Podcast: The Nextmen - Podcast #9

Around about the 20th of each month, iTunes bears fruit - for this is the time that there's usually a wee podcast present from The Nextmen waiting to be downloaded.

With the boys off on a Southern Hemisphere tour this week - after making their annual pilgrimage to Glastonbury, of course - they've gone all multi-cultural on it.

Let's hear them get busy with some local dialects: "G’day mate! Chur chur bro! And Saya ingin makan pancake pisang silahkan to the Bali crew!

"Just after we’ve washed off the last of the Glastonbury funk, we’ll be hopping on Brad Baloo’s beloved A380 to hit some of our favourite spots - Bali, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney & Perth – booyah! Start grinding the coffee, poaching the eggs & get the Coopers & Monteiths on ice!

"As a tribute to our fine friends down south, Brad dressed up as Skippy the Bush Kangaroo while Dom made a scale replica of the Michael Fowler Centre out of pineapple lumps and empty cans of LP and then we recorded this little podcast featuring tracks from Nas, Royce the 5’9, Joy Orbison, The Others, Total Science and El B to name a few.

"Props to the Fuzzy massive and all our mates old and new. We’ve planned a very special set for this tour! (sorry in advance for the sore feet & swollen livers). Ready your swerves peeps – we’ll be there soon!"

You can subscribe to The Nextmen's podcast by clicking here. If you're in the bottom half of the world, visit TheNextmen.com to check out when the boys will be swinging through your town.

But whatever you do, don't visit Nextmen.com, as I've just done - that might leave you with a little explaining to do. You couldn't help yourself, could you? Awkward.

Who said hip hop shows have turned soft?

When I first started going to hip hop gigs back in the olden days, there was often a sense of anticipation in the air - and it wasn't always because of who was set to hit the stage.

As anyone who frequented hip hop gigs through the 90's will probably attest - and I'm aware that this is both a gross generalisation and a personal point of view - hip hop gigs used to be a whole lot rawer than they are now.

The threat of some sort of disturbance of the peace in the crowd never seemed to be too far away, although in all honesty I never really got in to trouble. Not surpising, really... I'm pretty intimidating. Either that, or the rough necks felt sorry for me (thugs have feelings too, don't you know). I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Nowadays, hip hop gigs seem a lot more sedate. And despite what any old timer might say, that's not a bad thing. But there's still some fire in the old girl, as last night's release party for Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun's Monumental LP in New York City showed.

As it turns out, things got rather ugly. And while it looks like it was a disagreement between a few punters outside the venue that was the spark that lit the fuse, the NYPD look like they fanned the flames unnecessarily.

There have been wide-spread reports of brutality and mace being used to disperse what was a peaceful crowd, save for a couple of hard-heads.

But it's tough to hide in this techological day and age. As it turns out, Jay Diamond was on the scene with her camera. Watch below to see what went down, and here what Steele of Smif-N-Wessun feels about the whole thing:



I wasn't there obviously. But from what I see, the NYPD need to relax up. Reports that some of Pete Rock's family were injured have been proved to be untrue thankfully, but it looks like some folks felt the full force of the long arm of the law. I don't think this will be the last we hear of this.

New Music: 80 Blocks From Tiffanys - Pot A Butter (Remix)

Two for two on the soulful joints today, with Pete Rock and Camp-Lo(ah) releasing another song under the banner of their 80 Blocks From Tiffanys project.

Technically, this leaked a few weeks back, but I was sunning myself on a Mediterranean island at the time (it's what I do), so I missed it.

But I like this more than today's leak from 80 Blocks, so I figure there's no harm in going for higher quality over newness, right?

The tune I've gone for today - a remix of 'Pot A Butter' - is trademark Pete Rock, with a warm bassline and keys combining to make one tasty beat for the Lo(ah) boys to floss over. Quality.

Check it out below, courtesy of Nah Right:

New Music: Thurz - 'Kings Keep Marching'

Freshness from Thurz today, with the M.C. from the City of Angels being kind enough to drop a little unreleased gem, 'Kings Keep Marching', for your listening and downloading plea-sure.

If you're not familiar with Thurz, let's get you up to speed: he was one half of respected underground duo U-N-I; now he's not. Okay, you're good to go, now. Back to the music.

'Kings Keep Marching' is a nice, soulful joint, so if that's your cup of tea you better get in quick because once the download limit has been hit (damn you and your restrictive conditions Soundcloud... just kidding, we really do love you), that's it.

