Rest in peace to Nate Dogg

 This is truly a sad, sad day for hip-hop as I just woke up and realized that we lost one of the illest and most unique voices we had. Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, better known to the world as the one and only Nate Dogg, passed yesterday at the age of 41 after years of struggling with health problems after he first suffered a stroke in late 2007. Ever since his voice was first heard on the classic debut albums of Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Warren G the West Coast sound had truly found the last missing piece in the puzzle and it's for damn sure it will never be the same again. Imagine tracks like "Regulate", "How Long Will They Mourn Me", "Xxplosive", "The Next Episode", "Deez Nuts", "It Ain't No Fun...", etc. without that pimping low bass voice blessing the beats. Rest in peace big man, you will be truly missed!

Here's a few words from his closest associates who commented on the fallen soldier via Twitter.

Snoop Dogg: "We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met.”

Daz Dillinger: "R.I.P. to my homeboy Nate Dogg, DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 Life"

50 Cent: “I just landed Nate Dogg is dead damn. GOD BLESS HIM R.I.P. He meant a lot to west coast hiphop. I've always been a fan of him."

* The ill tribute picture at the top of the page was created by RuggedSounds666, props to him for that one

Pete Rock & Camp Lo are... 80 Blocks From Tiffany's

Great news right here that the rhyming duo of Camp Lo is teaming up with the one and only DJ Pete Rock to form a trio that they call 80 Blocks From Tiffany's. I've heard about this project a while back but like so many other promised goodies I was doubtful that it would ever materialize, but with the release of the first single it seems like things hopefully will actually go down. The production on this is really stripped down and raw with a different nod to the old school which I think fits the MC duo perfectly. Maybe with the help of Pete Rock behind the boards they can finally make an album that's a worthy successor to their brilliant '97 debut "Uptown Saturday Night". Also this year could be Pete Rock's finest in a long time as he's got both the above-mentioned album and the collaboration with Smif-N-Wessun and as if that weren't enough he's also supposed to release that long overdue project with DJ Premier before 2011 is over. Also as a bonus Camp Lo/80 Block's From Tiffany's released a track called "Jimmy Page" which is basically a freestyle over the classic Pete Rock & CL Smooth beat for "Straighten It Out" but it even came with a digital cover so maybe they will somehow incorporate it onto the album (which I believe is to be called "Tiffany Blue Tuesdays" btw).

80 Blocks From Tiffany's - "Mic Check"'
80 Blocks From Tiffany's - "Jimmy Page" (Freestyle) 

New video and track by Oddisee

Just received this mail from Oddisee's mailing list, in other words the latest edition of what you've been missing. Anyone familiar with the producer/MC knows that he's incredible at creating boom bap reminiscent of the sweet 1990s, and if you haven't heard his group Diamond District and their album 'In The Ruff' yet, it's definitely not to late yet - easily one of 2009s fattest albums. His new single is called "Different Now" and features Toine of DTMD, check out the video below (directed by Zack Schamberg) and be sure to download the song if you like it.

ODDISEE - "DIFFERENT NOW" @ MMG

[COMPILATION] "Evolution of the Groove Vol. II"

Hip-Hop is what I live and breathe but next to that, jazz is the alternate soundtrack to my life these days. As I said in my article that accompanied the first installment of this series, there's so much similarities between the two. I believe a lot of young people generally have a totally wrong image of what jazz music really is, then and today. Thinking because you heard some old swing records of Louie Armstrong  and the Hot 5; the original vocal jazz movemen is so far from representative of the entire genre. The fact is that just like with any other musical grene, there's a ton of different styles within that sound that are collectively labeled as "jazz". With a lot of records that I put on for people I know, they often get that suprised look resembling a big questionmark in their faces, scratching their head, saying something like "but hey, this isn't no jazz, is it?". Take an album like "In A Silent Way" by Miles Davis, or "Mysterious Traveller" by Weather Report, and to me hip-hop head need to be real closeminded ro nor see the similarities and think that the music is wack; unless he's ready to fully embrace another genre yet.

