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!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHAMELESS PLUG!!!!!!!!!!!

For the fellow SneakerHeads like myself out there, I just posted a listing of my kicks up for grabs at EBAY (CLICK to view)…any questions, feel free to gimme a shout!!

“Self Titled”-Intelligent Hoodlum (1990, A & M)

Purchase “Intelligent Hoodlum” via Amazon

Marley Marl is a mastermind, a brilliant wizard, a virtuoso by all means!  Let’s just say the man changed the face of Hip Hop Music emphatically. He introduced various heavyweights like the Big Daddy Kanes, the Craig Gs, the Master Aces, the MC Shans and the Kool G Raps and dropped a compilation album in 1988 on the renown Cold Chillin’-Label called “In Control Volume 1″ (with the ultimate anthem “The Symphony”) to officially present his X-Men-Click the “Juice Crew” to our defunct universe. And then there were two tracks, “The Rebel” and “Live Motivator”, starring a boyish sounding kid called Percy / Tragedy… Now I am indeed very familiar with all the stories that have been told about the man before he became Khadafi: How a 13 year old Percy Chapman had to sleep on Marley’s stoop before the legend gave him a shot and actually started recording with him; how my man had to do 20 months on Rikers Island right after his debut on “In Control Volume 1″, an experience pushing him to his adolescent limits and forcing him to realize how he had to change his ways and what he successfully managed to emphasize on his debut album. But I will tell you a little different story: Back in 1993 when the hype about Nas releasing an album reached uncalled heights and the title of that album “Illmatic” was circulating our airwaves, I told everybody Mr. Jones is a biter!

Yes Sir, your icon of now majestic realm, the Nasty Nas turned Escobar turned God’s Son, had taken the title of his debut-masterpiece off a rhyme Tragedy had delivered back in ‘88 from a song called “The Rebel”: “The rap automatical, the rhymatical / Forget ill, I get illmatical / Biceps pulsating in my lungs / Queensbridge Projects is where I’m from” (later on, Nas told the world that Tragedy’s been one of his idols). It wasn’t really the “illmatical” phrase that’s been buried in my mind for years. It was the graphic line “Biceps pulsating in my lungs” (take a minute to think about the line, it’s stupid folks) that had me going berserk and therefore, I knew right away where Nas had found his “inspiration”. See, both of the songs Tragedy dropped back on “In Control” were overshadowing every house-hold name featured on that album. “The Motivator” used unseen vocabulary and excelled in every branch. But that didn’t seem to help him cause any fanfare when his debut “Intelligent Hoodlum” was released in 1990. For once, his label A&M Records chose to call him Intelligent Hoodlum too and not Tragedy (don’t ask me why!). Then, my man didn’t come out on Cold Chillin’ like everybody else from the “Juice Crew” (and what every fan would have had expected) and the whole project was left nearly unnoticed by the die-hard addicts. Still, the album was everything of a treasure if you ask me.

Starting from the incredibly simple artwork (maybe I should drop a top ten list of best album-covers of all time!?), the mostly dark and gloomy production of Marley Marl that touched a realm of mysticism (and certainly something the man was not known for) and up to the impeccable lyrics delivered, this adventure felt unusual but very “right”. The first song (it was called Intelligent Hoodlum too and somebody from A&M should have felt a little weird) was magic (”I’m the Intelligent Hoodlum – reactor, I cause fear / Writing like Mark Twain, recite like Shakespeare”), “Back To Reality” ingenious, “Black and Proud” bold and “Microphone Check” playful! But the stand-out track had to be “Arrest the President” where he said: “Someone yelled out: Get the hell out / Evil fell out, but I’m no sell-out / Black’s the mineral, white subliminal / Arrest the President, he’s the criminal”. I could go on for days quoting lines form this album but I have to admit, I slept on this initially only to go back and listen to it again right after “In Control Volume 2″ came out in 1991. Still, this is a classic…-Rasul

“Black And Proud”

“Ruff, Rugged & Raw”-Double XX Posse aka Double X (1995, Atlantic)

