Thursday 26 August 2010

Louis Den Tonight

Didn't realise I hadn't blogged this, ooops, slippin!

June saw the second beat cypher of the 2010 season with producer/keyboard player BUG, Birmingham's up and coming SMITH THE MISTER and emcee/producers CAPPO, TRANQILL with Brum vet MALIK also sharing mic duties; although the beats banged all night we noticed a few faces missing from the usual Beat Cypher crowd (where you at??!) well with the football out the way hopefully you'll surface for this next instalment (you want us to keep doing this right??).

Ok so we're back; news would have come a little earlier but we were holding out for a special guest who eventually couldn't commit no problems, the line up is still strong as ever and here it is.

ON THE BOARDS
MUNESHINE - Producer/Emcee/Engineer hailing from Toronto Canada Muneshine has put in work in all 3 fields amongst the various crews he's affiliated with and with his own material as a soloist; his album Opporunity Knocks LP had features and production from the likes of DJ SPINNA, PETE ROCK, ILLMIND, M-PHAZES and guest verses from SUPASTITION, ODDISEE, KEN STARR and EMILIO ROJAs, with worldwide appeal Mune has managed to scan over 30,000 units just in Japan territory alone causing for a few exclusive releases for that region. Our third international guest at a beat cypher we're honored to have Mune grace the boards!.

THE TARTAN BULLIES (S-TYPE & Jaisu) - You already know the names and the stomping beats!, S-TYPE and Jaisu are collectively the Tartan Bullies; given that its been the best part of 2 years since these boys graced the beat cypher stages we figured we get them back together to let us know whats been going on since they appeared at Beat Cypher 02 back in Dec 08. S-TYPE has been going from strength to strength with production work for Tek's (of Bootcamp Clik / Tek and Steele) lead single from his solo LP, Up and coming J.U.S.T.I.C.E League (Rick Ross, Toni Braxton, Mary J Blige) artist LAWS and Hall Of Justus (Little Brother) artist JOE SCUDDA, with more and more credits appearing and inevitable solo work S-TYPE has NOT been slouching!. Same applies to Jaisu whos been on the grind providing material for the likes of Detroits MARV ONE, MICALL PARKNSUN, SHA STIMULI, PUNCHLINE, PRINCE PO and more! still not forgetting the Beat Tape trend he started with AB0181 he's also been dropping frequent volumes of his sought after BEAT TAPE series on Youtube (now on Vol 7 - http://tinyurl.com/jaisuvol7) and featured in a dope Q&A/Instructional portion of the latest Behind Closed Doors Hiphop Production Magazine DVD (http://louisden.com/bcd)

JON PHONICS - Another familiar Louis Den face, Phonics is back simply because dude has been extra prolific in the 18 months since he appeared at Beat Cypher 03, Phonics has put out a myriad of releases in that time including the BEATS & PIECES beat tape which dropped last Xmas for free download and his sophmore LP "HALF PAST CALM 2" (http://jonphonics.bandcamp.com/album/half-past-calm-2) which had strong name checks such as KOSYNE (sorry hehe), JEHST, CYRUS MALAKAI, SONNYJIM, M9, VERB T, OBBA SUPA to name just a few not content with stopping there he's got 2 EP's dropping in the form a collab project (with other Louis Den producers) another collab effort with fellow producer from the Ill Rythmikz camp and Louis Den JEEKAY. Although the sounds have evolved but the funk is still present Jon will have plenty of treats in store!.

MR FIGZ - aka Figaro is Birmingham a native thats been tearing up the 4x4 and Funky House circuit (http://www.discogs.com/Mr-Figz-Mr-Figz-EP/release/1245147) for quite sometime but dont get it twisted though! He's been down with the Louis Den Movement since we first started out (http://youtu.be/P-wuZAA6RjU) and has always been crafting headcrack soul for heads to vibe to expect the unexpected as Figz combines elements from all influences to bring you the undeniable Quinton bounce!


