Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites single review
Skrillex has made a name for himself in the underground dubstep music scene as well as the underground electronic dance music scene with the Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits single in 2013. Skrillex is also known as a well-known international producer in the music scene. The whole single is groove filled with melodic ambience.
Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits is intense! The scary distorted sound bits and sound effects really add into the mood of this song as Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits is a hodgepodge of drill music and breakcore with heavy distortion. Loud volume is prevalent here too.
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites was a commercial success both internationally and underground. Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits is a well memorable song. The title was an excellent choice for the EP and as a lead single. Skrillex is a musical genius and prodigy. His titles are catchy.
Rock n' Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain) is another memorable song. As Rock n' Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain) is also a hodgepodge of drill music, pop music, and breakcore with heavy distortion only this time with rock music added to the mix.
5/5*****!!
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Steal Vybe - Steal Vybe EP EP review
The Steal Vybe - Steal Vybe EP is a melodic electronic masterpiece filled with soothing tunes smooth melodies as this EP has rhythm.The Steal Vybe EP mixes the sounds of deep house music and future jazz into one blend. All of the songs on this Steal Vybe EP use crispy thin beats which are both soothing and smooth. Those crispy thin beats you hear are accompanied by vocal harmonies.
Journey is driven by a cymbal kit and hi-hats which quickly turn into a very deep electronic sequence of smooth synths. The song uses an upbeat mixture of deep house music, soul, and future jazz over smooth vocal harmonies that are considered to be soothing. Lady Alma is the female vocalist you hear singing those vocal harmonies. Smooth and soothing are two words to describe Journey. The song is deep due to its hypnotizing vibe. Damon 'Dizzy Fingers' Bennett is the one playing the live flute.
Time uses thin beats over a live flute played by Damon 'Dizzy Fingers' Bennett. The song will put you into a hypnotizing trance. Warm bass can be heard in the middle of the song. The warm bass will put you into a trance. Time is one of Steal Vybe’s overlooked yet underrated works.
The song Elements uses a small piano ensemble over smooth jazz music and electronic music. Cymbals are used in the rhythm over that deep house sound. However the song leans more towards jazz music. Elements uses crispy thin beats, warm bass, and live production. The song Elements is notable for carefully placed live musicianship used throughout the song. Soothing and smooth are two words that can be used to describe this song. Elements is one of the best works from Steal Vybe!
Elements (Nu Jazz Reprise) is broken version of Elements which uses a strong foundation of carefully placed live musicianship. Notice how the beats sound broken down. Jazz meets house on Elements (Nu Jazz Reprise).
5/5*****!!
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Steal Vybe – The Morning Comes EP EP review
Steal Vybe – The Morning Comes EP utilizes a mixture of deep house music, electronic, and Latin music. This Steal Vybe EP is much different from the other EP’s due to the usage of Latin Music.
Gloria follows a Latin rhythm over several layers of instrumentation. Notice the shakers and percussion for example. The live flute follows the rhythm used on this song. Damon 'Dizzy Fingers' Bennett is the one playing the live flute. Those crispy thin beats you hear are accompanied by smooth and soothing vocal harmonies. Latin music meets the sounds of deep house music on Gloria. Azuza uses a rhythm over several layers of instrumentation hence the instruments you hear. This song uses more techno oriented sounds and beats.
5/5*****!!
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The Techni-Crew – Danger Island album review
The Techni-Crew – Danger Island is one of the most overlooked and overshadowed rap albums to ever come out of the city of Sacramento, California. The Techni-Crew – Danger Island is one of the most overlooked and overshadowed Sacramento rap albums from 1992.
The Techni-Crew went back to the roots with no gimmicks on this album. There are no sounds of commercialization. If you were expecting commercial, then you are sorely mistaken. This album is filled with straight rap lyrics which have real meaning. The Techni-Crew always comes with some good hip hop/rap music. DJ I-Knight produced the album.
I’m Suicidal deals with the touchy subject of suicide. The song serves as an anti-suicide song telling others not to kill themselves. Suicide is not the way out.
