12.28.2014

Tapes & Wires Mixtape Series | repshowhost


Tapes & Wires
The Mixtape Series

I've been reppin' The Wire since episode 1 when it premiered on HBO.  I was in the formative years of my undergrad life living in the dorms resident halls at NMSU... I recall being the only one in the lobby with my bag of McDonald's during my summer & winter employment as a resident advisor anticipating the next episode off the TV attached to the upper corner wall.  

It's a brilliant show and something I found out about watching The Corner series, which involved Charles S. Dutton (who I was big on during the years of the TV show Roc and several films like First Time Felon & Convicted starring Omar Epps)... The Corner was pre-Wire with writing from David Simon and Ed Burns and my introduction to several cast members I was able to identify later on in The Wire.  Before that my interest in The Corner was locked in when I found out Sean Nelson was one of the leads.  I knew of Nelson through his debut in the classic film Fresh.

After finishing the final season of The Wire, I decided to return to the beginning and just lock in on each episode, chop up the dialogue and re-articulate the mood & tone through mixtape form, blending in & out of dialogue from the film and dialogue that connected with my own community, the drug war, and of course the messages & tones of Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Blues, spoken word, and any genre that was included in the film's soundscape.  My goal at the time as I arranged episode.1 was to create a Tapes & Wires series for each episode (one mixtape per episode).  And as the world binges on the HD Wire marathon currently being televised on HBO, I wanted to document this mixtape and share the tracklist on the web.

Until episode.2 through 60, stay tuned and follow updates at the HHA twitter.com/hiphopalumni and of course the Tape Decks blog here.

Tapes & Wires episode.2 in progress...



Keywords + Tag = The Wire | David Simon | Ed Burns | The Corner | Charles S. Dutton | HBO | Fresh | Sean Nelson | First Time Felon | Convicted | Tapes & Wires | episode | Stringer | McNulty | Avon Barksdale | D'Angelo Barksdale | Kima | Herc | Carver | Special Agent Fitzhugh | Wee-bey | Lieutenant Daniels | Deputy Ops | Operation Diesel | Bodie | Wallace | Bubbles | Johnny | Baltimore | El Paso | It's All in the Game

12.21.2014

#kruxlife KRUX 91.5 FM Archive / New Mexico State University



#kruxlife
KRUX 91.5 FM
New Mexico State University

With more than a hundred cassette tape recordings of the KRUX 91.5 FM years 2000-2008, I've decided to make the Hip Hop Alumni (HHA) Soundcloud page home for recordings and clips from the show to include interviews, freestyles, rotations of specific songs, microphone time, shout outs, playlist run downs, jokes, debuts, drops, and anything else I can find going through tapes.  We will archive the recordings on Soundcloud.  I may also create a backup online to avoid the audios being removed or blocked for any reason.  We start with the Carlos Andres Gomez recording of 'Wordsworth'... a poem that was laid down over a lanline phone conversation after poet Monte Smith connected us to the opportunity.  You can hear the 'Wordsworth' piece at the link below and above.  With each update we'll also load up the MP3 download.  You can peep updates at Hip Hop Alumni's twitter.com/hiphopalumni page by searching #kruxlife. 

We weren't the first Hip Hop show there nor the last.  If you have recordings, especially sessions from days past (as I know there was a Hip Hop radio slot in the early 90s) shoot me a note at repshowhost@gmail.com.  Would love to listen and work on adding other recordings to the archive.

For anybody familiar and those that aren't... KRUX is a special place.  The only radio station around, other than Street Beat in ABQ, New Mexico where the rules of rotation are determined by the disc jockey themselves.  Our antenna's reach wasn't very strong but once the web stream opened up a lot of folks got the chance to be heard from all around.  The station has a lot of life because of the opportunity it presents to the student body and with that it has a really cool history too, though we don't know much about it.  Perhaps that'll be something I can use this blog to document if I get the chance to dig into past archives, articles, or anything that might be on record of KRUX's beginnings. 

#kruxlife

KRUX 91.5 FM Archive / Soundcloud: click here

Carlos Andres Gomez Rotation 'Wordsworth': Download / MP3

The Representation Show October 29, 2004 Playlist: click here

12.01.2014

Waxpoetics Issue No. 1 & 2, The Hunt for the Quarterly Journal


Waxpoetics Issue No. 1 & 2, The Hunt for the Quarterly Journal

During a Friday Rep$hop radio show on KRUX 91.5 fm that I hosted with Stephon aka Moleman, he had a magazine.  He mentioned there were copies of the Waxpoetics issue over at the local Hastings that I should check out.  By this time (2004 or 05') I had grown exhausted of magazines like the Source and XXL.  Also lost touch with other subscriptions including Slam Magazine.  I could never figure out which issue they were on since the dates were always ahead of when I got them.  In one of their issues they explained why, but as a student with a changing address every four months, I got disinterested trying to keep up on my Slam reads, monthly, bi-monthly or whatever schedule they were on. 

