((My People)) by J Rawls / 1Track@aTime 6.21.2014

1Track@aTime 6.21.2014
((My People))

For June, the main record to check out on my list above all others was The Legacy by J Rawls which I heard about after stumbling across the ((Bills)) track featuring Masta Ace on AllHipHop.com.  J Rawls, along with artist like Madlib, ID4Windz, Oddisee, Fat Jon, Hi-Tek, 9th Wonder, Damu the Fudgemunk, Tariq L, of course Jay Dilla, MF Doom, Algorithms, Kev Brown, DJ Spinna, Thes One, Alchemist and so many others were amongst beat makers I listened to post millennium after a hall of fame sound of the 90s that shaped the soundtrack of our lives.  My favorites at that time included producers like the RZA, Premier, Pete Rock, Havoc, Jay Dilla, the Large Professor, Organized Noize, E-Swift, Dr. Dre, Ski, Questlove, Muggs, Q-Tip, and other legends I'd learn about later from other collections such as DITC camp's Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Diamond D, and many others.

Amongst the producers of the 21st century, my listening collection of J Rawls was constant.  Each week at NMSU's KRUX 91.5 fm you could catch Rawls on Repshow rotation, either through a new vinyl single from 3582, the Lone Catalysts work, his solo/collaborative efforts, such as the classic Essence of J Rawls, and other projects through Shaman Work, side projects with MCs from West to East, and the list goes on.  Though I was a huge fan of Black Star, producer Hi-Tek, I identified the heart of Ohio's sound with J Rawls collecting both song + instrumental versions of what online retailers like Sandbox, UGHH, Turntable Lab, or Dusty Groove had on stock.  And as the use of digital sharing increased, it's how I got access to Histories Greatest Battles, Campaigns, & Topics, and other soul-focused projects such as the Essence of Soul. 

To this day, I'm amazed at the lineup of MCs/vocalist I discovered through Rawls productions, especially microphone front gunner J Sands, who represents Pittsburgh and is one of the dopest MC/poets you either know or don't know.  It's why when I decided to focus on J Rawls this month for the 1Track@aTime segment, I had to include rotation with his partner in rhyme.  In many ways, celebrating Rawls, we also get the chance to celebrate the best of so many other MCs/producers that are regarded as Hip Hop's alumni.  

For June 21st, 1Track@aTime on the Fresh Produce show focused on ((My People)) featuring production by Rashad, who prepared a beat supported by one of my favorite songs by Eddie Kendricks ((My People))... (listen here).  In addition, to ((My People)) from The Legacy album (you can hear it above through Soundcloud or click on links), host B.Dune also followed up with rotation from the Hotel Beats Vol. 1, tracks ((Casina)) and ((Standown)).  The online mixlr program then closed with ((La, La, La)) featuring Donte from Mood, Piahkahn and of course lead Lone Catalysts MC J Sands off the Good Music record from 2005.

The purpose of this 1Track@aTime for June was also to make sure we don't let the month pass without getting our copy of The Legacy, which you can purchase by visiting polarentllc.com.  Make sure you to see the About Us to understand the importance of the company for Ohio, and its connection of course to fans of J Rawls that want to stay up to date on new projects and purchase the latest from Rawls, The Legacy.

Once I've heard the entire record we'll return to discuss its place on the LHHS charts which you can view on the left side of the Tape Decks blog.  Currently includes Asheru's Sleepless in Soweto at the top of the list.  Best record I've heard so far this year!

You can peep the show reel for the June 21st Fresh Produce mixlr radio program with host B.Dune by visiting the following link: Fresh Produce mixlr Show#19.


Keywords + Tag =  J Rawls | Lone Catalysts | J Sands | 1Track@aTime | The Legacy | Fresh Produce | mixlr | Asheru | Rashad | Donte | Mood | Piakhan | Good Music | My People | Eddie Kendricks | Cincinnati | Pittsburgh | Essence of J Rawls | Hip Hop Alumni | Histories Greatest Battles Campaigns and Topics | Hip Hop producer | PhD | Bills | Masta Ace | ID4Windz | Lord Finesse | Diamond D | Fat Jon | 3582 | Hotel Beats | Hotel Beats Volume 1 | Hotel Beats Volume 2 | Pete Rock | DJ Premier | Madlib | Questlove | Ski | Buckwild | DITC | Oddissee | Polar Entertainment LLC | Casina | Standown | Fresh Produce | Dune | Deasy | The Radio Shack

The Process of a Greatest Hits: S.O.U.L.E.S.S.

