URB » Jurassic 5

DJ Nu-Mark Celebrates 10 Years Of The Minimoog Voyager (Interview)

URB.com — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:15:35 +0000

Ask any hip-hop producer about the Moog analogue synthesizer, and you’ll likely hear reverence, sometimes even a gasp. Not surprising since the instrument, the undisputed gold standard of synthesizers, has had a lasting influence on the hip-hop sound over the decades (think ’90s G-funk, a direct descendent of the Parliament sound). Now, Moog Music, the maker of the Minimoog Voyager analogue synthesizer, is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the instrument with a limited edition 24 karat gold plated synth. To mark this occasion, we got DJ Nu-Mark, member of the gold-selling hip-hop crew Jurassic 5, to talk about what the Moog has meant to him.

URB: When did you get your first Moog?

NU-MARK: I started using a Moog in 2000. I remember looking for the sounds used on Junkyard Band’s “Sardines” record and finding something close, but there are so many eras of the Moog that I wasn’t sure if that was the sound or just a good version of the pad I was looking for.

URB: What part has Moog played in creating your sound?

NU-MARK: Moog has set the bar as far as sonic dynamics is concerned. I usually use the Moog as a benchmark to match the bass sounds in my production. So if the bass in one of my tracks doesn’t hold up to a recorded Moog sound or software moog, then I know I need to either use a Moog or work more on my sound to give the track a larger sonic presence.

URB: The quintessential Moog track?

NU-MARK: It’s gotta be Jean Jacques Perrey’s “E.V.A.” I think he captured the entire feeling of the Moog in one track. He did an incredible job of combining other instruments that meshed with the Moog as well.

To watch the making of the gold plated Moog, click here.

DJ NUMARK Interviews Quantic Interview DJ NUMARK

URB.com — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:07:54 +0000

DJ Nu-Mark, member of lauded group Jurassic 5, chops it up with Quantic aka Will Holland, a trail blazing artist whose live band incarnations (see Quantic Soul Orchestra) and collaborations (wow inducing Alice Russell) have blown minds internationally. Currently, Quantic is on the road with his Ondatropica project with Colombian musician, Mario Galeano. DJ NU-MARK is releasing the Broken Sunlight 10” series over the course of 2012. The series will be consolidated into a full-length album later this year with a docu-style accompanying DVD. The pair also collaborate on an upcoming single for Broken Sunlight series, “Tropicalifornia.”

These two musical forces of nature share their thoughts on evolving with new musical formats, traveling with toys, gear they can’t live without and the power of listening.

QUANTIC’S QUESTIONS FOR DJ NUMARK

Quantic: Nu, if all the electronics companies and major labels want to to sell us today is USB sticks and MP3s, why and how are vinyl records still relevant? Can you see vinyl ever climbing back to its former glory? How does digital co-exist with Vinyl for you as a DJ?

DJ NUMARK: I think the average record collector / music collector truly enjoys the experience of a tangible piece of artwork. That said, I hear that now records sales have dropped significantly and will continue to do so along with CDs. I’ve heard different statistics, but I know that with my new 10″ color vinyl series (Broken Sunlight) it has helped stir more buzz and appreciation. Personally I don’t see how vinyl will make it back to its former glory simply due to the ease of access the MP3 creates….still, “can’t roll a blunt on an mp3″ though.

Digital co-exist with vinyl in my sets simply as a switch over media for the next DJ to spin. It’s sad to say, but I either get hired to rock with the MP3s and toys, or a straight 7″/45 set.

Quantic: You now have been in the music industry for many years, through all its twists and turns. Having entered it when it was in a very different state, how would you describe the journey? Maybe give some advice to someone who starting out today.

DJ NUMARK: Today’s music industry doesn’t even resemble what it was when I got in it with J5. Hats off to the young artist of today that have to build hype strictly on hits, YouTube and blog hype. In the early ’90s, an indie promo 12″ was a great way to stir music lovers attention. Today, a visual component along with your song is a must! Also today, the artist must have a look to them that coincides with their sound. I don’t know….. would Janice Joplin get signed today?? That’s not a diss, just a simple straight question. I think the best motto an artist can have is bend or you’ll break in these trying times. This industry is unforgiving yet very rewarding and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to still play live and record on my terms.

