Billy Miles

I ran across Billy Miles on every body's favorite site, myspace. I checked her out on itunes and bought the album with $12 left on my account. I buy the $25 gift cards from time to time. Money well spent said I. He agreed as the album came to an end. The album, which is self-titled was released in 2004 on Aezra Records. I guess I'm a little late on finding out about her, but hey nobody's perfect. While wanting to learn more about Billy Miles I found out that her album earned a nomination from the NAACP for Outstanding Jazz Artist. I also found out that when she was a teenager she was in a group called Billy & Raquel and signed to A&M Records. But before they could release a single let alone an album they were dropped due to A&M simply not knowing what to do with them. Well she's all grown up now and as sexy as she wants to be with an album that speaks for itself. With a distinctive rasp and the blending of many genres her style is very much her own. Strong lyrics, some sad Sade subjects, a little bit of dub, old radio jazz, with a Jessica Rabit smoothness, as if the 1930's were modern. Enjoy her hurt enjoy her joy, enjoy.

Why run when you can fly . . .. . .

Boogiemonsters

I think many of you may have forgotten about the Boogiemonsters, so I'm here to remind ya. Welcome to their re-introduction. You might not remember "Salt Water Taffy" but maybe "Honeydips In Gotham," I'm hoping. It all started when Vex and Mondo met Jamaica-born brothers Ivor and Sean Myers(Yodared and Myntric) while attending Virginia State University in the early 90's. With music as a common ground they started creating a native toungish consciously inspired art for the open mic scene around campus. From Petersburg to Howard University in D.C. they made an impression winning first place in Howard's Hip Hop Convention. The Boogiemonsters shopped their demo around and finally landed a deal with Pendulum/EMI. In 1994 they released "Riders of the Storm: The Underwater Album." "Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress" was one of the singles from this LP along with "Honeydips In Gotham." After the release of the first album, the group became a duo due to the departure of Yodared and Myntric, who at the time, both felt that the "Hip-Hop Life" was not in line with their personal convictions. Pendulum records eventually went under and EMI released the Boogiemonsters 2ND album "God Sound" in 1997. This album was a more mature conspiracy theory driven project but still remained fun. However this project didn't have the impact that the first one did even thou it stood out to many. This would be the Boogiemonsters last project as shortly after they disbanded. These two albums however, are a staple within my Hip Hop diet. A multi vitamin that needs to be taken at least once every 2 months. If you have heard of Souls of Mischief, Pharcyde, De La, A Tribe, Jungle Brothers, Question Mark Asylum(yes I know you forgot about them too) then there is no excuse to have not heard of the Boogiemonsters. Emcees know from the "Intro" to the "Lunchroom Table" we would cypher up until your hand was hurting.

I leave you with 8 songs from the Boogiemonsters. 4 from each album along with two videos and an answer to the Question Mark Asylum reference.

Fly don't run or the Boogiemonster will get ya . .. .



"Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress"


"HoneyDips In Gotham"


In case you were wondering about the Question Mark Asylum comment ...

Beck Remixed

"I'm a loser baby, so why don't you kill me..." I've been a fan of Beck ever since I heard those lyrics and saw that casket following him around in his video. Well I've been a fan but never bought any of his Cd's. I guess I'm not a true fan then. Oh well. I never forgot about Beck but he did slip my mind for awhile until my cousin gave me a copy of Guerolito : The Remix Album. Once again I went to sleep. The album sat on my desk for at least 3 months before I even listened to it. It was definitely worth the wait thou. Guerolito is the first remix album from Beck. He took his album Guero and let other producers such as Air, Dust Brother, Beastie Boys, and Diplo come in and remix it to create Guerolito. In an interview with Spin magazine Beck was quoted as saying "There are so many dimensions to what a record can be these days. Artists can and should approach making an album as an opportunity to do a series of releases—one that's visual, one that has alternate versions, and one that's something the listener can participate in or arrange and change. It's time for the album to embrace the technology. For me it's more about giving the music legs, giving people new ways to experience it ... Even though the mashup sensibility has become something of a cliche, I'd love to put out an album that you could edit and mix and layer directly in iTunes." Since I'm not a super producer I'll leave that to the likes of L Styles and the other producers I know. For you I leave two songs off this album the first being my favorite "Broken Drum" and "Heaven's Hammer." Enjoy the ride.

