Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 1

Well into their forties hip-hop/alternative band The Beastie Boys (Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D) aren't done making music quite yet. They're about to release their eight studio album with an upcoming record called "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1", scheduled for release on September 15th, 2009. The track "Too Many Rappers" was recently debuted which features Nas as a guest emceee. Check it out on the YouTube still video below. Also on the album will be relatively new sensation, Santigold. The Beasties will also be releasing some reissues including 1998's Hello Nasty as a two-CD or vinyl box set. The last album we heard from the trio came in 2007 but was only instrumental form on "The Mix-Up". 2004 provided their last full album with rapping on it, "To the 5 Boroughs" so this new one will be a much-welcomed treat for fans. Check out the full track listing below, as well as Smoking Section's interview with The Beastie Boys. Track listing for Hot Sauce Committee Part 1: 01. "Tadlock's Glasses" 02. "B-Boys In The Cut" 03. "Make Some Noise" 04. "Nonstop Disco Powerpack" 05. "OK" 06. "Too Many Rappers" (featuring Nas) 07. "Say It" 08. "The Bill Harper Collection" 09. "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" (featuring Santigold) 10. "Long Burn The Fire" 11. "Bundt Cake" 12. "Funky Donkey" 13. "Lee Majors Come Again" 14. "Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament" 15. "Pop Your Balloon" 16. "Crazy A** S***" 17. "Here's A Little Something For Ya" Hard to believe these guys are still going. It will definitely make the connoisseurs of their decades ago "Licensed to Ill" product feel old...

3 Under the Radar Albums

That's the beauty of underground hip-hop, there's some stuff you don't really see publicized and might not discover unless you really dig deep. You can find some of the best stuff just poking around iTunes. I was checking out their music store the other night and noticed a few albums I hadn't heard of or known much about. It might have been due to little publicity or maybe I was just sleeping on these but they definitely sound top notch based on the few preview tracks I heard. Army of the Pharaohs: Ritual of Battle This is an album presented by Jedi Mind Tricks, a sort of "meet our other rappers coming up" album. I discovered the Jedi group just last year on the "Servants in Heaven" album which I reviewed. The lyrics and beats they come up with are pure genius, using chilling symphonies and even children's music type vocals. This new album appears to feature their group member Vinnie Paz on most of the tracks and spotlights newer underground heads rapping. From the preview sounds, the beats are no let down, and most reviews indicated this album is worth the listen or buy. I also noticed an iTunes review titled, "Kanye's Graduation $9.99, this album - priceless". Jedi Mind Tricks Presents Army Of The Pharaohs MP3 album at Amazon.com. For Whom the Beat Tolls by Canibus A guy who should never slip under the radar, he's always been underrated, believe it or not. I've enjoyed his stuff since the early albums and the Mike Tyson cameo video he had during his beef with LL. He seemed to suffer from the lack of top production on his albums to accompany his wordplay. This album sounds more like it might be a mixtape of sorts, but again, great beats heard in the previews and Canibus is one of the most underrated lyricists in the game. It's 15 tracks deep with songs under 3 minutes and then some over 11 minutes long, including guest spots from Vinnie Paz (Jedi), Killa Priest and K-Solo. Overall, this may be the best of the 3 from what I heard. Getback by Little Brother This one probably just says I've been sleeping, because I should have known it was out. In fact I recall a friend telling me this would be their first outing without the skills of highly talented producer, 9th Wonder. This album's fairly new, and Little Brother is a group who raps in the tradition of some of my favorites including Jungle Brothers, De La Soul and Tribe. From the reviews I saw on Itunes, customers are liking this one, and alot. Some calling it another classic. I noticed a few head nodding tracks and this might be the type of album to grow on me. Getback [Explicit] MP3 album at Amazon.com. There you have 3 hip hop albums to check out while you're waiting for Jay-Z's much anticipated "American Gangster" to drop.

Jay-Z Album Coming Nov 2!

Hola Hovita, the superman himself Jay Hova will be back again with a new album and quickly. The Nov 2nd release hopefully will be an improvement on his comeback-from-retirement release "Kingdom Come" which was a flop according to many critics and Jigga fans. According to E.com: American Gangster has been slated for a Nov. 6 release, following the opening of the identically monikered Oscar-bait movie on Nov. 2. But while the album will be released in conjunction with the Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe flick, it will be separate from the film's official soundtrack. Instead, Jay-Z says his opus will be a complement, featuring a "musical journey and lyrical interpretation" of the flick, which centers on the true story of New York drug kingpin turned informant Frank Lucas. "It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a backstory to the story," he told the New York Times, adding that he began work on his first concept album after being particularly moved by an early screening of the movie. "Watching that film, it brought back all these memories. It took me back to those emotions." The emcee has so far completed nine tracks, each inspired by a specific scene in the movie. Titles include "No Hook" and "Blue Magic," which was produced by Pharrell and will serve as the first single. Already Jay has a track circulating the internet called "Blue Magic" which is produced by Pharrell Williams and has a laid back gritty beat with Jay's usual lyrical skills lacing it. Hopefully Jay will have some top notch producers on board in addition to Pharrell for this new album. Let's hope for Kanye, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and maybe even DJ Premiere or Swizz Beats on this album. Long live Hova!

Return of the Wu - 11/13

Believe the hype, Wu-Tang Clan will be back this November with a brand new album. Not the greatest hits or unreleased tracks type, but a complete album entitled "The 8 Diagrams". From Billboard.com: "George Harrison's son Dhani and funk legend George Clinton are among the guests on the Wu-Tang Clan's first album in six years, "The 8 Diagrams," due Nov. 13 via Wu Music Group/Loud/SRC/Universal. Billboard.com previewed eight unmastered tracks from the project today (Sept. 7), including "My People Gently Weeps," which features Harrison and an interpolation of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Clinton pops up on the fast, old-school-sounding "Wolves," a showcase for group member U-God." Full article here. It's exciting news in that RZA is one of the top producers in the game and always brings solid tracks. Add to that the lyrical abilities of each of the members of Wu as well as a tribute track to Ol Dirty Bastard and you have the potential for another Wu banger classic.

Halloween Releases

It's only appropriate that on the day of all the tricks, treats, ghouls and goblins that Flavor Flav releases a 20 track LP entitled "Hollywood". The government should be taking names and addresses of anyone who buys this full length album, because they can't be right in the head. It was cool to hear Flav throw in his 2 cents now and again on hooks or in between Chuck D rhymes, but a whole cd of Flav could drive even the most sane person insane. Another curious release is the self proclaimed biggest midget in the game, Lady Sovereign, who is considered a gamble of a signing by Def Jam and Jay-Z. She raps with a British accent (hailing from England), and has an Eminem-like rhyme style with humorous stories and lines. This may work well for those who adore the anthem "Love Me or Hate Me", but it may annoy others. Time will tell how much she sells the people on her character. Finally, there are two old school legends who used to be part of 2 man crews, releasing new solo albums. A.G. was part of the underground rap crew Showbiz and A.G., and releases a new solo entitled "Get Dirty Radio". CL Smooth, from Pete Rock and CL Smooth releases his album "American Me" which sounds like it may be a sleeper.