Purchase “Ruff, Rugged & Raw” via Amazon

Ooooh, it’s about that time folks!! The days of “30 Albums To Get You Thru November” are almost numbered. Believe me, it’s getting hard to meet that quota as well for numerous reasons (not wanting to “double up” on uploads, and never actually taking the time to “sit down” and rank each release numerically). On with today’s last posts! In regards to Double X’s (formerly Double XX Posse) “Ruff, Rugged & Raw, I actually had a real difficult time trying to pick between their 1995 release and “Put Ya Boots On” which featured classic cuts like “Not Gonna Be Able To Do It” and tales of police brutality on “The Headcracker” (no pun intended, ha ha). Lo & behold, I have to go with the more cohesive and better production featured on “Ruff, Rugged & Raw.

With 95% of the production duties handled by Double X themselves (why am I thinking that T-Ray had a heavy involvement in the production as well?) , the album is loaded with East Coast flava‘ from beginning to end. Reliant on echoed horn loops, murky drums and rolling basslines “Ruff….” is one of the golden era’s most slept-on and overlooked gems to ever come outta’ New York. I can remember digging for this one for quite some time in PA, I don’t know if Big Beat distributed very few copies of the album or what, but I had a hard to getting my hands on a copy for the longest. The highlight of this album for me, comes at the expense of the Lord Finesse masterpiece “Money Talks”, which is in my opinion Finesse’s greatest piece of work on the boards…EVER!! You’ll see “Money Talks” pop up on my “Top 25 Beats Of All Time”. On the mic, Sugar Ray is easily distinguishable and carries most of the workload on this one, with BK providing back up from time to time. Sugar Ray was always a dope emcee in my eyes, his lyrics where never “top notch” but his delivery and presence more than compromised his lyrical downside. If you love that “ol New York rap” here’s anotha‘ gem for you…..but why in the hell did I always think that Double X hailed from Jersey. There’s very little info floating around the net’ in regards to Double X Posse, so if I’m incorrect someone give me a shout.

“Money Talks”

“2000″-Grand Puba (1995, Elektra)

Purchase “2000″ via Amazon

Yet another difficult selection for me…believe it or not, I placed Grand Puba’s 1995 release “2000″ ahead of his solo debut “Reel To Reel” on my “Top 100″. The reasoning behind this is fairly simple, the growth that Puba displayed between “Reel To Reel” and “2000” was quite evident. I mean, we all loved “Reel To Reel” but face it….the production was far from polished, but the dusty samples and sparse drum kicks were all part of the attraction. With “2000″ is was clear that Puba packed a few rounds in his holster attempting to crack the urban charts. The most radio friendly track on “Reel To Reel” was more than likely “360 (What Goes Around)”..on “2000″ there are several recognizable instances. For example, let’s take the summer anthem “I Like It” armed with a nice, lighthearted, uptempo beat courtesy of Mark Sparks and a breezy, soulful chorus this track should have actually received more play and received more attention than it actually did. Another notable track would have to be the opener “Very Special” which is yet another Mark Sparks head-nodder..why didn’t this one hit the urban radio charts?…I don’t know.

Overall, the album is much better as a whole than Puba’s previous release. Remember when Treach of Naughty By Nature stated that Puba was “one of the fiercest emcees” on Naughty’s self titled debut? Well, that fierceness is toned down a bit on “2000″ for the listener who’s first exposure to Puba is this sophomore effort. I can remember this album dropped around the time Ace’s “Sittin‘ On Chrome” hit and that was almost anything you heard bumpin‘ out of Jeep Wranglers and Pathfinders during those warm summer months of 1995. The highlight of “2000″ for me is the Minnesota blessed “Amazing”, utilizing the same sample O.C.’s jerked for “Far From Yours” and most recently underground up & comer Danny! supplied it for “Fly” on his third album “Charm”, this track will damn near have you in a neckbrace till’ it’s all said and done. I know it’s gotta’ be difficult for the die hard Puba, Brand Nubian fan to admit “2000″ was a far better album than “Reel To Reel” but face it…..the lyrics were still there and the beats where leaps and bounds ahead of those heard on “Reel…”. Just let it go man!!!!….-Eric

