Planet Asia prepares "Black Belt Theatre"

Crazy dope West Coast spitter Planet Asia is set to release his new album, "Black Belt Theatre", on February 28. The tracklist has now been revealed and as is usual with Asia's projects, the guest features and production credits looks tasty as hell with names like Raekwon, Oh No, Khrysis, Talib Kweli, Strong Arm Steady, Fashawn and more. The first single from the LP is now also available from Nature Sounds and is titled "Golden State" (right click + save as to download).

01. “Lost And Found” (prod. by Khrysis)
02. “Grown Folks Talkin’” (Ft. Talib Kweli) (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
03. “Tell The World” (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
04. “All Mine” (Ft. Paul Wall) (prod. by Twiz The Beat Pro)
05. “No Apologies” (Ft. Raekwon) (prod. by Oh No)
06. “Fuck Rapers” (Ft. Fashawn & Willie The Kid) (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
07. “Diamond Life” (Ft. Camp Lo) (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
08. “Furniture” (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
09. “Mach One (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
10. “Daggers And Darts” (Ft. Rogue Venom & Tristate) (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
11. “Bruce Lee” (Ft. Chace Infinite & Rasco) (prod. by Soulprofessa)
12. “Golden State” (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
13. “Coons” (Ft. Killer Ben) (prod. by Dirtydiggs)
14. “The Line Of Fire” (Ft. Krondon, Phil Da Agony & Picaso) (prod. by Brisk Oner)
15. “Big Fish” (prod. by Twiz The Beat Pro)
16. “External Motives” (Ft. The Jacka & Mitchy Slick) (prod. by Twiz The Beat Pro)
17. “Classical” (Ft. Ras Kass, Torae & Jasiri X) (prod. by Religion)
18.“Stay Ready” (Ft. Mistah Fab, Dengee & Mo The Gift) (prod. by Oh No)
19. “Whirlwind Patterns” (prod. by Religion)
20. “Dogon Outro” (prod. by Dirtydiggs)

KRS-One / Kenny Parker + Bumpy Knuckles / Premier

Last year we saw KRS-One and Freddie Foxxx, who originally housed shit together on "Ruff Ruff" in '92, collaborate for "Royalty Check". For 2012 they are both individually preparing new releases for the heads to enjoy. I believe KRS also has an album with Mad Lion in the works, as the tracklist below does not include any of the singles that has been released recently. Thx to Fatal Guillotine and Gim @ DJPB for the word.

"The Kolexion" is set for release on March 27 and will be available on both CD and vinyl. The entire project is produced by DJ Premier and although some previous material can be spotted on the tracklist, the majority of the songs seems to be new. Shortly before the release we'll get an EP of material that didn't make the final cut. I wonder where the Zack De La Rocha collaboration went though?

01. "My Thoughts"
02. "Shake The Room"
03. "B.A.P."
04. "eVrEEbOdEE"
05. "wEaRe aT WaR"
06. "P.A.I.N.E."
07. "The Life"
08. "FYPAU"
09. "D’Lah"
10. "More Levels"
11. "GrEaTnEsS"
12. "EyEnEvErPuTmY4cUsAwAy"
13. "Turn Up The Mic" [Remix] (Ft. Nas)
14. "The Key"
15. "OwNiT"
16. "The Gang Starr Bus"
17. "Word Iz Bond"

We haven't heard an official Boogie Down Production's release since '92s "Sex & Violence" but this year KRS-One is dropping "The BDP Album" under his own name. The LP will mark the first time Kris has worked with his brother DJ Kenny Parker for a full project so this will definitely be something to look out for. It will also be available on both CD and wax via 682 Records.

01. "Kenny Parker Intro"
02. "Tote Gunz"
03. "Forever" (Ft. Channel Live)
04. "All Day"
05. "The Solution"
06. "Cypher Remix"
07. "Introducing..."
08. "I Do This For You"
09. "Comin' In"
10. "Do It"
11. "The Hustle"
12. "Time's Up" (Ft. Jesse West)
13. "2012"
14. "What is it / Outro" (Ft. Inyang Bassey)

38 Special / Pete Rock - "Support"

38 Special is a new artist that is signed and managed by DJ Green Lantern. They are currently working on his debut album, "Benefits of Hard Work" which should be available later this year. The LP is said to feature two tracks produced by the great DJ Premier as well as the first single which is called "Support" and laced by The Chocolate Boy Wonder. Spotted @ DJ Premier Blog.

