The Very Good Agency

Clash Of the Titans

This new documentary released as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival takes a look at the Wellington live hip hop scene, as rappers declare verbal warfare to become champion battle MC. Shot over eight consecutive evenings during December 2006 it follows events as reigning champion Juse1 takes on his competitors who are mostly Wellington based but also include RuggedTek, a Drum n Bass MC from London, and Raysa from Johannesburg.

Clash of the Titans – short introduction

Independently produced and directed by Will Moore, the film had its world premier in New Zealand’s capital on 25 July. Moore, who is described in promotional literature as a long time hip hop supporter, believes that Clash of The Titans was “the first real Wellington hip hop story, driven by inspiration and passion rather than corporate branding. The lens has captured a freedom of expression”. The movie has a mixture of live free-style footage and behind the scenes interviews with some of the battling MCs including Lyrix, Ladysouljah, Rogue, Poetic and Xhale. I haven’t seen the film myself so can’t give any opinion or criticism, but you can check out some preview clips online to judge for yourself.

…Yossarian

Tags: Documentary, hip hop, New Zealand Artists

Lyrics Born – Everywhere at Once

Callin’ Out to all fans, that tireless tourer Lyrics Born (who averages 150 shows a year!) is once again gracing Australian shores with his own brand of infectious, funky fun. The road to hip-hop success has obviously not always been an easy one for LB, how many other half Japanese- American, half Italian-American rappers do you know of? But it is this unique perspective that has allowed Lyrics, born Tom Shimura, to come up with the genre-splicing, energy jolt that is his latest solo submission ‘Everywhere at Once.’

The doubters and nay-sayers have only fueled the fires on an album that is well, everywhere at once. Seemlessly shifting from our favourite dance floor bangers such as the opening track ‘Differences’ and the first single ‘I Like It, I Love It,’ to the Rick Jamesish ‘I’m A Phreak,’ to the reggae inspired ‘Top Shelf,’ with sprinklings of sultry R’n’B thrown in for good measure. Here is an album where the production finally lives up to the energy of his stage shows through the use of a live funk band as opposed to his heavily sampled earlier offerings such as his first solo album ‘Later That Day,’ that had glimpses of brilliance but not enough to carry the whole album.

Lyrics Born – I like it, I love it

Lyrics Born is at his best laying his husky growl over smooth, soulful grooves, hence ‘Is It The Skin I’m In,’ and ‘Whispers,’ are major highlights for me. With subject material ranging from his dealings with racism, the grief of losing his best friend to staying true to yourself as in ‘Don’t Change,’ the albums themes are as diverse as the sounds it makes. The album is also well served with back-up vocal talent with appearances from his wife Joyo Velarde and everyone’s favourite cameo man, Chali 2na also supplying the deepest voice in town on the track ‘Hott 2 Deff.’ My only real criticism is the inclusion of a couple of skits that I always find a little self-indulgent and only serve to disrupt what is an otherwise awesome offering. Nevertheless this album is sure to get plenty of air-time at summer social events and will be enjoyed by male and female fans alike.

With shows starting in Byron Bay on the 3rd of August, on to Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne then wrapping up in Sydney on the 9th, there is ample opportunity to catch Lyrics Born in full-flight, and with tickets around $40 it should be an affordable blast.

For more information on Lyrics Born and official tour dates check out:

www.lyricsborn.com

www.oztix.com.au

Alesha…

Tags: Funk, hip hop

Beck – Modern Guilt

I have a sneaking suspicion that Danger Mouse (if that is his real name) is more than one actual person, possibly many fictitious people. I base this wild accusation on the amount of music produced lately with the name attached. Apparently he has produced at least four albums released this year (not counting the latest Gnarls Barkley effort) including the recent Black Keys ‘Attack in release’ and more to the point the new Beck record ‘Modern Guilt’, released 8th of July.                                                  Beck and Dangermouse

Beck’s tenth studio album released on his 38th birthday, will go down in the long line of experimental yet consistent Beck projects, that mostly slip past commercial attention, each time as they change theme and styles, being reborn as a different musical creature. This time the chameleon returns with the definite influence of the also prolific and talented mister Danger Mouse, who adds some of his own finesse and a more than few hand claps.

