Author: Jim Steps

Elefant Tracks

(International Year Of) ASTRONOMY CLASS – Exit Strategy

Jim Steps

Marking the International Year Of Astronomy with style: hip hop group Astronomy Class release their second album. The album sees producers Sir Robbo and Chasm build on their signature reggae-blessed hip-hop, brought to life so magically on their 2006 debut, Exit Strategy, while dipping deeper into the sweet soul of Motown’s yesteryear. Ozi Batla makes a welcome return to the mic, brimming with confidence following The Herd’s AIR and J Award winning, ARIA top ten album, Summerland. He delivers his own lyrical stamp on the trials and tribulations of modern life, crafting a sharp-witted and layered listen. John Maddox (bass) … Continue reading (International Year Of) ASTRONOMY CLASS – Exit Strategy

Obese Records1 Comment

HYJACK AND TORCHAS – Back after 5 years

Jim Steps

Five years after the release of their debut album Drastik Measures, Sydney-based duo Hyjak N Torcha make their much anticipated return with Gold Coast producer Mules alongside guest production from the likes of Jase and Jetlag. Across 15 introspective tracks, Unregrettable tackles the demons and issues they’ve battled in nearly half a decade, and with it, they’ve found clarity and musical maturity. Buoyed by a new found lyrical urgency and a desire to tackle global issues, Hyjak N Torcha set their sights on empirical tyranny What’s Wrong With the World?, life’s simple escapes, Everyday Escape, and personal reflection (the MURS … Continue reading HYJACK AND TORCHAS – Back after 5 years

Elefant Tracks

THE HERD – LAST HEADLINE SHOW AND DVD

Jim Steps

Despite hanging up their boots for 2009, The Herd have given in to the demands of online fans and are announcing a final Tour (East Coast only). The tour coincides with the special DVD release of the Elefant Traks 10th Anniversary Party, filmed with 13 cameras in late 2008. The DVD captures the vitality and energy of the Elefant Traks celebration. It’s been a phenomenally successful 12 months for The Herd: their fourth album Summerland debuting at #7 on the ARIA chart and the resulting tour was the biggest in their history. They went on to win two AIRA Awards … Continue reading THE HERD – LAST HEADLINE SHOW AND DVD

Obese Records

OBR 065 – ILLY

Jim Steps

Ladies and gentlemen may I introduce to you Obese Records latest,  Illy. Illy teams up with some big names on this album, and he promises to deliver. Illy enlists the help of his fellow Crooked Eye Crew member M-Phazes (producer of Bliss n Eso’s Flying Colours) and Jackson Jackson’s J-Skub (Phrase’s Clockwork) for the bulk of the album, with stellar contributions from up and comers J-Squared and Ta-Ku. Generation Y is the first single of the album and is described as a politically driven ode to the power of those whose days as the underdog are numbered. Long Story Short … Continue reading OBR 065 – ILLY

Golden Era Records1 Comment

STATE OF THE ART – National Tour

Jim Steps

A national tour has been announced for the lads. Tickets went on pre-sale on the 22nd of May, while the public had to wait till the 26th. Tickets will surely sell out in most areas. So be quick. Saturday  18th July/ ENMORE THEATRE – Sydney Thursday 23rd July / CAPITOL – Perth Friday 24th July / HIFI BAR – Brisbane Sunday 26th July / SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS – Byron Bay Thursday 30th July / CITY HALL – Hobart Friday 31st July / PALACE THEATRE – Melbourne Saturday 1st August / THEBARTON THEATRE – Adelaide Tuesday 4th August / ANU … Continue reading STATE OF THE ART – National Tour

Uncategorized

NURCHA GONE…….

Jim Steps

Unfortunately, Nurcha Records has shut down and will no longer be bringing us the hip hop we’ve all come to know over the last 4 years. Soul’d On Sound has always shared the same vision as Shrekk and the Nurcha Records team, and are dedicated to keeping the dream of Australian Hip Hop alive and kicking. Nurcha Records grew from a one hour a week internet radio slot on Mafioso Radio in 2005, to one of the most prolific independant lables in Australian Hip Hop. Shrekk’s vision to bring the underground Australian Hip Hop community together became a reality after … Continue reading NURCHA GONE…….

Golden Era Records, Major

STATE OF THE ART – Album preview

Jim Steps

Hosting their own little party at Sydney’s 301 Studios, MCs Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris sampled select tracks from the new record to a small contingent of eager music types. “Some of our closest friends haven’t even heard this stuff yet,” a slightly awkward Suffa told the crowd with a smile. Three years in the making, State of the Art is the follow-up to the Hoods’ #1 album The Hard Road and their first in a new deal between their label Golden Era and Universal Records. They kicked off the sneak peek with album opener The Return, an angry scratch-heavy … Continue reading STATE OF THE ART – Album preview

Illusive Sounds

BLISS N ESO – FLYING TOUR

Jim Steps

Hip-hop trio Bliss N Eso are about to return with their first solo tour in almost a year, and this time they’re upping the ante and tearing the roof off a whole new calibre of venues. Their Flying Colours album, released over a year ago, has amazingly remained in the ARIA Album Charts ever since, and spawned four massive singles in Bullet and a Target, Woodstock 2008, Eye of the Storm and The Sea is Rising. A special 2 disk Deluxe edition of the album entitled Flying Colours Live, has been pushed back till June 12, features a live show … Continue reading BLISS N ESO – FLYING TOUR

