i’ve had a long, shitty, unfulfilling day. thankfully i came across a new joint that’s going to be the new 9th wonder + MURS album coming soon.
enjoy (courtesy of 2dopeboyz)
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Monthly Archives: February 2010
Electric Wire Hustle – Electric Wire Hustle (Every Waking Hour) by Preach Jacobs
Very rarely has there been an album that has exceeding the expectations of this reviewer. It may be even rarer that there’s an artist that I haven’t heard about make such a massive impact on me and my listening habits. Fortunately, Electric Wire Hustle have exceeded with both.
Their album, titled Every Waking Hour, is a homage to soul giants like Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway yet embodies an intimate knowledge of Dilla-esque Hip Hop music that sparked the neo soul movement (even though that term seems exhausted). Proving that there’s more hailing from New Zealand than the ‘Flight of the Concords’, this album is an array of excellent production thick with hypnotic melodies and boom-bap inspired drums.
Tracks like “Walk On” featuring Stacy Epps and “Gimme That Kinda” and “Again” are all diverse but maintaining a common goal: creating the absolute perfect post-millennium soul album. This record sounds like what would have happened if Soulquarians put out a full-length (how we can still dream). Stand out track “Buy Some Land, Put A House On It” starts off with heavy horns and creeps into a distorted genius of electronic sensibilities with the beauty of simple and effect songwriting. Strong melodies, strong hooks – and let the music dictate the rest.
The group’s brand of what they call ‘Future Soul’ (not sure if they coined the phrase but is befitting) is a refreshing re-interpretation of what the genre should look and sound like. During the ’70s when Motown was churning out classics from Marvin to Stevie and other places had Curtis Mayfield and more, seems to be a resurgence of that energy. It’s an exciting time for soul music simply proving that people that exclaim that there isn’t any good music out there just aren’t looking hard enough.
Electric Wire Hustle are at the forefront of talented musicians dedicated to putting out superior music and it’s a damn shame that the airwaves aren’t flooded with what this album offers, because it would well be worth it. What an injustice.
–PJ
Album Review: Lil’ Wayne – Rebirth (2010) by Preach Jacobs
It’s an exhausting chore to be considered one of the greatest artists in a certain field. But it can be embarrassing when someone steps outside the lines of their acquired talent. Look at endless defunct albums by ball players trying to be rappers (i.e. Kobe Bryant) or when rappers trying to be actors (insert hilarious line delivered by Nas in Belly). Problem being, that when someone is talented in a specific field, there’s a thin line between artistic integrity and reckless. Unfortunately Lil’ Wayne’s constantly pushed back rock album Rebirth is of the latter.
I did two things before listening to this project. First, I watched the now infamous documentary about Lil’ Wayne titled The Carter. And then I refused to have any expectations for Rebirth before listening.
Doing those two things gave me an understanding of what to expect. First off, Lil’ Wayne is in a delicate situation where he is obsessed with himself. That may not be a bad thing (as so many rappers are). Sometimes the results aren’t bad. Songs like “American Star” and “Paradise” shows that Wayne is a talented writer. Despite the musical backdrops leaving a little to be desired (and him exhausting the auto-tune filter), no one can deny that Wayne is talented. Also, the song “Drop The World” featuring Eminem should have been featured on The Carter 3 as it’s the blatant standout on the album.
But more often than not, the album seems to be more like an overindulgent artist with the power to have any project green-lit (and maybe because that’s true).
Between auto-tuned moans and groans on tracks like “Get A Life” and “Knockout”, it becomes clearer that he does in fact have limitations (and actually gives me a greater appreciation for people that actually use the auto-tune filter and actually sound half way decent).
Hopefully Wayne’s next project will be him back to form as he can understand that not everyone can do this rock inspired-rap-hybrid project. This reminds me of Chris Gaines. A fictional character that Garth Brooks created in the late ’90s used to exercise his musical diversity. After so many attempts to promote the idea, the public didn’t buy the idea and the album was never released. Lucky for Garth but unfortunately for Wayne that this saw the light of day. Let’s hope The Carter 4 will show him back in top form.
