NEWS

December 30, 2003

Just before the end of 2003, there's some interesting Quannum information that y'all should know. Here we go:

DJ Shadow contributed to the new NIGO album

A few years ago, in the shadows of the UNKLE / Psyence Fiction album, there was an album released by NIGO.

Nigo is a successful clothing designer whose "Bathing Ape" brand has achieved a cult-like following in his hometown of Tokyo and throughout the rest of the fashion conscious world. During the early '90s Nigo spent time drumming with Japanese punk band Tokyo Sex Pistols. Nigo produced an album for Mo' Wax, the multitalented designer called in Major Force West Masayuki Kudo (aka KUDO), who promptly relocated from London to Tokyo to help run his fledgling studio and co-produce his debut LP "APE SOUNDS"

>> Click here to download the track "March of The General"

Good news: there's another NIGO album coming up in Januray, called (B)APE SOUNDS - the news gets better: It features some production by DJ Shadow as well as the cream of the Japanese hip-hop crop. And the Neptunes.

Nigo links - Epitonic.com / Beggars.com

click here to read about this album at the solesides forum

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More:

There's an interview with Jakeone, who did some production for the upcoming Gift of Gab Album "Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up" at superhappywax.com

click here to read it right now.

click here for info on the upcoming GAB album

December 24, 2003

Two days in a row filled with HOT Quannum news just isn't enough,- there's more!!

DJ Shadow is in the hip hop section of URB magazine, dropping his 5 favorite crunk records of 2003 and compares the beatmaking to the bombsquad when they came out.. its pretty cool

Click here to read Shadow's reviews.

<Thanks to Origami and Johnny Ryall from the INFLUX mailinglist for this>

December 23, 2003

From QUANNUM, you can expect the following + more in 2004;

DJ SHADOW: On the heels of his first album in six years, 2002's "The Private Press," DJ Shadow is working on a third compilation of rare soul and R&B tracks, in the vein of such prior releases as "Schoolhouse Funk" and "Mickey and the Soul Generation." No release date has yet been pegged down for the collection  Expect  "some super-secret crate-digging shenanigans"

GIFT OF GAB: Solo album "Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up" sports a guest spot by Vursatyl of Lifesavas.

MAROONS(Lateef&The Chief): EP AMBUSH -  in March, followed by a full-length later in the year.

BLACKALICIOUS: Xcel and Gab have begun work on the next Blackalicious album, called "The Craft"

Further Quannum projects: remix albums for both Lifesavas and Lyrics Born, with confirmed participation from Morcheeba, Jay-Dee, Ugly Duckling and Dilated Peoples' Evidence. Lyrics Born's collaborator/fiancee Joyo Velarde is two-thirds finished with her solo debut.

Nearly every artist on the roster Quannum Projects has signed on for an April North American tour. This will feature DJ Shadow, Blackalicious' Chief Xcel and Gift of Gab performing together and solo, Lifesavas, Joyo Velarde and Latryx's Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker - In addition, Xcel spearheaded a mix of Fela Kuti material for the French label Barclay, which Quannum will release sometime in 2004.

 

(according to billboard.com who quoted Isaac - Quannum)

December 22, 2003

To get y'all even more excited for the upcoming solo album from Gift Of Gab (from Blackalicious), here is a review of the 12" that has just recenly been released;

Gift of Gab - The Writz/Just Because 12"
When mentioning the best duos in Hip Hop, Blackalicious should never be forgotten. Over the past few years, they've given us an underground classic in the form of Nia, and a major label debut in Blazing Arrow which actually lived up to expectations. Anyone who can deal with a major and seemingly maintain creative control gets props from me. Gift of Gab is the incredible MC at the helm of Blackalicious, known for his wordplay and constant barrage of lyrics, never slowing down. He also mixes in his solid singing voice and has a sense of vocal creativity and flair. If you don't believe me, just check a track like "Chemical Calestenics" on Blazing Arrow.

Gift of Gab's solo venture starts off with "The Writz ". It's GOG's take on a song that is about as far from Hip Hop as you can get, but as usual he blends different genres into a package that fans can appreciate. If anything, you have to respect the insane rhyme scheme that he maintains in his first verse. It's the type of track that could get serious radio play since it's a take on a recognizable pop song, combined with Gab's charisma. The B-Side is traditional compared to the previous song, but has all of the characteristics you've come to expect from a Gift of Gab track. "Just Because" is definitely more of a verbal and lyrical attack. As a listener, it's often hard to keep up with the pace he sets.
(reviewed by Andy from artofrhyme.com)

audioclips:

Click here to listen to the track "Just Because"

Click here to listen to the track "Rat Race" as played on WFMU radio

The Gift of Gab solo album is called "Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up" and will be released early 2004.

