Skunk & Café - Jazz Muy Tarde

            Love foreign hip-hop. Or rather, hip-hop in a foreign language. I love observing the flow of the language and how despite the differences you can tell how the verse is structured just like in English. You feel how the beat compliments their words with the pauses in the music. It really isn't too hard to enjoy the song. You appreciate each MC's skill and nod your head to the beat. Of course, I can't get any deep messages from the song, but any music can still paint a beautiful image in your head.
           This one gives me the image of a lovely morning. It kinda pumps me up, and the tunes of the sax are so happy. The power in the verses grant me energy. The thing I love with Jazz Muy Tarde is the elements of jazz they have are always so clean, as they have their own saxophone player. And their beats are boom bap all the time! And oh boy, to top it off their scratches are ridiculous. One thing I have missed about hip-hop now a days, I notice their is such a low percentage of people that still use scratching in their music. It is no nice to hear, and they do a wonderful job. Perhaps I'll include another song of theirs that uses it!

Lovely - Art of Verse

A track to reminisce on. To wish things were so lovely as they once were.

             A mellow and jazzy song. His album has become incredibly relevant to my life. He himself, Waldemar Kintana, calls the music, "...LoveRapsForABrokenHeart[edWorld]". And how true that is, all his verses are true to what you might read in a book of poetry. Where as many raps, while golden, aren't something you would read. This man is amazing, and his name is truth. It would appear to me that he really understands the art in verse. His word choice, figurative language,(being hip-hop) and his delivery are all perfect!
            There is a lot that delves into relationships and how we handle decisions. Lots of feelings in each line, so I'll run through them which I know I haven't done in awhile. Right off the first beat we know this song is going to reminisce, perhaps on what was so great about the past. I often have those moments, as I am sure all others do; where one contemplates what exactly makes these days so complicated. Simplicity is lovely.
            I would say the next lines focus on understanding and learning people at a truly deep level.

The warmest phenomenon found from holding just One –

Soul, so close and with the highest regard

Because to me that is like having the ability to reach the Stars

Or better yet, dancing wild amongst the planets

But I'm a hopeless romantic so I don't expect her to understand it

           Ever have a moment where you know someone truly gets you? They know what you like, they can analyze your whole person and recognize the small things you do. This recognition is an incredible feeling. When somebody you know truly cares for and admires you. There is also an understanding as to what that person cares about and perhaps how great you mean to that person. It does hurt, for me personally when people don't recognize that, yet I try to tell them. I love to let others know how much they mean to me, and know that I appreciate them. Perhaps that "her" in someone's life doesn't know that. That the simple things one does; even if that means you are talking to a person; mean the world. I love the way Kintana words it as, "the ability to reach the Stars". An event that was deemed impossible by yourself becomes reality. The one who granted you this experience fail to realize it is that ability, that maybe a conversation or two is a tremendous deal. Kintana acknowledges that his personality paints these experiences to be much like reaching the stars; that the things his love interest does are not so elaborate, in terms of feeling, to many others.

           I enjoyed his thoughts on sorrow and the idea that conflicts come and go and what mindset can be had.

I speak with a firm belief held in Yesterday

That the troubles I'm struggling with, were all so far away

But now they are here to stay with the honesty of tomorrow

And all that frame contains are only the promises of sorrow

           After tragedy, it is logical to convince ourselves that everything will be alright, and we promise not to get upest. A cruel trick, as in the near future perhaps we are frustrated; and the idea that we just lied to ourselves to get over something lingers. I have had moments like those, no matter how significant the distress. Whether minutes or days away, it seems getting upset is unavoidable, the pursuit of happiness is colossal at the vulnerable points of my life. I choose to construct a wall of optimism greater than my usual. I do whatever I can to get better, convincing myself there is so much beauty in life; so that even when there are, "promises of sorrow", I keep my head up and persevere. 

Still the noise of her departure echoes in my room

         Locations hold memories. That idea is prevalent in this line, and I love it. An event can be crystal clear in the mind, just stimulate the senses. I have returned to places and I can recall memories that are incredibly vivid. Smell too, that is said to be an incredible sense that the brain uses to familiarize things. Even feeling with your hands, to enjoy all the textures of the world can also connect us with the past. However, it is in "Lovely" that the focus is on painful memories. Perhaps he feels her departure everywhere, and the words she spoke dwell in his mind. Yet again, perhaps it is in his room that it happened. That could very well be why her voice echoes in his room. Maybe you have a place that resurrects a painful memory.

