DJ Ian Head Quick 45 Mix

The homie DJ Ian Head is that dude... on the beats, on the cuts & on the rhymes.  He's been behind one of my favorite groups I've heard in the last ten years, Dolla Bin, and some of the illest mixes that drop every month on everydaybeats.net.  If you're not hip to it... get it.

D.Thraxx OTIS Freestyle/REMIX (the blog is famous)

The Basement Addicts blog is featured in the new D. Thraxx youtube clip.  (and that's what's up)  If you missed D. Thraxx, you better tune in because she... is... sick... on... the... mic.  I have missed hearing female emcees that can stand amongst MC Lyte, Jean Grae and MANY other male rappers.  She is SERIOUSLY bringing something to the table that has been missing in SO many emcees.  (period)   

Rusty Redenbacher - "The Tinkerer" promo and DL

Rusty is quickly building the steam with his "The Tinkerer" project.  Check the promo vid he released and the DL that was posted on the ATFU Tumbler page.

From Rusty off of the ATFU/Tornado Alley Tumbler page.

"#ATFU #IWantYou #TheTinkerer #FreeDownload
Cover version of Marvin Gaye’s classic, done in a Tinkerer style…
I change things. I reshape them. Everything doesn’t need to be fixed, but I am a scientist…I will experiment…Maybe I will create something great and different, a cure, perhaps…maybe I will totally fail, but I will do it for science and @ATFU_ 
I just felt like singing and playing around a bit today. Thought I’d share it with y’all. Believe me, this is a whole new world to me too, so I’m trying to give you peeks into it before I drop ‘The Tinkerer’ and me and @MrKinetik start working on the follow-up to ‘The Professor And The Hustler’  (which is still a free download, so you should hit that link!)"



And you can't forget the Caillou ish!!!  Props to Got Sole in Indy!!!

 

#ATFU The Tinkerer & Snippet tape

If you haven't been following the blog, then you've been catching zzzzzz's on a lot of dope ish coming out of Naptown. Seems like the moment I head back to the 206, ish is bubbling.

Rusty Redenbacher, Mudkids/#ATFU/Prof & Hustler, put together an LP called "The Tinkerer" in a very short period of time and dropped some snippets on his tumbler page.  From the snippets he threw on his blog and the soundcloud track, you can tell this is going to be some dope boom bap.  Get ready for "The Tinkerer" because this is bonified boom box & Walkman ready.  (yeah... I said Walkman... that's what's up)   



High Chops Dub Mix (The Tinkerer's Extended Dead Disco Dub) by RustyRedenbacher


From Rusty Redenbacher's Tumbler page


"Here’s another snippet tape from ‘The Tinkerer’. I just crafted this because I am mad excited about this album and before I start dropping full tracks, I want you to get a feel for how the album grooves. I gotta say this, everyone I have played a few tracks for says “Man, this is different…”, so I’m really geeked about what I did here, yo.‘The Tinkerer’ just happened, man. It was an amazing experience putting this thing together, which is how I feel about everything #ATFU affiliated. I just love making this music and what’s great about ‘The Tinkerer’ is the full budget for recording is about $29.99. (bought a spindle of CD’s to make it happen…I’ll tell you about my production process for this album later.)
DIY, BABY…you ain’t gotta have all them pretty mics and fancy lit-up gadgets to make music. You gotta have grit, ideas, inspiration, and some soul don’t hurt.
Watch #ATFU’s Tumblr tomorrow."

Sum Rap Sheet

The Physics - Love is a Business

In a very short time The Physics have proven to be one of the MOST consistent groups out of Seattle and this LP is another example of that.  The title in itself speaks volumes and fully describes the sound of the record.  It's one of those jammies that would serve as a soundtrack for the warmer months... BBQs, driving with the windows rolled down and head over heels in a summer romance.  Love IS a Business and a VERY dope record.   

"Since cutting their 2007 LP Future Talk, the Physics (MCs Gathigi "Thig Natural" Gishuru and Njuguna "Monk Wordsmith" Gishuru, and producer Justin "Just D'Amato" Hare) have been quietly winning the hearts of Seattle's townfolk, organically achieving their own buzz—warm and cognac-smooth. They're simply one of the most vital crews doing it around here." Larry Mizell jr. The Stranger Magazine and KEXP 90.3

And for those of you outside the city of raindrops, Thig announced on Facebook and on their site that The Physics were going to be touring with The Blue Scholars.  (even heard of a NY show)

09/17 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market (all-ages)
09/20 – Eugene, OR – Wow Hall (all-ages)
09/21 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (all-ages)
09/24 – Belllingham, WA – Wild Buffalo (21+)
10/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club (18+)
10/16 – San Diego, CA – Casbah (21+)
*also 9/10 in Vancouver BC w/ Macklemore (all ages)*


Ring the alarm and don't get caught sleeping.

