Latest Updates
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Jedi Mind Tricks Tour Dates
LEGACY OF BLOOD FALL 2004 TOUR
w/ 7L and Esoteric & Outerspace
DATE, MARKET, VENUE
09/26/04 Chicago, IL The Abbey
09/27/04 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room
09/29/04 Boulder, CO Boulder Theatre
09/30/04 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
10/01/04 Colorado Spring, CO 32 Blue
10/02/04 Salt Lake City , UT Lofi Café
10/04/04 Eugene, OR WOW Hall
10/05/04 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
10/07/04 San Francisco, CA Independent
10/08/04 Hollywood, CA Knitting Factory
10/16/04 Austin, TX Emo’s
10/19/04 New Orleans, LA The Parish@ House of Blues
10/27/04 Poughkeepsie, NY The Loft
10/28/04 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
10/29/04 Cambridge, MA Middle East
10/31/04 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
LEGACY OF BLOOD FALL 2004 TOUR
w/ 7L and Esoteric & Outerspace
DATE, MARKET, VENUE
09/26/04 Chicago, IL The Abbey
09/27/04 Minneapolis, MN Ascot Room
09/29/04 Boulder, CO Boulder Theatre
09/30/04 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theatre
10/01/04 Colorado Spring, CO 32 Blue
10/02/04 Salt Lake City , UT Lofi Café
10/04/04 Eugene, OR WOW Hall
10/05/04 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
10/07/04 San Francisco, CA Independent
10/08/04 Hollywood, CA Knitting Factory
10/16/04 Austin, TX Emo’s
10/19/04 New Orleans, LA The Parish@ House of Blues
10/27/04 Poughkeepsie, NY The Loft
10/28/04 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
10/29/04 Cambridge, MA Middle East
10/31/04 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
Milan Records and Park Hyatt Chicago launch hip compilation CD compiled and mixed by DJ King Britt
CD enhances luxurious Park Hyatt Chicago lifestyle through music with a mixture of eclectic, world vibe and urban electronic music featuring one exclusive and three unreleased tracks
http://www.milanrecords.com/parkhyattchicago/
In cooperation with Park Hyatt Chicago and DJ King Britt, Milan Records is proud to announce the release of the latest in their chic Park Hyatt electronic compilation CDs - Park Hyatt Chicago - On the Seventh. The unique music programming, mixed by world-renowned DJ King Britt, epitomizes the style and sophistication of Park Hyatt Chicago’s seventh floor, home to award-winning NoMI restaurant, lounge and garden. It features an exclusive track by Scuba and three unreleased tracks by Spacek, SA-RA and Heavy. This was announced today by Emmanuel Chamboredon, founder and president of Milan Entertainment.
“We are not only in the business of selling rooms and providing food and beverages,” said Managing Director of the Park Hyatt Chicago, Rick Segal. “We are in the entertainment business. We observe what out guests enjoy and then try to enhance that enjoyment.” The soulful and provocative sounds of Park Hyatt Chicago On the Seventh are another way to project the image and vibe of Park Hyatt Chicago and NoMI.”
Tracklist
1. Twyla - Love of a Lifetime (previously unreleased)
2. SYLK130 - For Love
3. Spacek - Peep Live Show (previously unreleased)
4. Josh Wink - I’m On Fire
5. SA-RA - Glorious
6. At jazz - Eastern Sound
7. Scuba feat. Michelle Shaprow - Angel (exclusive)
8. Clara Hill - Flawless
9. Vikter Duplex - I Got You
10. SYLK130 - Romeo’s Fate (I: Cube Mix)
11. Sharkskin - Kiran’s Dance
12. Anetria Wright - Feeling Of Love
13. Heavy - Do For You (previously unreleased)
14. Ivana Santilli - Breathe Inn
15. Lizz Fields - I Gotta Go
16. Michelle Shaprow - Anything U Say
About King Britt
King Britt, a Philadelphia native, has found a way to escape the boundaries of a single category of music by expressing his creations through deep house, hip-hop, broken beat, nu-jazz, funk and afro-tech. He has been honing his DJ and production skills for the greater part of a decade. The result: a pioneer of all things soulful, rhythmically textured and melodically provocative. He has worked with artists including but not limited to Digable Planets, Macy Gray, Tori Amos, Yoko Ono, Femi Kuti, various top notch Philadelphia musicians among others. Watch, listen and experience as he continues to craft the sounds of music and pop culture in the 22nd century.
About Park Hyatt Chicago
Epitomizing modern luxury, Park Hyatt Chicago is a seamless blend of warmth and innovation in a sophisticated urban atmosphere. With a premier presence on Northern Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt boasts spectacular cityscape and Lake Michigan views. A collection of original contemporary art is displayed throughout, expressing the vitality ad personality of the city.
