WE SAY: Kev Brown steps in front of the mic on his debut release, but while his flows are competent, it's his soulful production that consistently shines.
THEY SAY: "Kev's album masterfully brings back the best of that jazzy sound, while keeping the music fresh and accessible for today's fans." - okayplayer, 4 out of 5 stars
LISTEN: 1. Intro 2. Alone Again 3. Say Sumthin 4. Outside Lookin In 5. Work in Progress 6. Struggla's Theme 7. Beats N' Rhymes 8. Hennessey, Pt. 1 9. Hennessey, Pt. 2 10. Keep On 11. Hold Fast 12. Albany 13. Life's a Gamble 14. Another Private Conversation
LEARN: Hailing from Landover, MD, Kev Brown has ascended the ranks of the underground to solidify himself as one of hip-hop's most prolific and universally respected talents. While producing for a range of artists that include De La Soul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Jewel, it wasn't until his remix work The Brown Album, the highlight of what became a billion homemade remixes of Jay-Z's The Black Album that Kev Brown captured the attention of the entire hip-hop community.Paying homage to the true school while honing his own jazz-infused sound, Kev Brown has garnished a reputation as the torch-bearer of the golden era. Heavily influenced by renowned beat-smiths such as Pete Rock, Jay Dee, and DJ Premier, he continues to receive worldwide acclaim for his distinctive brand of grimy soul. And while Kev's buttery-smooth production and laid-back vocals shine throughout the album, the project also features a host of guests spots from Critically Acclaimed, Cy Young, Grap Luva, Oddisee, Phonte (of Little Brother), Kenn Starr, Kronkite, Wayna, and Eric Roberson.After numerous collaborations and a host of buzzworthy 12-inches, Kev Brown now steps forward with his debut solo album aptly-titled I Do What I Do.
WE SAY: We've been checkin' for Jneiro Jarel for a minute so it's good to see this album get a proper US release. This should help alert heads to the fact that JJ is one of the dopest hip-hop producers around. Soulful & jazzy with Jneiro's unique musical thumbprints, Three Piece Puzzle is a must-have.
THEY SAY: “hip-hop upstart puts it together possessing a surrealists’s collagist sensibility and an underground hip-hoppers streetwise style, Philly’s Jneiro Jarel is a revelation. He packs so much music into 56:39 that it’s easy to get lost in Jarel’s conscious-altering world. Creating drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop and Afro-Brazillian stoner rythems surrounded by sweetly unsettling textures, Jarel comes off like some kind of idiot rapper savant, revealing a mighty mighty talent ” – [4.5 out of 5 stars] REMIX. " Jneiro is Madlib’s brother from another mother, separated at birth, reunited by beats ” – Blender "All heads rejoice – real underground hip-hop is back, and Jneiro is leading the way” – Rap Attack “Three Piece Puzzle reminds us of Roy Ayers, the early Native Tongues, and Digable Planets, but sounds very futuristic and has its own flow at the same time – one of the best hip-hop records from Philly in a long time”. - STRAIGHT NO CHASER
LISTEN: 1. Connect Wit IT 2. Big Bounce Theory 3. Crashing Comets 4. Do Yo Thang 5. Jneireieireooo (A DJ Kiva Interlude) 6. Get Yuh Own 7. It's Like Fire Yo 8. N.A.S.A. (Feat. Dr. Who Dat and Rocque Wun) 9. Breathin (Feat. Rocque Wun) 10. Sun Walkers (Feat. Mel Owens) 11. Black Cinderella (Feat. Dr. Who Dat and Rocque Wun) 12. Soul Starr 13. Doinis (Feat. Dr. Who Dat) 14. Let's Get Wit It (Feat. Jawwaad, Aahtua and Nahuma Holiday) 15. Lock Down 16. Big Bounce Theory Part 2 (Feat. Vinia Mojica)
LEARN: Live and direct out of the Brooklyn borough on down to Philly, JNEIRO JAREL has slowly been digging his way up through the hip-hop underground for 15 years. At the age of 5, JNEIRO JAREL'S family moved out of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn . His mother was in the army, and as a result, he lived in many places. ( Maryland , Arizona , Georgia , etc.) finally touching down in Houston Texas circa 1985. Continue reading full bio
WE SAY: Diverse collection of tracks from ultra-accomplished producer (this is his ninth album), spanning deep house, broken beats and more, all delivered with a healthy dose of soul. Highly recommended.
LISTEN: Equality featuring Rich Medina Peace featuring Lady Alma All over the World featuring Victor Davies Love Is To Blame featuring Isabelle Antena and Ernesto Cat and Mouse featuring Ernesto Killing Time Is It ... featuring Lori Fine Road To Nowhere The Tambour Continuous Function Equality part 2 featuring Rich Medina Hooked featuring Lady Alma Bonus Tracks: Peace (Dimitri From Paris Backtrackin' remix) Equality featuring Rich Medina (blackbeard mix)
LEARN: Pantone Music proudly present their second long player from the richly experienced and equally versatile Yukihiro Fukutomi. His latest long player (number 9) entitled 'Equality' is his most broadly appealing, reaching out to London, Philadelphia, Gothenburg and Tokyo for a helping hand. The vision of 'Equality' is to bring together the artists from all corners of the globe. From Philly the urban poet Rich Medina takes the verbal stance on today's social pressure's with the echo's of Gil Scott Heron over a blissed out broken groove. The voice of the 4-hero anthem then hold it down and King Britt, Sylk 130 collaborator Lady Alma, screams the house down on two soulful jams with organic energy and electric delight finding firm favourite on Norman Jay's Giant 45 radio show and on Danny Krivit's in the house cd for Defected and Dimitri from Paris' brand new Southport weekender cd. East London crooner Victor Davies also teams up for some pure samba soul on the appropriately titled "All over the world" whilst the uk influence is strong on the west London flavour with"Road too Nowhere" and "Continuous Function" having the broken beat spine with the help of Japanese guest musicians from Jafrosax and Sleepwalker for added slickness. The tougher 4/4 beats are present with"Equality part 2" and "The Tambour" shows that diversity does not mean a let up in quality. Sweden's Ernesto team up with Isabella Antena to welcome us into a new season with a beautiful harmonious Brazilian flavour with "Love is to blame" and"Cat and mouse" and to underline a all round solid summer soundtrack conceived by Tokyo's favourite rising sun. The CD features two bonus tracks as long time admirer Dimitri From Paris who remix's Peace and London's Blackbeard drop the beats on the title track 'Equality' for added phatness. From working with Blaze on his last long player Fukutomi's widespread recognition and respect throughout the international music circuit.
Beats,rhymes & life from around the web
hit us up:
music AT beatlife.net
Soulful hip-hop and electronic artists - we're interested in your music! Get in touch!
Sign up below for music news, site updates, and more
WE SAY:
WE SAY:
