Treebeats Shitty Reviews Of Not Shitty Artists Presents: Gnotes

So Canyon Cody from the mighty Gnawledge empire actually asked me to write about something and since I am without wit and creativity I decided I’d take him up on it. There is also a great interview from Dan Love at From Da Bricks you might want to check. Now, while there is the proverbial curse on any musician trying to make it in Boston, there are some cats or bands that shine. Aerosmith for instance, Tracy Bonham, and The Cars were reasonably successful, Sean Dwyer aims to be next, by releasing "Rhymes And Beats". Dwyer, A.K.A. Gnotes (not pronounced “guh-notes” or “G Notes” but rather “notes” like gnome or Gnarls) is part of a goofily named independent, bohemian, underground hip-hop movement and represents Beantown (617 bitches!).
Raised on Pearl Jam and Public Enemy simultaneously, Gnotes started making mix tapes in middle school and sharpening his axe for the day he would one day rock crowds and make heads nod. It’s these varied influences that have created his sound. Not totally “Teenage Love” and not totally “Teen Spirit”, he crosses over well. I don’t mean “crossover” in the sell out sense but more in the bridging genres sense. The music these cats make(all self produced by the crew at gnawledge with a few contributions) is pretty dope. One of the tracks that is not included here but can be found on the disc has my favorite Muddy Waters song sampled. Another, “Samba-tryst” blends in Latin influences. Sun Don’t Chill (dope beat!) kind of reinterprets C.R.E.A.M. but subtly and devoid of diddyness. More of a celebration of the beat than a straight jack. It’s all a mix of samples and live instrumentation, which blend seamlessly and force neck muscles to contract and heads to bob.
Lyrically, Gnotes is skilled. My one qualm is sometimes he gets too vague in his metaphysics and social commentary and I’m left scratching my head not knowing what the hell he is talking about anymore. However, I’m not the brightest cat so this may just be my inability to be cerebral. He’s obviously talented and, while he’s no Souljah Boy, he is leaps and bounds beyond a lot of trite shite released by major labels today. My wife says he’s not “Poppy” enough and he “sounds white”. Both are true but irrelevant to what he’s trying to do I think. I included a couple tracks (good lookin Canyon) here and you can get the whole jawn at the site.
My first officially requested review, and perhaps the last, is now officially over.
Pace.

Probably my favorite track of the ones here.

The single for which there is a visual collage of stills that is called a video.

Another pretty dope track.

"Video" of "Throw Your Nickels Up".

Perdition, Paradise, Peanut Butter Wolf Proudly Presented In The Pentaconta Post

Chris Manak has been DJing and producing as Peanut Butter Wolf for nearly 20 years now. He is probably most known for, or has the most influence with his Stones Throw record label.
He started out in a crew with his homeboy Charizma who, sadly, passed in 1993 before the group had a major release besides a single which came out the same year as his death. Chris was obviously jaded and fell into a warranted seclusion for a while. Thankfully, after a couple of Bomb Records releases (including a spot on the first Return of the DJ) he got back to Hip-Hop and channeled that dopeocity into working on starting up, Stones Throw (home to Quasimoto, Madvillian, other internerd blogging favs and joyfully, a number of obscure funk and jazz reissues.) Nowadays he’s doing more DJing than production and this leads us to these 2 little gems.

First is the 666 mix, released on June 6th 2006 (get it?) which is chock full of the typical Death Metal and, Industrial and Punk we have all grown so accustomed to from DJ’s like Ron G and Scribble. Filled to the brim with the likes of Revolting Cocks, Black Sabbath, Ministry, Led Zeppelin and many more, it’s a ("nice" wouldn’t be the best word here) "interesting" break from the norm.

Secondly, is the 777 mix. Released on July 7th 2007 (aha!) this was part of a grander 7 day tour in which each gig had completely different play lists about god in all of her Multiple-Armed, Mohammed-Appointing, Mary-Bonining, Level 6 Magician Spell Casting glory. The CD version sports the likes of the Street Christians, Brand Nubian, and Pharoah Sanders. It's a lot of random yet fitting holy shit that he makes work. So there it is. Do you pick the fiery pits of satanic rock or the glorious speakers of the Lords words bitches?

