Eight of Melbourne’s finest producers remix Spaces & Places, the Tom Showtime single featuring Gift of Gab, Lotek & Ash.One taken from The Jam Thief. With Dub, Breaks, Hip Hop, Lo-Fi and Future Beats this release truley showcases the diverse sounds of Melbourne’s music makers.
Featuring Remixes By:
Amin PaYne, Lotek, Copycat, Jects, SNESmega, KelBeats, Moonshine, & Skomes.
To celebrate the launch of the Hilltop Hoods Speaking in Tongues National Australian Tour the Hilltop Hoods are giving away The Good Life In The Sun - the official Drinking From The Sun Remix EP. With all tracks remixed by Suffa, the EP features Black Thought, Lotek, Chali 2na, Classified, Solo, Briggs, Plutonic Lab & One Above.
The Good Life In The Sun Remix EP is available from the Hilltop Hoods website as a free download and can be picked up as a hard copy at the Speaking In Tongues National Australian Tour only. After being hailed as one of the major draw cards for The Groovin’ The Moo Festival already smashing Maitland, Bendigo & Townsville with Canberra & Bunbury to come, the Hilltop Hoods will then perform at Bass In The Grass held in Darwin in late May, before launching into their national Speaking In Tongues Australian National Tour in June.
Speaking In Tongues National Tour Dates:
28 June Coffs Harbour – Plantation Hotel – 18+
29th June Brisbane – Eatons Hill Hotel – LIC/AA – Sold out
27th July Adelaide – Adelaide Entertainment Centre – LIC/AA
28th July Byron Bay – Splendour In The Grass – LIC/AA – Sold Out
4th August Sydney – Horden Pavilion – LIC/AA
9th August Ballarat – Ballarat Uni – 18+
10th August Traralgon – Kay St Entertainment Complex – 18+
11th August Hobart – City Hall – LIC/AA
15th August Jindabyne – Station Resort – 18+
17th August Perth – Challenge Stadium – LIC/AA
18th August Port Headland – North West Festival– LIC/AA
24th August Mildura – The Setts – 18+
25th August Melbourne – Festival Hall – LIC/AA
26th August Albury– New Albury Hotel – 18+
Download || Twitter || Facebook || Golden Era
Tom Showtime’s – The Jam Thief is an eclectic fusion of jazzy hip-hop, down tempo beats and nu-funk. The explosive leadoff single Spaces & Places featured the international input of legendary US rapper Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), UK ex-pat Lotek and Ash.One (AUS).
Evidently, this multifaceted talent did not plateau there; the lead single was merely a taste of his stellar album a year in the crafting. With a range of standout tracks including Nature Horn Killer (Tom’s tribute to Charlie Parker), Jazz Biscuits and The Every Sound Track, The Jam Thief takes the listener on a sample heavy journey displaying an array of Tom’s favourite sounds. With distinctive cover design by RekaOne of Melbourne’s legendary Everfresh crew, the artwork is an essential counterpart to The Jam Thief’s music perfection.
Siting inspirations such as DJ Shadow, Mr. Scruff, Quantic and Bonobo as well as a fervent obsession with sampling old funk, latin and jazz – there was no doubt that Tom Showtime was soon to be heard. This dexterous character also claims the labels Saxophonist, Cafe Owner and Gramophone Enthusiast.
Tom’s earnest aspiration has seen him generate some stellar opportunities in his music career to date; supporting such acts as Bonobo, Urthboy and The Bamboos. Making his debut as the warm up DJ for The Nextmen at their highly regarded Friends and Family night, Tom Showtime’s career is proving to be a burgeoning one. The Jam Thief is ‘jam’ packed with premium head nodding tracks fueled with infectious funk and baseline grooves highlighted with Showtime’s signature trip-hop foundation. This album is truly unique and spectacular.
Tom Showtime – The Jam Thief is available April 13.
Tom Showtime || Facebook || Soundcloud
With his eclectic debut album The Jam Thief out in April 2012, Melbournes most intriguing musical multi-takser Tom Showtime presents his first single Spaces & Places featuring Gift Of Gab, Lotek & Ash One. Tom Showtime is a man of many guises. At first glance one may simply take him for your humble local DJ, but upon further investigation this dexterous character also claims the labels Producer, Saxophonist and gramophone enthusiast.
