Hi-Fi International

Fundamental Anathology Part Deux!

2008-05-07T16:50:00.003-06:00

Here is a top ten list of my favorite reggae artists. All are amazing and should be listened to immediately!

Massively Underconsumed

2008-04-29T13:52:00.003-06:00

Forget the title: Gang Starr had no mass appeal, probably because monotone drone Guru is one of history’s most self-effacing rappers.

But these 20 tracks justify the duo’s hero status among purists, and form a better compilation than a 1999 set that held 11 more songs, including needless remixes. Granted, Guru is no rhyme virtuoso, but he spits a clear street narrative and is an oddly inventive shit-talker (“You puny protozoa,” he scoffs in “Check the Technique”).

The real star of the duo, though, is DJ Premier, whose groundbreaking jazz-flavored beats and scratch-happy psychedelic mini-symphonies remain some of the most compelling music ever created by a hip-hop producer.

I still can’t believe I haven’t repped this duo on my blog before, go check em out.

Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Robyn Hood Theoriez

Fundamental Anthology: Part III of III

2008-04-10T00:19:00.005-06:00

Here are the final pieces to my ultimate underground hip-hop archive in alphabetical order:

Fundamental Anthology: Part II of III

2008-04-10T00:08:00.006-06:00

Here is part II of III of my ultimate underground hip-hop collection in alphabetical order:

Fundamental Anthology: Part I of III

2008-04-09T23:45:00.006-06:00

Just as I promised in my last posting, here is part I of III of my ultimate underground hip-hop collection in alphabetical order:

Radio/Online Audio News Package

2008-04-08T15:46:00.007-06:00

Trains in Fort Collins create noise pollution and traffic congestion. By law, trains have to blow their whistles at intersections, but cannot be redirected and must go through our town. So we learn to deal.

Train Audio Interview

Help With Your Fractured Filters

2008-04-06T21:34:00.002-06:00

It’s not hard to make money with less substance if you’re already rich and famous.

If you consider our contemporary society as being extremely influenced on morality and ethics, then you could also assume that our cultural icons, (MUSICIANS, athletes, politicians, etc…) should be responsible for the power and abilities they have.

Think about the sway that enormously popular rap stars like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ludacris, and so many others hold over America’s youth. Are they really sending out the right message with excessive materialism, hoes, and purp in they cup? And so, I weed through the garbage to pick the good apples out for you.

A handful of mainstream artists consistently produce socially conscious albums while staying fresh and entertaining. Others however, are sending ridiculously ‘dumbed-down’ lyrics that provide little more than a snare-kick loop on top of a deep bass sample intermittent with techno reverbs. Although these are entertaining and undoubtedly created for dancing while ‘poppin’ bottles in da club,’ they really are mind disintegrating.

It is the artist’s responsibility to provide music with positive messages and insightful lyrics. With so much rubbish out there, it’s hard to train your personal filters that catch all the crud.

That’s why I’ve created this blog. That’s why I’ll keep updating it with entertaining artists that make you think rather than aspire for diamonds and cars. And that’s why a list is under development of everything that makes up the highly regarded world of underground hip-hop.

20/20 Perfect Vision

2008-03-30T13:41:00.004-06:00

On a trip to Best Buy yesterday a Dilated Peoples album I never knew was released caught my eye. When I plopped it into the CD deck of my car for the ride home, it made me wonder why I hadn’t listened to these guys lately…I forgot how dope they were and how they always modify but manufacture consistently high quality music.

Dilated Peoples have done it yet again with the newest album, 20/20, but not only that, they maintain a constant updating of their formula while staying true to what brought them into the game.

The groups members, DJ Babu from the DJ crew Beat Junkies , Evidence, and Rakaa joined together in 1992 and slowly started developing a solid fan base in the underground hip hop community

20/20 starts off with 'Back Again' a great song to start off considering the ridiculously head thumping beat produced by The Alchemist. Then it kicks in to one of the best songs on the album 'You Can't Hide, You Can't Run' which I think really brought the best out of Rakaa lyrically. You've got many other stand outs like 'Kindness For Weakness' featuring Talib Kweli, 'The Eyes Have It', and the Reggae influenced 'Firepower!’

Every track on this CD was expertly and precisely produced. The melodies and rhymes intertwine subtly and sometimes the DJ spins out a bass thump or vocal so high, it’s hard to tell if it’s the artists rapping or the music speaking.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Neighborhood Watches

Im Speaking to YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU!