         Plenty of the lines in this song focus on the loss of color and happiness. Many times does he figuratively word her importance: making his, "bed colder than the Polar Caps", and, "washing away all the colors leaving only shades of grey", her disappearance causing, "a Solar collapse". It all effectively paints what the absence of someone once so close feels like. 

Connection was music so this is the worst type of hurt

If I have no inspiration, how can I be Art of Verse?

         The problem with ones absence, is that your old self can't be easily "reinstalled" if you will. Some things you connect to that person are ruined. An easy example would be a song; a song that you shared with someone close and can't enjoy now that they are gone, simple because it is reminder of their absence. It impacts us. Again, locations too may become those terrible reminders. It is hard to return to songs, places, foods, and events that were so different when we were happy.

         The lyrics had me gripped. There were lots of things for my mind to absorb. Food for thought is plentiful on "Lovely". And the production is absolutely delightful! Jazzy and somber is what I can describe it as. Mill, our producer on this stellar track, uses sax and brass to add to this light boom bap track. I absolutely love the bouncy piano notes in the background. The track is perfect for a rainy day. The instruments give me a cozy feeling too, again to enjoy a stormy evening. 

Mill does a wonderful job of working with Art of Verse to explore what is and what once was lovely.

Download or order your physical copy here. I must say the presentation of his CD is wonderful!
Atop A Starlit Canopy

Hope That We Can Be Together Soon - Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes

            I absolutely love this song. Been a favorite, and I am proud to say I can actually have it on rotation. Meaning I picked up this on vinyl, and awhile back over the summer. I loved the album, in fact it was the first one that I put on when Karl and I returned from my first ever day of digging! However, this became one of those tracks that I just skimped over. I have no idea why, perhaps I was just flying through the LPs to find what was dope and what would be fun to sample for my first time!
           This is seriously perfect. That nice slow intro of the absolute sweetest grooves. The piece that probably is most familiar to me ears it that boom-bip type of beat. Carries something you hear in a lot of hip-hop tracks nowadays. And Sharon Paige, the lovely lady featured on this LP, is the star on this track, a magnificent voice. Singing the hook that I can't help but sing along to, my god it is catchy. The tunes are so sweet throughout the track! The strings that bring out the power of the vocals are a treat. The horns are great too! I must say this is my idea of soul, every element is there. The sweet words and rhythms, and the emotion carried through each voice. When you can tell they are really belting it out and are truly one with the music, that is when I get inspired and really know they love what they are doing.

Short and sweet post, enjoy the classic!


And this was recorded onto my computer straight from the wax, I was pretty impressed with the quality, being this was a $1 record! And oh it is worth so much more! 

Graffiti on a Monday Night - Neat Beats

            Superb in every way. This is pure headphone music. Music that bounces back from ear to ear. Music that never ceases to carry you in a new direction. Music that is pretty much indescribable. This has been one of my most favorite compositions. Neat Beats has introduced me to some fantastic instrumental hip-hop. A completely different side as a matter of fact; one that is ambient and elegant. Beats that are: soft, quiet, fluent, elaborate, and of course powerful. This is a song that holds all those qualities. "Graffiti on a Monday Night" being the 1st track to the free EP "Science is My Girlfriend"; is an excellent introduction to Neat Beats. The two producers (A. Fenner & R. Haynes) have delivered unto me a fantastic journey through audio. Once again, the random find of the internet has blessed me.
           I remember skipping over this song when first listening to the album. That guitar is always so uneasy; the purpose being to perhaps paint the rest of the beat. The song has its ups and downs in intensity, and like any good story it reaches a climax. The beat is certainly there and you got a nice melody to take you off and then the strings are introduced. You reach a bit of a stall and the next elements are brought in. The guitar is brought in and with such affects! The job they do of panning sounds is incredible. The drums are brought back in and it gets very "neat". A erry sample is brought, yet it is so lovely. You hear the hums, indecipherable for my ears, but it is amazing. Something about it is so soothing. Then a voice comes through, and it is very harsh, and the character starts asking having a conversation, with whom was perhaps concerned as to why they yelled, "fuckin' die!". We don't know of this character but I feel we have all been in this situation, and on both sides of the conversation. People might wonder what is up when you let out some stress, a prime example being when parents wonder what you are yelling about in your room. Not wanting to cause distress, you play it off. On the receiving end of these yells you wonder if that person was really okay or not, it really depends on how well you are convinced. They my favorite and most powerful sample in the song, when one man yells, "COME BACK HERE! COME BACK HERE!!!". The voice carries so much energy, chills everytime. Then the pace of everything really picks up! I can't affectively describe what actually happens basically the sounds are looped extremely fast and the producers jump around with the sounds. Then an end...