These lyrics below were the most powerful lyrics on I’m Suicidal. The show that you really want to strive in this world but at the same token you are suicidal. You want to commit suicidal. You’re in denial about a lot of things. “Because you want to stay in this world and strive/But I’ll see you on the other side/I’m suicidal”
These lyrics show that people have contemplated committing suicide.
“Suicide, it sounds right at this time/I want to end it all because I’m losing my mind/Is it because I’m upset, ‘cause I’m so confused/One minute I feel good, the next I’m singing the blues/Not once in a blue moon, it happens everyday/I say over and over/It shouldn’t be this way/Act like a man or baby and die/Just let me be me, and please let me die”
The message is at the end of the song. “This is the end/I wish I hadn’t done it/But I guess I gotta pay for it/I’m suicidal” Suicide is not the way out. It’s not right to commit suicide.
Enter 916 (Remix) appeared on the cassette single of BMW – Enter 916 released the same year. The song is an anthem dedicated to the city of Sacramento, California. Sac-Town’s in the house! Sactown Rap All-Stars make an appearance on the song. The whole song relies on the funky sample of Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce.
A man tells, “You have entered the Valley. The Big Valley better known as Sac-Town.” Sacramento is not the Bay Area for those who keep getting the location confused. Sacramento is in the Sacramento Valley.
An announcer over the radio says, “Battle of the new jams. Enter 916 by the Sactown Rap All-Stars going against the latest from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Give it away.” The announcer over the radio that Sactown Rap All-Stars are the winners.
Enter in the 916 because BMW made up the dope mix. He kicks something funky to make you realize that Sac is coming out with more rappers. You didn’t know this was coming. Listen to the guitar strumming. A funky horn and hip hop beats. The new sound is Sac-Town Funk.
Ready or not. The moment has arrived. It seems that the whole world has been deprived of the talent coming out of the 916. Music ignites the power of people. This includes the dumb and blind. The beat is so funky. Notice the usage of old school funk. You can’t escape the rhymes and rhythm. The rhymes are very powerful.
Action Packed is filled action packed rap lyrics with no commercialization. There are no gimmicks on this song. Techni-Crew is getting hype with nothing to hold back. Peep game. Action Packed was included on one of the first few rap maxi-singles from Sacramento that was released on vinyl. The song was recorded in 1990 and appeared on The Techni-Crew – We The People EP.
5/5*****!
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The Techni-Crew - We The People single review
The Techni-Crew - We The People was one of the first few rap maxi-singles from Sacramento that was released on vinyl. The EP was recorded and released in 1990. We The People is filled action packed rap lyrics with no commercialization. There are no gimmicks on this EP. All song were produced by DJ I-Knight.
The first 3 songs appeared on The Techni-Crew – Danger Island album in 1992 except for D.J. I-Knight's Theory Of The Mix and Something 2 Say. D.J. I-Knight's Theory Of The Mix and Something 2 Say were left of the album for whatever reason. Possibly due to a lack of space. Now the We The People album was retitled to Danger Island which was released in 1992.
Action Packed is filled action packed rap lyrics with no commercialization. There are no gimmicks on this song. Techni-Crew is getting hype with nothing to hold back. Peep game. Action Packed was included on one of the first few rap maxi-singles from Sacramento that was released on vinyl. The song was recorded in 1990 and produced by DJ I-Knight.
Techni-Crew has something to say on the track Something 2 Say and do not hold anything back. They say what’s on their minds. It’s a no holds barred track. The track has a hardcore vibe.
5/5*****!
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BMW – Enter 916 single/EP review
BMW – Enter 916 was a maxi-single that was issued on cassette by Mixed Image Records in 1992. DJ I-Knight produced the single. The single featured a collaboration of rappers from a group called Sactown Rap All-Stars. The whole single relies on the sounds of old school funk and hip hop/rap.
Enter 916 is an anthem dedicated to the city of Sacramento, California. Sac-Town’s in the house! Sactown Rap All-Stars make an appearance on the song. This version does not rely on the funky sample of Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce or have an announcer.
An announcer over the radio says, “Battle of the new jams. Enter 916 by the Sactown Rap All-Stars going against the latest from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Give it away.” The announcer over the radio that Sactown Rap All-Stars are the winners.