2008-03-27T13:27:00.003-06:00

A recent purchase of The Very Best of Eek a Mouse completed my Eek a Mouse CD collection and after a thorough listen, Eek a Mouse remains the undisputed reggae king of singjaying.

A well-chosen compilation of Eek a Mouse's most popular '80s hits, The Very Best of Eek a Mouse is a solid set of early dancehall favorites, all of them built on the performer's pioneering "singjay" style, not quite toasting, but not just singing, either.

His utterly unique vocal talents, mainly being an inimitable high-pitched voice which found him elongating words with mock-Asian dialect and peculiar chants like "biddy beng beng" like some kind of Jamaican Slim Galliard.

Hits here include the spooky "Terrorists in the City," the sly humor and social commentary of "Anaerexol" and "Star, Daily News or Gleaner," and of course his 1982 breakthrough hit, "Wa-Do-Dem."

All are essential, and there's little fat among the remaining tracks as well. This and the follow-up second volume are essential for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Police in Helicopters

Zion Stays True While Livin

2008-03-25T13:11:00.003-06:00

I’ve written on a group called Zion I before…and a few days ago I purchased their fourth album; True and Livin.

It was a good choice.

True & Livin is definitely a gem, an album with a variety of well produced and performed content that fits together. It begins with an infectious track, hypnotizing the listener and slowly moves on to discuss Hip Hop in various forms, discussing their area ("The Bay") and talking about love, relationships and day to day life situations ("Temperature"). All subject matters are examined carefully and articulated in a catchy manner, but the point remains defined.

One of the album's strongest tracks comes as a surprise "Poems 4 Post Modern Decay" has Aesop Rock providing guest verses. The chemistry between Rock and Zion is phenomenal and the beat seems designed for Aesop in its dark feel. Another exceptional track is "Next To U," a love song with such a sensual feel that you can't help but want to throw it on a mix tape for your girlfriend.

With a wealth of respect from their peers, it's no surprise to see some of California's most noteworthy artists appear alongside them upon "True & Livin." Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) aids Zion upon "Stranger In My Home," a track that talks about Hip Hop as if it were a household whereby it's no longer recognizable after intruders have taken over. Both emcees control their metaphoric references so smoothly that sometimes it's hard to notice whether their referring to the genre or an actual intruder in their house. Including Del on "What U Hear" was far from a bad move, as the recently quiet emcee dominates Amps beat.

There is some touch and go moments with True & Livin, but not many. "Oh Lawd" features a subtle guitar lick, and a preachy feeling hook. The verses work amazingly, but the hook portion feels over the top. "Soo Tall" is another track which doesn't sit as well, the fast paced country feel doesn't suit Zion as well as the other more grounded beats.

All in all, True & Livin is the perfect next step in Zion I's direction of providing a catalogue to be revered.

Overall Rating:
5 out 5 Poems for Post Modern Decay

This Aint No 007 Agent

2008-03-12T18:56:00.004-06:00

Rasco and Planet Asia, two West Coast MCs who had enjoyed mildly successful and well-respected solo careers, joined forces in 2000 to produce a group much stronger than the sum of its parts.

They call themselves the Cali Agents.

Their individual releases, although technically sound, had been a bit monotonous at times. But as a tag team duo, they complement each other perfectly.

Rasco plays the part of the grumpy, serious old veteran, scolding those he doesn't approve of, while Planet Asia personifies the younger, wilder side, playing off his partner to include some fun in the mix. Together with a diverse lineup of producers, they create an incredibly simple yet effective sound, combining hard drumbeats with a violin, piano, or guitar sample in a formula heavily influenced by Gang Starr's DJ Premier.

Lyrically, the duo tiptoes between pleasing an underground audience highly suspicious of the mainstream and attempting to make a living and enjoy success. Planet Asia sums up the group's approach on "This Is My Life," rhyming, "Not only do we rock fresh gear, but when it comes to hip-hop we're like a breath of fresh air, like yeah!/And just to let y'all side busters know, we rep the underground but still we're out to make dough."

Cali Agents craft a surprising debut that strikes a balance between different hip-hop crowds, East and West Coast, underground and above, but manage to maintain their artistic integrity.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Professors

Classically Influenced

2008-03-05T17:40:00.005-07:00

Hip-hop artists create deep bass samples combined with traditional orchestral sounds all the time. These guys do that too, but instead of generating the compositions on a synthesizer, they play it on their violins themselves.

Black Violin is a fresh breath of classical air.

The trio of Kev Marcus, Wil B aka Simply Sick, and DJ TK create melodic sounds of jazz infused rap with a hint of R&B. The unique style is actually an entirely new genre of hip-hop altogether and their delivery is exceptional. These three gentlemen have created the ultimate synergy between classical and Hip-Hop music.

