Produced by 14KT; Rhymes by Jamall Bufford; Vocals by JMSN
Mello Music Group 2013. All Rights Reserved.
About the album:
14KT laces together 14 instrumentals + 1 song with an incomparable ear for flipping samples, and his signature boom-bap, off-kilter drum programming and spacey synths. Then he enlists a handful of his favorite artists for a vocal encore (including Blu, Black Milk and MED) + appearances by Detroit’s own JMSN on the summer cruiser Slo Swerve (also featuring Jamall Bufford) and Cali’s Kokane (along with MED) on the new west coast anthem “W.C.E.F.” 14KT even steps up to the microphone himself on “Five & Ten” to paint a picture of his take on the phrase, “nickel and dimed.”
K.O.T.T aka Knights of The Turntables are a four man Hip-Hop collective from Portsmouth and London that consist of King Solomon, (producer/emcee), Shang (emcee/lyricist), IC1 (emcee/lyricist) and DJ Alzee (turntablist/engineer). Here is a music video to their track ‘World War 3’ which features Wolverhampton’s Big Dutty Deeze and is taken from their superb album ‘River Styx’ which is out now on iTunes.
Today see’s the release of Verb T’s new album ‘I Remain’ on High Focus Records. We were lucky enough to get an early copy, so Adam De Leslie stepped up to the plate to give the album a review for us here at HHL&T. Here’s what Adam had to say on the album……
It’s fair to say I’ve been looking forward to this, last year’s ‘Morning Process (Wake Up)’ has been on heavy rotation in my house all year, so yes, eagerly awaited.
With this album being entirely self produced you really get Verb’s internal world, externally. A bold move for someone with such respected producers around him, but the result is a brilliantly realised piece of work. “The brakes are cut, I can’t stop” – the opening line, is like a statement of intent seeing as the whole album is bar after bar after.
The temptation to just quote a bunch of lines and just say “Look, LOOK, buy this album!” was large for good reason. Although the lyricism and wordplay that sound so natural, and are what he’s known for, he doesn’t let up on any track. Wisdom comes naturally to Verb T, and he doesn’t hold back his opinions on anything, from internet hate to drug use, family life to toast (more on that to come) and much more.
Given the level of personal touch to this album, it became clear to me that it is a whole entity, and best listened to entirely to get his whole vision. Shuffle function is your enemy!! Verb’s production is niiiiice! With a unsurprisingly classic style, it’s chilled out and then it’s booming, and then it’s slyly haunting – sometimes all in one song. Most notably the album title track, ‘I Remain’.
With features from Fliptrix, Kashmere and Genesis Elijah to boot, it’s got that potential for a classic and could be considered his greatest work in years to come, although he’ll probably release like another 2986 records before he hangs it up. Song for song it’s hard to pick a favourite but ‘Negative Energy’ featuring Genesis Elijah probably is it for me. A track inspired by Internet hate which I probably like so much because I (ironically) hate all that YouTube comment shit.
‘I Remain’ will remain playing in my house as I imagine it will in many. For those who truly love hip hop this is a must listen.
Oh and as for toast, well I don’t wanna give too much away but Verbs likes toast bitches.
As I type this I’m currently listening to Black Lagoon Radio, so I’m going to be completely honest with you and say I can’t tell you that, THIS IS AMAZING, LISTEN TO THIS OR YOUR LIFE WILL BE EMPTY FOREVER! No, but I can tell you that I’m half way through the tenth track and I’m already pretty pleased with what I’m listening to. It’s not outstaying its welcome so far (because you know that’s in the top 5 of badly written material), and it’s constantly surprising me with the style and flow. It is a mixtape so of course the production is going to be varied by default (well when it comes to the better releases anyway), but this is a solid offering from Creature, and he seems to retain his backpack roots, whilst still trying new ideas.
If you’re a fan of Slug from Atmosphere, The Beatnuts, Mike Mictlan and Dessa (Doomtree) then chances are you might something you like in Creature’s mixtape.
P.S if anyone samples Dusty Springfield’s ‘Son Of a Preacher Man’, they instantly get all my love.
UK based hip-hop duo, producer and emcee Imperial & K.I.N.E.T.I.K., are releasing a new EP via Illect Recordings titled “Pencils Not Pistols” November 5th, 2013. The album features their previously release single “Zone Out” in addition to six more tracks. Watch the promo video to get a feel for the vibe of the new project. Agnes & Lupus handled the visuals.
“Pencils Not Pistols” track listing
1. The Pencil Is Mightier Than The Pistol
2. Go Hard (feat. Tone Richardson)
3. Just The Way I Feel
4. Zone Out
5. Relax
6. Count Your Blessings (feat. Joanne Francis)
7. Put Your Pencils In The Air
Modern Day Rage LP written by Darius Franklin aka Azariah. This album was produced entirely by the legendary International DJ Ease it features Harvey Who, Arli Sulleman III aka Nu Breed or AS3, and C. Soul Love.
Dynasty’s debut album “A Star In Life’s Clothing” is now out! With the help of friends like Talib Kweli and DJ Premier and Skyzoo she has managed to come out with a debut release that may come with quite a high chance attached that you will end up becoming a fan of Dynasty just like we did when we originally heard it. Check out the stream here
Tokyo based Producer, Matatabi has put together this “Year One” mix to mark one year since label HardJazz7’s begining. There will soon be a limited run of CD’s, available for free through either Orion or Matatabi at any of his future events. Anyone interested in that will need to have liked the facebook page for further updates. Any promoters in Tokyo, Japan interested in booking Matatabi, can contact him through: bibitatama@gmail.com alternatively he’s on soundcloud and twitter.
Stream or download this collection of dope beats/remixes here
Tracklist:
1. Jax – Come Here
2. Vink – Relax Ya Self
3. Matatabi – Mellow Beats With A Happy Day
4. Fela Soul – Stakes Is High
5. A Tribe Called Quest – Jam
6. Bugseed – Harlot
7. Quasimoto – Microphone Mathmatics
8. The Lootpack – Female Request Line
9. Lastrawze – Care Free
10. Eloquent & Wun Two – Banaritsten
11. Trucomers – Gravity
12. Frankenstein – P.l.o. Style Remix
13. The Doppelgangaz – Here We Go
14. 16Flip – Wakin Down The Street
15. Broke & Repeat Pattern – Never Look Back
16. Nasty Ill Brother S.U.G.I – Osmanthus
17. Da Youngsta’s – Mad Props (Orion Remix)
18. Luviia – Theme For “Shaft”
19. Example – The Strive
20. Kirby Dominant – Microphone
21. The Midnighteez – Childhood Memories
22. Young-Holt Unlimited – Just A Melody
23. Sergio Mendes’ – Tenpo Feliz
24. Ahmad Jamal – The World Is a Ghetto
25. Orion – Alphas
26. Jax – Zone Out
Available Oct. 29th – Yancey Boys new LP Sunset Blvd (beats by J Dilla) just arrived in CD format at the Delicious Vinyl headquarters in Hollywood. Witness Frank Nitt’s unboxing, and order yours now from Delicious Vinyl – http://bit.ly/DVPreSaleYanceyBoys
