Tragically Camu Tao passes away

It was with sadness that I read via El-P's Blog today that rising Def Jux star Camu Tao had passed away. Although he had only released a couple of 12"s, appeared on The Def Jux Presents series of compilations as well as a few guest appearances it was clear the dude had talent. RIP and I send my condolences to his family and friends.

Below is the B Side to the Hold the Floor 12". The track is called Wireless and is a good example of Camu's style.

Wireless

Jackson Conti aka Madlib & Mamao - Sujinho

When I heard that Madlib had teamed up with Mamao, drummer from the legendary Brazilian Jazz-Funk group Azymuth I knew that the outcome would be incredibly funky. The album has finally arrived and as with most Madlib projects it is being released under a pseudonym, Jackson Conti and the album's title is Sujinho.
The outcome of this collab is an album that mixes Madlib's bass heavy, fuzzy style of production
with some of the jazzier Azymuth compositions of late and although on paper it sounds like it shouldn't work, it does. There's some drum machine beats on the album, but a large part of the percussion is acoustic too which creates more depth than before from Madlib. It kind of sounds like Yesterdays New Quintet have taken a holiday in Rio. The keyboards on this bring back memories of Azymuth's Legendary recordings of the 70s. Guitars, flutes, sax's and other instruments are thrown into the mix with great effect. This is an incredible album and if you've enjoyed any of Madlib's Jazz excursions or you are a fan of Azmuth this album deserves a place in your collection.
Below is the video promo for the album and a track from the album.


Berumba

Slick Rick Pardoned

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Gov. David Paterson is granting a full and unconditional pardon to rapper Ricky "Slick Rick" Walters for the attempted murders of two men in 1991.The pardon is expected to halt efforts to deport Walters to the United Kingdon, the country he left as a child.

The eyepatch-wearing star behind the '80s rap classic "La-Di-Da-Di" served more than five years in prison after the shooting of his cousin and another man. Both survived.

The governor says Walters is now a rap artist and landlord in the Bronx who hasn't had any criminal problems since his release from prison in 1997. He also says Walters has volunteered to counsel youths against violence.  

This is fantastic news for Rick and also Hip Hop as a whole.

The Roots Live in Sirius Studios 28 April 2008

The Roots performing in promotion of their latest studio album, Rising Down on Green Lantern’s The Invasion. Live in Sirius Studios on the 28th of April 2008.  

Jam Boyz (??) (ft. Dice Raw)
I Will Not Apologize
Star
Long Time
RIP Jay Dee
Proceed Intro (RIP Dilla)
Get Busy (ft. Dice Raw)
Like A Pimp Freestyle Remix ft. David Banner
Rising Down (ft. Styles P)
Rising Up
75 Bars

Bonus: Rising Up (ft. Wale, Chrisette Michele) (Live on Letterman) 

Check that Illadelph Flava out

Major Vinyl Breakz

This is a collection of breakz I did for a friend and figured I'd post it on this blog. Most of these I ripped from vinyl myself and they cover many genres including Jazz, Soul, Funk, Reggae & Rhythm & Blues. These have been sampled by some of the best including Pete, Premier, Kanye and Rza amongst others. They have all been sampled in pretty dope hip hop tracks but they are also fantastic songs in their own rites, well worth Downloading.  

Joe Simon-Drowning In The Sea Of Love 

Lee Oskar-Our Road 

The Mad Lads-Gone, the promises of yesterday 

Max Romeo-Chase the devil 

Gil Scott Heron-Home Is Where The Hatred Is 

Atlantic Star-Second To None 

Ronnie Laws-Friends And Strangers 

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery-Mellow Mood 

Dorothy Ashby-The Windmills Of Your Mind 

Gary Burton-Las Vegas Tango 

The Ambassadors-Ain't Got The Love Of One Girl 

The Spinners-Ain't No Price on Happiness 

The Commodores-High On Sunshine 7" mix 

Isaac Hayes-Hung Up on my Baby 

Mel & Tim-Keep The Faith 

Frankie Bleu & Thom Bell-Moses Theme 

Tom Scott & The L.A. Express-Sneakin in the back 

Ahmad Jamal-Swahililand 

Lyn Christopher-Take me with you 

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes-You Know How To Make me feel so good

Major Vinyl Breakz

MFSB Breakz

Every week I'm going to highlight a particular group or artist who has been sampled and post some of their songs that have been sampled.  This week I am covering MFSB. 

MFSB (which stands for "Mother Father Sister Brother") was a pool of more than thirty resident studio musicians based at Philadelphia’s famed Sigma Sound Studios. They worked with record producers Gamble and Huff and Arranger Thom Bell.  They backed up such groups as The Bluenotes, O’Jays, Stylistics, Spinners, Three Degrees, Jerry Butler, Wilson Picket, and Billy Paul. Starting in 1974, MFSB started recording for the Philadelphia International label.  They released 11 albums between 1972 and 1980.

MFSB have been sampled by a number of hip hop artists including De La Soul, EPMD, LL Cool J, Gangstarr, Canibus, UTFO and Main Source to mention a few.  I have compiled my six favorites MFSB songs that have been sampled by Hip Hop artists for you to check out.

'Love is the message' from their 1972 album Love is the Message was sampled by EPMD on 'Its time to party', by LL Cool J on 'Def Jam in the Motherland' as well as UTFO's 'Wanna Rock'.  This is a six minutes plus mellow funky joint featuring some nice strings and horns.

'Cheaper to keep her' was also on their Love is the message album and was sampled by Freestyle Fellowship on 'Hot Potato' and features a sick organ intro and some lovely horns.

'TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)' was also taken form the Love is The Message album and was used by 80s pop rap artists/dancers/actors Kid N Play on 'Gittin' Funky'.

'Something for nothing' was on their self titled 1973 album and was sampled most notably by Canibus on 'How we roll'.  This is easily my favorite MFSB song, 2 minutes and 59 seconds of sick horns and striking piano.

'Family Affair' was also taken from their Self titled 1973 album and is obviously a cover version of the Sly and the Family Stones classic.  Right now I can't remember who sampled this if anyone can hit me up.  Anyway its a dope cover of a classic tune.

'Sunnin n Funnin' was taken from their 1976 album Summertime and was used to great effect by DJ Premier on the classic Gangstarr track 'She knows what she wants'.  The track again starts off with a nice organ and later joined by some orchestral strings.

Click on the link to check out these tracks and if you like them support MFSB and check out some of their other works which are all worth your money.

MFSB Breakz

 

Only Just begun

Welcome to my blog.  I hope you enjoy it right now its empty but soon I'll be posting about breakz and good hip hop as well as some music.  Please check back soon.