About NoMI
NoMI, named after Chicago’s renowned North Michigan Avenue, features French-inspired cuisine prepared with simplicity and authenticity by award-winning chef Sandra Gamba. Opened in June 2000, the 120-seat Ton Chi designed restaurant is nestled on the seventh floor of Park Hyatt Chicago, located at 800 North Michigan Avenue. Features include breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Water Tower Park, an extensive wine collection and exquisite private dining facilities.
About Milan Entertainment
Having celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2003, Milan Entertainment, Inc. has a proven dedication to releasing quality, award-winning soundtracks for film and television as well as cutting edge electronic, world and Latin music. Its catalog includes such notable soundtracks as Ghost, Mulholland Drive, Monsoon Wedding, Spirited Away, Talk to Her, City of God, Bend it Like Beckham and most recently Robert Rodriguez’s Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Milan Entertainment, an independently owned operation with offices located in Burbank, California and Paris, France, is distributed by WEA Inc., Warner Music Group’s manufacturing and distribution operation.
CD enhances luxurious Park Hyatt Chicago lifestyle through music with a mixture of eclectic, world vibe and urban electronic music featuring one exclusive and three unreleased tracks
http://www.milanrecords.com/parkhyattchicago/
In cooperation with Park Hyatt Chicago and DJ King Britt, Milan Records is proud to announce the release of the latest in their chic Park Hyatt electronic compilation CDs - Park Hyatt Chicago - On the Seventh. The unique music programming, mixed by world-renowned DJ King Britt, epitomizes the style and sophistication of Park Hyatt Chicago’s seventh floor, home to award-winning NoMI restaurant, lounge and garden. It features an exclusive track by Scuba and three unreleased tracks by Spacek, SA-RA and Heavy. This was announced today by Emmanuel Chamboredon, founder and president of Milan Entertainment.
“We are not only in the business of selling rooms and providing food and beverages,” said Managing Director of the Park Hyatt Chicago, Rick Segal. “We are in the entertainment business. We observe what out guests enjoy and then try to enhance that enjoyment.” The soulful and provocative sounds of Park Hyatt Chicago On the Seventh are another way to project the image and vibe of Park Hyatt Chicago and NoMI.”
Tracklist
1. Twyla - Love of a Lifetime (previously unreleased)
2. SYLK130 - For Love
3. Spacek - Peep Live Show (previously unreleased)
4. Josh Wink - I’m On Fire
5. SA-RA - Glorious
6. At jazz - Eastern Sound
7. Scuba feat. Michelle Shaprow - Angel (exclusive)
8. Clara Hill - Flawless
9. Vikter Duplex - I Got You
10. SYLK130 - Romeo’s Fate (I: Cube Mix)
11. Sharkskin - Kiran’s Dance
12. Anetria Wright - Feeling Of Love
13. Heavy - Do For You (previously unreleased)
14. Ivana Santilli - Breathe Inn
15. Lizz Fields - I Gotta Go
16. Michelle Shaprow - Anything U Say
About King Britt
King Britt, a Philadelphia native, has found a way to escape the boundaries of a single category of music by expressing his creations through deep house, hip-hop, broken beat, nu-jazz, funk and afro-tech. He has been honing his DJ and production skills for the greater part of a decade. The result: a pioneer of all things soulful, rhythmically textured and melodically provocative. He has worked with artists including but not limited to Digable Planets, Macy Gray, Tori Amos, Yoko Ono, Femi Kuti, various top notch Philadelphia musicians among others. Watch, listen and experience as he continues to craft the sounds of music and pop culture in the 22nd century.
About Park Hyatt Chicago
Epitomizing modern luxury, Park Hyatt Chicago is a seamless blend of warmth and innovation in a sophisticated urban atmosphere. With a premier presence on Northern Michigan Avenue, Park Hyatt boasts spectacular cityscape and Lake Michigan views. A collection of original contemporary art is displayed throughout, expressing the vitality ad personality of the city.
About NoMI
NoMI, named after Chicago’s renowned North Michigan Avenue, features French-inspired cuisine prepared with simplicity and authenticity by award-winning chef Sandra Gamba. Opened in June 2000, the 120-seat Ton Chi designed restaurant is nestled on the seventh floor of Park Hyatt Chicago, located at 800 North Michigan Avenue. Features include breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Water Tower Park, an extensive wine collection and exquisite private dining facilities.
About Milan Entertainment
Having celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2003, Milan Entertainment, Inc. has a proven dedication to releasing quality, award-winning soundtracks for film and television as well as cutting edge electronic, world and Latin music. Its catalog includes such notable soundtracks as Ghost, Mulholland Drive, Monsoon Wedding, Spirited Away, Talk to Her, City of God, Bend it Like Beckham and most recently Robert Rodriguez’s Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Milan Entertainment, an independently owned operation with offices located in Burbank, California and Paris, France, is distributed by WEA Inc., Warner Music Group’s manufacturing and distribution operation.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Zion I Drop Family Business Mixtape
In between their critically acclaimed sophomore release and their forthcoming LP, True & Livin (due out Spring of 2005), hip-hop duo Zion-I bring fans a 14-track mixtape Family Business. A raw hip-hop record with an emphasis on the art of MCing, Family Business blends old school breaks and melodious loops with a taste of drum ‘n’ bass.
