Gear lustin '08 - amended

lust /lʌst/ [luhst] –noun
:a passionate or overmastering desire or craving (usually fol. by for)

The funny thing about gear lust is that it is a highly emotional (believe it) experience. Victims are typically so overwhelmed with awe at the onset by the idea, concept, look, and well, newness of a particular piece of gear - that reason and logic (no pun intended - gearfreaks) in support of its usefulness or practically seem to be completely irrelevant and in most cases, non-existent. With that being said, here are a few amendments to my initial shopping list for '08!!


AKAI MPD 32




I actually own the MPD32's predecessor, the MPD24, which barely came out a year ago. Alas, I was blinded by its silver-bodied beauty and prospects of putting on dj sets rivaling those of Z-Trip and I probably jumped the gun. The MPD24 is a great piece of equipment, but let's face it, black is the new silver and genuine MPC pads are for pros!



MOOG Little Phatty



I've pretty much been eyeing and playing with this one every time I step into Guitar Center. In the day of computer producing - what can I say - analog hardware is becoming that much more desirable. Don't get me wrong I'm (and I hate arbitrarily placing percentages on things) probably 91.3% in-the-box (working completely within the computer) and prefer it, however, this synth sounds amazing. Plus it has a gang of knobs and wheels to tinker with LIVE. The only problem: THE PRICETAG


MOOG Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue w/ Mahagony finish



This beaute right hurrr is what happens to kids who use the Little Phatty, when they grow up. Let's put it this way - my simple melodies and deranged scales sound like bits (small bits) of Herbie Hancock on the Voyager - seriously. Ok all delusion in check, the sound that emanates from the Voyager are pieces of song sung by cherubs, gleefully instilled in part through the carefree playing of your fingerz. Well at least that what it felt like. Plus the electric blue lighting IS an essential must have! And mahagony wood?!?! C'mon, the only wood I've ever owned is IKEA particle board. It's like Rolls Royce meets TRON. After all, looking good as a musician is what separates the cool ones from the nerds...sometimes.


Arturia moog modular V



And after all that lustin' - at the end of the day, it usually boils down to what's realistically affordable. And that's where the moog modular V comes in. It's a software moog emulator that even the honorable, Dr. Robert Moog, endorses. And I'm all for that.


***update*** I did score a bike shortly after succumbing to my burning desire to get one.


holla atcha choy

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

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

27's the new 30 - which is the new 20 - which is.....underaged

fellow aquarians, this is our get down!!!

Loki da Trixta - new album TRIKNOLOGY

my good homie, BK native, Loki da Trixta dropped his latest album Triknology a couple months back. Aside from personal bias 'n all - because I happen to click greatly with Loki as a fellow human, and I produced one of tracks off the album - he maintained to put together an album with great cohesion sonically & conceptually, through the collaborative efforts of 7 different producers!!! In times where expedience, by and large, takes precedence over quality through concentrated effort, it is with great honor and pride that I'm involved with this album. But, don't just take my word for it, have a listen for yourself.


support goodness...

Erykah Badu's "Honey" Vid

big up Krush L @ Illerclip for this one...mos definitely feelin the production on this lil diddy...first studio album in 5 yrs?? It's about damn time...

can you name all the referenced album covers?

Gear lustin '08

every so often i get to feenin' for some "new" sound equipment...in the past few days i've been searchin hi 'n low on eBay and Craiglist for some cheap finds, but mostly to no avail - slim pickins & errrrbody's selling so quickly these days. Here's a few things atop my list:


MACKIE UNIVERSAL CONTROL




FMR AUDIO RNC



MOTU ULTRALITE




EMPIRICAL LABS DISTRESSOR




and to top it off - for my upcoming 2.5 wk outdoor extravaganza



TOURING ROAD BICYCLE (of some sort)