Fly Forest Fly . . .

Blue Sky Black Death

What a name for a production team, Blue Sky Black Death. This duo from San Francisco is made up of Kingston and Young God. After producing for numerous rappers the two came together and released a double-disc debut album called "A Heap of Broken Images." One disc was comprised of all instrumentals while disc 2 featured rappers including Hieroglyphics, Jedi Mind Tricks, and Wise Intelligent from the Poor Righteous Teachers to name a few. After this release they went on to produce two albums for affiliates of the Wu-Tang Clan. Holocaust being the first and Sunz of Man member Hell Razah being the second. Then in April of 08 they released their fourth studio album "Late Night Cinema." This project being their first entirely instrumental project. Once the sun goes down and this album is turned up you realize how perfect the title is. When cruising around the universe in hyper drive with the windows down I use this music to calm my soul. Even when pushing the speed of light "Late Night Cinema" seems to slow everything down. Matrix music. Your bullet missed. Shoot again mofo. Teflon thoughts. Think hard.

Flight 2012, destination tomorrow, All Aboard!!!!!!!!!!! watch your head

Sofa Surfers

Until late last night I had never heard of this group. I was listening to an Internet radio station Vmix.fm on itunes when "Can I Get A Witness" came on. I write down the song's I like so I can look for them later on. Every now and then however, there is a song that I have to get right away. This was on of those songs. I found it and to make things even better this group named Thievery Corporation remixed the song. As much as I'm a fan of Thievery Corporation(18Th Street Lounge is the sh$t)I think the original holds it's own. I posted both of them so you can decide. I'm still new with this group so I'm not sure how any of their album's sound. They have been on their respective scene since 1997. Yeah I'm pretty late. Hopefully their projects are good for my ears. If not, oh well at least we have this song.

To the future I fly .. .. .

sofa surfers "can i get a witness"


sofa surfers can i get a witness thievery corporation remix

8.8.08

The only bad thing about the summer Olympics is that Curling is not in it. I know it's a winter sport but it's so entertaining that i just can't get enough. Those of you who know what curling is, I hope you can appreciate the sarcasm. No Curling, but they do have Synchronized Swimming originally called water ballet. The Olympic trampoline competition should be cool to watch. I don't remember seeing that event before nor Handball. There are plenty of events for all of us. For me thou its all about soccer, track and Field, basketball, high diving, and the greatest Olympic game off all time, Women's Beach Volleyball. In 2004 I was routing for Cuba. This year who knows which team will win my heart. To all you softball and baseball fans enjoy this Olympics because in 2012 both of these sports won't be played. This year however BMX biking will be an event. From the X-games to Beijing the BMX crowd came up. The opening ceremony has already took place and the time has come. Enjoy the games. 2012 is almost here. Some say 2012 is special year, a new birth for our world a realignment of sort's. Hopefully so, I'll be looking forward to it.

Fly don't run towards your future, and please don't use steroids....

Raphael Saadiq

"The Way I See It", the title of Raphael Saadiq's latest album which is schedule to be released on Sept. 16Th through Columbia Records. The album is going to be a sample free live recording featuring his musical protege C.J. along with Joss Stone, Stevie Wonder on harmonica and others. The album's inspiration was indeed global. "I was cooling out and surfing in Costa Rica and The Bahamas," recounts Saadiq, "and ran into people from all kinds of places. I noticed everybody was listening to classic soul music. When I came back home the music for this album flowed organically, naturally. Since I have my own studio, I was able to perfect it, take my time to make it right. I was able to live with it, day after day and that had a lot to do with how the album turned out." From Tony Toni Tone till now he has definitely been leaving his mark in the world of soul. Keep on keeping on homie.

