Like many of you all out there, Monday is not my favorite day of the week. However, there are those times when Mondays are pretty damn awesome…like when you get fresh new Music delivered to your desk first thing in the morning!

I finally got my copy of Tall Black Guy‘s Tempo Dreams Volume 1 in the mail today and couldn’t wait to get home to fire up the turntable (yes, vinyl!). TBG’s latest project is a compilation LP which consists of tracks from some of his favorites producers. The lineup includes BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble, Detroit’s own Doc Illingsworth, Apple Jac,  Ta-Ku and several others. Oh, and of course there’s a banger on there by the man himself.

Check out the video trailer below then head on over to Bastard Jazz and order a copy!

RJ Bass

May 27th will mark the 1 year anniversary of the passing of Gil Scott-Heron. Chicago producer Dion Brown has put together another nice instrumental piece dedicated to the late activist, educator and social commentator.

April 2nd – A Tribute to Gil Scott Heron

Rest in Peace Gil.

RJ Bass

When I heard the first single off this joint in November 2011, I made a note to buy the full release the day it comes out. How I missed this when it dropped earlier this month is still a mystery to me (must have been the birthday drinks).

“The Mission” is the latest from DJ / Producer Eric Lau. His new project is available in digital format and on vinyl. Both feature Detroit’s own Guilty Simpson as well as vocalists Fatima and Olivier Daysoul. For those who order this on vinyl (limited release) you’ll be blessed with more songs, that include addtional production by Damu The Fudgemunk and beats by one of my favorite Hip Hop / Jazz drummers, Chris “Daddy” Dave…yes, that Chris Dave!

RJ Bass

For those that know me personally or kick it with me on the various social networks, it’s no secret I’m a huge J. Dilla fan. I’ve written about him several times on my blog and I often post Music by him on Facebook and Twitter.

Shortly after our piano player joined our band back in February of this year, he composed a song and sent us the melody. After reading the title and hearing just the keys, I knew I was going to love playing this. The song is called D.D. (Dear Dilla) and it’s our dedication to the late Detroit genius, James Yancey aka Jay-Dee aka J. Dilla.

I’ve decided to post a couple of versions of this. The first version is from one of our studio sessions earlier this year. The second version is us playing live at  Dolce Vita in Tokyo, Japan. Hope you like it.

RJ Bass

Noah Studio, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, Japan – March 25, 2011

Dolce Vita, Okubo, Tokyo, Japan – August 6, 2011

The news of Gil Scott-Heron passing last week caught many by surprise and upset all of those who knew his work. Not just his Musical works but his work as a activist, educator and social commentator. Gil was not afraid to speak his mind and “rapped” about things that needed to be heard…a lot of things which are still issues today. (Many refer to him as the “Godfather of Rap” but he denied that.) As the news spread, many posted their favorite speeches and songs while others began to educate the youth of the net community of who Gil was: A Freedom Fighter. Gil also had a special way of interjecting humor into his a lot his conversations about serious topics.

Dion Brown out of Chicago (Gil’s hometown) has shared with us his own interpretation of some of Gil’s works, entitled “April 1st” (the two share a birthday as well). This release is filled with lot of cool beats but there are a few standouts for me, and one of those is the outro track. In this song, you’ll get to hear a bit of Gil’s comedic side as he talks about some of the “blues” plenty of folks can relate to.

Rest in Peace Gil.

RJ Bass

When I first heard that Elzhi had re-created the classic Nas release “Illmatic” all I could say was, “Whoa!” Illmatic…now Elmatic…word?

When Nas dropped Illmatic back in 1994, many compared him to Hip Hop icon, the GOD, Rakim. (It did feel like the 2nd coming had happened back then). The thought of someone re-creating that CD never entered my mind. However, I know how good Elzhi is so I had to take a listen right away. By the way, in case you didn’t know, Elzhi is from Detroit’s own Slum Village (rest in peace Baatin and J. Dilla).

First off, it’s good…VERY GOOD! Elzhi’s lyrical content is all fresh and new. His flow: Flawless. (Actually some of Elzhi’s content I can relate to a little more…not taking anything away from Nas’ joint.) Will Sessions’ production is tight.

One of the highlights for me on Elmatic’s release is the live instrumentation. As a Musician, I am a sucker for real instruments (no disrespect to my beat-maker homies out there) and the beats, groove and piano on some of these tracks…love it!

Well, I think I’ll stop right there and let you have a listen for yourself. You can download a free copy (I can’t believe this is free) by clicking on this link –> Elmatic

Peace.

RJ Bass

Maureen Yancey, mother of the late James “J Dilla” Yancey speaking about the “The Rebirth Of Detroit” project. She also talks about the resurgence of the city and the Love that Detroit gets Worldwide.

RJ Bass

Discovering new Music is always good but discovering new Music out of Detroit really gets me fired up! Hey, what else would you expect from this Detroit cat?

Liquid Copper is 21 tracks of goodness by Detroit producer Eddie Logix. This is the first instrumental release by the Hip-Hop producer who has produced Music for many Detroit MCs. It’s real good…and it’s free! Enjoy.

Peace

RJ Bass

The month of February is of course Black History Month but in the Hip-Hop community it’s also known as Dilla Month in honor of the legendary DJ /Producer / Musician James Dewitt Yancey better known as J. Dilla or Jay Dee. (Please see my “This One Is For Dilla” post from a few months ago.) Dilla passed away 5 years ago and would have been 37 this month.

To help ensure that his legacy never fades Director B. Kyle has put together a fantastic piece of work called “J. Dilla: Still Shining.”  The video features interviews with Jay-Dee as well as him performing and in “The Lab”, doing what he did best which was create magic. There are also interviews with many DJs, Hip-Hop artists, Musicians, Singers and his mother Maureen Yancey aka “Ma Dukes.”

As I watched this with my girl we were both brought to tears. To see someone that was so passionate about making Music and sharing it with people, no matter his health  or any other obstacles he faced, it was definitely…moving.

The way Dilla’s peers and fans talk about him reminds me of how some talk about Prince, Stevie Wonder or even the late, great Bassist Jaco Pastorius as there is one word that is often said: Genius.

To Detroit’s own James Dilla Yancey, in my mind, you were Hip-Hop’s Golden Boy and Hip-Hop…hell, Music in general needs you. It’s a shame that the  ”industry” heads  didn’t recognize you for the genius you were while you were here…but then again, you didn’t care about that (F***k the Grammys!). You just loved Music and wanted to share your gift with the World…for that, we thank you. You have influenced so many and your Music and name lives on. You are “Still Shining.”

You can view the entire J. Dilla “Still Shining” video below.

RJBass