3.29.2009
3.25.2009
Projected 3: Review in 7Days (Vermont)
CHECK THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE
2008 was a productive year for Burnt MD. He released another excellent full-length album and appeared on Northampton-based collective The Problemaddicts’ top-notch regional compilation mixtape The Guestlist. In addition, the hardest-working man in Vermont hip-hop has been touring regularly in the Northeast, spreading his higher-conscience Green Mountain flow from legendary Cambridge nightclub The Middle East to South Burlington’s Higher Ground. Somehow Burnt MD found the time, under the banner of his own collective/movement GTD, to reconnect with New York-based collective/movement Projectivity and release the latest installment of their high-minded hip-hop comps, Projected Mixtape Vol. 3. Whew.
The estimable Burnt Microphone Doctor appears three times on the weighty volume’s 25 tracks. Each of these contributions appears on his previous effort, Burnt MD & Tha Professor. But local hip-hop aficionados will find them worth revisiting. Of particular note is the comp’s second track, “Daydream,” which follows a smooth intro cut by Albany’s Origin.
With ace beats courtesy of Tha Professor, Burnt unleashes his signature, paradoxically laid-back and aggressive flow before yielding to longtime collaborator Network. The latter MC has been quiet of late, but the song is an apt reminder of just how potent this dynamic duo can be.
Next up, “Fuck You Mean” introduces the comp’s considerable star power: Pack FM, Atmosphere’s Slug and current underground heavyweight champ Brother Ali trade verses with ease and wit.
The hit parade continues throughout as underground luminaries from Staten Island’s The Higher Concept — whose MC, Tekst, spearheads Projectivity — to NYOIL, Akrobatik, iCON the Mic King, Sons of Kalal and The Problemaddicts, among many others, contribute stellar tracks. As The Higher Concept themselves put it, “We’re all stars. But we’re better as a constellation.”
That line does a better job of summing up the comp’s overriding message than any keyboard jockey could. In an age when hip-hop is notable for lavish overstatement, it’s refreshing when truly artistic and accomplished talents join forces, reminding us that the culture was inspired by a need to make the world a better place. There is power in understatement, too, and few examples are more effective than Projected Vol. 3.
2008 was a productive year for Burnt MD. He released another excellent full-length album and appeared on Northampton-based collective The Problemaddicts’ top-notch regional compilation mixtape The Guestlist. In addition, the hardest-working man in Vermont hip-hop has been touring regularly in the Northeast, spreading his higher-conscience Green Mountain flow from legendary Cambridge nightclub The Middle East to South Burlington’s Higher Ground. Somehow Burnt MD found the time, under the banner of his own collective/movement GTD, to reconnect with New York-based collective/movement Projectivity and release the latest installment of their high-minded hip-hop comps, Projected Mixtape Vol. 3. Whew.
The estimable Burnt Microphone Doctor appears three times on the weighty volume’s 25 tracks. Each of these contributions appears on his previous effort, Burnt MD & Tha Professor. But local hip-hop aficionados will find them worth revisiting. Of particular note is the comp’s second track, “Daydream,” which follows a smooth intro cut by Albany’s Origin.
With ace beats courtesy of Tha Professor, Burnt unleashes his signature, paradoxically laid-back and aggressive flow before yielding to longtime collaborator Network. The latter MC has been quiet of late, but the song is an apt reminder of just how potent this dynamic duo can be.
Next up, “Fuck You Mean” introduces the comp’s considerable star power: Pack FM, Atmosphere’s Slug and current underground heavyweight champ Brother Ali trade verses with ease and wit.
The hit parade continues throughout as underground luminaries from Staten Island’s The Higher Concept — whose MC, Tekst, spearheads Projectivity — to NYOIL, Akrobatik, iCON the Mic King, Sons of Kalal and The Problemaddicts, among many others, contribute stellar tracks. As The Higher Concept themselves put it, “We’re all stars. But we’re better as a constellation.”
That line does a better job of summing up the comp’s overriding message than any keyboard jockey could. In an age when hip-hop is notable for lavish overstatement, it’s refreshing when truly artistic and accomplished talents join forces, reminding us that the culture was inspired by a need to make the world a better place. There is power in understatement, too, and few examples are more effective than Projected Vol. 3.
