I’ve spoken before about my enthusiasm for the work of Ohio MC/Producer Blueprint, and so a new album from him is reason alone for me to kick our Canadian music policy to the curb for a posting. I’ve only just got my hands on Deleted Scenes, but I already love what I hear.
‘Print has fine-tuned his production style into this blend of live instrumentation and electronics that sounds thoroughly modern, yet unmistakeably references classic hip hop sounds. His flow is as engaging as ever and his subject matter still focuses on issues real folks can relate to. He also utilizes sung vocals, his own as well as those of a number of female collaborators, in a really organic way – plus, there’s a talkbox guest spot from Zapp’s Terry Troutman (RIP Roger Troutman). In fact his somewhat-out-of-leftfield cover of Radiohead’s Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box is one of the album’s highlights for me. Check the awesome video for it below and judge for yourself.
As if a new Blueprint album wasn’t more than enough reason for a post, and trust me, it is (I could listen to stuff like the awesome Bartenders all day long), it seems ‘Print is going on an extensive tour and bring Toronto’s king of the MPC Fresh Kils with him. The tour covers the entire month of November, and our American readers should find a date somewhere on this extensive list of dates to check out the tour (Canuck-wise, only those in Ontario will be abl to catch them). My enthusiasm for Kils’ work is easily equal to that of Blueprint, so this should be an amazing show which I’d highly encourage you to attend if you get the chance. As a previous Red Bull Sound Battle Royale winner, Kils skills on the MPC speak for themselves, but check the vid below to see his latest routine which features him flipping the Double Dragon theme.