Quantic: How would you describe the Broken Sunlight series? What was the inspiration for this series and how is this different to your past work as a producer?

DJ NUMARK: The series was planned similar to a DJ set where I can change up the singles at any time according to people’s response. I’m releasing six 10″ color vinyl records with a visual component (video, DVD commercial, etc…) for each single. At the end of the series cycle I’ll release the entire album with a DVD of my life on the road and in the studio creating the album. The record is different from past projects because it’s my first solo attempt, there’s an underlined theme of forging ahead through tough times. I worked with MCs and singers and there’s a splash of a few different music genres incorporated. I don’t really spin just all hip-hop at shows anymore, so my music production reflects that in this album.

Quantic: You are known for your skill, originality and showmanship on the turntables, but you are also a obsessive record collector and music selector. How do they two things co-exist? Are they part of the same interest or do these interests often conflict?

DJ NUMARK: No, I think they all co-exist. I dig heavily, then I harvest the crops and break them down into music that then becomes my own. I’ve never been a record collector that collects simply because a record is sought after. There are tons of records that bore me to death but a lot of my peers break their backs trying to capture them. The music has to speak to me first before I start chopping, spinning or vacuuming to the music.

Quantic: You’ve toured more than anyone I know with your toys DJ show. Where was the show best received? Did you ever despair with carrying around such a complicated setup and rig?

DJ NUMARK: These damn toys are gonna be the end of me….crazy. Well, I haven’t played the toy set much in the states, but I will very heavily with the promo behind Broken Sunlight. I’d say that New Zealand gave me the best response so far. I captured that on the upcoming DVD as well.

It took longer for me to build and perfect my toy road case then it did for me to come up with the toy set. Traveling with the toys is a pain in the ass. TSA has taken my toys out of the case and re-inserted them in ways leading to toys breaking. The overweight fees are also not so fun. We use to be able to travel with a case that weighed 70 pounds, now it’s 50 pounds. So while all the homies are smiling with their laptops at the airport, I’m that dude going to another line paying extra fees. But hey, the kids love it and it’s working for me!

Go to the next page to read DJ NUMARK’s questions for Quantic.

Red Bull Thre3Style National Finals Video Teaser – Headliners/Judges Include Jermaine Dupri, Mick Boogie and DJ Nu-Mark

hurryupnbuy — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:54:29 +0000

Red Bull Thre3Style National Finals hits Orlando, FL June 21st – 23rd with an amazing cast of competing DJs from all over the United States. Red Bull Thre3Style is an innovative concept that gives highly skilled DJs a global platform to showcase their skills, battle and gain notoriety by rockin’ the dance floor and this year’s competition will prove to be more fierce than ever. The winner of Orlando’s National Finals will make their way to the International Finals in Chicago this September.

This year’s National Finals will feature Headliner/Judges from Jermaine Dupri (So So Def Recordings), Mick Boogie, and DJ Nu-Mark (Jurassic 5) and the battle will span over 3 days from June 21st – 23rd.

Today, check this video teaser which showcases the energy that Red Bull Thre3Style will bring to Orlando later this month.

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Undercover

Jorge Cuellar — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:15:30 +0000

My familiarity with J-Boogie comes from the various remix and edit work he has done in the past (including one he made for Vieux Farka Touré’s “Fafa” from 2009) as well as his collaboration with fan favorites People Under the Stairs, Quantic and his Combo Barbaro, Bay Area compadres Zion I, Goapele and Raashan Ahmad spanning multiple projects, personal and by others. By no means an exhaustive list, J-Boogie’s talent is undeniable and his knowledge of mixing, sampling, and creating great-sounding gems continues to this day. J-Boogie’s extensive network of collaborative efforts ranges from beautiful and carefree reggae, to dub, cumbia (see “El Ritmo” feat Deuce Eclipse & Caipo of Bang Data on this release), jazz and afrobeat returning all the way back to the main modern musical disciplines of hip-hop and electronic. With shared creations featuring OM labelmates Mark Farina and Kaskade, J-Boogie has done it all. His influence can be seen throughout contemporary music, and contemporary music’s influence can as well be seen in his always-current, fresh and energetic sound. There’s a certain way that J-Boogie “does repetition” in the forms of choruses and hooks that just makes sense the Touré track is a perfect example and this record employs this method to great effect once more.

