Friday, March 15, 2013

KILLAH PRIEST - "HEAVY MENTWO" [THE DEMO'S] RE-UP


Early 1993,  the Wu-Tang Clan is recording the posse cut "Da Mystery Of Chessoxin'" for the crews debut album at Firehouse Studios, New York. There was one slot left on the now classic track and Master Killer and Killer Priest both desperately wanted their voice on that record. As they both were writing and trying out a few verses to RZA's beat and time was running late, Walter Reed - better known as Killah Priest - dozed off for an hour or so. When he woke up, he heard the now legendary debut verse by Masta Killa ripping "Da Mystery..." to shreds. Had thing turned out differently, Killah Priest would probably been the official 9th member of The Wu-Tang Clan.

But unlike Masta Killa, Priest is more of a solo artist than a team player as proven by his 1998 solo debut "Heavy Mental"; still to this day, one of the illest and most original hip-hop albums ever created. It took me some time to fully appreciate the mental genius that is this album truly was. Almost the oppisute of your traditional '98 rap record consdering how different it was, the atmospheric and mystical producton that featured some of 4th Disciple, Y-Kim and Arabian Knight. Few times before or after have the production and heavy mental vocal performance by a true lyricist been such a perfect marriage. Just check 4th Diisciple's paranoid backdrop and floating horns on "Information" where Priest dwells deep into scary, but most likely often true, conspiracy theories. Or "Science Project" where Priest switch up his flow to tell a haunting narrative of a young kid in a rough hood that finds himself in a set-up over a frantic beat that builds up to the agressive end when you can barely take it anymore, Like Priest's companion Shabazz the Disciple once said: "Artists like 50 Cent and Jay-Z, they glorify the hood. I horrify it".

"Heavy Mental" runs for over 75 minutes without ever getting boring and should be listened to from beginning to end as it's one of a kind journey into the mind and spirit of Walter Reed. Throughout the 20 tracks Killah Priest proved that he was easily one of the best emcees of all time, and still to this day his debut album stands as one of the sickest lyrical displays ever put down on wax. Fantastic flow and delivery, a commanding voice, lyrics packed with knowledge and his obviously a very smart person; the only Wu-Tang representer that I can think of to be on that specific level is The GZA/Genius. And as if Priest's lyrical power wasn't enough to bring this album home, 4th Disciple probably hooked up his best batch of beats for"Heavy Mental" - not to mention True Master's and Y-Kim's contributions. I remember an article in HipHopConnection back around 2000 where they crowned Priest's debut "the best hip-hop album of all time" and while there's no singular dopest LP ever made in my opinion, it's definitely up there. This is spiritual hip-hop at it's finest and there's a big difference between religion and spirituality.

Yesterday I got a six minute snippet reel from a poster at the Philaflava forums featuring a bunch of songs that most likely was recorded for the album but didn't make the final cut. This gave me the idea to put together a lil' companion piece to my favorite Killa Beez release of all time, especially since there's so much dope material that didn't make the final cut that would be a great diservice for any Priest fan to miss out on. I wrote out a small description for each song on the mix to give you some background info while you're listening.

01. "Blessed Are Those" [Original Mix]
The original "Blessed Are Those" was for the longest supposed to be the one we'd hear on the album instead of the minimalistic, but still very atmospheric and great, remix we now hear on the LP. For this version underrated producer Y-Kim makes great use of an Al Green sample over the same drums that really beefs up the track. Unfortunately, Green refused sample clearance of the song for the reason of the Killah part of the artists name. According to K.P. this was one of the last songs recorded for the album and the first verse also received the "Quotable Of The Month" in The Source Magazine back in '98. This mix appeared on Y-Kim's producer compilation "Monster Reborn".

02. + 03. "Moanin" (Ft. Killa Sin) / "Street Opera" (Ft. Hell Razah)
Both these songs appeared on the "One Step" CD-single and 12" and I have a strong feeling that if there were more room left on the album, both these songs would appear on it. They are both incredible and would fit right in; Killah Priest puts on a memorable performance and a rare verse by Killa Sin makes the song even more superior. 4th Disciple produced both of these joints and once again proves why he might be the most underrated producer out there.

04. "Wolf In Sheep's Clothing"
"Wolf In Sheep's Clothing" is a rather unknown joint that was released on a limited white label 12" with an atmospheric beat that might very well be another 4th banger with an addictive trumpet hook running throughout over the kicking hi-hats. Featured on the song are also Shanghai the Messenger who also provided sung vocals on "Atoms to Adam" and "Mystic City".

