New Albums / CDs

Oakland's Father of All Hustlers Too Short is listed here and there as dropping his new album "Pimpin' Inc." on January 24th, but there is such little detail available that I've gotta be skeptical. Hopefully some new info will pop up soon.. Too Short came along with Ant Banks to visit our radio show one time in the mid-90s, which I thought was very gracious of him since I'm sure he knew our little NYC underground mixshow didn't exactly have him in regular rotation. Very cool and down to earth for an artist of his stature.

The Alkaholiks (not the Liks anymore?) apparently have an album named "Firewater" courtesy of the mighty Koch empire on January 24th? It's being billed as the crew's final and farewell album.

Here's a rundown from rapreviewz.com:

Hip-Hop's favorite frat boys aren't ready to give up that title just yet. The E-Swift, Tash, and J-Ro, collectively known as the Alkaholiks, are back to throw another sonic toga party. Didn't "21 & Over" come out in '93? Yep, over a decade later and tha Liks are still the happy-go-lucky bunch they've always been. After four albums under the Loud Records umbrella, the trio releases "Firewater" with everyone's new favorite indie, Koch. Sadly, there's speculation that this will be the group's last offering. I guess even Van Wilder eventually graduated..

...From top to bottom, the Liks drop one party jam after another. This should be no surprise to any hardcore Liks fans. The crew will never be mistaken for conscious rappers and you should've figured that out from their name. But real emcees respect them for their humor and wit. They're straight up punchline warriors. They're here for one reason only: to have a good time. With that in mind, you have to appreciate how well they do their jobs...

...Overall, I would have to say this is the weakest Liks album of their five releases, but not by much. And anyone who's heard their previous four knows that they have a lot to live up to. You just get the feeling that they've mellowed out for their swan song and are already looking ahead to challenges that await in their solo careers. But let's face it, Tha Alkaholiks have nothing left to prove...

I haven't listened to much Cat Power, but this new album "The Greatest" intrigues me, with its lineup of top Memphis session musicians backing Chan Marshal up, like "Teenie" and Leroy Hodges from the old Al Green records.. It's due out on January 24th. Here's a take from the Stereogum blog:

"The Greatest finds indie rock's Joni Mitchell unexpectedly confident while taking a welcome step sideways. Twangy soul is weird territory for the notoriously withdrawn folkie, but Chan Marshall makes it fit. Her acclaimed You Are Free (2003) hardly hinted at this musical maturation, and that makes it all the more intriguing. "Could We," punctuated by slick Memphis horns, could've been a stellar track on Van Morrison's latest. Chan sounds almost ... upbeat. Elsewhere "After It All" melds saloon piano with a ghostly, infectious whistle. "Willie" recalls Aimee Mann until the vocals kick in. As on other Greatest hits, it's difficult to make out the lyrics. That prompts further listening, which is the greatest part. This is getting pretentious ..."

Wow. An album by Jon Anderson of Yes, devoted to recording all the music described in
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Complete with lyrics in Elvish: "In Elven Lands: The Fellowship"

Not to belabor the obvious, but this is the single geekiest thing i've ever heard of in my life. I am, however, geeky enough that I want to hear it.

"The long-expected album is now a reality…
In 1999, Yes-man Jon Anderson joined with a small fellowship of recording artists to create music inspired by the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, entitled "In Elven Lands: The Fellowship." Wishing to make more than just a tribute album, they set out to record music that actually came from Tolkien's mythical worlds. For years, fans have awaited its release.

The wait is over.

Brand new studio album - Songs in Elvish, English and Anglo-Saxon that reflect details gleaned from Tolkien's personal notes - Featuring a wide variety of ancient instruments and early-music performance practices - Collectable full-colour dig-pack art, based on designs from ancient manuscripts • Integrated booklet with lyrics and album notes - Exclusive early-music cover version of the classic The Battle of Evermore"

Heather Hedley's new album "In My Mind," is supposedly out on January 31st, with Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis on production. Here's the track listing:

1. In My Mind
2. Am I Worth It
3. Wait a Minute
4. I Didn't Mean to
5. How Many Ways - Heather Headley, Vybz Kartel
6. Back When It Was
7. What's Not Being Said
8. Losing You
9. Rain - Heather Headley, Shaggy
10. Letter
11. Me Time
12. Change

The mighty Chino XL, who I once rhymed with on stage at the Village Gate, has a new album coming out named "Poison Pen" (no relation to the Stronghold MC, who's also nice). It's currently listed as dropping on January 24th, but we shall see. Here's the info from hiphopgalaxy. Title track produced by..... Dan Charnas!!?

