Sunday 22 July 2007

Mocean Worker



Mocean Worker

Mocean Worker, (pronounced "motion worker") is a one man electronic music DJ, Adam Dorn. He also happens to be the son of famous jazz and R'n'B producer Joel Dorn. Since the release of his first album, 'Home Movies from the Brain Forest', his style has varied from a drum 'n' bass sound to a jazz-oriented dance sound, incorporating elements of funk, big-band and swing. This explains why he has been referred to as an eclectic musician.



Adam is also a bass player and vocalist, and has worked in depth with many artists, including Chaka Khan. The Mocean Worker project is the result of several half-serious recording sessions. Once Dorn had realised the potential of the music he was making, he released his first Mocean Worker album, "Home Movies from the Brain Forest" in 1998.

It is so exciting to discover an artist who has dabbled in various genres and produced different albums with different sounds. Each album Dorn has dropped has been focussed on different elements, and the merging of several makes his music so fresh. Mocean Worker has been praised for his clever ability to bring sounds from the past and blend them with sounds of the present.

My favourite album of his right now is "Enter the MoWo!" Simply because I can't get enough of the smooth sounds produced when Dorn mixes the old with the new; the samples used are taken from the heart of soul and jazz. Even though it's a laid back album it still makes you want to move, and it has that electro, jazzstep feel. For another electronic sounding album, check out "Mixed Emotional Features". Here you will find electronic mixes with d'n'b tones, sik!

Dorn has just finished his fifth album, entitled "Cinco de Mowo", and early reviews of this album indicate that it could be his best work to date. Check out the video for "Shake Ya Boogie" (taken from this album) at the bottom of the page. After five albums Mocean Worker has managed to settle into a comfortable artistic groove, whilst still ensuring that he produces an original sound to his work, which is a rare trait for artists these days.

If you like Mocean Worker, check out similar artists:
Breakybeat Era, Photek, Thievery Corporation.

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Thursday 5 July 2007

Splitsville



Splitsville

The album "Splitsville" is a collection of drunk love songs for broken hearts. It features two EP's brought together in order to create the feeling of two broken men who are brought to their knees by the trials of love and life. The album features three of the best.


First up; AWOL one, who is best known for his work with seminal Los Angeles underground group The Shape Shifters. He is recognised most notably for his trademark raspy flow, which he can adapt to fit any beat. He has worked with artists by the likes of KRS-One, Kool Keith, Common, Cypress Hill and Jurassic 5, among countless others. Next up is; Josh Martinez. He is a rapper, record producer and record label exec in one. His label features his fellow rap artist, Moka Only. Martinez was once named one of the 'Next 100 Rising Stars'. He is most recognised for his engaging wordplay and smooth melodies. Lastly, there is DJ Moves. He is a Canadian rap veteran of 15 years. He has produced tracks for a number of Canadian rap legends, such as Moka Only, Mindbender and Buck 65. The most important thing to note about Moves is that he can make some seriously tight beats!





Listen:
Raindance



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Blue Scholars


Blue Scholars

Blue Scholars are a hip hop duo based in Seattle. The duo was created in 2002 when the two members, Geologic and Sabzi were part of the SHOW (Student Hip Hop Organization of Washington) at the University of Washington. Blue Scholars is made up of one very talented DJ, Sabzi, and another very talented MC, Geologic. The chemistry between the two is electric and consistent, this is a beautiful partnership right here.

Geologic delivers poetic, hard vocals, his flow is relaxed and he is able to paint an image with every lyric he spits. The beats produced compliment the lyrics well, resulting in a laid-back feel to the album, perfect for summer. Blue Scholars have come up with a sound that everyone can relate to and appreciate. Tracks to look out for on the album "Bayani" are, "Still Got Love", "Ordinary Guys", "Loyalty" and "Joe Metro". If you like Hieroglyphics, or Cunninlynguists, you should check them out!




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Beautiful Mind

Dudley Perkins & Georgia Muldrow - Beautiful Mind

A beautiful video for a beautiful track, check it out...


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Wednesday 4 July 2007

Theory Hazit


Theory Hazit - Extra Credit

Theory Hazit may be a name that you are not familiar with. Hopefully we can change that! His name is Thearthur Washington and he hails from Kentucky, but lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. His lyrics are hard, and thought-provoking yet he still manages to keep the listener entertained. He has been compared to Kanye, and Little Brother, so if you like them, chances are you will love Theory Hazit!

Theory has worked with Masta Ace, as well as the God RZA. HE has also performed with one of my favourite groups, Cunninlynguists. I have checked his latest offering, 'Extra Credit'. Theory Hazit is a Christian, and this shines through as he rejoices in his faith in "Lesson in Power". Even if you're not religious, you will be able to hear the passion in Theory's voice. Theory Hazit takes you through his life openly and explains how finding God helped him to straighten up and focus on the positives. This man has knowledge, and you can feel it through his flow. Every track, every beat and every lyric is saying something. The album is full of truthful, meaningful tracks, but Theory makes it fun too, which helps make it playable from start to finish. His music is full of positive messages, and that is just what is needed in a world full of negatives. I was listening to this album whilst walking back home, with the sun shining, and it seemed so appropriate. I'm not a Christian myself, but this album really made me feel uplifted, it's just great. I urge you to check this album out, I'm sure you will find something you like about it. This album is all about giving more, going the extra mile, and pushing higher, and that is exactly what Theory Hazit does. Keep your eye on this guy!


