Phorilla.com

Doon I'll find the time to hop back on here and give a Chris Rock live review (yup!) and write something profound. But for now here's a couple worthwhile things in life:

Benji B with another great radio show on BBC 1xtra (last time I mention this for a month, I promise), featuring a few great tracks (more from these Pharaohe-producing cats "Sa-Ra") then a deep, deep-digging Madlib megamix. Watch out, it'll be gone by Friday I think.

Most gangsta photo I've seen in a long time. Man, I don't own a TV but I've gotta find the ill cheap-o bar to hand out and watch ball with D at. . .

A few musical treats that have been massaging my ears lately:
Dabrye feat. Phat Kat and Jay Dee - Game Over (Realaudio)
-> pure Detroit thug electro

Gilles Peterson Oct. 16 episode
-> Hip hop heavy with unreleased Madlib trizzacks, that new Tribe, the hot new Missy

Looking forward to hearing:
Fourtet - "As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix w/ Guilty Simpson)"
-> Props to Lee, you were right!

Here's an interesting post on Okayplayer from 9th Wonder of Little Brother. He talks about closedmindedness hip hop fans, playing beats for Jay (29? damn!), and what he grew up listening to. A nice little window into the world of an up-and-coming hip hop producer.

Here's a new Premier-produced video (Windows Media) from a no-name group Nice, simple video treatment too. Chopped strings, ok lyrics: it hits the spot right about now, I haven't heard a new joint like this in a while.

Preme is wearing a "God is a DJ" t-shirt, how tight is that!

Had a great time last night playing alongside Chameleonic between New Deal sets last night. You know I'm no fan of house/techno/trance but it's far better when done up by a live band. Chops too! Props to the bassist and drummer, just in the pocket all night. Capital Music Hall looks nice too, I'm looking forward to seeing some tight acts coming through who wouldn't have come to Ottawa otherwise (Saul Williams & Mars Volta is tonight).

Album cover of the year, already: Baby Blak's "Once You Go Blak"

Can't wait for Ty's Upwards LP to hit these shores. There was always something about British hip hop that didn't sit quite right for me, like they were trying too hard to be something. Well Ty sounds as at home on this one as I do sitting here right now. Afrobeat on "The Willing", morning wakeup on "Groovement", and Ty's own unique and beautiful new shit on "Look 4 Me". . .

Here's a great piece on Phil Dixon, who won the Toronto leg of the Nike 1-on-1 comp over the summer (background image on the link is annoying, make your window smaller or select the text to make it legible). Dixon choked at the finals in NYC, but the article runs down some nice T-dot ball history on everybody there.

While you're at it, take a peek at basketball future. The hype is a little heavy on Chiriaev right now, but if dude does get his citizenship and play for Canada that's a big big boost. No big-up from me until I actually see some game, though.

If you came looking for the Kanye "Through The Wire" video, you'll find it here.

A few other things worth checking:
- Read up on Com's first dart at his (apparently) ex-girl Erykah: Malik Yusef's "Wouldn't U Like 2 Ride?" (review). I love the "return to my bitch and wine days", given his last album maybe it's time to ressurect that.
- Mos and Kweli got into Beef with an audience member at Chicago's "Hip Hop and Social Change" conference. Here's a little review and some audio.
- Under-rated jammy of the moment (no longer, check the chart) is Apani's "Say What" (soundclip). Another souled-out banger from the Beaterminerz using what sounds like the sample from Kardi's "Husslin". Nice lyrics, but drop the needle a little further along for the stand-out piece: the clean version. The Minerz take Preme-style curse edits to a whole nother level. . .
- Benji B on BBC Radio is just killin it now. Following last week's Bugz special, the new episode is a must-listen with a whole feature on the new Ty (afrobeat cuts sound ridonkulous), unreleased Roy Ayers, and a Waajeed/Blackstar "Beef" blend that's next.

Pho's Oct. 2003 Chart - Official Training Camp edition
1. Jaylib feat. Talib Kweli - Raw Shit (Stones Throw)
2. Little Brother - Make Me Hot (Yam Who Re-edit) (Yam)
3. Bwana - S/T LP (Caytronics)
4. Apani - (Say What) N*ggas (Q-Boro)
5. Phuturistix feat. Jenna G - Beautiful (Nu:tone rmx) (Hospital)
6. Ade Sose & Ibile - Ka Ranti (Nigel Hayes Afro-Stomp Rmx) (Bitches Brew)
7. Chi-Lites - Are You My Woman? (Danny Krivit edit) (white)
8. Fonetiks - Sky is Falling LP (Fonetiks)
9. Outkast feat. Jay Z and Killer Mike - Flip Flop Rock (Arista)
10. Shaun Escoffery - Breaking Away (Koop mix) (Oyster)