Chino XL is set to drop his long awaited new joint on the masses called "Poison Pen". After turning down many offers from labels such as Aftermath and G-Unit, he decided to release the album through indie label Activate. The double disc will consist of 18 bangers and will have videos and hidden tracks included. Collaborations include Killah Priest, Beatnuts, and Proof. Known throughout the years for blazing mics on The Wake Up Show and freestyles across the country, Chino has kept a consistent fan base due to his punchline heavy style that has influenced many MC’s, most notably Eminem. He released "Art of Origin EP", "Here to Save You All", and "I Told You So". The new album Poison Pen is set for a late January release.

Tracklisting :
1. Mr. Choc DJ Intro
2. B-Boy/Gangsta [Produced by Byrd]
3. Wordsmyth [Produced by Byrd]
4. Our Time (w/ Proof) [Produced by Genesee]
5. What You Looking At [Produced by Genesee]
6. She Can’t Change Me [Produced by Buff Billion]
7. Don’t Fail Me Now (w/ The Beatnuts & Sin Gutta) [Produced by Byrd]
8. Messiah [Produced by Bird]
9. Skin [Produced by N Kredible]
10. Talk To You [Produced by N Kredible]
11. Poison Pen [Produced by Dan Charnas]
12. About Nothing [Produced by N Kredible]
13. Beastie (w/ Killah Priest) [Produced by Carlos Bess]
14. Even If It Kills Me [Produced by One Eye]

Underground favorites and OKP regulars the CunninLynguists (not Cunninglynguists) have a new cd called "Piece of Strange" listed as coming on 1/24/06, apparently the week every label is getting in gear with new releases. Here's a review from Kaffeine Buzz

Continuing to redefine what it means to be a rap group from the South, the critically-acknowledged duo known as Cunninlynguists has dropped their third release, A Piece of Strange, on LA Underground Entertainment. Prior releases, Will Rap for Food and Southernunderground (Featuring rapper SOS), were merely introductions that set the stage for the latest powerhouse album. Produced entirely by Kno (whom URB magazine has described as “one of the top loop-miners east of the Mississippi”), the work is a loosely approached concept album, according to press materials. Having already worked with some of independent rap musics elite—including Masta Ace and Supastition, the new album includes guest spots from Cee-Lo, Immortal Technique, and producer/singer/MC Tonedeff, as well as Kentucky rapper Natti (who appears on seven of the 15 tracks).
This is no light-weight project.

“America Loves Gangsters,” with its grimy bass-guitar backbone and airy female vocals, sounds like a lost Goodie Mob track, while “Never Know Why (with Immortal Technique)” offers poignant words over a melancholy track replete with choral humms, wayward keys and a Kanye-styled sped up singing hook. The opening track, “Since When” blasts out of the speakers with knocking boom bap and urgent synths to highlight rhymes that are meant to let you know that the South is more than just the music its rappers ride on; there’s cats with flow down below, too! The horns and sparse drums of “Braincell” offer a glimpse into the darker side of life in America, with the sampled snippet “living in a world no different from a cell” punctuating their thoughts.

Boasting strong rhymes, melodic and gospel-tinged beats, and sprinkles of live instrumentation coupled with on-point samples, the duo of Deacon The Villain and Kno set out to recapture “the soul in southern hip hop,” as well as offering music that reminds you why you got into hip-hop in the first place. If the movie Brown Sugar was made today, they would have to include a cameo or mention of Cunninlynguists somewhere. Now you should too. No rap collection is complete without at least one of their albums.

