IBMCs Digital Label 2nd 1/4 2018

2018 is proving to be an exceptional year with so many dope projects dropping it’s hard to keep up with everything! The second half of the year will be no less hectic with full length albums coming from DJ Nice, Crimson, Sir Beans OBE & MC Kelz, Uzee The Bovvaking & Grolok Panicrum, These Handz, MG Gost & Hain Teny, a live instrumental project from Ruth Koleva – not to mention more 7 inch action on the way with George Fields and Venom (more announcements on that soon) and the 2nd vinyl LP campaign now in the works for ‘Waking Walk’ Instrumentals.

 

3CNB is a producer from Lithuania, now based in the UK and working on getting the best possible sound for his productions after many years of study. ‘Dilla Thanks’, an homage to one of the greatest Hip Hip producers ever to have lived, was created using samples and elements from Dilla’s work, with 3CNB’s additional melodies giving it the unique twist necessary.

‘Paying Homage to the Golden Era of Hip Hop’ by DJ Jaymob is a special album created by a producer (based in Orlando originally from NYC) who has been on the scene for more than 2 decades already, working with legendary emcees like MF DOOM, Kool Keith and Cappadonna and Wordsworth, who all feature here. An anthology of sorts, Jaymob deserves huge respect for bringing together so many of his connections to pay homage in this way.

Individu & Wispo, a duo from Luxembourg released their album ‘Pulsions’ back in 2015. Individu raps in French working together with Wispo on providing the production. Another great addition to the family, we look forward to an extended reissue of ‘Pulsions’, as well as the Instrumentals which is dropping tomorrow.

Also on the boil we have A Strange Man Called Seb’s debut 12 inch release, Door People/Dorset Diction, a UK banger with production by Easy B and Vosn from Belgium and Poland respectively. The test pressings sound heavy and we can look forward to the vinyl later this year. Stay tuned and be sure to check the action on bandcamp!

https://ibmcs1.bandcamp.com/

MG Gost – Waking Walk Instrumentals vinyl campaign begins

Following the success of the Drumahmental vinyl campaign we are now embarking on our second LP campaign, the instrumentals from MG Gost’s sought after ‘Waking Walk’ album which came out in 2015 (Dusty Platter). The record secured the Hain Teny member’s position as a international producer with a developed jazzy sound, featuring great emcees like Cadence (RIP), Jack Jones (Audessey), Tableek and more, also with additional production from Dirty Hairy and Slone with remixes.

To be released on white vinyl, with full cover art and limited to 200 copies, the Waking Walk Instrumentals vinyl is now available to pre-order on the Qrates site.

https://qrates.com/projects/14429-waking-walk-instrumentals

IBMCs Digital Label first ¼ 2018

Things are really starting to heat up for the label this year, the most recent 3 releases upholding standards and even raising the bar, taking us to new and unexpected territories. As well as these extraordinary blessings from Dark Circle, LRS and D-Tension, we have a whole heap of gems to drop on you in 2018, more about them later…

Firstly, Anglo-German-Jamaican-Icelandic favourites Dark Circle, the duo of Hoycke and Anik who have a long time affiliation with IBMCs, allowed us to release some hidden chambers in the form of this download-only EP. The first project on the label to feature German language raps, the Reunion EP also comes with 2 videos and is a rare window into the murky world of this exceptional group.

LRS is the combination of French producer Jostereo, with Chicago (Paris based) emcee Days, aka 12:51 aka RacecaR, a prolific figure on the underground scene since the days of Modill (see what I did there?) having done numerous collaborations with artists like Soul Square, Sax Machine, Paris DJs, the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra and more. ‘Highs’ is a special reissue version with additional remixes of 2 tracks by Russian (Norway based) producer Constant Elevation, aka C.E.B. and also released on CD.

Thirdly, today we have released the latest album from producer/emcee D-Tension, who needs little introduction, having already solidified his position with his ‘Contacts and Contracts’ albums 1&2 which featured a who’s who of dope US emcees. Once again blessed with amazing features from legends like Diamond D, AG of DITC and Tash of Tha Liks, this is not an album to be slept on. D-Tension has dedicated The Violence of Zen to his friend and long time supporter Dru Garrity who passed away recently.

