Grandmaster Flash reveals “Quick Mix Theory” in new book
March 30, 2008
On the heels of his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash is preparing to publish his memoir, The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash:My Life, My Beats.
Along with New York Times best selling author David Ritz, Flash (born Joseph Saddler) shares for the first time his personal and difficult life story. More than a snapshot of the birth and growth of Hip-Hop culture, The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash chronicles his ascension to the heights of hip-hop stardom, his downward spiral into cocaine addiction, and his ultimate redemption.
Flash is known the world over as a member of the pioneering Furious Five MCs, who created the classics “White Lines,” “The Message” and “Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel.”
Among the many treats in the book Flash breaks down his “Quick Mix” technique. “My clock theory was blasphemous in the eyes of other DJs,” he writes. “Actually putting your greasy fingertips on a record back in the day was a cardinal sin…”
Flash is set to release an album later this year and hosts a weekly Sirius Satellite Show on Hot Jamz Channel 50. For more info about the book and his other endeavors, check out www.grandmasterflash.com.
Daily Conversation: The best produced album you’ve never heard
March 28, 2008
I’m officially a sleeper. I’d met this brother Torae on two different occasions and politely gave him a pound each time before registering who exactly he was. But rather than cop an attitude about having to introduce himself twice he confidently handed me a copy of his CD, Daily Conversation, and simply told me to play it. Torae, if you’re reading this, I’m saying to the world: “MY BAD, BROTHER.”
I’m not going to even spend a lot of time telling you how lyrically nice this Brooklynite is. He’s nice, period. Not just cuz I said so, but because the producers that laced this album wouldn’t give this much heat to a lame. Track after track heavy hitters like DJ Premier, Khrysis, 9th Wonder, Black Milk and Marco Polo pulled out the stops for this man.
I’m not sure who Eric G is but he started this CD off with a spiked bat to your head on “Callin Me.” I’m gonna have to start a whole new section named “Who Did That?” just to talk to this man. For Real.
Khrysis kills it on “Something to See”(piano is crazy) “Save The Day” (that’s some ’08 throwback ish for real) and “Da Nigguz Is Comin.” (Did Evil D flip that sample at Beat Society a few years ago? Can’t remember, but you still drew chalk lines around that beat, man.)
Black Milk continues to impress on “Switch.” I love how he channels Dilla without biting him outright. The cavernous drums almost set off my airbags, dunny.
Premier gives him not one but TWO pieces of Kryptonite (heat rocks sounds so 1995) on “Click” and “Get It Done.” Anyone who has held their release date waiting on ONE Preemo beat knows what big deal that is. Salute.
9th seems to really be feeling that move to the MPC cuz the swing on “Fantaztik 4 “is Ben Grim status. It’s clobbering time!
Basically, I’m saying go out and cop Daily Conversation because I haven’t heard beats this hard on a debut since…man, I dunno. I dare you to pick a beat you don’t like. Props to Torae. I may change my ratings system weekly so I give the beats on Daily Conversation 5 Tannoys out of 5. -Jerry L. Barrow
FL Studio 8 is Imageline’s Top Banana
March 26, 2008
FL Studio (formerly knowns as Fruity Loops) just got an upgrade. The “studio in a box” software popularized by 9th Wonder, Khrysis and many other producers, is large and in charge for ’08.
In version 8, particular emphasis has been given to improved workflow through enhanced interface design. FL8 includes 13 virtual synthesizers covering acoustic/synthetic bass, electric guitar and plucked string simulation, sampler tools including piano, general sample playback, and beat-slicing, and a range of synthesis techniques (subtractive, modelling, FM, granular and additive).With its newest addition, FL Synthmaker - a fully modular environment, you can create & share your own FL instruments, effects & dashboards without the need to write basic code.
Also, FL8 now supports Track-based sequencing, Pattern Clips present sequence data as Audio and/or Automation Clips. Slicex, is their powerhouse drumloop slicer & re-arranging tool but you STILL have to buy Sytrus separately.
Click here for a complete list of the additions and bug fixes to FL 8.
The Nodfactor team has just downloaded our upgrade from FL 7 Producer Edition, so we’ll be back with a detailed review of FL 8 after we’ve had time to play with it.
