Note :

http://theq4.com

http://www.myspace.com/quadraphoniq

 

Sortie : 2010

Style : Abstract Hip Hop Jazz

 

Tracklist :

01. Intro
02. One Of These Days
03. Oscuros Angeles (feat. Curra Suarez)
04. Demagogues (feat. Pax)
05. Look Again
06. Goin' Down (feat. Terryman)
07. My Own Advice (feat. Unorthadox)
08. Pulse (feat. BLS)
09. Split Personality (Part II)
10. Trouble With Me
11. Trouble Dub (Outro)

 

Sound Surroundings is, at a glance, easy to pigeon hole. Released on Germany’s jazz rap-oriented Project: Mooncircle, home of projects by John Robinson and CYNE, it’s not an album whose sound will surprise or shock you you. It is what one might expect a Project: Mooncircle, German producer album to sound like. However, under the surface there’s a little more to the record than that. The group’s name, Q4, stands for QuadraphoniQuartet, and it informs just about everything they do on the production tip. As the cover art implies, Sound Surroundings is certainly one of the year’s first headphone albums. There are a lot of details hidden in the pockets of this music that reward a big headphone budget, and when the details are lacking the main elements shine. The fidelity and sample chops here are definitely appealing.

Unfortunately, like all producer albums the MCs leave a little if not a lot to be desired. One thing’s for sure, they add to the diversity of the album. Terryman does a reasonable impression of DJ Dusk on “Goin’ Down” and Curra Suarez provides a pretty dope cut that blends Mediterranean and Latin sensibilities with “Oscuros Angeles”, but BLS’ voice is a natural progression of Aesop Rock that takes too much effort to get into. PAX, on the other hand, is someone I’d just as soon not pay any attention to as pay barely any attention at all. I think it’s going to be no secret to those that cop this joint that the vocals are easily this album’s low point, and it’s ultimately a little confusing why they’re even here. They give Sound Surroundings a bit of a conscious purpose, but they still feel like vocals for the sake of vocals. I’m not sure why the group felt the need to have vocalists on these tracks, honestly.

Not with the Deadringer-inspired “One of These Days” following a great “Intro”, or the dub experiment “Trouble With Me” closing out the setlist. No, this is definitely an album I would have preferred to hear an instrumental cut of. I think the Quadraphonic stuff is a little overrated, but really, what group obsessed with their own so-called unique production techniques doesn’t give off that vibe? Haterade aside I do really enjoy the first three tracks and the last three, but what lies in the middle is too dull and milquetoast for me to truly get behind. Q4 have a future in international jazz rap production if they can keep cranking out stuff like “Intro” and “Split Personality”. It will be interesting to see if they can harness their few unique qualities in the future and churn out a more entertaining album than Sound Surroundings. For now, though, Q4 qualifies as little more than a blogger-download curiosity.

By David Amidon

Note : +

http://www.myspace.com/bratloverbeats


Sortie : 2010
Style : Abstract Hip Hop , Soul , DJ

Tracklist :
1 FANTASTIC INTRO
2 HOUSE IS SMOKING
3 CHAOS
4 THEY ARE COMING (interlude)
5 CLIMBING UP THE SKYSCRAPER
6 NEVER
7 BREAK & REGENERATION
8 HANDSHAKE
9 EXTINCTION (interlude)
10 POLLUTION & (R)EVOLUTION (interlude)
11 REBIRTH
12 CHANGE IN SIGHT
13 THE PLAINS
14 NO, AND NEVER AGAIN
15 A WINTER IN AFRICA
16 LAYBACK
17 HONORABLE OUTRO

EN-KI. Hi, I'm 19 years old and from switzerland. I always liked old hip-hop and its beats, like from public enemy, pete rock & cl, nas, large p,... I decided to make my own beats, first starting with Magix Music Maker, then with Fruity Loops. I'm at the beginning but proceeding well. I want to bring back that old sound. The Hip-hop today annoys me somehow. First album out for free! EN-KI - Soulcatcher

DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE RIGHT HERE:

http://www.filefront.com/15917407/EN-KI---SOULCATCHER.zip/

or

http://www.omgmonkeylol.com/EN-KI_-_SOULCATCHER.zip

peace

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Note :

http://www.myspace.com/djracyaj
http://dustedwax.org

Sortie : 2009
Style : Abstract Hip Hop

Tracklist :
produced & mastered by: DJ Racy A.J | artwork by: DJ Racy A.J

 

:: Review ::
Right from the forgotten underground outskirts of Kiev comes the debut album from Dj Racy A.J. Trippy-phat big beats
run like dark shadows across dusty walls of melancholic ambient sounds, to create another original soundtrack
for the real hard life. If you love Cujo's "Adventures In Foam" you'll definitely dig this album
as the sun, the moon and the stars!
by

http://www.l34f.com/
http://www.myspace.com/leafleaf

Mêlant trip-hop et abstract hip-hop, le premier opus de Leaf propose une vision sensuelle et harmonieuse des deux styles. Rooted From Within déborde d'une énergie nouvelle et apporte sa pierre à l'édifice avec une approche originale du hip-hop. L'ombre du maître DJ Shadow plane clairement sur les trois premiers morceaux. Wooden Body Guy développe d'emblée une atmosphère tranquille où s'invitent violoncelle et beat parfaitement maîtrisé. La mélodie et le rythme se marient à merveille. Mais là où Leaf démontre l'étendue de son talent de la façon la plus convaincante, c'est peut être avec Human Wilt. Sans s'aliéner les classiques du genre, il pose un beat péchu qui n'a cure des boucles traditionnelles. Plus l'album avance, plus le rythme se complexifie, jusqu'à atteindre son paroxysme avec Wasted Things.

Si Leaf compte laisser sa trace, c'est bien dans sa façon d'alterner espaces soniques et accélérations saccadées. La variété des mélodies, versées dans un abstract hip-hop qui n'a rien à envier de DJ Signify, est impressionnante. Lounge groovy, electro-minimal candencé façon drum'n'bass, ou trip hop plus sombre à la Massive Attack ; l'artiste ne cesse de surprendre. Parallèlement à cet exercice de style pointu, Rooted From Within fait la part belle aux prestations vocales. Tantôt le rap, incisif et puissant, casse la quiétude des morceaux (Paper Dollar, Rooted From Within). Tantôt les voix féminines leur apportent un peu de suavité (Southern Shadow).

Aussi, les amoureux du genre apprécieront les talents de turntablist dont notre homme fait preuve sur Rip'n'Grip. Du sample grésillant à la mandoline façon DJ Krush, Leaf prouve qu'il a le talent d'un compositeur hors-pair. Il sait jouer avec les styles pour imposer sa propre recette : un abstract hip-hop profond, éclectique, aux multiples saveurs ; un abstract hip-hop qui jamais ne tombe dans le cliché. Nous avons bien à faire à un touche à tout de génie. Leaf réussit là où DJ Shadow déçoit : ouvrir l'abstract hip-hop sur d'autres horizons, briser les chaînes d'un genre agonisant pour lui insuffler un souffle nouveau. Il y a fort à parier que l'artiste sera se faire une place. Ce premier album montre avec brio qu'il est capable d'exploiter les modèles en les dépassant largement. Rooted From Within est absolument nécessaire pour les fans d'abstract hip-hop ; les oreilles curieuses y trouveront quant à elles assurément leur compte.
 Chroniqué par Abstrackt
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