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Polyrhythm Addicts


Polyrhythm Addicts - Break Glass

The Polyrhythm Addicts are, DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex and the lady of the group, Tiye Phoenix. Their music manages to take hip hop back to the simpler days, when it wasn’t so much to do with the bling bling, but more to do with the four elements. The three MC’s of the group stay focussed on what they know how to do best, and that doesn’t include preaching how hip hop is dead in one form or another, which suits me fine!

Break Glass is an album which promises raw beats together with mature artistic lyrics. What more could you expect from such a talented bunch of artists! Sahdeeq, who is recently released from prison brings his deep knowledge from his experiences inside and delivers with a thug style. Mr. Complex brings lyrics packed with wit and metaphors, whilst DJ Spinna brings his refined production to the table. Lastly, Tiye Phoenix is a lady of many talents. As a producer she won the 2006 Meet the Producers Beat Battle, thus proving her remarkable ability to make solid music. She also sings, and has featured on Reflection Eternal’s debut. Phoenix also plays keyboard as part of her group Soulful Symphony who have played with credible artists such as Nas. However, what we are interested in here is how she fares as an MC. Let me tell you, she does not disappoint. Like Jean Grae and Lauryn Hill, Phoenix is able to bring attitude, dexterity and sik flows to the groups line up. She is a lady to watch for sure, and she truly shines on this album, it is a perfect showcase of her raw talent.

Tracks that are worth checking out on “Break Glass” are, “Zonin”, “Thoughts of You” and “ Reachin’ “ which features the talents of Pharoahe Monch.

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Move.meant


Move.meant - The Scope Of Things To Come

This album is some of the freshest work I have heard in a lil while now. I'm constantly looking for new hip hop, at the moment I can't get enough, so this was perfect for me. Move.meant are DJ Spider, MC Champ and Just Beats. Spider and Champ first met in University, but their hiphop group Move.meant wasn’t complete until producer Just Beats was added to the line up, and thus great music was made.



Move.meant’s single “Problems” from The Good Money EP was used on the soundtrack to the oscar-winning film Crash. After Move.meant made their debut, “The Scope of Things”. This album impressed me a lot, mainly because it’s been a while since I really heard and appreciated new hip hop. The flow is solid and smooth, deep with rhyming that challenges even the best MC’s. The best part about Move.meant lyrically is that not only do they deliver skilfully crafted wordplays, but they also deliver a message; everything from poverty in society, to maintaining healthy relationships, to pushing higher for your goals. When it comes to beats, Just lays it down tight, with flexible production that is up their with the best of them. Move.meant really manage to create music that anyone can relate to, and that makes a difference. If this is the future of hip hop, then the future is bright. The album is definitely worth checking out, and my personal favourite is "Miracle" which you can hear here:





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Talib Kweli



Talib Kweli - Eardrum

Talib Kweli is one of the most talented MC's out there right now. Not only has he successfully established himself in the rap game as a solo artist, but he has also collaborated with numerous talents such as Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Kanye, Just Blaze and the late J Dilla.

Eardrum is Kweli's third solo album, after Quality and The Beautiful Struggle. Talib's last solo effort, The Beautiful Struggle, had widely been viewed as a step down from Quality.
However, Eardrum sees Talib step his game back up for real. He has always been an artist who works better around solid production, and this album delivers.

The first single to open the album is "Everything Man", which is one of my personal favourites and it boasts dope smooth production from Madlib. Talib’s voice suits the beat completely. This single track seems to serve as an overall summary of the album. It sees Talib admitting that he can’t be everything to everyone, he can only be him. On this album Talib is simply doing Talib.

My favourite track off the album has to be “Hostile Gospel”. You can tell immediately that it is another of Just Blaze’s gems. Talib’s flow is really on spot, and he brings his knowledge here speaking on society and he brings that borderline celestial talk, which I love. I love this beat! Definitely worth checking out!

Eardrum has a few collab’s on it, and one of them is “Say Something” which features one of the most respected female MC’s out there, Jean Grae. It seems that Nas’ Hip Hop is Dead has ruffled a few feathers. I remember when it came about, a lot of hip hop heads were talking about it and debating it. You had the passionate ones who strongly denied that Hip Hop will ever die, and then those who had given up on it, and those who simply saw it as changing forms. “Say Something” hears Jean and Talib explain, yet again, that Hip Hop was ‘on vacation’ but is now back. It’s a tired debate, but as a track, Jean performs well, her verse is simple, but that’s just what this track requires, it is simple, but nice.

Another track which sees Talib collaborating is “Country Cousins” with UGK. For me, this track is speedy and sparkles….! Take a listen and see what I mean. Another track I have to mention is “More or Less” simply because it sees Kweli join forces with one of my favourite producers, Hi-Tek, and once more they manage to produce a sweet complete sound.

This year has been a funny one for solo albums, for me anyway. It seems that many have been overshadowed by seriously sik mixtapes, like in the case of Prodigy, and Kanye. Yet, amidst all of this, Talib goes and drops this on us, and how thankful we are he has! He hooked up with an incredible crew of producers, and they really came through for him here. They each provide a beautiful background for Talib to spit raw heat. He speaks on a whole variety of topics, making this album both political and human at the same time, that right there is beautiful.

Eardrum is well thought out, and successfully shows Talib’s different sides. Not only has he noticeably progressed himself, but the album benefits from what each collaborator has brought to it. The beats are consistent with some freshness thrown in, and lyrically Talib spits truthfully with substance and directly to you, a very nice job. Hip Hop at it’s finest.

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A big thanks to everyone who contributed to the playlist! If you would like to suggest a track for the playlist, just drop me an email here :)