Tag: New Album

Dazed Cannabis Packed as Havoc and Cormega Preview Tracks From Forthcoming Album

The essence of Queensbridge was alive and well inside Dazed Cannabis, as Havoc and Cormega played songs from their forthcoming album. Vibe Magazine editor-at-large Datwon Thomas hosted the Havoc x Cormega Album Listening Event, where the two hip hop legends welcomed fans to a behind the scenes look into their creative journey, inspirations, and the collaborative process behind their unreleased, untitled album.

Cormega and Havoc’s untittled album brought out core hip hop fans/ Photo by Dazed Cannabis.

As a result, the dispensary/event space was full to the brim by the time Havoc and Cormega graced the stage. As the duo entered the venue to lukewarm applause –Havoc in his now trademark shades, and Cormega with his assertive presence– they carried with them a steely determination and –Havoc in particular– a business like approach to this public appearance.

Darwin Thomas hosted the Havoc X Cormega Listening Event/Photo by Dazed Cannabis

In turn, Thomas warmed up the crowd, as he commenced the listening and Q&A portion of the event. Setting the tone with a couple of the duo’s classic collaborations in “Angel Dust,” (where Cormega revealed that Havoc’s standout chorus was due to his own unfamiliarity with song structures) and the Marley Marl produced “On The Real,” which served as a rite of passage between Queensbridge legends. “Getting on a Marley record was everything to us,” said Havoc.

The platinum producer did most of his talking behind the boards/Photo by Dazed Cannabis..

Havoc X Cormega Listening Event: Music Review

Cormega starred, playing the part of hood poet, enforcer and gentleman throughout the evening. And after quick intermission for ‘Mega to enforce the event’s strict no cell phone policy, Thomas transitioned into songs from the new album. Although unfinished, the duo previewed 10 quality tracks, gauging fan response and opinions along the way. Particularly due to Havoc’s meticulous approach, as Cormega enlisted the help of the crowd as he petitioned for his favorite beats to make the album’s final cut.

Cormega starred and played the part of hood poet, enforcer, gentleman/Photo by Dazed Cannabis

Nonetheless, Havoc, stoic as ever, kept answers short and sweet as Cormega fielded most of the questions. However, it seems as though Hav’ does most of his talking behind the boards. Hence why Dazed Cannabis experienced its first bobble head night this past Saturday, as heads bopped to one hard-hitting beat after the other. Havoc’s trademark gritty, bass-line heavy style and classical samples were in full-effect as he flawlessly captured the grimy, rugged, street tone with which Cormega does his best work.

Hip Hop fans showed love to the Queensbridge legends last night at Dazed Cannabis. Photo by Shaquan Bell.

Yet the legendary producer was the least surprised at his excellence behind the boards. After all, earlier this year, Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Part II” was named the greatest hip hop beat of all-time. When Thomas broached the topic, Havoc nonchalantly responded with, “it took ya’ll this long to realize that?”

After a few more records, and another brief intermission for Cormega to hilariously reiterate the no recording policy to an overzealous fan, he previewed the album’s only guest appearance, featuring a verse from Raekwon.

Album Release Date?

All in all, despite the intimate preview, neither a release date nor month was revealed. Even though a joint-project between the Queensbridge natives is years in the making, there doesn’t seem to be any rush. On Saturday night at least, Havoc and Cormega seemed content to let the creative process play itself out. And The Havoc X Cormega Listening Event was like a comic testing out jokes before a new special.

Cormega autographs a t-shirt/Photo by Dazed Cannabis

As Cormega delved into the journey behind the album, he revealed that there’s more at play than meets the eye. “I understand the healing process. Sometimes people forget we’re humans. This man just lost his brother and someone he considered a brother-in-rhyme. I understood it was going to take time for him [Havoc] to heal,” explained Cormega as he referred to Havoc’s loss of his brother Killa Black, and Mobb Deep partner Prodigy.