38 SPECIAL - "SUPPORT"

2011 in Review - [#1] Evidence - "Cats & Dog"

[#1] EVIDENCE - "CATS & DOGS"

We are now exactly one week in to 2012 and there's still no doubt in my mind about what the best album of last year was. In a year when seasoned vet's like G Rap, Raekwon and Pharoahe Monch, favorite producers Pete Rock and Large Pro as well as debuting artists such as Saigon and Rasheed Chapell all dropped slamming LPs, Evidence's "Cats & Dogs" came out victorious through its stick-to-the-script formula. 

Back in the hot summer months of 2011, the Dilated Peoples emcee known as Evidence unleashed his second full-length album on the world. And what an album it was! Both a very capable rapper and producer in his own right, for "Cats & Dogs", Ev took the wise choice to step down from the producer seat. It's not that he couldn't have laced sixteen dope instrumentals by himself, he has proved that capability too many times for that to be put in question, but this way he could put all his focus and energy into his vocal performances - And that extra lyrical drive shines throughout the entire set!

I always liked Ev as an emcee but I had never considered him as one of the true greats of the hip-hop game. Until this summer that is. I feel confident in saying that this is by far the LA spitter's best lyrical show-off yet, all solo works and Dilated projects counted for. His voice is clear and commanding, making it easy to snap up every line; yet, his writing is often riddled and complex, with an extended use of metaphors that makes repeated listening rewarding. The rhymer invites us into his life by sharing his thoughts and personality on diverse cuts like "The Linear Notes", "Fame" and "Well Runs Dry". On the two latter he, respectively, gives his take on success and glory and then the hardships of past days struggling with money to make it by. In this way, "Cats & Dogs" are a great introduction to Evidence for anyone new to his music as well as a way of further insight into his persona and style for those already fans. There's also plenty of concept tracks like the twisted love tale "I Don't Need Love" and the politically charged "To Be Continued" as well as classic battle rhyme styles on heavy joints like the straight-to-the-point collabo with Preemo,  "You". On the latter the L.A. rhymer spits raw shit like "One's a lonely number, two's the first loser; So how the fuck can you win? Become a drug abuser/ Slappin' these beats, I'm no snoozer; Six million ways to Die, go ahead and choose ONE".

As far as producers and guets on the LP goes you could say that it's an all-star jam at the same time as it's a family affair. Five of the fifteen songs are laced by The Alchemist who comes through in grand fashion with some of the best beats I've heard from him in years; a pretty bold statement considering his catalouge. Just check how well the paranoia inducing, speeding music he concorts for "Crash" connects with Evidence. Likewise, the gritty soundtrack Alc hooks up on the masterful opener "The Linear Notes" becomes the perfect vehicle for the rapper to bring it back to his come up and show the world he means business with one of the best verses of 2011. With the chemistry displayed on all of these collaborations, Alchemist is definitely the MVP of the producer's working on the project.

But just as Alchemist clearly was in a special zone when crafting for the album, so was every producer heard on the disc. For example, I never been big on the production duo known as Sid Roams but the three grooves they lay down here are dark, layered and absolutely perfect for Evidence. "Late For the Sky" is an especially big tune which, through the use of string-like keys, fat bass and harmonic vocals, is one of the more melodic tracks on the album. It's also one of four "posse cuts" where Ev puts his skill to the test against two other lyricists; the aforementioned one with Aesop Rock and Slug features fairly abstract verses from everybody involved. It's great that by using only a few tracks with several guests on, it gives us plenty of solo cuts with only the lead artist while also featuring many great emcees and songs that definitely stands out on a tracklist. How about the Evidence / Roc Marciano / Prodigy or Evidence / Raekwon / Ras Kass joints; both some of the sickest tracks released in 2011. Besides being great hip-hop joints, siding up with rhymesayers of this caliber also goes to show just how far Ev has come as a lyricist through the years. I also gotta give big props to Ev for keeping the DJ an essential part of his sound, something that's sadly way too often overlooked in hip-hop these days. Especially DJ Revolution, but also Babu and DJ Flash gets busy on the wheels of steel and it brings another layer to the final product and definitely helps bringing it home.

There's so much to love about this LP which, with about six months to show for it now, has tremendous replay value. With all the albums I reviewed of last year, as good as all of them still left a little room for improvement. Not so much with "Cats & Dogs"; there's no song I would have left off, no bad guest verses, no boring beats and Evidence's performance is remarkable throughout. I imagine much time was spent on overseeing the project to make sure every track fit together with the next and, in that way, giving it the  coherrent sound of one producer's work. One of the ways to achieve this is unmistakably the straight up hip-hop, stick-to-the-script formula that keeps the sound banging throughout. While this method might leave little room for experimentation, the foundation of  thumping beats, dope rhymes and masterful turntable work are a rock solid foundation for an LP that might very well be considerd a classic in a few years.