Check the Blackalicious section to read more about this awesome upcoming QUANNUM release.

December 16, 2003

More pictures from the Quannum gig in Rotterdam, The Netherlands from September 20, have been added to the site.

It are pretty good black&white pictures taken by Sam De Groot (aka Orange @ the solesides.com forum)

Click here to check them out right now!

December 10, 2003

Lyrics Born has done so much for us; he's given us the dopest form of funk&hiphop, he's great at live shows, he co-runs the mighty QUANNUM label and there's more to come. It's time to do something back. Click here for a personal message from Mr Lyrics Born himself - where he askes y'all a favor.

Let's make it all happen right here right now!

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Also, new Lifesavas pictures are added to the site. The people from Superhappywax did it again.

Check the pictures section or just click here to watch the pictures

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Finally, Check UNKLE77.COM to download the full video for UNKLE / Guns Blazin' (produced by DJ Shadow)

December 9, 2003

GIFT OF GAB - FOURTH DIMENSIONAL ROCKETSHIPS GOING UP

The solo album from Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious)  is coming to earth, early 2004. This album will end up high in the top lists of 2004, that's for sure! Expect seriously dope rhymes from Gab and awesome beats by Vitamin D.

For the people who can't wait another month, here's the tracklisting (click on underlined to listen):

1. The Ride of Your Life 2.58

2. Rat Race 2.51

3. Way of The Light (feat. Vursatyl of Lifesavas) 4.22

4.  Stardust 3.15

5. Flashback 3.04

6. Up 1.53

7. The Writz 3.45

8. To Know You 3.29

9. Real MCs (feat. Vursatyl of Lifesavas)  3.56

10. Hold On 1.01

11. In A Minute Doe 2.58

12. Evolution 2.53

13. Moonshine 4.00

14. Ride on 2.28

bonus (cd)

15. Just Because 3.34

Pictures of the promo-cd:

front  - back

December 6, 2003

The Vibes section is updated!

It's  nearly the end of the year. Traditionally the time that people start looking back on the past 12 months. Let's look back on the year in music.

Please send in your favorite 10 albums of 2003. There are two ways to do that:

1. By posting on the "best of 2003" thread at the forum - Click here

2. By emailing your top 10 - click here

The entries will be posted in theVibes  section.

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November 30, 2003

Lyrics Born, Joyo Velarde and DJ D-Sharp just got back home from the CaliCom tour, and they did a live radio performance in Seattle at KEXP radio

Click to listen;

Windows media 20kbps

Windows media 96kbps

Windowsmedia 150kpbs

Real-audio

< Click here for exact page at kexp.org >

Alongside the live performance, LB was interviewed and he mentioned that there is a Later That Day remix album coming out in 2004.

<< Many thanks to Joyo Velarde for this info >>

November 27, 2003

Quite some good music interviews are available for download. Y'all are definately interested in the following (click to download):

DJ Shadow

Blackalicious

DJ Format

Jurassic 5

and:

Chuck D (Public Enemy)

Common

Guru (Gang Star)

Howie B

Last Poets

The Roots

Radiohead

UNKLE

Most interviews are done by the people of radiostation KINKFM

interviews powered by toazted.com

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Loads of pictures of Lifesavas from the Brainstorm battle last weekend are available at superhappywax.com. Click here to check them out.

Pictures are taken by Jeff Kirk from Seattle.

Also, There are Lyrics Born pictures from the 360vinyl / In Store Performance (November 21) at superhappywax.com

Click here to check them out

< thanks to superhappywax.com / 360vinyl.com >

November 26, 2003

Not like y'all don't already know how great DJ Shadow's 1996 album "Endtroducing..." is, but over at Pitchfork it was ranked 7th on the top 100 albums of the 90's. Click here

Over at Nefisa.co.uk, there's a review of Endtroducing. Click here to check that one out.

Thanks to Y. Misdaq and "Nodig"  for this.

November 20, 2003

Lyrics Born on your MTV....!!

On MTV's  "You Hear it first" there was an item about Lyrics Born and his connection with Quannum. It was a 2 minute video and it also features Blackalicious and DJ Shadow

Click here to check it out. There are a couple of cool pictures and you can watch the video as well.

November 19, 2003

There are a few tiny things regarding DJ Shadow that are worth mentioning here at solesides.com;

DJ Shadow was at the release party in the UK for the new Midwest Funk compilation. Cut Chemist was playing at the party. Shadow was in the UK "to meet some people"

Check the various section to learn more about this release, which is the follow up to the "Texas Funk" compilation, which was compiled by DJ Shadow.