Merch

To commemorate the special occasion Dazed created a collectible, numbered (1-200), premium t-shirt, featuring exclusive artwork by Casa. Along with a pair of socks marked 40th and 41st side symbolizing the addresses to Havoc and Cormega’s project housing in Queensbridge. This limited edition capsule was unveiled at the Cormega x Havoc Listening Event with limited quantities for sale at Dazed Cannabis located at 33 Union Square W.

According to Cormega if you get two pairs you can have a 40th side pair and a 41st side/Photo by Dazed Cannabis

July 15, 2024
38 Spesh & Grafh Tab Talib Kweli ‘Right Now’ With Collab Album On The Way

Upstate meets the boroughs in this latest track between New York mainstays. 38 Spesh and Grafh team-up with Talib Kweli and Halie Supreme on “Right Now.” The first single from the duo’s upcoming collaborative album, God’s Timing.

Grafh and Talib Kweli go back-and-forth on “Right Now.”

“Right Now” is an ode to hip hop‘s backpack era with the drums as laidback and soothing as the lyrics are ferocious. Grafh and Kweli take turns attacking the track as their verses sees them have a career full-circle moment and acknowledge their place in hip hop while giving haters and doubters a piece of their mind. Additionally, Halie Supreme’s bridge and background vocals aide in the record’s ambience and add to the record’s intellect, providing a soothing backdrop to the hard-hitting lyrics and flow.

Set for release on July 26, God’s Timing features production in its entirety by 38 Spesh. With the Rochester native also providing several verses. The project also includes appearances from Jim Jones, Talib Kweli, Method Man, Vado, Freeway, Memphis Bleek and Peedi Crakk.

Moreover, “Right Now” showcases 38 Spesh’s versatility as a producer. After all on this latest track his slower, sample-heavy production gives way to a more upbeat, minimalist style. With Spesh curating his sound to mesh with Kweli, the possibilities are endless with the remaining features.

July 1, 2024
Black Soprano Family Duo Fuego Base and OT The Real Release Collab Project ‘Moving Base OT’

The Black Soprano Family continues to build its name in hip hop’s underground scene. This time around the two newest signees to Benny the Butcher’s imprint come together as OT The Real and Fuego Base release Moving Base OT.

Executive produced by Benny The Butcher, Moving Base OT features appearances from Benny & Fellow Black Soprano Family member Rick Hyde & Sule. The 10-track project serves as a sophomore effort for street rhymers Fuego The Base and OT The Real, with the duo releasing the music video for “Battle Scars” featuring Benny The Butcher in promotion of the project.

The lead single keeps it raw and gritty as the BSF trio present themselves on a corner block, a basketball court and a local fur/leather shop. Moreover they exchange war stories as the production maintains the street corner to plug aura that Benny has established with BSF.

Thus with Benny’s aide Philadelphia-bred OT The Real and Hartford native Fuego Base look to build on their fanbase outside and generate buzz outside of the hardcore underground hip hop types. Following the release of their respective BSF-debuts (Zombie and Biggest Since Camby) they’ve each done solo work with OT The Real releasing two full-length projects on his own label. Now they look to capitalize on their momentum.

June 30, 2024
Hearing Aide: Buggy Jive “Hurry Up Please It’s Time”

Buggy Jive, the reclusive but momentum building groovester out of Upstate New York, is dripping with originality. Coming off of a white hot 2023 (Including an NPR shoutout, two Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards, a Macy Gray opening slot, and much more),

Mr. Jive has cooked up a 12 song showcase worthy of a glance from a wider audience, titled, Hurry Up Please It’s Time”

Opening with “Monsters Write Pretty Songs,” Buggy immediately announces “Good luck,” with a thickly stacked vocal on top of the meandering rhythm guitar that jolts and grabs attention. The crispy blend of gospel and Doobie-esque backing vocals weave a soft takeoff before eventually punching the opening notes of “Scheherazade of Schenectady.” The first single off the record is appropriately verbose, as it touches on principles of fiction writing and brings up the heat after the smooth opener.

