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Monthly Archives: August 2007
Krush takes “History of Krush” on tour
DJ Krush is one of the few non-American producers to have a major impact on the U.S. hip-hop scene. As a Japanese artist who doesn’t speak fluent English, he’s nevertheless recorded several albums considered classics among the beat/downtempo/electronic set, from 1994’s Strictly Turntablized to 2001’s Zen. His dusted free jazz beats demarcates an entire era in beat culture.
For the past two years Krush has been reminiscing on his glorious past, beginning with last year’s Stepping Stones: The Self-Remixed Best, followed by a fall tour that was heavy on memorable tracks like "Kemuri." This year brings another retrospective in History of DJ Krush. Set to drop on September 18 via Red Ink/Sony, it’s a 3-DVD set featuring a 1996 tour documentary created around the time of 1996’s Milight, his first U.S.-distributed album; a documentary tracing his career; and a set of rare videos. The cherry on the cake, however, will be another North American tour. DJ Krush is one of the most compelling live acts in the DJ world, with compositional skills comparable to DJ Shadow.
The dates, which kick off in October, are below.
Buck 65 faces “Situation”
Ricardo Terfry, better known as Buck 65, has enjoyed a large cult following in the United States throughout this decade. Imports of his Canadian albums so are pervasive, in fact, that few realize only one of his albums has officially been released here: the 2000 watermark Man Overboard, thanks to his early affiliation with Anticon. (V2 issued a compilation, This Right Here is Buck 65, in 2005.)
So the new Situation is a major event. Buck 65’s current U.S. benefactor is Sage Francis, the Providence, R.I. radical who took him on a successful summer tour, and introduced Buck 65 to a whole new audience. What those kids will encounter is an unusual ride back to 1957, a year recounted through the eyes of several semi-fictional characters. Situation drops via Francis’ Strange Famous Records on October 30.
Common, Q-Tip head on 2K8 Sports Bounce Tour
Last week, I posted an item about several spot dates Common will fulfill next month, a few as part of the Heineken Red Star Soul tour. Well, only several days later, it turns out that the much-beloved Chicago rapper will undertake another corporate-sponsored jaunt, too.
Some fans might remember that A Tribe Called Quest reunited last year to headline the 2K7 Sports Bounce tour with Rhymefest and Consequence in tow. This time, Common will lead the 2K8 Sports Bounce tour. According to MySpace bulletins sent out by the artists, opening acts include Q-Tip, who continues to promise that The Renaissance will come out this year; Termanology, a rising Boston MC known for mixtapes and assertions of lyrical superiority; and 88-Keys, a producer who has credits on classics like Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides, and who is prepping a solo album, The Death of Adam, for Decon Music. (September 4 update: Percee P has just been added to the tour.)
This is the third edition of the 2K Sports tour; Tribe led the 2006 version, and the Roots inaugurated it in 2005. Also, Z-Trip produced a 2K Sports-affiliated compilation, All Pro, and completed a tour for the album this summer. Which means 2K Sports really likes hip-hop, I guess.
Official details about the tour have yet to be released, but all of the artists have posted dates on their MySpace pages. Those dates, along with the rest of Common’s itinerary, are listed below. This post will be updated when official information becomes available.
Review: Madlib, “Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: India”
The ever-prolific Madlib fearlessly absorbs Bollywood culture on Vol. 3-4: India, the latest edition in his Beat Konducta series. Continue reading
Review: Shape of Broad Minds, “Craft of the Lost Art”
Shape of Broad Minds is the latest project from rising MC/producer Jneiro Jarel. With features from MF Doom, Count Bass D, Stacy Epps and Lil Sci, Craft of the Art is his most ambitious album to date. Continue reading
Lupe Fiasco promises “The Cool”
Back in May, I noted with some amusement that Lupe Fiasco planned to release another album before the end of the year. It was going to be called Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool, named after one of the tracks on his acclaimed debut Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor. I didn’t take it seriously…most rappers talk up projects well before they’re completed. (See Dr. Dre’s Detox, et cetera.)
Well, the summer’s almost over, and Lupe Fiasco continues to insist that The Cool will hit stores in 2007. However, it has been pushed back from October 31 to November 20. Most of the production, it seems, will be handled by Pro and Soundtrack — the guys who drew some criticism for overproducing Lupe’s debut. Fiasco previewed two of its tracks, "Us Placers" and "Superstardom" (feat. singer-songwriter Matthew Santos, last heard on Food & Liquor‘s standout track "American Terrorist") during a showcase set at Lollapalooza this month.
According to a Billboard story, Fiasco is also relying on a few cliches, namely the "supergroup" concept and the "retire before I fall off" concept. The former is in regards to CRS (Child Rebel Soldiers), his pairing with Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.
