What separates Monch from most other emcees is he doesn’t spit ‘ontop‘ of tracks. His vocals become an instrument of their own. Even on the beats i’m lukewarm on like Calculated Amalgamation and the title track “W.A.R”, his flow elevates the track with his calculated flow. LOVE it!

It’s no coincidence that my favorite tracks on “W.A.R.” come from Australian producer M-Phazes. . He’s becoming one of my favorite producers of the moment, crafting my favorite cut off of Big Remo’s “Go” album.

“Clap (One Day)” is my favorite, in the vein of a Rashid Hadee, or 9th Wonder track. Samples chopped ‘lovely’, with excellent assists from Showtyme and Boogie Blind.

“Assassins” is a lyric-lover’s wet dream, featuring a Holy Trinity of Monch, Jean Grae and Royce Da 5.9″. I feel this is the only cut where the guest emcees stay in close range with Pharoahe. Monch is such a strong presence on tracks that most of the time, his guests seem to get outpaced.

“Black Hand Side”. produced by Mike Loe is another mellow banger. Once again, Styles P delivers a top notch guest spot, which seems to outshine his solo work. The only thing that frustrates me about this song is my boy Phonte. I love singing stuff. But DAMN! How can you have Phonte on a track and NOT have him spit (at least) half a verse?!? Hopefully they’ll be an extended mix where he gets to shine.

“Still Standing” surprised me. I immediately thought this might be the throw-away radio track. I was a little worried that Monch wouldn’t fit on such a musical track. But once again, Monch adjusts to the sound and invites the incredible Jill Scott to assist.

I could write 10,000 words on “W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)”. Pharoahe Monch remains one the most consistent tracklist. If you’re a hip-hop fan who values quality lyricism and thought-provoking content, “W.A.R.” needs to be in your shopping cart. — The Big La(tte)™

My GROOVrating:

Tracklist:

01. The Warning (f/ Idris Elba)
02. Calculated Amalgamation
03. Evolve
04. W.A.R. (ff/ Immortal Technique & Vernon Reid)
05. Clap [One Day] (f/ Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind)
06. Black Hand Side (f/. Styles P & Phonte)
07. Let My People Go
08. Shine (f/ Mela Machinko)
09. Haile Selassie Karate (f/ Mr. Porter)
10. The Hitman
11. Assassins (feat. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5’9″)
12. The Grand Illusion (Circa 1973 f/ Citizen Cope)
13. Still Standing (feat. Jill Scott)

Purchase  ”W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)

iTunes | amazon.com

Connect with Pharaohe Monch

I’ve gotten burned over Cheryl Tiegs, blown up for Raquel Welch. But when I end up in the hay it’s only hay, hey hey. I might jump an open drawbridge, or Tarzan from a vine. ‘Cause I’m the unknown stuntman that makes Eastwood look so fine.

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Nate’s voice was infused with a certain strength and commanded attention on any track (and he had 40 of them that charted). His brand of gangsta consistency was something he accomplished throughout his music career.

What I love most about Nate Dogg’s legacy is how he didn’t have to make a scene with wild notes or histrionics. Nate Dogg was a component of my “coming-of-age soundtrack” of the 90s and his voice exuded the confidence, calmness and smooth nature indicative a real “OG.”

At age 41, I feel he left us much too soon and our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans.

RIP Nathaniel Dwayne Hale aka Nate Dogg (1969-2011).

Their brand of soulful hip hop and psychedelic undertones echo the generations before them with a Marvin (Gaye)-esque delivery over smothered kick drums and well-chopped samples. EWH have also collaborated with some of my other favorites like fonksters, Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins, Stacy Epps and Steve Spacek. But the spark that ignited my flame for their flair was “Perception,” an infectiously groovin’ single that pinches a sample off Minnie Riperton‘s “Inside My Love” (which was also used in the A Tribe Called Quest classic, “Lyrics to Go”).

Click the video below and submerge yourself in the sight and sound of this prolific group of soulquarians.

‘Perception’ Electric Wire Hustle from Electric Wire Hustle on Vimeo.

Check this.  Richard  Earnshaw’s CD In Time has artists that you may not have heard of (Erik Dillard, Kenny Thomas) to produce those tracks (that’s right, genuine house).  He also  manages to pull Carleen Anderson, one of my favorite female vocalists of all time in the mix.  Never one to rest on house and R&B, he also touches on gospel with a track from Jocelyn Brown and spoken word from the well known Ursula Rucker.

It doesn’t stop there. He also manages to create solid tracks from two other independent artists, Nina Jayne and Imogene Heap.  What helps solidify this CD, however, seems to be the one and only Roy Ayers who is present on three of the tracks- which, in my mind, shows creativity and diversity in this CD while staying true to both well-known and independent artists to produce an excellent CD.

Check out the sampler from Youtube above or on Myspace.  Richard  has nicely pulled together both sides of the Atlantic  and managed to put together a CD that makes you wonder what’s next for this man.

