Corrosive Material

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Review: J Rocc – Some Cold Rock Stuf

July 2, 2011

J Rocc – Some Cold Rock Stuf

Anyone familiar with the World Famous Beat Junkies will know the name. This is his first release of brand new solo material – which is both interesting and incredible considering he’s been on the scene since the 80′s. I’ve read some people compare this to Donuts meets DJ Shadow. But that’s both lazy and (somewhat) untrue, with the only real commonality being that they all make instrumental hip hop. Rocc has his own vibe, tethering sounds heard from decades back. It’s a pretty chilled out record, nothing too over the top. It sort of showcases a lot of what other artists have done, but in a different way, as if he’s trying to cover a lot of ground in one album. Usually that’s a very bad idea, but in his skilled hands, he makes it work like a charm.

Grade: B+. Pretty dope and as replayable as any record in its genre. Purchase on the Stone’s Throw site.

Pick of the Day – October 3rd: Aloe Blacc – Good Things

October 3, 2010

Aloe Blacc – Good Things

I have to be honest: I like Aloe (and most things Stones Throw)…..but he can get a little inconsistent at times. I was actually a little hesitant to get this album – actually only bought this today…..meaning it took me a second to want to get it, thinking there would only be a couple dope tracks. However, it has proved to be a very worthwhile purchase. I think the whole R&B thing is the genre that suits him best – he’s found his lane as a crooner. It’s mostly straight forward R&B, funky with great basslines….honest lyrics. There are some reggae influences in there, but even those sound vintage. Sounds like an old 70′s record, which his voice is perfectly suited for. Super dope offering – definitely recommended, one the best R&B outputs of the year. (You’ll recognize the theme song from HBO’s How To Make It In America.)

Pick of the Day – September 1st: Madvillain (Madlib + M.F. Doom) – Madvillainy

September 1, 2010

Madvillain (Madlib + M.F. Doom) – Madvillainy

Probably cheating with this, but 2004 isn’t recent for me – especially in rap. One of the favorite hip hop album ever – easily in my top ten. If you familiar with either of the artists, you probably knew ahead of time what this might sound like, and that it would be dope. You knew there would be a cool theme, dope and unthinkable samples, and Doom’s unusually and insightful rhymes. But the dope thing about this album, I was able to put some people on to this type of rap with this album. When you can get people to stop listening to another section of a genre, you know you have a hella strong album. Basically needs to be in your collection.

Pick of the Day – August 18th: James Pants – Seven Seals

August 18, 2010

James Pants – Seven Seals

James Pants’s debut was definitely interesting enough, a mixed bag critically and sonically, but this one definitely shows him tittering on loony (it’s been out for a while….admittedly just now getting to it…plus I like the New Tropical EP more for the summer listening). But I liked this album – mainly because I understood the premise and story behind it – Pants was reading a lot of mystical stuff and the Book of Revelations. He created this album as a soundtrack to a cult formation. Can you think of a more odd premise for an album, that isn’t dripping in some speed/black/death metal guitars and drums? Me either…(he’s from Spokane, Washington…interesting place for an electronic artist to be from…might lend some clue to how/why he had the wherewithal to create this.)……but this is really some electro-funk/pop stuff. Another challenging listen, if you’re up for it.

Pick of the Day – August 4th: James Pants – New Tropical

August 4, 2010

James Pants – New Tropical (EP)

Well, I like the cover at the very least. But this EP is pretty good – summer time tunes. Not really sure if this is a precursor to where he’s going. But it’s pretty good, in the appropriate setting – a setting where you’d be able to locate a lot of women in bathing suits, i.e. the EP cover. Nothing too serious today – chill out and enjoy a Mai Tai or something….

Pick of the Day – July 28th: Seu Jorge and Almaz

July 28, 2010

Seu Jorge and Almaz – (self-titled)

I’m a big fan of Brazilian tunes in general, but this guy is definitely one I look for. You may not know it, but you’ve seen him before if you watched Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. He’s the crooner on the “boat”. In his other, main life, he is a actual crooner that excels in creative covers, which is what is album is about. The clear hit track is the cover of Roy Ayers’ classic “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” The rest of the album is just as varied and interesting – going from Tim Maia to Kraftwerk to Cain and Abel….to Michael Jackson. The band also standout in it’s very unique instrumentation of the said covers, and the angles they chose to take them.

Excellent album. You can check them out here and here. And on iTunes. And they are currently on tour.

Pick of the Day – July 27th: Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show #7: High Jazz

July 27, 2010

Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show #7: High Jazz

I will admit it – I’m a homer. Everyone that knows me well knows I’m a massive fan of the guy, so I’m always happy to get literally anything I can get my hand on that has something to do with the man. This here is Madlib doing his jazz thing once again. I love Madlib’s beats and the work he does with other artists, but I think I appreciate him much as a jazz conductor/producer. I’m going to stop here to cease going on and on, because I could easily talk about the genius called Madlib. Super recommended.

Picks of the Day – July 11th: some tracks from Blu, Pharaohe Monch, Childish Gambino, DaM Funk, Black Milk, and Drake.

July 11, 2010

No particular albums being bumped today. Some dope tracks I downloaded recently via old standby the super, duper ill Hypetrak – if you are not up, get up on it.

Pharoahe Monch – Shine…..this is the lead single from the upcoming W.A.R. album – a future must-cop.

Drake – Paris Morton Music…..say what whatever you’d like about dude – he can rap his ass off.

Blu – Untitled(LovedU)2…..this is from that mixtape he put out a while back, probably over a year ago….still dope with the Radiohead sample. Album????

Childish Gambino – Got This Money (Runner Mix)…..a dance version of an already good song. He’s proving to be more talented musically than I thought.

Black Milk – How Dare You…..very excited about his next album – just continually gets better and more raw on the mic.

DaM Funk – A Day At The Carnival……someone I’ve definitely come around on. I heard some tracks, and Dave loves the cat….and I think my ears were on something else.