SKRYPTCHA – MINDFUL
July 27, 2012 by
Happy release day Skryptcha. Limited signed copies available in store today.
Crafted during the most pivotal years of his life, Mindful takes a considered look at Skryptcha’s unique journey thus far.
Mindful’s production was expertly handled by illustrious US producer Illmind, a long-time favourite beat-maker of Skryptcha’s. Throughout the album, a dynamic emcee-producer synchronicity is evident, Illmind setting a scene and Skryptcha telling the story seamlessly. The most comprehensive period of the duo’s artistic interaction took place during Skryptcha’s visit to Illmind’s studio in Brooklyn.
FIRST SUNDAY – ALL AGES OPEN MIC (MELB)
July 25, 2012 by
All ages, open mic, hip hop event happens the first Sunday of the month. Get down and get involved. Don’t forget pre registration need for the freestyle open mic sessions. More info on their facebook page.
SKRYPTCHA: MINDFUL
July 24, 2012 by
Skryptcha has a knack for making the philosophical non-confrontational. His second masterpiece Mindful is not unlike its creator; perceptive, sharp and ahead of its time. After the notoriety surrounding previous LP NUMB3RS, and break out EP Left to Write, the slick young wordsmith has found time to knock out a Journalism degree, and travel substantially. Crafted during the most pivotal years of his life, Mindful takes a considered look at Skryptcha’s unique journey thus far.
Mindful’s production was expertly handled by illustrious US producer Illmind, a long-time favourite beat-maker of Skryptcha’s. Throughout the album, a dynamic emcee-producer synchronicity is evident, Illmind setting a scene and Skryptcha telling the story seamlessly. The most comprehensive period of the duo’s artistic interaction took place during Skryptcha’s visit to Illmind’s studio in Brooklyn. An otherwise digital collaboration, the distance between the two proved irrelevant in creating the album the two had envisaged. Using analogue equipment and processes, Illmind’s rich bass lines and homage to old school soul set the tone throughout Mindful.
“I’ve listened to Illmind’s beats for years and have always been in love with his sound. He’s on the exact tip I was looking for, so managing to link up with him on this entire project was a blessing.”
Skryptcha
Mindful stars a carefully selected bunch of guest artists including Obese Records label-mates Illy and Spit Syndicate, and the dulcet tones of vocalists Sam Ackerman, Joyride, Rachael Berry, and Daniel Mifsud. Skryptcha worked closely with his guest artists to develop hooks and song structure, wanting to emphasise each of their individual styles for their respective tracks.
In opening number ‘Graduation’ a braggadocio track with premise; Skryptcha looks back on just how far he’s come since his rap career began. The proclamation of bold organ loops fused with sharp boom bap beats is complimented by the sultry vocals of Rachael Berry on the hook.
Lead single ‘Dance’ sets the head nodding with its laid-back soulful guitar loops teamed with loose, punchy beats. Skryptcha manoeuvres rhythmic rhymes skillfully around the beat, whilst observing music’s power to simplify a person’s circumstance.
In ‘My Way Up’ Illy and Skryptcha compare notes on their exceeded expectations since putting out their first releases. With the soulful vocals of Joyride on the hook, bright piano and occasional electronic nuances colour the track.
Already a musical hybrid release due to the international nature of its collaborators, Mindful has the potential to reach many with its positive outlook and widely relatable themes.
iTunes Exclusive Offer
When you purchase Mindful online through iTunes, you will receive two bonus tracks produced by Taku for free!
14 – Rainfall
15 – Your World.
Release Date: July 27th 2012
Obese Records
MR. GREVIS: THE SAMPLER LP
July 24, 2012 by
Mr. Grevis is Western Australia’s audacious new hip hop representative. His impressive debut album The Sampler is a comprehensive body of music and lyricism, exhibiting Grevis’s conscientious grasp of the genre. After turning heads with track ‘The Youth’, first premiered on triple j’s Unearthed, Mr. Grevis then went on to release lead single from The Sampler – ‘Drift Away’ featuring Melbourne songstress Jess Harlen, receiving rave reviews. With its carefully assembled collection of premium beat-makers, select guest vocalists, and poignant themes, The Sampler is an enlightened and honest.
With half of The Sampler’s production credits due to the dextrous Dazastah, other beat contributors include fellow WA residents Rob Shaker, Paulie P and Creed Birch. From soul samples and harpsichord loops, to synth-strings; The Sampler’s stories are transcended by its synchronised soundtrack.