Here's Ghostface's new single:

The reign of the South continues with Atlanta's Dem Franchize Boyz laying down their the On Top of Our Game" album on Feb. 7th. Can you tell how deeply i care about this album? Here's the tracklisting:

1. My Music - (with Bun-B) 2. I Think They Like Me - (remix, with Jermaine Dupri) 3. Ridin' Rims 4. Bricks 4 The High - (with Jim Jones) 5. You Know What It Is 6. Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It 7. Freaky As She Wanna Be - (with Trey Songz) 8. Stop Calling Me 9. Give Props 10. Suckas Come & Try Me 11. Don't Play With Me - (with Three 6 Mafia) 12. They Don't Like That 13. Untitled - (White T remix, Bonus Track, with Jermaine Dupri)

Scott Herren AKA Prefuse 73 is already back again, with a nre album entitled "Security Screenings." Pitchfork has the details

...Come late February, the legendary Warp Records will unveil Security Screenings, Scott Herren's latest opus under the Prefuse 73 moniker. Described by its progenitor as "merely a transition" rather than a follow-up to this year's Surrounded By Silence, Security will be Herren's paean to airport security and the "immense amount of respect and care" they've shown him in the post-9/11 era. Tricorder reading: acerbic sarcasm.

Described in his press release as "a masterclass in sliced-up breakdance noise rock," Security will feature collaborations with kindred souls Four Tet and TV on the Radio's Babatunde Adebimpe. While the collabo-heavy Surrounded By Silence employed extensive vocal work from guest stars, Security sees Herren returning primarily to "the type of intricate instrumental material that slayed fans in the first place." So prepare to be slain by the following cuts, glitch-hoppers:

01 The Letter: "P"
02 With Dirt and Two Texts-- Afternoon Version
03 Illiterate Interlude
04 Keeping Up With Your Quota
05 No Special Bed
06 Weight Watching
07 When the Grip Lets You Go
08 Always It's Gonna Be Like That
09 Creating Cyclical Headaches [ft. Four Tet]
10 Awakening to a...
11 With Dirt and Two Texts-- Later Version With Love
12 No Origin
13 One Star and Three Stripes
14 Mud in Your Breath
15 Breathe
16 Matrimonioids... (for: Elivin + Susana Estela)
17 We Leave You in a Cloud of Thick Smoke and Sleep Outro [ft. Babatunde Adebimpe]

This pairing, Aceyalone and RJD2, promises to be one of the most coveted releases of the season, if it actually appears in this season.. the latest release date is February 7th. Here's a cool review from allhiphop (although it may have used the word "perhaps" a few too many times):

Aceyalone wants to hear about Freestyle Fellowship about as much as Kool G Rap wants to pontificate about DJ Polo. Times have changed but the problem has been that Acey-alone has given audiences nothing nearly as pleasing as his early group albums. On his last solo, Love & Hate [featuring the oddly titled, "City of S**t"] there was a burst of excitement in his two collaborations with Def Jux producer, RJD2. Perhaps this led to Los Angeles and Philadelphia's unified vision of a Magnificent City...

Storytelling drives Magnificent City to concept-album status. Like a Robert Altman film, perhaps it is these stories woven together that completes the picture. "Soloman Jones" uses a Tone-Loc rhyme pattern, but a mild delivery to present a tale of a post-Wild West bar-fight. "Cornbread, Eddy, and Me" takes references from several 70's films, and allows Aceyalone to put himself in a protagonist's shoes. Though abstract, the energy makes the message clear...

...Both Freestyle Fellowship and Project Blowed have been about collaborative chemistry. Perhaps with RJD2, Aceyalone was able to build with a silent partner in making his boldest, most cohesive solo work to date. This energetic and emotional effort is essential to the Los Angeles underground spirit at a time when Pharcyde and L.A. Symphony are struggling to be remembered. Whether sarcastic or not, Magnificent City positions itself as one of the better story-driven albums of late, and an early independent heat-seeker in '06.

The venerable Sergio Mendes is about to drop a new album named "Timeless" on February 14th, with guest appearances galore from more mainstream younger acts.. going for the Santana method? The phrase "Black Eyed Peas" appears in the credits more often than one might be comfortable with, but some of the other names are more enticing, such as Stevie Wonder, Pharoah Monche and Black Thought. Here's the complete track listing for Sergio Mendes' "Timeless"