As the name implies, Family Business features many extended family members of the Zion-I crew, including Lyrics Born, Vast Aire, A-plus, Pep Love, Encore, C Rayz Walz, and Raashan Ahmad of Crown City Rockers. Production on the cd is handled by Zion-I track-master, Amp-Live.
With tracks like the electro-groove heavy “Oxygen,” the group touches on the socio-political nature of our times. On the albums’ single “Act Right,” newcomer Miss Marianna and Encore provide knowledge to the music industry game from the emcee’s perspective. And, to add gasoline to the fire, Bay Area brethren, Lyrics Born provides his silver tongued flow to the highly anticipated remix of Zion-I’s classic joint “Silly Puddy.”
Coming off the success of their critically acclaimed debut, Mind Over Matter, Zion-I dropped their sophomore release, Deep Water Slang version 2 in Spring of 2003. Nominated for Independent Album of the Year by both THE SOURCE AWARDS and the new VIBE AWARDS in 2003, Deep Water Slang proved to be a powerful melding of political personal poetics with soulful, electronic-inflected rhythms.
Zion I’s latest offering will prove to be yet another jewel in the catalogue of independent hip-hop’s most adventurous and eclectic group. Family Business drops October 5, 2004. The much anticipated LP True & Livin’ (Live Up Records) is due out in Spring 2005.
www.zionicrew.com
In between their critically acclaimed sophomore release and their forthcoming LP, True & Livin (due out Spring of 2005), hip-hop duo Zion-I bring fans a 14-track mixtape Family Business. A raw hip-hop record with an emphasis on the art of MCing, Family Business blends old school breaks and melodious loops with a taste of drum ‘n’ bass.
As the name implies, Family Business features many extended family members of the Zion-I crew, including Lyrics Born, Vast Aire, A-plus, Pep Love, Encore, C Rayz Walz, and Raashan Ahmad of Crown City Rockers. Production on the cd is handled by Zion-I track-master, Amp-Live.
With tracks like the electro-groove heavy “Oxygen,” the group touches on the socio-political nature of our times. On the albums’ single “Act Right,” newcomer Miss Marianna and Encore provide knowledge to the music industry game from the emcee’s perspective. And, to add gasoline to the fire, Bay Area brethren, Lyrics Born provides his silver tongued flow to the highly anticipated remix of Zion-I’s classic joint “Silly Puddy.”
Coming off the success of their critically acclaimed debut, Mind Over Matter, Zion-I dropped their sophomore release, Deep Water Slang version 2 in Spring of 2003. Nominated for Independent Album of the Year by both THE SOURCE AWARDS and the new VIBE AWARDS in 2003, Deep Water Slang proved to be a powerful melding of political personal poetics with soulful, electronic-inflected rhythms.
Zion I’s latest offering will prove to be yet another jewel in the catalogue of independent hip-hop’s most adventurous and eclectic group. Family Business drops October 5, 2004. The much anticipated LP True & Livin’ (Live Up Records) is due out in Spring 2005.
www.zionicrew.com
Verbal Kent Drops What Box on Gravel Records
In the winter of 1998, Verbal Kent set out to find a group of musicians who were interested in being involved in a live hiphop band. What resulted was The Organic Mind Unit (OMU), a five-piece live hip-hop band, comprised of two MCs as well as a rhythm section including bass, keyboards, and drums. The MCs, Dan Weiss (Verbal Kent) and Mike Palmer (Willis Drummond II) write lyrics with equal concern for content, rhythmic structure, and phrasing, using each of these elements to create a strength of character which is consistent in all of their verses. The musicians, Shaye Robeson (bass), William Kirk (keys), and Anthony Reid (drums) combine the sensibilities of a jazz combo with an extensive knowledge of varying musical styles, and the essential sounds at the core of contemporary hip-hop.
By late 1999, the group released their self-titled debut Organic Mind Unit. By late 2001, the MCs of the group released their second project, The Unusual Suspects, featuring Verbal Kent, Willis Drummond II (Lance Ambu), and former OMU member Racecar over production from Panik of the Molemen and Foul Intalekt, with cuts by DJ Precyse.
Since then, Verbal Kent has been busy both on his solo work and Organic Mind Unit, and appearing on such releases as "The Chicago Project", Rusty Chains "Battle Scars to Prove It" and DJ Anomaly's "Mountains Rise albums".
Over the past four years, Verbal has also playing at such venues as The Metro, Subterranean, Double Door, Hot House, The Note, Nevin‚s Live, The Morseland, The Cubby Bear, Joe's on Weed Street, The Chase Café, and Rapture, opening for acts such as KRS-One, The Pharcyde, GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, J-Live, and more.
