Maestro releases new album, Orchestrated Noise

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As I mentioned in the last post, Maestro released his new album Orchestrated Noise on Tuesday. This is the 7th LP from Maestro over his 25 years in hip hop and it features artists from a variety of genres including Kardinal Offishall, Sam Roberts, The Trews, Divine Brown, Classified, Saidah Baba Talibah, Glenn Lewis and opera singer Measha Brueggergosman. Fellow hip hop legends Sadat X, Kool G Rap and Chuck D also make appearances. Production credits include Gameboy, Lord Quest, Rezza Brothers, Vanguards, Tone Mason, Classified, Rich Kidd, Bix and Saukrates.

1. Look for Me in the Whirlwind ft. King Reign and Saukrates
2. Gladiator ft. Rich Kidd
3. Symphonia Destino ft. Measha Brueggergosman
4. Dearly Departed ft. Kardinal Offishall
5. Desire ft. Lights
6. History Repeated ft. Sam Roberts
7. See You on the Weekend ft. Sadat X and Glenn Lewis
8. Black Trudeau (Rap Prime Minister)
9. The Conversation ft. King Reign
10. Salute (Additional Vocals by Chuck D)
11. Reach for the Sky (Try) ft. Classified
12. I Wanna Know ft. The Trews
13. Longevity (Get Up Remix) ft. Adam Bomb
14. Timeless ft. Divine Brown
15. Stranger ft. Saukrates
16. Pyramids in the Sand ft. k-os, Rezza Brothers
and Saidah Baba Talibah

*BONUS
Born Original ft. E.D.G.E
Legendary ft. Kool G. Rap and Rezza Brothers

PURCHASE: Maestro Fresh Wes – Orchestrated Noise (iTunes)

Elley Jeeze & Fundamental release H.I.T.S. LP

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Hamilton’s Elley Jeeze and Toronto’s Fundamental have released their new collaborative LP, H.I.T.S. (Home Is The Start). The album is produced entirely by Fundamental.

With this album they both wanted to show how their sound, opinions, and lifestyle have been formed through the city’s they claim, the people they’ve grown up with, and the company they keep. You put those things together and you’re bound to get some great authentic hip hop. Lyrically, musically, and sonically Elley and ‘Mental made sure to attack each song as if it was it’s own separate event. Constantly out doing the last track, the title “H.I.T.S” began to just make sense on so many levels.

The 12 song album sees Elley Jeeze spitting on every track, while Fundamental makes spot appearances on the mic. There’s one lone feature from Toronto Hip Hop artist, Big Scen (“Broke as Fuck” ft. Sean Price). All songs are produced by Fundamental.

DOWNLOAD: Elley Jeeze & Fundamental – H.I.T.S. (Home Is The Start) (Mediafire)

D-Sisive and The Arkeologists release The D.Ark Tape

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The D.Ark Tape is a collaboration between Derek Christoff (D-Sisive) and The Arkeologists. D-Sisive gives us the back story:

In 2007, I walked into a basement that would change my art forever. I realize that sentence is super dramatic, and equally as rape-y, but it’s the only way I can describe it. It was dark. Small. Low ceilings. Filled with cigarette smoke. I sat down on the couch, while Norman Krates [The Arkeologists] prepped his MPC2000 for our first session.

I ate a submarine sandwich. He rolled a joint. I swallowed a Percocet. He chopped up a sample. And I began writing what would become Kneecaps. A song, along with Laundry Room, that would make critics and music listeners look past the court jester of an artist I once was. A song that would literally change my life.

In 2013, I returned to the same basement to conduct an interview with Norman for a special 5 year anniversary release of my debut record, The B.O.O.K. While listening to him reminisce, I began having flashbacks of those sessions. I felt like 2007 again. A few days later I went back to hang out. Hanging out would result in Norm playing me beats. Which would result in me writing The Reunion Tour. We sat and listened to that song for an hour straight. It was 2007 again. We decided to keep going till we hit ten songs. All raw. All songs recorded on a $200 8-track in one day. All first takes. Embrace the imperfections. No promotion. Keep it basement.

The D.Ark Tape.

PURCHASE: Derek Christoff & The Arkeologists – The D.Ark Tape (Bandcamp)

Dollaz Da Deejay releases My Pen, Pad & My Smartphone EP

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Dollaz Da Deejay released his new EP, My Pen, Pad & My Smartphone a few days ago. Alicia Cinnamon and Myzz Layce make appearances on the EP and production duties were handled by CFC Productions, Enkridable Beats and TrendSetterz.

PURCHASE: Dollaz Da Deejay – My Pen, Pad & My Smartphone (Bandcamp)

Frankie Payne releases new LP, Clarity

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A little late in posting this one as the release party was a week ago tonight, but Frankie Payne’s new album Clarity is available now. The LP features appearances from Theo3, Trish, Erin Reece and Cause The Problem and production from Tone Mason, Snaz, Rich Kidd and Big Sproxx.

“CLARITY is a collection of short stories that describe the answers that were revealed to Frankie Payne during his moment of clarity. With the help of some of the best producers and artists in Toronto a masterpiece of the urban elements (spokenword, hippo,R&B,reggae etc.) has come to life. The Album could easily be the most realistic, and well rounded representation of Toronto culture ever created. Every Track seems to speak directly to soul of the listener and creates a connection that allows you to visualize the things Frankie Payne is saying. In a time when music of substance is a rarity this album promises to be a gold mind of knowledge, Experience, and Great Artistry. You decide.

PURCHASE: Frankie Payne – Clarity (iTunes)

Lancecape releases Return to the Classics instrumental LP

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Return To The Classics is Lancecape’s second project of the year. This time around he takes “it back to the classic samples” from artists such as Minnie Riperton, Billy Cobham, James Brown and Iron Butterfly, among others.

Lancecape has taken it back to the classic samples used in a lot of his favorite Hip Hop songs. Instead of taking the straight loop, Lancecape found pride in chopping up the samples to give it more of a new school feel. It is a dirty, dusty Hip Hop project from front to back. Heavy drums, accompanied by precise sample chops makes this project very innovative and original. Any true Hip Hop fan will gravitate to these instrumentals. Lancecape is also trying to educate the younger generation, that may not know about the classic groups from the mid-nineties that helped mold this genre of music into what it is known as today… HIP HOP!

DOWNLOAD: Lancecape – Return To The Classics Vol. 1 (Bandcamp)

J Shiltz releases second album, Still Standing

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Still Standing is the sophomore album from J Shiltz. The free LP features production from Rich Kidd, Kev Brown, Relic, Twizzmatic, Lancecape, Junia-T, Charisma, M Mac and Heights. It also includes collaborations with Rapper Big Pooh, AG of DITC, Ray Robinson, pHoenix Pagliacci, Jon Moxin and DJ Docta.

DOWNLOAD: J Shiltz – Still Standing (Bandcamp)

4th Pyramid drops new EP and video

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4th Pyramid released his new EP The Sky Belongs To The Stars as well as the video for “LookOut.”

Directed by Pyramid’s own in-house Silk Ivory team and shot on location in picturesque Los Angeles, the visuals for “LookOut” blend a mixture of sexy, serene, cool & melancholy to match 4th’s laid-back but relentless flow.

PURCHASE: 4th Pyramid – The Sky Belongs To The Stars (iTunes)