An unabashed autobiography, The Sampler is a lyrically raw Aussie hip hop album which prides itself on conviction and genuineness. With no room for ignorance or complacency, The Sampler tells stories of hardship and morbid realisation, though through it all Mr. Grevis is ultimately a fierce optimist.
Lead single ‘Drift Away’ featuring Jess Harlen was designed to take one’s mind of all the dramas in life, by instead putting everything in perspective. With production by Creed Birch, the beat is chilled and soulful, ridden with piano riffs.
‘The Youth’, produced by Paulie P, is an expression of frustration towards the general disrespect and ignorance of the youth today. Touching on tech-addiction, drug addiction and petty crime, Mr. Grevisquestions the source of the self-absorbed behaviour.
‘Give It Back’, also produced by Paulie P, is a comment on the increasingly capitalist nature of the music industry. Challenging the restriction on artists from sampling other artists they want to pay homage to, Mr. Grevis puts it all down to greed.
A promising new artist, Mr. Grevis has an exceptional knack for captivating and relatable storytelling.
Release Date: 20.07.2012
Record Label: NRA Records
ILLY: ‘Where Ya Been’ ft. PEZ (single)
July 24, 2012 by
The second single from Illy‘s upcoming third album Bring It Back is ‘Where Ya Been’ featuring chart-topping contemporary Pez. A playful moment from Bring It Back; ‘Where Ya Been’ follows previous automatic-hit single ‘Heard It All’ on an upbeat tip.
With the production expertise of ARIA award-winning M-Phazes, ‘Where Ya Been’ is not amiss of quality. A head-nodder from the get-go; trademark snapping boom bap and laid back synth chords sets the scene.
Illy and Pez trade flows seamlessly, sympathizing on a subject they’re both all too familiar with. The two make light of the constant pressure for answers, and the eagerness of fans for new material.
“‘Where Ya Been’ is a bit of fun at the expense of the people who are constantly asking about what’s going on. It feels like sometimes from the day an album is released, or a tour is finished, people are asking “where the fuck are you”, “hurry up and play our town” “what’s going on with a new album?”, and that’s awesome, but it’s still fun to take the piss out of. I wanted Pez on a track for ages, and this idea for a track, and Phazes beat, suited him perfectly, seeing as he’s been away for so long and gone through the exact same thing.”
Illy
Single out now through iTunes.
Album Release Date: 21. 09.2012
Music – local new releases
July 24, 2012 by
Some fresh new independent releases now in stock from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
TAYLOR MADE TACTIX – UNINVITED GUESTS
with limited bonus
FAT POCKETS – PHAT TAPE (while stocks last)
FLEA – BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
DA-VISE – MIDNIGHT SKEMES
KAYE – THE STRANGE AND TERRIBLE SAGA
OF ADAM REDWAN
ONE-SIXTH: ‘Round the Sun’ (single)
July 23, 2012 by
One-Sixth has been Melbourne’s best kept secret for too long. In August 2012 the brilliant young lyricist will release debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution.
Lead single ‘Round The Sun’ is a rich insight to what is sure to be a new benchmark album for Australian hip hop.
With production from long-time comrades Charles Parker and Tony Wolf, the beat encompasses a mélange of vintage vocal samples, driving basslines and melancholy woodwind loops. The track is especially sacred to One Sixth being one of the last opportunities he had to work with Charles Parker, who tragically passed away in 2011.
Full of illustrative metaphor, One Sixth bares his soul with the upmost conviction. With multiple interpretations available according to the listener’s mentality, One Sixth is somewhat of a lyrical enigma.
“The track means a lot to me now because Sam passed away, I really wanted to do more music with him. He was such a dope artist and some of the conversations we had sort of influenced what I’m rapping about on the track.” -One Sixth
Released By: Pang Productions
Single out now through iTunes.
Album Available: 24.08.2012
Mr Grevis – The Sampler
July 20, 2012 by
Happy release day MR GREVIS
Mr. Grevis is Western Australia’s audacious new hip hop representative. His impressive debut album The Sampler is a comprehensive body of music and lyricism which exhibits Grevis’s conscientious grasp of the genre. After turning heads with track ‘The Youth’, first premiered on triple j’s Unearthed, Mr. Grevis went on to release lead single from The Sampler – ‘Drift Away’featuring Melbourne songstress Jess Harlen to rave reviews. With its carefully assembled collection of premium beat-makers, select guest vocalists, and poignant themes, The Sampler is enlightened and honest.
