Language Arts Crew - I Shot The Shepherd

Tracklist

1) Intro
2) So Close
3) Scarlet Morning
4) 9 To 5
5) Kalifornia
6) Half Cheap
7) Old Kids
8) The Past Time
9) Numb
10) Gravity
11) The Eye
12) I Know
13) Drama City
14) Token Love Song
15) Give It Up
16) Unnatural Disasters
17) Inside His Mind
18) Outro

A massive album from the 5 piece hip-hop group. If you like your rap then you will like this album. Thats all I got, let the music speak, check it...

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Other tracks on the album are of a quicker pace, but this is the video that initially caught my interest.

Michael Franti and Spearhead - Everyone Deserves Music

Tracklist

1) What I Be
2) We Don't Stop
3) Everyone Deserves Music
4) Bomb The World
5) Pray For Grace
6) Love, Why Did You Go Away?
7) Yes I Will
8) Feelin' Free
9) Love Invincible
10) Bomb The World (Armageddon Version)
11) Crazy, Crazy, Crazy

Full of funk, soul, rapping and reggae. Quickly becoming my favourite. Unfortunatley finding the other artists who feature is not so straight forward but it does include Gift Of Gab and John Butler (on the same album - wtf?) to name a few. Dudes, don't let this one pass by.

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Although this video may not be official it does carry the best audio. Maybe get a giggle too.....

1 Giant Leap - What About Me?

Tracklist

Disc 1

1) Come To The Edge (ft. Lila Downs & Hunn Huur Tu)
2) Each Step Moves Us On (ft. Zap Mama & Speech)
3) How Can I Be A Better Friend To You? (ft. Jhelisa Anderson & Maxi Jazz)
4) There's Nothing Wrong With Me (ft. Jhelisa Anderson & Oumou Sangare)
5) Are You My Love? (ft. Daniel Lanois & Eddi Reader)
6) Wounded In All The Right Places (ft. K.D. Lang)
7) I Have Seen Trouble (ft. Aluta & Michael Stipe)
8) Solita Sin Solidad (ft. Lila Downs & Carlos Santana)
9) Serenity Prayer (ft. Huun Huur Tu, MXO & Eddi Reader)
10) 1 Small Step (ft. Baaba Maal & Nana Tsiboe)
11) Why Must I Feel Like This Today? (ft. Baaba Maal, Michael Franti, Ulali, Radio Active & Krishna Das)

Disc 2

1) Under A Stormy Sky / I've Been Away (Ft. Haale, Michael Franti, Maxi Jazz, Eddi Reader & Daniel Lanois)
2) What I Need Is Something Different (ft. Speech & Boots Riley)
3) Mothers, Don't Cry (ft. Miss Honda, Ramata Diakite & Miles Solay)
4) The Truth Is Changing (ft. Will Young & Amapondo)
5) Freedom (ft. Nana Tsiboe & African Show Boys)
6) Arrival (ft. Alanis Morrisette, Eugene Hutz, Al Tanbura & Aida Samb)
7) Forgive Me (ft. Sharon Lewis, Suzue & Amjad Ali Khan)
8) Set Me Free (ft. Yungchen Lhamo, Rokia Traore, Sussan Deyhim & Joseph Arthur)
9) What I Need Is Something Different (Dub) (ft. Speech & Boots Riley)

This album takes influence from all over the world making it a truely universal electronica/dance album. Sometimes you have to let the track run through to the 1:30 - 2:30 minute mark in order for it to really kick up and make an impression. It has been posted on other blog's but if it has still managed to pass you by then here is another chance.

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Gift Of Gab - Escape To Mars

Tracklist

1) E2MTRO
2) El Gifto
3) Lightyears
4) Dreamin'
5) In Las Vegas
6) Escape 2 Mars
7) Electric Waterfalls
8) Richman, Poorman
9) Someofthepeople
10) Spotlight
11) Rhyme Travel

Gift Of Gab has been involved in some seriously good albums, namely Blazing Arrow which im certain you've already thought about digging out and revisiting before getting to the end of this sentence. This album, Escape 2 Mars, is a decent album but not as 'quick fire' as I was expecting. Still, tight tunes, abstract ideas and an eye catching cover!

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Braintax - My Last And Best Album

Tracklist

1) Magnum On Crack
2) Fix Up Come Up
3) Retail
4) Real People (ft. Imaani, Sammy Jay & Daniel Debourgh)
5) Duvet (ft. Daniel Debourgh)
6) The Beast Is Us
7) Munchies
8) Invisible Media
9) Goldfish Bowl
10) Riviera Hustle (ft. Michael Caine)
11) Last One Out Turn Off The Lights (ft. Imaani, Sammy Jay, Daniel Debourgh & Steve Mason)

As the album title says this is the last album from Braintax. One of my favourite rappers from the UK, Braintax touches a nerve and raps about the things we as Brits can relate to on an everyday level (sort of). That's why this is not a background album, it's one you have to give attention to. Not everyones cup'a'tea but worth a gamble.

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