Deepspace5
The Blueprint 3 Outtakes
Jay-Z's album, The Blueprint 3, was one of 2009's most successful mainstream releases. During its pre-production stages, freelance producer/beatmaker Alex Goose composed some tracks that that he submitted to Jay-Z in hopes that he would use them on The Blueprint 3. Unfortunately for Goose, none of his beats made the cut, despite their quality and the fact that they sounded like beats you would hear on a Jay-Z album. But Goose was so proud of these beats that he had to share them, and he released them as a free download on his website for anyone who wanted them. This is where Deepspace5 comes in. While working on The Future Ain't What It Used To Be, they took time off, got Goose's tracks (which he titled The Blueprint 3 Outtakes), and composed thirteen fabulous hip hop tracks.
DS5's version of The Blueprint 3 Outtakes (which keep the same title) features five of the seven emcees in the group (there's no Listener or Sev Statik on this mixtape). Despite the release being so out-of-nowhere and having no record label backing, it's still as high quality of an album as DS5 fans have come to expect. Fred B is at the top of his game in "We In Here" and "Goose Needs This" (originally titled "Hova Needs This" on Goose's mixtape). sintax.the.terrific gets his own track on the low-key "Dear Daisy," and the similarly-titled "Dear Winter" gets the similar, one-emcee treatment with the similar-sounding manCHILD, getting a minute to himself. Sivion leads off the thumping beats of "No One Rides For Free," rapping about the free gift of "grace and eternity," while also tearing up the opening track "We In Here."
Playdough and manCHILD are featured most prominently in this mixtape, both appearing on nearly every track. What's interesting is that, while each of the emcees have their own flow style, and they do their own thing here as well, Playdough and manCHILD change theirs up a little. It's definitely due to the beats, which don't really reflect most (or any) of what you'd hear on their own albums. And they both do a great job adapting. Playdough's style seems to have changed the most. The mixtape highlight "Goose Needs This" showcases his usual sound (reminding me a little of his solo track "Don't Drink The Water"), but "Check Me Out Now" has him doing more of a gangsta sound, and his verse in "Brakes" makes his sound comparable to Jay-Z (appropriately enough).
You know you can always count on Deepspace5 to produce a fantastic album. Goose's beats were fresh and clean by themselves, and adding DS5's verses only made them better. Read More Here
PND (Sareem Poems & DJ: Dust ) Diry Words
The emcee: Sareem Poems from the LA Symphony crew. The DJ: Dust of Mars ILL and Deepspace 5 fame. The project: a duo by the name of PND (which stands for Poems N Dust). For the past four years, the two artists of PND have been working on their first album together, the cleverly-titled Dirty Words. After working hard on it and shopping around to different labels, it finally saw the light of day thanks to the newer hip hop label, Humble Beast. It's available in digital and physical form, and instrumentals of the tracks are also available for purchase. The duo got together in 2006 when Dust thought Poems would be a good emcee to rap over his beats. Turns out it was a good decision. As usual, Dust's beats are some of the best in the game, with terrific-sounding beats comprised of real instruments. Opening track "Power to the People" has one of the hottest beats on the album. It's very drum heavy with a lot of funk and 70s influence. In fact, there's quite a bit of 70s influence throughout Dirty Words, mixing an overall retro sound with more modern style beats. "Lonestar" acts as the album's first single. The music features some jazzy piano and soulful guitars and female vocal samples in the hook. Dust also mixes some retro, disco-esque style strings with something similar to a Jay-Z track in "Dig Deep." The beat here is a little odd, coming to a stop on numerous occasions during the track, but when it's going full steam, it's very well-produced. Also, some of the piano doesn't feel like it works too well, but that aside, it's quality Dust production. Even with minor nuances like that, it's very hard to be disappointed in Dust's beats. Read More Here The booming presences of both Poems and Dust are noticeable from the very start of the album. Dust immediately brings you into the PND project with an up-tempo beat that’s rich in sound and doesn’t skimp on the drums. As Poems begins his verse, however, it sounds almost as if this particular beat outpaces his vocals. While this style of and speed of instrumental is not what one would commonly hear on a Poems track, he does ultimately pull the track off successfully, giving the album a strong start. The project presses on after this whirlwind of an introductory track to reveal a steady and methodical piece of work.Dirty Words doesn’t miss a step the rest of the way through as Poems and Dust are able to harmonize their two distinct tastes without one overpowering the other’s. Tracks like “Listen Up,” “Change” and “Dig Deep” showcase the power with which Poems can lay down vocals. Poems’ voice itself is powerful enough, yet he also knows how to impose it on tracks in a way that demands the listener’s attention. Not to be silence despite the absence of his voice, the influence of Dust is written all over Dirty Words. “Power to the People,” “Oz,” and “Give Thanks” particularly have a feel that bear witness to what could be deemed classic Dust. The selection of drums, his patterns of scratching over the track and the samples he chooses to use in Dirty Words are recognizable to even the causal listener of any Mars Ill project. Not to be left without mention is the track “Lone Star.” This track is absolutely masterful. Both artists seemingly maximize on their strengths on this track to create something soulful, provoking and above all powerful. It is one thing to try to comprehend it based on written description, and quite another to behold it for yourself. With a combination of power, thought, grit and variety, Dirty Words comes out to be a well-grounded album with lots to offer. Throughout the project Poems expounds upon some of his most inner convictions while challenging all who listen to be empowered in the pursuit of a higher good. If his straightforward lyrics weren’t influential enough in themselves, Poems’ powerful vocals assure that the words are driven home. While Poems has his lyrical fingerprints all over the album, this is through and through a Dust project. His sound is unmistakable and the result of countless years of experience. Simply said, Dirty Wordswould not be remotely what it is without the foundation he sets for it. This is a project that exemplifies a culmination of precision in thought and appreciation of eclecticism that should not be missed by any who seek good, fundamental hip hop. Read More Here |
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