Originally released as an EP in 1997, Jurassic 5 is without a doubt a classic. Celebrating their 11th year of this musical landmark, Jurassic 5 decided to re-issue a deluxe edition of this album with a bonus CD jam packed with exclusive material. Check this for an instant flash back to the good ol’ days of hip-hop.

Somewhere between The Pharcyde [click to read] and Blu [click to read], Jurassic 5 [click to read] had west coast independent Hip Hop on their back for several years. Respect due to Cali Agents, Stones Throw and Dilated Peoples, but it was J5 who took a kinetic stage show, a masterful understanding of Hip Hop’s origins and a unique, organic style and attracted the attention of Interscope Records for three major albums [click to read]. The EP that made it happen though remains their most coveted work, and as it turns 10 years old with the six brothers from California find themselves in factions and solo careers, the DVD and bonus CD reel package reminds those who were there that tomorrow got nothing on yesterday.

Ten years later “Concrete Schoolyard,” “Jayou” and “Improvise” remain just as potent as they did set against the shiny-suit-era canvas. An album that scraped the definition of the perfect in its time hasn’t lost its charm in age. The additional bonus tracks simply give those who championed the work then something else to consider. Many of the new records, rarities, radio work and archival material, is deejay-based. “Rubber Tires” for instance feels like an update of Malcolm McLaren’s “Buffalo Gals,” with Nu-Mark in apparent deep concentration. “Next Victim” is partner Cut Chemist’s turn, masterfully switching between the signature hard-hitting drums of J5 and one of the sweeter sample finds in the collector’s crate. “Verbal Gunfight” is yet another gem, adding a peppier bassline to the group that reintroduced kicks and snares to a synthesized, Pop-sounding era of Hip Hop. Although some of the audio quality of the new material lacks polish, it’s supposed to. Like a cassette dub, a pause tape or the way a live record sounds in your memory, these are gifts from a group offering up material dating back as early as 1994.

As a major inclusion of the package, the DVD is essential to mention. “The Jurassic Period” is a collection of tour movies from the guys towards the latter years of the group. Babu, Supernatural and Evidence [click to read] make cameos as members clown each other, get topless groupie admiration and embark on a tour that looked so red-eyed and jovial, it’s again hard to understand the root of the breakup. Although the sound editing surpasses the film editing, this – a live concert and the timeless record/ice cream truck “Concrete Schoolyard” video make this package all the more collectible to fans.

Like the Mass Appeal: Best of collection of Gang Starr released last year, or A Tribe Called Quest’s Anthology, it’s often not until today that we can properly appreciate yesterday. Ten years later and few producers have the knowledge of records demonstrated by Cut Chemist, the mix and programming techniques employed by Nu-Mark, the deft alto flow of Chali 2na or the collective harmonic chemistry that J5 brought. To 2na, Akil, Mark 7even and Zaakir together, incorporating Cold Crush Brothers aesthetic, electro and uncut ‘90s underground bravado was tangible to outsiders, and it birthed Hip Hop fans – but not nearly as many as the Hip Hop made in its wake is turning away.

(Via  HipHopDX.com)

Tracklist after the jump. Buy the Deluxe LP here.

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Oh man, what a surprise this release turned out to be. I literally couldn’t decide what to show as the preview, all 10 tracks are that good. Such a smooth and harmonic release, you can’t do anything but love the music.

Considering how much I talk up my love for the horns in my reviews and other ramblings, it’s kind of surprising that I don’t do more jazz-related projects. Actually it’s not surprising, as there really aren’t many jazz-related projects that come across our desks here at the hill. Until now that is, as The Extremities are here to change that. 

