Ropeadope

Great stuff off of the Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music) collabo between Mishka NYC and the homie, Stalley.

From the Coltrane stable, and by way of Impulse!, comes Pharoah Sanders' 1971 masterpiece, Thembi.  Presented is the opening cut off that album titled "Astral Travelling."  Enjoy.

A piece dedicated to his daughter, "infant Eyes" probably ranks in my top ten compositions of all time.  This cut is taken from his Speak No Evil album. 

A session made in heaven; 1963 saw the release of Ella & Basie - a collaboration between two of the greatest to ever swing it.  Basie's orchestra is the perfect compliment to Ella's vocals, and Quincy Jones' arrangement is simply marvelous.

Can music really be split into genres based on beat, instruments, feel, content, etc.?  Is that really how it's suppose to be?  With the West's infatuation with boxing everything seperately by terms and definitions, it often seems so as non creators continue to rush to put a stamp on art.  Gil, on his 1981 album, Reflections, posed this very question about "Free Form" with the presented cut titled, "Is That Jazz?" 

"chillin, killin like a villain, the meaning of RAW is Ready And Willing"

"When it comes to days like this," I sit back, light some incense and chill with Native Tongues as my backdrop.  Midnight Marauders.

"Children listen to me, It ain't where it's at."  Too often do public figures shy away from the responsibily of being role models.  Gil embraced it, and showed us what to do, and also, what not to do.

Maybe it was the deep baritone; maybe it was the perfectly shaped 'fro; maybe it was his unparalleled wit; or it could've been his height.  Gil Scott-Heron captured, not only the hearts and minds of America's hoods, but also of an entire planet of music lovers.  Gil was an enigma that barged his way into America's conscious with an uncanny and intricate mix of spoken word, blues, jazz, funk and soul.  …

Throughout her career, Queens vocalist Vinia Mojica, has provided a whole lot of hooks and ad-libs for the likes of De La Soul, Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli, and so on.  Presented here is one of those rare tracks - actually a B-side to her 2003 single, "Guilt Junkie."  The "Sands of Time" is passing as I ask, "Where is she now?"

There once was a time when FM radio and music television channels played House on the regular...Detroit's Kevin Saunderson & Paris Grey are better known as the dynamic House-duo, Inner City, and this cut is the title track from their debut album Paradise (aka Big Fun).  Peace.

What's happening, my good folks?  Here's a cut from criminally often overlooked House legend, Maurice Joshua.  The track dates back to 1995, and the title is "I Can't Understand."  Enjoy.

Released in 2003 from the Sonar Kollektiv, comes this beautiful number from producer Deyampert.  The seven-minute escapade features tremendous changes in the composition and smooth vocals from New York's Desney Bailey.  

Most known for his seminal work on the Blaxploitation film, The Mack, Willie Hutch was an intricate part of Motown's success in the early-to-mid 70's.  Ode to My Lady is by far my favorite album from Mr. Hutch, as it presents him as a more refined songwriter and composer.  Here's a nice cut from this very album titled, "Just Another Day."  Enjoy.

A more recent classic from one of my favorite duo's, The Cool Kids, "Black Mags" was released in 2007 and still bangs, in 2011 - oh yeah, and it's about bikes.  Enjoy.

From the recently released Mello Music Group compilation, Helpless Dreamer, comes several noteworthy gems for the Hip Hop purists.  Presented here is one of them:  Has-Lo's "Black Rose."  Here, the narrator tells an elaborate but painful tale of the emotional fall of an artist at an elegant social gathering.  While in attendance, the artist casually scopes and falls for a sophisticated temptress by the name of Lady Cashmere.  However, Lady Cashmere, who “moves like …

Getting the party happening over a sick Kraftwork beat; here's the dynamic, and legendary, Fearless Four with the '82 classic, "Rockin It."  Enjoy.

What's happening friends?  Here's a joint from the recently released Cody ChesnuTT's EP titled, Black Skin No Value.  With six tracks, clocking in at around thirteen minutes, ChesnuTT song-writing and vocals are reminiscent of tracks from the Marvin Gaye's seminal masterpiece, What's Going On.  I honestly believe that Cody is working himself toward an epic full-length LP soon.  Enjoy.

Written and produced by Ian Friday and Chris Rob, this number is nothing short of amazing!  It's a dancefloor firecracker with a message.  Great arrangement and vocals that's topped off with a mesmerizing change midway through its completion.  

Here it is!  "Girl" in all its full-length glory!  This great track was recorded around the time of the Purple Rain bonanza only to find its way as a b-side single with the release of the Revolution's Around the World in a Day.  

Deep house from producer Roed Svensk (aka Sole Kitchen).  Wonderfully remixed by Alton Miller, this track is perfect for a laidback night around the town.

Like many of the disco-related albums, the album cover to Taana Gardner's self-titled LP is cheesy; however, there's isn't a thing its content.  Released through the legendary West End Records, Taana Gardner, is nothing short of a dance-floor masterpiece.  Presented here is the album's lone mellow love song "We Got To Work It Out."  Listening to it is so refreshing, especially in these times of independent talk and window smashing.

If you've missed it, John Forte has been dropping gems all around the 'net.  This most recent one, "Sew I," is my favorite by far!  It features an electro backdrop and extremely profound and reflective lyrics.

"When I was away did you get free?"

A few years ago, I met a interesting cat, from Chicago, by the name of Swamburger.  At the time, I was in the beginnings of a managing editor position of a poetry and art publication on campus, and was in search for visual artists who wouldn't mind being included in this first issue that I was over.  This is how I met Swamburger - gifted visual artist, head of an ever-progressing …