Easter weekend. Four days off and very few excuses not to record a podcast so here it is. Heavily inspired by the ritual bank holiday dig through the collection, a selection taking in rootikal dubwise, golden age pirate radio anthems, fresh boom-bap and forthcoming 130 BPM sub bass excursions…..enjoy:

Download Duke Etienne Podcast #17

The Observers//Organ Satta
Big Youth//Love Jah Jah Children
Horace Andy//Lets Live In Love
Jah Bunny & Ras Elroy meet Dougie Conscious//Dub 2
King Tubby//Antique Dub
ELUCID//Laser Days
SBTRKT//Inamillion
Blackpocket//U’re a Star (Martyn Remix)
Hem ft. Terrible Shock//On a Mission (Shortstuff Remix)
Ragga Twins//18″ Speaker
Pursuit Grooves//Whisper
U.N.I. ft. H.O.P.E & Shawn Jackson//Cali Soul
Ski Beatz ft. Mos Def//24 Hour Karate School
Bullion//Don’t Talk
Madlib//Floating Soul
Dabrye//Magic Says
Chico Mann//Levanta
Pursuit Grooves//Cosy
Portformat ft. Blaktroniks//It’s On (Swede:art Remix)
Erykah Badu//Turn Me Away (Get MUNNY)
Georgia Ann Muldrow//So Far
Ski Beatz ft. Mos Def & Whosane//Taxi

Once a hot issue for any self-respecting hip-hop politicker, the female MC has painstakingly defined and evolved her role as a wordsmith in the yang heavy arena that is global Hip-Hop. I’m pretty picky when it comes to MCs, always have been. I got to come true and admit that the high pitched squeaks of a lot of female MCs weren’t really talking to me. Of course, there were always exceptions. Ladies like MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Moni Love and Bahamadia knew how to rock it the right way.

This might be controversial, but I think that the some of our current female MCs game is so high that their male counterparts need to catch up. Take Georgia Ann Muldrow…beats on point, rhymes in check and harmonies out of tune but somehow just right. Stacey Epps is another example. Forward thinking rhythms underpin tuff rhymes and angelic song. As we all know, its a handful of male MCs that have mastered the art of song…

Not shy around women, Emergence Media bring us The Revival, a candid glimpse into the first meeting of legendary Hip-Hop pioneer Roxanne Shante and veteran Philly emcee Bahamadia, as they trade stories of their struggles and triumphs in the industry over their long careers. The beauty of the film is that it doesn’t stop there. One of the most important exchanges in any community is that between the past and the future. The Revival facilitates communication between these two vets and new school Hip Hop torchbearers DJ Shortee, Eternia, Stacy Epps, and Invincible. In fact, the documentary was actually filmed by Invincible while on the road in Europe as part of the We-B Girlz all women independent Hip-Hop tour. The largest all female Hip-Hop tour of its kind.

Check it out and let us know your thoughts…

THE REVIVAL from EMERGENCE Media on Vimeo.

It would be interesting to get some feedback on these two videos taken at G&D’s recent Fat Beats Instore. Personally, once i’d got out of the frame of mind that I was watching them purely to see a musical performance, then I was in a space where I could respect and resonate with the content. The truth is difficult to deliver, especially without a backing track, so I thought it was refreshing to see two Hip Hop anchored artists speak out, loud and clear for what they believe. I think once upon a time that used to be the true role of a musician, to accurately reflect and positively influence his/her environment. Sometimes the sermon thing gets a bit much so I look to instrumentals for my teachings but there’s nothing more powerful than the word….word? Get back to us with your thoughts. Respect to Culture King for the footage…

I’m a big fan of artists whose work is clearly motivated by a higher source. Don’t get me wrong, my tastes run wide and deep. I don’t get on tracks just because they mention spiritual concepts, but if they’re hot, and their gaze is inward, then it’s me all the way. Both Georgia-Ann Muldrow and Dudley Perkins tick those boxes in my book. They’ve been bringing that spiritual funk from the mothership for a minute now and show no signs of giving it up.

Heads amongst you will be aware that both Dudley’s recently dropped Holy Smokes long player and Georgia’s Umsindo album are currently in stores. I stopped over at Fresh Selects and found a couple of previews from Dudley’s mammoth 26 track offering which I think you should hear. I also found this download for those in the mood for some freeness:

Dudley Perkins – Boogie (ft.Georgia Ann Muldrow & Darryl Moore

If you like that, its all about supporting by putting your money where your mouse is and clicking these links to cop both offerings. Both albums are released on their indie imprint SomeOthaShip so if you like what your hear please complete the cycle and give so you can continue receiving.

Georgia Ann Muldrow – Umsindo

Dudley Perkins – Holy Smokes

Also, you might wanna click here and here for nice, in-depth interviews with Dudley and Georgia respectively courtesy of the LA Record.

For the throwback crew here’s that ‘Money’ vid from way back when….I know Mr Segundo is on this one…