Enter in the 916 because BMW made up the dope mix. He kicks something funky to make you realize that Sac is coming out with more rappers. You didn’t know this was coming. Listen to the guitar strumming. A funky horn and hip hop beats. The new sound is Sac-Town Funk.
Ready or not. The moment has arrived. It seems that the whole world has been deprived of the talent coming out of the 916. Music ignites the power of people. This includes the dumb and blind. The beat is so funky. Notice the usage of old school funk. You can’t escape the rhymes and rhythm. The rhymes are very powerful.
Enter 916 (Remix) is an anthem dedicated to the city of Sacramento, California. Sac-Town’s in the house! Sactown Rap All-Stars make an appearance on the song. This version relies on the funky sample of Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce. Enter 916 (Remix) later appeared on The Techni-Crew - Danger Island album in 1992.
A man tells, “You have entered the Valley. The Big Valley better known as Sac-Town.” Sacramento is not the Bay Area for those who keep getting the location confused. Sacramento is in the Sacramento Valley.
An announcer over the radio says, “Battle of the new jams. Enter 916 by the Sactown Rap All-Stars going against the latest from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Give it away.” The announcer over the radio that Sactown Rap All-Stars are the winners.
Enter in the 916 because BMW made up the dope mix. He kicks something funky to make you realize that Sac is coming out with more rappers. You didn’t know this was coming. Listen to the guitar strumming. A funky horn and hip hop beats. The new sound is Sac-Town Funk.
Ready or not. The moment has arrived. It seems that the whole world has been deprived of the talent coming out of the 916. Music ignites the power of people. This includes the dumb and blind. The beat is so funky. Notice the usage of old school funk. You can’t escape the rhymes and rhythm. The rhymes are very powerful.
Exit 916 serves as the closing track for the maxi-single.
4/5****!
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Kerri Chandler – Panic E.P. EP review
Kerri Chandler – Panic E.P. is one of Kerri Chandler’s many EPs. One of which has been long overlooked. The sounds of deep house on this EP are intoxicating and soothing. Not to mention smooth. You get those 808 State - Pacific State vibes when you listen to Insomnia Again. 808 State meets the sounds of that pure Jersey sound. This classic house track will touch you soul. Get Up is a perfect house track to get the crowd hype and going. The beats knock hard!
4/5****.
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Kerri Chandler - Ionosphere EP EP review
Kerri Chandler’s Ionosphere EP is one of his deeper EPs. One of which has been long overlooked. The sounds of garage house on this EP are intoxicating and soothing. Ionosphere is his best garage house EP to date. This EP is one of his many better works.
Glory To God is backed by a live percussion set under techno beats. The percussion follows a groove. Kerri’s production style is favored by many. A gospel same is used. Gospel meets the sounds of garage house on Glory To God. You can feel this deeply. Very spiritual.
All Join Hands is true garage house music laced with heavy bass. The synths are overpowered by the bass. The vocal sample is from Yello - Bostich.
No Suprise uses an angelic piano over that beautiful garage house sound. The bass line and the piano go perfectly together. A compressor was used on the kicks.
5/5*****!!
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Vallejo - Beautiful Life album review
Vallejo - Beautiful Life was the sophomore album by Vallejo released on TVT Records in 1998. This Vallejo album showed a more improved sound leaning more into a mixture of hard rock and Latin rock with songs such as Classico and Me Ya Voy. The songs are just as deep from their self-titled effort.
Hola bienvenidos! This song is an invitation to the new Spanish Classico sound by Vallejo. So come on down and let Vallejo take you there into the new millennium. Latin meets rock music on Classico creating a Latin rock fusion. Live instrumentation accompanied the Latin rock song with Vallejo using a mix of the Spanish and English language on Classico. Classico was their hit single for 2000 also.
It was the Vallejo anthem of 1998 and 2000 for the Vallejo band. Especially the Spanish version of this song which they would play at their live concerts. Classico was a hit when Vallejo performed that song during their live concerts. Many fans instantly fell in love with that song afterwords.
Snake In The Grass is a sneak tale about a sneaky snake in the grass. Look out for the snake in the grass. The snake sees you coming. Squeezing out the innocence you may have. He will get your ass. He slips into darkness as you’re standing there alone. Naive is a song about being young and dumb. Everything you believe is not always true.
