My day started with me rolling my hungover ass out of the rack around noon. I then spent about an hour surfing the net, reading up on my favorite subjects of hip-hop, weather, sports and fantasy baseball. My mojo just wasn't there yet. After a fairly calm and uneventful weekend, I helped a buddy celebrate his new house by breaking it in with a BBQ last night and I am paying the price today. Well after a shower and an infusion of ice tea and a Subway sandwich, I'm not sure if I feel better or worse, but I'm finally sitting down to pound this Sunday post out. Like last Sunday, I'm lacking in the motivation department, but hopefully like last weekend my ass will catch fire about half way through and I'll end up writing a decent enough post.
Things have been pretty busy around here lately. Between the normal everyday workings of this blog and some other side projects I have going on, my writing skills are certainly being tested. We still have an interview lined up as soon as we can work a time that can work with everyone involved. I'm pretty excited since it's my first interview and who it's with, but I'll leave it at that. I also have my first "guest blogger" slot coming up. I will be writing a guest post for a blog that I have much respect for, but we won't let the cat out of the bag on that either just yet. I will also will be involved with another site that is opening it's doors this spring. It's not hip hop related, but it might spark some interest for the regular visitors none the less. More on that when the site's opening gets closer. So I'm definitely not at a loss for work. All I know, is the smell of Spring is in the air. About freaking time after the winter we've had here.
They always say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so I guess I should be flattered. Thursday night after a few beers while playing Madden with a buddy, I hopped online and floated around some of the hip-hop forums. I usually tend to stay away from sites like SOHH and UGHH, cause it just disturbs me at some of the shit I read on those sites. Well I was feeling a bit adventurous and decided to check out UGHH's forums. As I was looking through the posts, one caught my eye. This internet radio "D.J." was promoting his playlist for Thursday night. It consisted of The New Music Seminar from 1987, a Dr. Dre Roadium Mixtape and two albums from DJ Spinna.......hmmmmm. That sounds awful familiar, very similar to my Wednesday post. I'm not big on internet "beef" or confrontation. It's just stupid in my book and a waste of negative energy. But as I mentioned, I had a few beers in me and I'm known to be a lot more mouthier after a few pops in my system, plus dude seemed kind of conceited in some of his posts I had read, so I left him a little note saying it looked awful familiar to what a blog posted up the day before. Of course I got called a hater and a herb, and he had all the stuff on wax and his radio station was responsible for all the hip hop blogs. Whatever...I find it funny, but if you are going to use my ideas, at least give me credit for them and not act like you are the all holy savior of the Hip Hop radio movement. I'm glad I can influence people like that.....I'm truly flattered.
On to.....
Sunday Lite
After posting up Del on Friday, someone brought up a b-side to
one of his singles off of his album, "Burnt". Del was great for putting out unreleased B-sides in his early years. Who can forget one of my favorite songs in "Undisputed Champs". As mentioned, "Burnt" song is more "Hiero sounding" in nature, it was also one of the first on wax appearances for the rest of the Hiero crew, with Opio, Tajai, Casual, and A+ all appearing on the track. All of them bring it on the mic and is just another example of the the b-side winning again.Del feat A Plus, Opio, Tajai, & Casual - Burnt
http://www.zshare.net/audio/del-burnt-feat-opio-tajai-casual-a-mp3.html
I probably haven't said it much on here, but I'm a big fan of the Blastmaster, KRS-One. Sure he is hypocritical, condescending, and arrogant but I find it nearly impossible to question his achievements and contributions to hip hop. The man is probably up there in the top 5 MC's of all time. Yes, his image and legacy has been tarnished with some of his later releases, although last years "Life" release was his most enjoyable album since "I Got Next". I found this remix of "Questions & Answers" back on Cocaine Blunts waaaay back in the day. I can't find much info on the origins of this release. No history, no story, no nothing. I'm assuming it was produced by Pal Joey, who is almost more of a mystery than this song. He did a handful of tracks for BDP on Edutainment, Sex & Violence, and also did "Black Cop", a track on Cooly Live's album and a track for MC Lyte on her "Act Like You Know" release. I always thought he was the quintessential of the "Boom Bap" sound. Then he kind of just vanished. Regardless, this track is kind of cool. I'm not sure if I like it more than the original, but it's still fun to listen to.Boogie Down Productions - Questions & Answers (Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/bdp-question-and-answers-remix-mp3.html
If some asks me my favorite hip hop producer, I answer the same way
