Diggin' Music

Descry Interviews One Be Lo

2009-09-08T10:37:00.001-07:00

I (Descry) was chillin' w/ the homie One Be Lo, and we got into a discussion about various projects/trading ideas to see how we could smash on you foos for 2010. What resulted at the end of that discussion is this a quick impromptu video interview (conducted with my Blackberry Curve, so excuse the poor quality).

In the video he talks about his anticipated album entitled, B.A.B.Y. (being a black youth), a new Binary Star project (of which I'm helping engineer some of the beats... 'Lo produced some incredible joints), an album with Black Milk (the bonus track on Black Milk's Popular Demand is a track from these sessions), Bean One, a project with Zumbi from Zion-I, various other collaborations, and a brand new show set in the works that I can guarantee will blow your mind.

As was leaked early in September 2009, Pigs is a track that was recorded during the B.A.B.Y. sessions and features Mike Posner on vox. The album itself is amazing and hasn't left my car stereo since 'Lo dropped it off a week ago. It's gonna be released on the MYX Music label and features a host of great underdog MC's and vocalists. Rappers like Freeway (it's the ROC!), Phonte, Jean Grae, Longshot, Supastition, and other dope, DOPE cats rip their features with swift ninja-like skills. Producer Eric G is a relative new comer to the scene, but he contributes ALL of the beats...ALL of them. A few live musicians were contacted as well to really the album some edge, guys like Miles Bonney easily weave through Eric G's production and add great sparkle to beats that already shine...anyhow, enough about that...onto the interview!

Descry - Experiences in Full Duplex

2009-07-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

Descry
Experiences In Full Duplex: Episodes
(2006, no label)

In 2005, I collaborated with Swamburger from the Sol.illaquists of Sound (if you're not familiar, check them out here: Epitaph Site and Solilla Site). It was my 2nd year into production, and I was extremely excited to work with such an incredible MC.

At the time of the release, music was going through a transition phase. Hip-hop was starting to see a return to form through Common's "BE," and other incredible albums were released that year such as the self titled Clap Your Hand Say Yeah LP, Sufjan Steven's "Illinois," Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm," and the proper revealing of John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk's live performance at Carnegie Hall.

Thinking about it, 2005 was a great year for music.

In any case, check out the tracks which saw a limited release of 200 copies.

Artwork was helmed by David Chun

Enjoy!

Why Go

2009-03-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

P.O.S.
"Why Go (Pearl Jam Cover)" from Rock The Deuce [2009, MTV2]

"There's no Auto-Tune in grunge music..." - P.O.S.

Kutiman - ThruYou

2009-03-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Kutiman
"ThruYou (Kutiman remixes YouTube)" from Thru-You.com [2009, no label]

"What you are about to see is a mix of unrelated YouTube videos/clips edited together to create ThruYou. In other words - what you see if what you hear." - Thru-You.com

Visit the website to watch and listen, or click here for a collection of .MP3's and .FLV videos from the site.

You can hear more from Kutiman on his MySpace.

All Good Funk Alliance - Social Comment

2009-03-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

All Good Funk Alliance
"Major C feat. Swamburger" from Social Comment (2006, Funk Weapons)

"Perfect for a summer’s afternoon, the All Good Funk Alliance’s 'Social Comment' is great for any listener who wants to be transported to a place where music is pure, lyrics and harmony flow, and most of all, life is good." - Planet Urban

More from All Good Funk Alliance on their MySpace.

Sendin' Slugs Your Way.

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Slugabed
"Poomp (video)" from Slugabeatmix (2008, YouTube)
"Slugabeatmix (MP3)" from MySpace.com/SlugabedMusic (2008, Stuff Records)

Slug⋅a⋅bed (noun): A lazy person who stays in bed long after the usual time for arising.

Beat Grinder

2009-02-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Damu The Fudgemunk
"Beat Grinder (Madvillain ReVISIONS Project)" from ReVISIONS (Damu vs. Joe Buck) [2009, Redefinition Records]

"Album Cover ReVISIONS is a spontaneous, ongoing digital art project originally conceived by acclaimed painter/illustrator/designer Joe Buck, along with Redefinition Records. Imagined as a way to pay tribute to, and expand upon a noteworthy theme or piece of art, the Album Cover ReVISION series allows the incredibly talented Buck to revise and present his vision of a particular album or single’s cover image as he sees fit.

Expanding further on the concept, from time to time, Joe Buck and DJ/producer/MC Damu The Fudgemunk will collaborate exclusively on special A/V editions of ReVISIONS. These special editions, available for free download, will feature a Joe Buck design alongside a related musical production by Washington DC native, Damu." - RedefinitionRecords.com

More information on this project at the Redefinition Records website.

A zip file containing the MP3, cover art, desktop wallpaper and two videos here.

More from Damu The Fudgemunk at WonkaBeats.com.
More from Joe Buck at ArtilleryDS.com.

Walkie Talkie

2009-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

DJ Shadow
"Walkie Talkie (video)" from The Private Press (2002, MCA Records)
"Walkie Talkie (Extended Radio Edit)" from The Private Repress (2003, Universal Island Records)

Always liked this video. More from DJ Shadow at his website.