Enter Stephon's recommendation of Waxpoetics.  

When he first told me about the magazine, I let time pass considering I'd already given up on magazines unless there was something unique about the cover story that related to stuff I collected.  I accumulated tons of Slam issues since 92', and sliced up my Source magazines to decorate dorm rooms and ceiling tile with Rawkus and Infamous promos when  ((Quiet Storm/White Lines)) dropped, followed by Prodigy's solo H.N.I.C... I also scissored and taped up anything else that I could detach from magazines like the Source that had already become publications thickened by paper commercials.  Music television had experienced a few deaths by this time and the digitization of music as we knew it started to takeover like track two from the Blueprint

I don't remember which issue it was from Waxpoetics that stopped me in my tracks.  I just know the rotation Steph and I traded live on air between our .45, vinyl, CD, digital collections reminded me of what I was reading in Waxpoetics.  It was a crate digger's publication, and an opportunity as a reader to anticipate and collect something again...  the stories in the publication were a perfect blend... each with its own music playing in the background of the reader's imagination.  

So I subscribed. 

About a dozen issues had already passed when I finally got on.  So in addition to getting on track, I started to dig into back issues of what I missed during those Rep$hop semesters... With each publication that came in, I'd reach back and purchase an issue until I got to no. 2.  I remember a time noticing no. 1 & 2 available on the Waxpoetics website and thinking there was no way I was going to pay a $100 for a magazine... I thought maybe someday I'd find the issue on another site like Dusty Groove or somewhere else... something had to come up to avoid digging too deep into my pockets.  

That day never came.     

So over the years I've kept up with my collection of Waxpoetics since issue no. 3.  I'm way behind on reading... some issues are still in the protective plastic they arrived when I pulled them from the post office box.  It took a resolution last year that I'd organize my reading routine and give myself more time to flip through pages of my books and magazines and listen to each track of my CDs, records, and downloads.  Otherwise, I'd miss out on what simply started to accumulate faster than I could keep up.   

So with a more patient and organized approach I'm finally reading my books & magazines, listening to my music and on occasion finding time to follow up with writers, artist, musicians, etc. to develop my own interviews, stories and write ups like the radio dayz.

Reading through issue No. 58 in its entirety, it made me think about those lost issues again... fast forward to this past month and I was able to locate issue no. 1 & 2 on EBay.  I've never used EBay to bid.  Never been interested in bidding as I don't trust the process it takes to try to outbid on a max amount you don't know.  Especially as the clock starts ticking.  But with issue no. 1 staring back at me through the laptop display, I decided to give the online bidding war a shot and won within the last minute.  I lost what became a ceiling-less dollar value for issue no. 2.  

When the smoke cleared, I did a quick search and found hope for issue no. 2 on Amazon.  By the next day my search for the lost Waxpoetics quarterly journals ended and I had both magazines ordered & on their way to a shelf that's been waiting for over a decade.  

This completes a Waxpoetics story I look forward to reading starting with issue no. 1.
      
Keywords + Tag = Waxpoetics | music | soul | funk | jazz | blues | Representation Show | Soul Session | Rawk$hop | Steph | Stephon | Moleman | Baron Von GuacaMølé | KRUX | KRUX 91.5 | radio | Andre Torres | The Source | XXL | Slam | magazine | publications | Hastings | quarterly journal | Hip Hop | reading | literature | music | story

11.29.2014

Diggin' w/ Dune ((Trip 1)) / The Dig


Diggin' w/ Dune ((Trip 1))

November 22, 2014 marked the first of hopefully many diggin' trips with the homie/beatsmith Dune.  In the past, a majority of the time I went digging solo or picked up records when I was able to make a quick stop at a local Goodwill, music shop, estate sale, or word of mouth with people that wanted to give up their vinyl.

Diggin' w/ Dune is the first dig collab... the beginning.  We documented the trip through pictures and audio recordings at the Olde Post.  Working in the conversation with with what we decided to buy, I plan on piecing together an audio mixtape collage of Trip 1.  At the gallery link below you'll find shots of records we stopped to talk or joke about... While digging is of course a music thing, its just as much about the visual and what the covers communicate to us... whether it's a throwback to a show we use to watch or something nostalgic that reminds us of something else.  The search took time and was a cool experience collaborating with B.Dune.  Will post info about the mix once its available.  May take a while.



