I like Kwiz Massturrz. I do not like their name. I have already mis-spelled it in an impressive number of incorrect variations considering the few times I've actually written it. So I guess it's not their name I dislike as much as the spelling. However, we aren't here to discuss my spelling frailties, we're here to discuss this Ottawa/Montreal/T.O. based trio and their last album, Talkies Ruined My Life In The Pictures, that I've been meaning to shine some of that hill cyber-light on since last fall.

Since I came right out the chute telling you what it is I don't like about the Kwiz Massturrz, I'll dive right into what it is that I like about them. For starters, the production values on the album feel incredibly high hip hop for an indie hip hop release. Brothers Kwes and Owel Five handle the lyrical duties, but the production from James Hancock lured me in right away. It's lush, layered with what sounds like plenty of live guitar and other instruments, but easily maintaining a hip hop feel. As for Owel & Kwes, the thing that caught my ear was their brand of lyricism - their actual lyrics, concept and delivery - brings late 90's/early 00's underground hip hop to mind (catching a line like "I've been blazed High & Mighty for eons, you peons" certainly re-inforces that), and with everyone and their mom putting on some tight jeans & big tongued nikes to try and get their indie crossover-electro rap on, I have to respect anyone who makes the kind of hip hop they are passionate about.

And really, if you can make a conceptual hip hop song about Canadian silent-film star Mary Pickford as interesting and memorable as the Kwiz-krewe has, then you deserve some propers. But I don't mean to give you the impression that Talkies is all rap-nerd concepts, as there's plenty of good, old-fashioned backpacker hip hop, as the opening 1-2 punch of Avant Garde Rails and Baggage Claim, or the dual-flow goodness of Nintendo can attest. The speed-stutter of Dwarf Planet Rock is a perfect example of an electro-influenced beat that works perfectly, as it seems to suit the MC's to a T. The group is equally adept at more melancholy fare too, as songs like Knots Landing are also pretty engaging.

Listening to this album again reinforces my initial enjoyment, and makes me think I should have got to it sooner. But no matter, I'm telling you about it now aren't I? Hopefully the Massturrz of Kwiz are hard at work on new material, but if you're in the market for some quality hip hop that hearkens back to a time when Anticon or Def Jux were likely the most relevant labels for hip hop fans who weren't up in the club, I'd give these fellas a go.

MP3:: Kwiz Massturrz - Mary Picford
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/kwizmassturrz

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Hip Hop, Kwiz Massturrz, ottawa

Last week I mentioned that I had amassed a list of Canadian hip hop records that I'd been meaning to write about for a while now, and these dudes right here are #1 on that list. The dudes in question are the three hungry Vancouver MC's that comprise Brass Tackz: Snak The Ripper, Young Sin, and
Evil Ebenezer. They released this EP to get some buzz going for a potential Brass Tackz full length, and after going back and listening to The Outfit a few times over the last couple days, I would welcome more material from the trio for sure.

I must confess that I'd seen these MC's names here and there on the ole internet box (and unless I'm mistaken, Evil was featured on the last Josh Martinez album), but I'd never heard anything from any of them. Well, there's a wrong I'm happy to have righted, and I'm not sure how close the 3 MC's were before doing this project, but they have plenty of chemistry. Snak The Ripper has a demonic high pitched flow which contrasts well with Young Sin's confident baritone, and Evil is somewhere in between the two, so the mix works well. As the cover might suggest (as well as the creepy guest vocal contributions from Edmonton's legendary Junkyard Dog) there are certainly some aggressive, Horror-core in the Gravediggaz sense, songs on the EP (October Skies, Moral Terror & Find Out), but they aren't afraid to also tackle something like an ode to their respective Moms' Mom Dukes.

Right from the jump you get a "little taste" of what Brass Tackz is all about on the smoothed-out, yet creepy opener October Skies, that features each MC spitting some dark, free-flowing, braggadocios rhymes over a piano-laced QB8 beat. Authentik sounds great - it features bubbly xylophone mixed with old-timey horns and some bumpin' drums provide the backdrop for the trio to rundown their hard-earned hip hop history. The somber-but-still-catchy Broken Promises is the kind of thing pretty much any Canadian rapper can relate too: struggling to continue making music when everyone close to you likely thinks your crazy. Also, the line "It's either broken promises or broken dreams, where I see a career you see hopeless schemes" would also work as the slogan for this here blog. The Aries-produced beat for Find Out mixes electronic bleeps with ominous backing sounds and an ominous & addictive chorus. I should also mention that video for this song was my intro to the group, I was intrigued by the quality of the song as well as the visuals - not many rap groups go with the "western hobo" theme for their videos. Perhaps they should. The heartfelt mom-ode Mom Dukes has a really banging guitar-laced beat that the guys seem to be feeling, as they all turn in pretty enthusiastic performances on the vocals and the chorus is a bit of an ear worm.

You can get yourself a copy of The Outfit gratis from Camobear Ditigal, so why wouldn't you? Solid Canadian hip hop for a price anyone can afford. Get on it.