1. Mas Que Nada (Mah-sh Keh Nah-da) featuring The Black Eyed Peas
2. That Heat featuring Erykah Badu and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
3. Berimbau/Consolacao (Beh-rim-bao/Con-soh-lah-soun) featuring Stevie Wonder and Gracinha Leporace
4. The Frog featuring Q-Tip and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
5. Let Me featuring Jill Scott and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
6. Bananeira (Bah-nah-nay-rah) (Banana Tree) featuring Mr. Vegas
7. Surfboard featuring will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
8. Please Baby Don’t featuring John Legend
9. Samba Da Bencao (Samba Of The Blessing) featuring Marcelo D2
10. Timeless featuring India.Arie
11. Loose Ends featuring Justin Timberlake, Pharoahe Monch and will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
12. Fo’-Hop (Por Tras de Bras de Pina) featuring Guinga and Marcelo D2
13. Lamento (No Morro) featuring Maogani Quartet
14. E Menina (Hey Girl)
15. Yes, Yes Y’All featuring Black Thought of The Roots, Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Debi Nova & will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas

the scoop from Billboard:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Show Your Bones" Album, March 28th

New York rock trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will return on March 28 with its second Interscope album, "Show Your Bones," according to a label spokesperson. First single "Gold Lion" will be commercially released a week earlier in the United Kingdom. The set was produced by Squeak E Clean and mixed by rock veteran Alan Moulder...

..."'Show Your Bones' is what happens when you put your finger in a light socket," singer Karen O says of the album name. "Maybe there is some of that electric current flowing through the tracks of our album illuminating us from the inside out for you to laugh at and cry to or fry to. Or not..."

And here are their upcoming tour dates:

2/23 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's

2/24 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

2/25 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

2/27 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium

3/1 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club

3/2 - San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club

First here's a note from contactmusic on how President Bush provided inspiration for the new album:

Experimental rockers THE FLAMING LIPS have hailed US president GEORGE W BUSH as the inspiration for their forthcoming album AT WAR WITH THE MYSTICS - because they detest him so much.

The Oklahoma trio are so furious with the way their country is being run, they have no qualms about releasing their most political record to date.

Frontman WAYNE COYNE reveals, "I guess we've found it hard not to get a little frustrated with America.

"There's this fundamentalist, right wing Christian president and you can only stand there so long and be tolerant. Sometimes you just want to say, 'Jeez, you people are retarded.' I don't want people to think of us as Zen masters sitting up on the mountain not understanding what's going on."

And more info including tracklisting from Aversion.com:

The Flaming Lips have laid all their plans for their upcoming album on the table.

The pop act revealed the track listing for its upcoming At War with the Mystics, which is due out April 4 from Warner Bros. The follow-up to 2002’s Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (Warner Bros.) was produced by Dave Fridmann (Sleater-Kinney), and features 12 tracks. The album’s lead single, “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song,” will hit stores March 7, though the act’s already made “The W.A.N.D.” available through digital music retailers.

At War with the Mystics’ track listing is:

Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
Free Radicals
The sound of Failure/It's Dark … Is It Always This Dark??
My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion
Vein Of Stars
The Wizard Turns On …
It Overtakes Me/The Stars Are So Big, I am So Small … Do I Stand A Chance?
Mr. Ambulance Driver
Haven't Got A Clue
The W.A.N.D.
Pompeii Am Gôtterdämmerung
Goin' On

A new 2-CD set from the Chili Peppers.. do the kids still remember them? It'll be interesting to see/hear where this goes..

Info from undercover.au:

Red Hot Chili Peppers ninth studio album 'Stadium Arcadium' is nearing completion and will be released in April, 2006. 'Stadium Arcadium', the follow-up to 2002's 'By The Way' is expected to be a double album. It was recorded in California with producer Rick Rubin. Some of the known songs recorded for the album are 'Dani California', 'Hard to Concentrate', Desecration Smile', 'Charlie', 'Snow' as well as the title track.

And more from the fan site transcending.nu:

Produced by Rick Rubin, the double album, titled ‘Stadium Arcadium’ will be released in April. The first single will be a track called 'Danni California'.

New song titles include:
'Hard to Concentrate'
'Dani California'
'Desecration Smile'
'Charlie'
'Snow'
'Stadium Arcadium'

"I'm so excited about it and I'm so ready for it to be part of the public consciousness. It's a lot different to 'By The Way'. There are some profoundly funky songs and then there are songs that are new for us and don't sound like anything." Anthony Kiedis

"There's heavier stuff than the band's ever done, and there's also a lot of beautiful, soaring melodies. I feel like everybody's taking their instrument to a new level." John Frusciante

Red Hot Chili Peppers will mount a world tour shortly after the release of the album with Australian dates slated for late 2006.