Also, it seems that DJ Shadow hasn't stopped searching for good funk records. Accoording to Recordsbymail.com this are Shadow's favorite funk releases of the moment:

• Cookin' Bag: The Song I Sing

• Fantastic Soul Revue: Just Plain Soul (Crescent-City)

• The 6 Degrees South: Loving You Is To Far Out (Six Degrees South)

• Chocolate Snow: Inflation (Sal-Wa)

• The Wallace Brothers: What-Cha Feel Is What-Cha Get (Walbro)

• Everyday People: Get Next To You (Soundtech)

• Tony Northern: Hand Down The Law (Ariel)

• Deloris Ealey: Deloris Is Back With Jerome And His Band (Big Vick Hammond)

• The Black Conspirators: Just Got To Be Free (Get Down)

• Harrison and the Majestic Kind: Can You Fine Me Love (Coin)

< Thanks to Cal James for this info >

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Again...new pictures are added to the site. This time pictures of the Livesavas live in Ashland. Go to the pictures section to check them out, or just click here

Big thanks to Lafa Taylor for sending in this pictures. Don't hesitate to email if you have some pictures to offer as well

November 15, 2003

Finally, the new 12" single from Gift of Gab has been released. It's "The Writz" - The Gift of Gab album "Fourth Dimensional Rocket Going Up", will be released in January.

Listen to soundclips;

The Writz / Just Because

Can't wait to hear more? Click here to download the track "Rat Race" as performed live by Gift of Gab in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, September 20 2003. To hear the full Quannum gig, check out the audio/video section

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The Vibes section is updated. This time, items about a very special album from Tokyodawn records and a new release on Ninjatune by Diplo.  Check it out!

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Also, there's a new weekly download available. It's the track "Fantasy World" by James Knight and the Butlers. This is the original sample as used by DJ Shadow for the track "Mongrel...Meets His Maker"

November 13, 2003

New pictures are added to the site. It are very cool pictures of the Livesavas live in Eugene. Go to the pictures section to check them out, or just click here

Big thanks to Lafa Taylor for sending in this pictures. Don't hesitate to email if you have some pictures to offer as well

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In Quannum related news;  Vitamin D, the DJ/Producer who did the beats for the upcoming Gift of Gab album "Fourth Dimensional Rocket Going Up", has recently released a 12" - It's No Good / Touch Da Sky. Click here to check that out and to listen to audioclips. Don't blame me for getting over-excited for the upcoming Gift of Gab album - it's gonna be hot!!

November 6, 2003

The  "Vibes" section has been updated. In the October 19 news here at solesides.com, you could already read about this new section.

Now, it's time for Vibes 2.

Thanks for all the positive feedback on this subject. Feel free to email any feedback you have, or post it on the solesides.com forum

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In Quannum news;  Jumbo the Garbageman, from the Lifesavas Has just finished some production for Libretto. Libretto is one sixth of the Misfit Massive Crew. Jumbo, Vursatyle and Rev. Shines from Quannum's own Lifesavas belong to that crew as well. So it's only right that Libretto steps to the front to do some light grabbing himself. Jumbo already has produced songs like "Dirty Thangs" for Libretto.

They have just finished Libretto's new 12" 'VOLUME' featuring the Lifesavas, which is out in Jan/Feb. Libretto's record will be finished by December and ot should be out in April.

Info on Libretto is at Urbansmarts.com and one-drop recordings

To download "Dirty Thangs" - produced by Jumbo from Lifesavas, click here

<< Thanks to Jumbo from the Lifesavas for this info - y'all read it first at solesides.com! >>

November 3, 2003

There's a really good interview with DJ Shadow at remixmag.com. It Unveils a bit how The Private Press and his other work was made. Click here to check it out.

Thanks to bod from the mowax.com messageboard for mentioning this.

October 30, 2003

A new QUANNUM Challenge has been added to the street team page, check it out right now and do everything you can do to help!

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Here's something else that all you Quannum / DJ Shadow fans might be interested in:

Following the critically acclaimed Texas Funk album that was released last year, a new compilation will be released on jazzman records. Texas Funk is a compilation, compiled by DJ Shadow and others.  The CD featured Properly researched liner notes including an introduction by DJ Shadow.

The new compilation will be called Midwest Funk.

This time, all time crate-digging friend of DJ Shadow, Dante Carfagna
did the liner notes. Malcolm Catto, who joined DJ Shadow on last years' "The Private Press" tour, helped Dante compiling this album.

More info can be found in the various section here at solesides.com, as well as on the jazzman records website.

