Diggin in the (digital) crates: Flood edition.

Aug 31, 2007

Diggin in the (digital) crates: Flood edition. · by Sach O

No ya can’t.

I know it’s supposed to be a big deal but I couldn’t possibly give less of a fuck about Kanye and 50 Cent’s album leaks. I’d rather be listening to Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, Black Sheep and De La Soul than waste any time picking apart overblown arena rap or watered down pop thuggery, but I’m guess you don’t need me to upload any of those. Instead, here’s some rarer fare that I’ve been playing out and a few albums I just acquired.

O.V. Wright – Nickle and a Nail (1972)

Along with Syl Johnson, the legendary Al Greene and any other act produced by Willie Mitchell, O.V. Wright has been the secret weapon for a generation of rap producers looking for soulful grooves that walk the line between gritty blues and sophisticated arrangements. Rza, Alchemist and a gang of others have used OV’s poignant pro-black soul and incredible voice to dope effect through the years, but unlike some other sample sources, OV’s original material sounds just as good to contemporary ears as the beats that looped him.

IAM – De la Planète Mars (1991)

You may have heard of IAM in some form thanks to their worldwide smash “L‘école du Micro D’argent” which (if I’m not mistaken) may be the highest selling non-American rap album ever released.

De la Planète Mars couldn’t be more different. This is the group’s first official album after a self released demo tape and it’s mostly a synthesis of the group’s early golden age influences. The lyrics lie somewhere between Rakim’s Asiatic mysticism and Chuck D’s riotous anger and the fast-rap flows could put Kane or the aforementioned Rakim to shame.

Of course, that won’t mean jack to most of you but even if you don’t speak French, you can’t sleep on the BEATS. Combining the funky intensity of a Cold Chilling release, the aggressiveness of the Bomb Squad and the deep crates of a Native Tongues production, this is a real treat for anyone who digs funky production with a ton of samples. Early French crates were fairly different than what was being used in the US at the time, but the similarity in techniques and production ideology make for a weird mirror image of what was going on States side from 89-91.

Blue Magic – Blue Magic (1973)

Ghostface Killah went on record and said this is his favorite Soul album of all time. If that doesn’t convince you give Blue Magic a chance, I don’t know what to tell you. The first track “Sideshow” is one of the saddest songs ever put to wax. Not “eyeliner and black clothing” sad either. Getting up from the bar at closing time after one too many JD’s sad. It’s not all bad times though, a decent amount of the music on here is perfect for cruising around town in a drop top. Not that I’d know what that feels like.

Screwball – Y2K the Album (2000)

I wish someone had the balls to start a “Who shot Rudy” video meme on Youtube but I guess the powers that be would never allow it. Fronted by QB veteran Blaq Poet, Screwball is the kind of hardcore NYC thug rap that the world could use more of these days. All of the emcees hold their own but it’s the production that’s the real gem here combining the grittiest of the NY underground (V.I.C, Mike Heron, Godfather Don) and some hardcore superstars (Premo, Pete Rock, Marley Marl). The guest roster was equally A list with Capone, Prodigy, MC Shan, Nature, Noyd, Nashawn, Havoc and Cormega all contributing. I always thought it was a shame that the similarly produced (but far whiter) The Future is Now got all of the online props while this release languished in relative obscurity.

Black Merda – The Folks From Mother’s Mixer

Props to my man Drizzle out of NY for this one. I haven’t heard it yet but on paper this looks like a banger: The self proclaimed First Black Rock Band? Sign me up. Oh and apparently these guys are still around and kicking so it wouldn’t hurt to show support by slinging a couple of dollars their way if you like this record. Same goes for any of these of course.

Candie Payne – I wish I could have loved you more (2007)

Despite being saddled with a stage name befitting someone practicing lesbian S&M, Candie Payne is a fine addition to the cannon of Brits ~~stealing~~ recycling classic 60’s music via protools. Partially produced by Uber-white guy Mark Ronson who also helmed Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse’s smash hits, the result is a similarly sweet-but-smart album that’s catchy enough to play out but not quite dumb enough to get on your nerves. While Allen and Winehouse relied on Reggae and Motown respectively, Payne goes straight for psychedelic AM pop and dark folk ala Nancy Sinatra. The digital sheen means there’s no attempt at Elephant Sixish authenticity, but Payne’s darker vibe will probably prevent her from reaching similar pop success this go around. Haven’t seen much written about this States side yet, so catch it while it’s fresh.

Comments for "Diggin in the (digital) crates: Flood edition."

great post! much props, looking forward to hearing this

— Amaze Aug 31, 05:41 PM
really enjoyed this post bro.. that blue magic album is the jam btw; good look

— charlie Aug 31, 06:35 PM
damn, re-ups ne one? dem went quick.

— dillyoh Aug 31, 08:27 PM
All the links are up, I think it’s on your end.

— Sach Aug 31, 08:51 PM
Megaupload is gay…

— megauploadisgay Sep 2, 12:27 AM
Nice post.

— size13 Sep 2, 09:52 PM
is that opening paragraph supposed to be some weird subliminal diss to bitter old heads? i know it isn’t but that’d make so much sense

— T.R.E.Y. Sep 2, 10:21 PM
Nope, opening paragraph is me being a bitter young head. This is an irony free post.

If anyone really wants that IAM album, leave a comment and I’ll RE-up btw.

— Sach Sep 3, 01:34 AM
OV is killing it on the monday that feels like a sunday.

Thanks for this post.

— nerditry Sep 3, 02:15 PM
that screwball album is great…actually anything poet is usually solid

— cv Sep 5, 05:15 PM