Heat

No, I'm not referring to the recent improvement in the weather pleasant though it's been. I'm talking about the new video from Configa featuring the vocal talent, and I do mean talent, of Jaz Kahina. The track's called 'We On Fire' and is taken from Configa's 'Calm Before The Storm' project, as mentioned last week, which proves that whatever, whoever says Hip Hop ain't dead.

Late as usual, I first happened upon Jaz on her combination with Illaman 'Talkin' 'Bout God' and have been one of her fans ever since. If you feel the same way, don't miss out on 'DJ Slademan Presents Gone' (feat. Agallah) for more goodness.

On a different tack for a minute, allow me to remind you of a prodigious singer/songwriter who celebrated her Earth Strong this week, Leontre. You already know that I grew up with Reggae as much as (if not more than) Hip Hop and will love it till I die, so it's always a pleasure to hear real authentic Reggae still being made. Everything I've heard from the album (not that it's finished yet) so far has been stellar. So, Ms Roberts, there's no point in wishing you the best as you already have it.

Back to the Hip Hop, this week's seen the release of J Live's 'S.P.T.A.', pronounced "spitta", it's short for said person of that ability, which aptly describes this educator to a tee. It's still possible to get a signed copy of the album on CD. How's that for reaching out to your fans?

Also new is Charity Starts At Home by Phonte of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange fame. Once again this is further proof that Hip Hop is far from the Reaper. Don't hesitate, just buy this shit now!

Back to the UK, here's the latest video from People's Army veteran Genesis Elijah. Known for producing more bangers than the Wall's factory on bonfire night, Genesis spectacularly fails to disappoint us once again.

Next week the NHS is teaming up with ACLT in a drive to promote donating blood and bone marrow. If you're in London West End, Croydon, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol or Leicester and you're able, please feel free to call ACLT office on 020 8240 4480 to book an appointment.

If you're one of those people that changes your mobile on the regular, please consider assisting ACLT by donating your old phones in an envelope marked 'Free Post ReCyclewise ACLT'. All phones (not stolen, of course) regardless of their condition will be gratefully received.

One Love, Spy!

Tweet

Prendere Coraggio

First let me apologise to my regular readers (if indeed I have any) for the lateness of this week's post. No excuse really, I just fancied a Sunday off for a change.

Also, before I get to the spotlight, may I express a genuinely heart-felt thank you to everyone that contributed to the #HelpSaveACLT campaign. Between us we've managed to raise a total of £85,630.10, exceeding the £80,000 that was required by 31/03/11 with 20+ days to spare. Having said that, I'm sure that they will be happy to continue accepting donations so please feel free to continue visiting the Virgin Money Giving page, the Gimme 10 - Save the ACLT page or sending texts to 70300. Thanks again.

Back to the task at hand, allow me to introduce you to Journey Brave, a rapper from Loganville, Georgia in the United States. I first was made aware of his existence through Twitter and his version of 'Devil In A New Dress', which I featured during my stint on the previous station.

Since then I've been keeping an eye/ear on his progress and was more than happy to share his latest video with as many people (no pun) as possible via tweets and, now, here on this blog. Those of you with any sense of history will, I'm sure, recognize what this video represents. Powerful stuff.

Speaking of power, let's have more to the elbow of bigCAKES another member of The People's Army who is also a featured artist on K-Nite 13's 'The Drawing Board' (listen out for 'Miracle Worker', a big tune). Cakes has a seemingly ravenous appetite for hard graft and, consequently, has a large back catalogue of mixtapes and features for you all to explore. He may be exceedingly good but he's not fattening. Catch up with him on Twitter for fun and informed opinion.

The last video in this week's trio is from a dude called English Frank, yet another People's Army affiliate, who recently connected with me on Facebook. Whether he's the Frank you're supposed to talk to when you have a problem with drugs, I couldn't say, but he's certainly someone you should listen to. As is customary for me in this blog, here's the young man's Twitter link.

As I leave you for another week, please remember to submit your music to me for the 'Beat Shop' by e-mailing me and/or by using my Dropbox. Remember also that you don't have to send me the whole track, just a 30-60 seconds snippet will do with as many tags/watermarks as you feel are necessary.

