Posted by Andrew Jones on 04/14/2008 4:53 PM While their main priority is moving the crowd, the Hip Hop DJ is often
a natural critic and historian, weeding out the forgettable and
preserving the obscure. Splitting his time as co-manager of Plug Label
alongside Kero-One, the left coast's DJ King Most assumed the dual
roles of orchestrator and educator for Genius Music, a mix-CD
showcasing works of varying notoriety by the industry's three kings of
production. The geniuses in question are none other than...
Posted by Andrew Martin on 04/14/2008 4:47 PM Although it drags at times and is reminiscent of albums you have heard before, D. Allie's The Cooperative is yet another strong release from the Detroit underground.
They've played with Prince, got props from Maceo and their
instrumental collection doesn't disappoint. Brownout's debut boasts the
winning combination of head nod niceness and tracks that urge you to
wear out some shoe leather.
On its latest compilation disc, School of Beats takes you on a thorough walk through hip-hop and jazzy soul production on The Progress Report, Lesson 3.
The Washington D.C. producing trio light touch maintains the spotlight
despite the clan of rappers featured on the album. The guests hold
their own, but the tight production keeps the album afloat even when
less than spectacular emcees take over.
Posted by Sean Kantrowitz on 04/10/2008 5:01 PM The 14th (!) album from R.E.M. is almost more notable for what it isn't
than what it actually is. After the directionless approach that made
their last effort, 2004's Around the Sun, a disappointment to
critics and fans alike, the forefathers of post-punk alternative rock
have clearly taken some time to assess where they stand in their
career, and where their strengths lie as a band.
Guru told us long ago that "It's the Voice," yeah true. But it's
also the cadence, the flow, the delivery, and maybe most of all the
subject matter. Guru brings all of that to the table with a left
handed, abstract changeup pitch that always delivers. In terms of style
and delivery, Guru calls it monotone. In Gangstar, Guru is joined by
the sound scientist DJ Premier. Primo's abstract concepts add the flair
and color that...