MP3:: Brass Tackz - Authentik

MP3:: Brass Tackz - Find Out
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/brasstackz

VIDEO:: Brass Tackz - Find Out

Labels: Brass Tackz, Canadian Hip Hip, Evil, Hip Hop, Quick Hitters, Snak The Ripper, Vancouver, Young Sin

That right there is my early front-runner for our 2010 artwork of the year award (which I will likely invent, just for this reason). We've been pretty unabashed in our appreciation for the moves D-Sisive has made in the last couple years (search D-Sisive on the hill to see what I mean), so any new material from him is greeted with open ears. We're even more eager to hear what D has to offer when it's something as interesting as his new single Anvil. Inspired by the unlikely combination of Anvil! The Story Of Anvil, a documentary about the forgotten Canadian metal legends of the same name (that I will now be watching in the near future), and the creepy goth-folk of duo Dead Man's Bones (one half of which happens to be Canadian actor Ryan Gosling), the song "is an updated 'Brian Wilson'" letting everyone know where D finds himself in 2010.

And where is D exactly? Well I think he's happy with the success and plaudits that have come his way in his home country since 2008, but he knows he's not going to retire on rap profits - and how long will he chase the dream? He promises not to turn out like the fellas in Anvil, still chasing the fame 25 years later. It's a great introspective track over a twinkling, piano-laced beat. More good stuff from D-Sisive, which isn't surprising at this point. C'maaan America. get on board!

MP3:: D-Sisive - Anvil
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/dsisive

Labels: Anvil, Canadian Hip Hip, D-Sisive, Hip Hop, Toronto

Listening to the 2010 Canadian Rap Compilation from Brockway Entertainment I realized something: during the last couple months of '09 I somehow stockpiled a ton of Canadian hip hop in my "ToDo" list that I really need to get posted. Some of which happens to be on this here compilation. So, you can consider this post an intro to a month that shall be filled with a ton of Canadian hip hop from your truly. Whether you want it or not.

However, back to the matter at hand. I believe this is the 3rd year I've posted on the annual Canadian Rap Future Superstars compilation put together by Brockway Biggs, aka Troy Neilson, and I'm happy to do so. It's tough business getting coverage as a Canadian hip hop artist (my current Can-hop backlog is a prime example), so when someone like Troy is putting so much effort into putting together and promoting a compilation like this, I'm happy to help spread the word. As usual, the compilation is available as a free download, and it features a host of talent from coast to coast:

1. Manafest (Toronto) - Free
2. Monark (Fredericton & Saint John) - Playground feat Phakt
3. Hellafactz (Halifax) - Thought Of U Featuring Yvette Jarvis & Michael Beals
4. Relic (Toronto) - Just The Day feat Saukrates
5. Drumbo (Def3 and Factor) (Regina & Saskatoon) - Take Me Higher
6. Mantrakid (Comox, BC & Calgary) - My Calling
7. Ricca Razor Sharp (Calgary & Clarks Harbour, NS) - Rampage
8. Iron Lion (Calgary) - Take a Breather feat King Lou
9. Joe Buck (Halifax) - Who We Are feat Jay Bizzy
10. Cale Sampson (Toronto) - C-A-L-E
11. Chris Quotes (Toronto) - Where's the Cash At
12. Eye2Eye (Montreal) - Wing Man
13. KG (Ottawa) - Megatron
14. Solid Mas (Toronto) - Ridin Dirty feat Nova Kane & Priceless
15. RahZemos (Toronto) - Bad Apples
16. HeatWave (Vancouver) - Bills To Pay (CFRO 'Urban Renewal Project' Choice Pick)
17. Josh Martinez (Vancouver) - Responsibility feat Evil
18. Brass Tackz (Vancouver) - Broken Promises
19. Ghettosocks (Halifax) - R. Kelly's Ghostwriter Skit feat Jordan Croucher
20. Dan-e-o (Toronto) - Yesterday
21. Tru-Paz (Toronto) - My Lady
22. Empire ISIS (Montreal) - Four In The Morning
23. Shaun Boothe (Toronto) - Music Man feat Amanda Diva

The first half is definitely the stongest portion in my humble, but that may just be because I'm more familiar with the folks found there (Relic is one of those folks I've been meaning to post on), but Josh Martinez and Brass Tackz also give the back end some oomph. So download the compilation and start your 2010 with a full dose of Canadian hip hop. Or better yet, if you're an artist yourself, get in touch with Troy about getting included on next year's comp - via email (troy(at)brockwayent.com) or Sonicbids.

MP3:: Hellafactz - Thought Of U Featuring Yvette Jarvis & Michael Beals

MP3:: Def3 and Factor - Take Me Higher

MP3:: Chris Quotes - Where's the Cash At

Labels: Brockway Biggs, Canadian Hip Hip, Ghettosocks, Josh Martinez

Tough as it is these days to sell your musical wares, we've all seen artists coming up with creative ways to do just that. That said, I'm not sure I've heard of anything as creative, or as committed to the album's concept, as the new EP from Toronto's Peter Project, who is selling his new EP in the form of an iPod-shaped bar of soap that has a download card for the songs inside. Rather clever, or perhaps Peter just has some really stinky fans and is trying to remedy that. Who's to say.