probably 50% of the real hip hop heads would answer: DJ Premier. Primo's top accolades are amazing and some of the people he has worked with are the "Who's Who" among the hip hop world. But unlike a lot of producers that let the fame go to their head, he'll still do something for some unheard of MC. This cut comes from someone so unknown, I'm not even sure if I have the right name for this MC. I can't find nothing on the track, not on discogs, not on google, nothing. It doesn't sound like a trademark Primo beat, except the bassline sounds Primo-ish in nature, so I'm assuming it still is. It's a pretty tight beat, some nice horns and as I said, the bass line is nice. I found this on Soulseek way back in the day, so who knows what it really is. If anyone has any info, fill me in.Mr. Dong (?) - Catch Wreck
http://www.zshare.net/audio/mr-dong-catch-wreck-mp3.html
This might become a Sunday Lite tradition, we have another live track for you. This
from ruler, MC Rickey D aka Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh, doing a live rendition of "Treat Her Like A Prostitute". Doug is on the beat box and Rick is spitting the lyrics, ala "La Di Da Di". I have no clue if this is an old school, back in the day joint, or if this was after they got back together to do some stuff together later on. Regardless it's kind of a fun listen and definately worth putting in your "Live Hip-Hop" folder.Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh - Treat Her Like A Prostitute (Live)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/slick-rick-doug-e-fresh-treat-her-like-a-prositute-live-mp3.html
Last but not least, is something I sent over to Jaz at "Cold Rock Da Spot", which I'm sure he'll be putting on one of his excellent compilations in the near future, but I thought I'd share it with whoever might have missed it. It's known by now that Polarity and I are both fans of Red Hot Lover Tone's hip hop material that he released in the early 90's. I also like the early Trackmasters stuff, while Polarity has a near unhealthy obsession with all their material. This is a Diamond D remix of his single "Give It Up", from his self titled debut LP. The beat is very fly and a prime example of why Diamond was killing it during this time period. It's edited, which is kind of a bitch, but still worth a listen, for the beat alone.Red Hot Lover Tone - Give It Up (Diamond D Remix)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/red-hot-lover-tone-give-it-up-diamond-d-remix-mp3.html
Trav's Top 5 Spins of the Week
It was kind of an odd week as far as my listening habits went. I didn't really key on any one thing. I was out of blank CD's, so I didn't download much of anything new (I download shit at work, then burn it to a blank CD as mp3's, sly, I know). I was just listening to a variety of shit, but I'll try to sort it out as best as I can.
1. Cunninlynguists Discography -
This was the week the Juggaknots finally fell from the top. This week, I was more into familiarity, listening to some of my favorites, I guess I wasn't into a exploratory mode. I had the 'lynguists in my headphones quite a bit at work this past week. I also go to sleep every night with music on, and I usually prefer something I'm familiar with since if it's something new, I'll stay awake analyzing the shit. Cunninlynguists are probably my favorite post millennium group, with "A Piece Of Strange" still getting regular spins a year after it's release. I have an MP3 disk with all their releases, including their two "Sloppy Seconds" releases.
2. The Roots Discography -
I owe this all to the EXCELLENT post on The Roots by Eliko B over at Rapaholic/In The Name of Allah. This is one of the well written posts I've ever seen on a blog. Well after reading about The Roots, I popped in my Roots MP3 disk that has my favorite albums from them, they don't all fit on one disc, which is true sign of their legacy.
3. A Tribe Called Quest Discography -
More familiarity and another mp3 disk of albums. Tribe is on the same level as De La for me. I actually had the privilege to serve them at a "Chili's" when I was bartending there back in '97 on what would be their final tour before breaking up. Phife and Jarobi came in first and sat down in the bar. I knew they looked familiar, well at least Phife, and when I took their order, Phife ordered a Dr. Pepper and I knew right then who he was. I was pretty excited since I had tickets to the show the next night. I'm not one get gassed when I see someone famous, but it was still pretty cool. Tip came in later, I think he was already tossed, cause he was pretty loud and acting the role of a famous person. Unfortunately, in Salt Lake City, not many people in a Chili's knew who the hell he was, but he was impressed I did. They left a pretty good tip and bounced after a few drinks. The next night was one of mixed emotions. I got to see my dates D sized breasts bounce up and down throughout the night, but it was the first time I heard they were breaking up since they announced it that night. This was before I was the internet much and it was before it was announced in "The Source" the next month. I still hold hope they get back together and make an album.