ON THE MIC
TWIN PEAKS (MUNESHINE & GHETTOSOCKS)
Muneshine & Ghettosocks form the duo “Twin Peaks” (http://twinpeaksrap.bandcamp.com), We’ve mentioned Muneshine above, his rhyme partner Ghettosocks hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada he’s been an active contributor to the Halifax scene for a few years; he’s supported the likes of NAS, AFRIKA BAMBAATAA, SPECIAL ED, GZA, BEATNUTS and KOOL HERC to name just a few. “Treat Of The Day” his latest release features EL DA SENSEI, PUMPKINHEAD, EDGAR ALLEN FLOE, MUNESHINE and more.

As Twin Peaks the pair explore themes influenced by David Lynch’s work fused with stellar production, their “Perfect Strangers EP” is out now and features production from M-PHAZES, RICH KID, SUFF DADDY and BIG BIX which serves as a prelude to their full length LP “Shaking Hands & Kissing Babies”.

ENGLISH
A vet on the UK circuit English (http://youtu.be/Pz2MBm7rUaI) has been tearing up mics up and down the country; getting his foot in the door via the battle circuits of “Battle Scars” “Jump Off” he’s since gone on to release a strong catalog with his debut LP “Attack Of The Killer Loops” on DAT sounds to his Left Turn Radio mixtapes and the recent release “My Way” (http://www.englishleftturn.com) out on his own imprint he’s been building since 2005 Left Turn Records.

T-BEAR
Finally completing the PA line up is the charismatic Colony affiliate T-BEAR aka TB aka Tuberculosis (http://www.myspace.com/tbworldwide). With a unmistakable voice and delivery T-BEAR has been grafting the last few years having collaborated with the likes of JON PHONICS, FARMA G, CHEMO, ENGLISH, PYRELLI, SHAMELESS, MR 2IBBS and more!, be sure to check his “The Beast From The East” Mix CD from a couple years back which was cut up by none other than DJ MK! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0KaYBeA0zE)

OPEN BEATS / BEAT BATTLE / DJ CRO
We've got the usual OPEN BEATS where producers of all levels are encouraged to bring some material to test the crowd reaction (3 beats max), this is a perfect opportunity to let others hear your material on a club PA and also lets knows in attendance know about the sort of talent on their doorsteps, perfect for networking, handing out beat CD’s and generally connecting with other artists.

Those feeling like they want to take something home can compete in the legendary BUCKS FIZZ BEAT BATTLE where names dawn out of a hat can compete for a bottle of bubbly and bragging rites as the Louis Den Bucks Fizz Beat Battle Winner!!...and finally it wouldn't be a beat cypher with our very own DJ CRO providing the backdrop of hip-hop beats, breaks and treats inbetween the nights action.

*ARRIVE EARLY TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN BEATS, ONLY 3 BEATS MAX PER PRODUCER AND WE MAY HAVE TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER IF THERES A HUGE AMOUNT OF SIGN UPS (prefence is given to newer names)

* NO MP3 PLAYERS/PHONES/ DATA CD's FOR OPEN BEATS/BATTLE, sorry but its an ache to get all this sorted and the cables/pc's are for the showcased producers only...bring an audio CD or most likely its not happening!!.

* THERE IS NO GUESTLIST AT THE BEAT CYPHER, please don’t try it and blag it…respect the cypher and the other heads paying, the more heads supporting the more chance of us being able to keep the movement going and bring you great line-ups of this seasons calibre!