In 2003, Verbal Kent released is debut solo "Alien Rock" 12" on Gravel featuring production by The Opus (Mush Records), with b-side "Combat" featuring One Man Army (Binary Star) and production by Kaz1. His debut album "What Box", released in 2004 on Gravel Records, features over 16 tracks with guests appearances from Wordsworth (Lyricist Lounge), Iomos Marad, Qwazaar, One Man Army, Rusty Chains, Lance Ambu, Alltruisms, and production from Kaz1, The Opus, K-Kruz, and Overflo.
www.gravelhiphop.com
In the winter of 1998, Verbal Kent set out to find a group of musicians who were interested in being involved in a live hiphop band. What resulted was The Organic Mind Unit (OMU), a five-piece live hip-hop band, comprised of two MCs as well as a rhythm section including bass, keyboards, and drums. The MCs, Dan Weiss (Verbal Kent) and Mike Palmer (Willis Drummond II) write lyrics with equal concern for content, rhythmic structure, and phrasing, using each of these elements to create a strength of character which is consistent in all of their verses. The musicians, Shaye Robeson (bass), William Kirk (keys), and Anthony Reid (drums) combine the sensibilities of a jazz combo with an extensive knowledge of varying musical styles, and the essential sounds at the core of contemporary hip-hop.
By late 1999, the group released their self-titled debut Organic Mind Unit. By late 2001, the MCs of the group released their second project, The Unusual Suspects, featuring Verbal Kent, Willis Drummond II (Lance Ambu), and former OMU member Racecar over production from Panik of the Molemen and Foul Intalekt, with cuts by DJ Precyse.
Since then, Verbal Kent has been busy both on his solo work and Organic Mind Unit, and appearing on such releases as "The Chicago Project", Rusty Chains "Battle Scars to Prove It" and DJ Anomaly's "Mountains Rise albums".
Over the past four years, Verbal has also playing at such venues as The Metro, Subterranean, Double Door, Hot House, The Note, Nevin‚s Live, The Morseland, The Cubby Bear, Joe's on Weed Street, The Chase Café, and Rapture, opening for acts such as KRS-One, The Pharcyde, GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, J-Live, and more.
In 2003, Verbal Kent released is debut solo "Alien Rock" 12" on Gravel featuring production by The Opus (Mush Records), with b-side "Combat" featuring One Man Army (Binary Star) and production by Kaz1. His debut album "What Box", released in 2004 on Gravel Records, features over 16 tracks with guests appearances from Wordsworth (Lyricist Lounge), Iomos Marad, Qwazaar, One Man Army, Rusty Chains, Lance Ambu, Alltruisms, and production from Kaz1, The Opus, K-Kruz, and Overflo.
www.gravelhiphop.com
New Jedi Mind Tricks Album Drops Sept. 21st
Babygrande Records, home to Jean Grae, Brand Nubian, Sharkey, 7L & Esoteric and more, continue with their stellar release schedule, dropping Jedi Mind Tricks’ fourth album “Legacy of Blood.” The follow up to 2003's underground smash “Visions of Gandhi” hits stores September 21st and features guest appearances from GZA (of Wu-Tang), Killah Priest, Sean Price, and more.
Since the 1996 release of their Amber Probe EP, Jedi Mind Tricks has strived to return hip-hop back to the boom-bap roots of the music’s Golden Era -- the era when Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions and others were consistently breaking new ground while forging a music and a culture steeped in fierce street poetics and raw beats. Eight years and three albums later, Jedi Mind Tricks’ duo of Vinnie Paz and Stoupe are poised to release their fourth and biggest album to date, Legacy Of Blood -- an album that will stand as the sonic apex of their eight-year career and an homage to the raw hip-hop of a seemingly forgotten era.
To date the group has achieved global sales of 150 000, as well as critical praise for their releases; their debut full length The Psycho-social-chemical-biological-and-electromagnetic-manipulation of human consciousness was one of CMJ’s “Top Ten Hip-Hop Records” of 1997 and the follow up Violent by Design has been dubbed by many fans and critics as one of the greatest independent hip-hop records of all-time. Visions of Ghandi, their first release under their label deal with Babygrande quickly became their most commercially successful album to date. It also spawned the group’s first headlining US tour which was greeted with fanatic enthusiasm from diverse audiences composed of hip-hop heads and rock fans who respond to the group’s aggressive musical stance. “This was the first time we had an opportunity to interact with our fans on a national scale and they didn’t disappoint,” says Vinnie Paz. “When was the last time you saw mosh pits and stage diving at a hip-hop show?”
The group channeled their creative momentum into creating their fourth album Legacy of Blood, aspiring to make a record balanced between the soundscapes of Violent By Design and Visions of Gandhi, and returning the music back to the Jedi Mind Tricks foundation forged by Vinnie Paz’s fiery vocals and Stoupe’s dark, orchestral beats. “Legacy Of Blood definitely represents more of a return to the ‘Violent By Design’ sound,” says Vinnie, “Visions Of Gandhi was our first studio record and I think the sound quality shocked fans that were used to our dirty, handmade sound. We learned from Visions of Gandhi and put that into Legacy Of Blood.”