Friday, 14 november, there is a release party of this album. Guests are

CUT CHEMIST (JURASSIC 5, DJ SHADOW/Brainfreeze-Product Placement)
EGON (STONES THROW RECORDS, USA)
SHARON JACKSON & THE SOUL DESTROYERS (LIVE)
DANTE CARFAGNA (WAX POETICS, MEMPHIX RECORDS USA)
THE LEGENDARY KEB DARGE (DEEP FUNK)
IAN WRIGHT (SISTER FUNK)
FRYER (MOTHERFUNK)
JASON STIRLAND (SOUL BROTHER RECORDS)
JAMES TROUBLE (DEEPFUNK.ORG) 
 

check www.jazzmanrecords.co.uk for more info

October 24, 2003

 Photos from the San Francisco Wax Poetics Issue #6 Release Party are added to solesides.com The party featured DJ sets and performances by special guests from the Quannum Crew, including DJ SHADOW!
 

Wax Poetics is a magazine that gives you confidence that the music business is in good hands. Beautiful visuals, intelligent informed articles on great subjects. Wax Poetics makes reading about records as fun as digging for them! In  issue 6  there are articles on sun ra, bad medicine, eugene mcdaniels, 45 king, danny krivit, futura and lots more.

click here for the pictures

website; waxpoetics.com

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Also, some photos from the Lyrics Born amoeba in-store performance are added to the site. Click here!

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There's a Lifesavas interview @ thegiantpeach.com - not very new, but still nice. Click here to read.

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(thanks, ryan / www.thegiantpeach.com )

October 19, 2003

A new section has been added to solesides.com, it's called "Vibes"

It keeps y'all informed on anything that goes on in the world of music. Mostly, new album recommendations and reviews can be found there.  It's a special addition to the site, which should become quite interesting for everyone. The page will be updated a couple of times a month. Of course, y'all will read about updates here.

Check out the Vibes right now and be sure to say what you think of this addition at the solesides.com forum

October 18, 2003

Click here for the pictures

more new  pictures:

- Blackalicious Live @ Chrystal Ballroom, sept 03 page 1 - 2 - 3

- Livesavas - Pearl, Northampton Oct 14, 03

Thanks to M.I.C. / thegiantpeach.com  / superhappywax.com

October 15, 2003

More Quannum live pictures online! In the October 7 news there was already mentioned that there are several Quannum pictures added to the site. Now, BPA from boom-bap.com posted even more shots from the September 27 gig at london.

Check them out here  (and click on flicks)

October 12, 2003

At Villagevoice.com, there is an article on Lyrics Born and his new album  "Later That Day" Check it out!

Also, quite some articles about other than Quannum artists have been added to solesides.com. Hop over to the articles section, and scroll to the bottom of the page to read all of it. It are articles about RJD2, Madlib, EL-P, Beastie Boys, Autechre, Boards of Canada, David Axelrod, DJ Krush and more!

October 7, 2003

The wait for Lyrics Born's album "Later That Day" is over! Today, it has been released, so run to your local record store to get this funky, slammin', hoppin', bangin' album. Check the Lyrics Born section for more info on the album and to listen to audioclips. Don't forget about Lyricsborn.com either!

Also, be sure to check out the hiphop compilation album "We Came From Beyond 2" as it has the track "Government Cheese" by the Lifesavas on it, as well as "Matter of Time" by Lateef&The Chief (Maroons)

Click here for a review of it at hiphop-elements.com

soundclips;

> Lifesavas - Government Cheese <

> Maroons - Matter of Time <

And finally today;

Loads of new pictures have been added to the site;

Various Lyrics Born pictures

 Blackalicious live @ Alberta September 2003

QUANNUM live gig in London, September 27, 2003

October 1, 2003

Lyrics Born is on the cover of this week's SF Bay Guardian / click here for the article on Lyrics Born.

(from the quannum news letter)

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At Nefisa.co.uk, there's a review of LB's upcoming album "Later that Day"  - Click here for the direct link to the article. Be sure to browse Nefisa.co.uk a bit more, because there's an article on the Latyrx album as well as a remix of DJ Shadow's Blood on The Motorway, which is "bloody" good.

September 24, 2003

Lyrics Born has just recently contributed to another allstar collabo. It's "Explosive" - The first single from Diverse with production by RJD2 and Madlib by and really is, EXPLOSIVE.

Click here for the video (windowsmedia)

Click for audio from

Sandboxautomatic.com - Turntablelab.com - Hiphopsite.com

It gets even better:

Two weeks from today, the album "Later that Day" by Lyrics Born will be released and it's so slammin', y'all better wear helmets when you come back running from the recordstore and play the album for the first time. Click here for audioclips of Later That day.