Jazz has influenced hip-hop artists since the late '80s at least, when groups like Gang Starr, De La Soul, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Main Source, Easy Mo Bee, A Tribe Called Quest and many more started using samples of jazz, thus creating a fusion of jazz and hip-hop for the first time. Easy Mo Bee who produced an album for Miles Davis, and the late, great innovator GURU took it a step further with the "Jazzmatazz" series. Here he actually invited live jazz artists to perform and solo over hip-hop beats that he rhymed over, and to great effect nontheless. Next in line to push the envelope was the incredible The Roots, who originally started out as a strictly jazz-hip-hop fusion band, with live instruments backing the dope emcees Black Thought and Malik B - an early version of them are featured on this second volume of "Evolution Of The Groove".

The first volume in the series of "Evolution of Groove" got great response from a lot of people when I posted it, and if you liked that I'm positive you will dig this one equally much. Just like last time I put together various track that features at least one respected jazz artist and one respected hip-hop artist, so I avoided hip-hop tracks that simply uses samples from jazz records or jazz records that later would inspire hip-hop artists. There is also gang of original remixes by some of hip-hop's best/producers who respectfully give their take on legendary material by the true jazz greats. Artists featured here are Miles Davis (prodcued by Easy Mo Bee), Branford Marsalis, DJ Premier, Lady of Rage, GURU, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, Buckwild, The Roots, Steve Coleman, Maceo Parker and De La Soul, Q-Tip, Kenny Garrett and many more. Also I added a track I had no clue existed, a joint from Quincy Jones's 1989 album "Back On The Block" that features Miles blowing his trumpet with verses by Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee; now that's what I call a monumental line-up for the open minded! The majority of the songs on here are instrumental and are rather awesome, but there's also a few vocal tracks to mix it up good. Enjoy this great shit; hopefully this will make you realize how great jazz can be if you're a non-believer, and I also wanna take this time to recommend Madlib's 'Shades of Blue' remix album and DJ Pete Rock's mixtape 'Diggin on Blue' for that same reason. Enough talk, download, load it on to your mp3 player or whatever you prefer, and press play; this is one of those that works best when listened to from beginning to end as I worked hard on getting the sequencing righr. Enjoy!

01. DJ Premier Ft. Branford Marsalis - "Some Shit @ 78 BPM (The Scratch Opera)"
02. Miles Davis - "The Doo Bop Song" [Instrumental prod. by Easy Mo Bee]
03. GURU Ft. Donald Byrd - "Loungin'"
04. Curtis Fuller - "Five Spot After Dark" [Ali Shaheed Muhammad Remix]
05. Duke Jordan - "Night in Tunisia" [DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix]
06. Gene Harris & The Three Sounds - "Slim's Return" [Madlib Remix]
07. De La Soul/Prince Paul Ft. Maceo Parker - "I Be Blowin'"
08. Herbie Hancock - "This Is It" (Ft. The X-Ecutioner's Rob Swift]
09. GURU Ft. Ramsey Lewis & Bahamadia - "Repsect The Architect" [Buckwild Remix]
10. Buckshot LeFonque Ft. Lady Of Rage - "Blackwidow"
11. Q-Tip a/k/a Kamaal The Abstract - "Abstractions" (Ft. Kenny Garett)
12. Philadelphia Experiment (?uestlove, Uri Cane & Christian McBride) - "Grover"
13. Donald Byrd - "Lansanas's Priestess" [DJ Spinna Remix]
14. Quincy Jones Ft. Big Daddy Kane, Kool Moe Dee & Miles Davis - "Jazz Corners"
15. Buckshot LeFonque - "Music Evolution" [DJ Premier Remix]
16. The Roots Ft. Steve Coleman & Rufus Harley - "Do You Want More?!!?!"