Spaces & Places exhibits Tom Showtime’s worldclass production expertise, with its hypnotic bass-heavy synth setting the scene for all three lyrical guests to execute their interstellar narrative. A global hip hop collaboration, esteemed guests include USA’s Gift of Gab (Quannam Projects, Blackalicious), UK native Lotek, and Australia’s own Ash One.
Playful and perceptive, Spaces & Places quotes “dem speakers they bump to a Showtime riddem track, bout to seize the day like that’s mine gimmie that…” and this Melbourne producer is doing just that!
Tom Showtime || Purchase || Facebook
MoneyKat is a full blooded album- political, personal and poetic. The debut album from international duo MoneyKat, comprising Omar Musa from Australia and Mighty Joe from California, it spans a diverse range of musical styles and ideas.
With production from New Zealand’s Fire and Ice (Scribe, David Dallas), Australian producer Ishu, Mercury prize winning producer Lotek (Roots Manuva, Speech Debelle), Californian producer Count and US rock veteran Geoff Stanfield (Black Lab, Sun Kil Moon), this is an international album with rich sonic texture. The palate of sounds ranges from reggae Nothing is Safe to classic soul-sampled hip hop Each Footstep, Ordinary People to minimalist, grime tinged bangers Power is Violence. Added to that are guest appearances by Australian MC Mantra, soul singer Candice Monique and Californian MC Senbei.
With themes ranging from love to migration to materialism, MoneyKat tries to capture the light and shade of everyday life. Recorded over a year in Seattle, California and Melbourne, MoneyKat is a labour of love and the duo are confident they bring something fresh but universal to local hip hop.
Track listing:
1. Garden of Eden
2. Power is Violence
3. Nothing is Safe feat. Candice Monique
4. High Stakes feat. Mantra
5. MoneyKat
6. We Dwell (Interlude)
7. What If
8.Get Yours
9. Each Footstep (Atonement)
10. Ordinary People feat. Senbei
Bonus Track: Journey
MoneyKat || Facebook || Soundcloud || Pre-Order
Reason’s Window of Time is the final solo effort of his pioneering career, a true testament to his twenty plus years of dedication to Australian hip hop and reflective of his journey thus far. Window of Time, in essence, is intended to open minds and expose its listener to a mélange of historical, situational and currently pressing themes.
Reason, both a school teacher and youth workshop facilitator, takes actualities to words with the intention of inspiring positive action. The album’s conceptual roots are of a worldly emphasis in contrast to the artists previous releases that were more indicative of his local scene. From the ferocity of Rep The Legacy featuring Lazy Grey, to the dark soundtrack-esque tones of Action featuring Lotek, and the sonorous sentiment within I Want featuring Suffa; Window Of Time is an engaging exhibition of melodic texture.
Title track Window of Time epitomises Reason’s passion for history, and the importance of education in everyday life personifying the idea of ‘words from a teacher’. Today, the official clip for Window Of Time dropped with a massive reaction to Reason’s choice of ride. Check it out below. Directed by Carl Allison -Cinematix Media.
Upcoming Reason Shows:
VIC – All Ages Album Launch – 26/11/11, Pheonix Youth Centre – Footscray
In collaboration with, and in support of the Maribyrnong City Council’s Youth Services ‘Urban Voices’ CD & DVD Launch.
VIC – 16/12/11, The Espy –St Kilda
Reason featuring: AJ (UK) & Bids, Mass MC, Ciecmate & Newsense, Briggs, Art of War, DJ’s Jase and Peril & hosted by Nevs
Ticket info: http://www.espy.com.au
NSW – 8/12/11, The Factory Theatre
In support of Jedi Mind Tricks (US) & Outerspace (US)
Reason featuring AJ (UK), Mass MC, more TBA
Ticket info: http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/tickets
SA – 23/12/11, Homegrown 3 at HQ
featuring: AJ (UK) & Bids, Mass MC, more TBA
Tickets from Venuetix, DA Klinic, Clinic 116
More Reason dates TBA.