“A Little Of This”

“Soul In The Hole” O.S.T.-Various Artists (1997, Loud)

Purchase “Soul In The Hole” via Amazon

Released in 1997, on the label that was responsible for comprising 3/4 of the disc’s roster (Loud Records), “Soul In The Hole” proved to be one of the most impressive compilations ever dropped in Hip Hop. Although, I’ve watched the documentary which entails inner city basketball and the struggles to make it out of the hood and into something good….I don’t think that any song included on the soundtrack actually appeared in the movie for whatever reason. At my old age, my memory tends to fail me at times..if I’m wrong on this this one give a shout. Nevertheless, this is a very solid soundtrack which plays more as a showcase for Loud’s “stacked” roster than as a musical backing for the movie. Without a doubt, I can honestly say that every track on “Soul In The Hole” is solid….no track less being at least a 3 out of a 5.

The album starts off with the uplifting “The Game Of Life (Score)” brought to you by none other than the revolutionary…but gangsta Dead Prez. Kind of a corny story that goes along with “The Game Of Life” (now, keep in mind this was 1997!), I was carrying three jobs at the time (U.P.S., Junior High Basketball coach & part-time DJ) and three nights a week (usually Friday & Saturday nite) I spun the wheels of steel at a local hole in the wall that after it was all said and done turned out to be a pretty good gig. This soundtrack dropped around the Puffy-era where there really wasn’t much quality in Hip Hop, I can remember trying to break “The Game Of Life” almost weekly, simply because I liked it so much. I remember that I always blended it in with get this….Mariah Carey’s “The Roof” (the remix with Mobb Deep, she basically ganked the “Shook Ones Pt.II” instrumental for “The Roof”) and cats never caught on, but I’ll be damned if “The Roof” didn’t get people outta’ there seats!! (makes no sense to me either)….Damn, I loved that record though. Still, plenty of goodness on “Soul In The Hole” for everyone. From the Primo signature sound of Sauce Money’s (an emcee that fell short of his peers expectations) “Against The Grain” to the subtle but poignant No I.D. production found on Common’s “High Expectations”. “High Expectations” remains…in my opinion, one of the best songs Common ever recorded, too bad Common doesn’t put No I.D. back on speed dial for another album….Shit, I even still doubt that would help his lackadaisical performance on “Finding Forever”. From M.O.P. to Xzibit to Big Pun to Smif N Wessun (Cocoa Brovaz) you can find a little something for everybody on “Soul In The Hole”…one of the best soundtracks to ever drop.

“Soul In The Hole”-Wu All-Stars

“Jazzmatazz Vol. I”-Guru of GangStarr (1993, Chrysalis)

Purchase “Jazzmatazz Vol. I” via Amazon

Being one of the first emcees to combine both elements of Hip Hop & Jazz, Guru’s “Jazzmatazz Vol.I” remains one of my favorites when paired against the likes of releases from Buckshot LeFonque, Justice System and Ghetto Phillharmonic to name a few. With an extremely impressive lineup (Roy Ayers, Brandford Marsalis, N’Dea Davenport(Brand New Heavies),etc.)”Jazzmatazz Vol.I” was released in the summer of 1993 influencing numerous acts to try to emulate Guru’s winning formula….”Buhloone Mind State” or “Blowout Comb” anyone?? Of course, Guru has always been heavily Jazz influenced to begin with…for Christ sakes he had Primo on the boards!…plus he was just coming off the heels of “Daily Operation” which was one of the most blunted, dustiest, jazziest Hip Hop albums ever released as far as I’m concerned. I believe that “Trust Me” which also featured the soothing vocal stylings of the Brand New Heavies’ N’Dea Davenport (surprisingly, she co-produced “Trust Me” as well). Man, I remember hearing that (Trust Me) on the box while workin‘ a hot-ass Saturday afternoon at Sunoco on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during the summer of my Junior year in High School, I almost fell outta’ my chair!