THURZ - Kings Keep Marching by #92CREW

From what I can figure, 'Kings Keep Marching' won't appear on Thurz's impending solo project, L.A. Riot. Consider it a little whistle wetter to introduce you to T's talents.

To get an idea of what to expect from L.A. Riot - an album that is inspired by Rodney King, the 1992 Los Angeles Riots and the recent uprisings in North Africa - check out recent single 'Prayer', which also gives you the inside scoop on U-N-I's break up:
THURZ - Prayer by #92CREW

Gig: Block Party @ Camden Market West Yard - 30 June 2011

The second week of Wimbledon has single-handedly transformed every Londoner and their dog into a pack of strawberry and cream-munching tennis experts.

But if you're in the market for a more grass roots work out, then head down to Camden Lock's West Yard this Thursday (30 June), where the well-timed rise in temperature that's got LDN sweating will coincide with some speaker shaking action.

The folks at H*E*R*D and Lockside Lounge  have teamed up to put on one monster if a Block Party. And what's better, it's free. Take that, Wimbledon!

Here's the word from the organisers: "For such a monumental occasion we are pleased to announce our biggest and best line-up ever."

"Festivities begin outdoors with  Mikey Dread and Ras Kayleb a.k.a Channel One fully equipped with their legendary soundsystem and then continuing onto the Lockside Lounge with host DJ Vee, party selector Shepdog and the one and only DJ Mr Thing!"

Sounds like a party to me. For more info, click here. And to get you in the mood, why not download Thing's classic mix of the classics (of the funk and soul variety, that is) - 2010's Champion Nerd. Long live summer.

Mix Tape: DJ Andy Smith - 'The Document 4'

I first encountered Andy Smith back in the dark ages (also known as the mid-90's) when he graced the wheels of steel prior to a Portishead show.

It was a good show from the P-headers (I think - it's a little hazy to be fair), but my lasting memory of the night was Smith's set, which combined hip hop, and the records that people used to make hip hop, with devastating effect.

Revolutionary stuff. Or at least it was for a younger, more fresh-faced me.

Smith has since gone on to ake a name away from Portishead warm-up slots. One of his finest moments was the stellar mix series, The Document, which was running three volumes deep until this week.

But as it turns out, Andy's been sitting on the fourth installment for a few years. Let's let him tell the story: "Document 4 was delivered to Universal Records in 2008 but never released.

"All plans were in place for a double pack of Document 1 with Document 4 to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the first Document mix CD but I think they were more interested in shifting more Amy Winehouse CD's at the end of the day so it was shelved!

"I'm pretty sure this will be the last Document mix as I cant put new and old music together as there just isn't enough new stuff that passes the 'Andy Smith*' filter nowadays (but lots of old stuff, hence the new 'Jam Up Twist' CD - that's where its at for me these days!)"

"Enjoy the last Document mix for free. Thanks for your support since 1998 and for all who saw me as a DJ in my own right rather than 'that DJ from Portishead'!"

The latest Document follows the same format of the other three - quality tunes of the hip hop (a 'la 'Time 4 Sum Akshun'), funk ('Give It Up Or Turn It Loose'), and all-around heavy beat variety. Get your stream on below or download here:

DJ Andy Smith Document 4 by DJAndySmith

If you're in the UK, make sure to check Smith's 'Jam Up Twist' nights around the country and 'Lost & Found' at Madame Jo Jo-'s in Soho, London every Saturday.

*Fear the man who uses third person! Duncan Master thinks this is a very, very strong look.

Mix Tape: Jean Grae - 'Cookies Or Comas'

It's been a while since I've posted a good ol' mix tape, so here we go with a tasty little morsel from Jean Grae.

Jean's long-promised new LP, Cake Or Death, seems to be back on the radar, if the title of this mix tape - Cookies Or Comas - is anything to go by.

Actually, the real clue is on the back cover, where it says 'Cake Or Death - Out This Fall'. I'm sharp, I am.

Jeanie Jean has drafted in DJ Drama to splice Cookies Or Comas together. Or pressing stop and go on the tracks and yelling a bit, at least.

There's a bunch of quotable lyrics on here as you'd expect, courtesy of Jean and her guests Styles P, Pharoahe Monch, Royce Da 5’9" and Grae's Blacksmith Music boss, Talib Kweli.

My picks? 'I Rock On' (nasty beat), 'Blame Game' (JG's take on Kanye's ditty of the same name - girl can sing), or 'Jeanie Rules'.