'EVOLUTION OF THE GROOVE VOL. II' (FROM JAZZ TO HIP-HOP)

Raekwon Ft. Havoc - "Your World & My World" (iTunes bonus)

iTunes bonus track of Raekwon's fifth solo album, 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang', that drops today. This track is produced by and features Havoc and there's also another bonus cut on iTunes which features GZA and Killah Priest. I think it's fucked up that the ones who buy the actual album on CD or vinyl should be the ones receiving bonus cuts rather than downloaders which is why I will post them both as soon as possible. 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang' is definitely worth the money though, Raekwon really pulled it off again - who would've thought that Rae would soon to be the most prolific member of Wu-Tang Clan a few years back?! Much props to Chef for giving the fans what they want.

UPDATE: I got a link for "Wu-Crime" featuring GZA and Killah Priest as well, but it's an M4A feel but it'll have to do. Props to the man Jammin for that one, thanks man!

RAEKWON - "YOUR WORLD & MY WORLD" (FT. HAVOC) 

RAEKWON - "WU CRIME" (FT. GZA &/ KILLAH PRIEST)

Three dope projects for release TODAY!

This second Tuesday in March 2011 is a great day for hip-hop as both legends of the game and a representant of the younger generations greats releases projects today. Raekwon's "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" is my favorite LP of the year so far, it took me by suprise as it was actually even better than I expected so that was an automatic purchase. Then we got Reks who drops his third album today, "R.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal Supreme King)" is a one hour long showcase in why he should be considered one of the top lyricists of today as he flexes his verbal muscles over tracks by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Hi-Tek, Lil' Fame and many more. The video for the track "Cigarettes" dropped today and is posted below (featuring a real heavy verse by Fame). The third release of the day has been available through downloads on iTunes and such since a few weeks back but it's first today that it will be available in physical form (CD only so far I believe). KRS-One's and Showbiz's collaboration is named "Godsville" and while they both ranks amongst my favorite artists of all time I must say that I was pretty dissapointed in the LP; not that it wasn't good because it is but a album from these two should be more than just good. Hopefully I'll get the time to write and post up reviews of all of all three albums. Below are one selection each from every one of the LPs so check it out, enjoy and if you like what you hear support the artist(s)!

REKS video for "Cigarettes"
Produced and featuring Lil' Fame a/k/a Fizzy Womack plus Attica Barz

"Snake Pond" by Raekwon - one of many incredible tracks on 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang'

"Runnin' in the Dark" by KRS-One and Showbiz from 'Godsville'

Mobb Deep - "Mobb Of Steel, Vol. I"

It's great to hear that one of New York's illest vets is back home after finishing his three year bid. Hopefully this will result in new music from the man, both with Havoc and whatever solo projects he's interested in doing. In honor of the ocassion I put together a gang of my favorite Mobb Deep non-album tracks from 1993-1998, featuring both collaborations with other artists, soundtrack cuts and white label joints. The majority of these bangers are Havoc productions which of course guarantees quality stuff as far as the sonics goes and this tape is filled to the limits with incredible Prodigy verses. There's been a real lack of updates on this blog lately I know, but hold your eyes on this spot and I'll try put some more time into it.

01. "Live Nigga Rap" (w. NaS)

02. "Rare Species (Modus Operandi)"

03. "The War's On" (w. Almighty RSO)

04. "Back @ You"

05. "Survival Of The Fittest" [Havoc Remix]

06. "It Could Happen to You" (w. DJ Muggs)

07. "Know Da Game" (w. Kool G Rap & MOP)

08. "Eyes May Shine" [Remix] (w. Xzibit)

09. "Reconcile & Recognize Part II" (w. Big Noyd)

10. "Cop Hell" (w. DJ Premier)

11. "Mobb Of Steel"

12. "Street Life" (w. ACD)

13. "Legal Money" (w. Shaquille O'Neal)