Keywords + Tag = B.Dune | Dune | New Mexico | The Olde Post | Rose | Roy Clark | Marvin Gaye | Camerface | Wizard of Oz | folk | soul | Scott | cha-cha | vinyl art | record cover | digging | record collecting | vinyl | wax | Herb Alpert | Al Green | Aretha Franklin | Miami Vice | Furious Anger | Shyheim | Big L | Pete Rock | Isaac Hayes | San Francisco | The Bay Area | Beatles | cards | card collecting | Steely Dan | Three Dog Night | Alice Cooper | Good and Dusty | Grandfunk Railroad | E.T. | DJ Digumsmak | DJ Q-Bert | Leon Redbone | Two Ton Machine | Chinatown | beat production | building | Ravi Shankar | Alex North | Lalo Schifrin | Richard Pryor | Walt Frazier | Pinterest | Sam & Dave | Teddy Riley | Teddy P | shamrock7 | Marty Robbins | Gloria Gaynor | Johnny Hoffman | Frederick Collay | Fresh Produce | Menace II Society | Burger King | Sonic | El Paso | Las Cruces | Alamagordo


11.22.2014

Medley: SOUL MESSAGE - Diggin' w/ Dune November 22, 2014


Medley: SOUL MESSAGE

Going for a dig in the afternoon with my OGSV b.rother Dune.  To listen, I'm bringing along a favorite mixtape I put together about six years ago dedicated to the life of Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr.  It's part of the repshowdigital (RSD) file, subtitled Tape Deck Bound....the tape is split in two sides A & B and its tied together mostly by Hayes music and voice (interviews). The mixtape itself is titled Medley: Soul Message.  A long time fan of Hayes, I decided to arrange the music after finding out Hayes had passed away.

Included below... the covers with track list for both sides.



Keywords + Tag = Isaac Hayes | digging | New Mexico | B.Dune | ogsv | original soulverse | Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. | Black Moses | Gil Scott-Heron | Sly & The Family Stone | Joe Bataan |  Nina Simone | The Dells | Shaft | medley | Soul Message | soul message | records | vinyl | documentation | history | Sly & the Family Stone | Marvin Gaye | podcast | Tape Decks | repshowdigital | repshowhost

8.24.2014

Track-for-Track (TFT♪) Session: For What You've Lost


Track-for-Track (TFT♪) Session
For What You've Lost 
by Raashan Ahmad

In 2008, I took everything I accumulated during the college years in New Mexico back home to Texas and stacked it in storage.  Just a couple of years ago, my cousin's grandfather, with his bare hands as he would say (and show) built me a sturdy massive "vinyl" shelf from scratch painted black with multiple partitions where I could "organize" all my vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes.  Before, all my music was stacked behind something, on top of something or inside of something... so the shelf acts as a space of access... a way to see what's there and to give those audios the light of day... especially now that I have the chance to pull out a record, reflect on it, and listen to it over & over & over again whether I'm in the car, at work, or exercising.  

During the radio years, the goal was to stay current and to highlight albums we wanted a listener to anticipate & support.  With the process of CMJ charting, receiving promos, spending money on records we wanted, downloading, sharing back at the dorms... before half the year was up we had already ran through more than a hundred projects.  So today, with the Track-for Track (TFT♪) Session, as I'm listening to records collected throughout the years (and now), I'd simply like to take some time to document & share info on specific records.  Whether its stuff I read about in the liner notes, find on YouTube, or discover on my own through potential interviews... I thought it would be a cool to leave a digital footprint of these records on free access points like Blogger and Twitter, especially for the web visitor out there stumbling through search engines or for anyone else that's down to  check for something they haven't heard.  I'm a big fan of book projects like Check the Technique by Brian Coleman and been following magazines like Waxpoetics since their inception... so this is just a fan's way of digging in the crates and files and sharing these notes on the world wide web.  Note that TFT♪ will focus on records I got up there as timeless and won't necessarily focus on just Hip Hop or current music.  These may also not be records familiar to the common classic album conversations we have or hear over and over again (same records, same points).  I plan to cover records of any period and genre that resonate with me and that are pulled out of this shelf my cousin's grandfather built.  So it will be my intention to deviate away from records we know we love and can't stop talking about (insert any of the Nas, Dre, Biggy, Wu Tang debuts here).