Overall “Jazzmatazz Vol. I” seemed to keep me in tune a whole lot more than it’s follow up “Vol.2″ (that album could’ve stood to lose just a few tracks), clocking in 12 tracks deep there is not much wastage, but the album (”Vol.I”) is long on quality cuts. I also loved “Transit Ride” which is capped off by a wonderful sax solo by Brandford Marsalis and “Sights In The City”…which for some odd reason has been getting quite a few plays from me as of late. Don’t get it twisted, Guru has never been the dopest on the mic but by his on admission “It’s Mostly Tha‘ Voice” and until some of his more recent solo efforts he had always been one of my favs. Listening to “Jazmatazz Vol.I” yesterday made me wish that Hip Hop would go back to the days off jazz rap when the Digable Planets, GangStarr, and “Buhloone Mind State” where holding down the East Coast instead of seeing the Ying Yang Twins, Dipset & Mims plastered all over the tube’ and polluting every “urban” radio station. Guru’s “Jazzmatazz Vol.I” is far from classic, but it will succeed in providing you & your’s with a dope soundtrack to a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon….especially in the summertime.

“Trust Me”

Damn Yo!! It’s been the year of the “EP” and the “free download”, to say the least!! Whether it’s been Donwill & SuhBurb’s “Suhburban Sprawl” or…well, hell there’s nearly too many quaility joints to mention. Let’s say that we, the listeners, have been blessed with a boatload of “free sh*t” in ’08 (keep em’ comin’!). Next on the list is Tha Connection’s “Universal Dominance”, a collection of remixes and sort of a “best of” that entails their brief but promising recording careers. For those that “don’t be knowin” Tha Connection is comprised of two “freestyle ready” emcees who go by Hus Tha KingPin and SmooVth Dude who hail from Hempstead, New York. Some of you may even remember this duo from their 2007 release “Connect”, which looking back I DL’ed from HHB sometime last year (you already know the deal son!!) and for those that really dove into the whole “Rawkus 50″ phenomenon, Tha Connection appeared on 12 Bits’ digital release “Stranded On Planet Rock”.  Since then, they have released and appeared on the “Cosmic Bounce” EP by SmooVth and Drums, the Hus The KingPin appearance on “Love Song” from Fella Vaughn’s “Do My Thing” single (Melting Pot Music) and a few promo EP’s. Their hard work and consistency is just now beginning to come to fruition, most recently inking a deal with Goontrax in Japan for their first retail release that will be in stores December of this year.  To continue on, they are now preparing another release with Domination Recordings (also home to the Jazz Addixx, whaddup Ragz!!!!!!).

My first exposure to Tha Connection came in the form of “Sentido” (click to preview) via the crew’s myspace page. Let’s just say that I’m feelin’ this sh*t so much right now that if you also peep my myspace page you’ll see just how much. The buildup of this track is crazy ill thanks to slick production from AGQ and the consistent lyricism paired with fluid deliveries of Tha Connection make this cut one of my favorites of ’08. The bumrush doesn’t stop there with this 12 track album, “Hibernation” is fueled by ill production as Vans Cal laces Tha Connect with a sick filter and an elegant horn loop that SmooVth and Hus verbally murder. “Supa” (prod. by Max I Million) f. Prolifical almost possesses a more “West Coast” feel as the true art of “sh*t talkin” is mastered to pleasing results over “G-Funkish” production. Also of note, is the appropriately titled “Tunnel” a dark, grimey freestyle joint that flips the Nas mixtape cut that didn’t make “Hip Hop Is Dead” (for Christ sakes, I can’t think of the title of that track to save my life!!).

I hear (and don’t hear) alot of bullsh*t that floods my inbox nowadays, you really have to “pick and choose” what you get yourself into. Needless to say, Tha Connection’s “Universal Dominance” was a good choice as it will more than likely find itself amongst my “surprises” of 2008. Not to say that “Universal Dominance” is an instant classic…yes, there is indeed room for improvement in certain spots on the album. However, I’m anxious to see what the future holds for this talented duo from N.Y. ’cause these cats are definitely worth following! Click HERE to download “World Dominance”.