4/5****!
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Zapp - The New Zapp IV U album review
Zapp - The New Zapp IV U is a favorite among longtime Zapp fans. The album is a classic R&B masterpiece thank to the hits Computer Love, It Doesn’t Really Matter, and Radio People. The New Zapp IV U would be the last gold selling album for Zapp during the 1980s. Zapp already a had a string of gold albums during the 1980s with albums such as their debut and Zapp II. As usual, Zapp created another phenomenal album with extraordinary sounds.
Everything to smooth R&B melodies to synthpop hits are what is on this Zapp album. The sounds of synth pop meet R&B/soul. However Zapp album leaned more towards the sound of synthpop. Roger Troutman and Zapp decided to go a different musical direction instead. Zapp strayed away from P-Funk by going in a different musical direction towards the sounds of synthpop. You can hear the sounds of synthpop on songs such as Radio People, Computer Love, Itchin' For Your Twitchin', and I Only Have Eyes For You.
It Doesn't Really Matter served as the opener for the album and was a tribute to soul musicians such as Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder. Roger pays tribute and homage to heroes such as Rick James,
Charlie Wilson, Gap Band, Cameo, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Sly Stone.
James Brown was so unique. He made his music groove your very soul. If you listen close to the music you'll find no difference between their days. I’ll never understood how he did this. Do you remember Chuck Berry? He made rock around the clock. Rocking all night.
The song Computer Love was the album's most popular single and one of Zapp’s biggest hits. Computer Love charted #8 on the US Billboard R&B chart thus becoming their biggest hit of 1985.
The song includes the lovely voice of Shirley Murdock and Gap Band's Charlie Wilson. However Shirley is the one who most of the lead vocals. Not Charlie Wilson as many would have you believe. Charlie only sung the chorus, bridge, and hooks. Zapp frontman Roger uses his trademark talk box to lay down his smooth vocals. Shirley Murdock also wrote the song Computer Love too. Their arrangements are on key.
Computer Love was recorded at Troutman Sound Labs which was located at 1835 Catalpa Dive, Dayton, Ohio in 1984.
Computer Love has been sampled countless times over the years in rap songs and R&B/soul songs. Some examples are Lil Kim - Download, Bloods & Crips - Piru Love, 2Pac - Thug Passion, Blackstreet - Wanna Make Love, Lil Zane - All About The Fun, and Gucci Mane - Love Thru the Computer. Computer Love also featured in the 1993 movie Menace II Society which led the song to be a cult classic amongst Zapp fans and rap fans.
It’s internet based love on Computer Love. Computerized digital love. The song Computer Love was truly ahead of its time. Zapp was talking about online dating before online dating was popular.
From sexy mamas to cool Prima Donnas, everyone is looking for computer love. Searching for someone who can share that special love with. Thanks to modern technology, we now computerized digital love.
Itchin' For Your Twitchin' uses the Minneapolis sound. Roger was obviously inspired by Prince when he wrote, arranged, and produced Itchin' For Your Twitchin'. You can hear the high NRG sound when you listen to Itchin' For Your Twitchin’. Prince - Irresistable Bitch is part of the melody. Coincidence? I think not.
Radio People was a song that gained a cult following after being featured in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The song was a moderate pop hit in 1985 on the radio. Radio People uses heavy 80's electronically textured dynamics and irresistible melodies. The song uses an upbeat twist of funk. The entire song is a dedication to the radio.
Whenever you’re alone and you need some company, you have your radio. You know you have a friend that you can listen to on your radio. You can find it all on your radio. You don't need nobody. You just touch the special dial on your radio for whatever sounds you like.
The music plays all night. You can find it on your radio.Stereophonic, groovalistic, realistic, superalistic. Whatever's right for you.
Zapp did an excellent rendition of covering the classic soul song I Only Have Eyes For You on the song. Are the stars out tonight? You can’t differentiate if it's cloudy or bright. The moon may be high but you can’t see a thing. But you only have eyes for that one person. Even in my darkest days and nights, I only have eyes for you. Even when I close my eyes I see you.