Hmm I would take any news on this project with a grain of salt, especially any purported collaborators, considering Game's astounding ability to burn bridges stir beef every time he leaves the house.. who else could make a sworn enemy of the business partner that is also his own brother? I wouldn't be surprised to read that "rapper The Game has announced he will not be appearing on The Game's upcoming album "Doctor's Advocate," citing creative differences with the artist." But here's the project as it stands now, according to allhiphop:

The rapper/CEO has already recorded and finished tracks with heavyweight producers like Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Just Blaze and Cool & Dre.

Game said The Doctors Advocate would not suffer without the appearance of 50 Cent and his former G-Unit group members, with whom a violent feud erupted just before 50 Cent released his chart-topping album, The Massacre.

"First off, he didn't write s**t," Game clarified. "If you listen to The Massacre and The Documentary, it's obvious. He didn't write anything. We would be in the studio bouncing ideas off of each other creatively, because it's all about creative empowerment. I did that for his album too and didn't ask for anything or take any credit. Now 50 is trying to sign all the street dudes and turn them against me."

Let's see if the kids still think O'Shea is credible as a rapper.. judging by discussion here at least, somebody is still checking for him..

Ice Cube Wants The Last Laugh With Independent LP Featuring Lil Jon, Snoop

Gangsta-rap architect's Laugh Now Cry Later due June 6.

Legendary member of Eazy-E’s NWA and more recently member of the hip-hop rap group Westside Connection; west coast gangsta rap artist Ice Cube is preparing his new album ‘Laugh Now, Cry Later’ for a June 6th,2006 drop; which will be released independently by Cube himself.

"What is a record company going to do for me that I can't do for myself? Nothing," he explained.

"It's nothing they can offer me to have a major percent of my record. It's really all about ownership at this time...People are caught up in double, triple platinum. That's lovely, but what's double platinum if you not getting double-platinum money? It's all about what you take home to your family at the end of the day if you gonna make this game a profession," he advised.

Affording Cube more artistic freedom was one reason the west coast rapper chose to release the album independently.

"At some point an artist needs to put his money where his mouth is," Cube said, "A record company's schedule sometimes don't coincide with what you need to do as an artist. By me not being on no schedules or deadlines, I made a better record because of that."

Cube went on to note that he would not be side-tracked by any films until the album is complete.

So, what can fans expect on the new album?

Knowing that fans will be anticipating the album, when asked what fans can expect from the upcoming release Cube said “Everybody is doing a lot of laughing and playing and having fun, but someday you gotta pay. That's really what the album is saying."

According to those who have heard some new tracks, listeners can expect social commentary, specifically on a song titled Guns and Drugs. Cube will also get a lot of feelings off his chest on the song Child Support.

"It's a metaphor," he says of the song. "Only a few rappers dead or alive can do that record. I feel I put in enough time in the game. I was one of the architects of this style, gangsta rap. It was time to get it off my chest and say what I think."

Aside from these songs, guests that may be featured include Swizz Beats, Snoop Dogg, Scott Storch, Juelz Santana and Lil’ Jon.

One artist who isn’t on the album yet is Dr. Dre. Years ago, Dre & Cube began working on an album that was never released. Cube was said to be heading to Aftermath and a West coast reunion was in order. However, that never happened and many wondered why. "All that was happening before 50 blew up," he said of why the Aftermath deal was never finalized.

"...You gotta follow the money in this game. Dre's attention went in [the direction of] the artist that's right now. You can't do nothing but say that was a good business move. I probably would have done the same thing. But for me, I can't wait for nobody, I been in the game too long to wait. It was time to do the record and put it out. I did a whole lot of records without Dre on them. I would love to have him participate, but for the most part, I don't need to wait on nobody right about now."

Cube (real name Oshea Jackson) says he will not be working on any more films until after his album is released.

The Roots "Game Theory" Album is set to be their debut on Def Jam's new "underground" or "alternative" imprint, Def Jam Left. Information is scant on the project, but here are some tidbits from various sources:

"As for "Game Theory," drummer ?uestlove previously told Billboard.com it would likely feature a track with Mos Def and Talib Kweli called "Where I Come" and one song with just Mos Def, "Workin' on It.""

on okayplayer: "..a Black Thought album produced by Dangermouse is something being discussed, according to Roots management. No contracts are in place though and with Game Theory slated for a September '06 release, we would have to think that any Black Thought project of any kind is looking more like 2007."