SALVADOR SANTANA DEBUTS SOLO ALBUM / COLLABORATES WITH MONEY MARK (BEASTIE BOYS), DEL, AND GZA. “KEYBOARD CITY” OUT 2/2 VIA QUANNUM/VARIOUS MUSIC

“On “Keyboard City,” Sal and Mark layer reedy, synth atmospherics, icy-cool electronic keys and a smooth-as-butter beat underneath Sal’s awesomely zonked-out Vocoder-heavy vocals” – RollingStone.com

Music is a burst of choices. Not only what note to play when and with what instrument, but whether to play a note at all. Salvador Santana, the 26-year-old keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter with strong Bay Area roots, knows what it means to navigate the infinite options of music. His 2008 project with the Salvador Santana Band–simply called SSB–pursued the scope of his ability. But for Santana, it wasn’t enough. He has no choice but to push himself further. Collaboration has always been the centerpiece of his creations, and this passion manifested his solo debut “Keyboard City” around the inspirations of a few legends: Bay Area MC/producer Del the Funky Homosapien who helped hone in Santana’s writing skills, Beastie Boy studio wizard Money Mark, and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan. The legendary founder of the Wu-Tang Clan rallied support around the album by featuring himself on remix of the title track “Keyboard City” earlier this fall. The long anticipated debut hits the streets in February of 2010 followed by extensive touring with his keyboard-laden band featuring a three-person keyboard assault with Santana at the head.

Money Mark inspired Santana in a beautiful way during the creation process. “With all the people I’ve ever collaborated with or just working by myself, I have never produced so many ideas into songs as I have during these Money Mark sessions. That guy is just a machine,” said Santana.

Money Mark opened up a new way of recording that was previously unknown to Santana. “He has mentored me by showing me that it’s cool to be all over the pace. It’s cool to sit there and work on a song, then out of nowhere, interrupt that flow and work on another idea. To just go with it.”, Santana elaborates.

Santana is pushed by a need to step out of his comfort zone in a quest for new ideas. Easy going and humble, Santana exudes the Bay Area vibe. He began playing the drums at age three–sitting on his father’s lap, controlling the snare and tom, as his father worked the hi-hat and kick drum–but his true love was discovered when he began taking piano lessons when he was six. Later, he studied at San Francisco’s heralded School of the Arts before attending Cal Arts in Valencia, CA. His education, passion and lineage has turned Santana into a monster on the keys, leading him to say that he’s “a musician first, a vocalist second and a performer second-and-a-half.”

Music truly thrives in his veins. His maternal grandfather was blues pioneer Saunders King and his paternal grandfather was the internationally celebrated violinist and mariachi bandleader Jose Santana. And, of course, his father is 10X Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana…who’s also a frequent collaborator (Salvador co-wrote “El Farol” from 1999’s smash album Supernatural).

But with his upcoming solo project, Salvador Santana will truly become a brand of his own.

“With the Salvador Santana Band record I was very passive and insecure, only because I wasn’t listening to my gut, allowing my second opinions to get to me. Knowing what I know now, I could have played that part better. I don’t ever want to have that feeling ever again.”

In addition to his musical desires, Santana has worldly efforts on his mind. After a trip to South Africa and inspiring work with Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), something triggered inside of Santana to make sure his music wasn’t only about personal glory. Once the record is released and he begins touring the project, Salvador will be posting various non-profit organizations on his website that will receive a percentage of the profits. “I want to use music in a positive way, and give back to people in need. There can never be enough people who do that.” And there can never be enough musicians pushing their art to the brink.

GZA from Wu-Tang Clan even did a remix of the title track off his album and it got lots of love.
Money Mark from Beastie Boys and Salvador Santana are crazy together on this album.