05. "Devil In Descize"
This originally appeared on a rare promo copy of 4th Disciple's debut album "Steel Valley Project Vol. 1". With it's somber grand piano, floating flute, cuts and Shanghai the Messenger heartfelt lyrics, it was one of the absolute stand-outs on 4th's EP. Killah Priest kicks his "usual" metaphors where he tells the story of how the most trusting person can turn out to be a devil in disguise.

06. "Life Is A Gamble"
After Wu-Tang Clan's epic multi-platinum selling "Wu-Tang Forever", the Clan and its affilliates like Killarmy, Sunz Of Man and LA The Darkman all embraced the high quality The "W" represented. On LA's classic '98 debut, 4th Disciple produced a banger titled "Fifth Disciple". But the sinister steet sonics of 4th's beat was originally in Killah Priest's possession as a demo song recorded for his debut undder the title "Life's A Gamble". It's very interesting to hear the contrast between Darkman and Priest's versions.

07. "Mind As A Weapon" (Ft. Hell Razah)
Hell Razah and Priest were both members of Sunz Of Man and there voices and lyrical themes has always gone together perfectly. "Mind As A Weapon" is a typical late '90s Sunz joint, produced by 4th Disciple, that remained unreleased for several years and when it finally surfaced the sound quality wished much to desire. Still, the production and both rapper's vocals and lyrical themes makes it a well worth listen.

08. "Gallery (One Step)"
"Gallery" was the original demo version  of "One Step", the opening track on"Heavy Mental". This version was originally recorded during a Sunz Of Man session which explains why Hell Razah also participated in the session (on the hook). Popa Wu also appears on this version and Tekitha's part is slightly alternative. Both the beat and verses have slight differences too.

09. "King & The Ceasar (B.I.B.L.E.)"
"B.I.B.L.E." of course appeared originally back in 1995 as a bonus track on The GZA's "Liquid Swords". It's maybe the #1 trademark Killah Priest song so it's nothing strange that he wanted to include it on his debut album as well. The one that ended up on "Heavy Mental" is basically identical to the GZA version but the demo, which I guess was initiated '96 or '97, features a different intro, a different hook and some slight changes to the beat. 

10. "Crusaides" [Mix #2] (Ft. Tekitha)
 The 4th Disciple produced "Crusaides" appeared on the album as a short bridge between "It's Over" and "Tai Chi" and with it's spacey atmosphere it worked really well. Originally "Crusaides" was a full song rather than an interlude, recorded and mixed in at least two different versions besides the one we hear on the LP. The original version ended up way too long and featured the entire Sunz Of Man and Rose Cartel and a total of 12 emcees according to Priest. This version has however never leaked but the mix featured here is an extended take on the album version, running for about four minutes with Priest and Tekitha exchanging prophetical words.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Killah Priest- Psychic World Of Walter Reed (Full Album Snippets) (2013)

Longtime Wu-Tang affiliate, Killah Priest, will finally drop his long awaited LP, titled The Psychic World of Walter Reed, later this month. So, the veteran MC offers up an exclusive preview for the fans in advance of its release, via snippets (below) from the record.
The two-disc set boasts 40 tracks, including the previously released "Brilliantaire," "Tonite We Ride" featuring George Clinton, and "Nazareth". It also features guest spots from Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, GZA, and Lord Fury, among others, while producers 4th Disciple, Jordan River Banks, Kalisto, Agallah The Don, and Ayatollah contribute with beats.
P.W.O.W.R. is Priest's first new commercial release since 2010's The 3 Day Theory. It hits stores February 25th. Order your copy at PWOWR.com. The single "Brilliantaire" is currently for sale on iTunes.

