New Releases: October 2009

[kingsoby1]

This month is near impossible to sift through with respect to volume; it's almost guaranteed someone will miss something down the road. The month after a critically acclaimed top 5 record of the year is released is typically difficult to really pay attention to, but this October shouldn't be. Some high impact releases include BK-One's Radio Do Canibal on Rhymesayers Entertainment, Strong Arm Steady & Madlib's Stoney Jackson, Sole and the Skyrider Band's Plastique, and Royce the 5'9"s constantly delayed Street Hop.

October 6th:
Fat Joe - J.O.S.E. 2
Jim Jones & Webstar - The Rooftop
Saigon - Warning Shots 2
Oh No - Oh No Vs. Now-Again
Balance & Big Rich - As Good As $
BK-One & Benzilla - Radio Do Canibal
Blake Lewis - Heartbreak On Vinyl
DJ Spooky - The Secret Song
Hell Rell - Live From Hell
Joe Budden - The Great Escape
Michael Jackson - Remix Suite IV
Smoke Dza - Substance Abuse
Soulico - Exotic On The Speaker
Apathy - Wanna Struggle?
Tre Williams & The Revelations - The Bleeding Edge

October 13th:
DJ Khaled & E-Class Present... - Live From 305
Mario - D.N.A.
8Ball - Volume 2: Derty On Purpose
8Ball - Volume 1: On The Grind
Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame One - Parallel Uni-Verses
D.I.T.C. - Rare & Unreleased: Volume 2
D.I.T.C. - Rare Breaks: Stack Two
Jackson 5 - Ultimate Christmas Collection
Jay ARE - The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again
Jern Eye - Vision
Kottonmouth Kings - Hidden Stash: 420
Lil Keke - The Chronicles: Volume 2
People Under The Stairs - Carried Away
R. Kelly - Untitled
Sene & Blu - A Day Late & A Dollar Short
Snoop Dogg - Death Row: The Lost Sessions Volume 1
Sole And The Skyrider Band - Plastique
Too Short - Mack Of The Century...Too Short's Greatest Hits
Mac Lethal - Love Potion 5: Deluxe Edition

October 20th:
Royce Da 5'9" - Street Hop
Fashawn & Exile - Boy Meets World
J Dilla - Dillanthology 3
Cormega - Born And Raised
Michael Jackson - Remix Suite V
Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser
Paten Locke - Super Ramen Rocketship
Themselves - CrownsDown
DaM-FunK - Toeachizown
Michael Jackson - Remix Suite I-V
Camp Lo - Another Heist
Killah Priest - Elizabeth: Introduction To The Psychic
Stat Quo - The Great Depression
William Cooper - Beware Of The Pale Horse

October 27th
O.C. & A.G. - Oasis
Sha Stimuli - My Soul To Keep
Droop-E & E-40 Present: - The Bay Bridges 2
Kool Keith, Denis Deft & Yeti Beats - Bikinis And Thongs
Swollen Members - Armed To The Teeth
Junior Reid - Living Legend
Kam Moye (a.k.a Supastition) - Splitting Image
Play-N-Skillz - Recession Proof
R.A. The Rugged Man - Legendary Classics: Volume 1
Tech N9ne - K.O.D.
Snowgoons - The Trojan Horse
DOOM - Unexpected Guests
Triple C's - Custom Cars & Cycles
Sean Price - Kimbo Price: The Prelude To Mic Tyson

[Apocalyptic Raids]

none of those interest me much, but there are a couple of march releases i'm still yet to pick up, namely the new ugk and doom albums.

[kingsoby1]

First off, you all need to hear Finale's new joint... it leaked recently and is mega awesome. More Detroit stuff, with production credits to Milk, Dilla, Waajeed, Nottz, and some other lesser guys that do decently. Finale's a very solid MC.

Here's a hacked SMB with finale as the main character... you get to DL the video game influenced track, One Man Show, upon completion. Decent BM beat that could pass for an Oh No beat.

Apocalyptic... I'll throw together a March thread, since it's still recent.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

i haven't really got into the whole detroit thing yet, except for dilla of course. black milk didn't do a lot for me but i'll probably check some more out when i can be bothered.

i wonder when the new clipse will be coming out, too. not that i'm expecting much, can't see the production really standing up to the last album.