The Process of a Greatest Hits: S.O.U.L.E.S.S.

As a collector, sometimes all it takes is a cover.  Regardless of the arrangement of songs.  So when I spotted the Volume 2 S.O.U.L. in the assorted CD tub at Wal-Mart, I had to get it.  I've never seen this photograph of Marvin, and after glancing at the back cover told myself it wouldn't hurt the extra lunch change I went there to spend.  The tracklist included a gang of my favorites, including ((What's Going On)), ((Inner City Blues)), ((Sexual Healing)), etc.  

I put the Volume 2 on ice until I was able to track down the Volume 1.  I have an unwritten rule of listening to my music in the order which it was arranged, so before I could even get into Volume 2 I needed to see what the Volume 1 was about.  It was a lot harder than I thought to track the other volume as bringing up a search of "greatest hits" by Marvin will direct you to all kinds of bootleg looking collections.  Once I found the time to look though I was able to find it, learning about the Volume 2 in the process which included a review that put the quality of this arrangement into the ground.  Neither the Volume 1 or Volume 2 had any connection or purpose for being connected. 

Listening through the S.O.U.L. collection of the first volume, I was pleased... running through the tracks I thought about what the process involved to piece together a greatest hits... what determined those decisions, how much the costs when it came to licensing, permissions, who owned the rights, how the money was distributed, etc.  Listening to Volume 2 I realized as a consumer I was lied to by Sony Entertainment and Cleopatra Records.  The assortment of tracks were actually a live version of one of Marvin's shows, which was cool, but it didn't say that anywhere on the CD, nor did it identify the tracks as live recordings.  While I'm cool with the cover and with the listening activity in getting into some of my parent's favorites and the melodies of my childhood, I couldn't stand how cheap of an approach Sony took to the legacy of someone like Marvin and how much of what a lot of these greatest hits do is a recycling process... and just as the Wal-Mart CD tubs signifies... just a disposable representation of what was once great.  It's just another part of their character and of the business of music that is complete trash.

Being intimately familiar with Marvin's discography, it would be a dream to be involved in the process of putting the people on to a series of greatest hits of what he released.  Of diving into the research, hearing what hasn't been heard, and getting the chance to tell a story.  It sparks an interest in me to just do it for fun, as a mixtape... call it the In Marvin's Lifetime: Tape Anthologies.


Keywords + Tag = Marvin Gaye | S.O.U.L. | Cleopatra Records | Sony Entertainment | greatest hits | bootleg | Wal-Mart | Marvin | mixtape | Tape Decks | Volume 1 | Volume 2 | What's Going On | Inner City Blues | Sexual Healing | compact disc | soul music | review | trash

((The Dark Trinity)) by The Roots / 1Track@aTime 6.14.2014

1Track@aTime 6.14.2014
((The Dark Trinity))

Back in March I got a $25 dollar b-day gift card from the folks I work with and I decided to save it for the next trip to my favorite music shop in El Paso, All That Music.  I had been holding off a trip to All That Music until I was able to make a copy of a mixtape I was working on for them... wanted to pass the owner George a copy of the Lee Jun-fan Tape, Tao 1 (click here for more info).  A couple years back after stalling on getting the mixtape together it was George who led me to a section in the store where I found the Xavier Cugat Viva Cugat record to start off the project.  I was waiting on a very specific sound and the Cugat LP was it.

With a  copy of the mixtape in hand, I made my way out to All That Music for a lunch break dig.  After greeting George at the counter I went straight over to the vinyl Jazz section to look for some Weather Report.  Found a piece from 72' and flipped through the discount LPs and found some Flip Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and a few other dollar records I set to the side.

One of my missions was also to pick up the new Roots album ...and then you shoot your cousin.  Though I know CDs are cheaper at a spot like Best Buy, I didn't feel like risking the chance of not finding a CD copy in the two disorganized skeleton racks they've got over there.  It's something I experienced when I thought they'd have the Kweli record.  I bet soon, on stock will mean the handful of CDs underneath the candy rack as you make your way out through the check out line.  If you gotta walk past refrigerators to get to the music section... then yeah, we're definitely in what theorist and financial people have been predicting would be the end of the CD purchase as we know it.

