The Very Good Agency

YaHeard? Ohmega Watts

YaHeard?

Welcome to another entry from the YaHeard? handbook, where we look at albums that you should’ve heard. As an underground hip hop fan whose interest was matured by the likes of Jurassic 5, People Under The Stairs, Eric B and Rakim and DJ Premier, its always refreshing to come across new music that pays homage to the Old School era. Ohmega Watts does exactly that, and he does it well. His debut album, ‘The Find’ (released in 2005), is a well crafted blend of organic and energetic hip hop, funk, jazz, soul and reggae, resulting in a sound that sits comfortably with the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Gangstarr and Pete Rock. Known as a triple threat, Watts is a skilled Emcee, DJ and Producer; something you’ll be well aware of after listening to this album. From start to finish it takes you on a journey to the golden age with laid-back hip-hop stylings to party rockin bangers; this is an album you need in your collection.

Appropriately, the album kicks off with “Where it all started”, a ride in time through Ohmega Watts hip hop development, touching on all his influences along the way. It then launches into the funked up vibe of “That Sound”, which features Lightheaded (the crew that Watts cut his teeth with), The Procussions and the silky smooth Noelle from The Rebirth on the hook. This is easily one of the best tracks and the bouncy party beat will have your heading nodding for sure. The build up and drop into Braille‘s verse is true party-styles, and the breakdown towards the end of the track illustrates Watts‘ impressive abilities on the cut.

Although guests appear on over half of the tracks, you’ll probably find that its predominantly artists you’ve never head of, such as Neogen & Deacon on “Full Swing”, Braille on “The Treatment”, and the talented Tiffany Simpson on “Your Love”. Don’t let this discourage you, Watts has arranged the perfect supporting cast for his masterpiece. The artists all add sublimely to their respective songs; Tiffany Simpson’s husky voice is amazing on her funk-infused RnB track, Sugar Candy (don’t let the name fool you now) takes it back to Ohmega Watts’ Jamaican roots with the dubby reggae-inspired rhythm of “Treasure Hunt”, and Stro The 89th Key trades verses with Watts with style on the title track, “The Find”.

Ohmega Watts – The Making of Platypus Strut

The track that set off Watts‘ success was “A Request”, a beautifully complex beat that perfectly demonstrates Watts’ talent on the production side of things. His laid-back rolling flow rocks the beat, which is so good you won’t even notice that he only actually raps on the first half of it. Watts‘ keeps the tempo up with the urgent, loud and hard hitting “The Treatment”, where he’s joined by Manchild, Braille and Big Rec for some more slammin’ beats and rhymes. His production skills are again highlighted in what is one of my favourite tracks, “Floor Rock”, which (except from a couple vocal samples) is an instrumental track with a foot-tapping uptempo beat supported by funky trumpet and guitar solos. I say one of my favourite tracks, although in all honesty probably over half the album could fall into the same category.

During a time in which the art of hip hop music is drowning in banal B-rate lyrical thuggery, crunk, and a painful dirty-south uprising, it’s refreshing to be able to tune into a rapper with no hidden agenda. Ohmega Watts’ confident delivery, positive lyrics and well-timed rhyme scheme brings a real sense of the Old School back, and when fused with all the best parts of the New School, what results is a classic summer party album that will keep you bouncing for sure.

For more on Ohmega Watts check out:

www.myspace.com/ohmegawatts

He also has a new album out, ‘Watts Happening’ released late last year, however, I implore you to check out ‘The Find’ first; you will not be disappointed.

