Some of that cosmic dust...

I first heard of Sa-Ra Creative Partners back when Pharoah’s “Agent Orange” single came out, probably the same time everyone else would’ve first caught wind of these cats. Their name itself sounds like they’re a hair salon or something, so needless to say I had no clue who they were, but then again, they were brand new on the scene. Considering how few releases they’ve put out over the years, it always surprised me how much hype they’d gotten. Still, apparently their talents were evident enough to be signed to deals with both Sound In Color and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, though unfortunately all that would result from these two situations was a single 6-track EP (a fairly lackluster one at that if you ask me.)

For whatever reason though, I still check for these cats, and so when I came across their first full-length recently, I picked it up to see what the real deal is. Released in 2007 via independent label Babygrande, “The Hollywood Recordings” is (if nothing else) a good look at what they’re capable of. With nearly 20 tracks on the album, there is definitely a bunch of filler and just straight-up mediocre material, too much to really speak on this project as a cohesive album or even to rate it particularly high as a collective. However, there are definitely moments that stand out and suggest that some of the hype has been warranted in years past.

I want to compare them (on some level) to Organized Noize…funk, soul, intergalactic isht. Or as they describe themselves: Afro Magnetic Electronic Spiritualism. I wouldn’t go as far as to say these two groups are on the same level, but Sa-Ra is heading in the right direction, and I’m hopeful that they keep doing what they do because the future looks (potentially) bright. It sounds like they may have a major label debut ready or in the works, but who knows if/when that will arrive.

Sa-Ra / Goapele / Outkast

Sa-Ra - Rosebuds  (Babygrande)

Sa-Ra - And If feat. Ty  (Babygrande)

Sa-Ra - So Special feat. Rozzi Daime  (Babygrande)

Sa-Ra - Fly Away feat. Erykah Badu & Georgia Anne  (Babygrande)

Goapele - Fly Away  (Sony/Skyblaze)

Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (ON remix)  (Laface)

Time for the interpolator...

or really just straight jacking for beats. But I’ve got no problem with it (why would I?), especially when the source material is this nice. I’ve come across this tune a bunch of times recently so I figured I’d put the pieces together and put it out there a bit.

The names Holland and Dozier are attached to the original tune from Dionne Warwick’s 1973 album Just Being Myself. If you’re a Motown head, that probably means something to you. Not much to say about this music, except that I’m glad to have it in my collection. To know that these cats created this 35 years ago is crazy to me. Those dudes were on something else. Jay Dee, Just Blaze and Holland and Dozier all on a same plane seems to make sense too.

Also included below is part of a live performance from J Laine and the Players, with MC Grap Luva from Subsoniq’s broadcast of Dilla Day on XM Radio a while back…dope to check in a live environment. And props to Norman Rexwell for putting me on to the original track.

Dilla / Dionne / Usher / Subsoniq
Dilla – Stop! (Stones Throw)
Dionne Warwick – You’re Gonna Need Me (Warner/Spy)
Usher – Throwback (LaFace/Jive)
J Laine + The Players feat. Alison Carney (Subsoniq/XM)

The DJ is the Cornerstone of Hip-Hop

When I was in school, I spent some time working for The FADER magazine/Cornerstone promotion out of NY.  This is when I first discovered the Cornerstone mixtape.  Back then (a bit moreso than today,) these joints were pretty consistent and on point.  Cats like Babu, Jazzy Jeff, Vice, Hi-Tek, Tony Touch, and many other top-notch producers and DJs were at the helm from month to month doing what they do.

I could probably post some other dope moments from past Cornerstone tapes, but I'll focus on the man who I think has best represented on these mixtapes over the years: DJ Premier.  Premo always seems to have more input as far as the tracklist goes when he is hosting the tape (which certainly helps set him apart,) but he also brings more quality music and exclusive music to the table.  And not your typical 'exclusive' as other fools point out on their mixtapes...we're talking dope tracks that you can't get elsewhere, but wish you could.

The audio here is (mostly) from Mixtape #47, where Premo and Green Lantern hosted (right around the time D&D closed if I'm not mistaken.)  The first part of the audio is how the mixtape opens...Guru setting the stage.  Next up is Ras Kass.  If you recall, when Ras was still held captive by Capitol, the single 'Golden Chyld' sort of made the rounds...classic record.  Ras Kass in top form, and Premier likewise.  Finally, I'd never heard of Connekt 4, but it's a nice little track and just a simple example of how Premier does his own thing and breaks new music (maybe not to the masses necessarily, but he breaks records no less.)

Premier / Ras Kass / Connekt 4

DJ Premier - Intro / Guru freestyle

Ras Kass - Golden Chyld (Premier, Capitol)

Connekt 4 - Just One of Those Days (unknown, On Point)

Beyond Real

Growing up, electronic music to me was more corny than anything, probably because I only heard lame club music and trance-type stuff on the radio.  Working and interning at certain spots, and just living and DJing a bit in DC and NY over the years though has exposed me to the world of electronic music.  I definitely now have a much greater respect and appreciation for the different genres of electronic music, especially house.

One record I came across early in my days of discovering house music, etc. was from Spinna.  I realize for many that it seems all too obvious how dope Spinna is with his house production, but regardless, I'm glad I have this record in my collection, and I think it's a great entry-level (if there is such a thing) house record for beginners like I was (and am.)  For those of you who don't mess with house, check this joint before you dismiss the genre like I used to.  For those of you who are house lovers, you already know the deal.

This version (below) is off 'Here to There' from BBE's Beat Generation series.  You can also cop this on 12", which gives you a slightly reworked/extended version (by Paul Simpson.)  Dope in either format if you ask me.  The 2nd part of the audio is a remix Spinna and Joc Max (aka The Domecrackers) did for Das Efx.

DJ Spinna / Das Efx (Domecrackers remix)

DJ Spinna - Music In Me feat. Shaun Escoffery (w/ intro)

Das Efx - Microphone Master (Domecrackers remix)