TFT♪ is also inspired by the first record I wanted to talk about and that's Raashan Ahmad's For What You've Lost.  This goes back to discovering the Mission album in the old KRUX 91.5 fm Archive room, and learning about the Crown City connection through an aol friend, and on to following the music careers of all its members, especially frontline lyricist, Raashan Ahmad.  As I mentioned in conversation, every time I hear Raashan Ahmad rhyme, I'm reminded that I need to reassess who I consider my "favorite" MCs.  I think everyone should, especially if you haven't heard of Raashan Ahmad or the band members he rocks with.
  
For What You've Lost was a difficult record to come by where I'm located.  The Twitter feed of TFT♪'s first session will highlight a couple of notes about that including a track for track break down of the artist(s) featured on this record as well as anything I'm able to find online (including videos, interviews, sounds, etc.).

To view the For What You've Lost TFT♪ Session you can click on the Twitter link below.

For What You've Lost (TFT♪) on Twitter: click here

Follow Hip Hop Alumni on Twitter at twitter.com/hiphopalumni

Peace!    

Keywords + Tag = Raashan Ahmad | Beautiful Ugly | Crown City Rockers | Mission | For What You've Lost | Trad Vibe Records | Hey Now | Musicast Distribution | Rumble | Headnodic | Stro the 89th Key | The Procussions | Katrah-Quey | Aloe Blacc | My Imagination | Gift of Gab | Blackalicious | Rita J | Understanding | Moe Pope | Taku | In Love with Wax | Adam Theis | trombone | Count Bass D | Hip Hop Alumni | Tape Decks | LHHS | Lee | Sunshine | Sylya Nymoen | Mitsu | Capital D | moog | DJ Hahf | Noelle Scaggs | Paper Plane Project | Remember | Ragen Fykes | Caitlin Meissner | Pain on Black | Soul Square | Dominic Lalli | saxophone | Katra-Quey | Falling |  Moe Pope | repshowhost | These Foolish Things | Bay Area | Boston | San Francisco | California | international | Woodstock | The Feel Good

8.23.2014

((Southsiders)) by Atmosphere / 1Track@aTime 7.12.2014


1Track@aTime 7.12.2014

((Southsiders))

Until the return of the Fresh Produce show I'd like to highlight the last 1Track@aTime rotation this summer back on July 12th which we designated for Atmosphere's latest off the Rhymesayers Entertainment label, Southsiders.  The track, same title as the album, ((Southsiders)) was the focus with another rotation ((Mrs. Interpret)).  Enjoyed the record, shout to the Co-Sign Collective.  Below included some info quoted from the MC, Slug on the promotional file... 

"I'm starting to think, what is a post family man?  What am I supposed to rap about now?  I'm sticking to my roots, rapping about what I'm doing, why I think about.  This record is - much like the other ones - a very detailed look at my life."  

This one's for Dune's 22nd mixlr show of the year. 

Keywords + Tag = Atmosphere | Slug | Rhymesayers | Rhymesayers Entertainment | Co-sign Collective | Southsiders | Mrs. Interpret | The Fresh Produce Show | Fresh Produce | Dune | 1Track@aTime | 1 Track @ a Time | Hip Hop | Underground | Ant | Anthony Davis | Sean Daley | eighth | album | 2014 | summer | May 6, 2014

7.10.2014

((Get Hip)) by PUTS / 1Track@aTime 7.5.2014


1Track@aTime 7.5.2014
((Get Hip))

PUTS.  People Under the Stairs.  This duo consist of Thes One and Double K.  I first heard of this group during our early years on KRUX from co-host and college radio DJs like Justin aka Kooch and the 12s people brought into the booth.  This group, PUTS... man.  One of the all time greatest.  The best.  They're a duo to reference anytime we're talking about HH legends, especially out of the state of California.  During the early part of the millennium right around 9-11, I started learning about a bunch of groups from out West, like Cali Agents, a lot of the Good Life artist, Madlib and the Lootpack... everything off Stones Throw including my favorite from Declaime AndSoItIsSaid... Emanon, the BLX crew, 4th Avenue Jones, one of my all time favorite MCs ever...OMNI (from BLX), of course J-5, Aceyalone, all the Heiro crew, Zion I, and the list goes on and on and on... radio rotation of music like this was well represented on 91.5 FM at the time.  

