Post-Apocalyptic Dub: "Ghetto Defendent" Dr. Israel

14 years ago I was handed a CD by a friend. He said something along the lines of “You have to check this out, I think you'll like it.” There have been many times in the past where I heard new music through friends. Especially when it comes to a time period that was a decade plus ago. The CD that was handed to me was “Inna City Pressure” by Dr. Israel. I am always willing to give new music a shot. The moment that I sat down in the drivers seat this particular disc made its way into my car stereo. The A Capella opening of “Inna City Pressure” segued into the track “Pressure” and from that moment, I was hooked. This album is the combination of everything that I love about music. It is Reggae, it is Dub, it is Hip-Hop, it is Punk, it is Drum and Bass, and it is so much more. “Inna City Pressure” is one of the albums that expanded my young mind to understand that music is just that: Music. There are no are barriers in this art and it solidified the idea that music should be so much more than crammed into a small tin as if it were to be consumed like a canned ham. This type of music; the kind that excites the imagination and moves beyond the classification of what art is. For me it is on a list of albums and artists such as The Clash, David Byrne's “Feelings,” and Peter Gabriel.

Fast forward 14 years Dr. Israel is still excites my imagination with his newest EP “Ghetto Defendant.” An EP that includes a new take on The Clash's “Ghetto Defendant,” an appearance by Killah Priest, and mixes by Bill Lawrence. This EP fulfills the promise I heard those years ago on “Inna City Pressure.” Dr. Israel has taken his vision of what Reggae and Dub should sound like and then moves it into the 21^st century. A sound that is not for just Deadheads, Rastas, or the derivative swill of Sean Kingstion (or worse, Shaggy.). It is vibrant and of its time. Dr. Israel has taken the message of love and revolution that is important to Marley, Tosh, and Wailer. He has taken full advantage of the sounds that were inspired by reggae; Dub, Hip-Hop, Punk, and Techno. Creating the soundtrack of a post-apocalyptic urban jungle.

It is true that the description of the music that appears on this EP (along with previous releases) be called Brooklyn Dub, a term that is plastered upon that is upon his website. A sound that has mixed up everything that makes up Brooklyn; past, present, and future. Sounds that are as much Hip-Hop, the diversity of the various neighborhoods, cultures, heritage as well as Punk. Dr. Israel bridges the gaps that seem to be segmented by musical lines. There is the retelling of The Clash classic “Ghetto Defendant” that opens the album and a new story of the streets unfolds with each track. From that point there is no letting up and in each song you can hear the steam rising from the streets. It is the sound of New York. With “Ghetto Defendant” no longer is the saxophone synonymous with New York. The new sound comes from the fierce movement of beat. A beat that gives the imagination a scenery of this post-apocalyptic character saving the city, humanity, love, and creativity.

When listening to a new work I have to admit that I am not to concerned with whether or not the album has a greater theme to it. There is more of an exploration in finding out if the music is good, great, or pushes the edges of what an artist can do. Pushing the edges is exactly what Dr. Israel has done with this EP. Much like the first time I heard “Inna City Pressure,” he pushes the edge of where music can go. The first time for me, and being a self proclaimed Metal-head, was hearing the song “The Doctor vs The Wizard.” Taking the riffs from Black Sabbath and mixing them with Dub, Reggae, Dancehall, and Drum and Bass. “Ghetto Defendant” is the expansion of this from an artist that has broadened his range and has matured in a way that artists should. Maturing into a voice that pushes the fringe of what we know as music.

Dr. Israel digs deeply into the heart of what is happening on a street level. A street level that is unacceptable to anyone that sees injustice in our world. It does not matter if you are from the streets of Brooklyn, Trenchtown, religiously divided countries, or the suburbs of the world. There is the message of love and that we as humans can rise above a certain machinery that is set in place. That we as people can concur with love and creativity. A message that has been proven time and time again, but in the times that seem to be dragging us down are the words and beats that need to be heard. “Ghetto Defendant” needs to be heard. 