Track list:

Friday 04/03/11

Fuck Tha Police - N.W.A.
What's Goin' On - Jungle Brothers
Poetry - Boogie Down Productions
Hip Hop - Dead Prez
Bulldozers feat. Ruste Juxx & Killa Sha - Cyrus Malachi
Godsunz feat. Jus Allah - Infinite Mind
Untouchable feat. Kokane - Nipsey Hussle
Last Call feat. Malarchi - Insane Macbeth
A Dream Within A Dream - Malik MD7
Miracle Worker - Big Cakes
Lemme Think - Rapsody
Built For This feat. Ike Eyes - Agallah
Better Way feat. Layzie Bone - Saigon
Life's Never Enough - Mudmowth & Metabeats
Make You Proud - Mentalist
Interview with Insane Macbeth & Ruffstylz includes:
True Heart feat. Ice Pick - Insane Macbeth
Case Closed - Ruffstylz

Saturday 05/03/11

Mama Feelgood - Lyn Collins
Get On The Good Foot - James Brown
Talking Loud And Saying Nothing - James Brown
Funky President (People It's Bad) - James Brown
I'm In Love - Evelyn King
Moment Of My Life - Inner Life
Runaway Love - Linda Clifford
Fool's Paradise - Meli'sa Morgan
Sleepless Weekend - Frankie Paul & Trevor Sparks
Tonight - Carlton Livingston
Come Again - Cocoa Tea
Big Bamboo - Thriller U
Dangerous System - Pad Anthony
Nuff A We Ah Rude Boy - Scion Success
No Money Today - Matic 16
Let Off Supm - Gregory Isaacs & Dennis Brown
Open The Door - Trevor Hartley
Call On Me - Trevor Hartley
Runaway Love - Natural Mystics
I Don't Really Care - L.V. Johnson
Catchin' Up On Love - Kinsman Dazz
Madamoiselle - Foxy
Time Is Right - MCB
Southern Freeez - Freeez

One Love, Spy!

Tweet

Tell Me Another...

Thank you to everyone who has donated time and/or money already but they're not quite there yet, so please continue to #HelpSaveACLT. Now only £12,000 away from the £80,000 needed by 31/03/11 to remain in existence, although if you count all the money that's been pledged it's only £8,000 remaining so let's get that last 10%. Please visit the Virgin Money Giving page, send a text to 70300 or, if you're on Facebook, try the Gimme 10 - Save the ACLT page instead. Thanks again.

By the time that this post is published I should be on my way to see Obenewa live at The Tabernacle in West London. It is there that she will be launching her new E.P., 'Once Upon A Time' to an adoring public with support from Nadine Charles and Michaela the Poet. Want to know more? You know the routine by now, just follow her on Twitter.

Not a lot else to say this week, in part due to my preoccupation with unexpected studio tasks including; recording and editing an interview with Insane Macbeth and Ruffstylz (to be aired on next week's 'Friday Night Raw'), re-mastering a track for my friend and being asked to build a track for my nephew. Combined with the pressures of my day job and preparing and delivering my radio shows, as you can imagine I haven't got around to doing everything yet. However, the interview is ready to be transferred to a CD, so I'm a third of the way there at least.

Anyway, here's another friendly reminder that if you're a producer/beat maker/composer and you want free exposure for your music please send it to me for inclusion in the 'Beat Shop', with as much information as you can about you, your tracks and what you want done with them, via my e-mail or by using the Dropbox on the right hand side of this page. Have a listen to the podcast of this week's show to see/hear how it works.

Track list:

Friday 25/02/11

Funky Child - Lords Of The Underground
Deeper - Boss
Monie In The Middle - Monie Love
Miracles - MC Duke
Black & Proud - Dismasters
The Champ - The Mohawks
'Beat Shop'
After Dark - True Mathematics & The Invisible Empire
Give It To Me feat. Raheem Devaughn - Saigon
Pain In My Life feat. Trey Songz - Saigon
Concrete Buttercup - Mudmowth & Metabeats
Freestyle - Ruffstylz
U Don't Kno' feat. Malarchi - Insane Macbeth
Not Like U - Fdot1
Bad Boys - K9 & Creamo
The Strongest Survive - Harry Shotta & Five The General
For My People feat. Jody McIntyre - Logic & Agent Of Change
Oh Yeah (Our Babies) - Saigon
Be A Father To Your Child - Ed O.G. & Tha Bulldogs