But all in all, the whole tape is a nice little place setter for Cake Or Death, which - as we learned earlier - is due out in autumn. Enough with the holding out though, Jean - bring on the main course already!

You can listen to or download Cookies Or Comas by Jean Grae here courtesy of DJBooth.net.

Live: Rakim @ Jazz Cafe, London - 2 June 2011

I'm not a religious person. But after seeing the legendary Rakim - a.k.a. the 'God' M.C. - take to the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo with De La Soul and Blackstar last month, I was left thinking what religious types might describe as sacrilegious thoughts.

Those of us who are more advanced in hip hop years (a very rough equivalent of dog years, I'm guessing) were a little puzzled that Ra was scheduled to open what was his first show in London in 15-odd years (it must have been a long time since he's played support, right?).

But this is where it gets awkward. Because if I'm being honest, Rakim was disappointing that night. Not a whole lot of stage presence. Not a whole lot of energy. A lot of time talking to his DJ, and not really moving the crowd. Basically, not very 'God'-like.

I'm waiting for a lightening bolt to strike me down any second, now.

So with that in mind, I lined up for a second bite of the cherry - Rakim's show at the Jazz Cafe earlier this month, only three or so weeks after the Hammersmith let down - with a little bit of trepidation. Could Rakim pull out the godly (enough with the religious references already!) performance that I'd expected first time around?

Short answer? Most definitely. Commanding the stage from go to whoa, Ra had the whole wide world in the palm of his hand (sorry) from beginning to end, working his way through classic after classic ('I Ain't No Joke', 'I Know You Got Soul'*, 'In The Ghetto', 'It's Been A Long Time', and so many more).

There was banter; there was a bit of comedy; there was even a bit of DJing. But most importantly, there was presence. The buzz at the venue left me in no doubt that there was a legend in the house - and this time, Rakim definitely lived up to the hype.

Obviously, rocking a crowd about a tenth of the size of that which Rakim performed to at Hammersmith is an easier proposition. But Rakim's show at the Jazz Cafe - a venue where you can see the sweat on a performer's brow - was the sort of gig that I'll remember for years to come.

Check out some footage below:



*Can I really not find a version of 'I Know You Got Soul' on YouTube that doesn't have commentary from a video game on it? Apparently not.

New Music: Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun – 'Monumental'

As Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun's collaborative LP, Monumental, draws ever closer, I'm becoming more and more intrigued by what might well end up being a great release from some of my personal favourites.

I'll admit that, during my more cynical moments, this whole project smacked of potential disappointment.

Granted, Pete and the boys have turned in more than their fair share of classics individually - hence their personal favourite status in my book - but how will they gel as a unit? Or, heaven forbid, will it just sound crap?

My fears are starting to melt away though; Monumental is actually sounding pretty promising.

First single 'That's Hard' lived up to it's name. Now, the album's title track is getting a bit of an airing before Monumental hits shelves at the end of June, and it's another tune and a half.

'Monumental' cruises along right nicely, with Pete bringing the horns to the fore (just like the good ol' days) and Tek & Steele sounding solid. Check it below:

Pete Rock and Smif N Wessun "Monumental" featuring Pete Rock and Tyler Woods by duckdown

New Music: Nas - 'Nasty'

I've been playing up to my reputation of having more holidays than hot dinners lately, but after 10 days in the Greek sun and two days back in London dreariness, I've finally found something worth getting my blog on for.

The one and only Nas is back in the solo saddle, living up to his former moniker by dropping a new single, 'Nasty'. And thankfully, it's not a title chosen in vain.

Backed by a tough beat from Salaam Remi (big drums, guitar stabs, the whole nine), Nasir turns in a solid performance, matching the tracks urgency with some rather fine rhymes.

And to show he's embracing the modern age (or has just given up on the whole 'let's make money off selling MP3s lark), he's giving it away as a big fat WAV file.

You can listen to 'Nasty' below, and you should even by able to download it unless Mr Nasty has a sudden change of heart or his record label has a tanty. Get in there:

NASTY (Produced by Salaam Remi) -DIRTY by Nasir Jones

Update:

As predicted, after an inevitable change of heart, record label tanty (or perhaps even an impostor posting the track - who knows?), 'Nasty' has been swiftly pulled. It's floating around the web if you're desperate.

For now, make do with some booming 128kb action courtesy of YouTube, with Funk Master Flex dropping bombs all over it: