Blu(e) - HerFavoriteColo(u)r.

My album of the year so far! Its cheered me up in the shit weather and i cant wait to play it at the BBQ in the summer...it feels like 1992 again.

His use of samples have excited me like the first time i heard J dilla, Ayatollah, Primo, Hi-Tek, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Prince Paul.





Trust...Blu(e) is the savior of Hip Hop


01_Love
02_Amnesia
03_Since
04_Morning
05_Melo
06_Wind(terludeOne)
07_When(terludeTwo)
08_Silent
09_Pardon
10_Vanity
11_Beggars'/BlackGold
12_Celln'Ls
13_Untiled(LovedU)2
14_Peace

Grab the gold HERE
Blu's myspace HERE

The Doctors Orders 27 - UK Kings Special

The Doctor’s Orders 27
UK KINGS SPECIAL

9pm-3am Friday 6th March 2009
@ Herbal 10-14 Kingsland Rd, London E1

With:
Skinnyman Live
DJ Nonames & Orifice Vulgatron (Foreign Beggars / Dubstep Set)
Spin Doctor (The Doctor’s Orders),
Harry Love (Extended Playerz)
Chris Read (The Diary Vol 1.5 Launch Party)
Patchwork Pirates & DJ Odin

£5 in advance or £10 on the door

Advance tickets available from ticketweb.co.uk / 0844-477-1000
TicketWeb


As the place to be for underground Hip-Hop from both sides of the pond The Doctor’s Orders has become the not to miss event of the month and for March we are bringing things back home with a UK Kings special featuring the very best talent our home shores have to offer in one room dedicated to Hip-Hop and one to Dubstep. With live performances and DJ sets from a wealth of home grown talent this is sure to be another Kingsland Road block.

Skinnyman is the most naturally gifted MC to have ever come out of the UK and will follow the likes of Frank & Dank, Sadat X, Louis Logic, Jehst & more onto The Doctor’s Orders stage. With incisive lyrics that are equally political as they are witty Skinnyman lays waste to any audience he comes into contact with and this will be no exception. The freestyle don has promised brand new unheard material ready to perform for the first time so this is sure to be another energetic live show the likes of which only the Mud Fam can put down.


As ever a highlight of room 1’s line up will be Spin Doctor’s set that as ever will explore all aspects of Hip-Hop mixed in the party fashion of which he is the master. Joining him on the decks is one of the UK’s most prolific and respected producers Harry Love. Having first met Spin Doctor when he was standing on a box to reach the decks at a West London house party Harry has perfected both DJ and studio styles that have seen him rock shows around the world and produce bangers for every UK MC worth mentioning. His club sets are an exciting mix of the new and old beats mixed to perfection that will leave the fun loving regulars begging for more!

Chris Read kicked off his career in Hip-Hop by promoting his Substance night in Birmingham for 12 years. Since moving to London he was one of the first DJs on the then brand new 1xtra and more recently has made waves with his incredible “The Diary” mixtapes. Tonight we celebrate the release of Vol 1.5 of this incredible series of mixes that trace Hip-Hop through a chronological mix of tracks that have fans including mixtape master DJ Yoda, The Herbaliser, Andy Smith & more. These mixes have to be heard to be believed so do not miss this chance of a sneak preview.

At The Doctor’s Orders we always aim to provide a suitable alternative to the Hip-Hop in room one with a selection of DJs and music that is sure to appeal to our regulars as well as bring new heads to London’s No.1 Hip-Hop party. Having had night dedicated to Reggae, Disco, original breaks & Jungle tonight we have a Dubstep dream team. The Foreign Beggars are adept at mastering all aspects of their trade. Having started producing and performing straight Hip-Hop they have successfully moved onto grime and are now making huge waves in Dubstep scene. DJ Nonames & MC Orifice Vulgatron will be treating us to one of these sets that have seen them establish such a following. They will be joined by the Patchwork Pirates who, although best know for their dedication to Hip-Hop and bass, will be digging deep into their Dubstep crates for this exclusive set. Holding the whole thing together upstairs is DJ Odin an unsung hero of the scene that will be taking no prisoners as he has ‘em swinging from the rafters!

