Charge is the Second Full Length Album from Melbourne Mc Eloquor. Second? It’s easy too miss good artists these days. But in this case, Eloquor admittedly wouldn’t be surprised if you missed his first with his first album being a low budget production that he mostly put together himself.

Charge is anything but with production, beats and features from well known Australian Hip Hop celebrities including M-phazes, Jase, Slap618, Doc Felix and Lauren Gillard to name a few.

Now under the guidance of Frank Mincone aka Slap618 as his manager (Myspherical Entertainment & Obese Records) Charge is an album with a message. To me this me this message was move forward, don’t have regrets, constantly push what you think is possible and take control of your own destiny. I know that’s quite a few messages all rolled into one, but when you listen to this album I think you will agree.

Charge is the feature track for this Album and where the Album takes it’s name. This isn’t really a criticism but for an album with notable guests I found it odd that Charge’s chorus didn’t come with a bit more punch. I mean, this would have been a perfect opportunity to get a cunts in a room and scream this hook (CHARGE) into the mic. Maybe it’s just me or maybe because it’s part of the albums flow and the self introspective message that this album carries throughout it’s entirety and something he wanted to do himself.

Keep on ft Lauren Gillard is a inspirational track, which for me really set’s the pace of this album. The video clip features what appears to be a broken family and a man struggling to come to terms with what never was or what never eventuated. You need to check it and make your own mind up.

A song I can relate my own experience of becoming a father Daddy’s Girl ft Cisco Tavares is probably my favourite track on the album. Eloquor drops his experience with the birth of his daughter like it happened yesterday. Something all first time Dads can probably relate to. I’d never heard of Cisco Tavares and on the first few listens I thought it was a sample, it wasn’t until I picked up the press release and did some Google searches that I found he is a local R’nB artist. (well he lives in Australia now, so by Aussie by laws #1321321 * anyone who’s been here more than a year we can claim as our own) I will definitely be checking more of his stuff in the future.

The last track on the LP Like The Clouds also ft Lauren Gillard but more interestingly samples from his Grandmother who this album was also dedicated to. The translated Hungarian vocal sample translates to “On earth we are merely guests, time here is short, the whole thing is like a soaring cloud”. After hearing this track, it becomes obviously apparent where Eloquor has found a lot of his inspiration and guidance throughout the years and what made him the person that he is. In my opinion, Eloquor seems extremely grounded and happy with the person he sees in the mirror every day. Something we should all strive for.

There’s a bunch of other dope tracks on this album that I didn’t cover. You really need to give ‘Charge’ several listens before it WILL become one of your favourite releases of 2010. ‘Charge’ by MC Eloquor is available now where all good Hip Hop is sold and distro is through Obese Records.

You can also read a recent interview with Eloquor at Certified Scribe

If you like your Hip Hop Grimey check out Byron Chadwick : Hard Worker EP Now Available for Free Download. Click the image to download.

Thanks to Sydney Oz Hip Hop Crew and Lookupinthesky.com.au You can download the debut 2009 release for free. Click on the image for a full download or stream at Lookupinthesky.com.au

Goonbag Radio is a 24/7 Hip Hop Internet Radio station run by the good fellas at ozhiphop.com

To stream in winamp, itunes etc just click the image, enjoy.

Don’t forget to check out Goonbag.com for live stream Every Wednesday night.

Broken Tooth Records MC Maggot Mouf next release ‘You’re all ears’ will be on the shelves later this week July 17 2010. A kid from Canberra, Maggot Moufs new Album contains 16 banging tracks of ill Aussie Hip Hop.

‘You’re all ears’ includes work from Sammy Scissors, Ciecmate, 1/6, Scotty Hinds, Dekoda and additional production from the Joey Gargoyle and Bigfoot.

Have a listen to Wat U Lookin At’ from  ‘You’re all ears’ below

Hip Hop icon Lil Kim has postponed the Australian leg of her tour due to visa problems. She was set to perform at The Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney on July 9, and in Melbourne on July 10, at the Esplanade Hotel. The dates will be re-scheduled for approximately two months from now.

Kim stated; “I love all the fans in Australia and I’m excited to be making my first trip down there to perform. I’m disappointed about my visit being delayed but I promise that the wait will be worth it.”

Source http://www.rhymeandreason.com.au/?p=1992

Updated. New gig date will be September 16. Apparently the Visa issues related to her Criminal Record. Alternatives were apparently offered by Customs i.e. loopholes. However Lil Kim wanted to everything to be done by the book…maybe she just likes flying first class

In Good Company is a Free LP ala Mixtape from a newly formed crew featuring Mc’s A-Diction, Syntax and Whisper. With production and credits from M-Phazes, DJ Mules, Ciecmate and Lewis 1 (to name a few) you know from the get go that this is going to be a banger.

Free copies are available from your local Hip Hop shop or click the image to download direct from their website

I’m back bitches with heaps of new content coming shortly. I had to put things on hiatus with my other business growing and while that doesn’t seem to be slowing down, I’m going to make an effort to update the blog a little more often. We’re going in a little different direction that we have in the past and we’re going to be posting more regular cool content instead of just reviews and what not so stay tuned.

In other news, I am fucking loving the Album by UK rap dudes Rhyme Asylum. Check out For The Hate above. It’s seriously fucking ill and buy their album cause I downloaded it and I kinda feel bad but on the flip side, now you know about it and you will buy it and more of their merchandise. I will also be grabbing a physical copy of their EP http://www.rhymeasylum.com/vinyl.html .

You can find them online here http://www.rhymeasylum.com/blog.html and here http://www.rhymeasylum.com plus there’s links to a heap of social media stuff they have going.

Sorry guys, I am as bored as you and don’t have any more infor other than the below.

Dear OzHipHop.Com Member

OzHipHop.Com is experiencing it’s longest downtime since 2002. On Tuesday
around 6 am EST the server hardware failed and most of our forum database
was lost. Fear not! A new server is at Melbs Datacenter for transition. I
has backups so the most we can lose is about 6 hours of posts.

The site will be back up today..

Please do not send any emails to our @ozhiphop.com addresses as they will
not be received until the server is back up.

Alternate email to use: ozhiphop@gmail.com
PH: +61 2 8005 1669

Cheers

Mass

5

Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.

Since the onset of illness, Guru tried to live a “normal” life as an influential and outstanding musician, loving father, family man, and best friend. Doctors encouraged Guru to think positive that the cancer can be arrested and that a full recovery is possible but several special treatments including hard hitting chemotherapies failed.

While in hospital with terminal cancer, Guru wrote a letter, which was provided by Solar, to his fans addressing his illness, his shining music career, his family and loved ones.

“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” read the official Guru statement.

“My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.”

The statement reads on, “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

Guru, born Keith Elam, rose to fame in the 80’s as the founder of the legendary rap group GangStarr. The group released the classic single Words I Manifest followed by their critically acclaimed debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989) and the classic album Step In The Arena (1991). Guru was the first artist to truly blend Hip-Hop with Live Jazz beginning in 1993, and seeing the vast influences his Jazzmatazz concept has had on the industry, it is clear that Guru’s musical contributions have been way ahead of their time. Guru has worked with such great artists as Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, Chaka Kahn, Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Bob James, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Common, Angie Stone, Jamiroquai, Macy Gray and Damien Marley, to name a few. Despite the fact that Guru isn’t hailing from New York, he is noted as a pioneer of the New York sound and true lyrical Hip-Hop. Guru later on joined forces with hit producer Solar and formed his label 7 Grand Records with the goal to keep “real” Hip-Hop alive.

Guru’s longtime partner, Solar, issues an official statement about the lost of the legendary MC which you can read below:

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.

Just Kidding, I actually think this is pretty awesome.

Soul Mate Records home to 360 and Pez and by have signed a licensing deal With EMI AUS. This is a pretty big step for Australian Hip Hop with local produce having been shunned by the majors for years. Sure there have been other signings but generally they weren’t let’s say “scene established”. A licensing deal generally means the record label gets a set fee in exchange for manufacturing, promoting and distribution. It can also mean if there’s a bucket load of album sale that they get a major chunk of the spin, if not all of it. It is no secret that Majors and even Independents have cottoned on to the increase in touring value as well. But it works both ways, will they have more festivals to play their festivals songs at? Will there music actually improve cause they can concentrate on it without worrying about how they are going to pay rent next week?
I think so and with 360’s new album Falling and Flying due later this year, it will be pretty interesting to see if that’s actually true.