So go check them out already, it’s free!

As part of the ASAP concert series, The Black Violin will perform in the Lory Student Center Theater (on the main level) on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget it’s a FREE show.

The groups rise popularity rose on May 21, 2005, when the two classically trained musicians took home the title 2005 Apollo Legends which catapulted them instantly to international fame.

Kev Marcus, and Wil b, both graduates of Dillard Performing Arts High School, used their musical talents to earn full scholarships to college. Now Black Violin wants to make sure that America's young people get the same exposure to the arts, and therefore the same opportunity that they did. Go check these guys out!

Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Bariolages

Rapping Scripture

2008-03-03T20:02:00.003-07:00

Lightheaded is a Portland based, northwest connection with worldwide roots. The foundation consists of three unique MC’s united by phat beats, well versed lyrics, and a strong relationship God. Braille, Ohmega Watts and Othello became friends before they became a group.

That's what Lightheaded is all about.

Three friends rocking together in serious form over a production based in love. The group’s energy, passion and charisma follow them to every city, stage and studio they visit. Their live shows have amped up crowds in all types of atmospheres.

The meaning of the name Lightheaded (headed for light) is a concept based on attitude to remain optimistic in the midst of chaos, and furthermore their relationship with their religion.

People often wonder why Lightheaded's music seems so happy. They ask "Are you guys aware of what's going on in this world?” Lightheaded answer was simple, “But we have chosen to meditate on the things which are praiseworthy. During the good times and the bad, we are happy to be alive. God has given us such an incredible opportunity.... just to exist.”

Overall Rating:
2 out 5 WWJD's

Lets Go Back In Time on a Quest

2008-02-28T14:49:00.004-07:00

A Tribe Called Quest is one of Hip Hop's most legendary, beloved and revered groups of all time, and for good reason.

They are easily recognized for their unique approach to rap music by employing jazzy soundscapes to Afro centric-rhymes, but without the jaded and often nihilistic aggressive outlook.

A Tribe Called Quest is largely responsible for the popularity of Jazzy Hip-Hop that seemed to dominate the East Coast sound of the early 1990's. ATCQ was formed in 1985 by Queens, New York natives, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad of Brooklyn, who met Q-Tip in high school and although missing on most albums but always present in heart and friendship, Jarobi.

Lyrically, emcees Q-Tip and Phife addressed social problems in their community and out of that created a patchwork of rap-jazz-scratching-love-hope. Their upbeat and positive message opened the doors of a genre aimed at the positive rather than the negatives in life.

Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Wallets in El Segundo

Fort Collins Festival Featuring Free Food

2008-02-25T23:31:00.004-07:00

Fort Collins hosted a Caribbean festival this weekend (Feb. 23-24, 2008) sponsored by the eccentric billionaire, Sir Allen Stanford.

Cricket really isn’t that cool.

That aside, it is really cool that this guy Stanford is dropping over 3.5 million in endorsing the game of 20/20 cricket in our town. Now what’s even cooler is that because the 20/20 cricket tournament has reached the semifinal play, there was a FREE CONCERT with FREE FOOD and free stuff given out all day. Oh yea, did I mention FREE FOOD?

The concert had some interesting acts, but two in particular, Causion from Antigua, and Colorado-based Bongo Love, both played with great enthusiasm and had a relaxed-Caribbean-worry free-energy.

Overall Rating:
2 out 5 Wickets

Heiro Ya'll!

2008-02-20T21:40:00.005-07:00

Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The group was founded in the early 90s by incredible lyricist Del tha Funkee Homosapien.

The Hieroglyphics crew are definitely hip hop visionaries, combining fundamentally sound deliveries of verse and intelligent lyrical content with smooth, original and sometimes jazzy/funky beats and samples.

Since their beginning, Hieroglyphics have amassed a dedicated following of die-hard fans largely through their live concerts, pod-casts (Hierocasts), and promotion through their popular website. It also helped that their sound spreads like the plague; as soon as one person hears it, they can’t help but pass it on to someone else.

These guys can flow.

Hiero is also known for its ubiquitous, three-eyed, straight-lipped face logo that figures prominently on their albums, website, stickers, and clothing.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Powers That Be

Drew C. Interview

2008-02-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Heres my interview with Drew on his movie blog.

Interview

Revolutionary but Gangsta

2008-02-17T18:28:00.008-07:00

Many of today's youths are not too familiar with the freedom fighters of the turbulent sixties. But these men are. As rap faces its most demanding era, two modern protesters in their early twenties emerge to pave the way with politically and socially motivated lyrics.

They call themselves Dead Prez, and for a good reason. M-1 and Sticman are making declarations in the rap game that haven’t been made since hip-hop began. They call themselves revolutionaries.

The duo offers an alternative to the common pursuit of short term grandeur via money and materialistic aspirations. Inspired by self defense parties such as the Black Panthers, Dead Prez is the most politically conscious group since Public Enemy. They speak the word of Malcolm X with such a modern day pulse, that it grabs your attention and broadens your perspective the first time you listen.

At first, they were united in a national activist organization which allowed them to travel around the country learning social and political science and studying history. Realizing that they also had to make a living, (hustling on the streets proved to be a dead end), they decided to channel their energies towards music.

Dead Prez elevated their unique style through past experiences of societal conflicts and there significance in the present day music industry.

Obviously the first interpretation of the term dead prez is the slang word for the green bills that rule the world. But for Sticman and M-1, dead presidents represent a spectrum beyond capitalism, addressing the common issues of the most unprivileged members of human society. Watch out for DP, they might just make you stand up for something you believe in.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Pimp The Systems

February at the Aggie

2008-02-13T20:16:00.007-07:00

Go out and listen up!

There are all kinds of awesome music venues in Colorado, but unfortunately for Fort Collinites, there are a limited number in our small town.

Luckily enough, we do have one spot that offers great artists (usually at decent prices). The Aggie Theater can be found down in Fort Collin's old town, and offers listeners with a small stage that has incredible sound. And if the audience is full enough, the energy can be great here. Bring your pocketbook if your over 21 though; they have a tendency to have overpriced drinks.

Whats most important though is not the drinking, but rather that the Aggie always manages to book a variety of talented underground hip-hop artists; as well as prominent reggae groups.

There are a few shows this February that sound very appealing to my music taste buds, and if you’re looking for a quaint little venue to get up close and personal with some remarkable underground rap and reggae artists; check out this month's shows. I've been to both in RED; they are a must see!

February Calendar (Reggae, Rap, Hip-Hop)

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008 - Kingspade with HED PE, feat. SubNoize Souljaz, Dog Faced Gods, and Insolence (Rap)

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008 - Prezident Brown with Dubskin (Reggae)

Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 - 3OH!3 with Distrakt and Chaingang of 1974

Thursday, Feb.28, 2008 - Hieroglyphics with Blue Scholars and Grieves (Hip-Hop)

Keep an Eye on Zion I

2008-02-11T12:35:00.002-07:00

Zion I are a hip hop duo from Oakland, California that build a foundation of fresh rhyme technique with innovative beat construction.

The duo is comprised of producer and DJ Amp Live, and MC Zion.The talented combination of Zion's poetic, positive, and socially conscious lyrics mixed with DJ Amp's unbelievably well tuned ear, make these two some of the most highly respected and acclaimed underground artists, and even though they have a mainstream fan base; they stay loyal to the message of universal respect for others and self. Their popularity grew from Amp's revolutionary production techniques, using a mix of live instrumentation and futuristic samples.

They made their first worldwide debut in 2000 with the critically acclaimed album, Mind Over Matter. The album was a blend of innovative beats, and rhythmical verse, which had everything from meeting sexy Arabian women overseas, to realizing that every choice we have in life has consequences; good and bad.

Mind Over Matter is more than just the introductory mark of Zion I; it is a lyrical construct of emotion, self awareness, and making the right choice. The duo doesn’t rap about money, materialism, or drugs; instead they focus on what is inside of people, their soul and the conscious.

This album is a must for any collection. The incredible tranquility this album creates with the intellect and ears is felt the very first time you listen; or the 100^th time for that matter.

Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Fools Gold

Dilla Disects Drums in Donuts

2008-02-06T16:13:00.003-07:00

Producer, rapper, and architect of amazing beats and hooks, artist Jay Dee laid the blueprints down for so many artists to sing over. Aside from a few scattered beats for Common and Medaphor, there hasn’t been a lot of new material put out by the same man who handcrafted numerous sounds for A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, D'Angelo, and from the man Pharrell, Kanye West, and Questlove have all hailed as the greatest producer.

The Detroit born Jay Dee, or J Dilla, created his last album, Donuts, shortly before his 32^nd birthday. J had been suffering from major health problems (he died on February 10, three days after his thirty-second birthday). In fact, Jay Dee made much of this record during an extended stay at the hospital, using original 45s, a Numark portable turntable and a Powerbook. The result is a forty-two-minute peek into J.Dilla's beat-tape sketchbook, as well as a lesson learned: Never mistake silence for laziness.

Donuts is one big pot full of mixed records. One track is longer than two minutes, several are less than one; records are chopped, flipped, sped up, slowed down and slapped together; there are vocal drops, noise drops, needle drops, obscure records, soul records, electric-company ads and all sorts of pirated sounds from samples he'd probably never clear. This is what you call a well-orchestrated mess.

If it sounds handcrafted, that's because it is. Dilla is the master of one instrument - the MPC drum machine - and this album serves as testimony that if you equipped him with a sampler and some dusty records, Dilla would use his God-gifted ear to cut, chop, and serve you up something brand new every time. There is nothing commercial about Donuts, and if it weren't for the vision of a label such as Stones Throw, this album might have ended up as just another Internet rumor.

Overall Rating:
4 out 5 Screwed Up Hooks

Mainstream Materialism is Killing the Tale

2008-02-03T20:58:00.002-07:00

Hip-hop hopes are high, yet I think they’ll die.

With the decaying lyrical quality of the entire hip-hop genre, there are only a few artists whose words actually have a story to tell. The trivial racket that so many of today’s popular MC’s produce, lacks an abundance of important song characteristics; style, fluidity, prose, and most importantly, a point.

Although there are tons of respectable MC’s and rappers producing quality music regularly, there are only a handful of dynamic artists that rewrite the script on originality. (Here some hilarious charts explain what I mean by there are limited quality respectable artists.)

Lupe Fiasco falls right into this elite list of great lyricists, and his rapid delivery of words provide an interesting technique of combining slow, repetitive choruses, with insanely fast verses that somehow are easily understand but so hard to sing along with.

His most recent album, The Cool, is just that.

It’s an introspective story on Lupe’s life that fuses the real problems he’s experienced, along with the success and growth of his career, but still somehow tells an inventive tale of fantasy and fame.

The album has a two or three songs that wouldn’t be particularly appealing to the mainstream hip-hop audience, but the remaining are exceptionally well written, well produced, and basically a well performed story.

Go check this cool album out.

Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 FNF’s

Eek A Mouse Wants Cheese

2008-01-29T17:44:00.004-07:00

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, come on now it's bobsled time.

Jamaica has a bobsled team that can rhyme, but that Jamaican team can't flow half as well as the bad-ass Kingston native, Eek a Mouse, who's killer reggae performance rocked The Aggie theater last Thursday.

A light haze of smoke and whiffs of chronic hovered around the small venue as the band began to open up for the show. The scene seemed perfect for Eek a Mouse, whose band demanded some buds being lit up in their honor before he came on stage.

The crowd waited patiently for his arrival and after the numerous introductions from the band without a mouse appearance, the band again informed the crowd that the mouse only comes out when he smells cheese. Just as before, thick smoke percolated up towards the stage and the mouse made an entrance. He moseyed right onto the stage in his customary straw cowboy hat, and immediately broke into his unusual style.

He grabbed the microphone, "Eh yo... this here a Eek a Mouse... propa English," he echoed, "Some say war war, many say not...don-don-diddie-dan-dan, biddie-bom-bom, biddie-bang-bom." As he continued the unique style, the crowd flowed with the beats and melodic tunes, and instantly the music took control of the entire atmosphere.

The creative lyrics and incredible songs Eek a Mouse produces are actually a sub-genre form of reggae dubbed singjaying and came into popularity shortly after the death of reggae great, Bob Marley. Singjaying was the obvious choice for a term coined for the popular fusion of singing and deejaying simultaneously.

Although they were many "singjayers" before Eek a Mouse, it was him and others like; Tenor saw, Pinchers, King Kong, Sanchez, and Thriller U that really helped make "singjaying" popular in the modern reggae scene.

The half-filled audience for part one of the two set show clapped and cheered after the mouse finished, and like all Foco natives, hastily made their way back to bar for the unlimited drink special that was almost over. Eek a Mouse, surely backstage firing up some ganja, eventually returned to the stage, surprised to see that there was a tightly packed audience awaiting his return.

His bloodshot eyes and relaxed demeanor further let the crowd know that the mouse was getting some cheese in the back, and his voice and style came out stronger than before after the intermission. He encouraged the crowd to dance on stage and sing along, and eventually everyone seemed to be caught up in his eclectic tunes. The show went on for another hour and concluded with a three song encore.

In Eek a Mouse fashion though, he saved the best song for last, and ended notably with his best work, "Wah-do-dem."

Overall Concert Rating:
4 out 5 Herbs