Twitter || Soundcloud || Facebook
Reason’s Window of Time is the final solo effort of his pioneering career, a true testament to his twenty plus years of dedication to Australian hip hop and reflective of his journey thus far. Window of Time, in essence, is intended to open minds and expose its listener to a mélange of historical, situational and currently pressing themes.
Reason, both a school teacher and youth workshop facilitator, takes actualities to words with the intention of inspiring positive action. The album’s conceptual roots are of a worldly emphasis in contrast to the artists previous releases that were more indicative of his local scene. From the ferocity of Rep The Legacy featuring Lazy Grey, to the dark soundtrack-esque tones of Action featuring Lotek, and the sonorous sentiment within I Want featuring Suffa; Window Of Time is an engaging exhibition of melodic texture.
Title track Window of Time epitomises Reason’s passion for history, and the importance of education in everyday life personifying the idea of ‘words from a teacher’. Run Tingz featuring AJ (UK) and Iron Braydz (UK), is an impressive exchange between three emcees from different walks of life, the track demonstrates the unifying effect of shared passion. We Come From An Era featuring Hau (Koolism, triple J’s hip hop show), is a generational sift through the idiosyncrasies which defined the times from which the two emcees grew up.
In typical Reason style, there are guests aplenty throughout the album. Sharing mic duties are world class emcees and vocalists including Lazy Grey, Bias B, Hau, Dialectrix, Hunter, Iron Braydz (UK), Lotek (UK), AJ (UK), Joyride, KYE, Mdusu, Rachel Berry & Rapaport. The album credits superb production from Suffa, Debris, Debate, Seanie B, Mdusu, Simplex, Geko & WIZDM. The metaphorical Window of Time brings the career of this pioneer and veteran of the Australian scene full circle, as Reason takes on all before him with one last, heartfelt and monumental contribution to a scene by which he has helped to create.
Track Listing
01. Let the Games Begin
02. Kosher
03. Action feat. Lotek
04. Youth feat. Cammee
05. Truth feat. Dialectrix, Bias B & Joyride
06. Window of Time
07. I Want… feat. Suffa
08. Run Tingz feat. AJ (U.K.), Iron Braydz (U.K.) & Fraksha
09. We Come From an Era feat. Hau
10. Dedicate
11. Backyard feat. Hunter & Rappaport
12. Rep the Legacy feat. Lazy Grey
13. The Interlude
14. Don’t believe feat. Rachael Berry
15. Many Stylesfeat. Mdusu & Kye
16. Rewind
17. The Final Siren
Reason’s Window of Time is the final solo effort of his pioneering career, a true testament to his twenty plus years of dedication to Australian hip hop and reflective of his journey thus far. Window of Time, in essence, is intended to open minds and expose its listener to a mélange of historical, situational and currently pressing themes.
Reason, both a school teacher and youth workshop facilitator, takes actualities to words with the intention of inspiring positive action. The album’s conceptual roots are of a worldly emphasis in contrast to the artists previous releases that were more indicative of his local scene. From the ferocity of Rep the Legacy featuring Lazy Grey, to the dark soundtrack-esque tones of Action featuring Lotek, and the sonorous sentiment within I Want featuring Suffa; Window Of Time is an engaging exhibition of melodic texture.
Title track Window of Time epitomises Reason’s passion for history, and the importance of education in everyday life personifying the idea of ‘words from a teacher’. Run Tingz featuring AJ (UK) and Iron Braydz (UK), is an impressive exchange between three emcees from different walks of life, the track demonstrates the unifying effect of shared passion. We Come From An Era featuring Hau (Koolism, triple J’s hip hop show), is a generational sift through the idiosyncrasies which defined the times from which the two emcees grew up.