You may know a full scale street team mission has launched in support of Lyrics Born's Later That Day which busts into stores October 7. The focus is on major markets SF, LA, Austin, Denver/Boulder, Portland, Seattle, NY and Minneapolis. So if you are in one of these towns and have not been contacted please write a message on the forum  - expect a quick response from Quannum.  Quannum fans make the world go round. Thanks for all the support!

There is a new Blackalicious Article @ synthesis.net. Click here to read. A cool, in-depth interview with DJ Shadow, is here

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(thanks to breakbeatpenguin and thrillho from the solesides.com forum and Lydia from Quannum for this news updates)

September 21, 2003

People are you readyyyy !!! It's time for some Quannum live audio!

Last night, QUANNUM performed at the Bazar Curieux festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. What an awesome show it was!! Still speechless of the night, because the performance was

i-m-p-r-e-s-s-i-v-e, to say the least.

Reviews of the gig will be online soon. In the meantime, check out the pictures and audio of the night. Go to the pictures section or just click here. More pics coming soon!

Audio; Click here

<  audio is from VPRO/3voor12 (online) radio. Click here for exact link >

Tracks:

1. Callin Out (Lyrics Born)
2. Ranking #1 (Latyrx)
3. Lester Hayes (Maroons)
4. Soldierfied (Lifesavas)
5. Paragraph President (Blackalicious)
6. Do This My Way (Latyrx + Gift of Gab)
7. Storm Warning (Latyrx)
8. Deception (Blackalicious)
9. Coming Thru (Lifesavas)
10. Rat Race (Gift of Gab)
11. Sky Is Falling (Blackalicious)
12. <quannum rhymin' over beats >
13. Sweet Angels (Joyo Velarde)
14. I Changed My Mind (Lyrics Born)
15. Alphabet Aerobics (Blackalicious)
16. Outro (over Shadow's Halfway Home/Blackalicous interlude)

playtime: 62 minutes

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Everyone who has pictures of any Quannum/Blackalicious/DJ Shadow show, don't hesitate to email about it - all pictures can be added to solesides.com

September 16, 2003

QUANNUM has left the US to do a  European tour. Lifesavas, Lyrics Born, DJ DSharp, Joyo Velarde, Maroons (Chief Xcel+Lateef), Gift of Gab, Omega...everyone!

Last saturday, Lyrics Born, DSharp and Joyo appeared on a radioshow on KJFC FM to do an interview. They arrived a bit late, but they had a cool chat with the host about the upcoming LB album and tour. The interview is added to this weeks weekly download

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DJ Shadow's track "Stem" has been used for the film Gothika. Click here to check out the trailer that features the track.

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There's a decent article on Blackalicious at Orion-online.net. It has Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) talking about his passion for music as well as his upcoming solo album. Click here to read.

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September 13, 2003

And, have y'all checked the totally revamped Lyricsborn.com ? If not, make sure to do it right now! LB's album drops October 7th and people who have heard the beauty, are already going mad about it.

September 10, 2003

New toys!

Check out pictures of the Technics CD Turntable: one - two - three

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A very rare Blackalicious track, produced by DJ Shadow has popped up. It's the track "Changes" Some say it's the bonus track on the Japanese release of Blackalicious / Melodica, some say it was on some sort of compilation, others say it was ment to be released as a single on Mo'wax

Perhaps a little bit early, but the track has been added to the weekly download.

Here's some more info on the track;

from http://www.synthesis.net/music/feature.php?fid=30

Click here for the flyer for Audiotistic with Blackalicious playing. also the automator with qbert.

Note that the audio from a Blackalicious gig (w/Lateef, Joyo Velarde) in Seattle is available at this site

Also, The QUANNUM LIVE AT BBC RADIO 1, BREEZEBLOCK set is still available.  More info on this in the August 29 news. Be sure to get the Strictly Kev vs DJ Shadow "Press Cuttings" mix from the August 24 news as well.

September 06, 2003

At Superhappywax.com, there are pictures of Lifesavas and De La Soul, live at The Portland Bite. Click here to check them out right now.

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People have been wondering what's up with the pages that listed quite some samples that DJ Shadow has used for his music. The pages still exist and are maintained by the world's biggest music fan, John Book. Sign up to the yahoo/dj shadow samples list to be updated on everything related to this subject.

John Book has been a fan of DJ Shadow since day one. He has released albums under the name "Crut" and Shadow himself once compared his music to Cut Chemist's productions.

Lately, Strictly Kev, from DJ Food/Ninja tune and the Solid Steel radio show, played some tracks by CRUT / John Book. The recent solid Steel radio shows are archived and to listen to John Book, follow this links;

> solid steel August 18 <

> solid steel August 11 <

Check out John-book.com for info on the Crut albums, especially the latest release "Home"

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Finally, Cruise over to boom-bap.com as they have a debate going on about the best of hip hop and best upcoming projects. Talk up the latest QUANNUM releases.  (from Lydia @ Quannum)

September 02, 2003

September 2003 has arrived and the news here at solesides.com doesn't stop.