When it comes to People Under the Stairs... man... With 12 Step Program, this is their 9th record and I can't think of any disappointing PUTS albums...  It's not like some artist that experience sophomore slumps, or break up records, make up records, or those records that were caught in the creative lockdown of the "powers that try to be, but will never be" Hip Hop... PUTS music is simply dope.  When we talk about consistency... and the concept of creating from the core...that's what I hear when I'm listening to PUTS.  And if you've never heard of PUTS, you've got 9 albums to work with... so get familiar (doesn't count solo works/collabs, etc. when you start doing your research). 

You can hear rotation from the new record that ogsv brother Dune dropped on the Fresh Produce mixlr online radio program ((click here to listen)) ...peep the latest program Show#21 which broadcasted live July 6th.  You'll hear our 1Track@aTime rotation of ((Get Hip)) and what is the first single off the record ((1 Up Til Sun Up))...you can check out the video for the PUTS single on YouTube.

1Track@aTime's focus on PUTS was right on time for Dune to promote the upcoming event further North in Albuquerque, NM that will include PUTS, Lyrics Born, Afro Classics, and Scarub of the Living Legends... July 26, 2014 at Sister. 

Aside from that make sure to search the net, learn about PUTS through Google, YouTube the videos, interviews, and check the history...especially the PL70.net website to learn more about their mission and their approach to true independence from the corrupted music industry.  No other music has called to be independent from the traps of the music business like Hip Hop and I hope there is more to learn from Thes One's vision and artist that are connected to that mission.  I hope it lasts just as long as they have and that common fans out there come around to supporting these movements whether its through purchasing the music (whether hardcopy or digital), buying the merchandise, passing the word, checking for events, working the music into rotation somehow, TALKING about groups like PUTS and PL70.net, creating content around these ideas, etc.).

Set PUTS at no. 1 for the LHHS Charts this summer... the first time this has changed since Asheru dropped Sleepless in Soweto.

Peace.

Keywords + Tag = PUTS | People Under the Stairs | Thes One | Double K | California | Get Hip | 1 Up Til Sun Up | 12 Step Program | Michael Turner | Christopher Portugal | PeiceLock70 | PL70.net | Fresh Produce | B.Dune | Fresh Produce Show | Las Cruces | New Mexico | 1Track@aTime | classic Hip Hop | Los Angeles | eMusic | independent Hip Hop 

7.05.2014

'The Good King' by Chris Rivers / 1Track@aTime 6.28.2014


1Track@aTime 6.28.2014
((Ain't Hard to Tell))

I signed up for DatPiff mixtapes last year to download the Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip, The Abstract & the Dragon mixtape.  I heard about DatPiff a while ago and most recently downloaded the app to my cell phone.  The app provides access to the audios that are available for download online (free) to stream through the phone which I've connected into an auxilary cable to the car stereo.  The app's first page opens with "Highlighted Mixtapes" and has other categories such as "Hot this Week", "Hot this Month", "Upcoming", and "All Stars".  For someone that spends at least 2 to 3 hours in their vehicle throughout the work week each day, its slowly becoming one of my first options when I'm looking for something to listen to either through Pandora, TuneIn Radio, Soundcloud, Slacker Radio, or The Combat Jack Show.

I've been listening to Chris Rivers' latest mixtape since mid-month June through the DatPiff app.  I accessed Wonderland of Misery last year after learning about Pun's son through one of the Hip Hop site's out there.  I learned of Big Pun's son through a clip on YouTube but these projects are my first introduction to the lyricism to the bloodline of a microphone master, Big Pun.   When I heard about the second installment I was looking forward to seeing what it was all about.  The first left a lasting impression... several tracks played like sparring match freestyles with a few tracks that demonstrated potential of the MC once referred to as Baby Pun.  Wonderland of Misery 2 has more structure, more depth, with several features from Chris River's camp, including feature by Hip Hop veteran MC  the Ghost, Styles P. 

Listening to Chris River's on tracks like ((My Ghetto)) and ((Toe 2 Toe)) with his partners and rhyme take me back to the lyrical exchange I recall from the early years of Terror Squad... just thinking back to the chemistry they had and getting the chance to hear the brilliance and power of a camp that was comprised of latinos & 100% Hip Hop.