Saturday 26/02/11

Just As Long As We Have Love - Freddie McGregor & Sandy Star
Give It Up - Beres Hammond
Under Pressure - Beres Hammond
Preacher Man - Beres Hammond
Create A Sound - Everton Blender
Bloody City - Dennis Brown
Live & Learn - Delroy Wilson
Dancing Mood - Delroy Wilson
Conquer Me - Delroy Wilson
Ready To Go - Courtney John
And God Said To Man - Earl Zero
Rasta - Doniki
Long Way - Capleton
What We Gonna Do - Sophia Squire
Zinc Fence Real Life - I Octane
True Friends - Gappy Ranks
Forbidden Love - Tami Chynn
Love Like This - Toi
Over Come Dem - Lutan Fyah
All About You - Chevaughn
Dry Your Tears - Richie Stephens
Round & Round - Marcia Griffiths & Queen Ifrica
Saving The Best - Duane Stephenson
System - Cen'C Love
Precious Gift - Sizzla
The King's Son - Lutan Fyah
Who Feels It Knows It feat. Etana - Romain Virgo
Fight Dem Off - Doniki
Your Love's Changed - Al Campbell
Need You Beside Me - Leroy Sibbles
Shub In - Frankie Paul
Music Lesson - Original Wailers
Keep It Like It Is - Louisa Mark
Love Between A Boy & Girl - Chosen Few

One Love, Spy!

Tweet

Reasoned argument

This week let me start by reminding you to please #HelpSaveACLT, they're only £20,000 away from the £80,000 needed by 31/03/11 to remain in existence. Please visit the Virgin Money Giving page, send a text to 70300 or, if you're on Facebook, try the Gimme 10 - Save the ACLT page instead. Thank you.

Straight out of The People's Army, this week the spotlight falls on Logic a serious character whose music is full of serious character as demonstrated below. If you want to catch up on some of his music, you can pick up his 'Listen' mixtape and/or album and for further insight into his way of thinking, check out his Twitter page.

It might seem like I have a fixation on Associated Minds but it's just that I find them very entertaining. For example, here we have Ruffstylz along side Homeboy Sandman spitting lyrics like his life depended on it, which in a way it does.

I should be conducting an interview with Ruffstylz's long time collaborator Insane Macbeth this week and am hoping that Ruffstylz will make an appearance too before he hot foots it back to Cardiff.

Looks like I'm going to have to start recording my shows independently again. Listening back to the recording of Saturday's show it keeps skipping as if I was playing dodgy CD's. This wouldn't be an issue except that this was an all vinyl show this week, which means that the problem is with the recording. Ah well, at least I know now. Anyway, you can listen for yourself here or on the Melody One website.

And again, if you're a producer/beat maker/composer who wants free exposure for your music please send it to me for inclusion in the 'Beat Shop' with as much information as you can about you, your tracks and what you want done with them to my e-mail or use the Dropbox on the right hand side of this page. This week I played more tracks from Angered Rebel, Killah Trakz and Ill-it Beatz.

And before I go, please accept my apologies for there being no 'Friday Night Raw' last week. I was feeling very ill and had all but lost my voice, so sorry about that and about not having a blog post last week either.

Track list:

Saturday 12/02/11

Breezin' - George Benson
Giving You The Best That I've Got - Anita Baker
How About Love - Chocolate Milk
It's Alright - Chante Moore
Kisses Don't Lie - Evelyn 'Champagne' King
Ready Made Love - Lizz
Trust Me - Aged In Harmony
Rock To Sleep - Horace Andy
Bucket Bottom - Prince Alla
Investigator - Cornel Campbell
Brave Ones - Kymani Marley
Take Control - Protoje
Rise Up - Cecile
Love - Sophia Squire
System - Cen'C Love
True Friends - Gappy Ranks
Save Yourself - Jah Cure
Letter To My Heart - Obenewa
Rings - 100 Akres
It Ain't Love - Kay Tunes
You Are The One - Nadine Charles
Regrets feat. Ludacris - LeToya
Keeping Secrets - Switch
I Do Love You - Brass Construction
You Used To Hold Me So Tight - Thelma Houston
It Seems To Hang On - Ashford & Simpson
Say You Love Me Girl - Breakwater
What About This Love - Mr. Fingers

Friday 18/02/11

South Bronx - Boogie Down Productions
I Got Ta - Masta Ace
Jack The Ripper - LL Cool J
Rebel Without A Pause - Public Enemy
You Gots To Chill - EPMD
Head Banger - EPMD
Never Seen Before - EPMD
15 Minutes feat. Scorzayzee & Atlanta Smith - Configa
Golden Axe - Scorzayzee & K-Nite 13
Velour - Line For Line
All Rise feat. El Rae - Mentalist
Giant - Dray Delta
Greatness feat. Supar Novar & Big Frizzle - Jimmy Jitsu
Young Men - Pyro Barz
Beast Mode - Pyro Barz
Cold Rain - Talib Kweli
Hurt - Rewd Adams
As I Ever Been - Freeway & Hezekiah
Let It Flow In You - Cyclonious
Hard Music - Fred The Godson, Starsky, T-Rex, Bully, Cory Gunz, Dutch & Murdah Mook
Built For This feat. Ike Eyes - Agallah
Miracle Worker - Big Cakes
Love Has Never Lived Here - Kinetik
Blizzard feat. Toby Hill - Nicolay & Kay
Total Eclipse Of The Art - MC Mell 'O'
Won't Be Long feat. Tracey Horton - Rakim