Relaxedly defiant, “Don’t Quit Your Day Job,” hints of the prog influence to come later in both “The Music is Beside the Point,” and “The Calendar is a Liar.” Distorted and stanky, the song that garnered the NPR shoutout from Bob Boilen and Bobby Carter somehow still gives front porch rocking chair vibes while hiding a middle finger attitude behind a content and fulfilled smile.

In “Another Song I Ain’t Allowed to Sing,” Buggy Jive offers reminders of his emotional range and musical intent while slowing down the pace, but featuring right-up-front lead vocals and an ocean of harmonies that keep the energy flowing. This range and intent returns in spades on “Autumn Is Burning.” The mid-album walking groove breaks out major key on a bridge change that feels like a full breath after the intentionally dark verse progression. While “Old Man Screams at Sky,” hits more like a barnhouse dance party than gospel groove, those dynamic controls and natural chord voicings remain steady and present.

“Ignore Them Fools,” and “Alpha the Beta,” both ooze confidence, with the former feeling like a class in session and the latter like a player on the field in action. “Alien Robot Love Song About Love,” and “Hurry Up Please It’s Time,” the final two tracks of the album, lay heavy wet grooves that drag the listener deep into the songwriters’ pocket lyrically and musically.

The entire work displays an adventurous attitude as a musician and a deep sensibility surrounding vocals that act as an homage to his influences, both perceived and expressed. Buggy Jive took a big swing on this record, and his dedication and emotion are both easily seen and felt throughout.

June 22, 2024
Rochester Artist Sarah De Vallière Releases New Concept Album

Singer-songwriter Sarah De Vallière’s deeply personal concept album, The Healing, was released on June 7.

The album is a genre blending, ten song project that explores De Vallière’s grief and trauma during a harsh time in her life, including divorce and Covid-19 lockdown. Members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra collaborated on the album giving its unique blend of classical and Jazz, paying homage to De Vallière’s background in music. The Healing is jazz-inflected Americana.

De Vallière is a classically trained pianist and graduate of Berklee college of music. Although she moved to Rochester in 2018, she grew up in Providence, RI, always surrounded by music. Her father was a pastor and therefore her upbringing in the church had a big impact on her musical development. She played piano in the congregation multiple times a week and she was writing her own compositions by the time she was a teenager.

In 2024, De Vallière released four singles, all of which will appear on the upcoming album. “All is Not Lost,” her most recent single is more upbeat and uplifting than her earlier repertoire. As the title suggests, the song depicts the confidence she regains through her trauma. The Healing exposes De Vallière’s beautiful piano compositions as well as sharp vocals. Her voice has a light feminine sound that can be compared to that of Karen Carpenter or a Disney Princess.

On May 31, the album premiered at Tones Studios, a new recording studio outside of Rochester, NY, which gave fans an opportunity to meet the artist herself and be the first to hear The Healing.

After The Healing is released, Sarah De Vallière will perform in small venues around the greater Rochester area. You can find her music on all streaming platforms.

Aug 9 – Webster Jazz Fest (Webster, NY)

Sept 26 – Iron Smoke Distillery (Fairport, NY)

Sept 28 – Grape Fest (Naples, NY)

Oct 9 – Record Archive (Rochester, NY)

Nov 2 – Little Theatre Concert Series (Rochester, NY)

Dec 20 – Lovin’ Cup (Rochester, NY)

June 11, 2024
Watch: Bilal Performs “All For Love” From ‘Live at Glasshaus’ album Featuring Questlove, Common

In an intimate setting of 100 people, Grammy-winning soul singer Bilal delivers a cathartic performance of “All For Love” featuring musical backing from Questlove, Robert Glasper and Burniss Travis. Notably, “All For Love” is the latest single and a small preview into Bilal’s forthcoming live studio album Live at Glasshaus.

A mid-career retrospective, the project recorded, filmed, and livestreamed from Glasshaus in Brooklyn, NY., is part of the Glasshaus Presents concert series. For his part, Bilal’s eclectic performance features a supergroup of Questlove, Common, Robert Glasper, and Burniss Travis as backing. Keeping in theme, the live rendition of “All For Love” is one of many standout tracks from the Philadelphia native’s discography, with fresh interpretations of the records on Live at Glasshaus.