You can check a couple of tracks from 360’s upcoming records here http://www.myspace.com/emcee360 – Oh Yeah, Licensing deals often differ greatly. So that’s just a general guide for those that aren’t aware. SoulMate could be something totally different. they might answer your questions here soulmaterecords.wordpress.com

Hau from Koolism and Triple J’s Hip Hop Show has done his own take on Brad Strut’s “Belive”. We posted that a few months ago. He obviously loves the track as much as us.

Also in the works from Hau is a solo mixtape due Feb 14 called ‘Love the Beast’ you will be able to download a copy from his site http://hauiebeast.blogspot.com. If that ain’t enough for you Koolism fans. check out ‘Hanz High’ which you can download here http://bit.ly/hanzhigh

Preview Mix: FORCE & SPARTS MYSPACE

Relative new comer to the scene Sparts joins G Force, following his successful debut release Clouded, to bring you a free offering of straight spitting madness to accompany your summer beverages.

Featuring guests Mol One, Haunts, Maundz and Thorts and a mix of exclusive beats from WIK, Blazin Marty and Xcise as well as some jacked favourites ensure it bangs from start to end.

Tracklisting:

Transactions
I Believe
Microphone Madness (Production: WIK)
Powerlines Ft: Maundz
Wage War
Run Ft: Thorts (Production: Xcise)
Straight To The Arm
Full Metal Box (Production: WIK)
Militant Boom Bap Ft: Haunts, Mol One (Production: Blazin Marty)
Deeds Not Words

JAN 15 – FREE

A mix of Aussie hip hop tracks and the original samples used in the production by Samwell Cavar.

This shit is ill a sick a gesture to the past 10 Years of Australian Hip Hop .

Check it out Samwell Cavar – ‘The Break Down’

A slick looking CD arrives in my mailbox. Professional polished and eye catching. The album is Inkstains by Phatchance. A lot of effort has gone into the packaging of the product, especially for a debut release. Is it a smart marketing idea, is it someone who appreciates good artwork or is it an artist who is throwing it all out there? More importantly, is the content as impressive?

Phatchance takes this same approach to his music, there is a lot of confidence in his delivery and a sense of belief in his words and style. The title track ‘Inkstains’ over a horn driven, almost Suffa sounding beat, from Konfuzion. Does it impact? Not really, it glides loosely over a general range of topics from war, music, poverty, freedom and racism; unfortunately it lacks direction and only garnishes one line, if that, on each topic. “I Don’t know” has focus and direction and tells the story of this album and the self doubt associated with putting your heart and soul into a project for the masses to hear. There is a lot of emotion, story telling and it works. “The Catchy Song” ft 360, Smiles Again and Joyride is a tongue in cheek look at hooky radio tunes. The problem I have with this track is that it is seemingly done to get radio play, yet it is also dissing the style in a track in the same form. Whether it is meant to be funny or a reach for radio play, you will either think it is good or annoying and a bit try hard. Joyride’s hook is dope but 360 sounds uninterested and slightly hypocritical as he states ‘Festival Song’ was overplayed, I’m sure it really upset you as massive festival crowds hung on for one track.

Chance is an honest artist and his lyrics and tracks are very personal for a major part of the album. Some you will relate to, others may not interest you. It is a double edged sword to put out an album such as “Inkstains”. “Mountain of Glass”, “Build It Up” ft Hr King (the hook is a highlight) and “Battlescars” are prime examples of this. You will either feel them or not. The beat selection is similar to the topics, a bit dark and moody with flashes of catchiness such as the piano loop on “Invisible Queen”, which is possibly responsible for people saying Chance is a lot like Slug. This track has a whole lot of Atmosphere influence, not that it is a bad thing. Chance kills this track, his flow is on point and his lyrics are interesting. Prime pops in for a verse on the Adit (Horrorshow) produced “Reflections” as both emcees discuss past tales of girls and love and it works well. The final track, besides a “Leaving The Nest” band version, is “Angels In My Ears”, which seems to be a sign off and puts the album to rest.

So, did the content match the packaging? In some ways, yes. In some ways no. I think it is reflective of the content that the artist presents. Chance puts it all out there, emotions, thoughts, life stories and himself as an artist. Is it a bit dramatic at times, such as the ink stained white roses in the cover? Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but the parts where it works are definite highlights of a young upcoming artist who presents himself as an honest, hard working professional who puts time and thought into what he is doing, and that cannot be faltered.

Phatchance Myspace

Phatchance Facebook