Gamble and Huff to Hip-Hop Producers: “Keep Sampling…”
March 26, 2008
Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff recently gave the verbal thumbs up to producers such as Kanye West and the late Disco D who have sampled their catalog of classics.
As previously reported on Nodfactor.com, a Samplology volume is being released featuring Gamble and Huff’s work.
“I thought it was really nice the way they did it,” says Gamble. “I hadn’t heard a lot of the records; Jay-Z, Kanye West, Tupac…I think we’ve got the most sampled catalog except for maybe James Brown.”
As creators of the famed “Philadelphia sound” the composers and songwriters created lush arrangements for The O Jay’s, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes and McFadden and Whitehead that have become the source material for a long list of hip-hop favorites like Gang Starr’s “You Know My Steez,” Method Man’s “Bring The Pain,” and Jay-Z’s “This Can’t Be Life.”
“It keeps us current and introduces us to a whole other generation of people,” says Huff. “Keep on sampling…they went deep into our catalog to come up with that “Coca-Cola Bottle Baby” (used by Kanye West on “Stronger”). If they weren’t really into our music then they wouldn’t be digging that deep to find obscure songs we completely forgot about. And here they come and sample it and create a whole new life for it.”
Keep checking back to Nodfactor.com for more news on Gamble and Huff and a feature interview.
Erkyah Badu, Hank Shocklee, others talk beats at Winter Music Conference
March 24, 2008
On March 25, 2008 the Winter Music Conference kicks off at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa. For four days artists, producers, DJs, and label executives 
will share the latest and greatest in music and gather for the 23rd Annual IDMA Dance Music Awards.
Several panels will be held throughout the week, including “Making Music for Film and Television” and “The World of Remixing.”
Erykah Badu will be leading “The New Amerykah Panel” where she will discuss, among other things, how she recorded her latest project in Garage Band while accepting beats from producers like Madlib and 9th Wonder over iChat.
Furthermore, Hank and Keith Shocklee of The Bomb Squad will be performing for the first time in their 20+ year career, providing a sneak peak into their upcoming debut project and world tour.
Operating for 23 years, WMC offers endless opportunities for DJs and artists to network and have their music heard by an international audience of music industry professionals. The Demo Listening Workshops, CD compilation, DJ & performance stages, DJ Spin Off and a host of other performance events, showcases and release parties throughout the week, provide limitless opportunities for innovative DJs and artists to break out of the box.
For more information on please visit www.wintermusicconference.com
Soul Diggaz Bang Out on MTV: Produce first single for “Making The Band 4″ soloist
March 23, 2008
New Jersey based production team The Soul Diggaz have produced the first single, “Take You There,” for Making The Band 4′s Donnie Klang. The song will be featured on Klang’s upcoming debut CD and is now available on iTunes for purchase.
The Soul Diggaz are comprised of production team K Mack and Shaun Bless and singer/songwriter Corte’ Ellis. They have produced hit singles for Cheri Dennis “Portrait of Love,” Keyshia Cole “Let It Go,” Bow Wow and Omarion “Hey Baby/Jump Off,” Britney Spears “Get Naked,” as well as a L’Oreal Commercial for Beyonce Knowles.
The team recently signed a production deal with Grammy winning Music Producer Timbaland for his company, Mosley Records. One of their first projects will be the debut album from their artist Izza Kizza.
The duo can be seen on MTV’s “Making The Band 4″ season finale which aired Sunday night.
Nicolay: “Rolling With The Dutch” Part, 1
March 21, 2008
Quick, name a hip-hop producer from the Netherlands. If you can’t, shame on you. Because that means great music like Here, Dutch Masters and City Lights are not in your collection. Definitely your loss. The rest of you who shun life under a rock know Nic from his 2004 collaborative effort with Phonte of Little Brother, Connected. Traditionally known as the land of clogs and windmills Nicolay has single-handedly put the Kingdom of The Netherlands on the hip-hop map with a lush sound full of dusty samples and live instruments. Currently on tour promoting his project with Kay of the Foundation, Time:Line, Nic took a few minutes to chat it up with Nodfactor.com.