Either way, I enjoy this brief slice of eclectic goodness from TO's favorite "indie-geek-rap DJ phenomenon". I'd heard a couple Peter Project songs before, but basically knew nothing about him, so this EP serves as a nice little intro to what he's all about. After hearing it, I'd have to say it's almost more his production skills that are on display here, rather than his DJ-ing (although competent scratching with a broken arm is no small feat), as he shows himself to be a versatile beatmaker who isn't afraid to pull in a bunch of different elements but still keep a hip hop core. His DJ skills are on point though, and of course this helps with keeping that hip hop core.

EP opener Simply Fresh is a fun, 8-bit filled intro to the EP's concept that features various clips of people discussing their thoughts on personal hygene. This is likely now my second favorite hygene-related hip hop EP, second only to Birdapres' Toothpaste. Perhaps the EP's best track, Unorthodox features one of Canada's more unappreciated MC's, More Or Les, flowing over PP's rather orchestral sounding beat, and it has a funky breakdown at the end that sounds like it might have been played live on a drum machine, or that old keyboard at your parents house, or something. The Quest For Extreme Personal Freshness is perhaps the craziest track on the album, a hyper track that flips some freaky synth's and Laura Barrett's kalimba playing into a crazy dancefloor pleaser. The indie rap posse cut In Retail is an ode to the unpleasantness that is working in the retail bizz and features some nice vocal contributions from Masia One, Maylee Todd, and Haltown's favorite burglar of words, Wordburglar.

So there you go, if you've been getting your Shabba Rank on lately, and are also in need of a Canadian hip hop fix, Peter Project is your man, his Fresh EP is your plan. The EP is available from the Fuzzy Logic store, but I'm not sure if that's the bar of soap version or not.

MP3:: Peter Project - Unorthadox f. More or Les
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/peterproject

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Hip Hop, Peter Project, Quick Hitters, Soap, Toronto

December's Herohill/Music Nova Scotia artist of the month is a little late, but, in my humble, it is certainly worth that wait. Ghettosocks is certainly one of the brightest suns that the planets of the Halifax hip hop scene orbit around. While that analogy makes little to no sense in astrological terms, it is an accurate description of the role 'Socks has played in the scene here since he relocated from his hometown of Ottawa. So when you add that to the fact that we've long been proponents of this transplanted Haligonian MC champ, and considering his latest release, Treat of the Day, was such a big hit here at the hill, it seemed only natural that we bestow the lofty hill/MNS designation on the Grand Wizard Ghettosocks.

But it's not only his latest work that we've been behind, you can check our reviews for his last three projects:

Get Some Friends

I Can Make Your Dog Famous

Treat of the Day

And now some selected quotes from those reviews:

Get Some Friends (an excellent album title I should add) is a very good hip hop album. And I say that without an ounce of Halifax bias in the mix. If you told me Socks was from Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, I'd still be a big fan of this album.

I think he's one of the best MC's our fine country has to offer right now - I'd easily put him in my current top five favorite Canadian MC's

In fact, Socks makes the kind of hip hop I would hope to make if I weren't just some chaunce with a blog

In fact, we should make the Grand Wizard Ghettosocks required listening for any fan of Golden Age hip hip - perhaps we can talk to KRS about getting such an amendment made to the hip hop constitution he's no doubt been writing for some time.

Ghettosocks is an MC, a producer, and even a DJ (he was recently crowned DJ of the year at the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Awards), who makes the kind of hip hop that warms my curmudgeonly, golden age-loving heart. For that reason alone I'm happy we're anointing him with this Artist of the Month title, and I hope it will encourage those of you who haven't checked him out before will do so.

MP3:: Ghettosocks - Step To A T-Rex

MP3:: Ghettosocks - Ballz in yo Stomach f. Timbuktu & Pip Skid

MP3:: Ghettosocks - Don't Turn Around f. Edgar Allen Floe
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/ghettosocks

VIDEO:: Ghettosocks - Step To A T-Rex


VIDEO:: Ghettosocks Ballz in yo Stomach f. Pip Skid & Timbuktu


VIDEO:: Ghettosocks - Don't Turn Around (feat. Edgar Allen Floe)

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Ghettosocks, Halifax, MNS artist of the month

It's Thursday, it's raining cats & dogs here in Halifax (and perhaps wherever you are) and so you're trapped inside. That means one thing here at the hill: videos. We've been having some jumbo editions of Video Hits over the last few weeks, and that continues un-abated today, with some fine Canadian musical fair committed to metaphorical video tape.

We have a bit of a loose theme with these videos, as we're gonna start things out rather slow & moody, and steadily work our way up into a happier frame of mind. As many of you might know, Yarmouth ex-pat Brian Borcherdt released a new, free album recently, but he also released a new video from his previous release, Coyotes, as well. This clip for While I was Asleep finds Borcherdt at his morose best - the word haunting comes to mind. Somewhat less morose is the clip for Steven Bowers' Comfortably Sweet, which is a duet off his recent EP Circadian Anthem, that features the always-excellent Christina Martin. The video is morose, in that it's about a lost loved one, but the Bowers turns into a zombie, and zombies always bring the fun. The video for The Wheat Pool's This Is It also brings the fun, well, if you're idea of fun is calmly destroying everything in your boyfriend's house, then it's a blast. Just as an aside, The Wheat Pool's Hauntario is really great, I know the Ack told us all this a couple months ago, but I'm late to the party and I just thought I'd mention it in case some of you are also in that boat. Another album the Ack enjoyed: Burnout from Sudbury roots rockers Ox. I myself love their video for Prom Queen, which is a white trash-tastic slice of fun.

Ok, that's a lot of heavy packed into four videos right there. So I need to go Son Of Bazerk on you kids and change the style. I could find nothing better for that then the new video from hill favorite Louwop. One Two Check/Get Up is a live mashup of two songs from Lou's last release, The Great Escape (which is available as a free download this month I should mention), and features Shad and Zaki Ibrahim. Good stuff.

Brian Borcherdt - While I was Asleep

MP3:: Brian Borcherdt - Torches
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/brianborcherdt

Steven Bowers - Comfortably Sweet f. Christina Martin

MP3:: Steven Bowers - Comfortably Sweet f. Christina Martin
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/stevenbowers

The Wheat Pool - This Is It

MP3:: The Wheat Pool - This Is It
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thewheatpool

Ox - Prom Queen

MP3:: Ox - Burnout
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/oxmusic

Louwop - One Two Check/Get Up LIVE f. Shad & Zaki Ibrahim

MP3:: Louwop - One 2 Check f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/louwop

Labels: Brian Borcherdt, Canadian Hip Hip, Louwop, Ox, Steven Bowers, The Wheat Pool, Video hits

I'd love to sit here and tell you that the main reason I downloaded Dan-E-O's new free album/mixtape Dilla Pickles and gave it a listen is that Dan's a well-respected veteran of the Canadian hip hop scene and that his seminal tune Dear Hip Hop is a Canrap classic. Or perhaps because the album's beats are all bangers from J-Dilla, and the record serves as Dan's tribute to the late great Detroit producer. Those would be good reasons, but I'm afraid my main motivation was something different: track 8 on Dilla Pickles, Hoodafukayoo features a truly mythic Canrap figure: Kish.

Yes, Kish, aka Andrew Kishino. The man behind the much-beloved I Rhyme The World In 80 Days, is brought out of retirement by Dan-E-O to kick a verse and let the doubters and scoffers know he's still around. So yes, I was dying to hear this song, and you can't blame me, as the amount of comments on the post I wrote about this song can attest, Canadian dudes my age, who love the hip hop, still have a lot of fond memories where Mr. Kishino is concerned.

But what of the rest of the album? As you might expect from an album (as mentioned, Dan-E-O is giving this album away, both in album & mixtape format) that uses Dilla beats exclusively, it sounds pretty damn good. I'm a little chagrined to admit my knowledge of Dilla's beat canon isn't nearly up to snuff, and so I can't identify the original usage of the beats themselves but Dan has done a good job picking beats to fit his style.

And it's style that pretty much dictates my favorite songs on the album, as Dan-E-O is at his best on the energetic, up-tempo tracks like Break It Down or Lose Your Mind, which prove Dan hasn't lost a step as a battle rapper. The jazzy, Adrock sampling Check The Grind is a pretty fun tag-team between Dan & the Canadian king of the annoying PR email, FAMOUS. The aforementioned Hoodafukayoo has a real throwback beat for Dan to big up the voice-over success of Kish, and I have to say, Kish sounds pretty decent on his verse. I do have to say, as much as I love bringing Kish back (and hopefully it isn't only a temporary thing), Dan's verse, the whole "Tom Green and Kish are the biggest successes to come out of Canadian rap" thing, will likely inspire more skepticism than respect. The light, soulfull beat for Haterz is opposite in mood to the diss-fest brought on the song by Dan & Marvel, but it does include a line that shall bring a smile to the Ack's face: "I hate that Master-T ain't on Much Music no more". The album closes with some interesting tracks, as Mice To Men has a really cool sound, almost sounds like the beat was recorded live somehow, and the off-kilter The Factory uses a classic Kool Moe Dee reference on the chorus, and shows how diverse Dilla could be.

So, here's the heart of the matter at hand: good Canadian hip hop & great Dilla beats - at a price you can't beat. Oh, and Kish is involved. Seems like something one shouldn't pass up, so reach in the jar and get some Dilla Pickles for yourself.

MP3:: Dan-E-O - Break It Down

MP3:: Dan-E-O - Hoodafukayoo (feat. Kish)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/daneo10

VIDEO:: Dan-e-o - Break it Down

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Dan-E-O, Hip Hop, Kish, Quick Hitters

D-Sisive is still sad. He's also angry, and of those two emotions, it's definitely the anger that's the most relevant when you're discussing his new album, Jonestown. Released last week as a free download on D-Sisive's website, Jonestown finds D in a jubilantly foul mood, with a Tyson-in-his-prime caliber right hand cocked and aimed at the face of things that piss him off, like haters, shitty hip hop, and the random unfairness of life in general.