Tracklist:
1. Intro [produced by DJ Mark 1]
2. MaG – Turn My Music High [produced by DL]
3. Tunji – Goodbye Never (featuring Convinced)
4. The Movement Fam – Seasons Change [produced by G.C.]
5. Amor Jones – Dyin [produced by Know:Juander]
6. Mach Five – Stop That
7. Stevie Crooks – Brass Knuckles
8. L.E.G.A.C.Y. – You Might See Me
9. Cymarshall Law – Harder Than Thou Remix (featuring DJ JS-1) [produced by Cenzo Beatz]
10. E Reece – Hold Up, Wait [produced by Soups]
11. Jermiside & Danny Diggs – Rockin Ya World (cuts by DJ Mayhem)
12. Has-Lo – Exhale (Custamato’s Revenge) [produced by Culture I.S.T.M.]
13. Hawdwerk & Jansport J – Rancid
14. Epsilon Project – Mics On
15. Prefyx – All Star Fresh (We Got) [produced by Dibiase]
16. Plex Long & Face The Truth – Direction
17. WEB – Waiting To Exhale [produced by Rodney 'Syrenn' Hazard]
18. Self-One – All We Got To Do [produced by Reasonable]
19. ArtOfficial – Doing Things Wrong
20. Emilio Rojas – Get Through
21. DXA – Night Drive [produced by DFACE DXA]
22. Spectac & Amiri – Gone in Sixty Seconds
Interview with Preach Jacobs by Carminelitta
I have to say I am quite excited to present to you my first ever interview!!! Articles and videos are a good way to discover artists and make you want to know more about them, but reading the artist’s own words is always a plus. An interview is a more direct means of communication and enables artists to make their voice heard.
I am really proud and honoured to be able to be a messenger and allow artists to express themselves through my blog. This is only the beginning, watch this space.
For this first feature, a big thank you to Preach Jacobs for kindly answering my questions and sharing really interesting thoughts.
First of all, I’d like to know how/when you realized you had a gift you wanted to share with the world? How early did your artistic/creative side become clear to you?
I think people that are artistic, don’t see themselves as “sharing a gift” when you begin. There’s tons of insecurity involved and trying to figure out your voice. I think it begins with doing something that helps take your mind off of things, or things that’ll help you cope and feel better. When I was growing up writing and music became paramount. There were things going on in my family dynamics with communicating and my sister who has special needs that were stressful at a young age. Hip-hop and my writing around 11 or 12 really helped me deal with much of it. read more
Interview w/ Black Sheep Magazine “Preach On” By Daniella Robbins
East coast native Preach Jacobs is an MC/ journalist hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, who (for me) re-ignites the 90s so-called lost genre of epic hip hop – a sound true to rhyming and timeless instrumental transportation. With the new album ‘Maple St. Sessions’ as evidence, he oozes influences from the likes of J Dilla and Common, and backs his music portfolio with support from the UK’s very own DJs Chris Phillips and Spin Doctor and, now us Black Sheep ambassadors.
What is your birth name? And how did you come to title yourself as Preach Jacobs? What does it mean to you?
My real name is Dherick Jacobs and the nickname ‘Preach’ came along at a young age. I read all the time. When I was around 8 or 9, my mother and I would go to the library and I would always go to the children’s section, until I got bored and went to the adult area with my mom. That’s when I picked up ‘Black Boy’ by Richard Wright and got into heavy reading by authors like Langston Hughes, Malcolm and Marcus Garvey. It was a wrap after that.
I would tag your music as epic hip hop… to those who are yet to give your album a listen, just give Black Sheep a recap on the Maple St. Sessions.
Denz and I are big jazz fans and I love all the Blue Note records from back in the day. So the idea for the title came from seeing these jazz records and if they played at 52nd Street, it would be the ’52nd Street Sessions’ or something. I live on Maple Street and all of my work starts there in my home. That’s why I put my spot in the ‘Falling’ video because that’s where everything begins and ends. So, it’s tastes of afro – beat, soul, funk and boom – bap music. I loved making the record because there wasn’t any pressure.
How would you describe the production sound of Denz? Does it differ much to US producers, and what attracted you to working with a European based producer?
Denz has a production style that I believe reflects what’s in my iPod. There’s a difference between finding people in hip-hop that make beats versus a producer. A beatmaker more than likely only listens to a limited amount of music where a producer just loves everything and they put it into the product. So, I’m a fan of everything from jazz, afro – beat, soul, hip-hop, funk etc. And Denz is the same way.
You’re signed to R2, a UK-based label. Is it a struggle to get recognised by US labels?
I’ve spoken to majors and indies in the states and I think there’s a little bit of over – saturation of rappers. Remember that Chappelle show skit where black folks got their reparation money and then all of a sudden there were like a million new record labels that popped up? That’s kind of how I feel. But I do believe that there’s an advantage of having a home – base in the states while still having a voice overseas. I believe it’s difficult to get noticed because everyone is putting out music, but that also means that we as artists have to work harder and prove to the public that the products we’re putting out is worthy of their time. Worthy of their purchase, illegal download or burning onto a disc. I take that task very seriously.
With a history as a journalist yourself, what are your thoughts on the new media platforms of on-line magazines and old school prints such as VIBE dying out?