Featuring the lead-off double A side single, “On The Eve Of War” featuring GZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) and “Before the Great Collapse,” this latest offering reflects Jedi’s studio maturation, with the latter track a shockingly revealing insight into the darker depths of Vinnie Paz’ psyche, in the vein of Jedi’s verbally introspective classic “I Who Have Nothing.” Legacy Of Blood also features guest appearances by Sean Price (of The Boot Camp Clik) and Killah Priest (extended Wu-Tang family member).
To commemorate the release of Legacy of Blood, Jedi will be embarking upon an extensive national Fall 2004 tour, supported by buzzing Babygrande labelmates 7L & Esoteric and Outerspace. An “underground trifecta” of sorts, the tour promises to be a raucous statement by a defining hip-hop powerhouse as well as two of the underground’s most talented and promising prospects.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.flashenhanced.com/jedimindtricks/ad.htm
www.babygrande.com
www.jedi-mind-tricks.com
Babygrande Records, home to Jean Grae, Brand Nubian, Sharkey, 7L & Esoteric and more, continue with their stellar release schedule, dropping Jedi Mind Tricks’ fourth album “Legacy of Blood.” The follow up to 2003's underground smash “Visions of Gandhi” hits stores September 21st and features guest appearances from GZA (of Wu-Tang), Killah Priest, Sean Price, and more.
Since the 1996 release of their Amber Probe EP, Jedi Mind Tricks has strived to return hip-hop back to the boom-bap roots of the music’s Golden Era -- the era when Kool G. Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions and others were consistently breaking new ground while forging a music and a culture steeped in fierce street poetics and raw beats. Eight years and three albums later, Jedi Mind Tricks’ duo of Vinnie Paz and Stoupe are poised to release their fourth and biggest album to date, Legacy Of Blood -- an album that will stand as the sonic apex of their eight-year career and an homage to the raw hip-hop of a seemingly forgotten era.
To date the group has achieved global sales of 150 000, as well as critical praise for their releases; their debut full length The Psycho-social-chemical-biological-and-electromagnetic-manipulation of human consciousness was one of CMJ’s “Top Ten Hip-Hop Records” of 1997 and the follow up Violent by Design has been dubbed by many fans and critics as one of the greatest independent hip-hop records of all-time. Visions of Ghandi, their first release under their label deal with Babygrande quickly became their most commercially successful album to date. It also spawned the group’s first headlining US tour which was greeted with fanatic enthusiasm from diverse audiences composed of hip-hop heads and rock fans who respond to the group’s aggressive musical stance. “This was the first time we had an opportunity to interact with our fans on a national scale and they didn’t disappoint,” says Vinnie Paz. “When was the last time you saw mosh pits and stage diving at a hip-hop show?”
The group channeled their creative momentum into creating their fourth album Legacy of Blood, aspiring to make a record balanced between the soundscapes of Violent By Design and Visions of Gandhi, and returning the music back to the Jedi Mind Tricks foundation forged by Vinnie Paz’s fiery vocals and Stoupe’s dark, orchestral beats. “Legacy Of Blood definitely represents more of a return to the ‘Violent By Design’ sound,” says Vinnie, “Visions Of Gandhi was our first studio record and I think the sound quality shocked fans that were used to our dirty, handmade sound. We learned from Visions of Gandhi and put that into Legacy Of Blood.”
Featuring the lead-off double A side single, “On The Eve Of War” featuring GZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) and “Before the Great Collapse,” this latest offering reflects Jedi’s studio maturation, with the latter track a shockingly revealing insight into the darker depths of Vinnie Paz’ psyche, in the vein of Jedi’s verbally introspective classic “I Who Have Nothing.” Legacy Of Blood also features guest appearances by Sean Price (of The Boot Camp Clik) and Killah Priest (extended Wu-Tang family member).
To commemorate the release of Legacy of Blood, Jedi will be embarking upon an extensive national Fall 2004 tour, supported by buzzing Babygrande labelmates 7L & Esoteric and Outerspace. An “underground trifecta” of sorts, the tour promises to be a raucous statement by a defining hip-hop powerhouse as well as two of the underground’s most talented and promising prospects.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.flashenhanced.com/jedimindtricks/ad.htm
www.babygrande.com
www.jedi-mind-tricks.com
Potluck Harvest Time (Lost Koast Productions) - September 21st, 2004
Although Humboldt County, California is best known for its world famous marijuana, the duo of 1 Ton and UnderRated—together known as Potluck— are well on their way to changing things.
Indeed, for the last decade Potluck has built a well-deserved reputation as the premiere rap group in Humboldt and the surrounding areas and also one of the more promising talents to emerge from Northern California’s legendary and organic independent hip-hop scene.
