House music has always enjoyed an interesting relationship with it's long-lost cousins, hip-hop, R&B and disco.  With the disco influences that hip-hop originally shunned, a not-infrequent love affair with such 'hip-hop' influences as the MC and scratching and it's flirtations with R&B, it seems strange that house music is so frequently maligned.  It seems that the something-for-everyone feel can leave some unimpressed, while the repetitive 4/4 beats can also leave some less-inebriated listeners wishing for a little more variety.  However, as a musical form it has also enjoyed massive success and is loved by DJ luminaries including Jazzy Jeff and has much to offer on it's own merits. On 'City To City 3' DJ Deep drops 18-tracks from the Chicago, Detroit and New York house scene, from Kool Rock Steady's electro-styled 'I'll Make You Dance' to deeper moments, such as the opening "mix edit" of Dee Dee Brave's 'Feel The Breeze.'  Fans of old school Chicago sounds from the likes of Farley Jackmaster Funk will readily fall into time with the updated, yet deeply old-school, U.S. house feel of this collection.  Elsewhere the tracks veer towards disco influences as well as an almost ambient techno style, rather than, for example, testing a strictly soulful flavor.  As for the mixing, the tracks flow into one another with the ease of food coloring into water, as DJ Deep keeps matters strictly seamless.  Don't expect a great deal of trickery from DJ Deep's mixing here, as he instead opts to act as a magician behind the scenes, silently conducting the tracks into harmony.  This is a solidly put together and well mixed set that - if you are up for a little U.S. house - is well worth a look.

City To City 3: DJ Deep's Journey Through Chicago, Detroit and New York's Secret House Gems  

© 2010. All Rights Reserved. All Original Works of WWW.Grindmodeconnect.com. No Duplication or Reprint without Written Permission. (08.23.10)

Many will immediately associate Arrested Development with their early hits 'People Everyday' and 'Mr. Wendal' from their 1992 debut, but they have been steadily releasing music ever since, and at the same time bringing an intelligent consciousness to offset the thug and club fuelled imbalance in hip-hop.  Their latest offering, the 12-track 'Strong' continues their mission to deliver uplifting musical content to the masses as rhymes, sung vocals and their trademark earthy production meld together with stye and ease.  Whether they are taking down negative focus ('Trends') or striking back at those who put them down ('Haters') Arrested Development keep their music strong to match their forthright lyrical delivery.  Never afraid to flip the script, 'Too Much Woman For Ya', interestingly, has the male MCs representing with a positive outlook on being knocked back by a woman who is self-assured, while elsewhere, human contradictions are shown with a biblical reference on 'Any Tree But That.'  Production-wise Arrested Development lace their hip-hop with live instrumentation - such as on the bass heavy yet organic sounding 'La La La.'  'We Rad We Doin It' brings an almost new wave edge through the driving electric guitar and drum rolls to bring a rock-radio-ready cross-over appeal that could also hurt the clubs. 'Africa We Thank Ya' has a joyous, celebratory feel as traditional drums raise the tempo ahead of the more downtempo but proud 'Freedom.'  If you want something that celebrates African American strength over champagne popping and looks to lift people up without pushing others down then Arrested Development's new album may be the one for you.  While consciousness and positivity is seemingly still out of vogue with the radio and the big spending corporations there is no reason not to get yourself a dose here and there, and that's exactly what Arrested Development continue to bring time after time...

Arrested Development - Strong     

© 2010. All Rights Reserved. All Original Works of WWW.Grindmodeconnect.com. No Duplication or Reprint without Written Permission. (08.10.10)