Can You Dig it!! DJ Parler releases SAMPLOLOGY Mixtape Series
March 20, 2008
New York, NY - The SAMPLOLOGY mixtape series, mixed by DJ Parler (par-lay), is a compilation of music & the original songs that inspired them. Connecting the dots between your favorite Hip Hop/R&B tracks and the classic hard-to-find gems, each chapter highlights a select artist, producer or genre.
Current available mixes include:
J Dilla Chapter, highlighting music produced by the late James Yancey a.k.a. J Dilla.
K West Chapter, featuring material that Kanye West has appeared on as Producer and/or MC.
A Gangster Chapter, inspired by Jay-Z’s American Gangster, mixing the soundtracks songs with their original samples.
Philly Intl. Records Chapter, mixed in the legendary recording studio, covering the 70′s label that brought such greats as The O’Jays, Patti Labelle, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, Billy Paul and more.
“This compilation isn’t intended to substitute the actual CDs nor their samples,” says DJ Parler. “But to complement the albums and excite those in search of good music. I’m hoping that after hearing my mixes, people will want to dig deeper.”
Stay tuned for more chapters to come.
For free downloads & more on the SAMPLOLOGY Mixtape Series go to: www.myspace.com/djparler
For booking & info contact: [email protected]
Class Act: G-UNIT Producer Illmind teaches beats at Harlem Children’s Zone
March 18, 2008
What do you do after you’ve made beats for Little Brother and 50 Cent? Teach someone else how to do it.
Two days a week Jersey producer Illmind packs a classroom at the Harlem Children’s Zone to instruct high school aged novices on the fine art of beatmaking.
“I was on Craigslist doing random searches for music and I saw Harlem Children’s Zone come up and Music Production. I clicked on the link or whatever and it took me to the site,” explains the G-Unit producer. “I sent them my little bio and discography and had a little mini interview and they were feeling my vibe. I came in and did a trial class session with ten kids for half an hour. I brought in my ASR-10 and vibed out with the kids.”
The Harlem Children’s Zone was founded in 1970 as a pioneering, non-profit, community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in some of New York City’s most devastated neighborhoods. Formerly known as Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families, HCZ, Inc.’s 15 centers serve more than 13,000 children and adults, including over 10,000 at-risk children.
“The kids knew my work, I really didn’t expect them to,” he says. “It was cool cuz it’s up to the kids to determine if they want you to teach there. So after the session they told me they wanted me and I got hired.”
Illmind’s classes meet on Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 7:00 pm and his curriculum is entirely up to him.
“A lot of them want to do different things. I have five MCs and six producers and the rest want to be A&Rs, so I modeled my class like a record label so they get a feel of how the music industry works. I’ve got the producers making beats on the laptops and the MCs writing to the beats and the A&Rs giving them feedback. The Marketing people have to make MySpace pages and write bios. They’re keeping busy. It’s crazy.”
The classroom is equipped with six laptops running FL Studio (Fruity Loops) and he’s put in an order for a Roland Fantom keyboard and Propellerhead’s Reason.
“We’re gonna build a studio in the basement,” he says proudly. “My class is the biggest class in the building. I’m taking the kids to Baseline studios for a class trip.”
Interest in the class is growing and enrollment has doubled from the previous year. Illmind hopes to have the students showcase their finished work later this year at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theatre.
“These kids are so into it because it’s an after school program and it’s voluntary,” says Illmind. “They’re just real hungry. The goal is to give them an alternative to being on the street.”
To find out more about the Harlem Children’s Zone, visit their website at http://www.hcz.org
Dynamite Soul! Brian Michael Cox Wants to Blow You Up
March 17, 2008
Grammy Winner Seeks Undiscovered Talent On-Line to Receive Written Song and Studio Time
The web is taking center stage as the place to launch into musical stardom, and 3-time Grammy award winning songwriter and producer, Bryan Michael Cox, is helping to make it happen.
This year, he is working with the Colgate MaxFresh Online Music Contest to offer an undiscovered talent the opportunity to record a brand new song written and composed by Cox himself, who has also created hits for star studded names such as Usher, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey.
Starting March 18, aspiring music artists nationwide are invited to upload videos of themselves singing to win the prize and coveted studio time with Cox. To view contest rules and submit your entry click HERE.
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