In between the first mixtape and the second installment of the Wonderland of Misery, I started checking Chris River's on YouTube and the interviews to see what was next.  These two projects definitely set off what will hopefully produce an album, but as much as I've enjoyed these two mixtapes, I wouldn't mind a part 3, 4, and up.  As I mentioned to my brother B.Dune from the Fresh Produce Show, listening to Chris Rivers, one can only imagine the significance of being the child of someone as respected as Big Pun, and to be in a position where he can shape his own legacy for years to come.  In many ways, sons are an extension of what their fathers left behind, and with the way the music business is today, it's dope to listen to Chris Rivers as he continues to grow and create his own platform for himself, his team, and I would say what we remember about his father through the music.  I think he's the only one capable of carrying that from anyone else that was ever been affiliated with Big Pun.

For the 28th, for the first time on The Fresh Produce radio program through mixlr, I decided to submit a mixtape track.  From the Wonderland of Misery 2 we focused on my personal favorite ((Ain't Hard to Tell)) and added rotation of the mixtape's outro ((I Feel You)).  You can download the Wonderland of Misery 2 for free as well as his debut Wonderland of Misery.  I've included the download links below. 

Til' the next track, I want to leave you all with my all time favorite from Big Pun.  ((BOOMERANG))

Would be dope to hear Chris Rivers and Immortal Technique on the same track. 

Wonderland of Misery Download: click here

Wonderland of Misery 2 Download: click here


Keywords + Tag = Chris Rivers | Big Pun's son | The Good King | DatPiff | Piff | The Abstract & the Dragon | Highlighted Mixtapes | Styles P | Ghost | project | mixtape | New York |  Wonderland of Misery 2 | DatPiff exclusive | Big Pun | Capital Punishment | Wonderland of Misery | Ain't Hard to Tell | Boomerang | Terror Squad | Latino Hip Hop | Latin Hip Hop | Hip Hop | microphone checker | MC | mixtape | The Fresh Produce show | mixlr | My Ghetto | Bronx | Baby Pun | The Good King | official mixtape

6.29.2014

((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

6.22.2014

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

6.15.2014

((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 

6.07.2014

((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 RainbowsGravitas 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

6.06.2014

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



YO!HHARaps
Video: ((Hole Up))

Damu the Fudgemunk and Raw Poetic! 

| click on the image | 

6.05.2014

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.

5.26.2014

((Industry)) by Cormega & Large Professor / 1Track@aTime 5.24.2014


1Track@aTime 5.24.2014
((Industry))

Again, this week's track comes by way of Cos-sign Collective from an email that was sent out on the new single release from the highly anticipated Mega Philosophy record by Cormega produced by Large Professor.  It's set to be released this summer 2014!  According to the iTunes page the expected release date is July 22, 2014.  Not sure if that's just for iTunes or if that includes the physical copy as well. The cover art for the "Industry" single is designed by Ibrahim Sincere and depicts legends that have passed on in a "last supper" scene.

In the ride I must've replayed the Soundcloud audio over a dozen times.  Its no problem waiting on a new Mega project considering the high standard of album's released prior with records like Born & Raised, The Testament, The True Meaning, The Realness, and compilation projects and features in between.  The solo records especially hold serious replay value... so for future projects the wait is worth it especially after listening to ((Industry)) and being aware of the ((Sugar Ray & Hearns)) history between Mega & Large Pro.  I think of tracks like ((Journey)) I heard years prior with the Large Pro verse and then again on the Born & Raised record w/ Mega only and a number of other collaborative efforts from years passed such as ((The Come Up)) and also Mega's feature on Large Pro's last album Professor @ Large.  The history is there even beyond those projects for both Hip Hop alumni Mega and Extra P... so it's a record I encourage you all to make note of this summer amongst several other producer/MC projects that have been released this year (and that are set to come out) including the Good Morning Vietnam III record that I'm also looking forward to from the collaborative force of MF Grimm and Drasar Monumental.  

So with that said, I'll leave you all with a few notes & links on the upcoming Mega Philosophy record, including an article which Mega shares a record execs response to him playing ((Industry)) for them.  I hope you all take the time to look up Ibrahim Sincere and support the this record!  Til' the next update...

Peace to B.Dune and the Fresh Produce rotation live on mixlr for rotating the ((Industry)) single as part of the 1Track@aTime segment on FP Show No. 15!

AllHipHop.com / Cormega Returns w/ New Single "Industry" Produced by Large Professor: click here

You can hear the Mega Philosophy single ((Industry)) at the Soundcloud linked here

Here goes an album cover I saw on the iTunes page.  There are a couple other covers I noticed promoting the record.