Bilal’s latest album features reinvented renditions of prior classics.

After all the soul-bearing track was one of many anticipated records from Bilal’s shelved 2006 album, Love for Sale. However, despite its artistic brilliance, the album never saw an official release due to a premature leak and subsequent disputes with his former label, Interscope Records. Even so, as a testament to Bilal’s talent and strong fanbase, the project achieved legendary cult-status among fans and critics alike, while remaining a significant part of Bilal’s musical legacy, and a point of inspiration for this latest star-studded venture.

Bilal’s Live at Glasshaus features Questlove (top left), Common (top right), Robert Glasper (bottom left), and Burniss Travis (bottom right).

Bilal Presents: Live at Glasshaus

Thus after two decades of high profile contributions with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Beyonce, and Erykah Badu, Bilal’s musical legacy is receiving its just due with this latest 11-track project. After all the man who Questlove heralds as “one of the most pure, honest performance artists of this generation,” and a “true singer’s singer” is a 3-time Grammy winner famous for his musical dexterity. With high profile contributions with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Beyonce, and Erykah Badu, Common –who performs one of the project’s two inteludes– even makes the claim that Bilal is “somebody that will go down as one of the greatest.“

Bilal’s Live at Glasshaus will release on June 14 during Black Music Month. However, On June 9, fans around the world will have the opportunity to witness the epic one-night-only concert via broadcast livestream. Tickets for Live at Glasshauss are for sale here.

June 4, 2024
Hearing Aide: Dasychira’s “Undead”

NYC-based electronic artist Dasychira has released their second LP and first release in 3 years, Undead, on May 10. The album explores themes of transformation and adaptation, giving listeners a glimpse into Dasychira’s personal development.

Dasychira was raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, but has been a New Yorker for the last decade. Studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, they took on their pseudonym allowing them to write and produce music while exploring their own identity. Since then, Dasychira has released works of all sizes, including the most recent, Undead.

After releasing their first EP Immolated in 2017, Dasychira went on to co-found the label unseelie in 2018, where they released their last two albums, Hollywood Forever and Undead.

This album represents Dasychira’s navigation through the drastic changes the world has faced over the past few years. These songs articulate their mental journey through COVID-19, war, environmental disasters, and rising technologies. Undead walks you through a dream-like state using a mix of synthesizers and a variety of instruments such as electric guitar, gamelan, and violin, blurring the lines between humans and technology.

The album opens with “Bleed and Glow,” which establishes the feeling of being lost through its lyrics. Using electronics and synths, Dasychira conveys the need for fantasy during such a confusing time. The title track, “Undead,” features ballad-like violin and synth arrangements to express longing and desperation during a personal struggle.

The album’s closer, “Expand Yourself,” signifies the progress of Dasychira’s search for contentedness in the now. By making the electric guitar more prominent than the synth, the music becomes grounded in reality. This completes the album’s goal of accepting personal growth while their surroundings evolve out of their control.

To learn more about the context of Undead and hear the full album, click here

May 22, 2024
Mach-Hommy Releases New Album ‘#Richaxxhaitian’

On the eve of Haitian Flag Day, Haitian-American rapper Mach-Hommy released #Richaxxhaitian, bringing another edition to his extensive and culturally aware discography. Additionally, this latest LP is the New Jersey native’s first solo project since 2021’s Balens Cho and Pray For Haiti, the latter of which brought the purposefully reclusive rapper mainstream acclaim.

Mach-Hommy returns with his first solo project since 2021.

Donning his trademark Haitian flag over his face on the album cover, this latest 17-track, 47-minute project is kaleidoscopic in sound with varying musical themes throughout the album, giving the feel of a true feature presentation. However, Mach always returns to the themes of Haiti and its current social-political upheaval. Moreover, the proud Haitian rapper continues to bar music websites from transcribing his lyrics. Thus his weaving in-and-out between english and creole throughout the album maintains some form of mystique for non-creole speakers, inhibiting them in understanding but not in the overall listening experience. Nonetheless, Mach recruits the likes of Black Thought, Roc Marciano, Your Old Droog and frequent collaborator, Tha God Fahim to add to the overall lyrical experience for the album. Meanwhile, Conductor Williams adds his touch of slightly aged production to offer that raw, gritty, authentic feel to the album.