Her Favorite Colo(u)r.

2009-02-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

Blu
"Her Favorite Colo(u)r." from MySpace.com/HerFavColor (2009, independent)

"ToYouAll,FromMyApreciationForYourInspiration.
HerFavoriteColorIsntBlu(e)ItsU.
ProducedByMe.
ForYou,
All.

GoodDay
February14th,2009" - Blu

Love Lockdown

2009-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Kanye West
"Love Lockdown (DJ B.Cause Disco Edit)" from unreleased (2008, none)
"Love Lockdown (Blockhead Remix)" from unreleased (2008, none)

"I threw together a remix of it...I literally just added drums and few sounds but it certainly makes it way more playable to a crowd of drunk people dancing..." - Blockhead

More from DJ B.Cause and Blockhead here.

Amsterdam Gangster

2009-02-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Jay's Soul Connection
"Frankie's Party Life" from Amsterdam Gangster (2009, white label)
"The Skum Says Hello" from Amsterdam Gangster (2009, white label)

Jay-Z x Leftie's Soul Connection x Umatic = Jay's Soul Connection

"Amsterdam Gangster" can be preordered here. More from Umatic on his MySpace.

Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story

2009-02-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Great Performances
"Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story (trailer)" from Great Performances series (2007, PBS)

"Between 1959 and 1975, Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee released international chart-topping hits such as 'Soul Man,' 'Dock of the Bay,' 'Green Onions,' 'Midnight Hour,' 'Respect Yourself,' and the theme from SHAFT. The label's artists included Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the MG's, Rufus and Carla Thomas, the Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and even Richard Pryor and Jesse Jackson. Founded by a white conservative bank teller who played country fiddle music, Stax became the preeminent soul music label in America, and became identified with the civil rights movement of the 1960s and '70s. RESPECT YOURSELF documents the Stax label, its visionaries, and most of all, its music." - PBS.org

Check your local listings for air dates.

Parisian Goldfish

2009-02-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Flying Lotus
"Parisian Goldfish (Video)" from Los Angeles (2008, Warp Records)
"Parisian Goldfish (MP3)" from Los Angeles (2008, Warp Records)

This video isn't safe for work. Scratch that...it's not safe for anyone. Especially the dance moves. You've been warned. More from Flying Lotus later I'm sure.

Of Pads and Patterns

2009-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Blu & Exile
"Of Pads and Patterns (interview)" from Red Bull Music Academy, Barcelona (2008, Red Bull Music Academy)

"Blu & Exile have fingers in so many pies, it’s a full-time job keeping up. But beyond their collaborations, solo projects and plans for the future, there’s the Below The Heavens album, an already classic slab of noughties hip hop that emerged in 2007 to universal acclaim. The duo discuss how they hooked up in the L.A. underground, and detail their myriad projects, from ripping samples from the radio to the leftfield stylings of C.R.A.C. Exile talks about his background in music, and how he owes his hip hop career to a fictional character called Shabba Doo, while Blu is a late starter who owes it all to DMX and Common. In a hip hop landscape beset by mediocrity, these two are making some of the most innovative music around." - Red Bull Music Academy

A transcript of this interview can be found here.

Sounds from the Cave

2009-01-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Mr. Chop
"The Caveman (video)" from Sounds from the Cave (2008, Jazz & Milk Recordings)
"Snob" from Sounds from the Cave (2008, Jazz & Milk Recordings)

"In amongst the mediocre and the shit that I regularly receive through both the physical post box and the virtual inbox there is occasionally a gem, a jewel, a nugget of light to brighten my day. They appear once in a blue moon, and are increasingly rare in these days of hyperbole, heresy and the tedious boasts of the press release. This record is one such nugget, in fact It's more like a huge heaving slab of something so precious it has yet to be named. Except it has been named, it's called 'Sounds from the Cave' - well done Mr. Chop for unearthing this for everyone to hear. Record of the year so far!" - DJ Food, 2008

MP3 via Cubik Musik.

Learn more about Mr. Chop and his EP here.

The Obamix

2009-01-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

King Most
"The Obamix" from MySpace.com/KingMost (2008, Plug Label)

"The intent of this mix was to try and capture what WE'VE all been feeling these past months: hope, struggle, and the importance of facing a challenge. It also serves as a reminder, and perhaps an introduction to what OUR candidate is all about." - King Most

Thought this was fitting for inauguration day. Tracklisting and more on King Most's MySpace.

The Death of High Fidelity

2009-01-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

Robert Levine
"The Death of High Fidelity (article)" from Rolling Stone (2007, Rolling Stone)

My bookmark folder is a jungle. Here's something I found trying to sort through it. A 2007 article detailing "The Loudness War" which affects the sound quality of music you hear today. Sure it's 2009 now, but I have a feeling things haven't changed much. Enjoy!

