As we enter the New Year, I sincerely hope every artist, entertainment entity and record company has found some sanctuary in the past articles. There is and always will be an audience and place for the rugged, radio-displaced and underground songs. Underground Voices is an open door for those wishing to have their material reviewed and played open-mindedly. With that said let us move to the material at hand and have a safe and happy holiday into the New year.
Holla Black Records; manufactured and distributed by Full Clip Records, LLC brings the full length project by DPZ bka Dead Prez, Turn off the Radio, The Mitape Vol.1. DPZ’ double-sided single by the same name, “Turn off the Radio b/w We Need A Revolution” is geared toward the streets. The winner is the b-side, which samples Aaliyah’s songs but is funny and sarcastic with DPZ singing.
Criminology Records debuts their group, I.Ken.dye.Now (pronounced I can die now) to the streets. The single contains two songs; “Hold Me b/w Tales of 2 Cities,” both featuring vocalist Demarrco. Both songs from I.Ken.dye.Now prove to be a smooth incorporation of the street savvy ways and radio-ready for mix-show Djs. Winning nod to both songs, check them out via the web, and go to www.ikendyenow.com.
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Dirty South (and yes that is the name) and Hard to Hit Entertainment bring another well-produced single to their loyal listeners. Dirty South puts control and confidence into his delivery on the double-sided effort, “Floss, Floss b/w It’s Like That” (and it contains no Run-DMC samples). With a southern feel, both songs are good and worth a listen, see Dirty South on www.hard2hit.com .
Cali is on the rise with their newest addition to the industry: F.A.B. Sorry!! It’s, Mistah F.A.B and the acronym stands for Faeva Afta Bread. FAB also brings a double-sided blend of material; “He’s Sick b/w Beaverduck” (That tells you just how sick he is). His flow and vocal tone are comparable to Pharoahe Monch’s. While both songs are good, the a-side “He’s Sick,” just takes the nod over the b-side for its overall presentation. For a sample of “He’s Sick” go to the web, mistahfab.com and listen.
Nocturnal Rage is back again with the remix to “Miss Mary Jane,” this time pulling in the original man himself, Rick James! Blessing the vocals on the single, the groove is a mad blend of rock riffs and hip-hop beats which gets the nod to go. The Seattle-based company Noc On wood Records, can be found on the internet, just hit[,] noconwood.com for any further information.
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Through Universal Distribution, Dj Quik brings two new songs. Euponic/Laneway/Bungalo Records combine to debut the follow-up prior to ushering in his album with the singles; “Murda 1 Case b/w Trouble remix Pt. 3.” Both singles are tight and can definitely make the move to prime-time radio, but the b-side, “Trouble,” featuring Beanie Sigel and Suga Free just barely edges out the a-side for [in] its sound presentation. Contact the label at 818-710-7740 let them know you want Quik online.
Earwax and the poet Raziq team to set up their a-side/b-side single, “Poet Alert b/w Spot Lacer.” The a-side is decent material which could go without the music, but the b-side here takes the nod. Spot Lacer is on-point hip-hop, a true neck mover, good presentation. Log on to www.earwaxonline.com to get more details on Raziq.
Thirsty The EP debuts from EDOT aka Erldotcom and Corecords. The brand Corecords is the product of famed Emcee Mr. Complex, who also features on the Thirsty Ep. Simple and thorough best describes EDOT. For any other details and to sample his material, the web is where you can find EDOT, www.erldotcom.com.
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Black Eye Records debuted the group Ambush, (Curt Digga, Gentile, Shondon’a, Raw Stalin and Misses) late this past summer. The noise maker from the forthcoming compilation is a double-sided twelve inch, “Party On b/w Look at Me.” “Party On” may just edge out “Look at Me,” for mix-show play. Both are good and deserve mentioning as well as a listen. Go to www.cdbaby.com and look up Ambush. Then contact ambush444@aol.com let them know what you think about the material.
Finally, 6 Hole Records pumps out Asamov. Asamov presents, (yes! Another double sided single) “Blow your Whistle b/w Don’t Stop.” The a-side features J.one.da and Therapy while the b-side features Willie Evans Jr. and Basic. A subtle jazz influence with tight rhymes, this one is hard to call, you make the call! Visit www.6hole.com and judge it for yourself.
As always, when labels and artists need that alternate avenue of exposure, UWAG and Rhythm deliver.
