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+ Dork Magazine Rootdown | selection and words by Ken Peebles

Posdnuos | Smile a lil bit

Producer OH NO hits the nail on the head with that bouncy feel good track that De la sounds so at home on. This tune was the main track I was attracted to from OH NO’s latest project ‘Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms’ It contains beats made strictly from Galt MacDermot samples. OH NO (who is Madlib’s brother) has definitely come into his own as a producer with his own sound. I’ve given this one a lot of run on the bus and it always makes me feel good. This should be the new school anthem. Cats are too serious out here. C’mon on y’all, smile a lil bit.

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth – I got a love

Remember highschool! Well If you’re my age, when this hit your ears for the first time we were living in a very different world. It was 1994. Country music was making a comeback (I guarantee your 28 year old uncle has a Garth Brooks shirt hiding somewhere in his closet) Dance music was big (I like to move, move it) Everyone was digging this somewhat new ‘internet’ thing (seriously) Rap was ‘crap’ and Pete Rock was showing cats what funky soul sounded like. If you’re a giant music fiend like me than you know that feeling of excitement that takes over when you hear something this beautiful. This was some whole other when it came out. Those horns, those vibes, the vocal sample and C.L’s lyrics all equal hip hop perfection. This is the kind of track I used to bump in the sony walkman and catch mad looks because I couldn’t help snap my fingers, bounce around or rap out loud to. You need sounds like this in your life for the bad times and the good. Got wings, ‘cause I’m doing them things, listen.

The Roots Feat. Amel larrieux: Glitches

There’s just something about Philly isn’t there. Much like Queens Emcees there is a certain swagger and style Philly brings to the table and it feels just right. I’ll break this one down into the players involved.

Point one. I’ve been a fan of The Roots since I heard ‘DatSkat’ come flying over the college airwaves. Black thought is a consistent favourite on the mic for me with that unmistakable baritone. The smooth sounds that originate somewhere in the back of ?uestlove’s head hit the universe with full force. Rocking Bass, buttery keys, gritty saxophone and snappy drums make for an enjoyable ride.

Point two. I’m not an RnB dude. Even though I do enjoy old soul records something about current soul doesn’t hit me like that. That’s why when my girl Charyl slid Amel Larrieux’s ‘Get Up’ single under my nose and said ‘you need to buy this’ I was a little sceptical. Little did I know I was about to experience the most beautiful voice I’d ever heard. Amel is incredible and if you don’t know her work I recommend you pick up ‘infinite possibilities’ with a quickness. Now don’t get me wrong. I liked D’Angelo’s ‘Brown Sugar’ like everyone else and I still revisit and enjoy ‘Baduizm’ to this day but Amel’s full length took me on a soul loop like no other. I always jump at a chance to hear that voice again and she brings it on ‘glitches’ with great strength and restraint.

Mos Def – Hip Hop

I have something to admit. After the amazing Black Star project I actually gravitated heavily towards Talib’s solo project as opposed to Mos Def’s (those Hi-Tek beats maybe?) I liked Mos Def but I had more expectations and focus for Talib’s ‘Train of thought’ album. What was great about that was that when the day came to pick up Mos Def’s ‘Black on both sides’ I walked into my local Music World with little fanfare, hype or expectations. All I knew was ‘Ms Fat Booty’ was dope and Mos had a great voice and flow. There is something truly wonderful about picking up an album before any hype has hit you, popping the tape in the deck and systematically losing your shit as each track gets better and better. This was an album of tall stature for me and I bumped it constantly. The single Ms.Fat Booty caught fire on the underground. Umi Says would eventually get it’s due via a Nike commercial but there are so many great tracks on here it was hard to pick one. Although I’m still partial to ‘New World Water’ I chose ‘Hip Hop’ because it contains some great lyrics as well as a somewhat laidback but triumphant beat.

Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers – Chubb Rock, O.C. and Jeru the damaja

Only Primo can do beats like this. You’ve got a cello that starts, stops, pauses and then it’s on to three hits of a triangle. It’s a seriously unlikely loop if you think about it, but dope none the less. You get the full package here with verses from Chubb Rock (loving the voice) O.C. (what happened to dude?) and Jeru. Everyone should know about this record as well as the film ‘Clockers’ it was attached to. Remember that crazy gun pattern outfit Sticky Fingaz had in the movie? Anyhow my main memory of this song that sticks with me to this day is the fact I cut my first demo to this beat. Yes I tried to rap and yes I was wacker than hell. What can I say hip hop is a participant sport. Every time this song kicks in I always get the terrible hook I wrote stuck in my head. Aside from the various flashbacks I get of highschool hallways, highschool personalities and highschool house parties this is just a great joint to vibe to. Never taking shorts ‘cause…….you know what’s up.

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