3.24.2009
3.23.2009
3.16.2009
3.11.2009
3.09.2009
Book Review: The Lions of Al-Rassan
I am a huge fan of the fantasy genre and it is usually very rare to find me reading a book outside of this genre. While The Lions of Al-Rassan can be labeled as a fantasy book, it is more closely related to a book in the history genre. Most reviews I have read about it call it a historical fantasy but to me there were few of the elements of fantasy I am used to. No fantastical, other worldly type characters, no magical powers, just real people existing in a world of many religious differences. The Author, Guy Gavriel Kay, describes an unbelievably detailed land based upon Moorish Spain. There are three different religions covered in the book. The Kindath (jews), The Asharites (Muslims), and The Jaddites (Christians) are constantly at battle with each other throughout the book, but the books main focus is on a group of characters from all three religions that have come together to help each other in their times of need. The books message is very powerful. We are all human beings at heart, despite religious differences. If we could find a way to realize that religion does not have to define an individual we could look beyond petty differences and live in a peaceful world. Overall the characters in this book are some of the most intriguing characters I have ever read. Ammar Ibn Khairan and Captain Rodrigo Belmonte become legendary characters in a world filled with powerful men. I would recommend this book to anyone regardless of your affection for fantasy novels. It is well worth the read and could very well change your perspective on life and religion.
-IB
-IB
3.05.2009
Spotlight: Cliff Skighwalker
PROJECTIVITY SPOTLIGHT - CLIFF SKIGHWALKER
http://cliffskighwalker.blogspot.com/
We met Cliff through our good pal DJ Emilio Sparks from WSIA. As you may or may not have heard, we were in Michigan opening up for Nas a bit ago, and stayed in Ann Arbor for the weekend. On Saturday we met up with Cliff and co-host E-Huff at the Cultural Vibe Radio Studio, and we were unbelievably lucky enough to show up on J Dilla’s birthday, so the night was special already. You can check out some footage from that night in the Road Trip episode we will be posting soon enough about that whole weekend, so check it. If you are in the Detroit area going to hiphop shows, you MUST have seen my man around. If not, I’m sure you’ll be on the lookout now…
3.04.2009
HOW TO MEDITATE
http://www.how-to-meditate.org/
This is a site that gives a good summary on how to start getting into a more self-aware zone. Posture, breathing methods, etc are all included to allow you the opportunity to get the full benefit of meditation. For more in depth info regarding WHAT to actually meditate on, check the writings of those such as Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi amongst several others) or Dr. Suzuki (Zen and Japanese Culture, amongst MANY others). Both authors will keep you thinking for a long while. All in all, a good start if you’re serious, and a good read if you’re not.
http://www.how-to-meditate.org/
This is a site that gives a good summary on how to start getting into a more self-aware zone. Posture, breathing methods, etc are all included to allow you the opportunity to get the full benefit of meditation. For more in depth info regarding WHAT to actually meditate on, check the writings of those such as Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi amongst several others) or Dr. Suzuki (Zen and Japanese Culture, amongst MANY others). Both authors will keep you thinking for a long while. All in all, a good start if you’re serious, and a good read if you’re not.
3.03.2009
Spotlight: Trunkface
PROJECTIVITY SPOTLIGHT – TRUNKFACE
http://www.trunkface.com/html/
Well well well, what do we have here? Why it’s my good pal Scott James and all the Trunkface Affiliates! What’s that? You’ve brought broads, beats, and booze? Well quit talking and come on in! That’s about the gist of every Trunkface show I’ve seen, and I must say, I don’t mind it. If you are from Staten and into hiphop, you may have heard of Madhatter Pro, Diverse, and others from the Trunkface roster doing shows and rocking out. And If you’ve been around long enough, hopefully you’ve had the chance to glimpse the illusive Trunkface Van roaming around your local nightspots. I just just did work on some videos of some Scott James shows from the last year, definitely something worthy of your attention if you haven’t been yet. We’ve also been getting in the studio with Mr. James and already have some fire, including the track him and I (Matty J) did called “Stylin”. So watch out for the brand new villains!
http://www.trunkface.com/html/
Well well well, what do we have here? Why it’s my good pal Scott James and all the Trunkface Affiliates! What’s that? You’ve brought broads, beats, and booze? Well quit talking and come on in! That’s about the gist of every Trunkface show I’ve seen, and I must say, I don’t mind it. If you are from Staten and into hiphop, you may have heard of Madhatter Pro, Diverse, and others from the Trunkface roster doing shows and rocking out. And If you’ve been around long enough, hopefully you’ve had the chance to glimpse the illusive Trunkface Van roaming around your local nightspots. I just just did work on some videos of some Scott James shows from the last year, definitely something worthy of your attention if you haven’t been yet. We’ve also been getting in the studio with Mr. James and already have some fire, including the track him and I (Matty J) did called “Stylin”. So watch out for the brand new villains!
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