Group Home - Livin' Proof

2010 was an interesting year, to say the least. Musically, I invested more in records and somehow increased my music IQ by getting rid of the superficial approach and taking more time to absorb albums, artists and even entire genres (or sub-genres). Unfortunately, I missed out on most of the releases of 2010 because I was too busy checking out classic shit such as Group Home. But fear not, there will be plenty of "recent" releases on this blog after this post right here (save for a future MF DOOM post...I can't believe I haven't posted that yet but I just can't think of a write-up that would do it justice). Anyway, I digress. On to tonight's feature presentation...

Group Home are "affiliates" of hip-hop legends Gang Starr. One of the members, Lil' Dap, made his debut on a track on the classic Daily Operation album and Group Home have since then made several appearances on Gang Starr's tracks. And as far as affiliations go, all* of Livin' Proof was produced by DJ Premier, one half of Gang Starr and probably your favourite producer's favourite producer. That is actually the focal point of this record: the production. The rhymes are surprisingly average for a 1995 record (smack-dab in the middle of the Golden Age of Hip Hop) but the production is impeccable. Premo's work on Livin' Proof is timeless and, as Allmusic said, a "rhythmic masterpiece".

All in all, Livin' Proof is a very enjoyable listen. The beats are great to bob your head along to and the lyrics are good but, like I said earlier, the rhymes are average. Don't let that stop you from copping this though because it comes very highly recommended, if only for the production work.

d/l

*Premo produced all but 2 of the 13 tracks, one of which was actually produced by Guru (R.I.P.)

KRS One- Return Of the Boom Bap

Aaand we're back, after a brief postless period, with some classic, very much socially and politically aware hip-hop from KRS-One. Shit is dope.

Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Almost Everyone

might as well read and rap along

Uyama Hiroto-A son of the sun

Oh glorious, glorious beats
Japanese instrumental hip-hop, very much in the vein of Nujabes.

here

Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Flying Lotus, a.k.a. FlyLo, is a producer/"laptop" musician from Cali. After his first album 1983, he became known as one of the better hip-hop instrumental producers out there. Even before all that, he used to produce the music for AdultSwim's inter-show segments (not surprising seeing as how AS is obsessed with Dilla/DOOM and eclectic underground hip-hop). Cosmogramma is different because it's not entirely focused on hip-hop, but a myriad of genres. An interesting, experimental mix of ambient, IDM, jazz, trip-hop and more, Cosmogramma is a beautiful album and has immense replay value.

download

Why?-Oaklandazulasylum

Ever since discovering a little gem in the form of Hymie's basement some time ago, and instantly falling in love with it, I began to deig a little deeper into anticon, the genre-defining record label. Established in 98' by a few art-school rejects, the label started to slowly carve a niche out for itself in the hip-hop world, ultimately creating a new genre, more commonly known as "anticon".

Excellent record from the band of one of the shareholders of this wonderful label , Yoni Wolf.

here

Double post: The Roots (Dilla Joints) + Bastard (No Hope In Here)

This is going to be a quick double feature since I'm leaving for New York in a couple of days and have a bunch of things to take care of. Let's get started.

First off, we have one of my favourite hip-hop acts covering songs by one of my favourite producers in the same genre. ?uestlove and co. have been covering the late J. Dilla's tracks for a while now and this right here is a compilation of the best ones. Absolutely sublime and very relaxing.

Download

P.S. If you like this, you should definitely buy the new Roots album. Real hip-hop is hard to come by in 2010 so it's really quite special.

On the other end of the spectrum we have BASTARD (so good it has to be written in block capitals), a Japanese hardcore band. I don't know if hardcore fans out there are familiar with the awesome power of Japanese hardcore but if you're not, BASTARD will be happy to provide a great introduction. Aggressive hardcore/crust for the most part, at times morphing into thrash and sometimes even catchy (le gasp). Cop this, you know you want to.

Download|Buy

King Geedorah - Take Me To Your Leader

Take Me To Your Leader by King Geedorah is an incredible example of hip-hop. King Geedorah is one of the many alter-egos of Daniel Dumile a.k.a. MF DOOM. Regarding the album, Dumile says:

"You should listen to the album for what it is and not expect it to be like the average "rap" stuff you’re probably used to. Geedorah is a space monster. He's not from the Earth. I made it different on purpose. A blend of ill lyrics and instrumentals. To me its way iller than any of the wack shit out now... This whole album is Geedorah's alien perspective on humans. This is done intentionally to show the listener a mirror image of his/herself and the way we see each other. On the album we cover different subjects ranging from race issues to the neglect of children. Some might find the word "Nigger" offensive, or the line about the young girl not being able to read maybe considered a "bad taste" joke. All these insecurities are within us."

