Future Profits- Blood of Abraham

This was one of the first albums that really drew me into hiphop. The live instrumental samples, playful delivery, and not-your-run-of-the-mill subject matter really peaked my interest. Signed by Eazy-E, Blood of Abraham is made up of 2 MC's: Mazik and Benyad. Blood of Abraham was most likely overlooked partly due to their non-stereotypical and unmarketable image of two white jews. Dropping on Ruthless Records amongst the hype of N.W.A the hiphop world was really not ready for them. Even though track 6 insists "I'm not the Man", apparently the message didn't quite get through.

Another, and I feel the main reason Blood of Abraham probably didn't gain the popularity I feel they deserve is because how controversial and political their songs were. From intro song they are dropping true gems, and even stating their goal is not ass or cash but "to make conscious the mass". Sadly I feel many slept on and missed all they said on songs like "Niggaz and Jewz" featuring both Eazy-E and will.i.am in his first ever recorded verse, chants. Although it is a song featuring two jewish and two black artists calling for jewish and black unity, no one seemed to get, or if they did, appreciate the message.

One of my favorite songs off Future Profits, and another comment on society probably overlooked is "Stabbed by the Steeple" give it a listen:

Like all truly great hiphop albums, Future Profits contains scores of well sampled audio-nuggets. My favorite by far on this album is in "Niggaz and Jewz" where they sample a Klu Klux Klan member ranting at his family. This well-produced politically conscious album really deserves much more light and was truly ahead of its times. Download and enjoy Future Profits!

Awaken EP 2/3- Frenk&Stine

This next album, the 2nd of a 3 part EP named Awaken, was made by two talented friends of mine. Hailing from San Francisco, Frenk&Stine aka Midpoint and N/A Kees are a beatmaking duo who are proving themselves a force to be reckoned with.

One of my favorite things about Frenk&Stine is how heavy the drums hit. As a drummer, I'm often quite hard on much of the beats in hiphop I hear made nowadays, as more often than not Reason redrums just don't hit the spot that live or even properly sampled drums (in my opinion) should. That being said, I'm glad Midpoint lays down some soul sampled breaks I can truly feel. After that, he and N/A Kees jam out finding what works in a fluid creative process wielding results that speak for themselves. The sampled dialogue (my favorite being the Young Frankenstein quote on Brains, the first track) which flavors the album was layered on in the final process during the sequencing of the project.

Here is a dope video from the first 1/3 of the Awaken EP, which you should also check out:

All in all a dope addition to an ill EP that creeps, crawls and floats by too quick and must be promptly replayed. No matter what you're doing, you aren't too busy to click below and listen to and download this well-crafted audio-treasure.

Ites Massive- Ooklah the Moc

This has become one of my favorite reggae albums over the past couple years, it delivers the perfect uplifting vibrations every time. I first heard of Ooklah the Moc when I was visiting my sister who lives on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and it will always conjure memories of relaxing at the beach drinking young coconuts fresh off the tree and eating the most delicious mangos in the world.

Named after the character Ookla the Mok from Thundarr the Barbarian, the slightly differently spelled Ooklah the Moc from Palolo Valley, Hawai'i sets a very relaxed and irie mood with their downtempo roots reggae that has a unique island feel to it. Breaking into dub at just the right times, the 8-piece band led by Ras Bird on vocals takes you on a very personal journey with deep instrumentals and conscious lyrics. Definitely the perfect album to sit back, twist one up to, and enjoy some nice chill time.

This is the opening track and one of my favorite songs from the album:

So there they are, probably on of the most underrated reggae bands I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. Grab Ites Massive, and sit back, relax and enjoy life.

Project Blowed 10th Anniversary

This 10th Anniversary Album made up of various MC's is hands down one of the dopest displays of ill lyricism I have ever come across. For those that don't know, Project Blowed located at Leimert Park, Los Angeles is the longest running open-mic for Hiphop in the world. It was actually born out of the Good Life Cafe, which was a health food store which hosted an open mic that fostered a wide array of talented artists, pushing their lyricism even further with restrictions such as no cursing allowed (or else the mic would get taken away). From the Good Life Cafe arose groups who have reached quite a following such as Jurassic 5 and Freestyle Fellowship, but many of the other artists have been sadly overlooked. Many of the MC's on this album are extremely talented and never got the shine that they deserved.

Some of those MC's: Aceyalone, Riddlore, Abstract Rude, Busdriver and Rifleman made this live track on the Project Blowed 10th Anniversary album.

Bottom line is that this is an ill album with an amazing arsenal of styles and lyricism that will give any true lover of hiphop new slaps to enjoy and bump. If you don't already have it, download it here!

Slept On Music Begins

Welcome to Slept on Music, where at least once a week I will bring some quality music to light which I feel either has been or will be under-appreciated. Because of the structure of the music industry many talented artists get lost in the fray and go unnoticed, with their music unheard. This is a shame, and I am trying to do my small part to help change the tide in the direction of the underdogs.

But first let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Ari Sandoval, I am 20, go to San Francisco State University, and am an avid lover of music. I both play the drums and rap. I've been spending most my energy on drumming lately and am drumming for two bands, both based out of San Francisco which are:

Audiopharmacy- a conscious eclectic mix of hiphop, reggae, world etc.
91 Owl- a jazzy funk/hiphop band

I'm also interning at IDC which is the largest independent record distribution company in the US which just exclusively distributed Black Sheep's From the Black Pool of Genius.

I hope to spread good music to those who appreciate it, and want to thank you for checking this out. Check out this ill song by KRS-One featuring RZA called 1-2, Here's What We Gonna Do off his new album Meta Historical, produced by True Masta.