https://soundcloud.com/jahwise777/killah-priest-psychic-world-of


P.W.O.W.R. double album will be dropping Feb 25th
Track List
DISC 1
THE OPENING 2:18
PRODUCED BY: ST. PETER
SHADOW LANDZ 3:37
PRODUCED BY: JORDAN RIVER BANKS
NEW REALITY 3:41
PRODUCED BY: JORDAN RIVER BANKS
STREET THESIS 3:58
PRODUCED BY: KALISTO
EIN SOF (PARADISE) 3:35
PRODUCED BY: JORDAN RIVER BANKS
DEVELOPING STORY 2:58
PRODUCED BY: KALISTO
BRILLIANTAIRE 3:01
PRODUCED BY:ST. PETER
THE PARK 3:38
PRODUCED BY:KALISTO
DEVOTION TO THE SAINTS 3:45
FEATURING:GHOSTFACE KILLAH & INSPECTAH DECK
PRODUCED BY: KALISTO
VISIONZ 3:01
PRODUCED BY: PURPOSE
THE WINGED PEOPLE 2:54
PRODUCED BY:ST. PETER
PEACE GOD 5:09
PRODUCED BY:CIPH BARKER
THE SPELL 3:43
PRODUCED BY:CIPH BARKER
SUPER GOD 2:42
PRODUCED BY:AYATOLLAH
SALUTE 2:27
PRODUCED BY:KALISTO
THEY SAY 4:14
PRODUCED BY:KALISTO
THE ELDERS GAVE US AURA 1:39
PRODUCED BY:AGALLAH THE DON
THE SEER, THE POET 4:09
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS
CURRENTS OF EVENTS 4:11
PRODUCED BY:CIPH BARKER
ENERGY WORK 4:07
FEATURING:THE RZA
PRODUCED BY:THE RZA
DISC 2
THE PWOWR (PROBLEM SOLVER) 5:03
PRODUCED BY:TRUE MASTA, THE GZA & SHOALIN MONKS
THE BLACK MARKET 3:35
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS
L THEANINE 2:45
PRODUCED BY:PURPOSE
TONITE WE RIDE 3:05
FEATURING: GEORGE CLINTON
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS
TOWER (THE VISITOR) 2:44
PRODUCED BY:ST. PETER
FORTUNE TELLER 3:10
PRODUCED BY:ST. PETER
THINK PRIEST (GOOD THOUGHTS) 3:48
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS
GOLDEN CALF 3:40
PRODUCED BY:CIPH BARKER
FIRE STONE 2:30
PRODUCED BY:THE RZA
MENTALUDE (JUST MY THOUGHTS) 1:43
PRODUCED BY:KILLAH PRIEST & THE GZA
LORD MARDUK 4:29
FEATURING: LORD FURY
PRODUCED BY:MERCILLESS
MUSIC OF THE SPHERES 3:30
PRODUCED BY: JORDAN RIVER BANKS
ANAKIM DREAMS 2:10
PRODUCED BY:4TH DISCIPLE
HOW I WRITE 3:49
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS
WUBIAN NATION 2:39
FEATURING:RAEKWON
PRODUCED BY:FEDERICO CSIK LOPEZ
THE DOCUMENT 3:39
GODZ WRATH PRODUCTIONS
LISTEN TO ME 4:07
PRODUCED BY:KALISTO
LOTUS FLOWER 4:04
PRODUCED BY:ST. PETER
THE QUESTION 1:19
PRODUCED BY:KILLAH PRIEST
LOVE IS LIFE 3:49
FEATURING: ALITA DUPRAY
PRODUCED BY:M.O.D. THE BLACK MARVEL
NAZARETH 3:47
PRODUCED BY:JORDAN RIVER BANKS










Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Rest in peace DJ Matthew Africa - your spirit will live on through the records you shared











"RIP to one of the best beat diggers, djs, and all around nicest dudes in the game. You will be missed, but your spirit will live on brotha."

The above comment, posted by Tha Megatrononline yesterday, is just one of the literally hundreds of tributes  that have been written about beloved Bay Area DJ Matthew Africawho was tragically killed last Monday (9/3) in a car crash. Since Thursday last, when the shocking news of this well-known and well-liked DJ's sudden death began circulating, friends and fans from the Bay and beyond have been mourning his passing through memories of the music that Matthew himself loved so much and happily shared via his radio shows, blogs, 2 Busy Sayin’ Yeah podcasts, club sets, and mixtapes. That comment by Tha Megatron was posted on the
 MixCrate page for Matthew Africa's final mix, "Matthew Africa: Plays Seven Inches,"
made a few weeks ago. On August 14th, the tireless crate-digging Bay Area DJ made what would be the last entry on his blog. And in true Matthew Africa fashion, it was all about music and records, and about how he was really looking forward to spinning 45s at the upcoming weekend's 45 Sessions - both to play records and to hang out with fellow music fanatics/DJs like DJ Platurn, E Da Boss,DJ Enki, and Joe Quixx.

"These days I really never play 45 sets except when I'm out in NYC and drop in on friends who do vinyl parties like Mr. Finewine or JBX. The last time I remember doing that on the west coast was for an all-45 45th birthday party for my friend DJ Stef," wrote Matthew on that final blog.

