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In their day they worked and remixed some of the times most popular artists and were true innovators and mixing pioneers. The Latin Rascals were New York DJ Albert Cabrera and Record Shop Employee Tony Moran and appeared on the scene hosting a series of “continuous mix” radio shows on local New York stations like WKTU and KISS FM. As they developed their sound they took in aspects of electro, freestyle, R & B, disco and hip hop.[1] Stylus’ The Bluffer’s Guide to Freestyle gives us further insight on their sound:

Using a quarter-inch reel-to-reel machine, the Rascals would physically cut the original reel-to-reel master tape numerous times with a razor blade, and then piece things back together the way with splicing tape. It was a very time consuming process, but it resulted in a highly-precise set of stuttering loops, odd drop-outs, arrhythmic breakdowns, and abrupt, seemingly random edits.

Edited on 6/15/08
The original files were taken down, so I’ve uploaded them for download. Enjoy!

Latin Rascals on WKTU NY 1985 Part 1
Download

Latin Rascals on WKTU NY 1985 Part 2
Download

Latin Rascals on 98.7 kiss fm 1985 Part 1
Download

Latin Rascals on 98.7 kiss fm 1985 Part 2
Download

Links
The Bluffer’s Guide To Freestyle

[1] Gill, Michael F. “The Bluffer’s Guide to Freestyle.” Stylus. 13 Aug. 2007. 4 June 2008 .

Mos Def ft. T Money Green – Travelin’ Man

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Universoul Productions presents what they expect to be a summertime hip hop staple. For one, to make it sound like summer you can’t go wrong with soul sample heavy production, especially when it’s the sounds of the one and only Al Green. Mix in a bit of Mos Def, The Pharcyde, Ghost, Meth and others and you got a solid remix project. I personally feel that to really give this piece some more soul they could have remixed some songs from southern artists but ya can’t complain (too much). Go over to the Universoul Productions blog to get a little more insight on the production and a backstory on how the project came together. Peace

Download
THE GREEN ALBUM (produced by Omer Saar).zip (sendspace)
THE GREEN ALBUM (produced by Omer Saar).zip (megaupload)
THE GREEN ALBUM (produced by Omer Saar) (sharebee)

Links
Universoul Productions
Stay True Philadelphia

Artwork by Bill Kamphausen

Sketch ft. Mina – The World Is Yours prod. by J Scrilla

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Some the areas up and coming hip hop artists have remixed (sort of) a hip hop classic. I knew they had performed this live last week but did not know it was going to be available online. I did not find out about the project and event until the day before so wasn’t able to make it out, but I am aware that Inner Loop has been putting together beat battle that include live beat making for quite some time now. I think word still hasn’t gotten out as much as it could to the general public but overall its a pretty good idea and good for publicity.

From just one listen over I can say that this is really not a remix album in the true sense but more of a remix/recreation/homage to Illmatic. Some songs are more Mos Def doing a Slick Rick ala “Children’s Story” while others seem much more like a completely different song than the original. Recreating a classic definitely seems like risky business but overall I think it’s worth a listen. DMV is definitely doing big things, can’t say this is as accessible as other things the area is putting out but definitely something that fans of hip hop can respect and enjoy.

Download
Illmatic Remix Full Album

Designer and musician Scott Hansen (Iso50) has just released his limited edition print for the Obama campaign and is available at the campaign’s site with all proceeds going towards the campaign. Taken from the Obama site, Scott tells us:

“I see Barack Obama as a leader who can inspire people to effect change and who himself can effect change. As an artist, it was only natural for me to want to create something that visually echoed these sentiments. I wanted to create an image that evoked the ideals I feel are central to our needs at this critical time in history: change, progress and hope. Because Barack Obama represents all three of these things to me, I felt compelled to express that through my work.”

The piece stands at 23×40 and is a limited edition of 5000. Scott is one of my favorite artists and one of my biggest inspirations so, of you’re not familiar with his work, you need to be. He also has a new song entitled Adrift under his Tycho pseudonym out on iTunes today,  check out the clip on his site.

Links
Iso50
Artists For Obama Series
Tycho

Dj and distinguised gentleman Scuba Gooding Jr. of Prhymates posted up some pics by photographer Francisco H Cortés from Brownout’s Super Soul Shakdown show in San Antonio. Scuba has been doing so much for the scene in San Antonio and if there ever was a good town for Brownout’s brand of latin funk, San Antonio is it. And if you’re one of the unlucky few who don’t know Brownout yet, you need to play some catch up. Check em out.

Links
Prhymates
Brownout
Francisco H Cortés

Wale is probably one of the artists with the most buzz around him in the past year. Wale’s done tracks with everyone from Bun-B and Lil’ Wayne to Lilly Allen and Justice. And though he’s got strong cosigns from Jay-Z and Mark Ronson, and now a major deal on Interscope, Wale is still on that indie grind. DC’s Wale gives a good in depth interview about the industry touching on some very interesting things including getting no hometown radio love, hipster rap, internet buzz and getting a deal. Peep it.