[kingsoby1]

This might warrant a Detroit recommendations post. It's easily my favorite region right now... tons of cats doing good sh*t

[Dave de Sylvia]

Flo Rida album is pretty good: couple of awful kitschy 90s throwback tracks, but most of it is pretty solid.

[kingsoby1]

haven't checked it out yet. been obsessing over finale and ugk. i'll have to try it at least.

my highlights of march so far:

(4/5) Pax and Pry - A Day Off (reviewed)
(3.7/5) UGK - UGK 4 Life (reviewed)
(3.6/5) Illogic - Diabolical Fun
(3.4/5) DOOM - Born Like This (reviewed)
(3.3/5) Brother Ali - The Truth Is Here (EP)
(3.2/5) Braille & Symbolyc One - Cloud Nineteen
(3.2/5) Big Pooh - Delightful Bars (Candy Apple version)

And of course, the new Dillanthology is a near classic... tons of sick tracks all on one disc.

The new Stoupe album (JMT producer), Slim Thug, Grandmaster Flash, and Gorilla Zoe all sucked imo.

[ATM]

Pax and Pry album is sick. I really need to check out the new UGK. Wasn't feeling the new Doom album.

[ATM]

Mr. Lif - I Heard It Today
The Grouch & Eligh - Say G&E!

Excited for these.

[illmitch]

New UGK is AMAZING as far as I'm concerned. I didn't like new Doom either.

[kingsoby1]

DOOM is a grower... it's more of an acquired taste, as it's completely different from most hook-based hip-hop. UGK is definitely awesome.

[gloop]

heard all these and they suck

[pixiesfanyo]

i watched that mos def video on youtube where he does his favorite DOOM raps. it was great.

[illmitch]

DOOM is a grower... it's more of an acquired taste, as it's completely different from most hook-based hip-hop.

I dunno, I have all of Doom's back catalog (excluding KMD, MM..Food is probably my favorite), but this new album just sounded kinda rehashed and boring.

[Skyler]

Yeah, Born Like This is pretty forgettable.

[pixiesfanyo]

the track with the Bukowski sample is pretty cool. the one where he bashes gays is good. and that's that rules especially when he sings.

other than that yeah, i don't really remember it.

[kingsoby1]

it was definitely 3-3.5 material for me, nothing that will be on my year end list probably. like jared said, a few excellent tracks and a lot of forgettable stuff:

2. Gazzillion Ear
3. Ballskin
5. Absolutely
7. Lightworks
8. Batty Boyz
10. Cellz
14. That's That.

[CaptainWaits]

I'm looking forward to Erykah's part II album. Wasn't so fond of Amerykah Part I as compared to her earlier releases, but can't let this new one go unheard.

[Cocaine]

K-OS - Yes!
Album is awful. It just sounds like he got high, pressed play and went to work. Moreso than ever, I guess.

[kingsoby1]

I'm looking forward to Erykah's part II album. Wasn't so fond of Amerykah Part I as compared to her earlier releases, but can't let this new one go unheard.

pt 1 took a while to grow on me, but was easily one of my top 3 albums of 08.

Album is awful. It just sounds like he got high, pressed play and went to work. Moreso than ever, I guess.

i haven't heard any of his stuff... you reviewing it? speaking of canadian stuff, Classified has a new joint dropping on the 7th... not too bad either.

[Cocaine]

I'll review it if I can stomach it. K-Os is very good in concept, sometimes not so much in practise. His first two albums are great though.

Classified is hit or miss. But because he puts out so much material, he's bound to have a hit every now and again. That being said, I don't think anyone besides other Canadian MCs really hypes him, but I can't speak for anything other than Toronto. He might have more of a following out east.

Shad is really the top Canadian MC, it's a shame I never got to publish my interview with him on Sputnik. He's got a real head on his shoulders and the style to back it up.

[CaptainWaits]

pt 1 took a while to grow on me, but was easily one of my top 3 albums of 08.
Ya, definitely didn't quite get there for me. She took a different approach in style for Amerykah, which I appreciated, but her older material, especially Mama's Gun still gets the big nod from me.

[foreverendeared]

New Del Tha Funkee Homosapien (free download on website) is really good so far (half way in it)

[kingsoby1]

interesting... good thing it's free, his last album was probably the largest piece of sh*t of the year.

