TAG: Aesop Rock

Sep26

Evidence, Cats & Dogs (Review)

Evidence

Cats & Dogs

Released by Rhymesayers


Evidence is that dude. Many heads point to 2007's Weatherman as one of hip-hop's recent treasures. That first solo project, with production from Sid Roams, The Alchemist, Jake One, Babu & Ev (all of whom are back on this one, save Jake One), had a refreshingly crisp sonic blueprint, heavy on the spacy synths and brimming with soul. Having now made a switch from the lost-at-sea ABB to Rhymesayers with a Layover (EP) in between, everything is back in order for the dilated one to drop another top-drawer record.

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Jul22

Aesop Rocks The Casbah with Kimya Dawson (Live Review) (Video)

The stage presentation of Aesop Rock’s new crew Hail Mary Mallon, which features emcee Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, is one of relentless upbeat fun. Their caffeinated onslaught of back-and-forth rhymes hits like A Tribe Called Quest for the ADD generation. “Smock” quickly got the audience in convulsions with Wiz’s deft scratches serving as the exclamation point. When fists nearly flew between a couple plastered fratboys in the crowd shortly thereafter, Aesop was quick to call for peace and keep the show’s positive vibe intact.

“Daylight,” the abstract, be-your-own-God anthem which made Aesop a cult hero a decade ago, inspired hearing loss levels of sing along. This night, however, was all about the collaborative spirit between Aesop, Rob Sonic and freak folk impresario Kimya Dawson.

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Apr13

Aesop Rock’s Side Project Set To Drop On Rhymesayers (Video)

While the trunk-rattling boom bap that was Aesop Rock’s production on Felt 3 temporarily satiated those craving some new material from the Def Jux veteran, fans are more than a little hungry to hear him back on the mic. The debut record from Aesop’s latest project Hail Mary Mallon, a collaboration with fellow abstract lyricist Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz, is set to drop this summer on Rhymesayers Entertainment. For a taste of what to expect from these gentlemen on the full-length, give a listen to “D Up” (their contribution to Definitive Jux Presents 4) or the instant banger “Smock” from their performance at last month’s SXSW.

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Jan18

Sonny Bonoho- Supersonic Flavor with a Phone Phreak (Video & MP3)

Many might gawk at the name of this Tacoma Emcee, but if you meet the character behind it,  you will soon see that there never has been a more charismatic person that is grateful for everything he has. Sonny Bonoho raps about his kids, loyalty to his wife, and selling everything from rollerskates to cds and tee shirts to his fans. He says his music is  meant “to improve quality of life.”

Hey, who doesn’t need some improvement? I sure do.

Versatile is a light word, if you call versatile touring with Grayskul and Aesop Rock one year and then Playboy Tre and B.O.B. not even two years later. Get your phone phreak on though, becuase he even lays tracks with Money B of Digital Underground and went nation wide with Nappy Roots and Lil Jon too. “yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”-  Lil Jon

How about a …

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May13

Dark Time Sunshine – Vessel (Review)

Dark Time Sunshine

Vessel

Released by Fake Four Inc.


For an emcee with an absurd number of aliases (Onry Ozzborn, Reason, Count Draven etc.), Michael Martinez seems to have found his true identity as Cape Cowen with Dark Time Sunshine. The dystopian malevolence of his earlier work with Grayskul and Oldominion has largely given way to witty and astute musings on the human condition via Vessel. His shift in approach is reminiscent of Cage's reinvention of himself some five years ago. While a dark, nebulous undercurrent remains, rays of sunlight occasionally peak through the Venetians. The sinister soundscapes of Zavala, the Chicago-based producer and other half of Dark Time Sunshine, propel Cape Cowen toward the most focused work of his burgeoning career. Zavalas's sound is equal parts boom bap and psych-rock. The consistency of his beats provides the platform for a wide array of subject matter to develop without sacrificing continuity. A tongue-in-cheek Cape Cowen refers to the project as snob rap and places it somewhere on the continuum between MGMT and Outkast. He is at his storytelling best on "E.R." and "Little Or No Concern," the latter track a somber, heartfelt tale of inherited addiction. P.O.S. and Aesop Rock breathe fire over lo-fi funk on "Primor," which epitomizes everything a posse cut should be. Vessel reaches its cinematic apex on the dense, uptempo "All Aboard," with assistance from Reva Devito on the beautiful, swirling hook. No song better encapsulates Cowen's artistic transformation.

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