This past week I've been listening to the new CD from The Roots.  A fan going back to Do You Want More?!!!??!... I'm more than 20 years in listening to Hip Hop's longest running band and one of, if not the only band that can speak for a level of consistency that you just don't find amongst bands, not only in Hip Hop but any music for that matter.  Every Roots project is deep and connected to each other by this running track list that ends with track 181 on their latest effort.  Even back when records like Phrenology were catching flack from critics, it was experiencing the record live that helped me understand its value outside of how people were responding initially.   With their latest effort, The Roots challenge listeners, including fans like myself who may have had certain expectations.  And as consumers of music culture who doesn't have expectations?  Especially for fans who's expectations in many ways have been trained either by corporate marketing, region bias, or even the artist themselves who attempt to commit to the success they feel got them to where they are.

With ...and then you shoot your cousin, before I knew it the record was over.  It's short and my first rotation through I wasn't sure what track to pass on to the Fresh Produce show.  What I did know was I wanted to listen to it again and would need to give this record some time.  After viewing some the visuals below I liked what Questlove says about the record and its exciting to see a group like The Roots in a position where they could challenge expectations and give fans a work of art that is not defined by what other groups or artist in their position are doing to quote on quote, stay relevant.  The expectations with ...and then you shoot your cousin provoke thought in a time when it may not be expected from the channels we consider popular or commercial.  Especially for products we identify as commodities which has been the case with many artist that don't last.  And as a fan of The Roots, this record is a musical statement moving forward and it gives listeners the impression (and artist the option) that even at that level, there are choices that can be made for the sake of art and music is no exception.  Especially Hip Hop.

For June 14th on the Fresh Produce show, we focused on track no. 179 of more than two decades of The Roots.  It's called ((The Dark Trinity)) featuring Dice Raw, Greg Porn and of course Roots front lyrical gunner Black Thought...the all time greatest MC in my book.

You can hear a recording of the Fresh Produce show on the mixlr showreel and can peep other selections from around the globe at the Soundcloud archive show No. 18.

Here are several videos to check out for ...and then you shoot your cousin.

The Roots ...and then you shoot your cousin added to the LHHS Charts 6/15/2014.


Keywords + Tags: The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, ...and then you shoot your cousin, Black Thought, Ahmir Thompson, drums, Questlove, Tarik Trotter, Kirk Douglas, Captain Kirk, Kamal Gray, keyboards, James Poyser, keyboards, Frank Walker, percussion, Frankie Knuckles, Damon Bryson, Tuba Gooding Jr., sousaphone, Mark Kelly, bass, the legendary Roots crew, The Dark Trinity, Greg Porn, Dice Raw, All That Music, George Reynosa, Do You Want More?!!!?!, Fresh Produce, The Fresh Produce Show, B.Dune, repshowhost, repshowdigital, LHHS Charts, Hip Hop, hip hop, bands, hip hop bands, 1Track@aTime, 1 track at a time, mixlr, soundcloud, longevity

((Can't Stop, Won't Stop)) by Blu feat. The Step Brothers (Alchemist & Evidence), Tristate & Planet Asia of the Du Rag Dynasty, Donel Smokes, Chace Infinite of Self Scientific & Krondon from Strong Arm Steady / 1Track@aTime 6.7.2014

1Track@aTime 6.7.2014
((Can't Stop, Won't Stop/Summer Time))

The artwork for the single ((The West)) is what caught my attention... popped up on Amazon.com's recommended list... big fan of Blu's work since Below the Heavens... Been missing out since the Piece Talks and the Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them project with Exile.  I was first introduced to Blu's music through the Exile produced ((Narrow Path)) 12' promo B-side ((Party of Two)). 

There was something about the announcement of Good to Be Home being a double disc, along with the artwork, that really put this project at the top of my listening priorities for the summer.  Being my intro to Bombay's production, I spent a few days on the first side... windows down sun up driving around.  Rides to and from are listening sessions for me so I gave Side B its time deciding on the pacific storm of ((Can't Stop, Won't Stop)) for the 1Track@aTime segment.  It features everyone listed on the subject title of this post.  Also rotated ((Summer Time)) from Side A featuring Arima Ederra.