Support the label by downloading these projects or ordering CDs/vinyl

https://ibmcs1.bandcamp.com/

IBMCs Beats V

IBMCs Beats Archive Vol 5

The IBMCs Beats Archives’ purpose is to showcase talent and serve as a reminder that Hip Hop production and beat making is still alive and well, in multiple global locations and often on wax. The contributors vary from well established producers with 20 years or more experience, to newcomers who deserve an ear. The archives are listen-only projects which allows the contributors to put forward whatever they want, often instrumentals from releases recently put out on vinyl, and links are provided for the possibility of further listening or record buying. 25 individuals sent an instrumental and some words about themselves which you can read on the pages for the beats.

So who is featured? From the UK: Kista runs the Soundweight label, putting out phenomenal records and is well known for his dedication to graffiti. Ghost is a friend from the old days and dedicated craftsmen when it comes to his music. Interestingly I once worked in an office alongside Ghost, and also for the Breakin Bread label which released stuff from Ghost, Tufkut and Tom Caruana, the Brighton based genius behind the not to be slept-on Son of Sam album, Cinder Hill, who also provided a tasty morsel for the archive. Small world. Jonny Cuba is producer (from the mighty Dynamic Syncopation and Soundsci) who I did not work in an office with but makes amazing music nevertheless. Also, from southwest UK, Crispy comes highly recommended (shouts to Biscuit) and we are proud to include him on here.

On Vol 5 we have a prominent jazz influence, although as always there is a variety of styles. As well as 5 beats from artists who have released material on the IBMCs Digital Label; Dr.Drumah from Brazil, Supafuh from France, Americans Tactik and IV The Polymath, plus Serbians Beatchukaz (check their Bricks album which just dropped, review here) and MG Gost who also helped compile this volume and runs the label. We also have beats from affiliates Adept & Rude Lead from Norway (who we will be hearing more about very soon), UK’s Tufkut, Klonazz from Colombia and IceRocks from New York (who all produced remixes for the Worldwide Remix Project), and DJ Nice from Toulouse, France – everyone’s favourite DJ/producer. MAARTN from Belgium is another great beatmaker we’ve always got an ear out for.

Speaking of Belgians, DJ Koss sent an instrumental from his ‘Born to Live’ LP which dropped last year on Below System Records, amazing record. Crazy vinyl is flying out from various labels and places. Scottish Jazz Spastiks have been blazing a trial for a minute and freed up this unreleased gem for us (new record ‘Scratch & Sniff’ reviewed here). Out of Australia comes Must Volkoff with his classic ‘Aquanaut’ double LP (review here) on Pang Productions, and from Moscow Russia, Boora who has released his 2^nd solo project on King Underground, ‘The Art of 10 Seconds’. South American Hip Hop albums on wax are rare and might take a long, long time to reach you but it will be worth it with H-Ico aka Da Funkylooper from Colombia who’s ‘Boombap Language’ album came out this summer featuring a selection of worldwide emcees.

Stateside producers D-Tension and Madsol Desar are also on here. Madsol stays busy DJing and making music, and you will remember D-Tension from his ‘Contacts and Contracts’ vols 1 and 2 albums; he is now releasing his new album “The Violence of Zen’. Last but not least, we were extremely blessed to get a beat from Parisien Parental, the reknowned French producer of Kahlex fame (Akromégalie Records).

The Beats

https://ibmcs.bandcamp.com/album/ibmcs-beats-v

IBMCs in 2017

At the start of the year, more tracks from the Worldwide Remix Project were released, and IBMCs 7 inches 2 and 3, part of the series to be completed this year.

The digital label has seen major progression, with 8 CDs and a 2 vinyl releases now available on bandcamp, a cassette release of Obo’s Chop Suey LP in cooperation with LabOhr, as well as the Qrates crowdfunder campaign for Dr. Drumah’s Drumamental vinyl LP successfully completed and into production…

The first Q&A for a few years got published, with producer du jour Giallo Point, and quite a few reviews of the some of the best albums released this year, one even published on Wordplay magazine’s website.

Thanks to all team members and supporters in 2017, looking forward to this year being as great as we can make it. Peace!

Photo of the year by Nika of Mr Mitchie Williams in Kingston Jamaica with the only copy on the island, Rewind!