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science or J-Boogie for short just dropped some heavy joints on Undercover, his long-awaited solo release since his work on the immensely enjoyable Soul Vibrations from 2008. Undercover picks up where Soul Vibrations left off, displaying J-Boogie’s diverse styles and tastes in an idiosyncratic yet coherent mixture of influences and experiments. This record, generally speaking, is very very funky. Case in point is “It’s On Fire” with another Bay Area homie, Lateef the Truthspeaker. Another example demonstrating this feel is the larger than life joint “Blue Mountain Dub” featuring Jazz Mafia—what a track, wow. This entire record is an awesome party, one that I’d never like to end. While some songs are weaker than others, there is no wholly bad track on this album—there’s just different flavors that speak to different people, but nevertheless transmit talent and artistry on behalf of their creator J-Boogie. It is sometimes the case that too much of a wide range in servicing different tastes can prove detrimental and detract from the product as a whole.

The more hard-hitting jams on Undercover have to be the title track “Undercover” featuring Chrys Anthony as well as “Go to Work” featuring The Pimps of Joytime. Personally, I can’t get over “Undercover.” Guest Chrys Anthony’s voice is on point on this cut, and the horn samples coupled with the funky bass prove to be a delectable combination impossible to overlook. Going into a jazz solo midway through, this song impresses the earbuds and keeps the finger snaps coming—it’s been awhile since a track hit me with this much audio stimulation. As a result of doing this review I went and picked up the “Undercover” single that contains quite the collection of remixes of this song including one by J5’s own DJ Nu-Mark—but as in most cases, the original is by far superior. Props to J-Boogie for handling this track with care and precision.

With a host of producers and musicians turning to the Latin American for inspiration, there can be a lot of misuse and misinterpretation of some of the influences (given their histories and cultural contexts), Quantic is a good example of what you should be doing when using Latin flavors in your music, and if you have aspirations of making music with Latin rhythms (as you should) he is the model. There is a definite way to treat your sample sources and your influences, and J-Boogie and his band “Dubtronic Science” clearly do this, paying homage to the beloved cumbia of Central and Sudamérica in interesting, pleasing, and novel ways. He does the same for African-inspired tracks like “No Freedom” featuring Afrolicious & MC Zulu. J-Boogie as producer and his entourage of emcees, vocalists and percussionists are a potent and dynamic musical force. Undercover proves his versatility and vision. You heard it here first: J-Boogie is your favorite producer’s favorite producer.

Peep some of the links below to check out “Undercover,” “It’s On Fire” and some other J-Boogie goodness.

Co$$ – Leimert Park (off Exile’s Next Mixtape)

hurryupnbuy — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:45:49 +0000

LRG Clothing Co x Dirty Science will present Exile’s “Intro To The Outro” mixtape as a free download on August 31st, 2011. The mixtape features all Exile production that covers key songs in Exile’s lengthy catalogue while featuring brand new exclusive material never heard before. The list of exclusives include new music featuring MF Doom, Bun B, Blu, Fashawn, Aloe Blacc, Dag Savage (Johaz & Exile), Co$$ and others. LRG will be distributing the physical mixtapes for free at Rock the Bells so make sure to stop by their booth in each city.

Exile is also preparing the release of his first self-produced rap album entitled “4TRK MIND” dropping October 4th via Soul Spazm Records x Dirty Science.

Today, enjoy the free mp3 download of the song “Leimert Park” featuring Co$$ (produced by Exile). Co$$ vividly pays homage to his hometown neighborhood in Los Angeles, responsible for developing some of hip hop’s greatest artists and moments, including the legendary Good Life Cafe which was home to Project Blowed where everyone from Freestyle Fellowship, Jurassic 5, and others frequented on a weekly basis in the late 80s and early 90s. Co$$ proudly represents Leimert Park as one of it’s new shinning talents from the neighborhood, showcasing his work for his recently released album “Before I Awoke.”

