Ahead of the Curve

As many people as there are that know his name and are just generally familiar with who he is, I'm not sure if quite enough people are checking for Z-Trip as much as they should. Dude cut his teeth over the years in front of crowds (extra) large and small, home and abroad, hip-hop and otherwise. Z clearly bridges the gap...one of those select few artists who gets the nod to open up for legends such as The Rolling Stones, and I'm sure others. But when it's all said and done, hip-hop is what it's all about. Anyway...I want to put you on to a few things that I keep in my collection that I think you should know about, kind of on some stream of consciousness tip.

Some of these tracks are more readily available, some stuff you'd have to track down, but all pretty dope. First things first, "Soundclash" is available as a free download over at Z's site...not a whole lot to say about it, but dude makes some great remixes/edits/mashups/whatever. Updating a classic Dawn Penn record never seemed so easy. Next up is an exclusive bit from 'Ahead of the Curve,' just a little sample (featuring Gift of Gab in this instance) of what you're getting from that collaborative mix project from Lateef and Z...definitely far from your average. I've also included a couple pieces from 'New Math,' the debut (and only?) album from some of Z's comrades, the Backyard Bangers, E. Moss & Troublemaker. And, finally, connecting the dots once again, a selection from my man 2tall.

2tall is definitely one of my favorite DJ/producers. Progressive, amazing talent, and consistent. "Coaster" is off a 3-track digital EP that was released a few years back around the time his debut 'Shifting Tides' dropped. The EP was not initially intended for commercial release, but, according to the man himself, due to some hefty stateside radio support, he decided to give the EP a proper release through Bleep. Peep game...

Z-Trip / Backyard Bangers / 2tall

Z-Trip - Soundclash (white label)

Lateef & Z-Trip - Time freestyle feat. Gift of Gab (Hard Left)

Backyard Bangers - Yardwork (Hollyrock)

Backyard Bangers - Opposite Direction (Hollyrock)
2tall - Coaster (Needlework)

Close Edge

I put this mix together just recently as a demo of sorts, really just something to move the crowd. It includes some electro/house/hip-hop stuff and some straight club and hip-hop stuff as well, ranging from independent/progressive to big mainstream radio hits. Folks who know me may be surprised with some of these selections, but it's all about the context and the vibe... I understand that not everyone can tell a good DJ from a mediocre/wack DJ, and some folks dig deeper than others in their music listening habits, so I'm trying to bridge the gap a bit with some more recognizable tracks and some less known tracks.

Over the years I've become familiar with and had the pleasure to listen to and learn from a lot of dope DJs, where skill and crate knowledge were the primary job requirements. I'm not sure if those attributes are as much the case with your average "DJ" in 2008, but that's where I come from, and that's what I'm trying to do. Without further delay, here it is...so see what you think. Hope you enjoy it.

Wondermike - Close Edge mix

1. Eric B & Rakim - Juicy (DJ Eli remix)
2. Windimoto - Don't Let Me Leave Alone (Nicolay remix)
3. Poly - My Emotion
4. Fergie - Glamorous feat. Ludacris
5. King Tutt - Justin remix
6. Usher - Love in This Club
7. Usher - Confessions Pt. II
8. Trick Daddy - I'm A Thug
9. Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River
10. Game - Dreams

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)