The beats are superb. The stories are engaging. The composition is unique. I myself ended up buying their album, "Cosmis Surgery", and on vinyl at that. Beautiful artwork, and again, another fantastic journey.

ALBUM REVIEW: Neckbreakers Beat Tape: The Expert

         Well before the month passes, I'd just like to get a post up, maybe for the sake of a post getting up. I'd like to put something up before October, and I finally went back to one of my requests, if you can call it one of those. A couple months back, the Expert sent me his tape through e-mail, and I wasn't sure what to do at first. However, through all the corny twitter rappers that follow me, countless video shares of the "hottest" underground rapper, and other artists that e-mail me, this and a few others have surprised me. Not only because this guy actually knows what I like, I of course only assuming that because of the enjoyment I got from this tape, but because it is really the first good submission I have ever gotten. I have gotten some others submissions that might be good, but those haven't been revisited yet. This is the one I have come to revisit and have had in my library for a few weeks now.

       The actual beat tape? Yes it is great. 7 seven solid instrumental tracks, with a consistent sound that makes the album a pleasant listen. Drums have that light shaky feel to it, which is always a good area in hip-hop. Through the samples, the Expert shows you he knows what to do funk and soul. A lot of that good down-to-earth soul feel. Unlike most of my instrumental albums, most being of the hip-hop genre, this one doesn't feel too chopped. Where as listening to artists such as 9th Wonder, Foner, Ta-ku, you know everything has been rearranged. Don't quote me on that ha ha, but when listening to, "another journey" there is no pause, no nothing. Very easy to zone out to.

And of course some blurbs for the beats!

1. Apollo - Starting off with that big band sound. Then oooh it slips right into that late night lurk vibe. With that chop in the background adding a nice touch, you become immersed into the night. And then that elegant night club kinda piano slips in there to take things up another notch. You can tell the beats from here on out are going to have many surprises and change ups.

2. What's Going On Today - Very familiar tune at the start. Then picks right up with that dirty boom-bap, of a fast pace. I really like the vocals on this one, nice to sing along to as you bob your head. Just-- just-- just-- don't understand. Ooh very easy to roll to. Then that ba ba ba takes you out with the sax, a successful jam concluded.

3. Alan Alda - This one is killer. Perhaps the heaviest beat on here. Then a nice melody is constructed with the strings and that slippery feel of the keys. The bass line in the back is just so damn good too. Really one of those beats that works so well at night time, when passing the streets under the yellow street lights. Paints an eery feel that would gladly join other late night instrumentals.

4. Dynamite - Solid loop right off the bat. The little vocal and the change ups of the guitar are quite nice. A pretty simple song working well with just a few different patterns.

5. Another Journey- Swear I have heard that guitar tune somewhere before, in fact I have, but I can't place it. This one is quite relaxing despite the stress I have of not placing the sample. And with some pretty keys attached he throws in some soulful oohs. And I believe that cut is from Common, but I can't be a 100% sure. Another favorite bit is right in the middle when it breaks down for a split second, man that part had me like, oh wow!

6. Buttery Gold - Same start as Apollo. Big band sound again! However, leading in a new direction to give us something powerful and boastful. The brass arrangement samples is very nicely used.

7. Acting the Maggot - Yet another tune I can't place. I have almost definitely heard this. This one is probably my favorite beat off the album though, it is so good. The cutoffs are so hip-hop, and I imagine off an MPC, and are just so great! The tune from Frankie on the guitar is just amazing, as well as Moschops on the cuts. Everything is fused so perfectly and the multiple breakdowns has me looking for something every second on this beat! In the back with the Twiddler you hear that slick bass. OOOH and that end breakdown is so good. Man I just feel every note so much. Woo I absolutely am in love with the whole piece. While at first the cuts seemed to break things too much, I came to absolutely love them. Then the Mr. Pollard just carries you on the home-coming stretch.

I absolutely have come to love this beat tape since taking the time to listen to it. In fact when he sent that e-mail he told me how big a fan he was of the page, I owe it to the guy. And as avid listeners of music that my followers are, you owe it to yourself to try out this tape.

Here is the link!
http://theexpert.bandcamp.com/album/the-expert-neckbreakers-beat-tape

He tells me he has worked with R2 although I am not sure on what, I'll be hitting up Kid Abstrakt about that, I am sure he could tell me. I am now really excited to see what other projects he has coming for me!