See y’all next week…

…Cracked

Tags: hip hop

An Area you might not know about

Know where your going to be in February 2009? No? me neither, but I can tell you about a party, well more like a music festival (to be exact) that will be going down at that time. A three day mash up of kiwi music from diverse parts of the musical spectrum. Sound like something you could get into? Well just to get your enthusiasm pumping I’ll add that it includes bands “world famous in New Zealand” like: Katchafire, Rhombus, KORA, Salmonella Dub, Cornerstone Roots , The Black Seeds and many many more! The official website describes ‘A.R.E.A 9’ as “a proud new Kiwi Music event set to rock the heart of the Mackenzie Country, in our beautiful South Canterbury.” As someone who has traveled around this area many times before I can guarantee picturesque views, laid back locals, and if your lucky , some of the best weather in the country! The 6th of February is a national holiday in New Zealand, a sometimes controversial one that commemorates the signing the country’s founding document, but I think this musical extravaganza will allow everyone from all creeds and cultures to get down and boogie!

‘A.R.E.A 9’ will be a good alternative for those that usually go to the Rippon music festival that occurs every second year (so not in 2009) in nearby Wanaka, or if you just want to sample a wide range of kiwi flavours. Best of all it’s all for a good cause as the event states it will “contribute to the preservation of New Zealand’s rarest bird, the Black Stilt, as well as promote New Zealand music and the New Zealand summer lifestyle.”

So here are the vital stats to help you plan:
When: Friday, 6 February 2009 – Sunday, 8 February 2009
Starts: 12:00pm
Ends: 12:00pm
Where: Ohau, McKenzie
Cost: $160
The event is R15 so sorry kids you must be this tall to enter

You can check out more on AREA 9 at:

www.myspace.com/missioncontrolled

…Yossarian

Tags: Festival, hip hop, New Zealand Artists, Reggae, Roots

How open is your soul?

It’s not always easy to be a funk/soul band in New Zealand, if you can’t get your songs onto the filthy commercial stations, you are likely be ignored by the mainstream. Then you either have to slum it playing as a backing band on a kids TV show, or alternatively do the hard yards touring to build up a fan base the old fashioned way. Many artists have to go overseas to be taken seriously at home. Some of the true pioneers and innovators make it through either by sheer luck or through dogged determination, but many others are never fully recognised for their musical talents. Hopefully NZ collective Opensouls is a band that can reach their full musical potential and get the recognition they deserve both domestically and internationally. As the band bio on their website states: “Opensouls have been steadily rising through the ranks of the New Zealand music scene since beginning their musical journey in 2001. Comprised of 2 vocalists, M.C. Bjorn and singer Tyra Hammond, and a live band including Jeremey Toy a.k.a Ota (guitar/MPC), Julien Dyne (drums), Chip Mathews (bass), Stephine Brown (keys), Scott Towers (saxophone), Issac Aesili (trumpet/vocals) and Harlin Davey a.k.a Buttafingers (turntables/mpc), the collective possesses an abundance of musical flair and experience which they have used to great effect on their critically acclaimed debut album.”

Opensouls
Rise Up

With that many members in the crew OpenSouls should once again be in the running for “New Zealand’s Most Populated Band ” award with the only real competition coming from Solaa , but as some of the artists are in both outfits (e.g the mulit-talented Isaac Aesili), special judicial deliberation may be necessary. All jokes aside though these guys are straight up musical bliss, and should appeal to fans of funk, soul and basically groovy as shit! Their song “Turn It Up” has been doing the rounds on NZ student radio for some time now, helping to spread the love and build a following for this original kiwi group. Also well worth checking out, their track “Rise Up”… If you haven’t heard them yet, you best check them out. Then go buy their album “Kaleidoscope”, sweet sounds with lyrics you can relate to.

You can check out more from Opensouls at:

www.opensouls.co.nz

www.myspace.com/opensoulsspace

…Yossarian

Tags: Funk, hip hop, Jazz, New Zealand Artists

How much do you love Hip Hop – Rock The Bells kicks off

CHECKITOUT!!!!!!!! Rock the Bells 2008 has kicked off in style in the USA and Canada with new additions to the already incredible line up including MF Doom, Sage Francis, Blue Scholars and B-Real. Considering the artists roster already consisted of A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, Methodman & Redman, De LA Soul, Rakim, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Murs, Jedi Mind Tricks as well as a whole consortium of both new and old skool’s finest. With artists like these being added to the bill, it’s really no surprise that they have been able to draw the amazing crowds pictured above, with ticket sales still going as the mammoth tour continues.