In reality, one would hope D-Sisive's mental state has brightened at least somewhat over the last year and change. After being M.I.A. for a number of years, he released two albums, The Book and Let The Children Die, that had jokers like me fawning over them (reviews here and here respectively) and garnered plenty of critical acclaim. He made the Polaris long list, and just recently won the Socan Echo songwriting prize for the awesome Nobody With A Notepad, and so, although life has dealt D a pretty consistent downpour (the well-documented deaths of both his parents, some rather crippling depression), it would seem that he's finally changed into some Milhouse-style high-waters, and everything is coming up D-Sisive.

Or at least one would think so anyway. But when your new album is called Jonestown, and has as many allusions to suicide and/or death as it does to awesome pop culture minutiae, then you aren't exactly the Stuart Smalley of Canadian hip hop (see what I did there). But that's ok, as we've seen over the last year, and we're seeing again on Jonestown - an angry D-Sisive is a good D-Sisive. Seriously, despite it's free download status, I think D's new release is every bit the equal of its two predecessors. I can only assume it is being given away to capitalize on the word of mouth things like the Polaris and Echo have generated there likely won't be a better time to spread the gospel of Reverend Christoff.

This is certainly a welcome development my book, and once The Message-inspired intensity of album opener In The Jungle kicks in, I'm sure you'll be a convert as well. What is with the deal with Canadian rappers and Jason Schwartzman? First k-os (I Wish I knew Natalie Portman, samples Phantom Planet's California) and now D-Sisive (samples Coconut Records' West Coast, which as an aside, has a pretty awesome video that features Vision Skates legend Mark Gonzales freaking some long-board funk in a German museum)? I'm certainly not complaining, as it has resulted in two great songs - D's is a great combination of catchiness and great lyrics that could please a wide arrange of tastes (he mentions Lloyd Christmas and Andy Dufresne in the opening verse, and that pleases me). The original, Lou Rawls-laced version of mind-as-prison/suicide contemplation anthem One Way Ticket is pretty solid, but the MoSS remix is ruggedly delicious (its the little things: there's a little flute bit that gets phased in and out, which takes it from a good beat to a great beat in my humble).

Considering D's fondness for Tom Waits, his collaboration with the, shall we say, eccentric, Slim Twig, on the ominous Around the World (and previously on Slim's mixtape too), is not surprising. If you're looking for a song that encapsulates what makes D-Sisive such a great lyricist, 1974 is a perfect example. He ties Married With Children, Sinatra and the Cougar Mellencamp into a deep, witty, and entertaining analysis of D's relationship with his late father, and really just father/son relationships in general. Great stuff. Boom Baba Boom is the other side of D-Sisive lacing pop culture obscurity like the Stand By Me pie eating contest story, the Robbie Alomar juice commercial (which is now one of my favorite rap song references ever - if you're of a certain age and Canadian, you remember Robbie's "Catch the Taste!" ad), a Biggie/Tupac/Juice reference breakdown with a razor sharp wit few possess. And then there's just some good old fashioned face-bashing raps over trunk-rattling beats, like the 9th Uno produced, call to arms for the cult of oneself, Believe, which I will always welcome.

So here's where we stand: I know D-Sisive is awesome, critics and other music nerdish types know D is awesome, and so now it's time you found out for yourself. Jonestown is free, so there's no need to hesitate, go ahead and drink the Kool-Aid.

MP3:: D-Sisive - West Coast

MP3:: D-Sisive - One Way Ticket
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/dsisive

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, D-Sisive, Free.99, Hip Hop

All right, the Ack is off gallivanting around Montreal with all the fancy music biz swells at M For Montreal, and yes, that leaves me back in Halifax minding the cyber store. And it also happens to be Thursday, so that means one thing: videos. We've had a couple of jam-packed editions of Video Hits over the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to keep that going, but I'd also been hyped on Canadian hip hop after spending the last week with Ghettosocks new album on repeat. So, guess what you're getting today? Yep, a jumbo CanRap edition of Video Hits.

Although it has been out here in Canada for ages, k-os' latest album, Yes!, was just released in the US this past Tuesday (my talking points post for it went up in March). Perhaps to celebrate this, k-os has just released a new X-produced video for I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman, which features k-os & Big Sox ripping it up Dukes of Hazzard style. I love this jam (Saukrates is awesome) and like any fellow my age, I loved the Dukes back in the day, so this is a no-brainer. We follow that up with another two-man, homage-style vid, this one from Josh Martinez and Moka, with their gonzo Fear & Loathing clip for Underground Pop (another jam I love, from Josh's excellent World Famous Sex Buffet).