And in further true Matthew Africa form (a guy known for executing exact and exhaustive detail on everything he did in life), the ever prolific DJ laced up "a warm-up" mix for the 45 Sessions (with full track listing) of what he described as,  "mostly '70's era funk and soul-- lots of classics, some recent favorites, some oddities. Hopefully there's some "oh shit, it's great to hear that," some "wait, what the hell is that?" and maybe an "ooh, he's got that?" or "wait, that's on 45?!?" or two." The 46 record mix's tracklist included records by such artists as
  Pearly QueenDionne WarwickHank BallardThe Fabulous Souls, The Soul Company,The Isley Brothers, and Marvin Gaye.


DJ Eleven's Matthew Africa Music Memories:
Matthew's musical tastes were so varied and deep, and he shared so much music with me over the twenty years we knew each other, that I could list hundreds of songs that will always remind me of him.  Some of the very special ones, which I uploaded here are:
Freddie Hughes, "Sarah Mae" - One of Matthew's favorite types of song was the melancholy soul song.  (Check his"Soul Boulders" series with B Cause for a lot more.)  This was a song he sent to me when I was working on a project and had asked him for suggestions, which I always did.  His ideas were invariably amazing, unexpected, and appropriate with a laser-like precision.  Dude knew music, loved sharing it, and put a tremendous amount of thought into making sure it was selected perfectly for every situation.  The first time I listened to "Sarah Mae" my eyes started to water and listening to it now, years later, I can't stop crying.

Mac Mall, "Sic Wit Tis" - Matthew was a huge fan of hip hop from all over the country, but a great Bay rap song was his SHIT.  I think about him every time the second half 
of the third verse rolls around in "Sic Wit Tis" and Mall switches to his slick-talk-pimp voice.  The beat smoothes out and the sweet sax comes in: "when we first meet, I give you full respect.  I'll be the sweetest motherfucker that you ever met."  It sounds like Mac Mall had an epiphany and is ready to treat his woman like a lady.  But then he finishes the verse as the sax player finishes up: "don't think think I'm stop doing scandalous shit, i'm taking mail, food stamps, checks, even WIC...  Bitch!"

Nice & Smooth, "Hip Hop Junkies (Spanish Fly version)" - I don't know how much Spanish Matthew actually spoke but anytime anyone played this version, which was pretty damn infrequent, Matthew would dance around and sing every single word.  "Yo tengo funky funky rhymes con un funky funky style" and on and on.  It was one of the most unabashedly joyful sights I've ever seen.
                                                                           - DJ Eleven


"it was because of DJing at KALX that we crossed paths. He was just one of my favorite DJ's to listen to, and he inspired me to dig deeper. It meant a lot when he struck up a conversation regarding something I was playing. Am listening to Can's"Halleluhwah" at full volume, right now. We shared a moment over this at KALX, long ago."

   - fellow KALX DJ Hugh Howie

"One day, years ago, I saw Matt shopping in the rap section at Amoeba Berkeley and he proudly recommended this isht..Dirty Raps Best of Too $hort.one of my favorite comp./mixes. "Oak-lin' Cal-uh For-nigh-yay" will never be the same without Matthew Africa. The nicest; in every hip and formal sense of the word."
            - William Smith  (aka KALX DJ Last Will)


        Matthew Africa DJing wedding party for Marin Moran and her husband Brian (Sept 2005)
"My husband Brian and I got married in September 2005 and Matthew was the only person on my list of potential DJs for the event. Matthew said yes without hesitation and proceeded to turn the evening into the booty-shakingest funk and soul dance party that any of us had ever been to. The groove was so perfect 
that it inspired a no less than twenty minute dance-off between Brian's sixty year-old father and his twenty-something best man. All the other guests danced on the sidelines while hollering with delight. Hilariously, another notable moment in the evening occurred when Brian's dad and I accidentally ended up dancing together to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On".

After all the first dances (Brian and I, father/daughter, son/mom, etc), Matthew was transitioning into getting everyone else on the dance floor with a little smooth Marvin Gaye. I was about to grab Brian for another dance when Brian's dad swept me up for a bride/father of the groom dance. As Marvin Gaye sang "I'm asking you baby to get it on with me", Brian's dad beamed and twirled me around, completely unaware. I looked over at Matthew and we both chuckled as he sort of shrugged. It was a terrific night." 
         
