December Round-up

This isn’t a very extensive round up, but more-so a summary of some of the things I have been listening to during December to round off the year. Most of it is new, some of it is old. Enjoy…

Wu-Tang Clan – 8 Diagrams

Wu’s latest record drops amidst minor controversy.Raekwon was reportedly not happy with the state of the production on the album, as RZA has taken somewhat of a different direction to his ‘normal’ approach.

“I don’t make a record for no quick McDonald burger… you take a quick bite and then its over.. nah man this is nutritious right here…” – RZA

It is true he has taken a different direction with this album, this appears to be his most musically diverse clan production. As for the MCing, there are some elements that just lack the soul that you get from Forever. The lyrics and beats can sometimes be incoherent and feel artificially placed. I wonder if the recent Rae/RZA beef is the cause of this. Overall though, this is a very solid album and I personally like where RZA is going with it.. but it’s just not a classic like 36 Chambers and this is what is skewing many reviews (as always with a post ~1997 wu-tang production). Go buy it and support them, it’s better than most of the Hip-Hop released this year!

Wu-tang clan – Wolves

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Blue Scholars’ Political Hip-Hop

Blue Scholars is the Hip-Hop duo right now and they hail from Seattle. These guys have to be a likeable pair. They are making genuine music that represents Hip-Hop in its truest form lyrically and musically. There’s one DJ and his MC. It doesn’t get more obvious than that. The album they released this year Bayani is one I have had on loop, and has to be one of the best.
My favourite tracks have been ‘Second Chapter’, ‘Ordinary Guys’, ‘Loyalty’ and ‘Back Home’.

Blue Scholars – Back Home (YouTube)

Serengeti and Polyphonic

Serengeti is a Chicago rapper on the Audio8 record label, teaming up with hip-hop/electronica producer Polyphonic to produce a great example of where Hip-Hop is heading. Don’t Give Up has melodic hip-hop and electronica influenced production combined with the unique and abstract raps and (sometimes sad) vocals of Serengeti. This might really be your thing, or you might just not be feeling it. Check it out and see.

Serengeti & Polyphonic – Lately I haven’t been Feeling Well (Youtube)

Devin the Dude

Don’t be downloading music illegally. If you must hear something before it comes out, at least download a few songs and if you like what you hear then purchase the album. Support the people. This is what Devin, Snoop Dogg and especially Andre 3000 are preaching in What a Job from Devin the Dude’s 2007 album, Waitin’ to Inhale. These gems largely go missed in the mainstream, which is sad because instead everyone just seems to get fed that artificial wack s**t. Andre is great on this one and this album is in my top three of 2007.

Devin the Dude ft. Andre 3000 and Snoop Dogg – What a Job

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Instrumentalism: Blockhead and Oh No

Blockhead is one of modern day Hip-Hop’s production legends, comparable to Boom Bip or Sixtoo, he has done a lot of work for people like Aesop Rock. His albums Music by Cavelight and Downtown Science are classics in my opinion with memorable and enjoyable tracks throughout. They are however pretty dark sounding and it is as if he has taken the opposite route with his new release, Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book which was on limited release. This album is a lot more playful, with lighter sounding beats and fun Jazz sampling, but it is also very richly produced.

Blockhead – Cheer Up, You’re not Dead Yet

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Brother of Madlib, Oh No released this crazy, psycadelic breakbeat record that looks to the east (specifically Greece, Turkey, Italy and Lebanon apparently) for the source of its inspiration.
Oh and did I mention there’s a massive 28 tracks?!

Oh No – Higher

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