I'm gearing up for what I imagine will be a stressful 72 hours.
So, when I hit play on the newest project from the faceless Wisconsin producer Man Mantis, it set me at ease and took my mind off of that fast approaching 72 hours of traveling, waiting and dealing with this and that back home. Man Mantis is no stranger to the blog, having been posted on the site a few times with either individual projects or collabs with other folks. The dude is extremely talented and I dig his work. His latest, Cities Without Houses is a very chill project. Among my favorite cuts, "Minor Aches and Pains", "Everything Is Fine" and "Be Just This"."Teacups of Our Ashes" is definitely my favorite on the project.
Definitely a fresh project. Enjoy.
A little bit about the project from Man Mantis:
"Monday, March 11th saw the release of Cities Without Houses, the first solo LP from masked Madison, WI producer Man Mantis. Released on World Around Records, Cities Without Houses is the follow up to Mantis’ well-regarded Sea Ambulance EP, and is filled with the same kind of druggy, highly orchestrated sonic landscapes that made Sea Ambulance so intriguing. Produced, mixed and mastered entirely by Man Mantis during late 2009 and throughout 2010, Cities Without Houses is now available as a “pay what you like” download through Man Mantis’. In addition, he has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to get a limited run of vinyl LPs and cassette tapes of “Cities Without Houses” manufactured."
It was last June that I first introduced The Mad Bloggers' readers to John Graham. John was working hard on introducing folks to his project at the time, Ascension Methods. I liked Ascension Methods and the music John was creating.
At the time I wrote that his music is one with a poignant message. What John Graham does is creates music he truly believes in. He steps way outside of the box of what would be considered safe music and gives you the music he thinks you should hear. His music is driven by thought provoking lyrics, coupled with cool beats.
You have to respect John for his persistence in delivering his message.
Today, John releases his debut album Mirror Music. And again, he doesn't shy away from making the music he wants to make.
When I interviewed John last July he wanted his music "to inspire dialogue and discussion." I believe Mirror Music, much like Ascension Methods, will do just that. John wants you to know who he is. It's part of the reason he shed the name J. Qwest. He said during that same interview, "I reached a point in my life where I felt that it was time to shed stage names and give the listener "Me" with no veil or anonymity."
And Mirror Music is just that. It's John Graham with no anonymity.
I personally dig John's more aggressive flow on tracks like "Light's Revenge", "The Re-Awakening" and "It's That Serious." But I also dig the more laid back flow on "I Want You" and "Words & Music."
John Graham is talented. Mirror Music is fresh. Give it a listen. And if you dig it, support it.
I see the homie ScienZe on his Miseducation steez. And it's dope. ScienZe hits the ground running on this 16 track project from the moment the intro starts and delivers straight through to the end (shouts to ScienZe on the Lean on Me outro). He definitely stands on his own with his latest project, Hall Pass. With a school based them, ScienZe takes you through the core subjects and a few electives too.
By far one of my favorite tracks is "Drama (Geppetto)". And then there is the super smooth track "Biology (W.O.M.A.N.)". Other favorites include "Mathematics (Judo)", "Study Hall (Let Em Know)" and "Lunch (The Punch)." ScienZe is talented. And Hall Pass is a well put together project to wrap up 2010.
Well done ScienZe. Well done.
The homie ScienZe hasn't uploaded his latest project to his bandcamp page yet, so I figured I'd hit you with a full preview below. If you dig it, be sure to download the full project (click to download). Enjoy.
It's different. Unique. Interesting. But at the end of the day, I dig the project. It's what I would call alternative Hip-Hop. It's probably a classification that Time Crisis would maybe be apprehensive to accepting but their sound is outside the norm of what you expect in Hip-Hop today. And that's not a bad thing.
This project, which has a taste of spoken word and all cool ass beats, isn't gonna be for everyone. If you enjoy your music in a box (like in the radio or tv or something) stop reading now because this project is outside of that box. Like I said, it's unique. The duo are making music.