Yo, you NEED to up on these cats! Yeah, WTR is jackin’ for post (s) tonite!! Thanks to Hip Hop Is Read for hippin’ me to the live “remix” duo of DJ Jr. Flo and electric “soul musician” Matisse aka Keys N Krates! Representin’, of all places…Canada (gasp), this talented duo are worth all the pub in the world! I’ve spent the last 45 minutes peepin’ their collection of videos via Keys N Krates YouTube page. Simultaneously representing the raw soul of live instrumentation and the progressive technology of electronica, Keys N Krates are officially here to bridge the gap. Previously having toured the globe on individual musical conquests, Keys N Krates are truly breathing new life into both classic and contemporary Hip Hop and Electronic music.

The self proclaimed “Live Remix” artists are something to be both seen and heard! Peep some of Their YouTube selections below. However, I have one question. What is everyone doing standing around when they should be body-movin’? Sadly though, Keys N Krates don’t have an “official” release or “mixtape” floating around…at least that I’m aware of.

“Fugee-La” (Remix)

“Eye Know”

“One In A Million “(Aaliyah)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW-lmK_pSrk&hl=en]

-Man, I couldn’t tell you anything about this cat other than the fact that I first peeped this video less than 10 minutes ago over at HHB. However, I had to post this joint! “Soul Music” is crazy nice ($26.00 video and all), anyone have an MP3 of this joint or any good info on this dude/group?

“MM3rd”-Ill Poetic/Joe Budden/Portishead (click to DL)

Most people know Joe Budden for his 2003 hit, “Pump It Up”, as well as his label woes with Def Jam regarding the dropping of his second album…or a single…or him. His fans know him for his introspective, highly respected lyricism, most notably showcased in his “Mood Muzik” series of mixtapes. His latest, “Mood Muzik 3” was released in earlier this year to high praise in the hip-hop community.

Most people know Portishead as pioneers of the trip-hop genre, releasing such classic LPs as “Dummy” and “Portishead”. Fans know them for their unique approaches to recording, as well as lead singer Beth Gibbons’ mournful voice. Their first LP in nearly 10 years, “Third, was released last week to a great response.

Most people don’t know Ill Poetic. In 2007, he released his national debut, “The World is Ours” to critical acclaim as well as a US and European tour. His name and production have received press in VIBE magazine, allhiphop, okayplayer, and countless others. He’s produced/collaborated with such underground notables as Wordsworth, Illogic, Blueprint, and Piakhan. Fans know him for writing his own self-deprecating press releases.

The following LP chops and layers Portishead’s “Third” (with some old ones in there, too) with Joe Budden’s “Mood Muzik 3”, creating the kind of dark, atmospheric LP that your cousin drinks bourbon in a bathtub to with the lights dimmed.

Editor’s Note: This sh*t is bananas!! Ill Po’ totally changed the feel of “Mood Muzik”, the Portishead chops give the album are dark murky feel that match up well with Joey’s somewhat depressing lyrics. If only Joe Budden could have this kind of top-notch production with each release! Also, be sure your “speaker game” is up to par, ’cause Ill Poetic loaded this re-working with enough bottom to rattle your ribcage. One of the best releases of the year thus far!!

From Ill: I just wanted to give a brief history of this project so that everyone gets their credit. This album was put together in one weekend, and i still don’t know how it actually got finished.

-Thanks to Greg and Macniff at Garnett Entertainment for the idea and the Portishead records. This was supposed to be a collab project, but unfortunately, they got caught up in some other projects.

-Thanks to my best friend Young Zone (Zone’s MySpace) for talking me into still doing this by myself.

-Thanks to my 13 year old computer, who, despite the loss of 80 percent of it’s plug-ins, inability to convert files into mp3s, and 15 minute load in time for a photoshop file, still saw this project through with me.

-Thanks to Number one Budden Fan Terrell Wright for helping me leak this.

-Thanks to you for listening and not putting this immediately in your recycling bin.