Watch your head ..

Jockin Jay Z

Madison Square Garden, Jay Z comes out during Kanye's performance and performed an exclusive song off Blueprint 3. I hope Blueprint 3 is better then the 2nd and if it even comes close to the first then he'll have another classic in my collection. After the Black Album I was pretty much over Jay Z. It had a couple tight songs but as a whole I wasn't a fan. Then American Gangster dropped and I slept on it for awhile but it eventually grew on me and because of that album I'm looking forward to the Blueprint 3. I'm not sure if this album is going to be released on his 150 million dollar deal he had with LiveNation. Word on the street, or should I say word on the blogs is that the deal might not work out and Jay might take his label to Warner Bros. Who knows. We'll find out eventually.

Fly don't run but watch your head.

Mitch Hedberg

Maybe I can get some laughs out of you. Remembered for his distinctive delivery, Hedberg's comedy typically featured short, sometimes one-liners, and observational comedy, mixed with absurd randomness. He is one of my sister's favorites and those of you who are a fan of Steven Wright can appreciate his comedic style. Have you ever heard of an Adult Swim show called Home Movies? If you have then you might of heard Mitch who makes appearances. He has also done the same on another adult humored cartoon show called Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist which used to come on Comedy Central. Mitch would wear sunglasses on stage and keep his head down so not to make eye contact with the crowd due to his stage fright. Like most comics he started out on the open mic scene. For him this was in Southern Florida in 1989. Two years late he moved to Seattle and gained more popularity until finally in 1996 he gained National exposure with a performance at the prestigious Just for Laughs Montreal International Comedy Festival, which aired on Comedy Central. Hedburg was a know drug user, he even mentioned it in his jokes quoted as once saying, "I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too." Now were not talking about a couple joints here and there. With Mitch we were talking about cocaine and heroin. In 2003 he was arrested in Texas for possession of heroin. I guess that Frank Lucas had him hooked. Blue Magic crept up in took over and in 2005 Mitch Hedburg was found dead in his New Jersey home due to an overdose. Three days after his death on April Fool's Day his death was posted on his website and because of this many thought it was a joke. No. No joke. This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any Questions. No. Good, now enjoy a few of these clips that are sure to raise a chuckle. Good day.


Fly, please don't run.

"Mitch Hedburg and The Ducks"


"Sesame Seeds"


"Mitch and The Koalas"

Jazzy Belle

"Oh yes I love her like Egyptian.."
Love the moments I remember when I listen to this song, any song for that matter from Atliens, Outkast second album. Its hard to hear just one song without taking the time to listen to the whole LP from start to finish. From "You May Die" to the ONP 86 Elevator mix. Mood music at it's finest. "Jazzy Belle" listen close, you know her, you've met her, maybe even fell for her.From the female voices that haunt the background to the turntable instrumentation during the hook everything about this track makes it hard to resist this story. Since this is undoubtedly my favorite album that transcends all others I'm sure I will have more post's covering it's journey. However, seeing that it is 2008 and Lil Wayne is your favorite rapper I thought I would share his song "PMW" which samples "Jazzy Belle". I heard this song on a radio show called The Love Below hosted by Xavier on 103jamz. This program isn't known for Lil Wayne exclusives, but known more for the host with the deep voice who tries to seduce your girl with slow jamz late at night. I must admit I was hooked when I heard it. I found the song online and learned the unedited version was a little bit more explicit with "PMW" standing for Pussy, Money, Weed. Sorry kiddies, earmuffs should of been recommended. If your not a fan of Wayne I understand but this song is still worth a listen.





"she be waitin to exhale why you other ho's be dumb and dumber"