With one of the dopest album art concepts of the year (credited to Joseph Martinez), this record is one to ride through track for track... the \/\/est was my first introduction to Hip Hop as I defined it after NWA's time and into the life's work of its immediate members Cube, Dre, & Eazy.  Their sound is embedded in how we remember certain experiences and through Blu's Good to Be Home, listeners hear that influence... Good to Be Home is a timeless record, creative and one to ride to. Its a concept worth packaging on vinyl, cassette, and the little bit of life left on CD.    I'll be returning to Good to Be Home in the future as a reminder of how much I enjoyed listening to the CDs the first time.

Peace to B.Dune for featuring the track on the Fresh Produce mixlr radio show... you can hear the 2-hour program at Fresh Produce/mxlr.  For a snapshot of other rotations check out the Soundcloud.

2014's the number, another summer...

Good to Be Home added to LHHS charts 6/15/2014*


Keywords + Tags: Blu, Good to Be Home, Bombay, Azulito's Birthday Cake, Joseph Martinez, Stop the Violence, Can't Stop Won't Stop, The Step Brothers, Alchemist, Evidence, Tristate, Planet Asia, Du Rang Dynasty, Donel Smokes, Chace Infinite of Self Scientific, Krondon, Strong Arm Steady, The West, Fresh Produce, Exile, Below the Heavens, 1Track@aTime, repshowhost, Pacific Ocean, Fresh Produce, The Fresh Produce Show, Summer Time, Arima Ederra, Bombay 

((Inner Monologue)) by Talib Kweli / 1Track@aTime 5.31.2014

1Track@aTime 5.31.2014
((Inner Monologue))

My intro to Kweli's discography began with Black Star, one of my all time favorite records, followed by Train of Thought.  Around the time of Quality and Beautiful Struggle I had the records but couldn't remember them like I could the Black Star debut and Train of Thought.  With exception to one of Kweli's biggest songs, ((Get By)).  In between Beautiful Struggle and Liberation record with Madlib our university was blessed with a free live show by Kweli which turned up my interests for the upcoming Eardrum record and the Reflection Eternal project that I gotta return to someday, Revolutions Per Minute with Hi-Tek.  Big fan of Hi-Tek's sound and the Teknology installments.  Similar to what happened between Quality and Beautiful Struggle, there's not a lot that stands out to me from Gutter Rainbows to Prisoner of Conscious. I need to backtrack and listen to Gutter Rainbows again. 

After listening to Gravitas, I'd like to get back to Gutter Rainbows.  Gravitas is a cool record.  For the 1Track@aTime, I decided to focus on my favorite track, the intro, ((Inner Monologue)).  One of the qualities I liked most about Gravitas was how it was packaged and the liner notes in the booklet.  Inspires more time and interest with the CD.  I learned the speech on the ((Inner Monologue)) track is from Neil Gaiman.  Kweli mentioned a speech he heard from Neil Gaiman at the University of Arts and how it inspired what he envisioned for Gravitas.  I also dug the production from NC's Khrysis of the Justus League on ((Inner Monologue))... overall an ill introduction to an independent release.

What drew me closer to checking for this record prior was the interview on the Combat Jack Show with Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, James "JDilla" Yancey's mother and Kweli... Also it was ill to see Kweli on the Arsenio Hall show which was cancelled most recently.  Gravitas sounded incredible on TV and it was cool getting the chance to see Kweli on a mainline platform representing for an independent project.  It was also his introduction on Maurice Mobetta's project that pressed me to track Gravitas down.  It was available nowhere locally so I checked it out through Amazon.  If you're not sure about Amazon Prime and are shopping a lot online I'd definitely recommend it.  Overall savings with the free shipping and almost next day delivery options (2 days free).  It reminds me of a music store in Los Alamos when I was working there a few years ago during the summer...they had a store in town connected to a sandwich shop called Gordons.  Anything that popped up on the catalogue (which was just about everything from Lone Catalysts to Common's Like Water for Chocolate) would arrive within two days.  On stock, their collection was light but orders arrived quickly. When it comes to the disposable life of  retail, the CD is on life support today.  There are options if you still collect though.

Listed Gravitas on the charts (see to the right).  One for your collection or as a gateway to tapping into Kweli's past releases.  The hardcopy is worth the investment.  Cover art is dope... interested in knowing who did it.  Also Kendra Ross on the vocals.  If you don't know click here.  This one is going out to the old Soulshine radio show from back when... Make a note to check for her debut New Voice.