Co$$ – Leimert Park (Produced by Exile) by LiftedResearchGroup

Flud Watches Presents “Beats Per Minute” Video Series with DJ Nu-Mark

hurryupnbuy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:11:24 +0000

FLuD Presents: Beats Per Minute with with DJ Nu Mark from FLuD Watches on Vimeo.

Flud Watches presents the third “Beats Per Minute” video featuring DJ Nu-Mark in celebration of their “BPM” Watch as part of their new Summer collection. The “Beats Per Minute” Video Series showcases some of hip hop’s most influential producers highlighting their craft, while discussing changes in the game, crate diggin’, equipment and their advise to the new generation.

In this episode, DJ Nu-Mark (of Jurassic 5 acclaim) talks about his years of record collecting, the positive and negative effects of new technology, the freedom he now has as a producer outside of a group setting, while finishing up the video with his trademark rubber band trick using the tone arm of a turntable. Nu-Mark is truly one of the most creative DJ/Producers in the game, which he showcases during his DJ sets as he incorporates various toys and tricks to separate himself from the rest. In addition, a lot of folks sleep on Nu-Mark (including Cut Chemist and DJ Shadow) as one of the first producers to perform live on the MPC, which he showcased years ago for Mochilla’s Keepintime live show in 2002 at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.

DJ Nu-Mark is also preparing the release of his album “Broken Sunlight” dropping Fall 2011!!

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Undercover feat. Chrys Anthony (DJ Nu-Mark Remix)

hurryupnbuy — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:42:56 +0000

J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science is back with his upcoming album “Undercover” dropping October 4th via OM Records. The San Francisco representative is respected world-wide as one of the most diverse DJs in the game who has also been releasing full length albums for almost 10 years.

The first single for the title track “Undercover” ft. Chrys Anthony is out now and today enjoy the free download of the DJ Nu-Mark (of Jurassic 5) remix, which features Nu-Mark’s precise drum-programming making this remix an instant summer jam. You can also stream the entire single including the original version, DJ Nu-Mark remix, Instrumental and Acapella.

The single to “Undercover” will also be released shortly on vinyl 45 and is for sale on iTunes now.
J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Undercover feat. Chrys Anthony by OmRecords

[download]

LMNO – JAMES KELLY 10-Pack

Jorge Cuellar — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:45:01 +0000

Looking for those last minute items but aren’t sure exactly what to gift? Well, look no further—Long Beach based emcee LMNO of the Visionaries has made decision-making this holiday season a no-brainer. Having released an epic ten (yes, 10) albums to commemorate 2010, you can purchase any of his ten records, gift wrap them and put them under the tree for all the music lovers in your family. The albums are: Push That Work, fOnk garden, Next in Line, Selective Hearing Part 2, Determined to Fly, Banger Management, Tripping on this Journey, Blessing in Disguise, No Apologies, and finally, LMNO is Dead. These records, which unlike you might expect, are consistent throughout and demonstrate LMNO’s versatility as a lyricist and performer. Or you can purchase the dynamic and monolithic James Kelly LMNO 10-Pack Limited Edition Collection, which includes all of the albums in tight commemorative packaging. Releasing 10 albums in one year is unheard of, especially when achieving it with a diverse cast of collaborators ranging from the heavenly Georgia Anne Muldrow, Visionaries members KeyKool and 2Mex to the almighty producers Kev Brown and DJ Babu. With this star-studded cast there is very little reason to doubt the quality output of the music in question. Check out my review here to the masterful Selective Hearing Part 2, which is perhaps my favorite of the bunch.

