Ras Kass "Remain Anonymous" (The Source, 12/94)

"Just when you thought it was safe to write Southern California off as a wasteland of gin and juiced-up hustlas and pimps, up steps Ras Kass to prove that LA has an underground with a lyrical potency and overall fervor that may soon rival New York's. This 19-year old from Carson is a part of Western Hemisfear, a rhyme collective of like-minded emcees and producers out to prove that LA rap is about a hell of a lot more than gang signs, gun boasts and Roger Troutman beats. Bolstered by fat production from crew members Vooodu and Bird, Ras rips shit in a manner that hasn't been witnessed out in those parts since Freestyle Fellowship blew up the spot a few years ago." Cont'd...

"A hardened battle-rhymer, Ras always goes for the jugular with metaphors like: "When my voice hits the mic, I electrocute Spit like Beat Street (Won't Catch Me Runnin), "I gotcha holding my dick like your name was Lorena Bobbit" and "Slappin your Left-Eye up like my man Andre Rison" (Remain Anonymous). With his penchant for the graphic matched with a sure-footed, rapid-fire, throaty delivery, Ras murders the jazzy, bottom-heavy tracks laid before his feet with dazzling verve. Backed by the slightest strands of upright jazz bass, hearty kicks and bleating horns, Bird and Vooodu provide the perfect safety net for Ras's lyrical bungee jumping. Remain Anonymous is an anthem for the underground, urging the true lyrical prophets to throw "rhetoric and repertoire, demographics and heavy rotation" to the wind in favor of keeping their lyrical styles in tact" cont'd...

If you're interested in saving an original copy of The Source's review, see below...

Da Bush Babees "Ambushed" (The Source, 1/95)

"For their debut, Da Bush Babees - Y-Tee, Mr. Man and Kaos - build on the energetic material seen by those lucky enough to have caught the group when they were unsigned and performing throughout New York's underground. During their shows, listeners were treated to an astounding fusion of dancehall and hip-hop. For their album, they capture the essence of their live show with tight hardcore songs and lunatic between-song banter (heard on the skits "Bleu Buttaflyze" and "Ya Mammy.") "We Run Things is a dreamy radio hit produced by Ali Shaheed during blunt-lighting sessions. As smoke wafts through the air, you'll hear Kaos drop truth: "But nowadays cause rap pays / you got a million rappers and a thousand deejays." "Get On Down" is a dusty joint which fuses Son of Bazerk's "J-Dub's Theme" bassline to a Bob Marley chant and funk riffs. "Remember We" is fueled by acoustic bass and warm beats, with the kind of snares that home-demo DJs will recognize from the break-beat albums." Check out the visuals to the classic track, "Remember We" ...

"Swing It" receives an overhaul, as jazz grooves and reverbed horns float through the mix. The tempo is nice, the song's easy to dance to (something most hardheads won't admit to doing) and its chorus is hyped enough to make parties turn rowdy. For "Pon De Attack," they real a heavy Caribbean influence, sampling a reggae joint at hyped speed. "Put It Down" does exactly that as the group leaps into Old School mode, tag-teaming and kicking straightforward, crowd-rocking freestyles - the foundation of hip-hop that they understand well. Their style is hard to catch at first, but it's extremely clever. They're as sharp as a boxcutter ripping a face; as on point as your girl on my lap. While there is a bit of material that could be classified as filler ("Clear My Throat" is one example)... Da Bush Babees bring more than enough to satisfy reggae hip-hop fans and freestyle fanatics." - The Source, January 1995. You can read the full Ambushed album review below...

Astronote "AstroNoMix" (Mixtape, 2010)

The "AstroNoMix" by Astronote was originally released in December of 2010. It's a compilation of tracks produced by Astronote, featuring talented MCs like Magestik Legend, King Magnetic, Ro Spit, Fresh Daily, Donwill, Marv Won, LMNO, Shawn Jackson, Sha Stimuli, Invincible and more. Astronote and I have been in touch since about '08 or so, maybe earlier - he's been at it for a hot minute, and has always had a lot of support out of Detroit, which you'll hear from all the Detroit spitters on the project, not to mention his manager, DJ Graffiti, at A-Side Worldwide. Anyhow, it's been several years since this project dropped, but I figure many of these tracks went below the radar for some and it might put you on to the production of a real talent, so dig in below and, as always, follow the breadcrumbs back to "Astroblacked" and his other projects. Peace to DJ Graffiti. 