Tekneek - Explicit Knowledge

Word Perfect's professional spitman has given us his blessing to put his most recent album up for grabs...for nowt!

For those that don't know Tekneek is (and has been) one of the UK's most talented emcees for a number of years now, hes popped up on a few classic posse cuts over the years but his solo albums are beyond brilliant.
His word play/ punchlines/ metaphors and concepts are a force to be reckoned with...

On'Explicit Knowledge' hes rounded up a superb cast of wordsmiths and beat bashers including: MrG, Jibbarish, Backlash, Razio, Social Leppers, Dirty Verbals, Gambit and the rest of the Wordperfect battalion.

Cop it now and let us know what you think!

Track List:
1. Explicit Intro
2. Heavyweight
3. Verbal Assault
4. The Human Masters
5. Never Again
6. Loose Cannons
7. Sick Scripts
8. Deep Sound Abyss
9. Vicious Circle
10. Punishment
11. Only The Good Die Young
12. I'm Gonna Fuck You Up!
13. Wicked
14. In The Limelight
15. War Of The Gods
16. Dirty Dozen
17. The Last Shot

Download it HERE

Check His Myspace HERE

Yorkshire Launch Party

Mainly for our visitors from the U S of A (unless your currently on holiday in the fine state of Texas)

On the 21st March 2009, Timeless Music Project and Chocolate Fireguard Records present the FIRST EVER Yorkshire music showcase at SXSW - The British Music Embassy, Latitude 30, 512 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, Texas. From 12.00 - 3.00 you can see live performances from the following acts -

Wild Beasts - A 4 piece from Leeds, England, debut album ‘Limbo, Panto’ was released to critical acclaim in the UK and USA on Domino. The song titles alone, Vigil For A Fuddy Duddy, Woebegone Wanderers, Cheerio Chaps, give notice you are entering a highly original environment. One listen will leave you confounded and enchanted
- www.wild-beasts.co.uk

Paul Marshall - Since signing to Bella Union, Paul Marshall has appeared on Guy Garvey’s radio show, filmed a session for MTV2 and toured with Bat For Lashes and Jose Gonzalez. Currently recording for his debut 2009 release, Paul will appear at SXSW whilst following up his festival appearances at Bestival, Wireless, End of the Road and Green Man in 2008
- www.myspace.com/paulmarshallyeah

Talk To Angels - They're loud, impassioned, dramatic and barely legal! Run through with big ideas, these guys will give you a live set that will make your hair stand on end. Expect an A & R fest at every performance. Born at the studios that launched Kaiser Chiefs, Embrace and Pigeon Detectives, Talk To Angels return to Austin, the scene
of their historic Obama election night show
- www.myspace.com/talktoangels

Rolo Tomassi - Hassle Records newest signings, Rolo Tomassi are a fresh-faced bunch straight from the Steel City, playing some of the most frenetic, insane and jaw-dropping tunes around. Combining elements of punk, hardcore, post-rock, electronica, jazz and full on metal, it's an aural assault, but of the hippest, knowing kind, and in frontwoman Eva, they posess the most natural star to emerge from the UK underground in years. Forming in 2005, the band self-released their first demo, and followed this up by a self-titled EP; their debut LP 'Hysterics' was released in September 2008 on Hassle
- www.myspace.com/rolotomassi

Sky Larkin - Sky Larkin's ascent has been rapid and invigorating. The trio's pair of pre-album singles 'Fossil, I' and 'Beeline' have swelled interest and love in the band, prior to the release of their debut album, The Golden Spike. Signed to mighty indie Wichita (bloc party, etc) 2009 looks bright
- www.weareskylarkin.com

