It’s always good to see some music,
that was a little bit ahead of its time,
get its just due later on.
Such is the case w/ Maryland producer,
DJ RODDYROD (of the group Maspyke & the Low Budget Crew)
& his much underrated & still largely unheard
instrumental opus, Oakwood Grain.
Originally released in 2005 through Jazzy Sport -
the album was only released in Japan
& never officially distributed much outside of the country,
but it still remains one of the best offerings
in the instrumental hip-hop genre
that came out before the current “post-Donuts” beat CD craze.

And now, six years later -
not only is the album seeing a proper US release
thanks to Nature Sounds,
but its also coming packaged along with an all new follow-up album,
simply titled Oakwood Grain II.
Although the double CD is not due for to drop until February 28th of 2012,
RODDY decided to release it digitally this week for the fans,
as he explained:

“Everyone’s been hitting me up, asking when it’s coming… [so] I wanted to give them something for the holidays.”

The digital version, dubbed the Solid English Oak Edition,
contains 10 mostly new & unheard joints,
as well as a few unreleased classics, i.e. the instrumental to
Maspyke’s “Lightly Anxious” from their underappreciated Static 2005 album.
The album also one features one new vocal track,
which Rod had given FRSH SLCTS an exclusive free download.

“Keep Transit” features three guest talents,
all of which we’ve heard from all too rarely this year -
the seldom heard & often missed Detroit veteran Finale returns to the raps,
while both Muhsinah and Bilal Salaam share vocal duties -
all coming together to bring us that classic Midwest hip-hop meets DMV soul sound
that we’ve all missed this past few years.

Also, included below, as a bonus video
is Roddy’s interview/behind-the-scenes clip for the The Ghostface Beat Tape -
an upcoming beat compilation from Digital Hustle/Digital Fresh TV
that featuring some of the DMV’s best producers
paying tribute to the production tastes of the Wallabee Champ himself.
In the clip, you get to see Rod live in his studio
chopping up some tracks from both Buju Banton and D’Angelo
(as he did on the Vudu.For.U EP),
& also discussing his favorite Ghostface tracks
& talks of a possible Maspyke reunion + other upcoming projects.

You can check that,
stream the whole digital version of OWGII
+ watch an exclusive clip of RODDY digging in South Africa
w/ his buddy J-Live -
all before getting your free single of “Free Transit”
or copping the album below.

Today brings us the first ever FRSHCLSV full-length album, courtesy of DC veteran MC/producer (and currently best known as one third of the Diamond District), yU. The album, Before Taxes was first released as a 7 track promo EP a few months back, but available here for the first time anywhere is the full 16 song version of album. The majority of the project was produced by the 1978ers (yU & Slimkat78), but it also features some guest production from Kev Brown, Oddisee & Bilal Salaam. yU is also joined by appearances from Finale, Grap Luva, OP Swamp 81 (Bilal Salaam & Da’Nedra), his fellow members in the Remainz crew, and more throughout the album.

Both yU and Slimkat78 are two extremely talented artists who have been making moves for years now. If you like what you hear, leave a comment and let me know and I’ll be sure to bring you guys much more from both of them in the near future.

2011 UPDATE: Over a year after this post – Before Taxes was released on CD. The album had already received widespread critical acclaim – including being highlighted in XXL‘s Chairman’s Choice column, as well the song “Fine” being licensed to both Gilles Peterson‘s Brownswood label & as a sample to dubstep producer Subskrpt – all from this original, free version. The label/retail version is a new master & mix that, in my opinion, takes away some of the grit & original appeal of the album. But, at the label’s request, we had to take down the free download of the original version of the album – so hopefully you got it while you still could.

TRACKLISTING:
1. Before Taxes Intro (feat. the1978ers) (prod. Slimkat78)
2. Beats&Rhymes From March 25 (Kick Styles) (prod. yU)
3. Almost Time (prod. Kev Brown)
4. Thought About It (prod. yU)
5. BreakDown (feat. & prod. Bilal Salaam)
6. Corners (feat. EyeQ) (prod. yU)
7. The Up & Up (feat. the1978ers) (prod. Slimkat78)
8. Close (feat. Isabella Banneker & the1978ers) (prod. Slimkat78)
9. Fine (prod. yU)
10. Lunchin’ (prod. Oddisee)
11. Native (feat. & prod. the1978ers)
12. Memory (feat. ERK) (prod. yU)
13. The Rock (feat. the1978ers) (prod. Slimkat78)
14. InTheReign (feat. EyeQ & Omun) (prod. yU)
15. MmHmm (instr) (prod. yU)
16. Brainwash (feat. Grap Luva, Finale & OP Swamp 81) (prod. Slimkat78)