Grand Analog's video for Take It Slow (Spaces and Places), is a little more traditional, the ole "let's film ourselves as we play on the back of a truck driving through Toronto", but it's no less enjoyable. Two things people love: animals and those videos where people hold signs with the lyrics on them, so I'm thinking you folks will enjoy the clip for Party Animals from Ugly Duckling-eqsue BC duo Animal Nation. We're gonna wrap up with a video that's been out for a while, but I love it and have been meaning to post for ages: Pop & Chips by More Or Les & Fresh Kils which also features Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester. Enjoy.

k-os - I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

MP3:: k-os - Uptown Girl
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/kos

Josh Martinez - Underground Pop

MP3:: Josh Martinez - Going Back To Hali
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/thejoshmartinez

Grand Analog - Take It Slow (Spaces and Places)

MP3:: Grand Analog - Electric City f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/grandanalog

Animal Nation - Party Animals

MP3:: Animal Nation - Party Animals
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/animalnation

More Or Les & Fresh Kils - Pop & Chips (feat. Ghettosocks, Timbuktu & Uncle Fester)

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Ghettosocks, Grand Analog, Josh Martinez, k-os, Moka Only, More Or Les, Video hits

Still Life is the title of Southern-Ontario MC Mantis' debut solo album, and I think it's an appropriate choice for a hip hop album. After all, one of hip hop's great strengths is the ability to capture a vivid picture of a specific moment in time. That said, if an MC isn't able to paint a picture that the listener cares about, or can relate to, then that strength can become a weakness. For the most part, the stills that Mantis captures come out on the strength side of that ledger, but like many a young MC these days, he sometimes struggles to find a unique point of view.

What he absolutely doesn't struggle with is production skills, as this album is entirely self-produced, and it sounds fantastic. Mantis' bio makes reference to schooling he's had for production or engineering - and you can tell. The beats are all very polished, warm and crisp, and although I have no idea, it sounds like a fair bit of live instrumentation worked in.

The production might tend to steal the show on Still Life, but the vocals (from Mantis and his guests) are really well done, and some great songs result. Real To Reel pays tribute to the real portion of its name by praising the realness over a thumping beat with a really great drum track. The soul-drenched You Don't Know uses a fine, piano-laced track as the background for a track that discusses something almost any Canadian rapper is familiar with - the search for recognition. There's kind of a Simon Says vibe to the jangly guitar of Warning Shot, but unfortunately I don't think that it is lyrically up to par with that P. Monch classic. Then again, what do I know really, I'm just one of those know-nothing loudmouth critics Mantis calls out in that song.

Not sure what's in the water in the KW area, but there's something that makes MC's feel they need to try the double-time raps on at least one track. I wasn't really feeling it when Justis broke it out on his album, and I'm not a fan of Mantis' Bounce Back either. However, I am a fan of the Justis-Mantis (perhaps there's something else in the water that makes KW MC's choose "-is" ending names?) collabo What, which feels like a throwback, with a sparkly beat and some solid DJ cuts. Lay Low matches its name in tone, as it's one of the more laid back song on the album.

Although I like Still Life a great deal, there was something about it that was bothering me during my first couple listens. I eventually realized what it was: Mantis' "rappin' accent" (for lack of a better term). Now I'm not saying Mantis is a bad MC, I think, technically speaking, he's very solid, but his inflection and slang sound just a little too staged to me. Keep in mind, I could be way off on this, and so if this is indeed Mantis' at his most natural, then I do apologize. But another one of hip hop's strengths is its ability to be a form of nearly un-adulterated self expression, and after hearing Still Life, I can't help but feeling that I have no actual idea who Mantis is.

That last bit said, I don't want to end this review on the express to negative town. Mantis is clearly a talented guy, and this is a good album, so if you're interested in hearing quality Canadian hip hop, I'd search Still Life out. As for myself, I'll be watching for Mantis goes from here and hoping he builds on the promise this album shows.

MP3:: Mantis - You Don't Know
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/mantishiphop

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Hip Hop, Mantis, Review

Five Funky Stories is the magical random question generator to harass profile acts that are coming to Halifax, and with HPX on the horizon, we're going to try and feature as many of the acts as we can here. We're starting with one someone I'm rather excited to see perform, D-Sisive.


I doubt anyone in the bloggity-blog world has talked more about this T.O. MC and his return to the music world over the last year or so than us, so if you need to know his history, just poke around the site for posts like this here and this one.

You can check out D live in Halifax when he plays the Coconut Grove on October 21st, but now let's get the questions:

Name: D-Sisive
Band: Chaka Demus and Pliers
Web: www.myspace.com/dsisive

1. Have you ever played a keytar?

Nope. But have you heard the news? Dewey Cox died.

2. From your perspective, is the music business in better or worse shape when compared to 10 years ago?

It's different. It's benefitting in different ways than it did, though also suffering. It's easy to blame downloading, but I believe it's responsible for it's own demise. The value of music has gone down because of the bullshit that's released. Art is a minority more than ever. I can write about this for hours, but it's nothing that hasn't been said already. We need to do something about this Napster all the kids are using. Once you ban that, people will buy music again.

3. Who would you pay to see play live?

I've recently discovered the genius that is Tiny Tim beyond "Tiptoe Through The Tulips". His music is incredible. I paid over $100 for the 'Complete Reprise' collection and it's brilliant. His production is insane. I can't believe he hasn't been sampled to death. If he was still around, I'd definitely pay to see him live.

4. What's the longest time period you've gone without showering on the road?

Not more than three days. I've heard many filthy road stories, but I've been fortunate to have been able to consistantly clean myself during my long trips. Though, there have been nights where a hotel room wasn't provided, but the venue had a shower. Let's just say it's not easy to exfoliate when you're stepping in shit. I went through a lot of socks in the UK.

