Religious evil...

VENTING TIME: Pat Robertson, and those like him, are some sick, sick puppies. Tens of thousands of innocent people have died, and are dying, in Haiti and this old psycho is still alive & kicking and talking utter insanity. I'm not a religious man at all but If I was I'd think that "God's wrath" would be directed at Robertson & Co, not the already impoverished and suffering of the world. In fact, lightening would have struck him right in that TV studio if there was a "just" deity judging us all. Hey Pat, find a cliff somewhere. You know what to do. 'Nuff said.

It matters where you spend...

I recently started a new gig working with a great start-up, shustir.com. As someone who has always had issues with large corporations, chain stores, and the like, I feel aligned morally with the mission of the site. The main focus and goal is to build, create and support an online small business community, like-minded consumers included, as well as offer virtual storefronts for the businesses that become members. Shustir wisely defines small business not only as companies but also entrepreneurs, self-employed people, freelancers, creative types, etc. Basically, for the type of person I, and many others of my generations and the next, have been our entire adult lifes.

It's a great idea which couldn't have come at a better time. Given the direct effect corporate America and big business have had recently on the economy worldwide, as well as on the general quality of life of the average American and world citizen (not to mention animal), it's pretty clear that there needs to be a major change. While my personal political views might call for more extreme and immediate measures, Shustir is a key part of a larger movement which can positively change the direction of things from within. By helping shift the national, and worldwide, consciousness towards supporting local businesses, choosing small business over large and seeking to work for oneself instead of for a corporation or big company, there is much that an entity like Shustir can accomplish.

Uptown gold....

Harlem's Cash = Monster Rap (i.e. this dude is way, way ahead of his peers)

I'm always happy when a rapper comes along who reinvigorates my passion for the music. I'm even happier when it's a New Yorker. When they're from uptown, where I was born and raised, it's the icing on the cake. Harem's Cash is just that MC. I've heard bits and pieces of his music for a minute now but I finally got around to downloading his mixtapes. I was really impressed. He's extremely lyrical, has an excellent flow, a great voice, as well as great choruses and concepts for his songs. Some of his choices of original beats weren't as impressive but they were definitely different and well produced. The Government, his main producer, certainly pushes the envelope. How he isn't signed and on the radio with all of the cornballs that are out there I'll never know. But it sure wouldn't be the first time.

CHECK HIM OUT HERE

PLUS HERE'S A LINK TO HIS MOST RECENT MIXTAPE

Depth Charge...

Floating Points - " Vacuum EP " ( Eglo Records UK 2009 )

A couple of months ago I picked up what would become my favorite House track is quite a while at Turntable Lab. It was on a label I knew little about from an artist I had heard of but associated with downtempo, experimental electronic stuff. That track was "Vacuum Boogie" of off the "Vacuum EP" by Floating Points on Eglo Records UK. From what I've read the man behind the EP has just recently started working in the House Music realm. If this is any indication he has a bright future ahead of him.

It's a record that has the elements I love in a track; deep, dubby, spacey, melodic and bass heavy. I was hooked from the first time I heard the hard, lo-fi drums which start the song. From there Floating Points builds up the track nicely, adding sounds after sound until the full groove is revealed in all it's sonic glory. Yeah, it's that good. One of those 12's I've listened to repeatedly at one time, happily getting up to put the needle back to the beginning again and again.

CHECK IT OUT HERE. Enjoy...

BUY IT ON VINYL HERE. Unfortunately, the record seems to be sold out at both Turntable Lab and Dopejams, the only two U.S. retailers I've seen the record stocked in. So that means ordering it from overseas unless the 12" can be tracked down domestically. You can always buy the digital version but I'm a vinyl guy so I'll let you figure that out on your own.

In Fashawn...

Fashawn - " Boy Meets World. " ( One Records )

I'm back after a looong break. Work and life got in the way for a while. One of the things that inspired me to return is a great new Hip Hop album which may be under the radar for a lot of people. It's "Boy Meets World", a collaboration between Fresno, Ca MC Fashawn and one of my favorite current producers, LA's Exile. Like Exile's last collabo "Below The Heavens" with Blu, this album is produced entirely by him and has a cohesive sound which isn't heard much anymore nowadays in the era of multi-producer LPs.

The record touches on a wide array of subject matter with a fresh, conscious yet streetwise approach. Fashawn has an energetic style and doesn't really sound like anyone else, which is always nice considering how many rappers lack originality in 2009. I like the fact that he can be substantive and thoughtful without being preachy. Oh yeah, and he's only 21 years old. Definitely one to watch in 2010 and beyond.

Exile comes with his usual sample-driven style which while definitely similar in some respects (particularly on this album which has many piano/keyboard heavy tracks) maintains an eclectic feel. Also, he still has some of the best drums in the game right now, which is something I look for in a producer. If you get a chance check the album out and support the artists.

Here's a link to "Freedom" one of the standout cuts from the album.

Here's a link to it's Amazon page. The album is worth previewing at the very least. Cop it if you have the dough....

$, Money,$....

A lot of people are feeling like this lately....The mix of a recession and gentrification can be a deadly brew.

Brown Baggin' it....

Brown Bag All Stars - "I'll Remain" (Produced by Tailor Made NYC)

I just added a track I produced for good friends Brown Bag All Stars to my Mixpod. It's actually the song you're hearing right now. The mp3 was just leaked online and is already getting a lot of blog love. I'm really glad people like it, this is one of my favorite beats and BBAS really do their thing lyrically. In the near future look for songs I produced for Brown Bag Member Koncept on his upcoming EP as well as his new mixtape "Konverses V.2"

DOWNLOAD IT HERE