Rock 'n' Roll was the black/African American tribute to 80s metal with a funky blend. The song uses some very hard rock guitar riffs. Music is a universal language. A language that crosses racial barriers.
The sounds of rock, blues, electronic, and pop meet each other on Cas-Ta-Spellome.
Make Me Feel Good is a modern blues tune which uses an upbeat twist of electro-funk backed by a saxophone solo. The song is so upbeat and fresh. Make Me Feel Good is one of those songs that lifts your spirits.
Ja Ready to Rock is backed by deep bass and synths. The song uses a bit of electronic production. Zapp has never strayed away from technology. So don’t be too surprised. Ja Ready to Rock is basically an instrumental. You can’t have a Zapp album without an instrumental at the very end.
While considered low quality (lo-fi) by today’s standards, Ja Ready to Rock was a moderate success among Zapp fans. Zapp has always used tasteful synthesizers and lively rhythms in their instrumentals.
5/5*****!!
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Kerri Chandler – Dekasphere (The Downtempo EP) EP review
Kerri Chandler – Dekasphere (The Downtempo EP) is an upbeat deep house EP that uses some downtempo sounds. Some of the synths seem way watered down since Kerri Chandler seems to have went in a different musical direction on this EP. He chose to go a different route by experimenting with the sounds of downtempo music.
On The Side uses some tribal sounds in the percussion. Percussion used on this song is quite Afrocentric. Tribal house meets deep house on the song On The Side. The song uses funky bass lines and synths to a rhythm. The song is a club banger and a house hit all the way through.
Jesus Says is a gospel influenced deep house track backed by deep bass and an electronic organ. The electronic organ blends in perfectly with the gospel sound. The sounds of gospel meet the sounds of deep house music on Jesus Says. Jesus Says also has an electronic vibe. That piano at the 2:27 duration mark gives away that deep house sound.
The Again & Six Twenty Three uses a thick layer of instruments with strings, drums, bass, and synthesizers. The beats follow a rhythm.
3/5***
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Justin Stride – The Deftonez EP EP review
Justin Stride – The Deftonez EP is a Chicago house EP is one of those EPs that will lift your spirits and put you in a trance. It’s another one of those digital EPs. Chicago Dayz takes us back to the days of early Chicago house music. The song uses distorted bitcrushed synths backed by electro bass. Deeptrix takes on a journey through an electronic music layered matrix. The song will put you in a trance.
5/5*****!!
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Carl Craig – Versus: Acoustic Versions EP review
Carl Craig – Versus: Acoustic Versions is an EP that experiments with blending the sounds of classical music and electronic music together. The Melody is a timeless song with a superb melody with piano backing and upright bass. At Les is accompanied by an ensemble of strings which consist of violins, cellos, and upright bass. A horn selection is added to accompany the classical melody. At Les uses an electric orchestra.
5/5*****!!
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Bassmental – 6:23 Again Trackin Ya Down EP EP review
Bassmental – 6:23 Again Trackin Ya Down EP is one of Kerri Chandler’s most underrated EPs of all time. In fact, The whole EP is absolutely underrated. His EP has that electronic deep house sound from the 90s house heads enjoy. Kerri Chandler’s sound is equal to Larry Heard.
Keep It Deep has that 90s deep house sound house heads enjoy. The beats are hard and the bass is super heavy. Keep It Deep is not too overproduced. Deep house at its best.
2 Daye Revisit is laced with electronic synths, a keyboard, and a small ensemble of beats. This is one of those songs that will make you want to get up and dance.
Names Like? relies heavily on the sample of Bobby Konders - The Poem. The entire song is driven by heavy bass and techno synths. Loudness of the bass will tear up the speakers. This is yet another one of those songs that will make you want to get up and dance.
5/5*****!!
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Jovonn – Vibe Strumental EP EP review
Jovonn – Vibe Strumental EP is an electronic deep house EP that has those instrumental vibes. You see, all of the songs are instrumentals. It’s no lyrics and just music instead. Floor Vibes uses a tempo of 125 BPM which is fairly typical for an electronic song. The song is backed through use of a kick drum and shakers. Not to mention the several synths in the background. Circle Dance is backed with bongos and processed electro beats.
3/5***
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