Pace.

666 Mix

777 Mix
There are a couple of weird issues with the audio of the mix but it sounds like he just fucked up a few times.but it's still, very easy to listen to

15,000 Bitches!!

So, it's not as exciting as turning 2 (big up Trav) or a mix competition (dump in yo mouth) or a Rev Shines exclusive (massive) or any of the other myriad things going on in the terrific links located on the right of this blessed site, but I got 15000 hits today or yesterday and that's cool with me. Granted only 6 of them returned but I like to think the 2 seconds they spent here before they realised they mistyped their intended URL that I made them better people and they pressed the back button feeling sublimely calm and/or comfortably numb. I got some ish on the kettle so stay tuned you 3.

The Roots Be On That Green Shit.

Happy environmentally concious blog action day!!

I'm not going to bore you with a long diatribe about the horrific state of the world today. If you don't recycle, at least somewhat, you're an idiot. If you don't believe in global warming, you're an idiot. If you throw you McDonalds wrappers or cigarette buts out the window, you're an idoit. My one recommendation is switching to those energy pig tail light bulbs too. But make sure you get the "Warm Light" ones. They are also listed as burning at 2700K. Any higher and they get too flourescent and you feel like your working in that basement office in the beginning of Joe Versus The Volcanoe. The bulbs are more expensive initially but they last longer and cost less to use.

Now for music we got The Roots' Do This Well rarities and remix compilation. What's more organic and environmental than a root right?! This is a huge compilation of rarities and remixes (thus the name) Anyway, enjoy. I don't have much time to write but I didn't want Alley Al to ride me about not posting.
Pace.

01. Proceed II (feat. Roy Ayers)
02. Worldwide (London Groove)
03. Silent Treatment (Black Thoughts 87 You And Yours Mix)
04. You Got Me (Me Tienes Remix)
05. It’s All About You (Not About Me)
06. Distortion To Static (At Ease Mix)
07. Take It There (Remix) {Nonchalant}
08. Rafiki (Album Mix) {Zap Mama}
09. Silent Treatment (Da Beatminerz Mix)
10. Listen To This {Walking Large}
11. What You Want (Feat. Jaguar)
12. Proceed III (Feat. Bahamadia)
13. The Good, The Bad & The esolate
14. Distortion To Static (Freestyle Mix) Bonus 2002 Track
15. Break You Off (Original Version Feat. D’Angelo)
16. It’s Comin’
17. Distortion To Static (Ques Jim Mix)
18. Proceed (Live At The Supper Club)
19. New Year’s At Jay Dee’s
20. What They Do (Live On Jenny McCarty)
21. Silent Treatment (Street Mix)
22. Da Jawn (Bahamadia)
23. Distortion To Static(Black Thought Mix)
24. Burnin’ & Lootin’ {Bob Marley}
25. Proceed II (Butcher Mix)
26. Still Out There
27. You Got Me (Live On David Letterman)
28. Sprite Commercial
29. Proceed IV (AJ Shine’s W/O A Pause Mix)
30. The Lesson Part 2 (Instrumental)
31. The Show
32. Rafiki (Hard Mix) {Zap Mama}
33. The ‘Notic (Feat. D’Angelo)
34. Distortion To Static (At Ease Microphone Check Mix)
35. Silent Treatment (Kelo’s Mix)
36. Proceed II (Live On John Stewart)
37. Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
38. Listen To This (The Roots Remix)
39. Adrenaline (Live At Woodstock ’99)
40. Distortion To Static (Bob Powe Bass Mix)
41. Silent Treatment (Questions Mix)
42. Y’all Know Who
43. Proceed V (Da Beatminerz Remix)
44. You Got Me (Original Version Feat.Jill Scott)
45. The Last Track