Combining an ‘average joe’ sensibility along with a penchant for syrupy west coast beats, clever samples, and witty rhymes--which run the gamut from life and love’s tribulations to neck-snapping battle raps--Potluck is more than just emcees, they’re producers and djs too.
Back in 1995, while the two were students at Humboldt State University 1 Ton, who originally hails from San Diego, and UnderRated, who was born and raised in Humboldt, met at a dj trial at a local club. “We were the two tightest djs there, so it was natural we hooked up,” remembers UnderRated about the first encounter.
Despite the fact that they were from different backgrounds—1 Ton is African-American and UnderRated is Jewish—the two formed a musical chemistry as djs which translated into some of the best college and club parties Humboldt had ever seen.
Shortly thereafter, UnderRated was involved in a terrible car accident and used the money he received from the subsequent insurance settlement to buy an SP 1200. From there, the young dj quickly morphed into an aspiring producer and began concocting beats and buying more and more equipment.
In addition to spinning and producing, by the time the two graduated, Potluck had their own fully stocked studio and were working behind the mic. “We needed somebody to rap on our beats, so we figured we could do it,” laughs Underrated.
In 2000, the group released their debut album Humboldt County High. They distributed the record themselves up and down the West Coast through a label they formed, called Lost Koast Productions. The group quickly became local celebrities and began signing a select roster of local talent to their label—snagging emcees and R&B crooners—in an effort to put Humboldt County on the hip-hop map.
“In Humboldt, we became so popular, we were selling more albums than Brittany Spears,” smiles 1-Ton, about the group’s early days.
All jokes aside, songs like the weed inspired “Humboldt County High” and the more serious “What’s Your Purpose” catapulted Potluck into the mix of up and coming West Coast rappers.
“It was on some getting high and life experience shit,” comments 1-Ton.
With the album making waves in Humboldt and beyond, the group began touring throughout the Western US. As a result, Potluck was invited to participate on the world famous Warped Tour, which they’ve been rocking for the past four years, sharing stages with the likes of Jurassic Five, Non-Phixion, and Atmosphere.
Now, with a burgeoning reputation and an album’s worth of new cuts, Potluck is poised to release their sophomore joint, “Harvest Time” to be distributed by City Hall. It’s an impressive collection of melodic beats and provocative rhymes, featuring the likes of Tech n9ne, Living Legends, E-40, and Bosko. What’s most striking, perhaps, is the sheer versatility in subject matter Potluck presents through their music—rapping about everyday experiences, which are sure to move anyone who listens.
“You Ain’t That Fine,” featuring E-Fizzle himself, is a light-hearted ode to all the club girls who may look fine but act stuck up--backed by a heavy, funk-drenched beat complements of Bosko.
“We’d see all these girls in the club when we’d be on tour and we’d just watch them acting all stuck up and dissing guys,” says UnderRated.
“Sports Junkies,” on the other hand, is one of the first hip-hop songs to unabashedly discuss the group’s intense love for sports.
“Besides making music, we’re such sports junkies,” remarks 1-Ton. “We watch sports, play sports, play sports video games, whatever. Whether it’s college basketball, football, or boxing, it doesn’t matter.”
“Track 20 (Just Like You?)” showcases the group’s more serious side as UnderRated—sporting a Twista inspired flow—expounds on the loneliness of balancing women, music and life’s hardships. 1-Ton follows suit, ripping an impassioned stanza of rhymes about trying to earn respect in the face of being labeled a castaway.
“We can rap about everything and anything because really we’re just two average guys making music. We’re not out there bling-blingin’ all the time. We’re going through everyday average shit just like the next man,” says 1-Ton.
Indeed, it’s that ‘everyman’ aura which Potluck so readily embraces—heartfelt and sincere—coupled with their obvious lyrical and production skills, which makes the group’s music interesting, appealing and perhaps most importantly, good old fashioned hip-hop.
Listen for yourself… and understand.
www.lostkoastproductions.com
Although Humboldt County, California is best known for its world famous marijuana, the duo of 1 Ton and UnderRated—together known as Potluck— are well on their way to changing things.
Indeed, for the last decade Potluck has built a well-deserved reputation as the premiere rap group in Humboldt and the surrounding areas and also one of the more promising talents to emerge from Northern California’s legendary and organic independent hip-hop scene.
Combining an ‘average joe’ sensibility along with a penchant for syrupy west coast beats, clever samples, and witty rhymes--which run the gamut from life and love’s tribulations to neck-snapping battle raps--Potluck is more than just emcees, they’re producers and djs too.
Back in 1995, while the two were students at Humboldt State University 1 Ton, who originally hails from San Diego, and UnderRated, who was born and raised in Humboldt, met at a dj trial at a local club. “We were the two tightest djs there, so it was natural we hooked up,” remembers UnderRated about the first encounter.
