Science of Breath #30: Gang Starr Edition!!

Science of Breath

Science of Breath #30: Gang Starr Edition

There are some musical legends that are of monumental influence, yet still manage to fly under the radar of commercial popularity. Throughout the late 80’s and 90’s Gang Starr was a staple of Hip Hop culture. With Guru on the mic, and DJ Premier commanding the boards like a titan, the crew blazed trails of authentic street music for over 15 years. Yet, somehow in this day and age , they are often left out of conversations regarding Hip Hop’s illest crews. In my humble opinion, anyone who doesn’t recognize Gang Starr is not a true head.
Last weekend, Guru had a cardiac arrest and as a result fell into a coma. Twitter lit up almost instantaneously with updates and prayers for the suffering legend. Many of us began dropping quotes, song titles, and other Gang Starr trivia as a way to remind ourselves of the crew’s true greatness. It felt good. I hadn’t thought about some of these songs for over 10 years. It was then that I decided to dedicate the show to the crew, in the hope that the positive energy would aid in Guru’s recovery. Indeed, prayer is powerful and thoughts are things. This is a quick overview of one of the most prodigious groups that Hip Hop has ever known. Sit back, burn one and enjoy…Gang Starr y’all. The Real. Hip Hop.

1. 24-7-365-Gang Starr
2. Curtains- Little Brother
3. Criminology 2.5- Meth, Rae & Ghost
4. Lizz-Raekwon
5. Premo- Gang Starr
6. Soliloquy of Chaos-Gang Starr
7. Code of the Streets-Gang Starr
8. Manifest- Gang Starr
9. Take 2 and Pass-Gang Starr
10. Suckas Need Bodyguards-Gang Starr
11. Premo-Gang Starr
12. The Planet- Gang Starr
13. Royalty-Gang Starr
14. Mostly the Voice-Gang Starr
15. You Know My Steez-Gang Starr
16. DJ Premier is in Deep Concentration-Gang Starr
17. Above the Clouds-Gang Starr ft. Inspektah Deck
18. I’m the Man-Gang Starr ft. Lil Dap & Jeru
19. Moment of Truth-Gang Starr

Science of Breath #29

Science of Breath

Oh the joys of traveling. I speak of incredibly long drives, occasionally terrible food, and the inspiration of finding new locales that feel like home. In this case, on this tour, I’ve been most impressed by New Orleans. Out of the 28 cities that we’ve passed thru, the jewel by the bayou is the one that has really stood out for me. This was my first visit back since Katrina, and I was more fascinated than surprised by what I encountered. Bourbon Street was still the same, drunken revelry at every turn. Yet, it seemed like the rest of the city was under reconstruction. There are vacant buildings and for sale signs everywhere, and the inevitable decay of the 18th French architecture is prevalent. At the same time, people bustle to and fro, intoxicated by the fragrant aroma of the New Orleans lifestyle. Being one of the oldest cities in the US, it is apparent that the roots run deep. It stands alone as a symbol of the trials and tribulations of African Americans, and the history of the states in general. I could feel the presence of the Spanish and French colonizers there. Although, I’m sure it will never be the same as it was before Katrina, there are still horn lines and delightful cuisine in the hearts of those strong enough to persist on thru the hard times. Hats off to the people of the New Orleans. For the record, I’m glad the Saints won, they deserved that, at the very least.
1. Soul Rebel Dub- the Wailers
2. 24 Hour Karate School- Mos Def
3. Designer Music-Self Scientific
4. Paisley Darts-Avenging Eagles
5. Drummer- Avenging Eagles
6. All My- Lee Bannon
7. B is for B.O.B.-B.O.B.
8. Transformations-Jay Electronica
9. Sorrow, Tears, & Blood-Fela Kuti
10. Any Dub You Like-Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder
11. Young Gunz-Million Stylez & Joey Fever
12. Can’t Stop Me Now-Pretty Lights
13. Down the Line-Alix Perez
14. Skydiving-Twizzle (SRC Remix)
15. Moonraker skit-JahDan
16. Some Supafly Ish-Opio ft Del & Guilty Simpson
17. Harlem Streets- Immortal Technique
18. Nautilus- Bob James

Science of Breath Radio #28

Science of Breath

Yee! Barely got this show together…but the music gods were looking out for ya boy. I’m coming in live from the backstage of a club in Tampa, Florida, with subs and bass kicks raging in the background. Hey, we do the best we can with what we have. This week features a gang of rare gems from across the boom diaspora of music, specifically the legendary crew Massive Attack. Starting back in the late 80’s, this crew has defied musical categories, and instead have pushed the limits of varied genres and styles. The remixes on the show are melodic dub landscapes sprinkled with lush vocals, their classic trademark. Many of these jams are brand spanking new, having just been discovered thru in-depth bloggery. Enjoy family…more to come. Stay tuned. Mind-Body-Spirit. ONE

