SIXTH! (we're back)

Sixth day of the month (since I was late).
First track on the album.
Six songs.






















Nicolay "I Love The Way You Love Me" f/ Darien Brockington // Here (2006)



In preparation for the new Foreign Exchange album, I decided to play Nicolay's second solo album Here. I was only moderately impressed when I first bought it, but now that I've put it back in the rotation, it has really grown on me. The first joint on this album showcases a great talent from the Justus League camp, Darien Brockington. A very solid R&B track with Nicolay's tight production.

Also, allow me to say this. People that miss the Jay Dee sound need to check for Nicolay. I'm not saying he IS Jay Dee by any means, but he's definitely a disciple of his style. Listen to the first Foreign Exchange album, you can hear Jay Dee's influence all over it. While I miss Jay Dee, there are many producers out now that are carrying on his legacy. Nicolay is one of them.






























The Roots "Respond - React" // Illadelph Halflife (1996)


It was the fall of 1996, my freshman year at Columbia College Chicago. I got to talking music with some friends of my roommate one night, and I was asked if I knew about the Philadelphia based hip hop group The Roots. I hadn't. In fact now that I think about it, there was a LOT of hip hop that I didn't know about back then. I'm almost ashamed to admit that outside of "Me, Myself & I", I had never listened to an album from De La Soul.

Anyway after that conversation someone loaned me both Do You Want More and Illadelph Halflife. I dubbed both of them on two 90 minute Memorex tapes and rocked them my entire freshman year. Back then I didn't have a lot of loot to buy new music all the time, plus CD's were expensive. I didn't hide the fact that I loved Do You Want More cause I wore that tape out. So much so that when the tape wasn't playable anymore, I taped over Illadelph with Do You Want More.

Fast forward three years and I have, what I would call, my first real system. A sub woofer powered by an amp all controlled by a Sony Xplod head unit. Hearing "Respond - React" through that system changed something. I don't know what it was, but that album just immediately altered every feeling I had about The Roots.


















James Brown "It's A New Day So Let A Man Come In And Do Some Popcorn" // Revolution Of The Mind: Live At The Apollo Vol. 3 (1971)


Why don't they start shows like this anymore? The Amazing Mr. Please Please Please came out with a serious introduction. With the horns of the JB's shouting, how could you NOT be hype? DJ Brainchild of Gordon Gartrell Radio shared a song from this album on his blog about a year ago saying it was a must listen. I bought volume one thinking that was the album he was talking about. Nope, wasn't it. I copped this album a few months back, and this isn't the album either. It doesn't matter, cause it's a solid show. And this track...when those drums hit at 3:11? Sick.

















Ali Shaheed Muhammed "Social Reform" // Shaheedullah And Stereotypes (2004)


You have no idea how long it took me to find this CD. I don't know why I thought I'd find this album at one of those big warehouse stores. Do you know how hard it was to tell the kid in the blue shirt at Best Buy I was looking for Shaheedullah And Stereotypes. "Who sings it?" You know what? Nevermind. The average person probably doesn't know who Tribe is let alone their DJ. So yeah, I eventually found it.

This was another slow burner as I found cuts on this album years after I bought it. This album was my first introduction to Sy Smith and Kay from the Foundation. In fact, a lot of the artists that appear on this album have been showcased on RappersIKnow.com (it's all the same circle anyway). Stokely from Mint Condition has a tight track on here too.






















NaS "Get Down (9th Wonder Remix)" // God's Stepson (2002)


I was upset with God's Son after I bought it. It seems I always get tricked in to buying a NaS album cause his singles are usually straight. "Made You Look" kinda sold me. Plus, the self produced "Get Down" was kinda tight. There are a few more highlights on the album, but for the most part it wasn't up to par. Then my guy 9th Wonder from Little Brother remixed the entire album. I'm letting y'all know, God's Son no longer exists in my mind. 9th Wonder (another Jay Dee disciple) hooked it up to make what NaS and his executive producers couldn't. His rework of "Ether" is one of his best beats. A must hear.















Bilal "Something To Hold On To" // Love 4 Sale (2006)


1st Born Second took a while to grow on me. In fact, I still to this day think the album is too long. But all in all, the Soulquarian movement is one of my most favorite periods in modern R&B. ?uestlove and James Poyser made some fantastic albums (yes, albums) that showcased some amazing talent. One being the voice, the attitude and the aura that is Bilal. His second album Love 4 Sale has been leaked and shared all throughout the Internet. There are a hundred theories as to why it never received a proper release, one being that it didn't have radio friendly single. Whatever the reason, people are really missing out on a dark yet brilliant album. Yes, darker than 1st Born Second.