Fastvforward 6 years– and Little Brother is no more. All three members have parted ways. Phonte’s shifted to being a ‘crooner’ and helped build Foreign Exchange Music, one of my favorite collectives out today. Pooh’s been doin’ his solo thing, droppin’ a much improved flow and holdin’ it down for the underground.

And 9th Wonder’s brought together an unorthodox mix of dope emcees, vocalists and producers. The IWWMG is made up of core artists, Actual Proof, Big Remo, GQ, HaLo, Heather Victoria, Rapsody, Skyzoo, The Away Team, Thee Tom Hardy, TP and Tyler Woods. Coupled with a producer squad,  Kash, E. Jones, Khrysis, Amp, and Fatin, I get that same feeling I got the first time I heard Wu-Tang’s “36 Chambers.” I don’t mean that as a comparison. What I mean is there’s a certain ‘chemistry’ with collectives like Wu-Tang, The Hit Squad and The Native Tongues. The fact that they crank out hot music what seems like every other day, the IWWMG  has become that one collective that hasn’t disappointed me yet.

IWWMG song of the moment:

Honda Accord Music (Still Can’t Afford A Maybach Remix)
Rapsody f/ Skyzoo & Thee Tom Hardy

It’s A Wonderful World Music Group (IWWMG) Official Website

Since hip hop had its start out in the parks, we’ve seen individuals step out of a group to shine as solo artists. The list reads like a “Who’s Who” of hip hop royalty: Ice Cube. Q-Tip. Busta Rhymes. Pharoahe Monche. Cee Lo. Phonte. But how do you shine when your whole crew is nice? It’s difficult to be successful as a solo artist when you’re surrounded by a bona fide star (Method Man), an eclectic producer (RZA), his genius cousin (GZA), a wordsmith (Ghostface Killah), and even a clown prince (O.D.B.). Yet, with almost 20 years on the scene, and four solo albums under his belt, Raekwon has done just that.

His first album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… held down the summer of 1995 with classic Wu beats over street tales that kept it at the top of the charts. In 2009, after two underground classics, he brought “the return of the purple tape” with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II. Not one to rest on his achievements, he’s returning next week with his latest banger, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang.

Since his first album, he’s always been the Wu member most willing to share the mic, whether it was Ghostface, Nas, or others. This album continues in the same vein, with almost every track featuring a guest star. Everyone from Clan members to Black Thought to Raheem DeVaughn and Estelle grace this album, along with producers galore (Scram Jones, Erick Sermon, The Alchemist, and Kenny Dope, just to name a few).

DJ Khalil laces this “Rock ‘N Roll” track as Rae rocks with Ghostface, Jim Jones, and Kobe (not that one) to keep heads noddin’ on some reckless rock references.

Indie soul fans in Canada have been up on Saidah Baba Talibah for years. She’s their female Lenny Kravitz, the wickedly talented golden child that continues to amaze every time she graces a stage. Thankfully, the soul-funk-rock child of celebrated jazz singer and actress Salome Bey is ready to branch out and make her mark on the United States, so that we, too, can get a taste of the Canadian crooner.

Her journey is inspiring, and throughout her 3-part EPK (Part 1 above, parts 2 & 3 below), she shares stories of her path to greatness, of doing what she loves and making up her rules as she goes along. Stories where you can feel her energy bursting through the screen. That’s why it was a no-brainer to include the magnetic Saidah in our Artist Appreciation Month arsenal. She’s what an artist should be: organic, with a powerful voice, and a style all her own.

Peep what her supporters have to say, and then check out her personal site, ‘like’ her on Facebook and hit her up on Twitter.

Clearly, Ms. Talibah has settled in the States nicely, selling out shows all over Philly. Her time has come. Let’s watch her rock.

It’s Amber and Paris Strother, twins straight out of Minneapolis, and Los Angeles native Anita Bias, that got together and put their gifts to great use with The Story. A quick listen to the three-song featurette, which was written by all three and produced by Paris, lets you know how talented they are, with their voices creating consistent, haunting melodies. Especially on the track “Supernatural,” where their voices draw you in before the beat picks up and takes you on a refreshing “magic” ride.

Check “Supernatural” below and let us know what you think. Oh, and peep the trio at weareking.com to read their story and download the EP. Trust, you’ll be glad you did.

Cleveland Jones is a newcomer who embodied everything I just mentioned in his rendition of the classic, “Nature Boy” (written by Eden Ahben in 1947 and made world famous by the late great Nat King Cole).

Produced by Ahmed Sirour, this brother takes his tenor to heights undiluted by falsetto – but full strength and control against a backdrop of Ahmed’s flawless piano that is certain to take your ears, mind and soul to a jazz-filled paradise.

Meet Cleveland Jones. Take a listen. Share your thoughts on the song in the comments.

Cleveland Jones – Nature Boy