4. J-Zone discography -
Told you I was all about familiar stuff this week. Another favorite of mine, both production wise and MC wise. I have his albums and some of his instrumentals all grouped together on one big disc. I'm trying to make sure I have everything he has ever done. Not sure if i do yet, but I'm getting close.
5. Del Tha Funkee Homosapian - I Wish My Brother George Was Here
I listened to this 4-5 times over the course of the week. I do that about every six months with this album. Plus the fact I was doing a write up on it kind of forced me to listen to it.
Speaking of this album, it's time for another series of........
WHY?????
Why do west coast producers like DJ Pooh, Battlecat, and Bobcat not get their share of fame?
Why do all of Dr. Dre's recent beats all sound the same?
Why am expecting the worse when it comes to this new Redman LP?
Why am I still anxious to hear it?
Why is El-P so liked?
Why does most of MF Doom's stuff make me want to fall into a narcoleptic fit?
Why do athletes continue to do stupid shit and jeopardize their career and lives for that matter by going out and acting like thugs? (see Pac Man Jones and the Indiana Pacers)
Why doesn't the NFL or NBA do something to stop this shit?
Why doesn't the MLB just put a stop the Barry Bonds and his homerun chase? The man is a cheat, a liar, and just a plain all around Jackass....and this has nothing to do with me being still bitter at him for losing the '92 NLCS then leaving the Pirates afterwards.
Why do I love this Amy Winehouse "Fade To Black" LP so much?
Why do I like that Lily Allen LP as well?
Why I like Mark Ronson's production on both of those albums?
Why have I never really listened to his stuff before?
Why am I watching the TV shows "Lost" and "Heroes", when I'm not into comic books or science fiction?
Why is a six back of Lipton ice tea almost as much as a six pack of beer?
Why are people saying they keep getting negative overtones from Records companies and artists over blogs, when I've only gotten positive reaction from the such?
Why the big hub bub over the fucking Oscar's? I mean, I respect the art of films an film making, but this shit of "So & So is wearing...." fuck that. The U.S. is too much into who's famous and shit, makes me sick.
15 comments:
hey trav happy sunday.
the trick to drinking is having 2-3 big glasses of h20 before you go to bed. always works for me- no headaches in the am.
or, supposedly, the rule is 1 glass/bottle of alcohol, then 1 glass of water- this way you don't fill up on just alcohol.
or, what a buddy of mine does, he takes 2 ?tylenols @ the parking lot before we go into the titty bar.
yeah i dig that lily allen as well. and regina spektor. i thought she was old, but it felt like that cuz i was working for some band(s) last year, working their myspace accounts, and regina spektor was all over the place, so i thought she was whatever.. but her shit's nice. and the other amy winehouse is also as dope as this back to black.
Two glasses of water, a banana and 2 tylenol. That's the juice.
I spend some time on UGHH and those boards are a joke these days. Not too long ago, it was a pretty decent site. What a knob that guy is for lifting your post and playing it off as his. Lame.
My lady has the oscar's on now... thanks god for headphones!
I feel you, Trav. Today I found some of my links (uncredited) end up on Smoking Sessions...Like I wouldn't recognize my OWN links. That "contributor" screwed up.
As for the discographies? Mine have been Camp Lo's, The Beatnuts, and De La Soul's (last week was Mobb Deep, The Clipse (mixtapes included), and EPMD).
I have had both of Amy Winehouses' albums and Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" in my iPod for 4 months straight now. I rock Amy's shit regularly. I'm about to spazz out this week, Trav...Watch me, duke, Watch me!
LOL.
One.
Thanks for that Diamond D remix Trav, I'm a real fan of both Red Hot Lover Tone albums (been wanting to put up #1 Player for a while), so this is a tasty little bonus.
Not to hate on a fellow blogger, but Eliko's posts are in fact reviews from allmusic.com. Of course this is fine and I fully appreciate having good literature with album drops, but I do hope these aren't being claimed as his own. Taking people's work (links or writing) and passing it off as your own ain't really in the correct spirit of things in my opinion...
Hope you made it through the hangover.
Dan
Why is the Amy Winehouse album incredible?
Because unlike many others who have tried and failed, Amy takes on the retro sound of Motown but incorporates current themes (drugs, sleeping around, rehab, dealing with papparazzi). It's like hearing the Supremes singing about Britney Spears' trainwreck lifestyle. And her voice is impeccable.