Download for free at Dr. Israel dot net

Daydreaming in America... Kooth: "Daydreaming" mixtape review

DC has never really had a sound that the average person could identify with as being solely from DC. Sure, there have been acts who are synonymous with the area: Minot Threat, Bad Brains, Fugazi, and The Thievery Corporation. When it comes to music in the realm of funk, jazz, RnB, or hip-hop there isn't much. One thing that many music lovers point to is either influential punk or the "go-go" sound. This is what sets Kooth apart from other artists that have, or could have, come from DC. Sans the punk influence, this emcee has taken a hip-hop spin on the go-go sound and mixed it with the down-tempo aesthetic of The Thievery Corporation. A blending of heavy (and sometimes aggressive) lo-if beats, lush electronic sounds, and a flow unlike many of his contemporaries sets Kooth apart from the garden variety hip-hop artists trying to make it big in today's compartmentalized music industry.

Whether the combination of these two styles are intentional or just a product of the area is not the point. What it comes down to is trying to find a way to describe this young emcee and the production to people who may not have ventured into the realm of hip-hop. As well as those who have not ventured into the idea of digging digitally. Most have the thought of digging as going through the bins at record stores, Salvation Armies, and yard sales. With the advent of high speed internet, the world of music is at our finger tips. The act of finding something new that excites the imagination online is just like going through the musty smell of a record store.

Just the act of scavenging for music has taken a new turn in this digital age. Unlike in days gone by many people don't find themselves wandering for hours in the aisles of a record store looking for something new. There is a new sense of discovery as one takes to the internet. This record store is much larger with a greater vastness of what can be dialed in from downloads, internet radio, and YouTube. The one musical culture that seems to have embraced the new frontier is hip-hop. It seems to be that way after the success of Lil Wayne. His appearances after appearances on mixtapes until he blew up with “Tha Carter III.”

The sound of the latest mixtape from Kooth continues the with what appeared on “Airborne.” It is the sound of DC. It is the combination of an older style and the lushness of down-tempo. Don't think for a minute that because the music has a lushness that he is the second coming of P.M. Dawn (no offense to P.M. Dawn.) That is not the case. There is a drive and determination that makes Kooth's flow different from many of the other up-and-coming emcees. Instead of the pounding of chests and false aires, Kooth makes it very clear that he is going to make it. Most of the songs that appear on this mixtape is about him working his way up and creating the lifestyle he wants from hip-hop. There is an honesty that doesn't appear very often.

Just the message of making something of yourself is ultimately infectious. Hearing someone who wants something bad enough makes others believe they too can make it. Starting from the bottom and working their way up to achieve what they dream of. Kooth's rhymes are the embodiment of the American dream. Not that American dream of a suburban home, white picket fence, a wife, two kids, a dog, and all the other trappings that middle class comfort can buy. The American Dream that no matter what you want to do, you can work your way up and get to where you are going. The happiness of creating a life for yourself.

Kooths voice is what you hear on the majority of these songs. By today's standards it is something of an oddity in hip-hop. More often than not many of these mixtapes feature guest appearance after guest appearance. These are used to garner some sort of street creed and do not work within the context of the song they appear on. For one emcee to carry the bulk of an album on the strength of his (or her) rhymes alone is a feet unto itself these days.

“Daydreaming” does feature a couple guest appearances. Unlike most guest appearances, these fit perfectly with the song and the other emcees offset the timbre of Kooth's voice. The two songs (out of 14) feature Jace and Big 6. The first of which is a club anthem, “She A Killa.” With each voice and verse these emcees move the song forward. The last of the guest appearances comes in the song “Cold Hearted” with Big 6. Both of whom rhyme of love and friendships gone bad. Each of them take their verses all the while reminding us that they are going to move on and make it to the top.

One of the great surprises of this mixtape is the track “Want It All.” For what seems like years, Coldplay has been willing to showcase their love for hip-hop to a world that seems to either not understand it or hide it under the bed until it is time to dress up and go out for a few drinks. It seems to be fair turnaround that Kooth does the same. Taking a melody and keyboard hook from the song “Paradise” by Coldplay, offering up a fitting musical tribute of his own.

The music has a great accessibility making it easy to get lost within. These sounds can easily belong in the car, the club, chilling at home, or broadcast through radio waves. There is only a matter of time before these sounds and words find their way to the masses. They are messages many need to hear. There is nothing wrong with daydreaming, and we need those daydreams so that we can move forward in life and love.

Download for free:

http://www.datpiff.com/Kooth-Daydreaming-mixtape.367496.html

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