Sadat X re-emerges
Derek "Sadat X" Murphy is finally free. After spending several months in Riker’s Island on weapons charges, the veteran New York rapper beloved for his solo music and work with Brand Nubian is back on the streets, and is working on re-starting his career. "The God is back in town," reads a message on his MySpace page.
There’s no word yet on when a new Sadat X project will appear. In the meantime, West Coast fans have a brief tour to look forward. Sadat will take along Coolzey, a rap-rock band, with him. For the rest of us, Traffic Entertainment is issuing a previously-unheard collection of recordings from Brand Nubian. Titled Time’s Runnin’ Out, it features songs recorded just prior to their acclaimed 1998 reunion, Foundation. It comes out today (August 21).
Tour dates are below. Check with venues and area resources prior to the concert, as many shows are still being confirmed.
Atmosphere returns to the road
It’s an annual tradition. Every year, Minneapolis heroes Atmosphere head out on the road, bringing their brand of emotional hip-hop to American youth everywhere. This year has been a relatively quiet one so far, though. Slug and Ant (who just produced Brother Ali’s critically acclaimed The Undisputed Truth) have been hard at work on their sixth album, When Life Gives You Lemons…, which is tentatively set for release next spring.
Earlier this month Atmosphere issued an EP on its Rhymesayers label, Sad Clown Bad Summer, to tide their fans over. They also scheduled a month-long jaunt. But this tour won’t aim at the indie-rap loving Emo’s clubs of the world. Instead, the group will head to secondary markets like Lubbock, Tex. and Santa Cruz, Calif. Fans in those cities will get a nice package, since Portland goth-rappers Grayskul, living legend Luckyiam, and Minneapolis upstart Mac Lethal will be joining them. (September 6 update: New dates have been added below.)
Tour dates are below. Try to purchase your tickets through Atmosphere’s Ducat King vendor; it will contribute a dollar towards victims of the recent I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis for every ticket sold.
Common hits number one, quickly plummets
On the week of August 11, Common’s Finding Forever debuted at the top of the charts. The most impressive thing, however, wasn’t the fact that Common landed the first number one album of his decade-plus career. With movie roles, a high-profile creative partnership with Kanye West, and much critical acclaim for his work, Common was expected to do well with his latest release. Remarkably, however — and no one noted this — he may be the first rap artist in history to top the Billboard charts on his seventh album. His resiliency is a great rebuttal to the ongoing debate over hip-hop’s durability in the mainstream marketplace.
On the following week, however, Finding Forever quickly tumbled from the top to number seven on the Billboard charts. (Ironically, it was replaced by UGK’s self-titled sixth album, making for perhaps the oldest hip-hop group to achieve a number one slot.) Unfortunately, most rap stars still depend on radio hits to move major units; since nothing has yet emerged from Finding Forever, it’s doubtful (but not impossible) that Common can translate his amazing feat into massive record sales.
Meanwhile, dude is heading out on the road for several spot dates, some of which will be for the Heineken Red Star Soul tour with promising new soul artist Emily King. He’ll probably announce a more extensive run during the next several months. In the meantime, check out the dates below.
The Plug One Q&A: Andrew Lojero’s “From L.A. with Love”
Andrew Lojero, a promoter of funk, hip-hop, and soul happenings in Los Angeles, talks to Plug One about the fomenting underground scene and his new compilation, From L.A. with Love. Continue reading
Solillaquists build creative center for youth
Some people like to gossip about whether Lil’ Wayne reunited with Trina or if Kanye West is gay. Me, I like to write about artists who are actually doing shit instead of speculate about their personal lives.
Case in point: Epitaph Records quartet Solillaquists of Sound. The quartet, which consists of two married couples, want to build a creative arts center in Orlando. "The Solilla Center 4 Creative Kids will offer kids yoga, a kids art gallery & store, massage, a smoothie and juice bar, language, art, poetry, theater, gardening, vegan cooking and raw food courses, & an after-school tutoring and study program!" writes Alexandrah. "Our goal is to raise $20,000 in 30 days."
Solillaquists are asking for $2 donations, which will earn contributors a coupon good for, uh, $2 at the group’s gift shop. How they’ll be able to raise 20 Gs from $2 donations apiece in a month is anyone’s guess. But hey, it’s a worthy cause.
"This center is a much-needed outlet of expression for Orlando’s Kids, so please spread the word!!" writes Alexandrah. To donate, visit solilla.myshopify.com.
Prefuse 73 makes “Preparations”
Scott Herren is arguably one of the most influential producers of the past decade — if not necessarily in hip-hop (he’s got a lot of competition in that department), then most certainly in electronic music.