14. "Infamous" (w. Charlie Baltimore)

15. "Hoodlum" (w. Rakim & Big Noyd)

16. "Play IV Keeps" (w. Method Man, Inspectah Deck & StreetLife)

17. "Killaz Theme" (w. Cormega)

18. "Temperature's Rising" [Original Mix]

MOBB DEEP - "MOBB OF STEEL, VOL. 1"

New Reks, produced by DJ Pete Rock

The young emcee who broke through in 2008 with the DJ Premier laced masterpiece "Say Goodnight" and the potent follow-up album "Grey Hairs" is gearing up for the release of his third album. The LP which is called "R.E.K.S. (Rhythmic Eternal King Supreme)" packs a heavy line-up with producers including Preemo reprising his role but also Pete Rock, Lil' Fame, Alchemist, Sean C & LV, Statik Selektah and Hi-Tek and as you should know Reks already proved that he's real disgusting with the wordplay so this will be a heavyhitter that's for sure. One of the tracks that has had my mouth watering is the collaboration with the Soul Brother which I present to y'all below. In case you missed the Premier produced lead single, "The 25th Hour" do yourself a favor and hit play on the YouTube video. "R.E.K.S." drops on Tuesday!

REKS - "Thin Line" [prod. by Pete Rock]

THROWBACK: Guru's "Jazzmatazz Vol. II" review

GURU released his second album in the ”Jazzmatazz” series in the summer of 1995 and to me this eclectic fusion of East Coast hip-hop, jazzy live instrumentation, soul singers and ragga hooks still stands as a testament of the man’s greatness. GURU was a leader in hip-hop; as a rapper from Boston he was pushing the envelope of how true New York hip-hop was supposed to sound together with DJ Premier in Gang Starr, and with the “Jazzmatazz” series he creatively and successfully bridged live jazz and hip-hop. Many hip-hop acts had used samples from the Blue Note and Columbia Jazz catalogues but it was GURU who first incorporated actual instruments to a beat and thereby created the so called “jazz-rap” when he and DJ Premier invited Branford Marsalis to play sax on the Gang Starr classic, “Jazz Thang”. Something that was bound to happen sooner or later for sure, but also something that needed a leader to first take the step and test the waters.

While 1993s “Jazzmatazz Vol. 1” was a short but effective punch (10 songs in 40 minutes), its follow-up almost doubles the length with its 20 tracks clocking in at 74 minutes. It also features a massive amount of guest features, so much in fact that the artwork presents the LP as one being “hosted by GURU” rather than a solo album in its own right. Unlike its predecessor it does not feature jazz instrumentalists exclusively but rather a mix of artists representing jazz, rap, soul and reagge – black music if you will. Names involved include Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Garrett, DJ Premier, Mica Paris, Chaka Khan, Bahamadia, Branford Marsalis, Kool Keith, True Master, Ini Kamoze, Jamiroquai and many more. An all-star line up to say the least but sometimes too many chefs in the kitchen is a recipe for a disastrous and unfocused effort. This is not the case with “Jazzmatazz II: The New Reality” because although its filled to the limit with high profile names from four different musical genres, GURU is always present and ties it all together, making sure the album flows and the sound is cohesive. Despite what the front cover states there’s no doubt that this album is GURU’s, his voice graces every track, he’s been involved with the production and picking the guests and “The New Reality” clearly represents and realizes his vision.

The amazing opener “Lifesaver” kick things off with a laid-back beat with emphasis on a heavy bass line and jazzy sax and vibes (uncredited and probably sampled) floating in and out in the background which puts the artist in the zone. One of GURU’s biggest strengths as an emcee was his ability to touch the listener’s heart and making us relate without sounding forced or corny; I often say that he rapped with more heart than any other rapper when he was at his peak. Here he speaks on life’s ill but also offers a solution, something a lot of rappers fail to dwell on and the sweet-sung vocals of Baybe adds color to the song. “Living in this World” follows a similar pattern with GURU doing his best to educate through his rhymes and Jay Rodriguez and Sweet Sable helps push the song to the next level with the addition of gorgeous flute, clarinet and vocals, respectively. The last verse is a performance that captures everything that makes people quote the MC’s name in G.O.A.T. discussions.

