Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Check It ... The Roots "Doin it Again"


"...unsung, underated, underappreciated ..."

Speaking of doing it again ... The Roots follow up their first leak with "Doin it Again" featuring John Legend. Yeah, I'm gonna be stuck on this joint much like I was stuck on "Dear God 2.0" Damn you Black Thoughts and the Legendary Roots Crew!! "How I Got Over" in stores June 22nd.



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First Listen: Homeboy Sandman "The Good Sun"


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.


Behind the Scenes Guerilla Style Marketing Video from SosaNYC on Vimeo.

www.homeboysandman.com

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

First Listen: Sketch tha Cataclysm "Party Music 4 Pissed Off People"


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.


<a href="http://sketchtc.bandcamp.com/album/party-music-for-pissed-off-people-remastered">The Editor's Note by Sketch tha cataclysm</a>

sketchtc.com
littleax.com


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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Listen To This: @LauraReedMusic & Deep Pocket


I apologize for my lateness, as this was supposed to be done yesterday, but I promise you won't be disappointed. I've been tooling through the Atlanta music scene here lately because in the South, sometimes our music can be a hit or miss. Right? I think I know some people who can attest to that. So, that's why you should definitely check out Laura Reed & Deep Pocket! You know how people say music saves the soul? Well, Laura is surely doing that for me personally right now. After first hearing her single "Happy" I instantly fell in love. Listening to the song is giving me a sense of joy. Laura Reed's music has a deep, strong soulful influence that records just don't have anymore; and her band is outrageously dope. So if you're looking for someone to "put a smile on your face," go ahead and take a listen.

My other favorite song is "Don't Go." It expresses a gritty, heartfelt story that I'm sure all of us have experienced at some point in our lives. As stated in her bio, Reed's music is without a doubt reflective and her songs maintain a lyrical depth that a music connoisseur can appreciate. Enjoy.








Check out other songs on Reverb Nation and Myspace Music



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Image Credit:Reverb Nation

Where @LadyBlogga will be ... ANARCH EIGHTY PRESENTS


Anarch Eighty is making it easier for the people to know what great music is. As this Hip-Hop game continues to turn, my job is to keep you updated.

On Tuesday June 1st the long awaited releases of Homeboy Sandman “The Good Sun” and Spec Boogie “Introspective” will be jointly celebrated at the legendary SOB’s in N.Y.C. Hosted by Hip-Hop head himself, Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg and WBAI’s TastyKeish, this promises to be an awesome way to start the summer. Aside from the guests of honor, I know a few other lyricists will be in attendance and I am sure they will bless the stage as well.

Not being new to the scene, Homeboy Sandman and Spec Boogie have been around for awhile and as this game evolves they are being pushed to the forefront. I knew the voice. I knew the name. But my first live encounter with Homeboy Sandman was at SouthPaw last Winter. He was hosting an event and occasionally spit in between the sets. I had heard songs, never saw the man behind the lyrics perform. Tight lyrics, variable style and tough beats are what put him ahead of most and better than the rest. Spec Boogie has worked with the likes of Aeon, featuring Von Pea, Elucid, Che Grand amongst others. I have yet to bear witness to a live Spec Boogie but I am looking forward to seeing him perform his effortless lyrics over smooth beats. Seeing it live is like the icing on the cake. Once you do, you’re sold.

Advanced Tickets are being sold online and if you plan on coming I suggest you cop your tickets NOW.


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Catch us on the Internets


Another week, another fine selection of videos compiled by Shaun (beanpiepromotions.com), Khal (rockthedub.com), O and I. Philly Cousins is just one fine example of the videos selected this week.


Philly Cousins w/ Reef the Lost Cauze from dumhi on Vimeo.

Check the rest of this weeks list at Beanpiepromotions.com

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Check It ... @YCtheCynic x NBA 2K11


YC the Cynic entered this track in this year's NBA 2K contest to be included in the game. It didn't win but he released the track anyway. Check the behind the scenes video and the track.



2 Turntables and a Mic [Download]

www.myspace.com/ycthecynic

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Check It ... @gofreshmen "Dreamin California"


 Pretty fresh cut from Kristo, A Wolf, Thx aka The Freshman. Enjoy.



www.gofreshmen.com

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Friday, May 28, 2010

What I'm Watching ... Reflection Eternal - "Ballad Of The Black Gold" (Live on Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon)


Shoutout to YearOfTheBlackSmith.com for this video of Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek performing "Ballad of the Black Gold" on the Jimmy Fallon show live with the help from my all time favorite band, The Legendary Roots Crew. What else can you ask for?



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Listen To This: DJ Morpheus "The Acid Jazz Guitarist"



Bottom line: this dude is dope. DJ Morpheus, better known as The Acid Jazz Guitarist, has a knack for creating euphonious lines of music over jazz records. I've been in contact with this guy over the last week or so and he tells me he's anticipating his reemergence into the music scene. His story is similar to others who have dealt with the bureaucracy of the music business, but luckily he made it out fairly unscathed. As a result, DJ Morpheus has ditched the over indulged 'Big Guys' and instead uses the internet to share his music. Dope, right?

A comment left on his artist page says, "Great sounds Morpheus. Your artistry on the guitar is on par to the greats that you admire. Your sound is electrically charged and blended with ethereal riffs that sedates yet awakens brain activity in terms of intellectual thought processes, creativity and mellow vibes for the spirit." - Bluelaser

Now that's not something worth passing up, is it? Exactly.

A particular favorite of mine is "Lemme Put That Tip In" and two others I really enjoy are "Cosmic Triggers" and "Nuit's Love Ritual."










Check out his artist page and available downloads at Reverb Nation and support his music when he reintroduces himself to the game.

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Image Credit: Stock.Xchng | User: Jan Tabery

Listen To This: Anthony David

Image Credit: Reverb Nation


I'm not exactly sure what rock I was under to be able to miss this cat but Anthony David is not to be slept on. I was tooling through the internets to see if there were any artists worth their salt and boy did I find a little gem. He's a singer/songwriter right out of my hometown Atlanta, GA and his music has a GREAT vibe. There are three songs I want to share with you guys today: "Spittin Game" and "Words" featuring India.Arie (both live cuts) and "Cheatin Man" (a studio cut). Side note: I was going to try to get away with not including "Words" in the post, but it's too good of a song not to share.











Check him out on Reverb Nation and his official website Rolling Mojo. Enjoy.

Make sure to look out for two more posts today for some extra goodies.

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Kanye West ft. Dwele "Power"



Lakers won last night. Alicia and Swizz announce their union and baby on the way. Yeah, things didn't look promising. While all those things are going down, Kanye drops new music on the planet and for a moment things look a little brighter. Yeah, I'm a Ye fan since day one (hahahaha). Anyway, enjoy Kanye West featuring Dwele "Power". Good ass job, Kanye.

Kanye West ft. Dwele "Power" [Download]



Spotted @ Sound-Savvy.com

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