Archive for August, 2008

Pete Philly and Perquisite release Mystery Repeats video

Monday, August 11th, 2008 | News, VG News | No Comments

Pete Philly and Perquisite this week released the new video for their second albums title track ‘Mystery Repeats’. The video was directed by Amsterdam creative duo KGB and features dutch hiphopacts La Melodia, Blaxtar, Spacekees and Cmon & Kypski. Enjoy!

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Ya Heard? The Mighty Underdogs

Thursday, August 7th, 2008 | News, Reviews | No Comments

Welcome back y’all to the second installment of Ya Heard? This week we’re going to take a look at a new release that may have slipped under the hip hop radar for you: The Prelude EP from The MIghty Underdogs, a new supergroup consisting of Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Lateef the Truthspeaker (Latyrx), and Headnodic (bassist/producer Crown City Rockers).

The Prelude EP is a six-song taste of things to come from these guys, and if its anything to go by, their full album (entitled “Dropping Science Fiction”, slated for release in October) will be straight heat. The EP is full of talented features also, with appearances from underground king MF Doom, DJ Shadow, Ladybug Mecca (of Digable Planets and The Dino 5) and Raashan Ahmad (Crown City Rockers).

The chemistry between these three artists is noticable from the first track, “UFC” aka “United Flow Champions”, which features characteristic scratching and samples from DJ Shadow. The banging Hednodic beat and Gab’s tight flow sets the scene for the rest of the album. The EP then blasts into “Gunfight”, where MF Doom emerges from the wilderness to add his trademark style to the infectious Wild West-themed track, which incorporates a catchy guitar loop and a spooky, slow whistling trill (think tumbleweeds and western showdowns). Check out the video for this track below.

Gift of Gab is really on point on this EP, bringing back memories of the “Melodica” and “Blazing Arrow” days, no more obvious than on”Get out of my life” and “Status Symbol”. “Love Life” is a nice slow headnodding beat, featuring a solid showing from Ladybug Mecca.

The EP finishes off in style with “Bring Me Back”; a shout to the old skool, and a true Bay Area beat. In my mind, certainly the best track. Hednodic’s production skills are something to take real notice of, as is the ridiculous verse dropped by Raashan Ahmad. The track just has this funky party vibe that makes you want to listen to it all day.

The new album, “Droppin Science Fiction” (out October 14th), will surely be an anticiated release after this small taster. A full tracklisting, which features additional album guests such as Lyircs Born, Juliam and Damian Marley, Mr Lif and Chali 2na, can be found on the Def Jux website where you can also pre-order and listen to short clips of each track.

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Giant Panda – Electric Laser

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 | News, Reviews | No Comments
A White dude, a Black dude and an Asian dude walk into a bar… this could be the start of a bad joke, but if their names are Newman, Maanumental and Chikaramanga you might be lucky enough to have spotted the elusive Giant Panda. This underground trio from LA are specialists in feel-good, positive hip hop (think Ugly Duckling or J5.) Their latest album ‘Electric Laser’ continues the old school, sample laden revelry of their first full release, 2005’s Fly School Reunion, however this time around they have added some new elements to their arsenal.

Nothing on ‘Electric Laser’ quite utilises the raw, heavy bass and dirty drums found on ‘Fly School’ tracks Sho’ Improve and Just Cause, rather GP have added a more zappy electro current without losing the ability to make songs that are instantly appealing and have you nodding your head like nobody’s business. This album also proves they are equally comfortable on subtle, lounging tracks, none better than AIM that showcases Maanumental’s awesome undulating flow and clever rhymes and the laid-back rhythm is continued on Let it Go. Being rather multi-cultural, Giant Panda often like to poke fun at the different stereotypes associated with each of their races. You really must listen to Racist on ‘Fly School’ to fully appreciate new tracks like Precise Calculator which features a pretty cool Chikaramanga rap in Japanese. It’s also nice to get a taste of some dope scratching which I haven’t heard a lot of in other recent releases. Things get a bit more serious on Pop in which Newman expresses his concerns over the prevalence of homophobia in hip hop, and life in general, in particular the issues his dad faced after admitting he was gay later on in life. Predominantly the album stays on the lighter side of life, to the point where tracks like Laser Ray and Do the Robot in Cyberspace could be labelled a little gimmicky. The album even features a smooth song for the ladies in Cinemax.

La Bloquera (Giant Panda+Thes One) – Shine On

‘Fly School Reunion’ is a hard act to follow but GP signal their intent with ‘Electric Laser’ to keep creating music that is fun and reflects their passions and influences from comic books to coffee, graffiti to gadgets. This is best showcased in the ironically titled Same Old Shit, which is anything but. I would liked to have heard a little more grime on this album but you can’t really complain with what else they have provided. Giant Panda have developed their rapping prowess to display a greater range of tempo from their traditional fast-paced blitz to a cruisy lilt and proven they are no shrinking violets. It seems Newman, Maanumental and Chikaramanga have once again produced a truly worthwhile album that is sure never to hibernate in your collection.

You can check out more of Giant Panda at:

www.myspace.com/giantpanda

… Alesha

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Australasia gets a little Tricky

Friday, August 1st, 2008 | News, Reviews | No Comments

Going to concerts has been an everyday thing for as long as I can remember now, from seeing my mother perform as a child, to the scar punk groups that had me moving my drunken teenage body like never before, and just about everything imaginable between and since. Such a part of my existence concerts have become, that I rarely feel the anticipation prior to seeing an artist or band these days, whatever their stature may be.

English Trip Hop legend Tricky however, was a different story…

Tricky has arrived on Australasian shores to play ‘Splendour In The Grass’ 2008, last night I was lucky enough to be at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne to see him… or so I thought.


Tricky feat. Ed Kowalczyk of US band Live and Hawkman
Evolution Revolution Love

Catapulting to fame as a recurring member of Massive Attack, Tricky decided to go it alone in 1993 with his recognition and fame only growing as a solo artist. Due to his countless collaborations, remixes, and fellow artists sampling him, (as well as having a mother who was infatuated with the Rebirth of cool mix-tapes during my pre-pubescent years), going to see Tricky was a well overdue and pretty exciting night for me. Unfortunately, the night was not as enjoyable as I had hoped it to be.

Playing an inspiring, tight collection of his new and old pieces, encompassing his infamous mash up of trip-hop, rock, hip hop, and assorted genres, the concert was more suited to a theater performance with seating and red wine as opposed to the sold out, sardine can room full of tall people and bright lights. Special thanks goes out to Tricky on the last point, stopping mid intro to adjust the mood by casually requesting “Stop! Stop! Stop!, tun the fucken’ lights down man, ’cause that’s just how we do this”.

His random yet gripping lyricism, in combination with his unusual, intriguing character allow his stage presence to compliment the brilliance of his music, performance, arrangement, and production.

If you have already bought tickets, or are considering it… DO IT! I’m just saying if you get the option to see him in your local jazz club, or maybe living room, then go with that.

A true artist.

you can check out more of Tricky at:

www.trickyonline.com

or see him at Splendour in the Grass

… bs

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