 

5.25.2014

((Fly By Night)) by Maurice Mobetta, Kweli, Sermons / 1Track@aTime 5.17.2014


1Track@aTime 5.17.2014
((Fly By Night))

One from the Co-sign Collective catalog and the focus of the third Fresh Produce program in May.  B.Dune rotated the intro track featuring Talib Kweli ((Fly By Night)) also featuring Saunders Sermons, record titled Maurice vs. Mobetta off Brown Records.  This one influenced my purchase of Gravitas!  For more info on Maurice Brown here's the site: mauricebrown.net.  Had me thinking about the Spike Lee Joint Mo Betta Blues... in addition I want to direct your attention to the outro track featuring Jean Grae.  Excellent close to a record I enjoyed.

((Supreme)) by Zion I / 1Track@aTime 5.10.2014


1Track@aTime 5.10.2014
((Supreme))

Took a few days off the week of finals to wrap up grading but before locking in decided to send through the latest rotation from Zion I, a long time favorite duo of mine, featuring MC Zumbi and producer AmpLive.  This is off the Masters of Ceremony EP, shout out to Jess at Co-sign Collective for servicing the digital.  It took me back to days of ((Boom Bip)) when our radio show started to fill in rotation with all kinds of Cali heavy hitters we would discover through radio promotional, downloads, and the campus community.  The Masters of Ceremony was a perfect outro for the graduating class of 2014, especially the rotation of ((Supreme)).  The entire EP is one for the summer! 

Fresh Produce rotation also included the follow up track ((Masters of Ceremony)).  Be sure to check out the videos below to both ((Supreme)) and ((Masters of Ceremony)).  If its me, I'm transition from Masters of Ceremony into something off the Rise Up record from Zeph and Azeem!



The mixlr Interview w/ B.Dune



The mixlr Interview w/ B.Dune

With the Fresh Produce show switching platforms from 91.5 fm to mixlr, I decided to text a few questions to Dune to give visitors an idea of how he stumbled across the application... what's its used for...the challenges of using the platform... and the purpose of mixlr as it relates to music rotation, broadcasting, Dune, and everyone else interested in registering with mixlr to either follow Fresh Produce or create a show of their own!  Check it out.

repshowhost:  When did you first learn of mixlr?

B.Dune:  I learned of mixlr doing a Google search for "broadcasting from home"... I knew the KRUX semester would end soon and be done ... [and plus] with my child being born, I knew I would have to find a different platform for broadcasting if the FP show was to continue on.  mixlr has the nicest layout and has user friendly compatibility so I knew it was a winner.

repshowhost:  For the way you approach rotation how is a platform like mixlr beneficial?

B.Dune:  It is beneficial due to its diverse useability and multitude of broadcasting capabilities with the intertwined social media layout, recording ability, and archive functions.  You get a home broadcasting setup rolled all in one unit and with its use through Facebook, the possibilities are endless.  You're able to reach the masses very quickly with the mixlr setup, which is exactly what I've been looking for.

repshowhost:  What are your goals with mixlr moving forward?

B.Dune:  My goals moving forward with mixlr would be to promote the Fresh Produce mixlr page, show and reach an even broader spectrum audience on a weekly basis, and also to possibly have an automation of past shows streaming 24/7 when the live show is off air.

repshowhost:  Since you just started using mixlr, what are some of the challenges and what functions do you like/dislike when compared to traditional radio broadcasting?

B.Dune:  The challenges I've experienced seem to be a trial and error issues.  mixlr makes it very easy to start broadcasting right away, but none the less, it seems we overlook the simplest challenges, resorting to extended time dealing with issues that would otherwise be a simple fix.  Things i do not like about the app... hmmm. well other than there is not a side window that has NES playable roms (lol)... and maybe a background image customizing function... I'd say I'm pretty happy with the whole app.  I love the jump in and go feel it has, the easy to understand layout and buttons, help messages that display when you click on buttons, and the great options for broadcasting from soundcloud or your owner mp3 tracks... it's a broadcasting work horse, you can even broadcast Skype calls during a show... it's a wonderful application.

Compared to traditional radio, it's quite reminiscent of the feel, other than being in an actual radio station the feel is there, plus you customize your own studio... wait a minute... this is a radio station... this is Fresh Produce, FPR baby!

repshowhost:  For someone that doesn't know what mixlr is how would you define what it means to you?