Dr.Drumah – Drumamental vinyl campaign begins

The campaign to release Dr.Drumah’s Drumamental album on wax is underway via Qrates and in cooperation with Mr Grim Productions. This beautiful product will be pressed upon us reaching the target of 200 orders, and shipped to supporters all over the globe by early January 2018.

Preorder you copy now by clicking here

IBMCs Digital Label, 2017 final 1/4

The IBMCs Digital Label has grown organically due to a phenomenal work rate from MG Gost and the fantastic contributions of all the artists involved. Building with Alix (Mr.Grim Productions), we have created opportunities for releases on different formats, with 6 CDs already available and options for some cassette (in collaboration with LabOhr) and vinyl releases being put into place now, more on that soon.

Order Obo – Chop Suey on cassette:
https://labohr.bandcamp.com/album/chop-suey

The latest releases come from Serbian duo Beatchukaz and long-time IBMCs affiliate and prolific emcee, Glad2Mecha from Arizona, US. The Beatchukaz ‘Bricks’ is an instrumental excursion (read review), while Glad’s ‘Passport’ project is a truly international affair featuring producers from 10 countries and emcees from Glad’s Building Block Records family. ‘Passport’ will also be the first in a series of reissued albums featuring additional mixes from label affiliates.

Order CDs:
https://www.facebook.com/MR.GRIM.Productions/

Finally coming soon are the reissues of 3 releases by Finn Peters, the highly acclaimed jazz musician/producer/all round genius. After extensive negotiations we are delighted to find a home for these projects now on bandcamp (which all had vinyl releases) and also have copies of Rif/Mali EPs, (2xLP) a few copies of Purple/Yellow (10inch) and even copies of the Music Of The Mind album available on CD.

If you think that’s a lot to keep up with, well 2018 will be even crazier and this year is not over yet! As always, many thanks to all the contributors and supporters of the label as we expand – onwards and upwards!

And be sure to follow the progress here!
https://ibmcs1.bandcamp.com/

IBMCs Discography

 

IBMCs Digital Label:

 

 

Compilations:

IBMCs Vinyl:

IBMCs Affiliate Releases:

The Worldwide Remix Project:

IBMCs: Worldwide Remixes vol. 1

IBMCs: Worldwide Remixes vol. 2

Digital label:

Innate & EP – Such as I

Kespar – Voie Off

Hain Teny – Daily Routine

IV The Polymath – Drum Machines Have No Soul

I.Deals – Spill

Tactik – Limitless

Supafuh DJ Nero DJ Brasco – Magnetik

Nonstop – Rare Pearl

Dr.Drumah – Drumahmental

V-Zion – Living Circles

Obo One – Chop Suey

Beatchukaz – Bricks

Glad2Mecha – Passport

Dr  Seus – The Rif/Mali EPs

Bansuri – (epon)

Finn Peters – Purple/Yellow

LRS – ‘Highs’

Dark Circle – Reunion EP

D-Tension – The Violence Of Zen

3CNB – Dilla Thanks

Compilations:

IBMCs Digital Label Selection Vol.1

De Rauwe School Mixtape Deel 1

De Rauwe School Mixtape Deel 2

Vinyl:

IBMCs 7 inches 1,2 & 3 (Worldwide Remixes)

Dr Drumah – Drumahmental LP (IBMCSLP001)

Affiliate Releases:

George Fields – From The Sticks (Under the Sun)

George Fields – Glad to Meet You (Under the Sun)

George Fields – Beyond Realm (Under the Sun)

Kid Called Quest – Presents Put Your Headphones on 585

Kid Called Quest/Golden – Young Black & Gifted PMS

Kid Called Quest – Samplaholic vol 2

Cryptochrome – Cryptochrome (Def Con)

DJ Veekash – The Outsiders

Whatson – Detour EP

M.W.P. – Metalface Peterson EP

Remulak/M9/Skriblah Dan Gogh – High Life 7 inch (Village Live)

Adept & Rude Lead – The EP (Stew Studio)

