Air Raid

5 years ago, Alpha Pup Records released Glitch Mob member edIT's second album, "Certified Air Raid Material." Around that time, I had the opportunity to chat with both edIT and Ooah (also of the Glitch Mob) about their recent releases, inspirations, and the Live performances that they'd become known for.

Some things have changed in the past 5 years, but these guys are still doing their thing...and well, I might add.

Here is the full edIT + Ooah interview, as it aired back in 2007. Big shout to Alpha Pup Records, and of course edIT and Ooah for the time.

edIT + Ooah on Pitch Control - October 28, 2007/XM Buy: edIT - "Certified Air Raid Material"
Buy: Ooah - "Hacksaw / Tubstomper"

Stay in the loop with The Glitch Mob at www.theglitchmob.com.

Joey knows beats

So I was driving the other night and popped in my CD copy of "Reverse Discourse" from my man Joe Beats...it had been a while. A long while in fact. But, without fail, as track 1 got underway, and seemlessly blended into track 2, I quickly recalled why I fell in love with these sounds in the first place.

I won't pontificate too too much here, but just believe me when I say it, that Joe is truly one of THE BEST true school hip-hop producers of our time. Further, he's got the mindset of a DJ and most of his solo albums play as a continuous mix...which makes sense since much of his work is of the instrumental variety.

I had the chance to catch up with Joe back in 2008 when he rolled through DC on tour, and we sat down for an interview that aired on my show "Pitch Control" on XM. We talked about a lot of things, but more than anything, just our mutual love of hip-hop, and DJs and stuff.

Below is a link to the interview as it aired. I will listen to this over & over again..it was one of those instances where meeting an artist in person re-affirmed what I thought I already knew about them: this cat lives hip-hop.

Joe Beats on Pitch Control (04-27-08)"I take it more as a positive bitterness, if that makes any sense..cuz this guy was such a pioneer on every level. Back in the day, people pretended not to hear the beat from Mecca & The Soul Brother, cuz it was too complicated, it was too deep, and they weren't ready for it. Mr. Long and Large Professor would go 3 or 4 loops deep, whereas Pete Rock was going 6, 7, 8 loops deep to make a beat...he was that ahead of the game." (Joe Beats, 2008)

Much to my delight, Joe's got a new album with MC, Blak Lungz. Check it out at http://www.joebeats.blogspot.com.

(P.S. they're the same cats who did this...)

Snoop a loop

Recently I came upon the website of my man Knocksquared aka Doug Lazy aka my former co-worker at XM and an all-around good dude...and dope artist and producer!

Through working with him I learned of his back catalog as a musician, most notably "Let It Roll" and some of the other jams from his "Gettin' Crazy" album from the early 90s. I guess the term hip-house is used most often to describe this style, and in my opinion, there's not a ton of hip-house tracks that stand the test of time (maybe I'm wrong??) but the BDK-sampling "Let It Roll" definitely does. Peep the instrumental here if you're not already familiar...

Doug Lazy - Let It Roll instrumental


Anyway, my real reason for posting today was to share some more recent stuff with you...it's not a brand new track that's hitting on radio right now or anything...but much like all good music with staying power, this should reside in your crates going forward. Similar to what you hear in "Let It Roll" and other cuts he's done, this remix from Knock has such great style...drum programming, keys, Youtube porn (haha) it's all so fresh...I've not heard a ton of Snoop remixes, or maybe I've just not heard a lot that are worth remembering at all. But what my man Knock does on this is great...I think the Doggfather would approve...now courtesy of Speaker City which is slashing prices on everything from beepers to DVD players, give a warm welcome to my pal, and your favorite...Mr. Snoop Dogg!!!



Snoop - Sensual Seduction (Knocks YouTube Porno remix)


There's more downloads over at his site too: www.KnocksHouse.com



Finally, this past year I got my hands on some old 12" singles, including some of Snoop's earliest material from Death Row. To my surprise, there are some dope remixes and freestyles on the old Death Row 12's. Here's one off the "Nuthin But A G Thang" single...freestyle featuring the Dogg Pound doing what they do...Daz, Kurupt, Snoop.



Dr. Dre - Nuthin But A G Thang freestyle w/ Snoop, Kurupt & Daz

Version

My friend and co-worker Efim gave me a CD a while back just on the strength that it was something he thought I'd enjoy. Not that a CD is the most extravagant of gift's that a DJ or music-lover can get, but it's nice to have people who look out for you and have similar interests and appreciations. At the time, I was certainly familiar with the name Mark Ronson (and admittedly had some preconceived notions) but had not really heard much from the dude until I was passed this copy of his debut album 'Version.' It might have taken a couple listens to soak up all that the record contains, but I must say that this album is something to check for (now that it's been out for a couple years or whatever.) This is some funky, soulful stuff. Of course, it doesn't hurt that names like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Kenna and others are featured vocalists on the record, but in truth I'm equally if not moreso impressed by the music here. Call it pop, call it soul, I don't know how you classify this otherwise, but I like this. Don't get it twisted, not everything on here suits me or is top-notch, but when it's right it's right. A couple (of the handful) of standouts are the Coldplay-inspired uptempo rendition of "God Put A Smile On Your Face" featuring the horn section from The Daptones and "Apply Some Pressure" featuring British singer Paul Smith.



On a similar note, I once gave a copy of 'Sounding Out the City' to my friend Monica and my description of the album was that it sounds just the way that it looks (below)...I'm not sure my words can truly do justice to how strong this record is. So, in this case with my buddy Efim, when it was time to return the favor, I once again offered up one of my own copies of 'Sounding Out the City,' the debut full-length from El Michels Affair. I told him the same thing I told Monica...it sounds just as it looks.

That said, if you've not heard this record, in short, you truly are missing out. Many people have spoken/written praise for El Michels Affair for their covers of Wu-Tang tracks, etc. (I got to see them live at XM a few years back with Wu doing that shit live...for real, one of the many beautiful perks of working at a place like XM,) but they truly shine when they do their own original stuff, and in most cases 'Sounding Out the City' is original stuff from the group (save for an Isaac Hayes cover.)

Soul, funk, whatever...this is good music. Take it in...



Got a couple vinly-exclusive take-alongs for you here as well.

First, a little break from Leon Michels and crew...and second, another bit of smooth from the Truth & Soul Records camp, some classic material.

El Michels Affair - EMA break


Black Velvet - Is It Me You Really Love?