So why all the haterade? Perhaps because, over an 8-year career, he’s made a lot of music under many guises. Not all of it’s great, and some of it is pretty dismal (I particularly didn’t like Security Screenings). His predicament reminds me of J-Dilla, another prolific producer who drew a lot of criticism around 2001-2002. This was four years before he died and became deified by the hip-hop faithful. Hopefully Herren won’t have to die to get his props.
So here comes another Herren adventure, this time under his most successful pseudonym, Prefuse 73. Preparations, set for release on October 9 via Warp Records, arrives only five months after Golden Pollen, his recent album as Savath y Savalas. The man is currently planning a U.S. tour, but in the meantime here’s the track listing.
Perkins and Muldrow preach “The Message Uni Versa”
On September 25, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins will unveil The Message Uni Versa. For fans of Muldrow’s brilliant Olesi: Fragments of an Earth, this album is more straightforward and spiritual-based than her searing, sometimes-anguished solo work. For fans of Perkins’ solo albums (not including his music as Declaime), it finds him collaborating with a new partner, not the mighty Madlib.
With two talents as formidable as Muldrow and Perkins, there isn’t any need for cameos and guest appearances. Muldrow handles the bulk of the beats, but Perkins chips in some beats. The music is a unique blend of hip-hop, funk and soul.
Some may surprised that The Message Uni Versa isn’t arriving via Stones Throw Records. Instead, it comes through Look Records, the Bay Area label founded by onetime Stones Throw artist DJ Design. The Message Uni Versa, says Perkins in a press release, "means one song in the universe; we’re trying to reach the masses through this album to let everyone know we are all one."
As for Epistophik Peach Sounds, the duo’s erstwhile label? Its first release will be Jimetta Rose’s "America" 12-inch. Produced by Muldrow, it’s scheduled to arrive with Groove Attack Distribution on September 21.
Meanwhile, the track listing for The Message Uni Versa is below.
DJ Vadim tours for “The Soundcatcher”
This fall, UK producer DJ Vadim will head across the U.S. on tour in support of his latest album The Soundcatcher. Accompanying him will be Yarah Bravo, the rapper/vocalist who collaborated with him on his One Self project; and L.A. rap veteran Abstract Rude. The trio plan to course through the nation’s bohemian cafes and small nightclubs, and are looking for people to help spread the word.
"If you are familiar with One Self. Then you are probably familiar with mine and my crew’s work ethics," wrote Vadim in a MySpace message. "We are looking to create a Street Team in all the cities we are hitting. We need people who can help us distribute flyers and posters to record stores, clothes stores, coffee shops, colleges … hit up local radio, campus radio, promote at local shows etc … and spread the word! If you got a website, or run a blog etc … feel free to post it on there as well. We’ll make online flyers too."
So consider this modest post a contribution towards the effort. If you want to help, contact the Russian through his MySpace page. In the meantime, check out the tour dates below.
Percee P debuts with “Perseverance”
On September 18, Bronx MC Percee P will finally release his debut album, Perseverance. Amazingly, it’s the first full-length of his career after nearly twenty years of obscure 12-inches, scene-stealing cameos and obscure CD-Rs. The album itself arrives after nearly two years in delays and promises from his label, Stones Throw Records.
Perseverance is completely produced by Madlib. Not counting the Talib Kweli EP Liberation, it is Madlib’s first full collaboration since the Madvillain classic of three years ago. Other guests include Vinnie Paz from Jedi Mind Tricks, Guilty Simpson, Diamond D, former Jurassic 5 rapper Chali 2na, Prince Po and Aesop Rock.
For much of the last several years, bloggers, crate-diggers and rap experts have celebrated Percee P’s legendary "fast rap" style, essentially calling the greatest MC no one had ever heard of. With Perseverance, everyday Stones Throw geeks will finally get to decide if he lives up to the hype.
The track listing is below.
August 9 update: I was wrong about Perseverance being Madlib’s first full collabo since Madvillain. How could I forget about Dudley Perkins’ Expressions (2012 a.u.) from last year? Sorry, Dudley.
Subtle revisits “For Hero: For Fool”
In October, experimental unit Subtle will revisit last year’s wondrously dynamic For Hero: For Fool with Yell & Ice. Similar to Prefuse 73 and his "remix EPs" that follow every album; Subtle reworks much of the material on For Hero with guests. (They used the same tactic for their 2004 album, A New White, with Wishingbone.)