Lord Finesse in a "Blue Note State of Mind"

I bet all you D.I.T.C. fanatics up in here are well aware of Finesse's recent venture with Slice-Of-Spice Records. Hopefully the signing will mean that we will finally get that "Funky Technician" remix project which according to the label finally will go down now. But for now, The Funky Man got another ill treat in store as he's releasing another crazy DJ set. This time it's the impeccable Blue Note catalouge that's gonna be touched up by Finesse for the second installment of "The Art Of Diggin'". Blue Note means that this volume will be full of ill jazz breaks, mainly Hard Bop stuff. 

Check out the snippets below and order the CD here. You can also enter the contest @ 2DopeBoyz to try your chances at winning a free copy which will include a limited flexi-disc featuring the exclusive "Electric Sensation" which you can listen to here.

The Art Of Diggin': Blue Note State Of Mind (Snippet #1) by Slice-of-Spice

The Art Of Diggin': Blue Note State Of Mind (Snippet #2) by Slice-of-Spice

Gangrene - "Vodka & Ayahuasca"

Alchemist and Oh No takes us on a power trip with the title track from their upcoming album, "Vodka & Ayahuasca" that's set for a January 24 release via Decon Records. This particular track is produced by Alchemist who also produced the previous single, "Dump Truck", which I'm also adding since I never made an original post for it. The LP doesn't have that many features but among those who are on it we can look forward to verses from Roc Marciano, Prodigy (on the earlier single below) and Kool G Rap.

Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca by DeconRecords

Gangrene - Dump Truck by DeconRecords

[EP] I Self Devine - "L.A. State Of Mind"

Some brand new free heat from Micranots' emcee I Self Devine. The EP is called "L.A. State of Mind" and is something ill to chew on while waiting for his upcoming album on Rhymesayers - "The Sounds of Low Class America". Aparantley, this is only the first of a four EP set which means that I Self Devine is planning to release a batch of free music once each month up until the LP comes in May. A movement like this should definitely be awared by support if the music delivered holds weight, don't you think? On this first volume we get tracks produced by the respective Gangrene members amongst others. Spotted @ 2DopeBoyz.

01. "Intro"
02. "Dream Crusher"
03. "Zero to 5ive"
04. "Death in the Air"
05. "Diamond Movement"
06. "Thingz"
07. "Justice"
08. "Sweat Equity"
09. "Bastards of the Party"
10. "Had to Go, Never Leave"
11. "Mecca"

I SELF DEVINE - "L.A. STATE OF MIND"

Apollo Brown & OC to drop "Trophies"

That's right y'all, Detroit producer and The Left member Apollo Brown has hooked up with one of the all time greats for a full-length project. The album, which is to be titled "Trophies", was reportedly developed in New York but the recording process took place in Michigan. Featuring sixteen tracks, mostly crafted around concepts, "Trophies" has been given a release date on March 27 via Mello Music Group. Can't wait for this, hopefully it won't be too long until we get a first single!

THE ROOTS Experience '94

Considering that many of us have been banging The Roots' latest creation, "undun", in our headphones over the past month, why not take a look back to when these veterans still were a young and fresh crew on the scene. Having recently gotten my hands on Brian Coleman's refreshing and super dope "Check The Technique" via my man Linkan, the first chapter I happened to read was the one on The Roots and "Do You Want More??!!?". It's not at all my favorite album represented in the book and in fact I never considered it to be one of the group's best outputs either. But there is something very special, fresh and adventorous that is so inviting about that whole project which I consider the group's real debut album. I am well aware of the preceding "Organix" but just like Coleman states that some of the group members felt about it, I too always considered it as more of a "glorified demo". 

According to the book, the music on "Do You Want More?!" came from the first time the group really worked on new songs in a studio together with professional engineers. They also took a whole lot more time putting it together than what they had done for "Organix". Their many live shows helped The Roots get signed to David Geffen's DGC imprint (later just Geffen Records)  in late 1993; a label who, back then, mainly housed rock acts such as Guns N Roses and Nirvana. The Philly crew were basically the lone hip-hop act in the house and maybe therefore they were not treated with the same amount of respect as their label mates. With their album constantly pushed back, the group consisting of drummer/producer Ahmir "Brother ?uestion" Thompson, emcees Black Thought and Malik B, keyboardist Scott Storch, producer Kelo, bassist HUB and manager Richard Nichols decided to flee the US in favor of London.