"Timeless Music Project," who will be hosting the evening have been delivering projects aimed at drawing attention to and supporting Yorkshire's talented music industry. Established in 2004 by singer and record label owner Pat Fulgoni, projects include regional showcase CDs, events, festivals, campaigning and conferences. New for 2009 and thanks to Yorkshire Forward funding, Timeless Music Project made the case for and is organising the first ever live Yorkshire Music Showcase event at SXSW Music Conference, Texas on Saturday 21st March (12-3). It will take place at the British Music Embassy venue - just before the slot traditionally held by Liverpool Sound City. Yorkshire will now also be a regional partner in the British Music Stand at the Austin Convention Centre (again for the very first time)

So why is this so important? SXSW is regarded by many as the most important US based Music Conference relevant to British Music exports - responsible for breaking acts including Amy Winehouse. Along with this year’s Timeless Music Project regional CD sampler “Independent Sounds of Yorkshire and the Humber” which will also help to profile some of the best homegrown talent, the Yorkshire showcase will add considerable worth to UKT&I's forthcoming SXSW Trades Mission for Yorkshire based creative businesses, which along with Sensoria Festival, this vibrant Social Enterprise has been helping to develop.

So, if you're in the area - pay a visit.

TimelessMusicProject.com

ChocolateFireGuardRecords.com

H1P - ArtArea (BeatTape)

Today's free download is brought to you by H1P - a Croatian (yea, we get em from all over) beatmaker whom i came into contact with through Crate Kings.

The intro that starts of the BeatTape is lovely. I know, only Nans and teachers say 'lovely' but that is the best word to describe it. Atmospheric and rich; Lots of spacey, echoey strings and some well arranged drums that work well as part of an intro as they don't crowd the rest of the track. All of this helps to set up the rest of the tape.

Throughout, the overall mood is quite sullen an laidback with a varied mix of synths and samples, basses and strings.

'My Angel' is a favoutire of mine, it's hard to tell what the sample is as it's been ran through some kind of flanger or gater which gives the track a really interesting sound. my only criticism of this track is that when you have a sample arranged as nicely as this one is, you need to bring the drums and they could use some work on one or two tracks.

Overall - some lovely beats, a sterling show of what H1P is capable of and certainly worth getting.

Get it HERE

Check out H1P on SoundClick HERE

Apologies

I know i haven't posted anything in a while, just to let everyone know that i am still active in the land of blog and i plan to post something this evening. My apologies to everyone on the waiting list.


Stay tuned...

Get Involved...

I made the decision today to 'expand the blogs horizons' (if blogs have horizons(?))

So what does this mean?

It means that i no longer want the blog to be about just music, but more about independant creativity as a movement and a culture.

At the moment, the blog is a bit one sided (albeit - due to my initial idea of what i wanted the blog to be) towards Hip-Hop, but i want to take this oppurtunity to remind everyone that it is for all genres of music.

I want this to be a place where unknown, non famous, unheard of but talented people can share their work and gain some helpful constructive criticism, a little bit of exposure (I'm not sure exactly how many - if any - people regularly read the blog) and hopefully a new fan or two.

Going back to what i said about 'independant creativity.' This basically means anything. Any form of creativity that you have made a conscious decision to do. This could be -

Art
Film making
Acting
Writing
Poetry

Obviously, i wouldn't necessarily be able to review things that came under these areas but i would certainly offer my opinion and post your work.

I plan to do alot more networking (a much more sophisticated way of saying i'm going to get people to put my link on their website) in the near future to get a bit more traffic. I had a thought on the way home from work tonight that i might get some stickers printed up in white with just the blog address on it and just start slapping them on the inside of tube trains.

Sidebar - A nifty marketing tip for you if you work in the city or travel on trains or buses to/from work. Pick up the nearest free newspaper (Metro/London Paper/London Lite) and in every and any free space you can find - write your MySpace/website/blog address. I've been doing this for the last 3 months - mainly out of habit and a few weeks ago i actually had some people add me on MySpace who said they'd got the URL from my newspaper scrawlings!

So - if you're an Emcee, BeatMaker, Producer, Instrumentalist, DJ, Singer, Band, Photographer, Artist (of any kind) FilmMaker, Writer, Actor/Actress, Comedian -

Drop me an e-mail - what have you got to lose?