5. If forced to cover one hip hop song, what would it be?

Forced, like at gunpoint? I've covered a lot of songs in my day, so I'm going to treat this like an 'at gunpoint' question and assume you want me to name a three minute and thirty second hunk of shit. "Popped", though I will forever love that beat.

MP3:: D-Sisive - Like This f. Guilty Simpson

MP3:: D-Sisive - Four

MP3:: DJ Serious & D-Sisive - Popped

MP3:: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/dsisive

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, D-Sisive, Five Funky Stories, HPX 09

Last week the Ack posted a rather thoughtful opine on K'NAAN's Polaris-nominated album Troubadour. I think one of his main points was that too many guests can even dull the impact of you album if you have a compelling story to tell, as K'NAAN does. I doubt this is what j.Period & K'NAAN were thinking when they devised The Messengers mixtape series, but it seems they've taken the Ack's advice without knowing it.

The Messengers is a remix project done by DJ/Producer J.Period and T.O./Somali MC K'NAAN, and it matches K with three of music's most celebrated "Messengers": Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan. And it's free, which is always a welcome message - the Fela and Marley mixes are available now on J.Period's website. They mix both original verses and some of the tracks from K'NAAN's latest album with classic tracks from the iconic musicians, and they're pretty enjoyable. I think K's flow is more of natural fit with Marley's melodies vs. Fela's raw funk, but that said, it's pretty easy to be drawn to a Marley song, and after listening to the Fela mix a couple times yesterday, I think it's equally strong.

Both Fela and Bob, whilst really quite different, are kind of obvious matches for K'NAAN, but I have no idea how the Bob Dylan version will turn out - I'm kind of interested to find out though. For now though, go ahead and grab these mixes, and check some samples below.

MP3:: J.Period & K'NAAN - Let's Start (Messengers Remix)

MP3:: J.Period & K'NAAN - Ololufe Mi (Messengers Remix)

MP3:: J.Period & K'NAAN - Belly Full (Messengers Remix) f. Kardinal, Steele & Bajah

MP3:: J.Period & K'NAAN - Fatima / Stir It Up (Messengers Remix)
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/jperiod
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/knaanmusic

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Hip Hop, K'naan, Remix

Tell me something good. For most, that sentence brings to mind a sultry entreaty from Chaka and her friends Rufus, but if you're a hip hop fan of a certain vintage (like myself), it can also serve as a plea to many of today's hip hop artists, who all too often deliver something quite the opposite of good. But all is far from lost where hip hop is concerned, and we can be thankful that hip hop's next generation still contains folks like the four dedicated lads in the Halifax/Montreal collective, Something Good.

Consisting of MC's Boy-ill and Markit, DJ Y-Rush, and producer Focus Aside, Something Good sees four (or perhaps six, as I think SG has added two new permanent members in guitarist Alex Meade and bassist Oliver Cluett) talented members of Halifax's hip hop scene (I think Markit is currently based in Montreal for school reasons) join forces in the name of making quality music that sounds thoroughly modern, but still pays major respect to the classic hip hop they were so clearly influenced by. And they do that classic hip hop proud, as their debut, Just Add Water, is really a great album.

Despite their relative youth, Markit and Boy-ill are both veteran mic rippers, having been at it for years both as part of Fax-4 and as solo artists (I reviewed Markit's last solo album a couple years ago). They have slightly different styles, with Boy-ill having a classic, charismatic east-coast influenced flow, whereas Markit is a little more off-beat and scientifical, but they compliment each other very well, their years of performing together paying off. Y-Rush has a rep as a hrad working club DJ here in Halifax, and he lives up to that rep here, packing the album with one classic scratched-in sample after another. Focus Aside is the one name I hadn't heard before, but he deserves plenty of kudos - his beats are really well done, and they keep the momentum of the album going strong across it's fifteen tracks.

The album starts very strong, with Did That serving as a great intro to the Something Good sound: the MC's happily tackle the addictive piano & horn based beat, with each one doing a verse before they trade lines back & forth on the third, while Y-Rush scratches everything from Lauren Hill to the awesome "da-ticka-da-ticka-da" part from Common's The Light. Rules Of A Star has a rather different premise for hip hop - offering advice on how to keep one's ego in check, but it's also a great sounding track, with a piano riff that sounds like it came from a Guess Who song. Focus Aside shines again on True Fist as his late 90's sounding banger reminds me of something you'd hear from Jedi Mind Tricks. The dreamy beat on Amazement is a bit of a change of pace, but it suits Markit and his philosophical flows to a T.

The jazzy boom-bap of Define Rap Quotable features a guest verse from the always welcome Ghettosocks and also contains a brief Dream Warriors sample, which is always welcome, and a dead giveaway that you are listening to a Canadian hip hop album. Grow also has another great beat, with some slower-paced piano paired with peppy percussion and xylophone sounds providing the backdrop for a coming of age style song that features a perfectly used Ahmad sample near the end. In case you think the straight-ahead bangers are all Something Good have to offer, Funky Time, a 60's soul inspired ode to cutting a rug shows a different side of the group.