The Wig and the Wildcat

2009-01-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Skratch Bastid
"2003 Scribble Jam DJ Finals" from Cincinnati, Ohio (2003, YouTube)

"You know how Bastid makes nachos? One at a time, that’s how. He puts a dab of salsa and grated cheese on each individual nacho chip and then puts them all into the oven like little nacho cookies. That’s dedication to a craft. That’s attention to detail and a creative mind. That’s a mad scientist. That’s also a really slow way to make nachos." - SkratchBastid.com

Didn't I?

2009-01-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Darondo
"Didn't I (video)" from Let My People Go (2006, Luv N' Haight)

"The life story of William Darondo Pulliam (a.k.a. 'Double D' or 'Dynamite D') remains subject to myth and mystery: His label once reported that he'd worked as a pimp for many years, a claim the singer now denies. Whatever his day job at the time, in the early '70s, Darondo recorded his sole commercial output as a musician, crafting three singles for three different studios." - NPR.org

DJ Day Says...Step Bacc!

2008-12-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

People Under The Stairs
"Step Bacc (DJ Day Remix + Instrumental)" from unreleased (2008, Gold Dust Media)

One of my favorite producers over the last few years. Too many great tracks from him to share, so I decided just to post a recent PUTS remix he's put out there for free. Do yourself a favor and check out his MySpace for more info on him and his music.

Sweet Cream In It

2008-12-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Jel
"Sweet Cream In It (video)" from ...his bedroom? (2007, YouTube)

Jel performing "Sweet Cream In It" live on an Akai MPC2000XL and Boss SP-303 Dr. Sample. The studio version of the track can be heard on Jel's 2006 album "Soft Money". You'd be surprised to hear how close he comes to recreating the original without the use of sequencing or a backing track.

You can find more from Jel on his MySpace.

Rising Down Remixes

2008-12-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Roots
"Criminal (X:144 Remix)" from Rising Down Remix Contest (2008, Indaba Music)
"I Can't Help It (Static Pro's Shakespearean Interpretation)" from Rising Down Remix Contest (2008, Indaba Music)

Indaba Music is currently hosting a remix contest featuring music from The Roots' album "Rising Down".

You can listen to the top 25 from each round here:
First round - "Criminal"
Final round - "I Can't Help It"

The final round is being judged by The Roots, with the winner getting a chance to record with them. The winner gets announced on January 1st, 2009.

Links to my favorite from each round up top.

We Are Not Hippies

2008-12-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

De La Soul
"3 Feet High and Rising Press Kit (video)" from Tommy Boy Records (1989, YouTube)

Introducing De La Soul...you might've heard of these guys before. Appearances by KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, DMC and a few more towards the end.

This Time (I'm Gonna Try It My Way)

2008-12-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

DJ Shadow
"This Time (video)" from The Outsider (2006, Island Records)

The story on this song according to DJ Shadow from an HMV.com interview:

"The vocals on 'This Time' are about 40 years old. A recording studio in the Bay Area closed down and a friend of mine got hold of all these reels. It's literally 1 minute 20 seconds of this guy tuning up his guitar, singing this little song, and I just fell in love with that vocal track so I literally built the song around it and I'm happy with the way it came out. I have a lot of imitators back home following the 'Endtroducing' model so I just wanted this album to be as hard to imitate as possible. That's one of the reasons I called it 'The Outsider'."

Some additional insight from Austin, Texas audio engineer Mike Manewitz via the SoulStrut.com boards:

"I can absolutely 100% guarantee that the vocals on 'This Time' are not redone. I did some tape transfers for Soulstrut's own Jinx74 ~18 months ago and the vocal was on one of the reels. Labeled in yellowed tape 'Joe'. There were a few other songs on the reel, but 'This Time' was the standout. I must have played that track on repeat for months. Just vocals on one track and acoustic guitar on the other. SO AMAZING. When Josh [Josh Davis, DJ Shadow] was doing some work in the studio I was at, I asked him if [Jinx] had played him any of the reels we transferred and gave him a copy on CD in case he hadn't heard. I mentioned the 'Joe' tracks and how he needed to hear them. Next thing I heard was Jinx calling me up to get the reel because Josh was in love with the song and wanted to use it on the new record.

I was pretty amazed with how the track turned out, especially after listening to the raw version for so long. Maybe at some point that version will get released. I have been a fairly unapologetic Shadow geek for a while, so it was a very cool experience."

Nardwuar vs. Questlove

2008-12-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Questlove
"Interview Part 1 (video)" from Much Music (2008, YouTube)
"Interview Part 2 (video)" from Much Music (2008, YouTube)
"Interview Part 3 (video)" from Much Music (2008, YouTube)
"Interview Part 4 (video)" from Much Music (2008, YouTube)

Interview of Questlove from The Roots conducted by Nardwuar the Human Serviette. They discuss famous Philly musicians, a few legendary samples and more.

If you aren't up on Nardwuar, check out his YouTube channel here. Some classic interviews of Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg in there.

Speaking of The Roots, they've been confirmed to become the house band for 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' on NBC. You can check the announcement on video here. If you didn't know, Jimmy Fallon will replace Conan O'Brien in March 2009 as he moves up to take Jay Leno's time slot.

It'll be interesting to see The Roots on national TV every weeknight. Hopefully they'll find the time to continue recording music and put on a live show here and there.