Raw P is one of the most underrated rappers. I’ve followed him for some time and he always impresses, always. He’s usually lending those smooooth raps to Panacea or RPM, but it’s nice to hear him on a fresh beat. I haven’t heard of K-Def much lately, but those tunes are right up Raw P’s alley.
I was first introduced to K-Murdock through his stylings with Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). He’s not technically a part of the band, but has contributed to it, as you’ll soon see. I’ve mostly gotten to know his work through Panacea and more recently his collaboration with Mega Ran, entitled Forever Famicom. But now going through his SoundCloud, I’m beginning to realize how much more he has to offer.
I’ll admit, I was a Raw Poetic fanatic and didn’t want to hear anything K would do without him. It took me long enough to listen to him and Mega Ran, but now hearing everything else, I realize how expansive his sound is. As much as I love his work in Panacea, I began to lose touch with them in their more recent albums. Going through all his other side projects on SC, from his work with rap artists I’ve admired for years to some absolutely gorgeous female vocals I’ve never heard, I’m pissed I didn’t get to it til now.
Uzi Octopus is a side project from a long admired hip-hop band of mine, Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). Not quite sure when the project’s gonna drop or really any more information about it – they really need to get their ass goin’ on the whole online marketing thang – but I know it just finished up, so expect a release date soon.
“Let It Fall Aside”, the first single to hit the ‘net, features RPM’s very own MC, Raw Poetic. I gotta imagine he’ll be on the entire album and, hopefully, P-Fritz will lend some backup vocals, as well (amazing voice).
Until the release, check out a few of RPM’s stuff and another side project gone legit duo, Panacea.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Who better to do our first CONTEST with than one of the hip-hop duos that got us goin, Panacea. The two just released The Producer’s Cut of Ink Is My Drink with new & improved interludes and we’ve got a few to give out to you!
How to enter:
(1) hit up the re-released Ink is My Drink on Bandcamp
(2) tell us your favorite track and why through:
(a.) Our Facebook post (‘like’ it!)
(b.) Twitter (bonus for following us!)
* You can submit once on Facebook & once on Twitter for two possible entries into the contest.
** Winner will be chosen by K-Murdock, Raw P & myself based on the best answer (most thoughtful / comical).
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Yes, I know this is a little dated, but that “Colorful Storms” remix caught my attention and had to give it more play. I checked out the full album by Damu, Spare Time, and found a few more gems to add.
I’ve been following Damu’s work with Panacea & Y-Society for a while now, but haven’t swooped up his solo shit till now. Half of Spare Time is a bunch of instrumental electro-jazz, but where it really comes to shine is when Damu mixes in a few well versed MC’s. Raw Poetic, Kev Brown, Insight & even a little Guru sample in these four tracks – and shows again why rap was made for jazz (or is it the other way around?).
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Lately I’ve rehashed a couple songs that I’d mentioned before, but only because they’re incredible tracks – “There U R” being among the most incredible of them all. I’ve been a long time fan of Restoring Poetry in Music, and I thought for my 100th post I’d feature a track from, if not my favorite, one of my favorite hip hop albums to date, Pyramids in Moscow.
“There U R” is a relaxing meditation on rekindling that love from long ago with Raw Poetic’s smooth & sincere lyrics. Backup vocals are done by Patrick Fritz, and really put a nice touch on an already heartwarming track. P-Fritz also supports my claim, which I’ve spoken about many times on this blog, that mixing a singer’s voice into a rap song can bring a whole ‘nother element to the piece. Basically, rap + singing = good!
Give it a listen and let me know how you think the two play off each other. Also, if you like this song then definitely check out “Sleep Walkers“, it’s my favorite song by RPM (followed closely by “There U R”).
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Download Link in Full Article)
I finally made up my (indecisive) mind and picked a song from Panacea’s 12 Step Program. I first narrowed it down to three that I liked, all for different reasons, and finally came up with “Blue Oceanwave” because of Raw Poetic’s catchy flows and memorable lyrics. Although, lyrics tend to alter each time I play ‘em back in my head, so eventually the lyrics started to repeat as something completely different (I tend to do this a lot with music).
The reason I was so hesitant on featuring this one was because of the rave-sounding fire alarms played throughout the chorus. It’s not that they are that bothersome to the beat, I just think the song would do better without ‘em. Actually, play it back and tell me what you think? I wanna know if this is just me or if others feel the same way.
By the way, the two other songs that came close were “Collard-Fried Grey Sky”, which has a hypnotically beautiful beat, typical of K-Murdock; and “Black Coffee”, the first 30 seconds are pure funkadelic fresh(nass). You can check ‘em both out at BandCamp.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Download Link in Full Article)
You may recognize this sound, but under a different group, namely Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). Both Jason Moore (Raw Poetic) and Kyle Murdock (K-Murdock) started out in RPM, and created a side project, Panacea; but the two groups have some slight variations. RPM is a band consisting of five instrumentalists (or so), where as Panacea consists of K-Murdock on turntables, a sampler, and maybe a few other devices with the help of Damu the Fudgemunk. Both groups have Raw Poetic as the front Emcee, and gee golly gosh is he good… did I really just say that? :? The difference in sound between the two may seem slight at first, but once you immerse yourself in ‘em, you notice the contrasts in style. Raw Poetic’s style is relatively similar throughout the groups, but K-Murdock switches it up, bringing a more progressive, experimental sound to Panacea.
I had quite a few songs I wanted to feature from Panacea’s four LP’s, but I decided to go with Ecosphere from Ink is My Drink. K-Murdock creates a stunningly poignant beat, and features Patrick Fritz (P-Fritz) from RPM, who has an amazing voice, and I mean amazing! Though, this song doesn’t do him justice, so go to one of RPM’s features (here or here) to really capture his stunning vocals. You won’t be disappointed!… I mean, the guy is so good I kinda have a man-crush on him. ;) Anyways, compare this song to RPM’s, and tell me what differences you find… if you’re up to the challenge!
Lastly, I know I’ve mentioned this too many times already, but you really need to check out RPM. They’re one of my favorite hip-hop groups, and I know you will enjoy ‘em… maybe even more than Panacea!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
(Download Link in Full Article)