Hit up Imageyenation.com and scroll down to the AUDIO links to hear an interview with Vurs from Lifesavas or just click here to listen right now. Vurs is talking about how Lifesavas got signed to Quannum and also, it seems that there's another Lifesavas album coming our way.

Go on, listen!

August 30, 2003

Today, Blackalicious played at the Lowlands Festival in The Netherlands. Pictures of this gig are online now. Check the pictures section or just click here

 The reviews of the gig are already ace. Big up to Blackalicious for rockin' the festivals!

Click here to listen to the 60 minute - audiostream and click here to see the video of Blackalicious doing Blazing Arrow live.

audiostream comes from VPRO / 3voor12 FM Netherlands. Click here for exact link

August 29, 2003

Massive update today, so read carefully;

It has been bootlegged, but to make sure no one buys the bootleg, it's now available for download;

QUANNUM LIVE AT BBC RADIO 1, BREEZEBLOCK

Broadcast on Radio One UK 4^th December 2000

Running time: 46:59

Tracklisting

Solesides Reunion Intro
Shadow Vs. Xcel
Blackalicious - A To G
Lyrics Born - Send Them
Latryx - Burning Hot In Cali
Blackalicious - Rhymes For The Deaf, Dumb And Blind
Blackalicious - Lyric Fathom
Chief Xcel - Fully Charged On Planet X (Featuring Gift Of Gab & Lateef)
Lateef - The Quickening
Latyrx - Ranking #1
Latyrx - Say That
Lyrics Born & The Poets Of Rhythm - I Changed My Mind
Versatile – Freestyle
Lyrics Born Vs. Lateef Vs. Gift Of Gab (8 Minute Freestyle Session)
 

To Download, Click here / Size: 64.5 Mb
Bitrate: 192 kbps
 

Many thanks go out to James Weathers for this. Note that the "Press Cuttings" by Strictly Kev (Check the August 24 news) is still available for y'all as well. For your listening pleasure, hope y'all like it.

AND:

In the June 28 2002 news here at solesides.com, you could read about the fact that Dante Carfagna and DJ Shadow have been working on a comprehensive discography of North American funk on 45" from 1966-76. It will be fully annotated and cross-referenced with plenty of photos, label scans and the like. The page count is obnoxious and they are only to the middle of the alphabet. It should be released in about 2 years (...)

Just recently, Dante released his album, "Express Rising" and it should be one of the dopest hiphop albums since a long time.  Dante is drawing obvious comparisons to Shadow due to his very close association with him. Alot of the beat headz have been waiting for this album for quite sometime because of his extensive knowledge of funk/breaks/hip hop etc... and music in general quite frankly.

To read a review of "Express Rising" click here DJ Shadow is mentioned a couple of times as  wel.. Thanks to "Dinobullet"  from the solesides.com forum.

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Also, Click here to check out an interview with DJ Ztrip. Comments on the review can be found at the DJ Ztrip Forum
 

DJ Ztrip has just recently made a remix of DJ Shadow's "Right Thing" and is getting more and more close with other QUANNUM people. Check out this picture of DJ Ztrip together with Lyrics Born, taken just recently @ DNA Lounge, SF.

August 24, 2003

Strictly Kev vs DJ Shadow mix "Press Cuttings"

Last year, Strictly Kev from Ninjatune, DJ Food and the Solid steel radio show, made an awesome mix of DJ Shadow's "The Private Press" album. Kev used samples from interviews that were available here at solesides.com.

The mix was broadcasted on the solid steel radioshow last year and five original copies of the mix are in existance. Strictly Kev has three, DJ Shadow has one and guess who has the last copy...me!

Before making this mix available here at solesides.com, Strictly Kev agreed on everything.

Thanks very much to Pieter Verheyden for helping out.

Click here to download

Be sure to unzip the mix before you can listen to it.

August 23, 2003

There's an interview with Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious) @ northbay.com. It mentiones that the Gift of Gab solo album, called "Fourth Dimensional Rocket Going Up" will be out soon, as well as the new Blackalicious album "The Craft"

Click here to go to the interview.

Also, Gift of Gab was publicitywhore.com musician of the week. Check out the site and interview  by clicking here

There's this pretty flashing promo site for the "Spirit in Stone" album by the Lifesavas

Check it here!

August 19, 2003

Next Saturday, August 30, Blackalicious will be playing at the Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands. They're on at 5pm, which is 4pm UK time. Watch this space for a full audiolink. Most likeley, the set will be archived as well.