Download

Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein

I'm posting in [relatively] quick succession because I'm listening to Cannibal Ox again after a long time and was overcome by the sudden urge to share my experience. Cannibal Ox is about as gritty a hip-hop act as you can get, in terms of lyrical content. This shit is depressing. You have the regular "street" themes going on but the imagery is just incredibly creative and abstract throughout most of the record and the flow(s) is/are just magical. This is all topped off by El-P's production (a talented MC in his own right) whose grinding, just-the-right-amount-of-repetitive beats capture the atmosphere created by the lyrics perfectly. Symbiosis, is what I would call this.

In conclusion, it doesn't matter if you are or aren't a hip-hop fan, I would recommend this album to anyone who can appreciate creativity of lyrical content.

download

buy & support

Dessa (taster)

Dessa (some of you may recognize that name from Doomtree) is, in a nutshell, unique underground hip-hop. Mixing some great rhymes as an emcee with expressive harmonies as a singer, the result is, as bipolar as it may seem, wonderful. Full album link coming soon. Meanwhile, here's a taster:

Electric Wire Hustle - Every Waking Hour

Some excellent neo-soul (?) from...New Zealand of all places! I can't get over how good this is, especially the track "Perception".

smooth like melted chocolate

buy & support

dj danger mouse- grey

I was going to write a nice little review here, I really was, but now I find that I have neither the time nor the inclination (not that there's much to review here). Jay-Z's Black Album and the Beatles The Beatles LP, also known as the White Album, all cleverly mashed-up. do enjoy

hymie's basement-s/t

What the fuck is anticon? I've no idea, but it seems to label this record so I'm all for it. 2 guys rapping over awesome indie-ish beats. As expected, lyrical content on this one is on the intellectual side. Do enjoy, this might be the last post for some time, exams coming up.

****

R.I.P. Biggie

Biggie Smalls is probably the greatest MC of all time and this is widely considered to be his magnum opus.

DL here

Young Vaughn - The New School Cool

Having complained umpteen times about the predominance of hip-hop/rap on the Dubai airwaves, I had never realized their absence from the local scene up until a year or 2 ago. Diligent Thought first opened my eyes to the Dubai hip-hop scene and I was quite impressed, to say the least. The amount of talent in their music seemed to be on an international and professional level and I had never expected that from artists in Dubai. Some time later, I continue to be (pleasantly) surprised. Here's a fellow by the name of Young Vaughn, an extremely talented and eclectic individual with incredible ideas and musical influences, all of which is evident in his music. With a style that reminded me of Lupe Fiasco's at first, it becomes increasingly obvious as the record progresses that YV has an remarkably individual and unique style. The lyrics seem to flow seamlessly and the beats are borderline surreal sometimes ("Sunset", off the top of my head). Here's The New School Cool (the first YV project I've listened to so it seems only right I start y'all off with it as well).

Mediafire

sage francis- human the death dance

Oh man, I've been on a hip-hop kick these past two weeks. Loads of new artists discovered, lots of new music to appreciate. One of which, incidentally, is Sage Francis' "Human The Death Dance".

"Noted for his intense flow and sharp wit, Francis has won acclaim both as a freestyle battler and as an unapologetically intellectual lyricist. Francis uses a broad emotional palette to address a wide range of personal, cultural, and political issues."

Something different for the seasoned hip-hop elitist and something interesting for the casual listener with a fresh perspective.

here

nujabes-metaphorical music

Okay, I'll be completely frank with you, this is the reason why I listen to music.Some japanese dude mixing up beats accompanied by jazz-fusion/indie/shoegaze sections. This is so worth your time.



1
2

Buck 65-Secret House Against The World

Hmm. Canadian hip-hop with country, blues and indie overtones. This has been on my hdd for quite along time now and I never really got around to listening to it properly, until a few weeks ago, and to be completely honest, I really, really like this particular genre-mix. Very much worth any music fan's time...

The Low End Theory?

Yup, classic hip-hop record from 90's rappers A Tribe Called Quest. At the time of their inception, ATCQ were considered unique within the hip-hop community, mainly for avoiding the gangsta rap popularized by fellow rappers. The lyrics often revolved around abstract yet transparent concepts such as consumerism. Also helped pioneer the jazz-rap movement.


1
2

Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta fuck wit!

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan



So I decided to follow suit with the previous hip-hop post and so here's The Wu, which is just straight up, hardcore rap. And very intelligently put together at that. The rhymes always have me smiling to myself because they're so well put together and how the Clan members just alternate through the verses is seamless. Check it out, it's a beautiful album.
Mediafire

I come with hip-hop...

The Roots-Things Fall Apart
link





So I don't really know that much about hip-hop, having begun to delve into it's somewhat underground artist's music not too long ago, but I do know what I like,and I like The Roots. Now pause your Lil' Wayne track and give this a try.

Dela- Changes Of Atmosphere
link






Now, Dela. Pretty awesome, instrumental hip-hop by some white guy. Incredible beats, outstanding production, perfect beach music, I find.