"Both ‘wishingbone’ and ‘yell&ice’ were fashioned to further explore Subtle’s conceptual protagonist, Hour Hero yes, while creating a medium for the band’s love of collaborative music making," wrote the band in a MySpace post. "Unlike a typical collection of remixes, ‘yell&ice’ utterly reapproaches the lyrics and music of ‘for hero: for fool.’ In order to better suit the pallette and prowess of each respective collaborator, poems were rewritten, sounds resampled, and time signatures unlocked. Then these songbones were sent to our collaborators/confidantes who then rewrote, sang, and sequenced to the tune of their talents."
Guests on Yell & Ice, which comes out via Lex Records/EMI, include Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio, Dan Boeckner from Wolf Parade, Markus Acher from the Notwist, and Chris Adams from Hood. Subtle continues to work on its next album for a 2008 release. Before then, they’ll play several shows this fall, including a string of dates with Seattle indie-rock band Minus the Bear.
Tour dates are below.
2Mex books his own tour
Two months ago, L.A. veteran 2Mex sent out a MySpace post announcing "We Book Our Own Tour," a DIY adventure across the United States. "In true D.I.Y. fashion, these artists are taking control of their own destinies," he wrote. " ‘We Book Our Own Tour’ is going to be a monumental 50-60 city tour completely booked by the artists. Be a part of this event and help make ghetto history for underground Hip-Hop."
Well, 2Mex is finally about to head out on the road. While the schedule isn’t as impressively long as 60 dates — although dates are still being added — it is a two-month journey that will course through towns big (New York City) and relatively small (Manzanita, Oregon). Joining him will be Life Rexall, 2Mex’s collaborator in last year’s $martyr project; Shapeshifters member Existereo; and DJ Pickster One.
As an underrated rap vocalist, 2Mex will bring the freestyle gospel throughout the tour/road trip. Normally a prolific artist, he doesn’t have any product on the market, since he’s working on a major label-distributed album for 2008. Curious heads are advised to purchase a copy of his 2001 underground classic, B Boys in Occupied Mexico.
The tour dates are below.
Beastie Boys book sold-out tour
The Beastie Boys have embraced a strange contradiction. On the one hand, their instrumental album The Mix-Up earned reviews that ranged from middling to scathing — though not necessarily worse than those that greeted their last proper full-length, 2004’s To the Five Boroughs, which led Village Voice to call the group washed up.
On the other hand, their national tour is completely sold out. In fact, their live shows always sell out. The Brooklyn trio may be in the legacy chapter of its two-decade-plus career, but it is a glorious legacy. Their first three albums are not only core hip-hop texts, but rock and roll classics. Their brash, obnoxious style resonates loudly in current music, from Andre "I fuck like a ninja" Legacy to "Fett’s Vette" nerdcore hero MC Chris. Beastie Boys are unquestionably one of the great artists of the past twenty years.
So perhaps this tour, like others before and surely others after, will be about witnessing the greats before they become too removed from their glory years. Of course, the next album can always restore their primacy…who knows?
In the meantime, check out the tour dates below. One dollar from each ticket benefits Artists Resources in Action (ARIA), which has set up an EcoFund for the tour. Fans are also encouraged to bring their old cellphones and PDAs for cellular recycling. For more on the latter initiative, visit www.reverbrock.org/beastieboys.
Flying Lotus makes “Reset”
Earlier this year L.A. producer Flying Lotus joined Warp Records, becoming the classic imprint’s most high-profile signing since Battles last year. This fall he’ll unveil the first fruit of that relationship. Reset EP drops October 4, and is a prelude to a planned full-length next year. Some of the tracks, particularly "Tea Leaf Dancers" with Andreya Triana, can be heard on his MySpace page.
Since his 1983 debut last year, Flying Lotus has become a leader in the "space hip-hop" beat movement (kudos to Andrew Meza for the phrase). Peers include Jneiro Jarel’s Shape of Broad Minds and Carlos Nino. This year he’s produced tracks for the Beat Dimensions and From LA with Love compilations. But now it’s time for Reset; the track listing is below.
Rob Sonic presents “Sabotage Gigante”
I’ve always liked Rob Sonic. He’s usually overshadowed by others — first by Mike Ladd when the two recorded for Ozone Entertainment (remember Sonic Sum?), and now as a part of the mighty Definitive Jux family. His music is quirky, organic and a big bohemian culture jam, sort of like El-P but without the malevolence. Sometimes difficult to get with at first, his music rewards repeated listenings.
Rob Sonic’s second album, Sabotage Gigante, drops September 25 on Definitive Jux. As usual, when he heads out on tour this fall he’ll play second banana to someone else, namely the equally accomplished Aesop Rock. Smart fans will get to the venue early.
The track listing for Sabotage Gigante and the tour dates are below.