Token Folk - The Vibes

Token Folk, a boom box & Pike Place.

Diggin' card revoked

Like a Blo$$!!!

Aug 23rd. Sadistik presents...

The White Rabbit in Fremont will host a night of hip hop with sets from Sadistik Inspired Flight, Dawhud & Mike Champoux.

Tue, August 23, 2011

Doors: 9:00 PM / Show: 9:30 PM

$5.00

This show is 21+, proper I.D. is required for admission

Sadistik

Sadistik is not just another rapper, he is an artist in the deepest sense of the word. Hailing all the way from the scenic gloom of Seattle, Washington, Sadistik has quickly gained the hearts and ears of listeners by opting for a more personal and heartfelt brand of music by carefully circumventing the limiting cliches of rap music --- all before the age of 25. By combining caustic honesty, lyrical wit and technical innovation, Sadistik has crafted a sound that he can truly call his own. His lyrical endeavors are not without the help of some of the most talented producers in the underground scene, however, as he has worked predominantly with Portland-based instrumentalist Emancipator. In addition to their work together, Sadistik has meshed his sounds with the likes of the prolific duo Blue Sky Black Death as well as Chicago native Kid Called Computer. From his work with such talented multi-instrumentalist producers, Sadistik has created a signature of unpredictable and complex song structures draped with densely layered combinations of intricate sample work and live instruments. Sadistik's collaborations are not limited only to the powerhouses of the instrumental scene, however, but also some of underground rap's most revered wordsmiths such as Eyedea, Cage, Mac Lethal and Sage Francis, to name a few.

www.sadistikmusic.com/live


Inspired Flight

Rooted in hip-hop with branches of indie rock, electronica, downtempo, dub, and dance, Inspired Flight gives life to a hypnotizing and influential new musical experience that listeners are finding refreshing and authentic. iF's use of turntablism and sampling along with live instrumentation and vocals, all centered around innovative songwriting, has given birth to an independently-released debut album featuring high-profile MC's and sparking global attention, and a live show that has compelled audience members to scream, "Where have you been all my life!?"

Homegrown in San Diego, California, Inspired Flight fuses the talents of master turntablist, OpenOptics (Eric Poline), and seasoned guitarist/songwriter, Chavez (Gabe Lehner) who both discovered a passion for music at a very young age by falling in love with golden-era hip-hop. As teenagers OpenOptics became obsessed with turntables, collecting records, and DJ’ing, while Chavez became fixated on blues guitar, British rock, and songwriting. The two traveled their respective musical paths with true dedication and passion, honing their skills as musicians, and in 2006 they met when Chavez hired OpenOptics to do scratching on an electronica album he was making under the name of Mechanical Cats. With their shared love of hip-hop, electronica, and recording and producing music, it didn’t take long for the two to collaborate on their own project. The fusion of personalities, backgrounds, and musical interests provided the perfect balance for creating fresh, thought-provoking sounds, and what began as a casual collaboration quickly evolved into Inspired Flight.

Adding a third dimension to the iF live show is vocalist/pianist Ashley Marie Mazanec. Ashley not only sings on four tracks of iF's debut album and one track from their earlier EP, but was the vocalist for Chavez's Mechanical Cats album, the prior musical project that lead to OpenOptics and Chavez meeting. With a unique voice and a talent for playing piano nurtured since the age of five, Ashley makes a strong addition to the sonic and visual aesthetic of iF's live show.

An Inspired Flight show features live vocals and performance on guitar, keyboards, turntables, kalimbas, and melodica, used with multiple laptops and MIDI controllers. The euphoric, dance-inducing beats of an iF show merge what is mostly original production with tasteful and strategic sampling, leaving audiences "blissed out" and craving more.

www.inspiredflightmusic.com/


Mike Champoux


 
Upcoming NW artist Mike Champoux is going to tear the roof off with his collection of self written and produced tracks. Nuff said.


www.mikechampoux.com
www.reverbnation.com/mikec​hampoux

August 23rd The White Rabbit

Possible set at The White Rabbit in Fremont on the 23rd. More details as the venue is confirmed.