These Handz ft NBS – worldwide beer spilla

IBMCs Worldwide Remix Project

IBMCs Worldwide Remix Project EPs vols 1-10 and vol X

IBMCs Digital Label, 3rd 1/4 2017

Things are happening fast. First up we got Obo’s Chop Suey album for you, a great project from a producer who has made more tracks for IBMCs than any other. Obo’s a dedicated craftsmen who knows what he likes, has a great ear for samples and sounds and we are proud to have his music on the label. Chop Suey will be made available on CD soon but for now check the technique.

https://ibmcs1.bandcamp.com/album/chop-suey

Thanks to Alix in Melbourne we are now able to make CDs for our digital releases. Starting with IBMCs Digital Label Selection Vol. 1 and Hain Teny’s Daily Routine –  (available now) – we have many more coming and will launching a store for these some time in the future.

More dope releases coming soon on the IBMCs Digital label, thanks to everyone for their support.

IBMCs & Arabic Hip Hop

This article is about Arabic Hip Hop – specifically about rap in the Arabic language. There is a lot to be said about the political, social and cultural changes in recent history in the countries Arabic Hip Hop comes from (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine and more) that would require a longer explanation and more expertise in the subject. This piece is intended only as an introduction to rap in Arabic, touching on some of the important releases and well-known artists since the movement began in the 90s. As well as my own research into Arabic Hip Hop online and in Morocco, IBMCs has been extremely fortunate to have other researchers provide materials and a more comprehensive understanding of Arabic Hip Hop music. This of course comes about first by understanding the Arabic language and secondly by experiencing the culture which creates the sound and just as important – by studying the music itself.

(Boikutt,- حيوان ناطق  ) (2013) (Palestine)

IBMCs members have travelled extensively in Arabic countries, especially my brother Al who lived in Syria, Libya and Dubai, and Delta9 who has spent a lot of time in Morocco. Al speaks fluent Arabic and has collected many Hip Hop CDs on his travels. On our last trip to Morocco together in 2005 we scoured the streets of Fez and Rabat for signs of Hip Hop and collected a stack of music, from Moroccan artists and Algerians who rap mainly in Arabic but also often in French. The quality of a lot of it is dubious, keyboard produced beats and not-quite-there raps, well intended and sometimes listenable but nevertheless providing an insight into the early days of North African Hip Hop artists and rap in Arabic.

 

As well as these examples of underground Arabic Hip Hop, an awareness of more mainstream groups and artists began with French Algerian groups like M.B.S. who released the classic ‘Le Micro Brise Le Silence’ in 1999, and Intik’s ‘La Victoire’ in 2001. Tunisiano from the group Sniper also dropped verses in Arabic on the groups first 2 albums (Pris Pour Cible (2000), Entre Deux (2003)). The Algerap compilation album (Virgin France, 1999) is also an essential piece of the puzzle (one of the better groups featured on that compilation, Hamma, released 2 great tracks on ‘The Power of Unity’ compilation album as well (2000)). Clotaire K was the first Lebanese Hip Hop artist on wax (‘Lebanese Shortcut’, 2002).

Palestinian group Dam released their classic ‘Dedication’ in 2006 which made a lot of noise and helped provide a platform for more great Arabic Hip Hop artists like Shadia Mansour, Omar Offendum, Salah Edin and many others. Arabic rap in the Netherlands began with artists like Ali B, although Moroccans had already played a major part in the early years of Dutch Hip Hop. In 2009 Salah Edin released his album ‘Horr’, rapping in Arabic with hopes of expanding the reach of his music to Middle Eastern and North African countries and setting a new standard of Arabic Hip Hop generally (he recently quit rap and now does spoken word).

More recent Arabic Hip Hop artists I can recommend are Tunisia’s Medusa (her track ‘Naheb N3ch Hyati’ appeared on the Sawtuha compilation album (2014)), and Tripnol, an experimental collaborative Hip Hop album from Beirut, Lebanon (2013). The Khat Thaleth compilation is also a great album to check for (Stronghold Sound, 2013). Finally, another figure who cannot go unrecognized for his input in the Arabic Hip Hop scene is Lebanese DJ Lethal Skillz who has put in considerable work promoting many artists and pushing the movement forward.

(pictured: DJ Lethal Skillz, Shadia Mansour, Omar Offendum, Medusa)

I also recommend this book Arabic Graffiti for further study