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Louis Den BeatCypher 11
Live Hiphop Production Showcase & Beat Jam
MUNESHINE | S-TYPE | JAISU | JON PHONICS | MR FIGZ
TWIN PEAKS | ENGLISH | T-BEAR
+open beats/beat battle/DJ CRO


26th August 2010
Downstairs @unPlug Digbeth
79 Digbeth High St
Birmingham
B5 6DY
9PM - LATE
£4.00 ENTRY BEFORE 10PM £5.00 AFTER
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Spread The Word!, Tweet/RT, Blog and invite your people to the facebook event!
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Facebook event link: http://bit.ly/amuJDY
louisden.com blog link: http://bit.ly/bAeVPA
flyer front : http://bit.ly/997L2Z
flyer back : http://bit.ly/93KXef
Twitter links: @louisden @Muneshine @S_TypeBeats @Jaisu @JonPhonics @Mr_Figz @GhettoSocks @EnglishLeftTurn @DJCro @RedBeard00 @Kosyne @SONNYJIM01 @EatGoodRecords

The Tragedy...DO IT!

The peeps over at DWG have teamed up with Iller Regime and 25 To Life to bring you some very dope previously unreleased Tragedy (aka Intelligent Hoodlum) tracks from his second very dope and slept on Saga Of A Hoodlum album. At the time of writing it's nearly sold out so be quick if you want to get one...3 original unreleased versions and the album versions on the flip (only one of those has been on official wax before)

Heres the unmastered snippets






Heres the info straight from the source...

Many of you will have heard the original versions of "Death Row" and "At Large" - well, the opportunity arose for us to get involved in a 25 To Life approved pressing of these tracks, plus the previously unheard demo of "Pump The Funk". These original versions were due to appear on Trag's unreleased/controversial 2nd album "Black Rage" (1992), but A&M Records got cold balls and decided to change the title to "Saga Of A Hoodlum"(1993) change the tracklist and remix some of the tracks (we have put the 3 previously available album 'remixes' on the flip).

The "Black Rage Demos" are sought after (previously only available as crusty dubs from Westwood's Capital Rap Show) and production wise are closer to Trag's earlier work, the depressing original mix of "Death Row" is genius and the venomous production of the original "At Large" is nothing short of amazing - Trag holds no bars. The original "Pump The Funk" (this was originally named "Shit For Your System") is totally different to the final version with a stripped back beat for the jeeps.

Special thanks to Iller Regime Recordings for hooking up the audio (infamous QBC aficionado) and Robbie at www.unkut.com for putting us in contact with Trag.... hopefully one day the remaining lost album tracks will see the light of day, tracks like "Adolesents At War", "Black Rage" and the anti-cop "Bullet" are just too good to be lost in the A&M vaults!


DWG009 - INTELLIGENT HOODLUM / TRAGEDY - 'BLACK RAGE DEMOS' (sticker sleeve / limited to 250 hand numbered copies)

Containing 3 previously unreleased Intelligent Hoodlum / Tragedy tracks (together with the 3 final album versions on the flipside) re-mastered for optimum audio quality. This release is in association with Iller Regime Recordings and is fully endorsed by 25 To Life, who will directly benefit Trag who is now (fresh outta Sing Sing) working on new projects to revitalise his career.

Tracklist:

1: Death Row
2: At Large
3: Pump The Funk

SIDE A - ORIGINAL VERSIONS

SIDE B - ALBUM VERSIONS

COST = £25.00 GBP PER COPY + POSTAGE

POSTAGE COSTS

We have tried to make the postage costs as simple as possible, if in doubt or placing a large order (if ordering more than 6 records please contact us first) drop us an e-mail and we'll get back to you:

UK - Royal Mail 1st class standard = £3.00 for the first record / add 50p per record thereafter

Europe - 1st class airmail = £4.00 for the first record / each extra record add £1.00

USA / Japan / Australia - 1st class airmail = £7.00 for the first record / each extra record add £2.00


***for postal insurance, please add £5.00: we are not responsible for lost packages***

ORDERING INFORMATION

To place your order simply work out your total and send payment to trag@diggerswithgratitude.com

We will try to confirm all orders in due course but please be patient as this may take some time, so long as you send the money to the correct paypal address then you can assume that we have received your order.

Please ensure that you have the correct address linked to your paypal account as this is the address that we will be shipping your order to!

.: We anticipate shipping commencing the weekend of August 30th, 2010 :.


If you have any questions please e-mail: trag@diggerswithgratitude.com