While I had initially conceived to write this piece as a comprehensive review of every single record in the collection, that task (due to time constraints) proved to daunting to undertake. However, my busy holiday season has been well spent and productive as scored by the sounds of LMNO’s 10 records. Interestingly, one of my favorite LMNO albums, created in collaboration with French producer Yann Kesz, Devilish Dandruff with Holy Shampoo, is absent from this collection (you should pick it up nevertheless!). You can find my review of that impressive LMNO release here. With an organic, non-synthetic, acrobatic and rhythmic intelligent lyrical design, LMNO methodically travels through the various landscapes created by his producers through this record collection. Connected by the life-experience of LMNO and James Kelly, the albums are interconnected in interesting ways, while, however, conceived uniquely as their own show the fluctuation, change, and metamorphosis of a gifted emcee. Featuring guest spots from hip-hop notables Luckyiam, MED, Wildchild, Hasaan Mackey, Chali 2Na, Evidence and others, the collection is sprinkled with highlights that underscore the quality of creation present throughout LMNO’s year (and overall body) of work.

The albums showcase a rigorous understanding of musicianship through provocative rhyming, emotion, fantastic storytelling, and on-point production. The collection is organized by LMNO’s name “James Kelly” which breaks down as follows:

Disc J: Push The Work (Produced and scratches by LD)
Disc A: fOnk Garden (Produced by Georgia Anne Muldrow)
Disc M: Next in Line (Produced by Dert)
Disc E: Selective Hearing Part 2 (with Kev Brown)
Disc S: Determined to Fly (with Theory Hazit)
Disc K: Banger Management (with Mr. Brady)
Disc E: Tripping on this Journey (Produced by Astronote)
Disc L: Blessing in Disguise (with 2Mex and KeyKool)
Disc L: No Apologies (Produced by DJ Babu)
Disc Y: LMNO is Dead (Produced by KeyKool)

The collection retails for a little over 50 dollars over at the Up Above Records website. If you do the cost analysis of high quality music for your money, it doesn’t get any better than this. Seeing as we all have to be frugal and be intelligent consumers, LMNO and Up Above’s 10-pack collection fits the bill, literally. Check out LMNO’s “10-Pack Commandments” music video commemorating the 10 LP’s put out in 2010, it contextualizes a bit of LMNO’s work ethic in an manageable (and physical!) form. While a humble LMNO says, “Work ethic is the move, I do what I say without anything to prove.” His work stands alone and will stand the test of time, it proves that LMNO, as far as the history of West Coast hip-hop goes, as far as bumping California lyricism goes, stands strong with the rest of them. The perfect blend of complexity and clarity in the lyrics of LMNO are a point of distinction that makes his music (time and time again) thoroughly enjoyable. With hot production on the regular, LMNO is in a class of his own with the introduction of the 10-Pack. As far as I know, this might be the first time a West Coast rapper has output 10 records in a single year. Showing that he can take his rhymes and distinct style and adapt it to various environments and situations by working with different producers and artists, LMNO has achieved legendary status with a brilliant collection of amazing tracks. While the records stand alone, together, they contribute a sizable weight to LMNO’s artistic credentials and is something that should not be missed.

If you’re a hip-hop fan and have never heard of LMNO, this is the most ideal way to enter into the realm of LMNO’s audible constructions. The magnitude of this collection will prove its worth over and over again and will give you months of sonic pleasure for months to come (if not years). As a proud owner of the collection, you will also receive Blessing in Disguise, No Apologies and LMNO is Dead before they are released in single-album format come 2011. Those albums in themselves constitute the collection as a worthy purchase and something worth buying for you (or for some other grateful member in your family). LMNO did very well this year and has already cemented his place as a creative, prolific emcee and humble artist—for me, and you will agree once you peep this collection: LMNO is hip-hop’s modern day Renaissance man.

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Stream Cut Chemist’s New Mix Album ‘Sound of the Police’

Joshua Glazer — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:54:01 +0000

LA DJ Cut Chemist and local public radio powerhouse KCRW have a long running bro-mance that’s followed his career as a member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli to his more recent teamings with DJ Shadow and his solo sessions. So it’s little surprise that the renowned turntablist would debut his latest effort—the afro-brazilian influences Sound of the Police—on the ever popular album preview page of the stations website, KRCW.com.

The 41-minute session, created using just on turntable and a loop pedal, was recorded live from a practice session a few years back. You can also download the single off the release, “Adidas to Addis” here.

