Another day, another phat and free download.
This time around we're bringing you the Training Day Mixtape by Hall of Justice members The Away Team. The North Cackalackey-based duo is made up of Khrysis behind the boards and Sean Boog on the mic.
The mixtape features guest appearances by Nervous Reck, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Billionz, Black Milk, Supastition, Sean Price and fellow HOJ member Darien Brockington. The official Training Day CD hits the streets on October 30th.
The Away Team: Training Day Mixtape [HHR]
While most of us were consumed by the Kanye West/50 Cent "Megalomania Campaign 2007", there was a respectable segment of us that copped Blu & Exile's Below the Heavens. I'll have to admit I'm a little late to the party on this one, but had somewhat of a primer courtesy of House Shoes and MDOC. I'm not good at reviews, especially with artists I'm not versed in, but here goes.
In short, the last time I was this impressed it was with Black Milk's Popular Demand. The lazy thing to do is to go on and on about Exile's soul-infused beats, which would place him somewhere in Black's orbit. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Where Black often opts for the sped-up, choppy variety of sampling, Exile flips it Pete Rock-style for the most part, keeping it jazzy, layered and sometimes gritty. The standout track here (and my first introduction to the duo) is "Greater Love", in which Blu elevates the tired theme of "ghetto love" to poetic, authentic heights, managing to embrace his subject's flaws and all with the kind of panache reserved for R&B artists from back in the day. No wonder he often compares himself to Al Green. Exile's execution here is un-eff-wittable, constructing a moody, blue, yet somehow optimistic backdrop that successfully compliments Blu's delivery.
Blu & Exile: "Greater Love (snippet)"
Anything is possible. Check out this joint on Rissi Palmer and let us know if it's worth us expanding our scope.
Country artist Palmer sails into "uncharted territory" [Reuters]
"Yeah, like I let him know, Busta's good at being loud, screaming, and yelling. He's good, he got that down, he's got the loud voice, but lyrically I'll eat him. I don't care. He knows that."
First the Fugees, then Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and now this. All these rappers need is one big ol' hug and a glass of warm milk. Save the beef for the rice and broccoli.
Leader of The New School: Dinco D. [HHN]
The new Mark Ronson clip "Valerie" features vocals by our favorite British trainwreck but she's totally ghost from the visuals. We're not exactly sure what circumstances would prevent Amy from being featured, however SIKE! Seems this poor girl is being rejected left and right.
She is, however, in our prayers.
W. Ellington Felton is blessing his fans with a free musical treat. Felton has posted the Afterglow EP, "dedicated to the strong women of the world" and comprised of cuts that didn't make the cut for his next disc, on the net but the catch is that it's only gonna be available for download for the next 48 hours. So in other words, what are you waiting on? Get it while the gettin' is good.
The EP features singer Laurie Webb and production by Van Hunt and Bilal Salaam, to name a few. Dub Ell's new CD, Peaceful Revolt, is scheduled to be released this fall/winter on Tasteful Licks Records.
W. Ellington Felton : Afterglow EP [sendspace]
[Photo: Jati Lindsay]