Despite the fact that they were from different backgrounds—1 Ton is African-American and UnderRated is Jewish—the two formed a musical chemistry as djs which translated into some of the best college and club parties Humboldt had ever seen.
Shortly thereafter, UnderRated was involved in a terrible car accident and used the money he received from the subsequent insurance settlement to buy an SP 1200. From there, the young dj quickly morphed into an aspiring producer and began concocting beats and buying more and more equipment.
In addition to spinning and producing, by the time the two graduated, Potluck had their own fully stocked studio and were working behind the mic. “We needed somebody to rap on our beats, so we figured we could do it,” laughs Underrated.
In 2000, the group released their debut album Humboldt County High. They distributed the record themselves up and down the West Coast through a label they formed, called Lost Koast Productions. The group quickly became local celebrities and began signing a select roster of local talent to their label—snagging emcees and R&B crooners—in an effort to put Humboldt County on the hip-hop map.
“In Humboldt, we became so popular, we were selling more albums than Brittany Spears,” smiles 1-Ton, about the group’s early days.
All jokes aside, songs like the weed inspired “Humboldt County High” and the more serious “What’s Your Purpose” catapulted Potluck into the mix of up and coming West Coast rappers.
“It was on some getting high and life experience shit,” comments 1-Ton.
With the album making waves in Humboldt and beyond, the group began touring throughout the Western US. As a result, Potluck was invited to participate on the world famous Warped Tour, which they’ve been rocking for the past four years, sharing stages with the likes of Jurassic Five, Non-Phixion, and Atmosphere.
Now, with a burgeoning reputation and an album’s worth of new cuts, Potluck is poised to release their sophomore joint, “Harvest Time” to be distributed by City Hall. It’s an impressive collection of melodic beats and provocative rhymes, featuring the likes of Tech n9ne, Living Legends, E-40, and Bosko. What’s most striking, perhaps, is the sheer versatility in subject matter Potluck presents through their music—rapping about everyday experiences, which are sure to move anyone who listens.
“You Ain’t That Fine,” featuring E-Fizzle himself, is a light-hearted ode to all the club girls who may look fine but act stuck up--backed by a heavy, funk-drenched beat complements of Bosko.
“We’d see all these girls in the club when we’d be on tour and we’d just watch them acting all stuck up and dissing guys,” says UnderRated.
“Sports Junkies,” on the other hand, is one of the first hip-hop songs to unabashedly discuss the group’s intense love for sports.
“Besides making music, we’re such sports junkies,” remarks 1-Ton. “We watch sports, play sports, play sports video games, whatever. Whether it’s college basketball, football, or boxing, it doesn’t matter.”
“Track 20 (Just Like You?)” showcases the group’s more serious side as UnderRated—sporting a Twista inspired flow—expounds on the loneliness of balancing women, music and life’s hardships. 1-Ton follows suit, ripping an impassioned stanza of rhymes about trying to earn respect in the face of being labeled a castaway.
“We can rap about everything and anything because really we’re just two average guys making music. We’re not out there bling-blingin’ all the time. We’re going through everyday average shit just like the next man,” says 1-Ton.
Indeed, it’s that ‘everyman’ aura which Potluck so readily embraces—heartfelt and sincere—coupled with their obvious lyrical and production skills, which makes the group’s music interesting, appealing and perhaps most importantly, good old fashioned hip-hop.
Listen for yourself… and understand.
www.lostkoastproductions.com
Thursday, September 09, 2004
DJ Krush Releases 8th Solo Album: Jaku, feat. Mr. Lif and Aesop Rock
September 7th marks the release of legendary producer DJ Krush’ eighth solo album, Jaku (Red Ink/Sony). With Jaku, the 41-year-old Krush shows the community how age and longevity really do bring wisdom. An ambitious fusion of post-hip-hop beats and traditional Japanese music, his eighth solo album contemplates serenity in the chaos of the modern world, even as it cold-cocks the headz with readymade club-bangers. Def Jux's quick-tongued front-liners Aesop Rock and Mr. Lif interact with shakuhachi (wooden flute) and koto (Japanese strings) players under the global banner of hip-hop, making for one of the most personal statements of the DJ/producer's career.
Krush's evolution towards Jaku's live beats fusion began in the late '90s. First, he formed RYU, a Masters-at-Work-like trio (with DJs Hide and Sak) that focused on combining live playing with electronic production values. Then Krush began applying these lessons to his own albums. Both 2001's Zen, which was chosen Best Electronica Album at the AIFM Awards, and 2003's Shinsou "The Message At The Depth," explored Krush's fascination with mixing machine rhythms and instruments, featuring singers (Zap Mama, N'Dea Davenport), rappers (Company Flow, Antipop Consortium) and players (Sly & Robbie, D-Madness and Masato Nakamura). These albums also saw Krush venturing into a new kind of music, one loosely based on hip-hop beats, but darker, deeper and more uptempo, at once aligned with jungle's dance-floor and the spiritual aspects of sound and rhythm.