                         - Marin Moran (fellow KALX'er) who wrote a more in-depth tribute to Matthew on her blog


Jonatha Sklute's Musical Memories of Matthew Africa
"I'm devastated by the loss of my friend Matthew. Two songs that have been in my head over the last couple days have been the Lijadu Sisters' "Life's Gone Down Low", a psychedelic afro-funk track that I hipped him to a number of years back at my record shop; he took it home and used it on the original Soul Boulders* mix. It sounds melancholy, but the lyrics convey an uplifting message of togetherness. Another tune on my mind is by the Bay Area soul group Chain Reaction, called "Lady In Red". This song popped into my head early this week, as if sent directly from Matthew's departed spirit. I couldn't place it... until yesterday, as I was mourning and playing Matthew's mixes, I realized it was from his Soul Boulders 2* mix. "Lady In Red" is about a woman, but there's a bridge in there that could as easily be about Matthew: "I know you've got to go (start another day, start another day)/the cards you never show, no (always have to pay, always have to pay)/and when I see you again (I'll know this game)/I'll be much older then, but you'll still be the same..."


Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Boris Gardiner Happening - Every Nigger Is A Star OST (1973)



Track 1 - Every Nigger Is A Star
Track 2 - You Just Got Be In Love
Track 3 - Rough & Tough In The Ghetto
Track 4 - Ghetto Funk
Track 5 - Home Again
Track 6 - Funky Nigger
Track 7 - Deadly Sting
Track 8 - Rats In The Ghetto
Track 9 - Every Nigger Is A Star (Reprise)
Track 10 - Negril



http://rapidshare.com/files/373110455/Boris_Gardiner_Experience_-_Every_Nigger_Is_A_Star_OST__1973_.zip


even rarer one. And perhaps in need of the most explanation since the film, starring Blaxplo-smoochie Calvin Lockhart of west-indian heritage, is hardly to be seen in the Imdb. There's an interview about the making of the soundtrack in the Jamaica Gleaner w. Boris Gardiner HERE. This movie is supposed to try and turn the word Nigger on its head for the black population of Jamaica in the '70s, much like the ghetto Youths of today like to Use the word Ma' Nigga affectionally. Needless to say the film flopped and sank into obscurity (perhaps for good reasons). The only trace I've seen of it is this poster on e-bay: 

The title and the circumstances are truly grim, but this OST's appearance on here is IMHO a call for celebration. It's underservedly remained unissued in complete form. The tracks Ghetto Funk and Negril have appeared on a comp or two and the singles from the LP have been known to circulate among collectors, hence my requests in the column. But this!! The sound quality is very good considering the source and DAMN! Boris Gardiner knows how to git down, there are soulful vocals and rumbling reggae basslines, gut bucket blues and ripping organwork as always. Savour this gem. 


The first few tracks are straight up soul which is then followed by the glorious organ grooves of "Ghetto Funk" 

Boris went on to record a UK Number 1 single in 1986 with "I Want To Wake Up With You".




Sunday, April 1, 2012

THAT NIGGER'S CRAZY


Richard Pryor
A1I Hope I'm Funny (3:26)
A2Nigger With A Seizure (5:24)
A3Have Your Ass Home By 11:00 (2:30)
A4Black & White Life Styles (3:40)
A5Exorcist (1:53)
A6Wino Dealing With Dracula (2:10)
B1Flying Saucers (1:15)
B2The Back Down (3:42)
B3Black Man / White Woman (1:00)
B4Niggers vs. Police (1:48)
B5Wino & Junkie (7:12)

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wywfuxmnton

PASSWORD IS... LUCY

Redd Foxx - Laff Your Head Off



(Year Unknown - 196?) M.F. Records

Side A
Presenting The Intimate Redd Foxx In A Highly Informative Series Of Discussions , Some Of The Subjects being Sex, The Pilgrim, Fathers, Sex, Eating (grass and other things), Sex, Mothers (allkinds), Sex and Tarzan's Yell.

Side B
This Is The Side Where Redd Talks About Things Like Sex, Toilets, Sex, His Brother Gladys, Sex, Pregnant Men, Sex, His Wife (with and without Sex), Kids (legitimate and Illegitimate), Sex And A Husband With Lying Eyes.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?xwvngbby4lg


PASSWORD IS.... LUCY

Richard Pryor - ...Is It Something I Said?


Richard Pryor - ...Is It Something I Said?
Label: Reprise Records Released: 1975
Tracklisting:
A1 Eulogy
A2 Shortage Of White People
A3 New Niggers
A4 Cocaine
A5 Just Us
A6 Mudbone - Intro
B1 Mudbone - Little Feets
B2 When Your Woman Leaves You
B3 The Goodnight Kiss
B4 Women Are Beautiful
B5 Our Text For Today

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?ckj2nlhmygk


PASSWORD IS.... LUCY