Saturday, February 16, 2008

NATE KROOKS: STILL TRUE - BUY IT!!!

IF you can't make it in to AMOEBA or RASPUTINS SF/Berkeley, you can get it online at CD BABY RIGHT HURRRRR

here's what some good people of the industry have to say so far:

Loaded with ear-tickling beats and nimble lyricism, Still True lives up to its title, with 15 tracks of real deal hip-hop custom-made for discerning heads around the globe. Kazwell's wordplay tackles a wide variety of subject matter, thought-provoking and party-rocking alike, while deedot's intricate, soul-drenched compositions further prove that he is one of the most talented young producers in the game. Nate Krooks' album is rock solid from start to finish, an impressive debut from a group destined to shine. - MP3.COM

With the recent release of Still True, Nate Krooks gives listeners hope that there are still peeps that make music for the true meaning. This album is a beautiful catch in the oil infested waters of the Bay.

- STASH MAGAZINE

Nate Krooks, consisting of Kazwell and deedot, are releasing a full-length 15-track banger this month entitled Still True. Smooth production by deedot combined with solid lyrical content from Kazwell is going to make this one a must cop. - ZERO MAGAZINE

thank you

Monday, February 11, 2008

Music foya mind that feeds the soul

Just felt the urge to share with y'all some really good music that I've been blessed to collaborate on. Aside from the obvious joint upon which I will post on later, I'd just like to highlight 3 projects that have recently dropped.


The first is Power Struggle emcee NOMI's full length entitled Hearts & Minds.



This production is, at least sonically, 2 EPs combined into one album. Nomi wastes no time with some super soulful, funky, even danceable, headnodders (produced by MN's Benzilla) to open. As the record progresses the sonic environment changes, with the traditionally arranged boom-bapness giving way to more ominous, unsettled sonic backdrops with sparse lyrics & phrasing. "Fuck this City"(track 10) cinematically joins the two seeming disparate halves of the album as Nomi's socially marked lyrics anchor the subject matter. This album is a definite must-have for any hip-hop head, music enthusiast, social activist, or living/breathing human being.



The second is the 2nd full length album from an upcoming Bay Area based group KREATIVE RESOURCE entitled The Difference Is Us.



I had the honor of producing a few tracks and doing the studio work for the album, with Kay 6 holding down the rest of the production and emcees Speak Free and Ster-CraZY providing the words. Let me just say that these guys know where they stand in the music game, and they hustle their asses off. It's always an honor to work with people with serious work ethic and such strong passion for what they do. Ultimately it's important to surround yourself with that type of energy at all times. The Difference Is Us is sonically solid with a few areas left for improvement on the lyrical/content end. But at the pace that these guys are progressing and pumping out projects, they'll be a serious force in no time.



The third project is an EP from The I.M.F. entitled The International Messy Flesh EP



I also had the honor to produce and do the studio work for this project. The I.M.F. is definitely one of those emcees that always packs the potential for those side-splitting, idiosyncratic, crack-up lines on one song then some ill wordplay on the next - or even both at the same time. Only 6 songs large, The International Messy Flesh EP is as diverse as a 6-song EP can get while maintaining a consistency through The I.M.F.'s playful cadence and direct delivery.


All 3 artists have spent a great deal of energy and care into crafting projects to their potential. Let's reward them by sustaining their ability to continue their crafts in the dog-eat-dog rat race we call everyday living.


holla atcha choy

Sunday, February 3, 2008