Since ((2000 Seasons)) for me.  Talib Kweli.

Check out the Sway in the Morning show, Kweli talking about the business of streaming and "extending the life of a record..."... Also below, the Rare Portraits video!

Keywords: Talib Kweli, Kweli, Inner Monologues, Neil Gaiman, Gravitas, Khrysis, Justus League, 9th Wonder, Javotti Media, Combat Jack Show, Maurice Mobetta, J Dilla, James Yancey, Brookly, Ma Dukes, Reflection Eternal, Black Star, Hip Hop, lyricism, Kendra Ross, Fresh Produce Show, mixlr rotation, Rare Portraits, Sway, Sway in the Morning, streaming music

Damu the Fudgemunk & Raw Poetic ((Hole Up))

YO!HHARaps
Video: ((Hole Up))

Damu the Fudgemunk and Raw Poetic! 

| click on the image | 

A Note on KRWG FM Schedule

A Note on KRWG FM Schedule

This small publication really caught my attention when I visited the East side library early June 2014.  There was one copy left in the section with free periodicals and bookmarks, so I took it with me.  

Though the schedule has a decent variety of shows, it's really too bad that FM radio (both KRWG and KTEP) haven't found a way to include Hip Hop rotation, or at least Hip Hop instrumental rotation or some type of Hip Hop rotation.  You may hear a clip here and there on some of the NPR shows or catch an interview every now and then.  I recall hearing an interview on Fresh Air with the Beastie Boys, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Prodigy from Mobb Deep and I really loved the natural approach Roy Choi took to his interview.  It's rare to hear these voices and the language that represent for present day generations on public radio in our area.  Whenever I tune in to public radio in my area, it sounds very exclusive and limited to a certain demographic (perhaps older) and its almost ALWAYS Jazz or Classical.  Even when I'm driving home, after listening to the news, who wants to listen to classical EVERY night (I think its the KTEP channel that broadcasts like this).  Who is this audience?  Not to say I don't like Jazz or Classical, I do, but can we switch it up sometimes?  Open up some room say on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday for something else?  Even if it is automation?  Even if it is instrumental based in case their music departments are worried about the content? Though these dials are public radio, they seem to function just as any other corporate radio broadcast would...confining its rotation for a certain listening audience (maybe the people that donate them the most money??) and an unmotivated approach to engage with other listeners or to at least represent for artists, especially Hip Hop artist that are also musicians.  This attitude they have is what prevents me from making any donations to public radio, though I've donated in the past along with recommendations for how they could potentially expand their listening audience.  If they ceased to exist, what would we really miss considering all of the options to access information these days?  Having done radio in the past, I've at times proposed these ideas in passing to the deaf ears of music directors.  But it's whatever.  Whether or not their is an audience, I think they can afford to take a chance.  Even if its just 1 (one) hour a week.  It would at least break up the monotony and open up a little room for creativity.  With more than forty years in, Hip Hop's demographic is aging and becoming older too.  So maybe that excuse that they broadcast for an older audience, won't be an excuse anymore someday.  Who knows.

I do have to extend props to the Fiesta! show which broadcast from 7 to 9 PM, Monday through Friday with Emily Guerra.  I've heard her show several times, especially back during my time at NMSU, but these days I really need to set a reminder on my cell phone to tune in.  I didn't learn until I moved back to El Paso that we can pick up the dial for KRWG.  Despite several blocked (?) attempts we were never able to extend the frequency for KRUX during my time. As far as Fiesta!, I recall one evening hearing a cover by a band from South America of the Sugar Hill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight'.  Her show is a great example of promoting variety within the genres she explores and a more open approach to broadcasting local, regional, and global sounds and giving listeners something unique and different with each broadcast.  She also has a really great radio personality and a bilingual approach that reflects our border culture in the Southwest.  I wonder if she's ever gotten an award considering how long she's been broadcasting.  If not, Emily Guerra definitely deserves one.  In reviewing the schedule that's printed in the Airwaves publication, its a show that I told myself I really need to keep up with.  Here is the link for the show http://krwg.org/programs/fiesta-krwg but if you're in El Paso/Las Cruces, 90.7 FM will tune you in.  We've linked the program in our ((Listening)) links to the right.