I’ve had the fortune of meeting Infinite Kung Fu illustrator, Kagan Mcleod a few years back when CKLN had it’s fundfest and I had an ambition to track down prize incentives. Kagan offered up some early editions of his Hip Hop History Poster which folks ate up with the quickness.
New music on the cusp of 2008 comes from drummer/producer Daru Jones. With his smooth genre of soul-hop, he’s made my job of organizing my music library that much more difficult. I’ve yet to check out all of the multiple free downloads available on his myspace page but after a few listens to Feel The Love a project with his sister Rena Jones and the Spirit Soulhop Sampler, it’s evident that this is a name to look out for.
I first saw Maracatu Nunca Antes tear it up this past summer at Salsa on St Clair and boy did they ever put on a show. I apparently missed their showdown with Samba Squad that day so I may have to make up for it by checking out their show at Lula Lounge tonight. Typically I don’t go anywhere on Thursdays but with the holiday coming up I think I can sacrifice one Friday without sleep. If anything I will breeze through for a CD so I can think Brazil through the winter months.
Somehow the Sagittarius Cool Out turned into the Kornflake Saymore hour over at the Moja Tea Gallery on Saturday. My man had everyone cracking up with his version of The Little Drummer Boy while birthday boy Son of S.O.U.L held it down on the wheels. My plans of rolling through for a quick minute turned into a lengthy couple of hours but hey, that’s what Saturdays are for.
In any case, here’s an early holiday hook up for those who couldn’t make it out. Don’t say I never give you nothing.
I just got word that Chris Rock is coming to Toronto in March 2008. I imagine that tickets will move a lot faster than Stevie tickets did, but then Massey Hall is a fraction of the size. And even though it’s been a minute since Chris Rock put out a DVD or album, he will always be relevant for this, this and of course this.
Normally when I get an email with a link that says click here to watch Wet Dreams, my reaction is ummm……. delete! But this time around Wet Dreams is actually the title of the new single from Hanif- Jamiyl, one third of the group Maspyke, so I took my chances.
Initially I thought Searching for Rick Rubin was a new J Period mixtape, and I was all amped to hear some classic hip hop remixes or something along those lines. Then I discovered that Game Rebellion is the name of the group and I wasn’t so amped anymore. While the rock/rap sound is not my thing, after a listen or two I can honestly say it’s one to grow on, so don’t front.
There are definitely some high points in the mix and employing J Period on this was a smart move, but where’s the M.O.P?
My recommendations are the No Sleep Til Brooklyn F. Jean Grae & Math or J Periods jackin for beats remix of Freedom Ring Freestyle.
Click here to download
1. Hate (Intro)
2. Public Enemy #1 F. Jah Dan (J.Period Remix)
3. If You See Something, Say Something (Interlude)
4. 99 Problems f. Jay-Z (J.Period Remix)
5. Under the Bridge (J.Period Remix)
6. Under the Bridge F. Martin Luther
7. Welcome to BK (Interlude)
8. No Sleep Til Brooklyn F. Jean Grae & Math (J.Period Remix)
9. Born in Brooklyn (Interlude)
10. Goin Back to Cali f. Zion I (J.Period Remix)
11. Peter Piper (The Manifesto)
12. Peter Piper (J.Period Remix)
13. 89 Netic Freestyle (J.Period Remix)
14. Freedom Ring Freestyle (J.Period Jackin For Beats Remix)
15. Radio Play (Interlude)
16. Mind Playin Tricks
17. My Adidas
18. GR Live (Interlude)
19. Toy Soldiers Freestyle
20. Impossible Freestyle
21. Divide & Conquer (Interlude)
22. Back Down (J.Period Remix)
23. Get Mad! (Outtro)
Years ago I used to enjoy spending hours on the computer in Photoshop coming up with flyers for gigs me or my friends would do. Now…… not so much. So when homeboy Son of S.O.U.L asked me to whip something up for his birthday jam I was a little reluctant. And while it’s not my best work I do like how some of the concepts came together.
So if your a Sag lookin to celebrate this weekend the deejays on this bill some of T.O’s finest.
It’s not quite dancing with the stars but who would have thought Becky and Biff had so much coordination. In the midst of a long and tiring hump day, this video is was what got me through it all.
I hit the record store this weekend in hopes of picking up some Talib or Adriana (man that’s a work of art). Instead I picked up a few records I already had on mp3 but the acapella an instrumental on Tight Eyes was worth it.
The one thing I did see that can make it onto the Christmas list this year is the Wax Poetic Anthology. Anyone who has read this magazine knows it’s the bible of nerd knowledge in music. It features various articles from the first 5 volumes of the magazine and the that are nothing short of drool-worthy.
Highlights
• James Brown’s drummers Clyde Stubblefield and Jab’O Starks, bassist Sweet Charles, and vocalist Marva Whitney
• Jazz genius Charles Mingus
• Funky drummers Idris Muhammad and Pretty Purdie
• Salsa giant Fania Records
• Reggae producers Clive Chin and King Tubby
• Golden-era hip-hop producers Prince Paul, Da Beatminerz, Diamond D, and Wu-Tang’s the RZA
• Films Wild Style and Style Wars
• Breakbeat bootleg Ultimate Breaks & Beats
• Rare-record reviews
Fusicology Toronto's Weblog 