Pass this link on to everyone you can reach….or not. Either way, just enjoy it:)

Forthcoming Ill Poetic projects:

-Illogic “Diabolical Fun” Sept. ’08 on Weightless Records (Illogic’s MySpace)

-Ill Poetic and j. rawls – Fall ’08

-Wordsworth LP – TBA

-Blitz the Ambassador LP – TBA

-Young Zone “Face The Music” – TBA

-Definition (Ill Poetic & Young Zone) LP – TBA

If you’re a frequent visitor of “W.T.R.” you already know what a huge Ill Poetic “Stan” I am. Not only did I proclaim Ill’s “The World Is Ours” as my favorite release of ’07 (sh*t, of the last five years or so even!), but had his 2005 album “Illumination” actually been released last year as well (being that I didn’t even know it existed until mid-way thru the Summer), it probably would have found itself in the Top 10 releases of the year as well. In an odd and somewhat coincidental turn of events, (please see my take on Joe Budden’s “Mood Muzik 3″ in my “Most Played For The Week” for more), Ill has taken on the task of pairing Joe Budden’s “MM3″ with the unlikely duo of Portishead and their latest offering “Third”. Now, what I have from the album I’m sharing with you as the remainder of “MM3″ will be a free download (a la “Blueprint vs. Funkadelic”) that I should have by tomorrow. However, in the meantime here is “Ventilation” (click to DL) to hold you over until I receive the album. Who knew that Joey B over some Portishead ‘ish would sound soo dope?? Especially after hearing all the lackluster beats on the original “MM3″. I have no doubt that Ill Poetic will do for “MM3″ what Small Pro did for “American Gangster” with his remix album, “Crooklyn Gangster”.

Thanks to DJ Derezon & Illfated Tre we now have gained some insight from DJ Premier on how he crafted just a few of the classics within his extensive discography. Man, this is a real dope compilation, listening to Primo recall the moment he became aware of Big L’s shooting is spine-tingling.  Primo does a masterful job of keying in the listener, revisiting how he nearly tossed away the record that soon became “Nas Is Like” the same morning he gave birth to the beat. However, what I found most interesting was Primo describing Nas’ opening words to “N.Y. State Of Mind”. When Nas uttered the ad-lib to the opening of the classic cut, “yo, I don’t know how to start this sh*t”, Nas truly didn’t have the rhyme pattern down pat. All this going on while Primo was counting Nas in (“1,2,3″), long story short, the first verse you hear on “N.Y. State Of Mind” is basically Nas in one take…straight to wax…timeless! Sorry folks, unfortunately, this is a long MP3 track with no breaks between tracks. Still, at slightly over 33 minutes long, “14 Secrets of Primo” is a definite “must have”!

“14 Secrets Of DJ Premier” (click to DL)

1. “Words I Manifest”-Gang Starr
2. “Tha ? Remainz”-Gang Starr
3. “Nas Is Like”-Nas
4. “N.Y. State Of Mind”-Nas
5. “MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know”-Krs One
6. “A Million and One Questions”-Jay Z
7. “New Jack City”-M.O.P.
8. “Full Clip”-Gang Starr
9. “You Know My Steez”-Gang Starr
10. “Come Clean”-Jeru The Damaja
11. “Livin’ Proof”-Gang Starr
12. “Defeat”-Afu Ra
13. “When I Be On The Mic”-Rakim
14. “Step In The Arena”-Gang Starr

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wvdeWpB90Q]

Man, I am and always have been a huge Baron Davis fan, ever since his U.C.L.A. days. This Reebok clip is freakin’ hilarious, it’s obvious that Baron is a seasoned roller-skater. Enjoy and stay tuned for a few more “Fat Tape” posts that I’m finishing up as we speak.

“Lifted EP” (2006)-Blu

Man, I don’t know how I missed out on this one! Even though this EP, released in 2006 contains three…well, actually four cuts (the version of “Soul Provider” on this EP differs from the original) that made it to Blu & Exile’s “Below The Heavens”, the EP’s opener “Just Another Day” is worth the download alone.  Freaking the hook to Queen Latifah’s classic, “Just Another Day” (from her Black Reign album), “Just..” is a track that didn’t make the cut, but it is classic Blu & Exile.  Dope production, dope lyrics, can’t seem to figure out why this one didn’t cut the cake.  Whatever, the case I’m glad to bring you this EP that served as a teaser for the now…..yep, Classic debut from “the new Pete & CL”.  Also, peep the video for “Just Another Day” below and peep B-L-U’s new ‘do.  Dude looks look another person with the fro’ gone.

