Random Rap!

Magnetized by the music ...

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AND ALSO THIS

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BABY BABY WON'T YOU BE MY BABY BABY

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Blacastan and Moe Pope on WFMU with Noah Uman

Last week, Brick artists Moe Pope and Blacastan stopped by WFMU and did their thing on Noah Uman's Coffee Break for Heroes and Villains. Noah Uman's show is always an exceptionally fun listen, and with these two cats up there, it was one for the ages. Be sure to pick up Blac Sabbath if you haven't yet, and get ready for Moe Pope & Rain's Life After God, dropping July 27th!

07.13.10 WFMU- Coffee Break For Heroes and Villains Clip (w/ Blacastan and Moe Pope) -

Check out the whole show HERE

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80 Blocks From Tiffany's

Now this is something I've been waiting a long time to talk about.

For the past couple years, I've been working on re-releasing one of my favorite documentaries, if not one of my all-time top films.

80 Blocks From Tiffany's.

You may be familiar with it. If not, that's completely understandable. It was only released commercially in a small run on VHS way back in 1985. It is essential viewing material and will fit snugly beside your copies of Style Wars, Wild Style, and any other old-New York City classic.

Here's the official trailer I've put together.

Coming Fall 2010



Five Day Weekend proudly presents a trailer for the upcoming re-release of "80 Blocks From Tiffany's." Available commercially for the first time in 25 years, "80 Blocks..." finally gets to see the light of day, and will, without doubt, take its rightful place among the best documentary films of the 1970s.


Only a film-maker like Gary Weis, with strong youth and counter-culture credentials (including his numerous productions for the original Saturday Night Live), could penetrate the mental and physical fortresses constructed by the young toughs who prowl the New York streets in gangs. Weis gets on the inside of these gangs and exposes their illegal activities, their techniques, their reasons, their girls, and the cops who interact with them.

The much anticipated DVD release will include the feature film as well as never before seen interviews, a 40 page hard cover book featuring brand new liner notes, artwork by Julian Allen, the original "Savage Skulls" article by the late Jon Bradshaw (Esquire Magazine, June 1977), and more.

Okay, so the word is out. Expect this one to be available by the end of the year, with an official street date being announced in the very near future. I'm letting out a sigh of relief… now I can drop some future posts about some of the characters from the film, share my personal thoughts / rants, and more. Check back soon for more!

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Al Tariq - God Connections

A reissue of Al Tariq's God Connections is slated for a September 14th street date. If you slept on this one the first time around, don't make the same mistake again. The production (Beatnuts, No I.D., V.I.C.) is incredible and you already know Al Tariq is the man.

As an original member of The Beatnuts; one of the most highly regarded groups in the rap game; Al’ Tariq (then known as Fashion) made their first two releases holy in the hands of Hip Hop junkies! His sharp story-telling and skilled delivery made him a favorite of the trio amongst fans.

Around 1994, after the release and touring of the album known to many as Street Level (reissue soon to be available for the first time on 2xLP), and the internal problems of being a part of a group, Al‘ Tariq decided he needed to do his own thing.

Putting together a crew of cunning MC’s and reconciling with his fellow Beatnuts (Psycho Les & Ju Ju), the album titled God Connections was unleashed in 1996. Unfortunately, Correct Records, the label that originally released the project imploded shortly after the street date. Without the promo- tional wheel turning, this record was lost at birth. It’s since become an extremely sought after album and for good reason too, boasting early productions by NO I.D., V.I.C. and of course The Beatnuts!

This deluxe re-issue comes housed in a sharp digipak with booklet and includes liner notes featuring track by track analysis by Al’ Tariq himself!

Al Tariq - Everybody's Talkin' (Vocal) -

Al Tariq - Everybody's Talkin' (Instrumental) -

Al Tariq - Nikki (Vocal) (LP Bonus Track) -

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Rain

Things got a little hectic on Saturday. I figured instead of helping, I should film a guy as his car broke down.

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Turkish Freakout!

I just had a chance to check out the new Turkish Freakout compilation over the weekend. I definitely got schooled on a whole bunch of tunes I was unfamiliar with. There's some great tracks on it… there's no arguing it makes for an interesting listen. Here's two I'm feeling (the write ups in italics are borrowed from the accompanying liner notes).

Okay Temiz- "Dokuz Sekiz" (1975)

This 1975 release from Istanbul-native Okay Temiz showcases the influence of the American psychedelic jazz-fusion movement had on his music. With it's haunting saz loop opening to its killer synth bass drops, Okay creates a track textured with a broad spectrum of unique sounds. The result is a mix of western jazz sounds with Turkish instruments, like Herbie Hancock's Headhunters making a stop in Istanbul… with a few tabs of acid of course.