Saturday 19/02/11

The Fruit Song - Jeannie Reynolds
Secret Rendezvous - Rene & Angela
Big Time - Rick James
Never Let You Go - Savanna
Special Lady - Second Image
Never Stop - The Brand New Heavies
Runnin' Around - The Chi Lites
Sweeter As The Days Go By - Shalamar
Give Me - I Level
Surprise Surprise - Zushii
Never Been In Love Like This Before - Maxeen
So Fine - Howard Johnson
Big Thing - Blue Zone
This Is For You - The System
Busy Body - Luther Vandross
Forever Yours - Mason
Something Special - Earth, Wind & Fire
Get In Touch With Me - Collage
Love's Gonna Last - Jeffree
Love Don't Get No Better - Gavin Christopher

One Love, Spy!

Tweet

Nuff Suction

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to actually play any of this week's artist in the spotlight's works due, in part, to my day job and also because I haven't been as diligent with my 'spare' time as I should have been, so apologies to Cyclonious for that. However, I'm gonna get my shit together and make sure I've put 'Escape To Reality' on a CD before next week's show.

'Verbal Affair' is the first video from the mixtape and clearly illustrates Cyclonious' lyrical dexterity and almost effortlessly smooth flow. The video itself attempts, it seems, to be reminiscent of those early Wu Tang shoots but, for me personally, doesn't quite hit the mark. Decide for yourself below.

The overall quality of the lyrics and lyricism is matched by the quality of the beat selection, which is exactly what one wants from a mixtape. So if you're into hard hitting, but not cliched Hip Hop and like it even better when it's free, this is very worthy of your consideration.

In other news, if you're a fan of old school UK Hip Hop and you live in London, chances are that we'll be brushing shoulders at the Jazz Cafe on Monday as MashUp Films presents ZAN featuring Blak Twang, Banana Klan Sound System & Roots Manuva, Skinnyman, Rodney P & Skitz, Klashnekoff, MC D, Mr Ti2bs, Big Ted and DJ Twin B. So if you see me, holla.

You can catch up with this or previous week's shows on the Melody One website and please feel free to post comments, dedications or requests up on the Shoutbox. I'll be bringing back the 'Beat Shop' next week, so listen out for that and send me any tracks you'd like to be featured in the shop window.

Finally, a quick reminder of the plight of the ACLT who need to raise £80,000 by 31/03/11 to remain in existence. You can donate by visiting the Virgin Money Giving page or, if you're on Facebook, try the Gimme 10 - Save the ACLT page instead. Thank you.

Track list:

Friday 28/01/11

Symphony - EPMD
Mad Mad World - 7A3
Line For Line - Line For Line
Kill Em With The Flow feat. Klashnekoff & P Money - Skandal (Rewd Adams)
Fill The Air feat. Mentalist, Mystro & Skandal - Loudmouth Melvin
Wednesday feat. Mystro & Loudmouth Melvin - Saukrates
Hand On The Glock - Cypress Hill
Cha Cha Cha - MC Lyte
A Penny For My Thoughts - Common
Lil' Brotha - Floriginul (Fdot1)
Fyaah - Fdot1
Let It Breathe - Metabeats & Mudmowth
Dirt In The Ground feat. Oliver Sudden - Jimmy Jitsu
Ready 2 Light - Skillit
Dett - Sirus
Oh Yer feat. Loudmouth Melvin - Mentalist
Built For This feat. Ike Eyes - Agallah
Get It Poppin' feat. Un Kasa - Agallah
Hey Joe - Atypical
It was A Good Day - Ice Cube
Vapours - Biz Markie
Son - Line For Line
Glow - El Zhi
Happiness feat. Vula Malinga - Ty
Unbreakable - Eagle Nebula
Get In Line - Diamond District
Bad Actors - Ecomog