Blu – just another day

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Whaddup peoples? I hope that everyone is enjoying their week, now that “hump day” is on the down-slide. I actually had a little free time today, so I ventured on over to my favorite spot to pick up used CDs, Hastings. Even though they may be on the pricier side of things, here in Arkansas I really don’t have much of a choice when it comes to buying music. I was fortunate enough to scoop up a few discs such as Young Black Teenagers debut, Hi-C’s “Swingin”, Total Devastation’s debut and Top Quality’s “Magnum Opus”. However, my catch of the day (even though it’s not “rare” by any means) was a compilation CD mixed by DJ Skribble entitled “The Best Of D & D Studios”. Even though I’m quite positive that most, if not all of you will have the songs that are included on “D & D” it’s still kinda’ nice to have all those dusty classics on one album. I found Mr. Walt’s remarks in the linear notes to be particularly interesting and insightful regarding the history that surrounds the dingy, New York recording studio. So, since I’m such a nice guy (and I’m dragging my feet on finishing up these “year-end lists”) I’ve compiled those for your reading enjoyment as well. Also, near the tail-end of this post I’ve included a few press releases that I’ve received over the last few days pertaining to the 9th Wonder & Buckshot follow-up to “Chemistry” and an apparent beef between NYOil (gotta’ love this cat….”UMCs is a new way of bein!”) and the aforementioned “King of The Fruity Loops”. Have a great closeout to the week and I promise to have those year-end lists finished up by Monday….-Eric

From Mr. Walt (Da Beatminerz) (circa 1999):

“As soon as you get off the elevator, Hip-Hop hits you in the face.  The red light sets the mood, as you enter a world full of dark, gritty, grimy shit.  Walk in the front door and the first thing you see is graffiti everywhere.  Step into the lounge and you’ll see blunts and bamboos in the vending machine.  Walk by Studio B and you can hear “Come Clean” banging out of the speakers.  Down the hall, you can hear “Bucktown” coming through the door in the A room, or maybe hear Mr. Walt complaining that one of the buttons on the SP1200 is not triggering, or maybe its Curt Cazal tracking some ill shit in the D room that catches you.  It doesn’t matter what you hear, it doesn’t matter what you say, D & D is 10 percent ghetto and 90 percent sound & soul.  No other studio has a sound like D & D.  Some people don’t understand D & D, they might even hate it.  The only reason they do that is because they have never experienced it.  That’s where I come in.  I’m here to lead you on an incredible journey through the history of D & D.  By the time that you have finished this album, you will know what it’s like to feel the D & D Experience.”

“The Real Hip-Hop: Best of D & D Studios” -(mixed by DJ Skribble)

“N.Y. State of Mind”-Nas: “A Nas/Primo collabo’. A dope way to start any album, this track is from Nas’ debut album “Illmatic”. A 90′s version of Eric B. & Rakim’s classic “Paid In Full”

“Come Clean”-Jeru The Damaja:  “What the fu*k was on Primo’s mind when he made this beat?!  Vintage Jeru, this song reminds me of Broadway Junction, a train station in East New York, Brooklyn.”

“Bucktown”-Smif N Wessun:  “This is one of my favorite records of all time, regardless of the fact that Da Beatminerz produced it.  This song had an aura about it.”

“Supa Star”-Group Home:  “I love the way Lil’ Dap flows on top of the beat in this song.  You got to check out my man Phat Gary in the video.”

“Danger”-Blahzay Blahzay:  “I first heard this song on Pete Rock and Marley Marl’s show, Future Flavas, and I knew it was a hit.  There was something about it that brought me back to 1985, when most of the joints that came out were blazing!”

“Whirlwind Thru Cities”-Afu-Ra:  “Some of the new D & D Blood!  This is one of those “Look world, here I am” songs.  Check for his album when it drops in early 2000, because if his joints sound like this, it’s sure to be a classic.”