Playlist: 1. Paradise Circus- Massive Attack 2. Sound of Siren- Busy Signal ft. M.I.A. 3. Collie Field- JahDan ft 77Klash 4. Stylo- Gorillaz ft. Mos Def & Bobby Womack 5. B.O.B.-Down for Yall 6. Early Grave- Wu Tang 7. Who Got the Props- Black Moon (Smooth Mix) 8. Strong Will Continue- Damian Marley & Nas 9. I Learned the Hard Way- Sharon Jones & the DapKings 10. She’s the One- James Brown 11. Knock on Wood- J Cole 12. Girl I Love You- Massive Attack 13. I See, I Know- PZ ft. Zumbi 14. Infinite (inst)- Lee Bannon 15. Miike Snow- Billie Holiday 16. Nothings Wrong-SubScape 17. I Remember- J Majik

I have to admit that when I first saw the trailer for Denzel’s new film, “the Book of Eli”, it came across as campy and redundant. The landscape looked quite dreary, and there didn’t seem to be much room for character depth in this decrepit environment. I felt that it would be a weak version of the Road Warrior. Needless to say, I would not be making a trip to the cinema for this low brow sci-fi dribble. But, how wrong I was.

The Book of Eli is a serious look at faith under the most horrendous of predicaments. In this way it brings to mind the footage of people in Haiti singing songs and dancing, in lieu of catastrophe. When there is nothing else left, the spirit is the bed on which we all lay. The film is set in the near future, 30 years after “the Flash”, some type of apocalyptic event which has scorched the Earth to a dull dry hull of itself. The only people left have been reduced to animal instinct, and savagery rules the land. Everyone that is, except for Eli, who is played with smoldering intensity by Denzel. We are told that his character has been walking west for the last 30 years.

Eli is much like the lone gunman in old school westerns, or the samurai, traveling across a deadly land with a razor sharp blade in hand. Although he is a master of destruction, it is quite obvious that his morality and spiritual conviction have not been corrupted by the wasted world around him. He is the light in the darkness, a brave soul impassioned by forces beyond his comprehension to deliver the last Bible on Earth to a safe location somewhere out west. Eli is not even sure where he must deliver the sacred book, yet his faith carries him forward.

Within this rough and tumble world, basic necessities like food and water are a luxury. Many have become cannibals as a means of survival, these parasites are easily identified by their shaking hands. Once he comes across a fledgeling town fighting for survival, we meet the misguided Carnegie who seeks only to use the last Bible in existence for his own selfish means. We also meet Solara, who becomes Eli’s confidant and road dog.

The arc of the story feels natural, and the dialogue is well written. The muted tones of sepia and gray wash over every scene, giving the perception of choking dilapidation and despair. Yet, hope steadily reigns supreme. This is the tale of a futuristic prophet, protected by the loving embrace of God’s will. Indeed, Eli is a mortal man, but he is under the auspice of the Almighty. As the saying goes, “Who Jah bless, no man curse”. This is an inspiring film, as art and as message.

download the track “Infinite” for free by clicking here

EMCEE ZUMBI RELEASES “INFINITE” WITH PRODUCER LEE BANNON FOR HEADS EVERYWHERE WHO ARE STILL LOOKING FOR DOPE HIP-HOP! THE TRACK IS OFF THE NEW MIXTAPE “Science of Breath Vol 4″ FEAT. KNAAN, TALIB KWELI, MISTAH FAB, U-N-I, GIFT OF GAB & OTHERS, AVAILABLE OFF ITUNES ON NOV 24, 2009!

Zumbi is one half of the duo Zion I, one of the Bay Area’s most accomplished hip-hop groups. Their sixth critically acclaimed album, The Take Over, was released this past Spring. Lee Bannon is Sacramento’s latest up and coming producer currently signed to Duck Down!

ZION I has just released a new boxset titled “The Alpha”. Available in digital format only, “The Alpha” is a compendium of music from the group’s musical career including 2 EPs, “Starship” and “Chapter IV” as well as the full length albums “Deep Water Slang”, “True & Livin’” and “Mind Over Matter”.
The boxset contains exclusive tracks not available anywhere else as well as liner notes, photos and more!

Click here to preview the entire album on Myspace Music!

Click here to buy the album on ITunes for only $14.99!

This is an archive of early Zion I Recordings. With some songs recorded in the mid 90’s, these songs span over a decade of music from two of Hip Hop’s brightest minds.
From a 4 track studio in a cramped living room, to international acclaim, this is the sonic journey of Zion (aka Zumbi) and Amplive.

The boxset is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and other digital retailers.
Pick it up today!

August 29th, 2009 you can catch ZION I at San Francisco’s Second Annual Outside Land’s Festival in Golden Gate Park.
The next day, August 30th, AmpLive will be cuttin’ it up at the DJ Tent.

Don’t miss out — get your tickets today!