Last year, DJ Shadow played at this festival. That full live set can still be found in the audio/video section of solesides.com.

Keep checking back for more details...

August 16, 2003

This is what y'all have been waiting for - a DJ Shadow desktop image. It's in the style of the Mashin'On The Motorway video and features the recent DJ Shadow logo. Click here to download.

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The Day that the Lyrics Born album will be released is very near now. People are getting more and more excited. There are a few lucky persons who have already heard it and are amazed by it. Here are some comments as written on the solesides.com forum;

"I will most certainly be 1st in line to cop this when it drops, word. Who produced this? It's one of the best produced albums of the year!"

"The beat on the (as featured on L.B's site) the second track, with the backing singers goin off like Peter Gabriel's 'Wars with out Fears' & Lyrics Borns easy sweet lyrics layering like honey over them beats that be bumping ooh so sweetly !!! Its easy to see Im all over this album"

"Oh my god, this has got to be one of the dopest albums ever! Now I know what he has been doing for the last 3 years!"

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check Lyricsborn.com for more info

July 30, 2003

At Montreuxjazz.com There is a video of the Blackalicious gig from last year. It's pretty slammin' so go to that site or click here to watch right now.

Also, there's a review of the recently re-released LATYRX album @ nefisa.co.uk Check the "Cakes" section of that site or just click here Also, a remix of DJ Shadow's Blood on the Motorway can be found @ that site. Check it out. It's ace.

July 24, 2003

The Lyrics Born website is online now! BUT...Please note that it's not 100% finished yet.

Get ready for some funky-fresh soundclips from the upcoming album "Later That Day" including a snippet from the track produced by Cut Chemist. Click here

More about Lyrics Born / Latyrx is here  -  Also, check out CutChemist.com

Note that the Latyrx (Lateef and Lyrics Born) debut album has been re-released recently as well. Get it at Thegiantpeach.com

July 21, 2003

There are  some Pictures of the QUANNUM in-store appearance at Superhappywax.com. It took place last Friday, July 18 just before the Lifesavas record release party. Quannum blew 360 up.Everyone was really happy and it was all positive. The first pic is Lateef, Joyo, and L.B. Looking up in amazement at the new Def Jux DVD! Other pictures are Lifesavas, Chief Xcel, Gift of Gab. Everyone!

Click here to go to the pictures straight away.

About the Lifesavas record release party; Every single Quannum artist (except Shadow) was there. Lyrics Born, Lateef, Gift Of Gab, Chief Xcel. You know it!

Here's a review of the day, by "superhappywax" from the solesides forum

First of all I want to send much love to the whole Quannum/Solesides camp for their Belief in Portland and signing Lifesavas. This whole show/ record has been a long time coming. As for the show, UNBELIEVEABLE. It has been a long time since I've seen Portland as POSITIVE, ENERGETIC, and just plain off the chain as it was on Friday. The instore at 360 drew close to 100 people which ain't bad for 3:00 on a Friday. Jumbo was the first one through the door and shook hands with every single person in the store. All the Quannum members were very Personable and available to talk to. Gab, Lateef, and Lyrics Born did some tracks off their new projects (very hot) Along with a few classics. Lateef did a 5 minute or longer Freestyle. While Lyrics Born along with Joyo Velarde Rocked the spot. Check out the pic of Lyrics Born holding up the Latyrx shirt he grabbed off the rack while still performing. (It takes talent). I don't want to give away any secrets of the actual show in case they're coming to a town near you but I will say this. Lifesavas belong on the stage with MC's the caliber of a Gift of Gab or Latyrx. At times they were rhyming album cuts over different beats and it was like, Yep this is the real deal. Sounds just as hot over any beat. A true live show. True MCs. Much love.
 

More pictures and reviews of that night can be read here soon. If you was at the show and/or in-store performance, write about the day @ the forum by clicking here

 Here's the entrance-ticket;

(click for full size)

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Even More news today!

Some newspapers have articles about Lifesavas and it's nothing but positive what they write. Two newspaper articles are now here at solesides.com

click here

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Also, the promotional postcard for the upcoming Lyrics Born Album is online

click: Front / Back

 < Thanks to Breakbeatpenguin and superhappywax.com for this info and pictures >

July 16, 2003

Soon, the new UNKLE album will be released. The first UNKLE album was mainly produced by DJ Shadow and featured guests like Kool G Rap, Richard Ashcroft, Mike D (beastie boys) and Thom Yorke (Radiohead).