Naked Nuts: ...Baby One More Time

I did this around 1999 I think, but who knows or cares? I always thought that "...Baby One More Time" was a pretty good bubblegum pop song. I worked in a studio and had to listen to shit like this a lot so it doesn’t have as adverse an effect as it once did and also, they make creams and balms and salves for anything else. If you can get over the fact that she can’t sing a lick, and I can appreciate if you can’t, she was quite a good entertainer. I don’t like her and don’t want to hang out with her but she put on a good show. I’m obviously still somewhat defensive about liking this song but that’s my baggage. Onward… So, I wanted to do a drum and bass kind of remix but keep it pop still because nothing that I ever did before or previously was approached that way so I wanted to challenge (or fake challenge) the fartist in men. I thought the Willie Dixon sample was an interesting counterpoint and makes me giggle when I hear it. The beats are standard issue DNB breaks. The Bob James sounds good to me too, but made it so I’m biased. Plus I’m an idiot. So there’s that too. Okay enjoy. Or don’t.

Pace

"This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine."

I Have A Cousin Named Liam...

Liam Howlett made the Dirtchamber Sessions (volume 0.5 in this case) as a mix for a Breezeblock show…which means nothing to a Yankee like me. He apparently killed it and people stated bootlegging the mix so he decided to release it. However, he had some issues with clearing some of the music. Most problematic was probably the holy grail of sample material, The Silver Beatles’ work. Now, this was before the days of Prince Rakeem and co being cleared and hopefully blowing that door down. Paul McCartney even liked the idea of being used for the mix. However, Apple said nay with a big fat “fuck you” on top and Jane’s Addiction was used as a replacement. The mix itself is how I like to hear things done. Everything from D.S.T. to P.E. to the KLF. I have a vivid memory first time I heard this. I was helping my homeboy Mook the Rhyme Dragon move out of his old house to a new one with his douchey soon to be ex-wife and their god dammed cats. I’m allergic to cats. I don’t like cats. They make me sneeze and irritable and cause my eyes to itch to the point I would rather remove the ball from it’s socket and burn it only to bury it than to deal with the frustration of scratching my iris. So, I was in a bad mood and all itchy and sweaty because he lives in New Mexico me and him are moving all the heavy shit and she’s spending 3-4 hours packing her 25 Cd’s. Eventually, Twatimus Prime, leader of the Cunticons, throws this on and actually made a good choice. A better choice would have been suicide but the music made the move a lot better. The one good thing she did, I feel. Anyway, it’s a really good mix with a lot of different stuff and I bestow onto you the original mix with Sgt Peppers and Jimi Hendrix on it. I’m nice. I wouldn’t do you wrong. I am here for you.