Saturday 29/01/11

Love Has Arrived - Everis
Anyone - Smith & Mighty
Tell Me Why? - Sindecut
Get Loose - Aleem
Magic Man - Rochelle
Slow Down - Loose Ends
Let's Start Over - Miles Jaye
Doctor's Orders - Beres Hammond
Cupid - Leroy Gibbons
Rewind - Johnny Osbourne
It's Magic - Dennis Brown
Here I Come - Dennis Brown
Get To Love In Time - Dennis Brown
Key To The World - Ruddy Thomas
I Love You - Sanchez
The Comforter - Morgan Heritage
It's Over - Thriller U
The Day We Met - Anthony Hamilton
Far Away - Kindred The Family Soul
By Your Side - Sade
Catch 22 - Goapele
Whisper Of The Heart - Body
I've Got Your Image - Cameo
You Are The One feat. Yungun - Nadine Charles
Today - Phillip Leo

One Love, Spy!

Tweet

Mouth Of The River

Before I start, please let me draw your attention, once again, to the plight of the ACLT who need to raise £80,000 by 31/03/11 to remain in existence. You can donate by visiting the Virgin Money Giving page or, if you're on Facebook, try the Gimme 10 - Save the ACLT page instead. Thank you.

This week we'll take a look at a couple of young emcees with differing, but equally brilliant styles. I was introduced to one by the irrepressible Fdot1 (more about that upon the release of 'Money MusicK') and the other by his connection to Quaranteam.

Dray Delta has just released his new mixtape Flow Reel Two a 22 track banger covering many musical bases from Hip Hop to Grime to Dub Step.



A young man with a lot to say and a very powerful way of saying it, if you're a fan of lyrics and flow you can't help but be a fan Dray. His talent seems to be as unlimited as his imagination and I'm sure that he will make a significant mark on the industry in the months (and years) to come.

Skillit is known for, among other things, his comedic definitions of words on the BBC2 'youth' programme 'No Hats, No Trainers'. However, I prefer him in his role as a refreshingly humourous, yet not unskilful emcee.



His mixtape, 'As Seen On T.V.' has been around for a while now. Featuring production from and collaborations with the likes of Loudmouth Melvin, Pyro Barz, Mentalist, etc., Skillit's personality still shines through on every track. And, if anything, his personality is even bigger and shinier on stage, as everyone at the recent On The Real event will testify. It was there that I finally got to meet Skillit in person and show him my appreciation for his works.

Finally, a quick reminder that if you missed my shows or just want to hear either of them again, you can easily download them from the Melody One Podcast page.

Track list:

Friday Night Raw 21/01/11

Pain Grows - True Bess
Crooked Nigga Too - 2Pac
The Fallen (Gen. 15.13) - Juice Aleem
Higher Level - KRS One
4 My People - Mentalist
Renegades Of Funk - Boom Box Saints
Clap - Mobb Deep
Gotta Do What I Gotta Do - Public Enemy
Mountain's World - Tuff Crew
Light It Up - Cypress Hill
Don't Worry feat. Baby Sol - Mystro
1st Class Ticket - Show Tufli
Chuuch! - Bun B
New Wu feat. Ghostface Killah & Method Man - Raekwon
Psycho - Lords Of The Underground
It Ain't Hard To Tell - Nas
Come Out And Play - H.I.S.D.
Warrior's March feat. Chino XL - Slept On Fam
When Brothers Die - M9
My Way - Mentalist
Off Switch - Pugs Atomz
Come Back To Me - Jimmy Jitsu
Doowutchyalike - Digital Underground
Get Pepped - Skinny Boys
You're All Welcome - Agallah
Goodfellas - Vado
Traitors - Line For Line
Award Tour - A Tribe Called Quest

Spy @ The Control 22/01/11

Love Won't Come Easy - The New Jersey Connection
Love Will Bring Us Back Together - Roy Ayers
Bustin' Loose - Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers
Come Back Lover - Fresh Band
Searching - Change
I Should've Known Better - Mica Paris
Family - McKoy
She's My Lady - Administrators
Party Nite - The Undivided Roots Band
Nuh Try - Leontre
Love Again - Lukie D
My Everything - Sanchez
Dial My Number - Barry Boom
I Have Been In Love - Delroy Wilson
Sandy - Sugar Minott
Doin' Alright - O'Bryan
Hard To Get Around - BB&Q Band
Your Spell - Bobby Glover
Do You Love What You Feel - Rufus & Chaka Khan
This Place Hotel - The Jacksons
Loving You - Donald Byrd
Move Me No Mountain - Love Unlimited

One Love, Spy!

Tweet