‘There is music for all generations throughout the release. Conceptually, the album is for the youth, party goers, intelligentsia, the purists and the recent graduates to this very unique sound. I’ve taken my time, spent painstaking hours refining my lyrics, requesting musical changes and thus the process has in short, been a worthy experience. Like a top shelf scotch, it often takes time for maturity to be achieved.’ - Reason
In typical Reason style, there are guests aplenty throughout the album. Sharing mic duties are world class emcees and vocalists including Lazy Grey, Bias B, Hau, Dialectrix, Hunter, Iron Braydz (UK), Lotek (UK), AJ (UK), Joyride, KYE, Mdusu, Rachel Berry & Rapaport. The album credits superb production from Suffa, Debris, Debate, Seanie B, Mdusu, Simplex, Geko & WIZDM. The metaphorical Window of Time brings the career of this pioneer and veteran of the Australian scene full circle, as Reason takes on all before him with one last, heartfelt and monumental contribution to a scene by which he has helped to create.
Track Listing
01. Let the Games Begin
02. Kosher
03. Action feat. Lotek
04. Youth feat. Cammee
05. Truth feat. Dialectrix, Bias B & Joyride
06. Window of Time
07. I Want… feat. Suffa
08. Run Tingz feat. AJ (U.K.), Iron Braydz (U.K.) & Fraksha
09. We Come From an Era feat. Hau
10. Dedicate
11. Backyard feat. Hunter & Rappaport
12. Rep the Legacy feat. Lazy Grey
13. The Interlude
14. Don’t believe feat. Rachael Berry
15. Many Stylesfeat. Mdusu & Kye
16. Rewind
17. The Final Siren
The moment of truth has arrived; and the legacy left behind by Reason will further be entrenched within the history of hip hop. Window Of Time drops November 4th 2011, and shall lay testament to Reason’s two and a half decades of dedicated service…
In typical Reason style, there are guests aplenty throughout the album. Those sharing mic duties include Lazy Grey, Bias B, Hau, Dialectrix, Hunter, Iron Braydz, Lotek, AJ, Joyride, KYE, Mdusus, Rachel Berry & Rappaport. The album is blessed with superb production from Suffa, Debris, Debate, Mdusu, Geko & WIZDM.
Stay tuned for more information on the release and soon to be announced national tour. In the mean time check out RapperTag #42 below. Reason was also recently added to the Jump Off bill. Check out more on that here.
Pre-Order || Twitter || Facebook || Soundcloud
MoneyKat is an international hip hop duo comprising Omar Musa (Australia) and Mighty Joe (USA). After being sporadic collaborators for years, a highly successful tour in Indonesia spurred them into creating MoneyKat, a group intent on bring their soulful, personal, political and poetic style to ears and minds.
With contrasting accents, styles and tones, they are a dynamic musical partnership. Their debut album MoneyKat, recorded in the USA and Australia, will be released in mid 2011. Many people would recognise a money cat statue, painted gold with a waving paw, as a common feature of Asian grocery stores and restaurants. Traditionally, a money cat is supposed to bring monetary wealth and prosperity into a business. International hip-hop duo MoneyKat, seek to flip that idea on its head. Says Musa, “some people see our name and assume that we are some sort of bling group. Really, we are the complete opposite.” Adds Mighty Joe, “the idea behind MoneyKat is that we are hoping to bring true wealth and prosperity into peoples lives- positivity, empowerment, knowledge of self.”
Mighty Joe and Omar Musa met at university in Santa Cruz, California. What began as a sporadic musical partnership blossomed into a fully formed group after a successful tour in Indonesia. Says Mighty Joe, “the tour really hit home to us what a worldwide phenomenon hip hop is. We wanted to represent the idea that our accents, styles and stories might be different, but our struggles are the same.” Both MCs had solo careers before this collaboration. Musa, the Australian Poetry Slam Champion in 2008, released World Goes To Pieces in 2010 as well as touring in France, China, India, the UK and as support for legendary Gil Scott-Heron in Germany. Mighty Joe released the Golden EP in 2010 and the Elevated EP in early 2011 and featured on the soundtrack to documentary Oakland: My Home, My Prison and My Freedom as well as soundtrack to internationally released video game College Hoops 2K7.
MoneyKat will release their debut album MoneyKat in September 2011.
The first single from MoneyKat – Nothing Is Safe feat. Candice Monique (Prod. Lotek)
MoneyKat Theme (Prod. Dazed)