Staying in London for six months in '94, the crew played loads of gig and became the definite go-to guys for live hip-hop in the city at the time. This resulted in a contact with radio personality Giles Peterson who showed lots of love for the group and their jazzy hip-hop fusion. He was also the owner of the Talkin' Loud label and was eager to convince Wendy Goldstein @ Geffen that The Roots should release an EP. The resulting "From The Ground Up" was released for the European market only with the idea to build up the hype overseas first, and from there work their way into the U.S. market. The EP featured, as ?uestlove remembers, basically the first round of recordings that had been made for the album and "was a warning for people about what was to come". Indeed it was. The six track EP runs for over half an hour which means it features long jam session like songs and two of these were exclusive to this release - "It's Coming" and "Worldwide (London Groove)".

The group's combination of live instruments, A+ emceeing, jazz, soul and hip-hop was undeniable and pretty soon after they were heading back to the U.S. in order to complete the album. Originally set for a June 28 release that same year, it would take until the first month in 1995 before the album was actually available to fans. Although it must have been a bitch waiting for the label to get their thumbs out, in the end it might have been the best thing for the group. While waiting they had built a larger following through their extensive touring, the European EP as well as the singles "Distortion to Static", "Proceed" and "Silent Treatment". In traditional hip-hop spirit at the time, the 12" singles featured a whole bunch of remixes of each song, all with their own distinctive sound. For example, no less than five versions of "Proceed" were released!

Although some had tried the live band formula in hip-hop before, The Roots were the first to really nail it with a style that resembled a jazz piano trio (keys/drums/bass that is) smoothly getting it in with the very skilled rapping duo of Black Thought and Malik B. Although often refered to as a jazz/hip-hop band, I think "Do You Want More?!?" is the only album that really fits that title. Subsequent releases leaned much more to the hip-hop side of things, while on "D.Y.W.M." was close to a 50/50 affair. This was not least reflected through the choices of guests for the album - representing the jazz half were Steve Coleman on sax, the legendary Rufus Harley on bagpipes, the famous Casandra Wilson on vocals, Joshua Roseman and Graham Haynes on additional horns. As far as hip-hop cameos they had Dice Raw's unbelivable freestyle on "The Lesson", beatbox king Rahzel all over the place, MC ELO on "What Goes On" and spoken word poet Ursula Rucker's closing statements. All in all, it was very much a Philadelphia affair and, looking back now, a great first statement for a band that has given us so many quality albums over the years - this being the first.

01. "It's Comin"

02. "Distortion to Static"

03. "Mellow My Man"

04. "Dat Scat"

05. "Worldwide (London Groove)"

06. "Do You Want More?!?!"

THE ROOTS - "FROM THE GROUND UP"

01. "Proceed II" (Ft. Roy Ayers)

02. "Proceed III" (Ft. Bahamadia)

03. "Proceed IV" [A.J. Shine's Without A Pause Remix]

04. "Proceed V" [Da Beatminerz Remix]

05. "The Lesson Pt. 2" [?uestion's Flava Groove]

06. "Silent Treatment" [Black Thought's '87 You & Yours Remix]

07. "Silent Treatment" [Da Beatminerz Remix]

08. "Silent Treatment" [Kelo's Remix]

09. "Distortion to Static" [Bob Power Bass Version]

10. "Slow Burn" (Steve Coleman & The Meters Ft. Black Thought)  [*]

11. "Good Music" [*]
THE ROOTS - "THE '94 REMIX SESSIONS" 

J-LIVE - "Clones" [The Roots Homage]

J-Live's "S.P.T.A. (Said Person Of That Ability)" was a brilliant album and if you woner why it didn't make my top ten list of the year, I can tell you that it's definitely an honorable mention and was close for inclusion together with a few other albums but 2011 was a great year for new music. After putting out dope music for more than a decade, everybody should know how serious J is on the microphone by now and just to prove the point further last year he dropped his own artist approved versions of Gang Starr's classic "D.W.Y.C.K." and Diamond D's equally incredible "Another Day in the Life". Now the time has come to one of my favorite songs of my favorite The Root's album, the epic posse cut "Clones", where he rips three of the four beats by himself using his Triple Threat style (his three different personalities that is), but since the joint actually has four tracks he invited MarkQ Spekt for a verse which sounds ill on here. These, along with the two abovementioned freestyle type tracks will appear on the emcee/producer/DJ's next mixtape "The Live Supremacy". I would like to hear him rip Gang Starr's "I'm The Man" and Large Pro's more recent "NoydDap-N-Ru Dope" in the Triple Threat style as well as fresh verses over "Shut 'Em Down" (yeah the Pete Rock remix of course) and something from "Buhhloone Mind State". Any thoughts on what you think would be cool?