The following two songs are also my two favorites on the entire album; “Looking Through The Darkness” is produced by True Master (of Wu-Tang fame) and stands as one of his finest productions yet. The drum pattern is heavy enough to knock down a wall, with True’s traditional chopped up sample style, here using at least two songs to create one masterpiece – the majestic trumpet and whatever string instrument that is comes off as simply amazing. GURU absolutely tears the beat apart, sounding hyped up and angry as he almost shouts out the verses, a true classic and proof that he was very capable of creating such tracks without help from DJ Premier. But of course one can’t deny the impact he and Preemo’s relationship have had on hip-hop and that pure quality is showcased on “Watch What You Say” where Guru rhymes about the importance of being a role model and embracing that role. Premier’s backdrop has his traditional pounding drums and bass and comes off as a perfect example of “jazz-rap” with the inclusion of a sampled trumpet being looped under the vocals throughout. The young but great saxophonist Branford Marsalis closes the track on a very high note with Chaka Khan wailing intensively. Whereas “Jazzmatazz Vol. 1” was completely separate from his work with DJ Premier, it’s good to have at least one Gang Starr track on this album. And a banging one at that!

Although the LP doesn’t feature jazz artists on each and every song the vibe throughout is that of hip-hop meeting jazz whether that sound is achieved through the use of samples or live instrumentation. GURU is really shining here, strongly influenced by the jazzy and soulful music he allows himself to go deep and often get personal in his verses. The lyrical themes range from a wide array of topics; “For You” is a heartfelt tribute to his family and friends while “Medicine” is a slamming anthem for all the weed heads with Ini Kamoze providing some sweet toasting. The jazz vibe is maintained by absolutely impeccable blowing by the one and only, Mr. Donald Byrd. Byrd also appears on “The Traveler” where the rapper touches on life on the road and all the countries he visited while on tour. “Lost Souls” is another one of those tracks where G rhymes with all his heart, making sure that every word is captured by the listener, while Jamiroquai provides background vocals and instrumentation to great results.

There are so many ill songs on this album that I could just go on describing them all to you but you’d be better off listening to it for yourself. GURU was in peak form between 1994 and 1998 if you ask me, with “Hard to Earn” and “Moment of Truth” speaking for itself but also the little recognized “Jazzmatazz Vol. II: The New Reality” which is a very personal album. For me this is slightly better than its predecessor (which is also a great album however) and besides his work with DJ Premier it stands as the finest solo album he did. When GURU spoke you’d really listen because you could relate to him. He invited you into his world with his words, as a peer and someone that wanted change for the better. The King of Monotone as he called himself, his voice was unique and loaned itself perfectly for jazz inspired music which is one of the reasons why this album wouldn’t have worked with any other rapper. 

To give some critique it is slightly too long, at 74 minutes it could have benefitted from tightening up a bit; maybe cutting off maximally three or four songs. Most of the tracks hold a very high quality though and there is nothing on this disc that’s bad, far from it, but “The Traveler” and “Feel the Music” doesn’t sound as inspired as “Respect the Architect” or “Something in the Past” for example. Yet these are very minor things, overall this album is packed with more heat than the oven door and it’s a goddamn shame that it’s so overlooked and underrated. The singles released from the album came with some now classic remixes that didn’t appear on the album; DJ Premier’s take on “The Lifesaver” and Buckwild’s mix of the Bahamadia featured “Respect the Architect” (both included at the bottom of this post). I recommend you all to pick up “Jazzmatazz Vol. II: The New Reality” in tribute to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal a.k.a. Keith Elam, we all sure miss you – Rest in peace.