I write for over a dozen publications and it’s kind of the same thing across the board. Same as with the music, people aren’t buying physical copies anymore they’re looking online or further more; there are tons of other options in getting your news. VIBE closing their doors was such a blow to the urban music scene and unfortunately it may not be the last publication that closes its doors.
During your journalism years, which artist has stunned you the most and why?
I guess some stuff I can’t talk about, since you never know who’s reading, but I would say that I’m most stunned by how normal people are. It’s funny because the people that don’t really have a name or accolades are usually the a**holes and the ones that have something to brag about, are cooler than a fan. I think the most humbling was meeting Ms. Yancey (Dilla’s mom) at an event honouring Dilla this past year. Before I’m a journalist, I’m a fan.
The Eastcoast has given birth to many emcees, who do you highly rate? Old or new?
From South Carolina (where I’m from) and the only southern artists we listened to were Outkast, UGK and probably Scarface. However, that’s a small fraction compared to the amount of artists from New York, Philly and the West Coast.
Having already performed along top mainstream billboard hitters such as 50 Cent and Nelly, how do you see your career progressing?
My goal is to stay away from the starving – artist – depression – syndrome and do this as a career and for the past year, I’ve been doing it. You have to have a lot of self motivation. Majority of the time it’s just you, a beat, a pen and paper. It’s easy to get discouraged especially when the fridge is empty. Putting out honest music and having people respond to it is a blessing and that gives me hope. The key is after every achievement, celebrate it, and then forget about it. Always work from that pure space and let the music be what it is.
What can Black Sheep expect from Preach in 2010?
This year, I’m working on a few projects with Marc Mac of 4hero, DJ Vadim, Katrah – Quey and I have a project titled ‘Rebel Radio’ that’s coming soon, plus an EP I’m doing with a production team (that includes my brother) called Helium Music. And of course, shows and shows trying to keep it fresh for everyone. I just want to solidify my career and this year is off to great start.
Follow Jacobs Music and Blog entries at: http://www.preachjacobs.com
okay yall, i usually post up things that i love to listen to. it’s even more of a pleasure to show love to people that i consider family and [d] of the helium music group is what you would call fam. [d] is apart of a production group called helium music (including g and dj ambush) and we will be putting a project together later this year on HiPPNOTT records.
hailing from charlotte, north carolina, [d]‘s latest project possess everything we love about boom-bap-dillaesque-soulful-dope-ass-funkin-drums hip-hop that i frequent in my ipod. it’s not enough to talk about it, it’s even better to play it for you. enjoy the mixtape sampler (mixed by dj manipulator). you’re welcome.
great news today as centric tv did a feature on the “falling” video. keep your fingers crossed and hopefully we can get it on the channel soon! thanks to everyone for the love and support.
in celebration of my favorite producer of all time, i wanted to post a couple of dope things that people are doing in memory of jay dee. there’s great news and updates about the yancey estate, and you can read it at j-dilla.com.
i want to give props to my man kevin (www.kevinnottingham.com) as the entire week is dedicated to dilla and he has some of the best unreleased and underground stuff from the detroit legend.
here’s a few other things that popped up this week if you guys missed it:
Download: Jaylib vs. J Rocc [mp3] courtesy of Stones Throw a 30 min. mix by j-rocc.
DJ Rasta Root: The Rest of Dilla Vol. 1
Generation Next 5-Hour Radio Tribute to Dilla (i can only find link to first hour but you can peep it here).
Questlove’s SwiftFM page (all you need)
hope that’s enough to hold you over. anything else i see will be added. peace and love and we must honor people who dedicated their lives to giving us great music.
preach & ms. yancey a.k.a ma dukes
sup guys? we’re back in full effect. this is the new blutopia podcast #7. hope all is well on your end. i’m excited to be around such great new music and wanted to share it with yall. this is a great mixture of hip hop, soul, jazz etc. and probably the best one yet. it’s also feb. so there’s a big dilla theme. rest in peace jay dee and hope ya enjoy it yall.
tracklisting:
1.Intro
2.Transformers (Exhibit A)-Jay Electronica
3.New Money-Royce Da 5’9
4.How You Like Me Now-The Heavy
5.Gimme That Kinda-Electric Wire Hustle
6.Keep Going-Black Milk
7.One Thing-Freeway & Jake One feat. Raekwon
8.Oh Yes-Preach Jacobs & Denz (prod. by Clokwork)
9.Skin-Sade
10.All Matter-Robert Glasper & Bilal
11.Daykeeper-The Foreign Exchange
12.Sonar Kollektiv Orchester – Universal Love (4hero presents Extensions)
13.Fall In Love-Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (Suite For Ma Dukes)
Blutopia Podcast #7 hosted by Preach Jacobs (Download)