Milkman - Apollo

Milkman is a beatmaker from California who was brought to my attention on the excellent (and frequently mentioned) CrateKings website/forum.

his debut BeatTape 'Apollo' is a nice mix of instrumental work and remix's which help to break up the structure of the tracklisting and throw a bit of variety in there. I was mainly impressed by the work on offer here as the description given by Milkman that Apollo is "basically the first beats I've made since I got the MPC in August."

For just under 6 months of what must have been a pretty big learning curve for a newcomer to the wonderful ways of the mighty MPC - the work displayed is exceptional.

The overall style could be described as 'back to basics,' but there is nothing basic about each and every beat as all sound like they've been carefully crafted with each kick, hat and snare matched perfectly to the varied and well chopped samples.

Stand out tracks for me are 'Theme' which had me nodding like the Churchill Dog! (only UK headz should get that reference, for everyone elses benefit - ENLIGHTENMENT)

The Shimmy Shimmy Ya remix was crazy and dare i say it - on par with the original.

'Kick The Truth' was a collaborative effort with another CrateKings regular 'GrimeShine' - the result is sublime, so smooth.

Finally - a One Love remix that is as beautiful as it is banging.

Start to finish, 'Apollo' is a sterling piece of work and hopefully an indication of what we can expect form Milkman in the future.

Download it HERE

Add MilkMan on MySpace HERE

Or, come and visit MilkMan, GrimeShine and Me at CrateKings

Celtic Underground Session 3

Volume 3 already!! Jee4ce has rounded up some the finest tracks from the Celtic underground scene and put together another master piece.

One of the main things that stands out (for me) in Hip Hop from these shores is the regional accents, its something we (as UK Hip Hop listeners) should embrace and be proud off because it separates us from the rest of the world, plus most of these artists are from the 'sticks' and they are so fucking hungry for the culture that it keeps that raw element that Hip Hop is build on.

Theres a whole heap of names you will/should know i.e. Respek BA, Ralph Rip Shit, Dubbledge, Loki, Jee4ce, Evil Residents, Hoax MC, Terawrizt, etc etc

Its a banger..Its full of heavy beats...Its filled to the brim with talent...Its FREE!!

Check out Jee4ce myspace for links for the other artists HERE



Celtic Underground Session 3 Mixed by Jee4ce

Free Download. Hiphop from Ireland, Scotland and Wales

01. Capital 1212 ft. Mikey Krummins - Shootin Stars (Scotland)
02. Terawrizt ft. Jambo - End Of Dayz (Ireland)
03. Qred ft. Joe Blow 4dee and Skamma - Lunar Burn (Wales)
04. Respek BA - OH (Scotland)
05. Jee4ce - On The Rise (N.Ireland)
06. Ralph Rip Shit ft. Dubbledge - Kiss The Guns (Wales)
07. Evil Residents - Demonic Soldiers (Scotland)
08. Rubberbandits - Pure Awkward (Ireland)
09. Sweet And Tender Hooligans - I Have Seen (Wales)
10. Intox ft. Jonnyboy - Take Me Back (Ireland)
11. Skribbo ft. Loki - Heavyweights (Scotland)
12. Nugget - Loser (Ireland)
13. MasterSystem - Its Time (Scotland)
14. Werd & Deeko - Mad World (Scotland)
15. Cullo - Who Am I (Ireland)
16. Dave Gunn - Under The Forgotton Page (Scotland)
17. Lineage ft. Maverick Sabre - Cambia Tu Fortuna Remix (Ireland)
18. Hoax MC - Rhymin Son (Wales)
19. Holmes - HipHoperation (Scotland)

Download or stream as one track
HERE

Download with tracks separated
HERE


PS: That's not the real cover for it (as you can see how unprofessional it looks)
i stole it from another site and added the title!

Figment/Mash-Up Productions Beat Sampler 0.3 - Abstract

The latest edition of my series of beat samplers.

Part three - Abstract, is a (small) collection of instrumentals i made using some experimental techniques, and just having fun.

Download it HERE