Based on their name, and that intro, you’d be forgiven if you were expecting some kind of jazz-fueled indie band, but that’s not the case here. The Extremities are made up of the Halifax producer/DJ combo Fresh Kils and Uncle Fester, and The New Tonic finds them re-working Tonic, a jazz record made by prominent East Coast jazz musicians like Doug Riley, Chris Mitchell, Jamie Gatti, and Dave Burton. Fes provides the cuts for the majority of the album, while Kils handles the sampler and plays keys of various varieties. The album has a very authentic hip hop sound, due to the beats, the aforementioned DJ work, and appearances from solid Haltown MC’s like Fiz and the grand wizard Ghettosocks, but the addition of live contributions from some of the players on the original record helps maintain a very real jazz vibe throughout the album.

Right from start, the expert blend of cuts, drums, and horns on album openerWarpdrive lets you know that you’re going to get a little something different on The New Tonic. But that something different turns out to be one of the more enjoyable listening experiences I’ve had recently, it just flies by. The slow, summery saunter of bass and subtle horns provide the backdrop for The Way I Feel, which features the vocals of Kaleb Simmonds and raps done by Halifax vet Fiz. Fiz has been emceeing in Haltown since the 80’s, and he has an old-school influenced flow that is as smooth as single malt and matches the solid drum track and piano tinkle of Square Oneperfectly, as he breaks down the history of his latest group, Universal Soul. 

Halifax’s current MC champ*, Ghettosocks, brings his signature style (”dead that weird shit like someone shot Bjork”) to the jazzily named Liquor To Pandas over some solid piano, guitar licks, and some sweet sax that would make Dave Koz jealous (I hope Dave Koz is in fact a soxophonist, unfortunately I don’t know any other current saxmen). Both MC’s team up with the also legendary DJ Jorun on the rock-tinged Listen which is change up from the other jams on the album, but works just fine. 

I shouldn’t give all the shine to the tracks with guest artists, as the instrumentals here all bang pretty hard and kept my head bobbing throughout. From the slow paced piano, thick bassline, and sampled female vocals of the RJD2-like Eight Days, to the knocking drums and scratched KRS samples of Driveby, to the downright funkiness of the live jam session interplay between the DJ and instruments on 3 In The Key, there is zero filler to be found amongst the 10 songs on The New Tonic.

This album is currently my favorite album to work to, but I’m sure it would be solid accompaniment to pretty near anything. Innovation is often lacking in hip hop, so a hearty kudos is sent out to both Fes and Kils as well as the musicians for participating in a project like this that can serve to introduce fans of two genres to music of a different flavour. Simply put, this is a concept album that worked incredibly well, in my humble, and I encourage everyone to check it out. (Via HeroHill.com)

Tracklist and preview tracks after the jump. Buy this fine CD here.

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CheckTheRhime regulars should know how we feel about these guys by now. This release is a little different than what we’re used to from BSBD. They’ve changed up their formula this time around, collaborating with vocalist Yes Alexander to come up with a real relaxed 10 track LP.

If nothing else, Slow Burning Lights will officially put Blue Sky Black Death above their contemporaries. Kingston and Young God, the duo that makes up BSBD, have been steadily earning respect throughout the hip-hop community for their phenomenal albums featuring a slew of underground emcees and vocalists. But for their latest, BSBD put the rappers to the side and set their sights on crafting something that can only be described as otherworldly.

Slow Burning Lights is like one part Telefon Tel Aviv, one part Cocteau Twins, and one part—and this is a big one—Blue Sky Black Death. In other words, the 10 tracks on here have a combination of dreamy textures over sometimes erratic, glitchy drums with that traditional BSBD quality that is almost impossible to categorize. The gorgeous instrumentals are paired with newcomer Yes Alexander, whose ethereal vocals match BSBD’s ghostly production perfectly. Cinematic might be a term that has been beaten to death, but it absolutely applies here. The soundscapes are thrilling as they build and create a dreamy aura around Alexander’s voice, which is akin to that of Shara Worden and Hope Sandoval. In short, Slow Burning Lights is simply a must listen for everyone: from hip-hop heads interested in the latest effort from their favorite producers to dream-pop fans looking for something fresh. (Via PopMatters)

Tracklist after the jump, support BSBD and buy this here.

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