Malcom "Thelonious" Martin "Wunderkid" (Instrumental Album)

Wunderkid is the most recent - AMAZING - instrumental album from Malcolm “Thelonious" Martin. Split between instrumentals & featured vocals, you hear Mac Miller, Smoke Dza, Ab Soul, Curren$y & some really dope vocalists holding it down too. One of the best projects of 2014 that very few people are talking about ... why? Whenever I get overloaded by the available track credits aka all the breadcrumbs I want to dig through to get to the bottom of a dope sounding project, I bring it back to the shout-outs, lol. In Thelonious' case, he sends thanks to "Mom, Dad, my family (all my brothers, sisters, aunts uncles, grandmothers, grand dad, cousins etc.), Professor Fox for being my Jon Brion on this album, Matt Hennessy for the wonderful mixes, Doug McBride for the mastering, Adult Swim, J Dilla & Madlib, Alchemist, Topaz, Saint, Lonner, Matt for letting make beats in his basement in 7th grade, Mr. Ennis, Mr. Frye, Zane, Dallas, Nyann, Nicki all my incredible rap friends, my real life friends, any one that ever helped, anyone that ever doubted, anyone that I’m forgetting, Thank You All." You can learn a lot about a man from how humble he is & how he pays his thanks forward. Plus, it's some more breadcrumbs & a lesson to artists, yes there's often a distinction between "incredible rap friends" and "real life friends," lol. Free advice. Stream it below! Cop it HERE.

Madwreck "Elementality Instrumentals" (Instrumental Album)

Madwreck is back with another fresh instrumental release: "Elementality Instrumentals." Madwreck is a producer from Charlotte, NC, best known for his work as one-half of the group Dirty Art Club and collaborations with Wax Tailor, Supastition, The Others and more. A veteran of the underground, Madwreck’s highly praised production style is best described as “elaborately dark and dusty by design." Some of you may be familiar with Elementality Records via DJ K.O., Analogic, Silent Knight, East, etc - DJ K.O. put out a dope compilation album called "Picture This" back in 2008 and the remix LP, which featured Madwreck's production among other superb talents. Either way, "Elementality Instrumentals" has 23 joints with his dope, mostly signature sounds, check out the project below...

Wu-Tang Clan "A Better Tomorrow" (Album Stream)

"A Better Tomorrow" is the sixth studio album from the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. I've heard the rumors of discord amongst the members, plenty has been said to dissuade me from even clicking play on the album ... yet, it's the Wu! If I lose hope, the terrorists win, right? So, like many of you, I will click to stream the album and keep my hopes up that it's dope and if not, that they can right this ship, because there's entirely too much talent in the group! The first single I peeped ahead of the album was "Necklace," the production left a lot to be desired ... but back to hope. Listen below.

The Audible Doctor "Can't Keep The People Waiting" (EP Stream)

Former product buyer and manager of Fat Beats NY, The Audible Doctor, delivers a new self-produced EP. As a man of the people, he couldn’t keep his fans waiting any longer for a full project. It has features from Guilty Simpson, Bumpy Knuckles, Consequence, Hassan Mackey, John Robinson & more. You expect The Audible Doctor's signature chops, samples and soulful delivery all over this EP. Dysfunctional as we can be sometimes, I am proud to call him my brother, and surely celebrated the new release with a purchase as I hope you will, too. Meanwhile, you should stream it below...

Pete Rock "Diggin' On Blue" (Mixtape, 1999)

Pete Rock's "Diggin' On Blue" was originally as a Japanese exclusive project in 1999. Pete Rock's exclusive mix pays tribute to Blue Note Jazz artists such as Gene Harris, Stanley Turrentine, Herbie Hancock, Lee Morgan, Grant Green, and more. When you think of Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest, you think of the influence that Jazz had on their sound. Freestyle rap also reflects similar improvising as Jazz. Once considered a fairly rare mix, the internet brings all things to light! Dig in...