LMNO & Kev Brown – Selective Hearing Part 2

Jorge Cuellar — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:00:18 +0000

Long Beach native James Kelly and DC-based Kevin Brown have teamed up once again under their pseudonyms LMNO and Kev Brown, respectively, in an appropriate and highly anticipated return to their highly original and collaborative brainchild (and homage to) James Brown. Their original work was unleashed onto the world in 2008’s well-received and inventive Selective Hearing, a soulful serving of stylized beats and eloquent rhymes. With quality cuts like “The Beat Tape” and “The Cause,” James Brown threw down a debut of impressive caliber that established both LMNO and Kev Brown as a no-nonsense creative duo. Come 2010—James and Kev have been hard at work in the studio again, bringing new goodies to the faithful with their follow-up Selective Hearing Part 2. In part deux, LMNO and Kev Brown once again showcase their on-mic chemistry with accompanying flawless production that made their previous release a thoroughly satisfying listen. When one thinks of collaborative work in hip-hop, immediately what comes to mind is the host of remixes where an extra verse is added on in tacky fashion. Disclaimer: You won’t find this type of work here. In a true collaborative fashion, Selective Hearing Part 2 is a two-pronged endeavor; the combination of Kev Brown and LMNO is an unremitting, heavy-hitting, and clever interplay that illustrate each other’s diverse and complementary talents. As LMNO expresses of himself (and social networking) in his work on Good Gawd (featuring Hassaan Mackey), “I don’t appeal to the bitter. I never was a follower until Twitter.”

Selective Hearing Part 2 in many ways picks up exactly where the first album left off and is greatly expanded upon with original production coming straight from the mind of Kev Brown (who, like in the first release, is featured vocally—this time more prominently). The start studded guest vocals don’t lag too far behind either—guests like Chali 2na, Hassaan Mackey, Declaime, Kenn Starr and others lend their vocals to this ambitious musical project. The album begins on a very energetic note, the opener: “The Ultimate” sets off the album in an emphatic and decidedly hip-hop manner. Kev Brown and LMNO announce themselves as James Brown (JB’s) with appropriate funk/jazz/soul sample-based production reminiscent of some of the most iconic Pete Rock cuts. The second jam titled “James Brown” is one of the most stellar tracks on the album. This song really emphasizes the best of this duo, Kev Brown aptly lacing the track with some interesting rhymes (and brilliantly flipped samples) while LMNO awaits his vocal entrance (roughly a minute into the song)—and as is characteristic, LMNO comes correct with an uninhibited consciousness that comments on the staleness of the state of mainstream hip-hop. He rhymes: “It was stuffy, so we brought some ventilation—we need to air it with evaporation; to your video, radio and even your Playstation, James Brown flows with motivation.”

The first single release, “Ya Know” is a thoroughly headnodding and ingeniously sample-driven composition through a central multilayered chorus containing James Brown (the man himself) saying “Uh, with your bad self!” from the “Say It Loud (I’m Black and Proud)” original source. Kev Brown and James Kelly both employ conscious and multisyllabic rhyme schemes, which keep the pace of the music consistent, intelligibly moving from concept to concept. Kev Brown’s production is on point in this release and demonstrates his on and off-mic repertoire. The prolific LMNO can do no wrong; Kelly’s style is, as always, unique and identifiable as one that continually promotes positivity through the hip-hop art form. Other special tracks on this album include “Gotta Get It (featuring Kenn Starr)” and “Guaranteed (featuring Chali 2na of Jurassic 5).” Although I single these tracks out as my personal go-to favorites, all the tracks are accomplished and well authored in their own right. LMNO & Kev Brown’s music expresses the humor, reality and history of their experiences, always keeping their musical elements cohesive through their palpable on-mic chemistry. As James Kelly/LMNO says on another of the standout tracks on this album featuring Declaime and Mr. Brady, “James Brown we stay rocking, knocking down these doors ever so often; cause a reaction without bashing; we stay clashing with the speakers blasting!

Check out the first single off Selective Hearing Part 2 “Ya Know” and look out for LMNO and Kev Brown who are currently touring throughout the United States and Europe! If their recorded work in both Part 1 and 2 are any indication, their live show is bound to be off the hook!

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