B.Dune:  mixlr is an all in one broadcasting platform that does what you want it to, this is the future of broadcasting  without an antenna... it allows me to take flight inside my own space and reach the masses from one side of the world to the other on a moment's notice!


repshowhost:  The Fresh Produce show broadcasts live every Saturday from 10PM to midnight.  You can tune in by clicking on Fresh Produce mixlr link.  Get registered!  Its free and you can follow broadcasts of your choice.  In addition, you can check out past shows on the archive, click here.  Fresh Produce features the 1Track@aTime rotation presented by repshowhost.  The Fresh Produce show also makes its playlist available through Soundcloud and includes free access to music that is available for MP3 download.  Soundcloud is available as a free app for your mobile devices.  Highly recommended if you're on the go, in the ride, and need something to listen to.  For the Fresh Produce Soundcloud page, click here. 

((No Love)) by Little Dragon / 1Track@aTime 5.3.2014


1Track@aTime 5.3.2014
((No Love))

The transition from Spring to Summer changed rotation for our good friend B.Dune as he began searching for a new platform to host the Fresh Produce radio show.  We all love KRUX but at some point it doesn't last forever.  Or sometimes its going through its own changes that requires disc jockeys to be out of commission.  Whether its because of summer break, technical issues, upgrades at the station, winter break, or post graduation.  Sometimes, it's our own situations that either relocate us away from the University or in Dunes' case brings new responsibilities such as fatherhood! 

I recall a few years ago as an undergrad always throwing my name in to get on the winter schedule.  During the summer's I was away for internship but stayed on campus a couple of times and got the chance to continue rotation throughout the week, sometimes shifting to an earlier time slot or extending the time slot past two hours.  

With the semester coming to a close I wasn't sure whether the Fresh Produce would still broadcast.  I also learned that the station was making plans to upgrade the automation system throughout the summer and possibly the rest of the year. 

Backtrack a couple of months before this and I was reading Issue 56 of Waxpoetics.  I've been subscribed since the earliest issues but have probably had time to make it past 20% of the content, often times the magazine is still in the plastic cover that it arrives in through the mail.  So I start with a random issue sometimes and work my way through the articles, referencing artists so that I can hear what I'm reading about. 

On Issue 56 I got the copy with the "Loop Digga & Jazz Futurist" Madlib on one side and "Disc Jockey & Breaks Godfather" Kool Herc on the other.  This is my all time favorite magazine, so I try not to skip articles.  Even if its to get something I may want to read about right away.  In working through the first few pages I got to the piece by Allen Thayer w/ cool photos by Chris Saunders.  On an alternate issue, Little Dragon is on the cover.  The story introduced to me the background of Little Dragon, their studio/homebase of Gothenburg, Sweden, and members, Erik Bodin, Hakan Wirenstrand, Fredrik Wallin, and Yukimi Nagano.  Below is a quote from the article that describes a sound and singer I just had to hear...

"Lyrically, Yukimi crafts subtle, yet infectious, vocal hooks delivered with New Jack sass, offering glimpses of intimacy shrouded in synth washes, crisp drums, and bass throbs.  She aims for the heartstrings, recognizing that it's not about what you sing, but that it sounds way better when you sing it with soul.  "You can have a poem that's beautiful, but to sing it might sound wack, because of the syllables, stuff like that," she explains.  "You can have a melody that's beautiful, but [the words] can actually not make sense at all, and people will [still] feel so touched.  And then you can have something on a piece of paper and it would sound amazing, but it wouldn't mean anything in a musical context, if its not right.  I think that some lyrics can be so simple and can make so much sense musically bu t be like the worst poem ever."

Scanning through a few videos it was the 'Little Man (Yours Truly)' YouTube that sold me on checking them out... starting with their debut record.  Most copies were ridiculously priced, except for one I found through Barnes & Nobles online.  I wasn't sure what to expect but also wasn't surprised by how good it was considering the write up... it was great to discover a band with its own character, and what felt like it's own unique sound.  It would also be the first time I'd talk about a soulful band from Sweden.  I thought about the obscure CD cover and what their sound said about where they're from or who they were inspired by.

Unsure if Dune was doing a show or not, I decided to shoot him a note about the Little Dragon debut.  Though 1Track@aTime is usually focused on new tracks, I thought about mixing it up every so often with tracks from debut records of artist we've just learned about.  Once I sent the track through, Dune mentioned he'd still be broadcasting throughout the summer (and permanently) straight from the comfort of his home through an online broadcast application called Mixlr.

We focused on ((No Love)) which I felt complimented the rotation on Fresh Produce, especially with its focus on producers from all over the globe.  In addition to ((No Love)) we also fit in rotation from a YouTube instrumental identified as ((Twice)). 

This marks the beginning of the Fresh Produce show on MixLR which you can visit by clicking here.

You can peep the Little Dragon rotation on the Fresh Produce Show No. 12, click here.