[foreverendeared]

yeah i heard bad things so I never checked it out.

[(*The Noonward Race*)]

Album is awful. It just sounds like he got high, pressed play and went to work. Moreso than ever, I guess.
that technique is tried and true son


edit: Classified, homogenous as from an easy bake oven

[ATM]

interesting... good thing it's free, his last album was probably the largest piece of sh*t of the year.

In all honesty, the songs sounded way better live. Although it could have been the beer. But, anyway I had fun and I got to see Chip-Fu open up who was ridiculous.

[kingsoby1]

ya the classified album is only okay... prob will get a 2.5-3 from me. i'm definitely putting out a review for the finale joint on the 7th... prob a 4 (3.8 more realistically).

atm, i actually went to see del when he was in town with devin the dude... and a billion other openers. i had to work at 7 the next day, and they realllly took their time, especially for a monday night. i had to leave even before del went on :-/

[ATM]

At least you got to see Devin. He is one of my all time favorite rappers.

[Correction]

new ugk is great

[kingsoby1]

tbh, im impressed by del's new album.

8 years to release a pile of sh*t, 8 months to release something that's at least solid. i'm prob gonna review this.

[foreverendeared]

yeah a couple songs took me a few listens to enjoy but for the most part i'm really diggin it. Lyrically he gets a little "same-y" if you know what i mean.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

what i've listened to of the new ugk i haven't liked much.

born like this is growing on me.

i watched that mos def video on youtube where he does his favorite DOOM raps. it was great.
every week is mystery meat

[Iai]

Brother Ali - The Truth Is Here [Rhymesayers]
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Pt. 2 (Return of the Ankh)

Considering doing these two. Badu's new record is my most anticipated of the year with ease.

[kingsoby1]

i bet it doesn't even drop this month. badu and her crew prob blaze way too much to meet any deadlines.

i'll be happy if amerykah pt 2 and metropolis pt 2 come out (janelle monae) this year.

[Iai]

Janelle Monae will probably be the album of the year tbh.

[kingsoby1]

man i hope so... metropolis pt 1 was perfection.

[borislav_tonev]

When is Jay Zu guys and Timbaland coming out do u guys know?

[kingsoby1]

Review for the new Del is up: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30199

Will be reviewing the new Finale, Halloween Alaska, and other shiite soon.

[ATM]

What's that Finale album like?

[kingsoby1]

solid, but really not as awesome as i was hoping. i was really expecting it to be the album of the year... but not all of the production is up to par, and skits are included with songs... which really is annoying.

[ATM]

Is there an older album that I should check out?

[kingsoby1]

no, it was just really hyped up in the blogosphere. don't get me wrong it's still a very solid album, and still in my top 10 of the year. it's just not the 4-4.5 star album i thought it would be... more in the realm of 3.7

there are some solid black milk, waajeed, nottz, and khrysis beats.

[pixiesfanyo]

i like the Finale record, but yeah the interludes kill it.

he kinda has an awkwardness to his flow as well on the record.

[kingsoby1]

yeah, i think my friend put it perfectly by saying it sounds like he swallows his words.

[illmitch]

i'm looking forward to the new Rick Ross, the tracks i've heard from it so far have been great

[kingsoby1]

Finale review is up on the site: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30242

[kingsoby1]

Asher Roth review is up: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30277

[kingsoby1]

updated for May releases and dates.

probably the most excited for camron and malik yusef (the latter just out of curiosity). oddisee is pretty tight too.

[illmitch]

Killa

[illmitch]

that was supposed to be in caps, alas :'(

[Amit]

cunninlynguist's new album is so god damn wimpy it's a gosh darn shame

they keep making more and more wussy music as they release albums; a piece of strange had some absolutely fantastic bangers but now it's all limp wristed mocha hiphopaccinos

[kingsoby1]

i'll be reviewing the new CL probably.

new abstract rude is decent, nothing special: http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30411

[kingsoby1]

De La Soul - Are You In? (http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=30440)

This is a mixtape done in conjunction with Nike for workouts. I really really like it and will probably be listening all summer.