The upcoming album, Never Never land does not have DJ Shadow on production, but it still is very interesting.  UNKLE is still the project of Mo'Wax label-boss James Lavelle so that guarantees Quality. Expect guest apprearances by Josh Homme, Brian Eno and 3D (Massive Attack) A very up to date BIO, which features info on DJ Shadow as well, is now added to solesides.com. It's in the DJ Shadow section of this site. Click here to go there right now.

go to UNKLE77.com and UNKLE.com for more info.

July 14, 2003

Two pretty amazing websites, who share some very cool audio oddities have tracks available as used by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist for the Product Placement funk mix.

Sharpeworld.com has the track "Mama Soul" by Harold Alexander available. Go to sharpeworld or just click here to get the track.

Aprilwinchell.com has the track "rappin' with Gas" by the The National Fuel Gas Distribution Company available go to Aprilwinchell.com or just click here to get the track.

Thanks to the DJSHADOWSAMPLES list for this info.

July 10, 2003

Lifesavas who just recently released their amazing album "Spirit in Stone" on the Quannum label, are going to be collabing together with the group Lightheaded on a 9th Wonder (of Little Brother) produced track called "Illuminate". That song is going to be on a second album, and should be available before the album drops as a single.

Gift of Gab from Blackalicious really likes the music from Little Brother and after listening to some tracks that are available online, there's a big chance you're hooked too.

Check out the Lightheaded site here. For info on Little Brother, click here

July 7, 2003

Revolutionslive.com did an interview with Gift Of Gab of Blackalicious at the annual Northwestern University's Dillo Day festival. It seems that there's quite some new QUANNUM music coming our way. Click here to read.

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Also, more news on the Pictures front. More pictures from the LVC show (check July 5 news) are added. Pictures are by Andrew Zirm. And It gets even better; There are also pictures from the July 3 show. Blackalicious played in The Netherlands as well, in a place called Groningen, which is in the North of the little country.  Click here to watch the pictures.

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July 5, 2003

Speak to meeeee!!!!!  Blackalicious rocked the Netherlands yesterday. Gift of Gab, DJ DSharp and Omega blew the roof off @ the LVC club.

Check out pictures of the show in the pictures section or just click here

More details of the night soon !! It was slammin'

Blackalicious / NIA booklet signed by DJ DSharp

July 2, 2003

New Blackalicious Pictures are added to the site. It are pictures from the in-store gig @ Waterloo Records, Austin Texas. Go to the pictures section or just click here

Also, new pictures are added to the various Blackalicious page. Check them out as well, because they are so funky!

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The Forum is updated. It now provides you faster access and more gameplay!! Check it  out and don't forget to register. Happy posting!  (thanks to Arjan for the help)

July 1, 2003

In stores now. Spirit In Stone The new album by the Lifesavas. Get it! It's slammin'. It's hot! It's burnin' - It features tracks produced by Chief Xcel (Blackalicious), DJ Shadow and guest MC's are J-Live, Latyrx (Lateef&Lyrics born of QUANNUM fame) and Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious)

> click here for soundclips + info <

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The New QUANNUM.COM site is online! And looking at it, is was worth the wait. What a pretty thang! Loads of soundclips, detailed discography and other goodies. Be sure to check it out because it's pure madness already and there's even more to come. Note that the Messageboard is actually the solesides.com board. Big up to that! It'll be improved (better looking, faster access) asap.

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and:

>> Be on the look out for loads of new Blackalicious live pictures here at solesides.com very very soon! <<

June 23, 2003

DJ Shadow TV Appearance !!  MTV2 UK  will be airing a one hour special about DJ Shadow, tuesday June 24. The show starts at 11pm.

(If there's anyone willing to record this and make it available online or send it to me, I'd be more than grateful. I shall do everything I can to make this special available online) mail me

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The DJ Shadow FAQ in the DJ Shadow section are updated. The whole FAQ do now fit much better into solesides.com. If there's anything you think that should be in the FAQ, please mention it. Also, mention errors. mail me

June 19, 2003

If you live in the Pacific North West, then mark your calendars for the
LIFESAVAS RECORD RELEASE PARTY Friday July 18th, 2003 at the Roseland
Theater in Portland.  The night will be in celebration of the solo debut Spirit In Stone from Portland's own Lifesavas. Come out and show your support and get down with the Quannum Crew for a very special  performance featuring:
 

Lifesavas
Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel from Blackalicious
Lateef & Lyrics Born (Latyrx)
Joyo Velarde
Libretto
DJ D Sharp
 

June 13, 2003

New Blackalicious pictures and an interview are added to the site.  Thanks to Nathaniel DeYoung for the interview. Click here to read it.

You can find the Blackalicious performance pictures in the pictures section.

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Check out the wicked new DJ Shadow game!

You've got to race around town, pick up your new mixer and get your latest exclusive import vinyl from the