Which only makes more sense once you hear Jaku. Meaning "peace and calm" in Japanese, it embraces the philosophy and instrumentation of Krush's homeland. By his own words, Jaku finds Krush, "re-evaluating my roots. Sometimes, learning about your culture's traditional arts is a bit embarrassing. But I am older now and wanted to look into this. I thought, these instruments sound amazing, these philosophies are pertinent for the present day."
And so, the album reflects upon Japan from a variety of perspectives. At times, Krush uses the island's popular culture as a prism for his ideas: its association with monster movies ("Still Island," featuring shakuhachi master Shuuzan Morita playing alongside a beat-driven melody that could've been lifted from a Godzilla flick) and its vibrant and internationally respected hip-hop scene ("Decks-athron" is a turntablist duel with UK-based DJ, Tatsuki). At others, he contemplates on Japan's zen leanings ("Stormy Clouds" is a spatial, ambient piece featuring jazz pianist Ken Shima, while "Univearth" finds Krush's beats interacting with the humungous percussion instruments of Tetsuro Naito, an ex-member of the great Kodo Drum Ensemble). And while Mr. Lif and Aesop Rock's guest vocal spots offer fittingly contemporary distractions, far more telling is "Slit of Cloud," on which saxophonist Akira Sakata doesn't just play with a spiritual yearning that harkens to Coltrane, but also reads a poem in the sing-song style of Japanese folklore recordings.
Jaku is Krush using hip-hop as a canvas to not only express the musical culture's evolution, but to also express his own traditions. No wonder that he sits alongside legends such as Bambaata and Flash, as comfortably as he partners with progressives like Shadow and Cam. Deep into the third decade of a brilliant career, Krush seems perfectly at ease redefining the term "venerable" for the hip-hop generation.
September 7th marks the release of legendary producer DJ Krush’ eighth solo album, Jaku (Red Ink/Sony). With Jaku, the 41-year-old Krush shows the community how age and longevity really do bring wisdom. An ambitious fusion of post-hip-hop beats and traditional Japanese music, his eighth solo album contemplates serenity in the chaos of the modern world, even as it cold-cocks the headz with readymade club-bangers. Def Jux's quick-tongued front-liners Aesop Rock and Mr. Lif interact with shakuhachi (wooden flute) and koto (Japanese strings) players under the global banner of hip-hop, making for one of the most personal statements of the DJ/producer's career.
Krush's evolution towards Jaku's live beats fusion began in the late '90s. First, he formed RYU, a Masters-at-Work-like trio (with DJs Hide and Sak) that focused on combining live playing with electronic production values. Then Krush began applying these lessons to his own albums. Both 2001's Zen, which was chosen Best Electronica Album at the AIFM Awards, and 2003's Shinsou "The Message At The Depth," explored Krush's fascination with mixing machine rhythms and instruments, featuring singers (Zap Mama, N'Dea Davenport), rappers (Company Flow, Antipop Consortium) and players (Sly & Robbie, D-Madness and Masato Nakamura). These albums also saw Krush venturing into a new kind of music, one loosely based on hip-hop beats, but darker, deeper and more uptempo, at once aligned with jungle's dance-floor and the spiritual aspects of sound and rhythm.
Which only makes more sense once you hear Jaku. Meaning "peace and calm" in Japanese, it embraces the philosophy and instrumentation of Krush's homeland. By his own words, Jaku finds Krush, "re-evaluating my roots. Sometimes, learning about your culture's traditional arts is a bit embarrassing. But I am older now and wanted to look into this. I thought, these instruments sound amazing, these philosophies are pertinent for the present day."
And so, the album reflects upon Japan from a variety of perspectives. At times, Krush uses the island's popular culture as a prism for his ideas: its association with monster movies ("Still Island," featuring shakuhachi master Shuuzan Morita playing alongside a beat-driven melody that could've been lifted from a Godzilla flick) and its vibrant and internationally respected hip-hop scene ("Decks-athron" is a turntablist duel with UK-based DJ, Tatsuki). At others, he contemplates on Japan's zen leanings ("Stormy Clouds" is a spatial, ambient piece featuring jazz pianist Ken Shima, while "Univearth" finds Krush's beats interacting with the humungous percussion instruments of Tetsuro Naito, an ex-member of the great Kodo Drum Ensemble). And while Mr. Lif and Aesop Rock's guest vocal spots offer fittingly contemporary distractions, far more telling is "Slit of Cloud," on which saxophonist Akira Sakata doesn't just play with a spiritual yearning that harkens to Coltrane, but also reads a poem in the sing-song style of Japanese folklore recordings.
Jaku is Krush using hip-hop as a canvas to not only express the musical culture's evolution, but to also express his own traditions. No wonder that he sits alongside legends such as Bambaata and Flash, as comfortably as he partners with progressives like Shadow and Cam. Deep into the third decade of a brilliant career, Krush seems perfectly at ease redefining the term "venerable" for the hip-hop generation.