Keyboard City (Hood Internet Remix) featuring GZA

MP3: Black Sheep – “Forever Luvlee” Black Sheep Releases First Track for From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude EP

The Song:

Dres is back to represent the legendary group Black Sheep with “Forever Luvlee,” the first single from his forthcoming EP, From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude. The song showcases Dres’ unmistakable flow, proving, yet again, that although he is one of hip-hop’s originators he has yet to loose a step. Different from some of Black Sheep’s earlier records, this track has a distinct smoothness that represents growth and maturity in production and recording. The title would have the listener thinking it is a hip-hop love ballad, but the track is far from it. When asked what the message behind the song was Dres had this to say, “Don’t put things before people, keep God in your heart always (whatever you call him). Try to find balance in these chaotic days – be Luvlee.” The lyrics speak to Dres’s “essence of his presence” staying “Forever Luvlee” in a world of ice and bubbly. The lyrics are clever and ironic and let the listener know that regardless of the success he has experienced, it hasn’t changed who he is, as he raps, “I like hot sauce on all I eat, my Kool-Aid too sweet… ” The EP From the Black Pool of Genius: The Prelude will be released December 1st, followed by a full-length album release scheduled for spring 2010.

“Forever Luvlee”

The Background:

It all began with a thundering baseline and an unmistakably classic phrase – “this or that.” One of the most widely recognized songs in rap music history, the 1991 classic “The Choice is Yours” was hailed by VH1 in 2008 as one of the best rap songs of all time. The highly respected Queens emcee Dres, along with DJing partner-in-crime William “Mista Lawnge” McLean took the music industry by storm in the early 1990’s as part of the groundbreaking collective Native Tongues. Penning such Billboard standouts as “Flavor of the Month” and “Strobelight Honey” for the duo’s platinum-selling debut album A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing in 1992, Dres would continue to crank out the hits on the group’s second release, Non Fiction. After a brief reunion with Mister Lawnge in 2000, Dres again set his sights on recording. He released the innovative online-only album 8WM/Novakane in 2007. Now he’s back in the studio, writing the next chapter of his storied career. Dres’ highly anticipated new project, From the Black Pool of Genius, out Spring 2010, promises to pair thought-provoking lyrics with astounding beats constructed by a corps of new and established beatmakers. They include Bean One, Showbiz, Tough Junkie, P. Locke, Urban Soul Music Group, and Willie Evans. He’s also got an impressive line-up of guest stars, including De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Rhymefest, AZ, and Tough Junkie, among others. Leading up to the release of his next full-length, Black Sheep will be releasing a precursor EP, From The Black Pool Of Genius: The Prelude, available December 1st.

Grand Analog – Take It Slow (Spaces and Places) video

MP3

INFO:
Grand Analog is a raw collective of seasoned record collectors, musicians and self described beat junkies. Leader Odario Williams describes the Grand Analog sound as a beautiful mess of rap’n'roll, dub and soul. The band’s critically acclaimed new album, “Metropolis Is Burning”, boasts an infectious array of soundscapes that is unbalanced and dirty; never clean. It’s fuzzy with three coats of dust and reads like an old manual no longer in use. Each character in this collective brings something unique to the table. Odario and DJ Ofield blame their father, a reggae DJ from the 80s, for cursing them with the love of music, bass and trouble. DJ Catalist was also born into a musical family, inheriting a vintage collection of analog keyboards. Warren Bray is the punk funk master of bass. Other album contributors include Cadence Weapon, Shad and saxophonist Martin Perna (TV On The Radio/Antibalas). The album was recently #1 on CBC Radio 3 and the Canadian College Radio Hip Hop charts. First single, Her Daddy (Don’t Like Me), was featured in an episode of 90210 on October 27th. “Grand Analog continues to sweeten its hip-hop cocktail by spiking the punch with everything they can get their hands on: blazing rock guitars, dubby reggae,
wah-wah funk, Bo Diddley beats and even a smoking kazoo solo.”

Again we have an exclusive first listen for you from the new REL!G!ON album REVELATIONZ I.

You can grab yourself a free download of “Pyramids” by Planet Asia featuring Jasiri X, produced by REL!G!ON.

The Revelationz I album features production by REL!G!ON and guest verses from Planet Asia, Donny Goines, Chuck D, Ny Oil, Moka Only, E.D.G.E, Jasiri X, Ny Oil, Emotionz, Shyeim, Heatwave amongst others.

The album will be released through Urbnet Records and will be released in 2010.

For more information on REL!G!ON and to check out his beats click here

From the Atlanta duo who brought you the Southern anthem Trick’n…

Mullage present their pre-album Elevators which features an all star cast of collaborators including T.I., Wyclef Jean, Akon, Juvenile and more!