Ersen- Gunese Don Cicegim (1973)

They just can't make records sound like this anymore. A Simply amazing track filled with fuzz and traditional Turkish percussion effects. Like Baris, Erkin and Cem, Ersen is one of the major artists of the era. His records usually have a beat-driven sound and a mix of distortion and rhythm, as heard here. Check out the vocal track over the bare drums and bass, which sounds like a "Come Together" effect.

Here's the press release that hooked me...

Turkey is often referred to as the meeting point between East and West, a statement verified by this selection of choice Turkish grooves. The western rock, psych, funk and jazz influences that began to be incorporated into traditional Turkish sounds during the late 60s and 70s can be heard here, as the Anadolu pop sound of Turkeyma balanced these new elements with the complex sounds and rhythms developed over many years. All tracks are referenced from their original 7 inch releases, painstakingly tracked down from various sources in and around Istanbul. The marriage of these styles is original, captivating and bound to freak you out.

Available on CD and 2xLP

First 1,000 2xLP copies include a limited edition Arif Sag 7" single with vintage sleeve artwork.

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Whodidit? Whodunnit? Whodini!

Whodini's debut album is about to drop on CD. I've had a listen to the master... they aren't lying when they say it's in flawless hi-fi stereo. I've never heard the album this clear. Here's the extended info on the upcoming re-release...

"I had no plans whatsoever to get into Rap. It happened accidentally, but it must have been meant to happen 'cause we did it so well." - Jalil of Whodini

In the pantheon of rap royalty that includes the likes of Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy, Whodini is often mistakingly overlooked. Embodying the essence of a Hip Hop group, the trio simultaneously managed to appeal to a wide variety of music listeners and act as the poster children representing a new sound and attitude in urban music.

Now, their debut album is finally remastered and expanded for the digital age. Packaged in a mini paste-on style jacket replicating its original vinyl release, Whodini's self-titled debut includes the hits "The Haunted House of Rock," "Yours For A Night," "Rap Machine" and the Thomas Dolby (of "She Blinded Me With Science"fame) produced "Magic's Wand," all of which are dance floor classics, propelled by their synthesizer and drum machine heavy beats.

Whodini's origins trace all the way back to the beginning of the 1980s, centering around the Mr. Magic Rap Attack radio show. DJ Grandmaster Dee recalls, "Mr. Magic was rocking the radio every Thursday from 2 to 4 a.m. on WHBI. I was tuning in every Thursday and I would always give him a call. And I happened to meet Jalil, ’cause Jalil was answering phones back then, taking calls when I’d call in. Him and Ecs were working with Mr. Magic. One day he said come on down to the station cause they were promoting this tour with Sugar Hill at the Armory in Harlem. That’s when I met Jalil and them. I told them I was a DJ, they came to my house to see how my skills was and we hooked up from there."

Rapper Jalil also recalls how their association with the Rap Attack helped spawn the group and get their first album out. "Jive Records heard about Mr. Magic. He was the first DJ in the US playing Hip Hop on the radio. They wanted to get a jump in the market, so they contacted Magic about making a record. But he couldn’t. At that time, he was making a step up to WBLS and the FCC wouldn’t let him record and be on the radio. So they gave it to me. When we had put down the lyrics for 'Magic’s Wand' and it was agreed that this captured the whole atmosphere behind Mr. Magic, then we signed a one single deal just to do that record about him."

The success of "Magic's Wand" led to an album deal with Jive Records, and in 1983, Whodini's first LP hit the stores. They remained in good hands, as Mr. Magic would convince Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons to manage the three-man crew. From there, success would continue. Whodini would go on to release a slew of hits throughout the rest of the decade, while playing alongside monster shows (including the original Fresh Fest concert series'), sharing the bill with acts like the Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, and a circle of others who would also go on to become legends.

Who broke down barriers in the Rap world and helped usher the genre into a new level of success? Who had a chemistry and bond unparalleled by any rap group before or since? Whodidit? Whodunnit? Whodini!

Now, experience a groundbreaking album in flawless high-fi stereo sound like you've never heard it before.

The only question left now is, who doesn't want the Rap Machine A Capella?

Whodini- Rap Machine (A Capella) Snippet-

** Super Super Blast Blast Powwwww **

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Get Ready For Haack-tion (aka Played Like A Piano Player)

Worst blog-post title ever? Absolutely.

But seriously, get ready for it-



This documentary ain't nothing new. It's actually from 2004, but I haven't seen it. I need to. I also need a Dermatron pronto. You know, a Dermatron... a theramin played on skin instead of air.

"For the first time in public, a performer has played a piano player"

Mr. Rogers knew...

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