Prodigy Presents: The Dirtchamber Sessions Volume 0.5

Treebeats A To Z Posting Compilation Of Really Dope Things. The Letter K

01 - Keith Murray - The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World
The “big words” M.C. who decided that the established 1,000,000 or so words that make up the greatest and most original language in the world wasn’t enough, so he started making up his own. I'm not sure of the lesser of the two evils between making up words or botching the spelling (see BRID as spelled by Kevin Madison) but both he an Solo were from the same click so maybe that's how they keeps it real. He also uses that “Between the Sheets” sample which makes all things sexier and better.
02 - Keith Sweat - I Want Her
I remember distinctly hearing the hook for this song in my parent’s living room while listening to 90.3 out of Rhode Island State University. It wasn’t rap but the hook was undeniable and the seeds of New Jack Swing were planted in mine ear. It was just one of those moments in musical history that is crystal clear for me. For some people it was Woodstock. Others it was Live Aid. Others it was Britney’s comeback performance. Either way, it stood out for me is all I’m saying.
03 - Kenna - Sunday After You
Who Said the Neptunes only had one dude worth while? The Yin of Pharells Yang, my man Chad produced this recorded and never once sang falsetto or rapped in it. Kenna recorded this record in 2001 for Fred Durst’s Flawless label and it was shelved for two years. When it finally did come out, Durst decided to spend all of the money and effort on Puddle of Mudd and my Ethiopian-born homey got shat upon again. He has a pretty interesting and unique sound and he has a new record coming out soon,so check for it.
04 - Kid 'n Play - Gittin' Funky
You may front now but Kid and Play were pretty dope when they first came out with this one. I honestly didn’t know about them when “Last Night” and “Do This My Way” dropped but this song was dope and they were good dancers and there was a time, you glorious bad ass and boring at clubs wall flowers, when dancing was cool and didn’t make you gay. I actually was doing the Kick Step one night with my homeboy and he head butted me so hard in the face that it corrected the gap between my teeth. Dancing changes lives. True story.
05 - King Sun - The Gods Are Taking Heads (Feat. Poor Righteous Teachers)
The kindness and open arms of the 5 percent nation are quirkily rapped over beats made out of bubblegum and rainbows.
06 - King Tee - Played Like A Piano
Before the Liks and working with Marley, Tee had West Coast supah producah, DJ Pooh to make Act A Fool. Played Like A Piano used one of my favorite, ill and never boring piano loops and King Tee and guest stars, Ice Cube and Breeze made a delicious piece of vinyl.
07 - The Kings of Convenience - I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix)
Fjords and Indie-Folk. That’s what I think of when I think of Norway. These cats made no noise at all in the States but apparently were pretty big in Europe. This is from their remix album from their debut which was pretty good if you like music to take naps to. Which I do. So, yeah.
08 - Kings Of Leon - Holy Roller Novocaine
I first liked this song because I thought it started with the lyric, “My Darling you look ugly, I’ve come to lay you down.” And any song about intercourse with facially deficient individuals always intrigues me. Unfortunately, it was not so and the woman in the song is “lovely” not “ugly.” The band made a pretty solid debut and a better follow up. It’s the kind of southern rock that owns your ass.
09 - Kings Of Swing - Nod Your Head To This
After the first Audio Two and MC Lyte records I was down with anything the First Priority family had to offer. I thought the whole Kings of Swing record was average but there were moments, like on “Nod Your Head To This” when they shined.
10 - KMD – Plumskinzz
B-Side to Nitty Gritty and news to me until 3 months ago when I read about it on …And It’s Still All Good blog, where are you Animal Mother? A pretty dope track that I assume a lot of people don’t know about.
This just in the bitch is back! I’m assuming the “animal” half of the alias is, in this case a dog and therefore, I mean “bitch” in a biologically correct sense and not in a derogatory or misogynistic way.
11 - Komeda - More Is More
Once again the Swede’s prove they produce more than Roxette and neutrality. Started in 91, Komeda has 6-ish records (read: 4 domestic) and are known for making guitar and synth laden experimental indie rock. This track is much less synth-ish but the chicks voice is dope. She sings in English which means she loves America and George W. and it’s just a really hot track according to me and my fickle fancies.
12 - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Men At Work
I remember hearing this song for the first time on a radio tape I had made the Saturday before going back to boarding school off of WRIU with Kurty Kut. 401 Reprazent!! I mean, where do I even begin with G Rap? I was going to put Truly Yours up first because we all know how much of a sloppy whore I am for a good story, but the way this motherfucker rips the mic on this track was kind of indescribable when I heard it for the first time. I just kind of sat and looked into space with my jaw slightly open. Its passé now but when the shit came out he was the thirstiest MC I’d ever heard.