Mullage: (noun.) Musical collage; collaborating together in music to create a new age R&B/Hip Hop infused sound.

Download Elevators for free

Elevators: The Pre-Album Tracklisting

1. Curtain Opens
2. Elevators
3. Run This Town
4. Trick’n Remix ft. Juvenile, Dorrough, Yo Gotti
5. For Real ft. T.I.
6. Best Head
7. I’m Goin In Freestyle
8. Everything Is Cool ft. NaVaro
9. Never Fall
10. Omen ft. O.B.
11. 2 Dope MC’s
12. Increase Your Salary ft. King Kun
13. Interlude
14. I Been On My Sh!t ft. King Kun & Partners-N-Crime
15. Grown A** Man ft. Jody Breeze
16. Fiend’n
17. Bend That A** Over ft. Akon
18. U Don’t Know Me
19. Welcome To The Hustle
20. Good Luv
21. Shawty Got A Gun ft. Wyclef Jean
22. Last Words ft.Samiyyah Dixon
23. Unstoppable ft. Akshon

****From The Ground Up Records Bonus Tracks*****
” Life Like A Party” by Fatigue
” No Strings Attached” by NaVaro

Mullage
Elevators: The Pre-Album
From The Ground Up Records

ABOUT MULLAGE

The architects of the sound of the new south, “B Boi” hailing from the Southside of Atlanta (Southwest to be exact) , “B Town” also hailing from the Southside of Atlanta (College Park to be exact) collectively known as Mullage.

Although they both grew up in Atlanta just a few miles apart, it took them traveling half way around the world to meet by way of the US Navy. Instantly they realized they shared a common bond- Music. Although they were stationed on different ships, that didn’t keep them from recording and performing whenever the opportunity presented itself.

As soon as they got out the Navy, B Boi and B Town returned to Atlanta with one goal in mind, to make musical history. It didn’t take long for the industry to catch wind of this new dynamic duo. After a high energy performance at the legendary Blue Flame and thanks to Carlos and Osei The Dark Secret and Kamal they signed to From The Ground Up Records and the rest is history. With their unique experiences and world travel brace yourself for something different a musical collage- Mullage.

L.A. Reid says – “You guys remind me of a combination of Outkast meets The Dream.”

MP3: Diamond District – “Make It Clear (Remix)” / In The Ruff Instrumental Album Release Diamond District Releases First In Series Of Remixed Tracks

The Song:

To celebrate the release of the instrumental version of the already highly acclaimed debut album In The Ruff, DMV triumvirate Diamond District is proud to release the first of a small handful of remixes for the new project. The first one up is “Make It Clear” (Getcha Break On Remix) produced by SlimKat78, who also produced the track “Off The Late Night” from In The Ruff.

“Make It Clear” is definitely one of the more up-tempo tracks off the album, and SlimKat didn’t stray too far from that formula. When asked about the track and how he went about creating it Slim had this to say, “I was just going through the acapellas and trying to see if certain drum patterns I made would fit to the vocals… I started to play drum sounds out live for ‘Make It Clear’ and told myself I wanted to take the challenge and the rest was history.” The remix builds up from horns and thumping drums to a funky guitar lick with a steady bass line, carrying the energy from the original over to the remix. The first remix is here; stay tuned for new tracks that will be dropping soon.

With all of the recent praise and accolade that Diamond District has been receiving for In The Ruff, the group has decided to drop an instrumental version available in digital foramt. Oddisee’s production was nothing short of stellar on their debut album and the instrumental version will be a great way to vibe out to that D.C. boom-bap flavor that is In The Ruff. Buy link is below.