[deadinholywood]

cunninlynguist's new album is so god damn wimpy it's a gosh darn shame

they keep making more and more wussy music as they release albums; a piece of strange had some absolutely fantastic bangers but now it's all limp wristed mocha hiphopaccinos


Yep strange journey and dirty acres were not near the same league as a piece of strange... I'm feeling they will sadly never go near that level with an album again.

[AdamP]

i really think classified's self explanatory could be hip-hop album of the year.

[illmitch]

so far new cam'ron is my favorite hip hop album of the year

[pixiesfanyo]

it is okay. i wouldn't say it is great.

[illmitch]

cam is pretty much my favorite rapper though, there isn't really any hip hop album thats come out this year that i like as much as Crime Pays so far

[kingsoby1]

i really think classified's self explanatory could be hip-hop album of the year.

couldn't really get into it... saw it as average to slightly above.

the new cam'ron isn't as good as purple haze (his best imo). thus, it is a 3/5 or lower for me.

[illmitch]

purple haze is definitely his best, but i think crime pays comes pretty close. i don't know, i'll have to give it some more listens, but i'm loving this album.

[pixiesfanyo]

thus, it is a 3/5 or lower for me.

ye.

[kingsoby1]

omg this album is way too long. ive been listening casually in my car since i didn't think i was reviewing it... but now that i'm listening more in depth, ugh. it's just way way way too long. i can barely distinguish half the tracks from each other.

[illmitch]

which album?

[kingsoby1]

crime pays? it's like 22 tracks (5 skits).

[illmitch]

oh yeah. i think thats pretty much standard for cam, though. purple haze was 24 tracks with 5 skits, and diplomatic immunity was two discs.

[kingsoby1]

ya i recall that. that's so stupid... awful marketing.

[illmitch]

well, i'm a cam stan, but i like the skits...the ones on crime pays aren't as good as the ones on purple haze, but the purple haze ones seriously cracked me up.

[pixiesfanyo]

Purple Haze ones are great. 'Spend the Night' rules.

[illmitch]

Hi. I'm Mizzle. Former Heroin addict...cokehead, crack fiend, man, if Killa had it, I tried it. If I itched, he scratched! Yo, no homo, man.

But...I'm part of the Diplomats now. You know, the Byrd Gang! Dipset, bitch! So, I'd like to welcome you to Purple Haze the album.

Yeah, my man Killa's a mother****er. I mean, he brings out the best of you. If you rap, you'd better spit that ****! Hmm...and you better sell that ****. If you steal, don't rob a store, rob the stash-house! "George, it's 200 bricks in there, stupid!" Hah..that's what he told George, man. What else...

Oh, if you're selling nickels and dimes, you're nickel-and-diming. Get some weight on you, like that fat bitch Delarise! Yo, I still don't know what that means, man, but I know what this means: You get high, get high all that way. You sniff coke? **** it, smoke crack. Don't stop there. You smoke crack? Shoot dope! You shoot dope? Sniff meth! He had all that **** right there for sale, man...funny mother****er.

[kingsoby1]

Hah, a little late for the July releases, but just figured i'd put them up here...

Here's some awesome stuff that you should check out if you haven't:

Willie Isz - Georgiavania (Jneiro Jarel and Khujo from Goodie Mob)
Waxolutionists - We Paint Colors
Royce tha 5'9" - Revival EP (f*cking sick cant wait for the LP)
Wale and 9th Wonder - Back to the Feature (yeah he's a backpacker so what he's an awesome rapper)

mostly all Ws

[pixiesfanyo]

Declaime - Holy Smokes

**** is dope!

[kingsoby1]

Slaughterhouse leaked.

Pretty slow month.

[Jaundice]

omg this album is way too long. ive been listening casually in my car since i didn't think i was reviewing it... but now that i'm listening more in depth, ugh. it's just way way way too long. i can barely distinguish half the tracks from each other.
the general purpose of a rap album is to be as long as possible, i find

[kingsoby1]

qwel and maker is pretty dope so far.

[exredhouseresident]

Kingsoby1, nice av. I preordered that last week with the purple t-shirt.

[kingsoby1]

A little late, whoops.

My 2nd favorite record of the year is the Sole joint. Pretty epic.

[kingsoby1]

Kingsoby1, nice av. I preordered that last week with the purple t-shirt.

nice, hopefully it drops on vinyl. i hate cds :(