“Unbelievable”-The Notorious B.I.G.:  “Fatman Scoop and I always argue about this record being one of Biggie’s best lyrical songs.  The beat was simple, but hot to death.  We miss U Big, R.I.P.!!”

“Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz”-Lost Boyz:  “This song came out at just the right time.  Easy Mo Bee (One of the Kings of the SP1200) blessed Queens with this one.  Hearin’ Cheeks and Tah on this was so dope!! R.I.P. Freaky Tah!!

“(How About Some) Hardcore”-M.O.P.:  “I think I was one of the few people in the world who didn’t like this song when I first heard it.  Heather B. put me up on these cats, and after listening to “Downtown Swinga” and “Rugged Neva Smoove”, I appreciated this song and became a life long fan”.

“MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know”-Krs-One:  “Just when we were turnin’ our backs on Kris, POW!! He hits us with this, straight to the point Hip-Hop.”

“Next Level”-Showbiz & AG:  “Even though this is Prim’s remix, Showbiz is one of the illest producers in the game.  AG’s rhymes were perfect for this joint, Big L-Rest in Peace!!”

“The Rep Grows Bigga”-Gang Starr:  “Uncle Dex loved this joint.  This takes me back to 1988, when I first met Guru, minus Premier, at Club Amazon in NYC.  You can’t front on Gang Starr, they are on of the reasons that I am in the game today.”

“Ain’t No Ni**a”-Jay-Z ft. Foxy Brown:  “This was the one!!  Jaz on the beat (and singin’), Khadejia on the hook, and Jay and Foxy wid’ the rhymes.  You can’t go wrong!!”

“Who Got The Props”-Black Moon:  “Either you liked this track or you hated itt, but either way you talked about it.”

“1, 2 Pass It”-D & D All Stars:  “If you have never been to D & D, listening to this song will bring you as close as you can get, without actually stepping foot inside the famed Hip-Hop institution.  This song is D & D!!

“Ghetto Like D & D”-D & D Crew:  “Some of Hip-Hop’s up-and-coming superstars bring vicious lyrical skills to the table, as they feast on this Curt Cazal beat.  Redman couldn’t have said it any better.”

Now sit back, do what you do to get your shi*t right, and get ready to feel the D & D Experience.

Peace, Mr. Walt (Da Beatminerz)

NYOil vs. 9th Wonder????

A source from NYOIL’s close knit and closed mouth camp PEM (Petroleum Empire Media), while promoting NYOIL’s Teen Club Venture launched in his hometown of Staten Island NY let this little tidbit slip:

“Apparently NYOIL has been working on a MIX CD which has yet to be titled with the byline “NYOIL vs 9th Wonder”. They would not confirm or deny that the Mix CD was a diss project towards the producer of Little Brother fame and Grammy award winner (see Mary J Blige). Underground insiders report that NYOIL was seen at the Little Brother album release party last year where he was discussing tour possibilities with Little Brother Road manager Big Doe. It appears that NYOIL did not end up on any dates with Little Brother. So the possibility exist that this is some way of exacting revenge on the Group.

NYOIL could not be reached for comment on the matter however upon checking his myspace profile byline it says “NYOIL is releasing a new mix cd find out how to get a free copy” So a new project is definitely in the works.”

NYOil’s MySpace

While we’re on the topic of 9th Wonder, peep the lead single “Go All Out” from Buckshot & 9th Wonder’s second collaborative effort “The Formula”. The album is scheduled to drop on April 15th and will also feature appearances from Talib Kweli and Raheem DeVaughn. You can check it out HERE.  Even though “Chemistry” may have received mixed reviews, I loved it.  Buck’s vocal tone fit like a glove over 9th’s soulful instrumentals.  So what if 9th still has that “same ol’ snare”, so what if he is overly efficient with Fruity Loops, dude is still one of my favorite producers in the game right now.   Man, Duck Down has been making some major moves as of late, first the signing of Kidz In The Hall, then the ESPN deal and now “The Formula”?  Looks like 2008 is gonna’ be a great year for Duck Down!