“Make It Clear” (Getcha Break On Remix)

The Background:

The group Diamond District is comprised of emcee/producer Oddisee, and emcees X.O. and YU. Greatly influenced by their surroundings and love for 90’s east coast hip-hop, Diamond District is on a mission to bring back the sounds of old with a new twist and represent for the DMV. X.O. who was born & raised in the North West quarter of D.C. defines what it is to be a black male raised in the district. With lyrics that depict street life and harsh surroundings, X.O. has a way of philosophizing that raw, gutter reality of DC life that is rarely looked at or spoken about when we discuss our nation’s capitol. Oddisee defines the experience of growing up in black middle class Maryland. Bordering the poverty that his and many other families fled to escape, they found out over time that the troubles of the inner city came along with them. Oddisee’s soulful, haunting samples over bass-heavy beat breaks create the perfect instrumentals for Diamond District to match the street savvy, politically conscious lyrics that capture the dynamic of being from the DMV. Y.U., having been raised in the district, Maryland & Virginia, brings that extra variety to the group and shows that D.C. culture has a huge influence beyond its 10 mile radius. Being that YU has lived in all areas of the DMV, his lyrics and stories compliment the rest of the group and define what it means to be from the DMV. In The Ruff, is available now via Mello Music Group.

Grindin’ exclusively from Greensboro, North Carolina comes Dana Lucci. A “Norf Kak” legend who has been making music for more years than he cares to repeat, Lucci started as a DJ waaay back in the day. Graduating from house parties to clubs, Lucci always had a ear for beats. Not only nice on the cut, his blends were bananas too. That one-two combo led to the now rare gig of making mixtapes for the hip hop radio station in “Tha Boro” to play every Saturday afternoon. Having to come up with a new set every week, Lucci not only got the newest Hip Hop jams, but it also turned him into a fiendish digger – scouring not only the known record spots, but also the thrifts stores & yard sales. The records piled up to create the genesis now known as DA PIT (studios).

His skills on the wheels and early beat-making attempts led to young Lucci (then called Mixmasta “D”) to join the group The Bizzie Boyz with fellow Kak representatives Ski Beatz (who would go on to produce Camp-Lo, Jay-Z & Original Flavor) on the Mic and Fanatic (Grammy award winner – producing music for Michael Jackson, Lil Kim & Beyonce) producing. The album spawned the single “Droppin’ It” which is the sought after gem that appeared on the Ego Trip compilation “The Big Playback” (Rawkus).

After years of honing his skills with the beats as well on the mic, Lucci presents “KLASSIC TRUCK MUSIC.” Drawing from his DJ history, the album spans the globe from old to new, north to south and east to west. From the old-school approach of “Dear Yvette” (re-creating the LL beat of the same name) & “16 Bars”, the deep lyrical storytelling of “The Answer” & “ Ohh Hell Naww!” to the catchy “My iPod” & first single “Too Much Tire,” Dana Lucci has woven together a solid effort.

Tracklisting:
01. INTRO
02. OH SHIT SON
03. MY IPOD
04. BIGG BLOXX
05. NAKED HOES (feat Jokez)
06. HOLONE!
07. OHH HELL NAWW! (feat Jokez)
08. AINT NUTTIN’
09. PRETTY LIPZ (feat Juicee & Eesh Da Glamazon)
10. THIKK GURLZ (feat Jokez & Alyze Elyse)
11. TOO MUCH TIRE
12. SUPER FEVER
13. EYEZ & LIPZ
14. HIP CHECK
15. RIMZ
16. 16 BARS (feat Apostle & A-Kyss)
17. STOP THE CITY
18. DEM KAK BOYZ (feat Brandon D & Celinski)
19. BIG MONEY, BIG CARS (feat L-I-V-E & Celinski)
20. THE ANSWER
21. YA ATTITUDE (feat Keeno)
22. DEAR YVETTE
23. OUTRO (Intro Outtakes)

- Peep the video: “Too Much Tire/Super Fever”

- Free Download: “Answer” MP3

The Little Death who are self releasing their self-titled debut. The band is Laura Dawn (lead vocals), Moby (bass,guitar), Daron Murphy (guitar, bass, harmonica), and Aaron A. Brooks (drums) creating raw blues, soul, psychedelic rock with gritty vocals and lyrics. Laura sounds like a mix of Tina Turner and Dusty Springfield, and filmmaker John Waters describes them as “Ike and Tina minus the beatings…”

“Gather Round“

Free Download: The Good People “About You”

Now available for free download is the latest single “About You” from The Good People (Emskee and Saint). “About You” is taken from The Good People’s latest release “Home Coming” that is now available on Domination Recordings!

Free Download: The Good People “About You” MP3

New Tekitha – On It from The Prelude EP coming January 19th, 2010