Stat tuned!

Malice & Mario Sweet - Speed of Light

Malice & Mario Sweet are Physics related crew.  (or the closest thing to it)  Although they are not a hip hop group, they provide some ill soul R&B with a little hip hop vibe to it.  Dig the vibe and check the EP.

"Get ready to take a private journey aboard a music fueled spaceship to a place with no borders, rules, or sorrows. Malice and Mario Sweet have chartered a direct flight to a musical celebration for the open-minded lover in all of us.

Several genres are visited throughout this commemorative EP while upbeat, soulful and tangible love rings through each melodic twist and turn. This married duo have no other intention but to channel your inner musician and help you let it all go. Happy 2 Year."

Mr. Kinetik Sounds of Soul

In the process of a year Mr. Kinetik has been part of some of the illist ish that has been dropping out of Naptown and in hip hop period.  In February he set off the year with The Green Hornet EP alongside one of Indy's sickest emcees Eratic.  Then the ATFU/Tornado Alley project/movement began bubbling and taking over.  Then in May alongside Rusty Redenbacher from the Mudkids they released a collab effort titled "The Professor and The Hustler," which was once again nothing short of SLAMMIN'!   

How do you follow it up?  How do you stay consistent?  In this day, artists turn out music to keep a buzz going instead of making solid projects.  Over the last 8 months, Mr. Kinetik's projects seem to be as dope or doper than the last.  So... here we are in August and Mr. Kinetik does it again with his "Sounds of Soul" project which, according to Mr. Kinetik, "has been carefully crafted over a couple of years."  (and you can tell)  This is NOT a sloppy collection of tracks with no theme like what many mixtapes have become.  I could tell from 1st listen that this project was a fine tuned and well oiled machine.  A lot of albums have peaks and valleys, but "Sounds of Soul" is nothing but consistent all the way through in the fashion of many classic hip hop albums.  Time will only tell, but this LP and artist have the potential to go far. 
 

Follow on Twitter @MrKinetik and @RustyMK2
Tumblr: TornadoAlleyMusic.Tumblr.com, MrKinetik.Tumblr.com, and RustyRedenbacher.Tumblr.com

Pete Marriott's - "The Champ is Here"

Pete Marriott dropping "The Champ Is Here" doing some good old fashioned boom bap.  Peep this ill joint.

“The Champ Is Here” is the new single from DJ/producer Pete Marriott. The 20+ year hip hop veteran who hails from Seattle, Washington has hooked up with the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina group Full Time Grind to transport listeners back to the Golden Age of Hip Hop. Sampling the line that Muhammad Ali made famous, “The Champ Is Here” is as diverse, innovative and influential as hip hop was in its heyday."

Seatown Approved!!!

The High Dive... all the way live!!!

Those of you that were unable to make it out to the High Dive on the 27th... it was a dope show. (period)  My man Ryan Fresh was on the 1's & 2's and Just Be picked up the mic again to rock the stage one more time.  It felt good to not only be back in Seattle, but to hit the stage here once again. 

We were the opening act at The High Dive & despite the placement kept it "top shelf" for the crowd.  We blessed the people with tracks from "Basement Sessions," "Dub Styles" and the "TransAtlantic" project.  The last time I did a show here in Seattle w/ Just Be it was 2008 & the tracks felt like we hadn't skipped a beat.

The gig was refreshing to connect with new artists in the 206 & to dive back into the scene.  (a reintroduction so to speak)  Although I've been aware of what's been going on in the scene, things have changed.  So, it was nice to see new faces doing what they love on stage and giving it their all.  (French Letters, Vice Versus & Token Folk.)

Just Be & Dawhud... From This Moment ON!!!

Although this gig was a homecoming for myself, it's served as a catalyst to spark interest in music for my friends.  Does that mean Just Be is going to get back on the mic?  I can't answer for him, but it was nice to share the stage with him again and do some of my favorite cuts together.  As for Ryan Fresh... I know he said he's interested in doing more shows & that's exactly what I want to do.  (more shows)

This gig is just the 1st of many now that I have returned to the land of raindrops.   

Your official when you're on a dive bar wall!

Peace to all the people, friends and the artists that came out.  French Letters, Vice Versus & Token Folk... ya'll rocked the spot!!!

Peep the vid.