Rock The Bells Toronto (Amateur cam – for the fans who can’t be there a.k.a. me)

So It might be time to bring Rock the Bells to Australia and New Zealand.

You can start the campaign for Rock The Bells coming to Australasia by posting whingeing comments at:

www.myspace.com/rockthebells

www.guerillaunion.com/rockthebells

and maybe cross your fingers really hard

… bs

Tags: Festival, hip hop, Old School

Ya Heard? The Flobots

This weeks edition of Ya Heard? takes a look at an album from a fresh new live hip hop band with a message. The Flobots appeal is two-fold; firstly, theyare a live hip-hop band. Led by two skilled Emcees, Jonny B and Brer Rabbit, the band features live instrumentation not seen often enough in hip-hop these days, including lead violin, guitar, bass, drum and horns in virtually nearly every track. Having recently being introduced to True Live, it was pleasing to find another album utilising a similar sound. The second part of their appeal lies in the way in which the Emcees present the views and beliefs of the group within their music. I’m not usually enthused by the typical politically charged hip-hop that often comes across as preachy, angry or negative; but the Flobots come with an optimistic and often inspiring premise that makes you sit up and listen. Their approach is summed up perfectly with this from their website: “Armed with musicianship, intelligence, and an ingrained sense of rebellion, Flobots are looking to engage a new musical culture, one mind at a time.”

The group has seen recent success with their single “Handlebars”, a track that demonstrates the lyrical complexity and creativity of the group. The song subtly breaks down the competitive natures of man, comparing a child bragging about bike riding abilities to leaders bragging about military capabilities. “Handlebars” , along with other notable tracks, “AnnaeBraden” and the title track “Fight With Tools”, are so thought provoking that you’re bound to question yourself after you hear them. “Anne Braden” contemplates the concept of racism by revisiting the story of a famous fighter for racial equality.

The first musical track of the album, “Mayday!!!”, gives a good indication of whats to come, with a heavy guitar riff and sweet violin chords that are perfectly combined with well-placed trumpet and percussion parts. The tempo of the track rocks back and forth, relying on the guitar for the verses and the violin for the hook, providing the Emcees with a canvas for switching flows and background vocals. “Same Thing” and “Stand Up” follow, and ensure the album holds the listeners attention. With a funky bass line supported by a perfectly placed trumpet, “Same Thing” is a call to revolution. And “Stand Up” is the ideal introduction to the Flobots political and social stance with a powerful hook:
Stand up
We shall not be moved
Except by a child with no socks and shoes
Except by a woman dying from a loss of food
Except for a freedom fighter bleeding on a cross for you
Stand up
We shall not be moved
And we won’t fight a war for a fossil fuel
It’s times like this when you want to plot a coup
Put your hands up and I’ll copy you

These tracks definately show the live potential of their music, as do”Combat” and “The Rhythm Method”; which no doubtedly rock shows on a regular basis. The album also features spoken word, which is used to great effect on the intro, and backed masterfully by the violin on “We Are Winning”, a punchy plea from Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit for society to become involved and active.

‘Fight With Tools’ is a welcome return to conscientious lyrics, supported with quality instrumentation from a live band. From the thought-provoking tracks to the ones that’ll have you nodding your head, this is an album that not just hip hop fans will enjoy. I’ll sign off for the week with the final lines of spoken word in “We Are Winning”, a nice summation of what you can expect to hear.
There is a war going on for your mind
If you are thinking you are winning
Resistance is victory
Defeat is impossible
Your weapons are already in hand
Reach within you and find the means by which to gain your freedom
Fight with tools
Your fate and that of everyone you know depends on it

For more on the Flobots you can check out:

www.flobots.com

www.myspace.com/flobots

…Crack

Tags: hip hop