If you were to ask me to conclude this review with a nonsensical, golden age comparison, I would have to say that Something Good is like a modern day, melanin-deficient Ultramagnetic, with Markit as Kool Keith, Boy-ill as Ced Gee, Y-Rush as DJ Moe Love and Focus Aside as TR Love (that would, I guess, make Quake their Tim Dog, which kind of suits him). Is this comparison even close to being non-ridiculous? Well I guess you'll need to get yourself a copy of Just Add Water and find out. Or if you're in Halifax, check Something Good live at their release party at Coconut Grove Saturday Night, it should be a great show.

MP3:: Something Good - Did That
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/sgjustaddwater

VIDEO:: Something Good - Did That

Labels: Canadian Hip Hip, Halifax, Hip Hop, Something Good

Not too long ago, mentioning "hip hop" and "live instruments" in the same sentence was kind of like using "baseball" and "steroids" together in the late 90's - it was a bit of a taboo. But these days hip hop has changed a bit, and just like steroids in baseball, (yes, I know you saw this coming) everyone is doing it. This move towards mainstream hip hop embracing live sounds, and even gravitating somewhat towards the indie rock scene, has been going on for a while, but things have already changed a great deal since Grand Analog came on the scene in 2006.

So it seems appropriate that GA, the hip hop band/collective helmed by Odario Williams, has evolved their sounds since their last release. I was a big fan of their '07 release, Calligraffitti, but right from the first paragraph of that review, I was classifying it as experimental. And with good reason, I mean the name suggests as much, and upon reflection, the songs, despite many being really rather catchy, maintained a rather eclectic, yet serious, tone (something like Touch Your Toes being an exception). This time out, it seems that Odario & Co. are content to just make music they enjoy, and not feel like they have to justify the inclusion of guitars and such in their sound.

At least that's my take on their new album, Metropolis Is Burning, and that shift seems apparent from the get-go, with chunky guitar riffs and sweet horn sounds taking the lead on "be yourself" anthem I Play My Kazoo. Not sure if it says more about me, or hip hop in general, that the kazoo solo outro doesn't seem as novel as it once would have. Whereas the reggae sounds on Calligraffitti seemed to have been mixed down into a number of other influences, they are out in front on the feel good city-escape endorsing Take It Slow (Spaces & Places), and the radio-ready song (well, if your radio station starts & ends with "C" and has a "B" in the middle) is better for it I would say.

The radio-friendly vibes continue on the bouncy I'm On Fire, which features guest vocals from Maiko Watson (ex-...ahem...Sugar Jones) and a scene-stealing guest verse from Winnipeg MC Len Bowen. I'm a big fan of this jam, really catchy stuff, good use of the female vocals on the hook. I'm afraid the same cannot be said of Stir Crazy, which also features vocals from Maiko, but feels like something is missing - not even the Nice & Smooth homage in Odario's opening verse can get it over the hump for me. However, the K-Solo homage found on the raucous Her Daddy (Don't Like Me) is certainly welcome, and had me hooked before the harmonica outro reeled me in for good.

Electric City features the always-solid Shad, and that alone pretty much guarantees my approval, but it also happens to be a pretty great song. The latter half of the album feels a little subdued, as it's dominated by more bottom-heavy, hip hop oriented tracks like Not Enough Mondays/Crunch and Videogames (which incidentally, isn't the best title if one were worried about being perceived as a nerdy/intellectual, not that Odario cares about that, purely an observation on my part). Everyday Always and Brothers Gotta Eat bring the reggae vibes back again, and the shifty Light So Bright unfortunately doesn't sample Corey Hart, but it does feature a cameo from Edmonton's new Poet Laureate.

So the verdict on Metropolis Is Burning? It's certainly a solid album, with a number of songs that stand out as singles (well, they would if Canada's hip hop industry wasn't so barren), and it strikes me as an album that would appeal to a wide-range of musical tastes. For me, I think the first GA album hit with a bit more impact, but really, what act can't you say that about? If you're new to Grand Analog, get this album and play it loud the rest of the summer. Or better still, check the dates below and catch Odario & Co on tour with Toronto electro outfit Lioness in Various Canadian cities over the next month.

MP3:: Grand Analog - Electric City f. Shad
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/grandanalog

Jul 23: The Montreal House - Peterborough, ON
Jul 24: The Ford Plant - Brantford, ON
Jul 25: Toronto Day Show @ Dundas Square - Toronto, ON
Jul 25: Club Absinthe - Hamilton, ON
Aug  2: Cutting Edge Music Festival - Kitchener, ON
Aug  6: Media Club - Vancouver, BC
Aug  7: Habitat - Kelowna, BC
Aug  9: Shambhala Music Fest - Salmo, BC
Aug 11: Henotic Resto Lounge - Lethbridge, AB
Aug 12: The Hi Fi - Calgary, AB
Aug 13: Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB
Aug 14: Amigo’s - Saskatoon, SK
Aug 15: The Pyramid - Winnipeg, MB

VIDEO:: Grand Analog - Her Daddy (Don't Like Me)

Labels: Canada, Canadian Hip Hip, Grand Analog, Hip Hop, Toronto, Winnipeg