Links:
Raphsody Blog
Wale’s Blog
Wale on MySpace

Version Sound – Twiss Up – March 2008

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Version Sound – Twiss Up – March 2008

1. Ethnic Fight Band – Dub Explosion
2. Ethnic Fight Band – Danny J * Special Dub
3. Fatman Riddim Section – Twelve Tribes Rock
4. Fatman Riddim Section – Sounds of Israel
5. Joe Gibbs & The Professionals – Majestic Dub
6. Matumbi – Ajali
7. Blackbeard – Hyde Park Corner Investigation
8. Blackbeard – Who Made The Prime Minister’s Honour List
9. Prince Hammer – Churchill
10. Prince Hammer – Dreadlocks Rebel Force
11. Dynamic – Dub Dunza
12. Fatman Riddim Section – Lick Chalice
13. ??? – African Communication
14. Prime Cuts – Two-Way Stretch
15. Prime Cuts – Vice-Versa
16. Junior Delgado – Dance a Dub
17. Kodama & The Dubstation Band – Fire Fire
18. Kodama & The Dubstation Band – Neppu No Machi Pt. 2
19. Lloyd – Blood for Freedom Dub
20. King Tubby, Scientist & Prince Jammy – Chapter 2
21. Creation Rebel – Drum Talk

Version Sound – Be Thankful – March 2008

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Version Sound – Be Thankful – March 2008

1. Aswad – Warrior Charge
2. Dennis Bovell – Scientific
3. Ranking Joe – Gideon Time
4. Prince Lincoln & the Rasses – Interstellar Over Dub
5. Joe Gibbs – No Bones for the Dogs
6. Clint Eastwood & General Saint – I Can’t Take Another World War
7. Twilight Circus Sound System – Dub Voyage
8. Aswad – Hey Jah Children
9 . Lone Ranger – Rub ‘n’ Scrub
10. Mikey Dread – Resignation Dub
11. Yabba You – No Tarry Yah Version
12. Clint Eastwood & General Saint – Another Ones Bites the Dust
13. Little Joe – Tradition Skank
14. Prince Jazzbo – Gal Boy I Roy
15. Jah Stitch – Set Up Yourself Dreadlocks
16. Michigan & Smiley – Sensimilla
17. Ranking Dread – Superstar
18. Mikey General – Tell It Like It Is
19. Dr. Alimantado – Poison Flour
20. Augustus Clarke – Rockers Time
21. King Tubby – Moving Version
22. Donovan Carlos – Be Thankful

DC Dub Specialist,Version Sound, present two new mixes. “Twiss Up” and “Be Thankful.” Both are very dope. Listen, download, then go over to their site and let them know how much you love them.

Artwork by Marc Everett Design

Download
Version Sound – Twiss Up – March 2008
Version Sound – Be Thankful – March 2008

Links
Version Sound on MySpace
Whalefish.org
Marc Everett Design

Crew54 – Keep on Moving (Checho Remix)

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Despite becoming an Austin, Texas staple in the past few years, good online presence and great music, Crew54 somehow manages to still get slept on. Their last release was aptly titled “Aggressive Soul” and if you’ve ever been to a Crew54 show, there’s probably no better way to describe it. Crew54 is opening for Prince Paul tonight at The Mohawk, go check them out.

Soul 2020 producer Checho is probably one of hip hop’s best kept secrets. A few years back Checho produced most of the tracks for up and coming rapper’s first album, that rapper is Zeale32. After being away from the boards and under the radar for a bit, Checho contributed some remixes to the Rapid Ric mixed Southern Soul and is now preparing to release some new tracks and projects through Soul 2020. Ike (of Mike and Ike) has called Checho one of his favorite producers, so I’m sure whatever those two work on together is gonna be some high quality music.

Links
Crew54 on MySpace
Checho on MySpace

Download
Keep On Moving.mp3 (Running Time – 4:08)

Cover Art by The Honest Ape

PPT – Who’s That Girl

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Dallas’s funked out supergroup is back with more of their own brand of genre mixing hip-hop/pop/funk/soul. PPT seems to be one of the most consistent and hardest working groups in music, with a sound that can only come from these three people. Personally, I don’t think people have figured out what to make of the group just yet. By not being able to place the group into one genre, I’m sure some music fans might blow it off as too this, or too that, which is a shame. But trust me, a group of self proclaimed weirdos from Dallas with yellow submarine inspired cover art, dropping Mr. Bean references and dressing in plaid suits really is not as weird as it initially sounds…or maybe it is and that’s why the group is so damn good.

Their new album Denglish is available now on Idol Records. You can get it on iTunes or through the Idol Records store.

Downloads
PPT – Who’s That Girl.mp3 (Running Time 3:37)

Links
PPT on MySpace
Idol Records

The lineup for the 2008 Austin City Limits Festival has finally been announced! This years lineup looks pretty solid, and I know that in years past they’ve announced even more bands leading up to the festival. The festival will be held in Zilker Park, September 26-28 in Austin, Texas and I’ll be down there year with a Shiner in hand. The lineup includes a lot of established acts along with some acts that have been gaining popularity in Indie circles in the past year or two. Check out some songs from some of the artists that will be performing this year.

Links
Austin City Limits Festival