The Very Good Agency

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

Revive Da Live Crew – Jazz + Hip Hop

Infamous rapper, singer, actor, and rights activist Mos Def played Carnegie Hall last Saturday with his very own big band. www.okayplayer.com reported the highlight of the night however, to be an afterparty he played with Robert Glasper Experiment. Being involved with so many projects over his already accomplished career, it is wonder how he continually re-invents himself in various experimental art forms, yet always maintains such a high standard of performance.

Mos Def with Chris Dave & Robert Glasper – Thieves In The Night

This pairing of hip hop and jazz musicians was organised by Revive Da Live crew! who often pair the styles for intimate tours and track collaborations. Previously they have been responsible for pairing Guru with Grammy award winning trumpet player Roy Hargrove, and work with a range of jazz musicians, groups, poets and old school rappers including Q-tip

Guru and Roy Hargrove

With artists like this on their roster, Revive Da Live Crew are going to be well worth keeping an eye on, and Very Good will be sure to announce any projects that they bring to Australia.

You can check out what Revive Da Live are up to at:

www.myspace.com/revivedalive

…bs

Tags: Collaborations, hip hop, Jazz

Foreign Exchange – ‘Leave It All Behind’

Phonte of Little Brother & Dutch producer Nicolay form Foreign Exchange

Dynamic duo Phonte of Little Brother and Dutch producer Nicolay have teamed up to release the follow-up to their critically acclaimed Connected from 2004. Leave It All Behind will hit the shelves later this year, with Nicolay recently posting this on his Myspace: “Let me cut right to the chase… the new FOREIGN EXCHANGE record is almost finished! We are currently working on one of the last tracks, which is the title track, ‘Leave It All Behind’, already one of my personal favourites”.

The first albums’ smooth blend of hip hop, R&B and electronic soul was achieved with the two members having never physically met each other. Brilliant production and Phonte’s compelling lyricism resulted in what is in my opinion a straight-up classic.

Phonte spoke briefly about the album on HipHopDx.com a while ago, when asked if the album would be similar to Connected, Phonte stated: “I can’t tell people what to expect. What I can tell them NOT to expect is ‘Connected Part 2.’ This is a totally different record with a different energy, but it’s still me and Nic doing what we do. I feel like this is the kind of record I’ve wanted to make all my life; I can’t wait for the world to hear it.” That makes two of us, Phonte.

You can check out Nicolay’s site at: www.nicolaymusic.com for more updates. or maybe you want to check out they’re track below… Sincere

Tags: Collaborations, hip hop

Nas

Nas has announced that the controversial title of his new album has had to change. Originally slated to be released as “N*gger”, the Queensbridge MC appears to have finally given way to industry pressure, changing the title to simply “NAS”.

In a statement to AllHipHop.com, Nas said “It’s important to me that this album gets to the fans.”It’s been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It’s that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it.”

Two of Hip Hop’s controversial rappers unite when Nas and Jay Z perform together

That said, there is certainly a waft of corporate sellout in the air. The title has had much attention since it was announced late last year, and major label demands have obviously played a part in this decision. But it could all have been a big publicity stunt from the beginning? Who knows these days, let’s just hope it’s another classic from the God’s Son. The album will be released in July on Def Jam Recordings.

You can check out more of Nas at:

www.godsson.net

www.myspace.com/nas

also well worth checking out is Road to Zion which Nas featured on with Damian Junior Gong Marley in 2005

Tags: Collaborations, hip hop, Political