13 - Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now
"All aboard." I still kick this entire song much to my wife’s chagrin. She’s new school. But enough about her and her fine ass, Kool Moe Dee was just a bad ass dude. The glasses. The Kangol. The leather suits. The cowboy boots. Plus, that X-mas joint in Beat Street is another one of those songs I know verbatim. Unfortunately LL released Jack the Ripper and kind of slayed him battle wise but he was still a pioneer of battles. Gotta respect that. This just in…. I saw him on the VH1 honors show and didn’t recognize him. Now, I’m older too and fatter but good god man. My wife thought he was Cee-Lo Green. Still love him though.
14 - Kosheen - Hide U
Don’t know a lot about this crew. It’s a Drum & Bass trio from Bristol and the rest of the album is pretty good but this track was always a favorite of mine. I hope you like it. And I hope when you listen to it you imagine me sitting next to you and holding your hand.
Naked.
Covered in Vaseline.
Eating kettle corn.
15 - Kruder & Dorfmeister - Deep Shit Pt. 1 And Pt. 2
Thank you Germany. You brought us Farfegnugen, Tiger Tanks and Kruder and Dorfmeister. If you enjoy ganja or endless delays and filtered vocals then they are the dubbed out shit you have been questing for. They have spawned side solo projects like Tosca and Peace Orchestra, both of which are just as stupendous as their combined efforts... If you’ve never heard of them and want to try out some of their stuff, their DJ Kicks record or their K&D Sessions are great places to start, but it’s all really well done.
16 - DJ Krush - A Whim
I found out about Krush when I found out about Shadow and bought an import that they had done together. Krush has done extensive works with other cats and is another one of those producers that make sample heavy works of art, in my opinion. I’m a big fan of breaks and fucking up a sample. I’m also a fan of finding shit that just works together. Anyone can sample a break a bass line and a horn riff and say they mad a track. Not every one can do it well. Most say they can however and that’s just mean to the people that get fooled by it and then have to listen to 30 minutes of 80’s R&B loops over shitty drum machines and soul-less programming. But I’m bitter.
17 - K-Solo – Spellbound
A great and classic track. I can’t front. For a while I spelled a word or two in every rhyme I wrote. I mean if you’re rhyming one syllable, it’s the way to go I figured. Now, when you can’t spell (BRID?) it’s something you’ll never live down. Thankfully I was always a good speler.
18 - Kurious - Spell It With A J (Yes, Yes Jorge)
Thank you Beatnuts for making a slew of beats that are really dope. Thank you Kurious for making that mid 90’s sound and doing it well. It doesn’t hold up as well as some other things but he had a sense of humor which always gives you a longer line for me. The track was dope. The lyrics were acceptable. Tap a St Ides and pour a little out and listen.
19 - Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
Odd thing about Kurtis Blow, a German dude introduced me to him when he was an exchange student living in my house. We ended up going to the Fresh Fest in 84 and bombing all over Barrington RI. Anyway besides doing a lot of crack, he did have the first major label rap deal and paved the way so super stars like Nelly and Soulja Boy could tickle our ear drums and stirrups today.
20 - Kwame - Boy Genius
It’s hard not to feel really gay listening to the last couple of Kwame records now. I thought A Day In The Life was bad ass but listened to it a couple months ago and somehow ended up masturbating to an episode of Oz. The fact is though; he was a pretty talented dude. He thought his shit out and was pretty good at it. He maintained a production career and I can’t hate. His first album was on heavy rotation in a lot of households. I’m not sure why I’m still trying to prove he’s dope and I’m not gay but I am so I‘ll stop.
Pace.
01 - Keith Murray - The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World
02 - Keith Sweat - I Want Her
03 - Kenna - Sunday After You
04 - Kid 'n Play - Gittin' Funky
05 - King Sun - The Gods Are Taking Heads (Feat. Poor Righteous Teachers)
06 - King Tee - Played Like A Piano
07 - The Kings of Convenience - I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix)
08 - Kings Of Leon - Holy Roller Novocaine
09 - Kings Of Swing - Nod Your Head To This
10 - KMD – Plumskinzz
11 - Komeda - More Is More
12 - Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Men At Work
13 - Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now
14 - Kosheen - Hide U
15 - Kruder & Dorfmeister - Deep Shit Pt. 1 And Pt. 2
16 - DJ Krush - A Whim
17 - K-Solo – Spellbound
18 - Kurious - Spell It With A J (Yes, Yes Jorge)
19 - Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
20 - Kwame - Boy Genius


Krush Groovinnnnn Body Movinnn