Angelo's masterpiece "Voodoo". But this is not a blog about Soul music so the reason I justify posting this is because it has two strong (although short) "The Fix"-era Scarface verses added to what's already one of my favorites on the LP. This is basically a joint I've been looking after for quite some time and since I recently found it I thought I might as well share it with anyone who might be interested.

ANTHONY HAMILTON / SCARFACE - "COMIN' FROM WHERE I'M FROM"

Rasheed Chappell Interview

As a hip-hop fied and one who truly cares about the culture it's always a blessing when a fresh, young emcee comes out and sweeps the rug with most of the veteran's work of the year. That this scenario would happen in 2011 with brand new and dope releases from artists like KRS-One, J-Live, Raekwon, Pharoahe Monch and Timbo King seemed unlikely. But that is exactly what happened when newcomer Rasheed Chappell released his critically acclaimed debut album "Future Before Nostalgia" on Kay Dee Records earlier this year. I can't imagine many heads dissapointed by this drop, and if you have yet to pick it up - do so while you still can @ for example UGHH or cut out the middle man and get it from Kay Dee Records. I recently got the chance to ask Rasheed himself some questions about this album, so check it out and enjoy!

c7: Peace, How are you doing?

Rasheed: I am doing GREAT! Feeling good, enjoying life.

Could you give us a quick breakdown of the title "Future Before Nostalgia" and what it means to you?

The title actually came about after recording "Building 8" we were working on an album entitled "Nostalgia". We wanted to give people a warm-up, it was supposed to be a mixtape but it morphed into an album the more we worked. The title serves as a bridge to what has inspired Kenny and I musically but also a glimpse of what we hope to be.

It was very refreshing to see you using a back-to-basics formula by sticking with one producer for the entire project, especially since the chemistry between you is so evident. How did you first hook up?

[Speaking on the 2008 single release, "Dope Muziq" / "Resurrection"] Well Kenny is a DJ first and foremost so the 7" was his way of introducing his fan base & DJ's to him embarking back to his hip-hop roots. I was happy with the turnout of that single, it's become a collector's item these days ha ha! I am blessed for that & yeah, those were some of the first songs Kenny & I recorded. The producer of the B-side, Maleet, was the link to Kenny and I. He actually produced "Resurrection" and he played that song for Kenny. Kenny liked it, asked to meet me and the rest if "future before nostalgia", ha ha!

What's your personal favorite joint of the album?

Ahhh, my FAVORITE joint on the album, probably "The Genesis"! I feel it tells the entire story of the album and the ideas and mood behind it. 

What was the idea behind the album opener "Invocation" and the closening "The Future" which really sews the LP together in a major way?

It's funny, with both those records Kenny had a clear idea of where he wanted them on the album before I wrote a single word. With "Invocation" he came to me and said "THIS is gonna be the intro" ha ha. He has visions I guess and so I wrote it with that in mind. Same thing with "Thankful", so many people are responsible for me being here and I just wanted the world to know their names.

Was it a conscious move to only use songs that made the album a coherrent front-to-back listen; no skits, no filler?

Yes and no. I couldn't think of any skits and by the time I did it was too late ha ha. I have never really done them, I might in the future thought if it makes sense and fits the story line.

How long did the recording of the album take, everything counted, and did you think the LP would have the impact on the underground scene as it has?

The album took about two years to complete. Kenny always said that there is no time limit, let's just get it right. I was anxious to release music at different periods of the recording process but I am happy we waited and put the right songs on the album. I am just thankful people listened, I had no idea it would be received so well, I had hopes but no real idea. I honsetly feel like I have SO much more to give so I just take it as a blessing.

Were there a lot of songs that got cut from the album and if so, are there any chances fans will get to hear any of those in one way or another?

We recorded about 60 songs for this project, some will be used on the next album, some for different projects because they didn't fit the vibe of this project.

Only one alternate version [of anything from "Future..."] exists and that's for "Shut It Down".

Your music has a boom-bap quality to it and it's refreshing to hear someone with well thought out socially conscious and personal lyrics. What are some of your main influences and what do you listen to?

My main Hip Hop influences are so varied, I grew up listening to my older cousins music such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, BDP, Lord Finesse and others. When I finally got a chance to have MY Hip Hop I was into Nas, Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, The Roots, Common and others. Outside of Hip Hop I am a huge fan of old Soul and R&B courtesy of my parents. I listen to everything honestly, Rock, Jazz, Reagge. I listen to the lyrics first and if they draw me in, I listen.

Any producers or artists out there that you would like to work with at the moment or in the future?

I am a fan of so many artists and producers out there like Nas, Raekwon, Premier, Alchemist, Evidence, just too many to name, but right now I want to focus on our sound, perfecting my craft and etching out my own legacy.

Last but not least I want to ask you what the future holds for Rasheed Chappell?

God willing more music, more LIFE and more oppurtinity to fulfill my dreams!

Many, many thanks to Rasheed Chappell for taking time out and doing this interview. "Future Before Nostalgia" is available in stores and online NOW so make sure to support the realness. As an added bonus, check out this recent freestyle where Rasheed goes IN over the classic DJ Premier beat for Nas' "New York State Of Mind". Of course hailing New Jersey, this is the "NJ State of Mind".