GURU - "RESPECT THE ARCHITECT" [BUCKWILD REMIX] (FT. BAHAMADIA)

GURU - "LIFESAVER" [DJ PREMIER REMIX] 

Havoc & Rosenberg welcomes "P" back home

 I think we're all excited that Mobb Deep's H.N.I.C., Mr. Prodigy, is finally done with his bid and will be released from prison on March 7. Hopefully he will hook right back up with Havoc and produce some heatrocks for immediate release, I can't wait to hear some new Mobb stuff. While incarcerated I can imagine P has most likely spilled his guts writing verse after verse, he probably have alot of shit to get off his chest considering all the letters exposing guys he was writing from the pen. Matter of fact, he even wrote a biography in there, "My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy", which you can pre-order now through amazon.com. For anyone doubting that P still got it they obviously didn't hear the track he recorded over the prison phone that was released last year, where he straight up molests a murderous Sid Roams beat for over six minutes. The sound quality of the vocals wasn't all that but obviously but that wasn't needed to know that he's on fire and ready for war. That hot joint is included on the tape posted below for anyone that might've missed it when it first dropped. By the way you can expect a lot of Mobb Deep and Prodigy compilations and shit the week of his homecoming, starting on March 8 i'll bring out a collection of rare Mobb goodies for y'all.

Peter Rosenberg and Havoc has cooked up a little mixtape in anticipation of the man coming home, featuring some rarities, some classics and some freestyles by Prodigy and Mobb Deep. The tape is mixed by Rosenberg and hosted by Havoc and is available now for free download. "Prodigy comes home on March 7th and I thought it would be dope to welcome him home properly. He is one of the greats and I can’t wait to see what this chapter holds for him. So I linked up with Havoc and put together this mix to celebrate his return! This is not all of his appearances obviously, but it is many of my favorites–including some rarities!" is what Pete has to say on the subject. Enough talk, bring on the music! Mobb for life! 

01. Drink Away the Pain - Mobb Deep

02. Give Up the Goods – Mobb Deep
03. Crime Connection – Mobb Deep *Unreleased*
04. Eyes May Shine (RMX) – Xzibit feat. Mobb Deep
05. Hell on Earth – Mobb Deep
06. It’s Mine – Mobb Deep feat. Nas
07. I Shot Ya (RMX) – LL Cool J
08. Extortion – Mobb Deep
09. Legal Money – Shaq feat. Mobb Deep
10. Recognize & Realize – Big Noyd feat. Mobb Deep
11. Right Back at You – Mobb Deep
12. Eye for an Eye – Mobb Deep
13. It’s the Pee ‘97 – PMD feat. Prodigy
14. Tres Leches – Big Pun
15. Gun Love – Prodigy *Unreleased*
16. Rare Species – Mobb Deep
17. Microphone Masters (RMX) – Das Efx feat. Mobb Deep
18. Drop a Gem On Em – Mobb Deep
19. Quiet Storm (Original Demo Mix) – Prodigy *Unreleased*
20. G.O.D. Part III – Mobb Deep
21. G.O.D. Part III (Night Time After Hours Mix) – Mobb Deep
22. Still Shinin – Mobb Deep
23. Bloodshed & War – Da Youngstas feat. Mobb Deep
24. Temperature’s Rising (Original Mix) – Mobb Deep
25. Burn – Mobb Deep
26. Keep It Thoro – Prodigy
27. H.N.I.C. – Prodigy
28. Clap Those Thangs – Mobb Deep
29. Stuck on You – Prodigy
30. Mac 10 Handle – Prodigy
31. Tha Game – Pete Rock feat. Prodigy
32. Return of the Mac – Prodigy
33. When I See You – Prodigy
34. Veteran’s Memorial Pt. 2 – Prodigy
35. Phone Tap – Prodigy

DOWNLOAD @ ROSENBERG RADIO