I like the authenticity of her album compared to Christina Aguilera's "Back to Basics." Christina's records sounds like a karaoke night at the jazz bar compared to Amy's gutsy, dirty release.
i agree with the why do west coast producers not get the same recognition question. Battlecat has always been one of my favourite producers outside of the obligatory pete rock primo group of untouchables. And i'm not even from the west coast, i'm from england.
Battlecat's work on the eastsidaz and boo-yaa tribe's more recent albums were brilliant.
and that lily allen is awful. I'm guessing it has reached america. I've had to listen to that fucking annoying lass on the radio for nearly a year now with those songs. Give it a week and you'll hate it.
Travis,
That isn't a Primo cut I dont think. That is called "Catch Rel" by Clever Jeff from the 1994 album Jazz Hop Soul.
Primo may have done it but I dont think he did.
BTW, El-P is liked becaused Funcrusher Plus was a classic, Indelible MCs dropped 2 classic singles and Cannibal Ox was a classic
My bad that should be "Catch Rek"
Anyway, there is a Guru remix of "Catch Rek" but I dont know if the one you listed is the original or the remix.
I was just about to say I've had that "MC Dong" song of repeat for the last hour or so, and I caught him @ 1:57 saying "Clever Jeff".
Never heard of his music, you'd recommend?
Pal Joey was primarily a House music producer who happened to be part of the BDP Crew back in the day. I'm pretty sure he still releases records in the Dance music genre actually. One of his most well-known House productions was Soho's "Hot Music," which has been sampled ( or jacked wholesale ) countless times by the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Missy Elliot, and most notably K-Os for "Superstar."
Let's see here.....
@ Alley & Stag, man, I drank a shit load of water before I went to bed that night. All it made me do was get up in the middle of the night still drunk and piss..ahahaha
@ Dart, over the summer I saw three or four different sites using my links. Haven't seen much lately though.
@ Dan, No problem with that remix. I've been looking for Tone's s/t debut for awhile now (on disk). I'm kind of disappointed to hear that about that blog. I mean, I don't care that you do, but at least credit your sources. Oh well.
@ The Amy Winehouse & Lily Allen comments. I like Amy a lot more for sure. Her debut album is great too . I keep playing "Fuck Me Pumps" over and over on that one. Hell, my mom was even liking her music...maybe not some of the subject matter, but can't argue with the music. I like the Lily Allen, but not nearly as much.
@Adam, I'm trying to piece together a Battlecat compilation for a friend, any suggestions?
@ GO, thanks man! After listening to it again, I got the Clever Jeff thing. I didn't think the beat sounded Primo-like, but every once in a while he sneaks one in one you. Guess thats what I get for believing a Soulseek label.
@Pornay, it's new to me as well. I did do a little search on him. Seems like he is still making music, he had a CD from '04 on CD Baby. From what I found, "Catch Rek" was a b-side to another song. I'd be interested in finding more.
@El Keter, yeah, I saw a website he had while I was looking for some info on him. I was kind of shocked. I honestly didn't know what kind of music he was into or if it was still the same Pal Joey
i was into house music as well cuz i was into dancing/clubbing and there was a moment in time that breakdancing was played out before it became perpetually retro (some purists would argue that it never got played out, but those are the old fogies we made fun of when i was a wisecracking asshole) and pal joey and epmd's scratch and ivan doc rodriguez and little loiue vega etc would all be working in the same buildings, plus, besides production, the tech guys also mixed down and mastered rapper's stuff. yup, and there was the horrible attempts of some of our favorites at hip house.
Travis -- It's definitely the same Pal Joey. He makes good records too. Like I said, he has some House classics under his belt.
Alley -- Still this day, if you go up in a House club like Shelter in NY there is a large b-boy presence. House is dace music. Hip-Hop to a large extent isn't anymore, even though it was when it started ( even the "club" records of today's Rap mainstream aren't "dance" records by any stretch of the imagination ). B-boys' migration to House music ( and later other forms of dance music like Drum 'N' Bass ) was just as much due to them wanting uptempo, soulful, funky, shit to dance to as it was the fact that breakdancing "fell off" with the mainstream public and most "Rap" fans. Besides, there's way more substantial a connection between Disco, Hip-Hop and House than most heads today are willing to admit.
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