Show #1

SHOW 1:

If you haven't heard of NEILA yet you have some 'splaining to do. She has got to be one of the most prolific writers in the underground world, and with over 25 appearances on compilations and solo albums in the last few years it's clear that her focus on the art of lyricism is ready to blossom. In the midst of a culture clearly dominated by patriarchal poetry stands a female who is confident with her intensely personal lyrical content and straight up storytelling abilities. NEILA'S latest album, "For Whom the Bells Crow" is a rockin' album which showcases her mix of raw hip hop rhymes with vocal melodies to match- The track that you have to check out on this album is "Felt". Those middle eastern intonations on the refrain fucking slay

What can be said about Ruski that can match the vigor and natural ability that this emcee brings to the microphone and mixing board everytime he decides to bless the studio? Having been the main emcee behind the turntable group Morse Code, Ruski has switched rolls towards his solo career and things are off to a great start. DJ Jimi the Mantisclaw (Morse Code) has joined forces with Ruski, and the pair have produced a limited press EP that leaves me asking for more everytime I listen to it. After you hear Toneburst why don't you hit Ruski up and tell him to send you a CD or six ASAP. This emcee is def making some big moves, so jump on his isht before everyone else does...

edIT is leading the way in Los Angeles' hip hop/glitch scene. This guy can seriously chop up a beat and serve it to you on a platinum platter. edIT runs the gamut of styles from straight up glitch to the heaviest of hip hop beats. I'm a fan of his production, but I can't wait until he uses his remix chopping abilities on some underground hip hop classics. If you text the word gltichfunk to 7676 you will get a sick beat sent to your phone care of edIT- or maybe you won't...

Tha Blue Herb is my favorite group from Japan. Damned if I understand anything they say, but O.N.O (producer), Ill-Bosstino, Jun Gold, and Wachall (MC's) have been making some of the freshest albums since joining forces in 1997. When DJ Krush puts his seal of approval on a group that he likes you know it's something you've gotta check out . To tell you the truth, the track is from the compilation album, Rap Wars, and the name of their song is in Kanji. The only thing I like more than Japanese food is this group.

Thavius Beck, a.k.a. Adlib, has been putting it down in the Los Angeles area for many years. I first ran into this producer/emcee years back when he was in Global Phlowtations- If you find any of the Global Phlow isht sitting in a used bin at your local record store, make sure you grab it. "Hecklers and Salves" is from my second favorite Adlib produced album- "Manipulator" which pushes the boundaries of hip hop avant-tard. My first is "Save Us" an album with limited pressing, but a first listen will clue you in to the next level isht Mr Beck is creating in his lab- mind you, this album was released in 2000. You will def be hearing a ton of Thavius Beck produced music on the Voltron Clan Podcast... This is the shit your kids kids will be listening to.

There might be a reason you haven’t heard of BRAD B before; it’s the same reason Arizona hasn’t been recognized as the next page in the cultivation of a culture whose fertile ground has sparked numerous lighting strikes within the storm of this hip-hop world. Drifter is Brad B’s follow up to his seminal work: CEREBRAL SUBTERRANEAN which was lauded as a flourishing oasis amidst the otherwise dry climates of the South West’s Hip Hop scene, and here he is on what appears to be the eve of another memorable album drop with: Drifter. This is a concept album billed as “the original soundtrack” which has been written as the music for a movie that is currently just beginning to be written- and this movie is Brad B’s life as a hip hop emcee who is making his living as an ever-touring artist. (Drifter is shadowed by old interviews of railroad riders and hobos from the past who jumped the rails as nomads with no address looking for meaning and adventure…) Drifter is the alpha and omega of this ever-moving lifestyle and was recorded during heavy touring with indie hip hop originals Awol and Existereo of The Shape Shifters, and Drunken Immortals- This tour is moving to Europe for two months this spring. Drifter can certifiably be considered an album in which every song is a bangin’ single.

The albums cover art and inside contents are illustrated by hip hop comic artist Jim Mahfood (Clerks/GenX/40 oz Comics)- who is currently working on Z-Trips new album, and the comic series “felt 2” with Murs and Slug. Drifter also features songs with 2mex, AWOL and Die Young of the Shapshifters, and members of Oldominion. 2mex is featured on Word of Mouth where these two emcees break new ground with this CA/AZ collaboration. This song is sure to draw the interest of the throngs of 2Mex fans who are itching to hear some new and original tracks from Brad B, A name they are sure to hear much more from in the near future.