DJ Lord Ron sets out his views as soon as his album starts - and that is to bring straight-up East Coast hip-hop. Though he’s a California native, true to his word he delivers with 'Concrete bars' as C Rayz Walz trakes up mic duties before Group Home's Lil Dap is joined by Young Luchiano for the strong 'The Dream.' 'Nocturnal Snakes' continues the vintage feel while 'One By One' offers yet more no messing, sample savvy, hip-hop.  N.C. Abram brings a strong flow to bear on the classic sounds of 'The Finest.' 'The Touch' allows John Robinson time to represent before Lord Ron devastates watered down hip-hoppers while his bringing cuts alongside Triple Ace's lyrical onslaught with 'City To City.' This strong East Coast hip-hop feel continues as Akil the MC gives himself props while Lord Ron pauses for thought and to drop knowledge on how to bring real hip-hop as well as tip his hat to the pioneers.  'It's Da R.C.P.' delivers some posse cut flavor as Destruct declares that 'Ladies Come, Ladies Go.' The Yeski featuring 'Fire Water' continues the 100% top choice selection as Lord Ron brings a beat that Premier would be proud of before N.C. Abram takes his second lyrical bow with 'The System.' Lil Dap and Young Luchiano also get a second chance to impress and also rep their stomping grounds on '1,2, This Iz 4 U (Brooklyn Nights)' before the whole set is rounded off with Lord Ron's DJ outro and dedication to Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. DJ Lord Ron is clearly aware of his hip-hop heritage as well as possessing an ear for vintage East Coast sounds, when boom bap was at the forefront of Hip-Hop, before it was tainted and started to be a one-sided genre.  If you are tired of cookie cutter, hip-hop by numbers then this album is a refreshing breath of quality hip-hop as DJ Lord Ron demonstrates that you can bring a 100% solid classic East Coast album without gimmicks in 2010.  Don't sleep on this one...

DJ Lord Ron - Environmental Shape Sounds OF DJ Lord Ron 

Lee 'Scratch' Perry is a true legend of reggae music, having pioneered such staples as the dub sound as well as a number of techniques as a producer, songwriter, performer and studio engineer.  With such talent and vision Perry is also, perhaps, slightly unhinged as evidenced by this latest collection of work from the Jamaican born, Switzerland-based reggae legend.  Calling on musical luminaries George Clinton and Keith Richards to assist Lee 'Scratch' Perry's 'Revelation' is actually a third collaboration with UK instrumentalist Steve Marshall. However, the 13 tracks remain distinctly Lee 'Scratch' Perry's.  Whether it is the off-the-wall 'Used To Drive A Tractor In Negrille' or the quasi-religious offerings of 'Holy Angels' and 'Books Of Moses' Lee 'Scratch' Perry delivers the deep dub-fuelled sounds that have made him famous.  While this collection is a new release for 2010 there is some doubt as to how new the tracks are, especially with Perry's questioning of the lifestyle choices of the late Michael Jackson on 'Freaky Michael.'  While Perry certainly stays true to his own roots in reggae there are some contemporary twists added to the mix, such as the understated scratches included on 'Psalm.'  However, don't expect Lee 'Scratch' Perry to have thrown out his own reggae rulebook as the slow paced bass-heavy dub remains in place throughout while Perry drops his lyrical ramblings across the top.  A true legend of his genre, Lee 'Scratch' Perry continues to innovate and create with 'Revelation.'

Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Revelation

© 2010. All Rights Reserved. All Original Works of WWW.Grindmodeconnect.com. No Duplication or Reprint without Written Permission. (08.03.10)

The term 'underground' comes with all types of pre-conceptions, whether it is the 'backpack' tag, the more 'cerebral' type of rhymes or distinctly uncommercial beats.  However, the term underground need not be something to be feared or revered - as shown by Gotham Green and Quickie Mart's latest collaboration, 'Haze Diaries Volume 3.'  Hailing from New York and New Orleans respectively the duo bring a weed-informed mindset that Method Man and Redman would be proud of.  However, that said, you should expect that from a collection called 'Haze Diaries.' Musically the beats stay on point with a true-school feel, complete with blaring horns, fine cuts and deep bass all working alongside head-nodding beats.  While they show their dedication to Green smoke with tracks like 'You Couldn't Get Much Higher' elsewhere their guests like Planet Asia and Freddie Gibbs come through and shine.  Reinventing the art of sampling on tracks like the solid 'Game Change' and bring a soulful twist to matters with the strong 'Tell Me Something,' the pair seem to repeatedly return to the topic of drug use across this 18-track set.  However, don't let their pre-occupation with marijuana put you off as the music itself is of a high enough quality to carry across.  Other highlights include the dark and brooding 'Tape The Room Up' and the strong, 'Been Doin It.' The duo deliver some straight-up hip-hop for those that feel they are lacking true-school sounds and for that they deserve the plaudits.  Hip-hop isn't dead - it's just been smoking with Gotham Green and Quickie Mart.

Gotham Green and Quickie Mart - Haze Diaries Volume 3