Opening tracks like “Gamma Ray” and “Orphans” are sure to get a few shoes tapping, and the general modern-jazz-noir artwork should an association with many sophisticated occasions. By the sound of Becks official publicity blurb, he must have had a great time or been a little tired: “and so, 120 nights of no sleep and seeing the dawn try not make an impression, there was some hollow hewn thing there that seemed a little basic”.

Beck Modern Guilt promo

Both artists suit this modern take on 60’s Brit-Rock creating a well rounded effort that should be liked by most fans and as usual gain a few converts to the cause.\

You can check out more of Beck at:

www.myspace.com/beck

www.modernguilt.com

… Yosarrian

Tags: Collaborations, DJ, folk, hip hop

Paris Wells

Thursday nights in Melbourne just got interesting thanks to Jam Packed Entertainment and Paris Wells.

In a city filled with artists and musicians it is unusual to stumble across one that stands out in the way Paris does, it seems however, that this kind of discovery is nothing new to her. Plucked from obscurity while working full time, Paris was chosen by Justin Timberlake in a public audition for his FutureSex/LoveSounds tour of Australasia towards the end of 2007, having previously played underground clubs in Melbourne to hundreds rather than thousands.

Paris Wells Dat Du Dat

Mashing up such an array of genres makes pigeon holing an artist like Paris Wells extremely difficult, especially when you consider the explanations of 1st single Dat Du Dat thus far “It’s very raw, an infectious collision of funk, soul and primal pop. It’s the musical equivalent of walking into a late night party just firing up for a second wind – sly funk grooves with clanging percussion and a squelching, ferocious bassline with Paris’ voice dragging through the seedy scenario.”

Paris plays at Roxanne in July on Thursdays with alternating special guests, integrating styles as if she were a walking, breathing best of compilation. If your lucky enough to be around in July it is sure to be an enjoyable evening, if your not, go to www.virginblue.com.au

You can check out more of Paris at:

www.myspace.com/pariswells

“Roxannes” 2 Coverlid Place, Melbourne Thursday nights in July.

…bs

Tags: Australian Artists, Funk, Jazz, Soul

Gnarls Barkley – ‘The Odd Couple’

I will tell you the truth from the start, I can’t get enough of the latest Gnarls Barkley Album ‘The Odd Couple’, the thoughtful lyrics, the eclectic mix of musical styles and the dependable yet playful way the whole project is put together. This CD was always destined for high rotatation for weeks in my car, I even went as far as to download the backwards version from the official website www.gnarlsbarkley.com So now that I have confessed my bias I will impartially review this modern masterpiece.

Gnarls Barkley – Run

When the name ‘Danger Mouse’ is involved in a musical venture, it is a guarantee of quality. His past efforts include the sublime “Ghetto Pop Life” collaboration with Jemini, the ‘Danger Doom’ project with MF Doom and ‘The Grey Album’ (which mashed up Jay-Z and the Beatles). Cee-Lo has also established his reputation in his work with the ‘Goodie Mob‘, “Dungeon Family” and solo tracks like “Closet Freak” and “I’ll Be Around”. The combination of these two accomplished artists works so well, and won’t disappoint any long time fans. Not since ‘Dan the Automator’ and ‘Del’ combined to bring us Deltron 3030 has such a brilliant marriage of talent used an off-beat theme given each artist the room to explore and experiment their already perfected skills. (FYI: Deltron Event 2 coming soon)

Cee-Lo likes to play around with words and write from the perspective of other persona’s, creating songs like “Whatever” that explores loneliness through the eyes of a social outcast. The type of character that seems to be highlighted by media after every American high school shooting. Not afraid to get a bit deep and meaningful, all types of human emotions are explored and analysed. Even if you don’t really care what the songs are about, you will still love the sound.

Favourite tracks include: “Blind Mary” a fable of vision-impaired love and the depths of beauty set to the sounds of hand claps and retro keyboard tones. “Surprise” a surf rock influenced lesson warning of assumptions and misconceptions. Also special mention to “Going On” a catchy but intense song that combines church organ and killer beats, in a tale of departure and separation, and “Run” a fast and furious challenge to inertia in all its laziness.

Dangermouse and Jemini – collaborate to create a masterpiece “Ghetto Pop Life”

For more on Gnarls Barkley check out:

www.gnarlsbarkley.com

www.myspace.com/gnarlsbarkley

…Yosarian