The Jermaine EP is the latest from Sonny Bonoho (released via www.kevinnottingham.com). Four tracks (plus one skit) of goodness from The Town’s reigning clown prince. Unyielding positivity and a healthy sense of self-deprecating humor have always been Sonny’s strong points. Just check the over-the-top video for “Grand Daaam!” (feat. Bizarre of D12) for a dose.
Download for free at 206up.com
Def Dee || Cheap Heat
The News:
Seattle producer Def Dee has joined the Mello Music Group squad! Earlier this year the DMV’s Damu the Fudgemunk (ReDef Records) brought Dee to MMG Director of Operations, Michael Tolle’s attention. Dee was a junior in high school when he met Damu who mentored Dee for a few years after meeting. It didn’t take long for Dee and Mello to find common ground and work out a multiple project deal. The 21 year old producer’s sound is a distinct combination of his musical influences, life experiences, and key ambitions, all the while without any borders. Don’t expect standard fare when you listen, Def Dee structures his songs by feeling not tradition: maybe you’ll get a 4-8 bar chorus, or maybe he’ll bring out the tambourines!
Def Dee’s Reaction:
When asked about how he feels being a part of the Mello Music Group squad, Def Dee said, “the majority of the artists I’ve been following happen to be on the label that I’m now in the midst of… it still bugs me out! It took a lot of luck, the right people, and some good timing. I’m very thankful and plan to give listeners some quality music.”
What To Look Forward To:
Def Dee has already begun work on his debut MMG project, a producers album to showcase his beatmaking skills and featuring a variety of noteworthy emcees that will be released in 2012. Dee will also be crafting a new full length instrumental album and producing a project with a solo emcee to be announced later. You can expect to hear Def Dee on the upcoming Mello Music Group compilation “Bodhisattvas” due out this winter.
To Celebrate:
Def Dee & MMG are offering, for a limited time, the 29 track instrumental project Cheap Heat, produced entirely by Def Dee for free!
Enjoy the free instrumental album & feel free to share!
La (formerly Language Arts) || Dutches
first leak from La’s 3rd album “SEALAB 2012”. This album was recorded in one 13 hr session shortly after his entire apartment was completely burned down.
Pearl Dragon || Seattle Anthem
Sacred Heart: Pearl Dragon ‘03 - ‘05
I love an ethereal-sounding rap ballad, and “Seattle Anthem” is a keeper, an old joint from local rapper Pearl Dragon.
Dig the way it floats out from your speaker on a wave of Kenny G saxophone, the hypnotic bass thump working perfectly with Pearl’s watery rap style, which speeds up and slows down freely, bookended by samples of Maya Angelou reciting “sounds like pearls rolled off your tongue.”
A smooth ride, for sure. And I don’t know exactly how to describe this, but it’s one of those hip-hop tracks that’s better on cassette. Something about how it’s smooth but also rough, or homemade-sounding. If it weren’t raining right now, I’d put “Seattle Anthem” in the Camry dash and cruise Alki. Hell, I might anyway.
Download this track here.
P Smoov, Brent Amaker and the Rodeo
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from P Smoov (Mad Rad, Fresh Espresso, producer), and it was really cool to see his remix of Brent Amaker and the Rodeo’s “Johnny’s Theme” be premiered on RCRDLBL on Friday. This marriage of sounds from the bold, audacious Amaker and the jazzy hip-hop producer P Smoov couldn’t be smoover on the palate (too corny?). This new sound could reach out to an entirely different, unsuspecting crowd–the chill instrumental danceability of it is reminding me of Ratatat circa LP3 (see “Mirando“).
Although both artists put out solid records, their strengths lie in their live shows. The two coming together is an unlikely match made in heaven, and as a first from either band for me, this song is currently stuck on repeat. Check it out below!
Right click, “Save Link As” to download) Brent Amaker and the Rodeo – “Johnny’s Theme” (P Smoov Remix)
from SSG Music
State of the Artist || Altered State
SOTA’s latest project, ‘Altered State’ — is a collection of 7 songs produced in-house and is some of our best work to date. Following the release of our debut “SeaCal” in April 2010 this free EP shows a marked progression in the musical styles and tastes of us three (Parker, HY, and Thaddeus). It blends heavy electronic production with original composition and edgy lyrics depicting the literal state of an artist constantly creating in an ever changing environment. If you like the music, do your thing to support and let other people know where they can get it. For now, listen, and enjoy.
You can dowload this EP for free at their bandcamp page.
Notion || 3 Songs With MTK
Get familiar with Seattle MC Notion on this pleasantly bumping three-track EP featuring production by MTK. Notion’s high-pitched rasp rides with admirable precision over MTK’s soulful thump, though guest MC Chev (one of the best local rappers flying under the general public’s radar) kills him on his own sh-t on the EP’s best track, “Right Here.”
Rockwell Powers x Ill Pill: Kids In The Back 2
Rockwell Powers, a fluid and dominant MC from Tacoma, WA teams up with Northwest producer Ill Pill for his newest mixtape, Kids In The Back 2
So I’m a little late on this, but this is definitely worth checking out.
Elan (of SuperFire) || Bueno
Free download here.
J. Pinder || Opus feat. Eighty4 Fly, Royce The Choice & Clemm Rishad
The SEA really lost one when South End native J. Pinder took his cerebral brand of street rap south to the ATL. Thankfully his connection to The Six remains tight-knit in his music. “Opus” is more of that quality life rap where Pinder emotes, but not in a corny fashion. Guest shots from fellow Seattleite Eighty4 Fly, South Sound move-maker Clemm Rishad and California son Royce The Choice. Kuddie Fresh’s soulful slap holds ‘em together.
You can download this from 206up.com.