Overall, Time Crisis' self titled project is enjoyable. Check out "Bricks" off of the project.
My relationship with John Graham started in kind of a weird way. He had hit me up on twitter to check his track. I didn't know the dude from Adam but he was persistent about it. I hit him back telling him the appropriate way to send me music. We went back and forth via twitter and email. He's definitely a cool dude. His music, meaningful. It's music with a poignant message. This project MUST be heard. I reached out to dude for a Q&A and to go in depth on each track! I think it's important you understand where he and his music are coming from. Seriously, you gotta check this out!
The Mad Bloggers: Is John Graham your government name? If so, why that approach in your music?
John Graham: John Graham is the government name indeed. I used to go by the name "J. Qwest" up until this project. I reached a point in my life where I felt that it was time to shed stage names and give the listener "Me" with no veil or anonymity. This project is actually a mirror reflection of who I was and now who I am which is one of the reasons why I call it "Mirror Music".
TMB: What was the motivation behind Ascension Methods?
JG: I was asked by several of my close friends for quite a while to get back in the studio and record again, to which I would simply respond "I'm done with music." My last project "Hurry Up & Wait" was done in 06' but I never really pushed it. So I took about 2 1/2 years off from music because I was simply uninspired by what I was hearing. Additionally, I was going through quite a few growth spurts personally at the time (that's another interview:-). Fast forward to 2009 when I recorded "State The Deal". I think one of the most overlooked albums of 08' was 808's & Heartbreak by Kanye. Not overlooked in the commercial sense of the word but overlooked in the sense that Kanye exposed his soul on that album and a lot of people didn't feel it because they thought he was soft and wack for singing. That album touched me point blank! Then I hear Jay Electronica and his coverage of things both physical and spiritual in his lyrics was super inspiring. Then I hear the Drake mixtapes from his O.V.O. days (pre-Young Money). The level of self examination he showed on tracks was amazing, especially for someone of his age. It was after all of this that I felt it was time for me to speak.
I went through a great deal of spiritual growth over the course of the past 2 years that has impacted my life and the life of those around me in a severely positive way. So every subject that I covered on the album from health and well being, to your true power as an individual of the collective, to natural childbirth, and love are all topics that are near and dear to me. I have a life coaching practice called PurposeCoach (www.purposelink.com) that is focused on helping people become the best possible versions of themselves by working on the mind, body, and spirit. This project was simply a vehicle to do the same only through the medium of music.
TMB: You used a snippet from then President Elect Obama's speech on election night, why?
JG: I chose to chop up the victory speech of brotha Obama for a few reasons but mainly this. I remembered watching his speech the night he won the election and I vividly remember him telling the people quite plainly that this would not be easy. He was basically telling people that he's not the savior and that the work that needs to be done will and can not be done by him alone. However, I think a lot of people were so caught up in the feeling of having the "first" black president that they overlooked the meat of his speech. So I fashioned the clip in a way that spoke exactly to what I was hearing him say minus all the presidential fluff.
TMB: What would you like folks to get from listening to Ascension Methods?
JG: My ultimate desire for those who listen to Ascension Methods is for them to recognize their own power and potential to create their reality as they see fit. I want them to hear my story and know that if I can do it, so can you. I want them to know that the self imposed limitations that we put on ourselves every time we use the words "Can't, Won't, or Don't" often times create the negative circumstances that we face in our lives. I wish for them to see that 10 minutes out of their day spent in meditation/contemplation can serve as the canvas to paint the world they wish to live in. I want people to become more conscious of their thoughts and actions and to turn off their auto-pilot responses and behaviors simply by getting in tune with the divine within. Lastly, I wish for this project to inspire dialogue and discussion. We are taught from an early age to notice and judge others by our differences. There are far more things that we as a people (human) have in common. Considering the times we're in we need unity more than ever, not just in the black community but in the world community.
TMB: John, I think it would be important to give people a breakdown of each track. Can you do that?
JG: It's funny you should ask for that. I'm in the process of writing a book to compliment the music with that exact purpose of delving deeper into each track and the motivations behind them.
1. A Call to Ascension (Intro)
- I took the audio from President Barack Obama's Chicago victory speech in 08'. This is how I interpreted his speech minus the fluff...
2. The Last Glimpse
- This song only gives a peak into some deeper concepts every 4 or so bars and then I change directions. I do this to sort of dip my toe in the water if you will. Probe the listener for their level of awareness on various subjects as the rabbit hole only gets deeper from here on out.
3. Meditation Staycation
- This song is highlighting some key benefits of incorporating meditation into your daily routine. You have the power to paint your reality on the open canvas of the universe through meditation. I truly devote 10-20 minutes every morning before I go to work to meditation. This is how I plan my day and my future.
4. Thru Time & Space
- This song captures the "We Met, We Fell, We Married" journey that my wife and I have encountered. Every lyric in that song is authentic, even down to the Range Rover, and Ford references. LOL!
5. Innocent Girl
- This song was meant to inspire young ladies and young men to remember their virtue. I've seen so many young women get caught up in the party scene only to be used and tossed away like objects. I've also seen young men who only objectify young women and use them for their own selfish purposes. This song really used some situations that are quite real but can serve as a lesson in action and consequence.
6. Business of Being Born (Interlude)
- I think this one speaks for itself. However, my wife and I are choosing to do a natural birth at home. When I tell people this, they usually balk and give me the "Why would you do that face". I remind them that for millenniums there were no hospitals deliver your child. Women have been giving birth naturally for ever and only within the last 100 years has it become institutionalized. It all comes down to information and that was the intent of the interlude.
7.Absolute Power
- This song served as the Trojan horse for the entire album. The beat was entrancing, and it spoke to me. This song is plainly telling the listener that there is duality in life (+/-). You have the power to choose either side of the coin, but your choices do come with consequences. Basically stated, think before you act and know that you have the power to change the world if you choose to.
8. State The Deal
- This song was my first song back after 2 1/2 years of not doing music. I wanted to expose my inner thoughts on this one and let the listener know my feelings on music and where I was with it at that point in my journey. I gave my views on where the music industry is headed and why. P.S. No disrespect to Lil Wayne or Soldier Boy
9. The Index
- This song was a "vent" song if you will. I was feeling pretty strongly about how the genre of hip-hop has fallen from grace in my eyes. The overinflated ego, the money machine that creates a false desire for unhealthy music and then saturates the market place with it, and various other issues. I also talked a bit about my struggle with wanting to do music but on my own terms.
10. The End of The Beginning
- Honestly, I've been doing music and free-styling for over 15 years but it seems that with the release of "Absolute Power" it's finally being noticed. I realize that it's only being noticed now because I'm ready for it to be so. However it seems that so much time has been put into music and now it's only just begun. I featured one of my partners on this track as well by the name of Tron (@hiphoptron) who has one of the dopest projects I've listened to in a while "Person in My Position".
11. Brilliant Sights
- This track is an actual account of a vision I had about a past life experience as well as wisdom that has been revealed to me in this journey. I know it's a bit out there for most to digest, but it's a very personal track for me as I've been on an accelerated path of spiritual growth over the past few years now. Interestingly, I've met so many people along the path that have also encountered their own past lives. We're out here!
12. Good Food (Interlude)
- I went from 315lbs to 220 in a years time primarily because I changed my lifestyle and my eating habits. It all began first by educating myself on the food I eat and how it affects our bodies. I decided to use a bunch of clips from the documentary "Food Inc." because they capture so accurately the ills of the commercial food industry and how the consumer has no idea about what they're eating. Food for thought: When you look at a hamburger on TV, do you see the finished product, or the animal it came from? Just checking, LOL!
13) Extenuating Circumstance
- This happens to be my favorite track because it is literally my "Mirror". I tell my coaching clients that you can't begin to improve yourself until you come to grips with all of your flaws and hideous character traits. This was simply me saying "Hey, I know it's hard! I've been exactly where you are or possibly worst, but if you change your mind you can change your life"
14) Brave New World (Outro)
- This sample was taken from an interview with the creator of the popular truth documentary "Zeitgeist" Peter Joseph. He really spoke to the possibilities of our future if people decide to unite and put down the capitalistic models that keep us subjugated and struggling on an individual level.
I've had "Living in Technocolor" for a few weeks now. In between random other releases, I found myself going back to the project and blasting it. It's a great listen. Lyrically, the production and the overall concept is dope and delivers yet another layer of the Milwaukee emcee.
"Living in Technocolor" is the follow up to Raze's "Dreaming in Greyscale", coming almost two years after that release and fresh off the success of House of M’s "The Alternate Reality Of…"
The Prologue sets the stage. The Epilogue raps it up nicely. And all the tracks in between deliver on the 21 track LP. And from tracks like "One Hunnid" (talking about all the fakeness in music) to "Rosie Palms" (talking about "self love"), Raze brings a colorful spectrum to his music and this project.
Raze is one talented dude.
Raze has been featured on the blog a few times but we've never interviewed him. So, I reached out to Raze to talk about the new project and one of his favorite subjects, women.
Enjoy.
The Mad Bloggers: What's the difference between "Dreaming In Greyscale" and "Living in Technocolor"? As an artists, do you think you've grown between the two projects?
Raze: DiG (Dreaming In Greyscale) was essentially the story of the man behind the music. LiT (Living in Technocolor) is the music behind that man. DiG was a "how I got here" of sorts. My life experiences, whereas LiT is the product & artistic application of those experiences. Yeah, I feel I've grown, I've had to! As a father, husband, group member/leader, baby daddy, etc. (LOL) The maturity of this album I think really shines through. I've learned how to say some pretty direct and sometimes crass things, in a much more digestable way.
TMB: It's been a while since Dreaming In Greyscale, why so long?
Raze: Well, I started working on LiT in December of '08 right after DiG dropped (that July) after I left my former crew. Shortly after I started recording (4-5 songs in) I OFFICIALLY joined the House of Mutants. I did some work with Gambit & SoulMatikk (formerly D'Matikk) exclusively, and those demos turned into some of the tracks for "The Alternate Reality of..." (The House of Mutants group album of '09). I also put out a "mixtape album" called "Lust Love Hate" comprised of some older material and some new material around those subjects, cuz I felt it really hadn't been explored that deeply in my genre. That was well recieved, but really I took a break from the solo album to focus on the group album and to help put out JC Poppe's debut album "Sleep Therapy". It was definitely a good move because I learned a lot during the recording/producing of those albums, which I applied to LiT. It made sense because we wanted to springboard the solo albums of the House of Mutant emcees off of the group effort, instead of the other way around. It fit the "House of Mutants storyline" better that way in the long run...You'll all see soon after it plays out.
TMB: How long did it take for you to put together "Living in Technocolor"?
Raze: Like I said, I started recording in '08, but took essentially ALL of '09 off. So I guess it'd be fair to say I worked on this album maybe 6 or 7 months total?
TMB: Who did you work with on this new project?
Raze: Well, who DIDN'T I work with is more like it (LOL). I can honestly say minus a VERY few names, I worked with some of the most talented artists in Milwaukee and one in particular beyond. It was great to be able to have so many dope cats down for MY project. I worked with the House of Mutants crew (Lou Tang, Soulmatikk, Trellmatic, myself) plus FINALLY linked up with Miltown Beatdown legend Jihad Barakus. I got a track by Edward Cayce of The Hollowz and my boy SosaDaGr8 who's been a web homie for years. To help with the R&B/Poetry side of things, I got my sister Elle Razberry, Patrice Downey, Bobby Drake and Ms. Cream. I was blessed with gettin verses from APRIME, Frankie Flowers & SPEAKeasy on various songs as well. Plus I got some cameos from Gambit and JC Poppe and this cat named Yung Lil Bullshit that's doin big thangs right now. I've never been one for too many guest appearances on solo albums, but I truly needed these artists to complete the vision and they came thru amazingly for me and I'm beyond grateful for it!
TMB: You seem to tackle a lot of things in your music (Rosie Palms for example off the new project), where does that boldness come from?
Raze: Fam, if people only knew what goes thru my mind half the time...LOL. I've always been outspoken and opinionated. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes not so much, but I've accepted that THAT'S ME. So I just put my thoughts/feelings out there and see what happens. Like "Rosie Palms" for example, WHO DOES THAT?!? It's somethin EVERYBODY (don't be a fkn lie) has had an experience or 1000 with, so I wanted to spit on it (PAUSE). But I ain't wanna do it on some regular ish, so I took it to a storytelling/personifying tip. I love that track.
TMB: I've heard you be called, "a creative pillar of House of M", so how is Raze the solo artist different than Raze the member of House of M?
Raze: When you're in a group, its a democracy. So each member has a voice, but each voice is really just a different octave of the OVERALL vocal. A "Rosie Palms" or "Oh Baby" prolly would've been veto'd prolly on a group album, but "Starz at Nite" (from The Alternate Reality of...) wasn't because THE WHOLE could connect and relate, plus be comfortable rhymin bout it.
TMB: What's the hardest thing you're finding out with promoting/pushing your music?
Raze: That the game ain't what it used to be. I mean, I've BEEN known this, but it's kinda disheartening now because as an indie artist, our legitimate ALBUM RELEASES are outshone by web leaks of major artists. Sure, the internet has somewhat levelled the playing field to a degree but there's still so much financially and promotions wise we still can't compete with...unless we pull some Kat Stacks type BS or get a hood model chick to be our girlfriend...LOL
TMB: I've heard the ladies love Raze (LOL). What's that all about?
Raze: Back in the day I was a hoe...no lie. I mean I can't reiterate that enough. I am probably the Wilt Chaimberlain of Milwaukee's hip hop community. I can't say I'm proud of that, but can't say I'm ashamed either. All I know is women have always been attracted to me. I think I've always been a strong, leader type dude that doesn't sugar coat, so amongst an ocean of dudes tellin them what they WANNA hear, I'm givin 'em the real and maybe that built some kinda intrigue or somethin. I dunno, but I'm appreciative of them all....errr, MOST of them (LOL)
TMB: Random question, if you were stranded on an Island with three women, who would they be and why?
Raze: Jill Scott, Kelly Divine and my wife. Jill could sing to me, spit that dope poetic angelic ish. Kelly Divine (porn star) could basically fuck my brains out CONSTANT and my wife could join in with Kelly PLUS keep me fed wit the "white girl chicken" or white girl coconuts...or white girl wild boar...or...you get it (LOL)
TMB: Right, right (LOL). And well, back to the music, if there was one thing you'd want people to take from "Living in Technocolor," what would it be?
Raze: My biggest wish for Hip Hop, and really urban music in general is the return of THE TRUTH to the forefront of it all. I'm tired of gimmicks, tired of rappers gettin exposed, all because they just couldn't "keep it one hunnid" in their songs. If you're a truly talented person, your highs and lows of your past will be forgiven. Because ultimately, it's all about the music, right? Life is vivid, multi-dimensional and colorful as hell. So take advantage of all life gives you. Or, maybe I'm still Dreaming...
There isn't a formula or pattern that Homeboy Sandman is following. At least I don't think so. He's simply making music. Not to be mistaken with pop music, as his track "Not Pop" eludes to. He's making music he hopes others will enjoy.