Major

PHRASE – CLOCKWORK

Jim Steps

That’s right peeps, its been almost 4 years since his critically acclaimed debut album Talk With Force was unleashed on the world.  Last month Phrase, returned with his long-awaited and highly anticipated sophomore release, “Clockwork”. Featuring guest performances from Wendy Matthews, Jackson Jackson, Bliss N Eso, Daniel Merriweather, Kram, Illy and Max White, Clockwork is without a doubt one of the boldest releases to emerge this year. Debuting in the top 30  CLOCKWORK is already making waves throughout the country! You can grab a free Mp3 download of Clockwork the track via Phrase’s Website. Below is a little extract from … Continue reading PHRASE – CLOCKWORK

Nuffsaid Records, Shogun

D. E. L. T. A. – The Second Story

Jim Steps

The Second Story, Delta tells with help from old friends and new: Mark B, Mojo, The Dap-Kings, Psycho Les, Milano, Prowla and M-Phazes and more. The art apparent on The Lostralian is elevated and polished to perfection. The record excels: darker and more insightful, but at the same time more playful, with verses that have the listener reaching for rewind. In addition, it boasts a production aesthetic that evokes, but never attempts to emulate, the records that originally made hip hop such a powerful force in popular culture. It’s a sound unheard from the southern hemisphere. With The Second Story … Continue reading D. E. L. T. A. – The Second Story

Broken Tooth Entertainment

A TALE OF TWO……Blank Walls

Jim Steps

Here is some cool graf done by DEKSTKP for Ciecmate & Newsenses newly released album A Tale Of Two Cities. These photos were posted on the guys Facebook page. Check out their new album, released on Broken Tooth Entertainment.  A Tale of Two Cities finds the two men on the move at large in different cities, but tackling the same dilemmas. “They’re Watching” is an examination of the modern day surveillance state, “Club Meds” explores the complex world of recreational substance use and “Men Still Moving” is a global nomad’s travelogue. Judiciously selected guests include Billy Bunks on “Codename Cougar”, … Continue reading A TALE OF TWO……Blank Walls

Elefant Tracks

Hellsong – Urthboy

Jim Steps

2009 sees the release of Urthboy’s much anticipated third solo album, Spitshine.  Hellsong seems to be the first single of the album and is already out.  The film clip has already been made ‘Indie Clip of the Week’ on Rage. The animation is comprised of more than 7000 hand-drawn images and was put together by Broken Yellow, working in collaboration with artists from opposite corners of the globe. The clip was also directed by jtv’s own Brendan Doyle. The single launched at the Vanguard on May 20. Expect to see tour dates soon. Spitshine will see Urthboy team up again … Continue reading Hellsong – Urthboy

Illusive Sounds, Uncategorized

BLISS N ESO NOMINATED – 2009 APRA AWARDS

Jim Steps

Bliss n Eso have just been nominated for the 2009 APRA Awards for “Urban Work of the Year – 2009” The nominations for the award are as follows: Bliss N Eso – The Sea Is Rising Bliss N Eso – Woodstock 2008 Jessica Mauboy feat. Flo Rida –Running Back Jade MacRae – In The Basement Joel Turner feat. C4 and KNO – City of Dreams The winner will be announced at the 2009 APRA Music Awards on Tuesday June 23rd. Checkout all the nominations at: http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations.aspx. The 2009 APRA Music Awards will be hosted by Jonathan Biggins and will feature … Continue reading BLISS N ESO NOMINATED – 2009 APRA AWARDS

Peepshow Entertainment, Shogun

WHATS YOUR MALFUNCTION?

Jim Steps

Get set people for a massive tour from the Funkoars. After selling out The Hangover Tour nationwide the Oars are back with the Malfunction Tour. With 28 shows booked around Australia and two massive special guests, Phrase and Vents, this is sure to be huge! Phrase has just dropped his highly anticipated release Clockwork and will be performing with DJ Flagrant and also a live drummer. Vents will also be performing tracks from his first album Hard to Kill. Vents’ always seems to set the stage on fire with his hard hitting tracks. DJ Adfu will be on the turns. … Continue reading WHATS YOUR MALFUNCTION?

Golden Era Records, Major

Just Dropped: Chase That Feeling

Jim Steps

With the new album just on the horizon, Hilltop Hoods are gearing up for a busy few months ahead. The first single Chase That Feeling, is now available for download from your digital music store. Also available is a remix and instrumentals for the original and remix versions.  The single will be released in stores this Friday. If you have yet to see the film clip, check out the Hoods’ Youtube Channel. Track Listing: 1. Chase That Feeling (Radio Edit) 2. Chase That Feeling 3. Chase That Feeling (Instrumental) 4. Chase That Feeling (Remix) 5. Chase That Feeling (Remix Instrumental) … Continue reading Just Dropped: Chase That Feeling