Although Mach-Hommy isn’t much for promo, he released a music video for the song “#Richaxxhaitian.” An uptempo, groovy track, it’s a departure from Mach’s usual tone, however the green and mountainous scenery and theme of the record reflect what Mach is trying to present in the name of the song and the album.

All in all, with no online presence, Mach-Hommy leaves his work to be consumed and debated with no input from him or anyone from his team. As a result he has pigeonholed himself a space in the creative hip hop lane.

May 19, 2024
A Boogie wit da Hoodie Releases 5th Studio Album ‘Better off Alone’

New York City’s preeminent hit-maker A Boogie returns with Better off Alone, his first full-length project since 2022’s Me vs Myself. This latest 21-track LP sees the Bronx native interpolate his melodic raps with a new wave of production much akin to the new “sexy drill” phenomenon that has become prominent in the New York City landscape, going away from the slower paced samples that have become something of a staple for the Grammy-nominated rapper. After all the “Man in the Mirror” rapper, best known for his lovesick croons, continues to find ways to put a twist to his songwriting style that has made him unique in New York City hip hop lore known for their machismo. In like manner, A Boogie recruits three distinct features in Future, Lil Durk, Young Thug and Cash Cobain that also walk the line between rap braggadocio and emotional vulnerability.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie releases his 5th studio album

A Boogie – Better Off Alone

And while Better off Alone contains plenty of introspective A Boogie, with rumors of trouble between A Boogie and his longtime girlfriend preceding the album, it seems the project and its contents have been in the works very much in advance as all three records from his 2023 mixtape B4 BOA made the final cut. Thus “Did Me Wrong,” “Her Birthday” and “Booby Trap” all served as initial promotional singles for his latest effort, with “Her Birthday” standing out as a classic lovesick A Boogie track, followed by a similarly themed music video.

To cap off the album’s release, A Boogie brought popular podcast due Gillie and Wallo (Millions Dollarz Worth of Game) to the Bronx for an authentic, New York inner-city vibe. With A Boogie bringing his crew and a Lamborghini to the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx. Notably, Boogie even shouts out Gillie on “No More Questions” rapping, “In my city they treat me like Gillie in Philly.”

May 19, 2024
Vapor Vespers Release Sophomore Album “Ghosts Before Breakfast” and Announce Upcoming Shows

Experimental duo Vapor Vespers have released their sophomore album titled, Ghosts Before Breakfast and announced a few upcoming tour dates this May.

Ghosts Before Breakfast is the group’s second long-playing release, the follow-up to their critically-acclaimed 2020 debut, One Act Sonix. The sophomore album consists of 10 music-driven spoken word tracks. The duo will be supporting the release of their new album with select shows in New York City and the Hudson Valley this May.

Vapor Vespers is the brainchild of NYC-based multi-instrumentalist/producer Sal Cataldi and award-winning playwright, actor, and slam poet Mark Muro. The duo’s latest collection ups the ante on the cool grooves, intense guitar riffage, synth textures and the verbal hijinks and narrative absurdity showcased on their debut. The duo takes performative arts to the next level by blending intense spoken word with progressive and electrifying hypno-funk.

The Vapor Vespers are also holding mini-sets during performance by Cataldi’s Spaghetti Eastern Music at Silvana Harlem on May 23. Further, the duo sees the stage at Pangea in the East Village on May 25. More shows may be added.

Ghosts Before Breakfast was produced, engineered and mastered by Sal Cataldi aboard his houseboat in Port Washington, Long Island. The album covers themes of sex, mystery, art, literature, love, and themselves. The duo expels sound that are everything but standard. Some of their sound includes electro-funk, experimental synth, progressive, jazz and more.

For more information on Vapor Vespers and their album Ghosts Before Breakfast, click here.

May 14, 2024