I dig what the Queens native and college educated Homeboy Sandman is doing.
I won't claim to have been a long time fan of Homeboy Sandman, simply because he was flying under my radar. It wasn't until a few months ago someone hit me with some of his music. I also won't jump on the bandwagon saying this dude is the dopest thing since slice bread (seriously, was sliced bread that big of a deal when it first came out?). I will however say that after hearing "The Good Sun" (a few times) that I'm quickly becoming a fan of Homeboy Sandman. I think that can be credited to his unique style and lyrical approach.
No dumbing it down on "The Good Sun".
As many will say, Homeboy Sandman's music is an acquired taste. How do you approach listening to his music with that in mind? You can take a lesson from Homeboy Sandman's first encounter with a Roots album.
"I find the mind has delayed reactions like that when presented with something fresh the likes of which it's never been presented before," he writes in his bio. Oh, he thought The Roots were whack but during that second listen he realized their dopeness. Perhaps "The Good Sun" will provide you with that ah ha moment too.
"The Good Sun" is a collection of tunes that will surely continue to propel Homeboy Sandman from the dude many have never heard of, to the dude many will continue to check for. Will it bring him mainstream? Of course not, it's too dope for that. But "The Good Sun" will continue to push Homeboy Sandman forward in the underground/indie circuit.
Check "The Good Sun" now available on iTunes and other online music websites.
Homeboy Sandman is best known for his guerrilla style marketing. Check out the behind the scenes video of Homeboy Sandman on his guerrilla style mission.
Originally released May of 2007 and now remastered with a bonus track ("No Answers Will Be Found Here" featuring Roc Doogie) Sketch tha Cataclysm releases "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People."
After sitting on the project for well over a week, I finally had the opportunity to check it out. It's dope. The project starts off with the hard hitting "The Editor's Note" and just takes off from there. "The Editor's Note" is a very fitting title with some serious rhymes to lay the foundation of what's to come on the eight track EP.
Just a glance at the track titles and you know this isn't going to be an average listening experience. Keep in mind the original EP dropped with the Bush Administration, Katrina and the war in Iraq in the backdrop. With Arizona's new Immigration Law, the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the continued war in Iraq and Afghanistan, "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People" still fits in three years later.
Tracks like "Free the Radio", "Besty Ross and the Miseducation of America" and "The Revolution Will Not Be" attack with hard hitting content and some pretty dope production (my favorite joint is "The Revolution Will Not Be"). If you're pissed off about the current state of things, "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People" is perfect for you. If you just enjoy quality music, "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People" is perfect for you too. Either way, the EP is a quality well deserved listen.
Sketch has plans to release two full length LPs back-to-back, "Indie Rappers Do It For Gas Money 2" and "The Complete Collected Poems Of Maya Angelou."
In the meantime, enjoy "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People", available on bandcamp.
I had the chance to preview Caits Meissner's new project, "The Wolf & Me". It's spoken word at it's finest. It's super fresh. It's one of those projects you throw on with a gang of friends, supply the wine and embrace the conversation that "The Wolf & Me" invokes.
"The Wolf & Me" is a well packaged (the PDF is serious) creative offering that delivers just over 25 minutes of Meissner's words, a host of production (Blu, Cazeaux OSLO, Just Plain Ant, Bisco Smith, CAV3 and The Aftermath) and a few features (Maya Azucena, Jesse Boykins III, Dunce Apprentice and Broke MC). You even get a little singing from Meissner on the project, something she calls "her honest and edgy tone." She definitely delivers herself on the nine track EP.
I think the press release says it best, "The Wolf & Me is something that will linger in your soul."
It truly does. I enjoyed it.
"The Wolf & Me" will be available May 1, 2010, for just $7. Support. Enjoy.
Download "Blackest Blood," the new single from the forthcoming project free at www.caitsmeissner.com
