Fresh Selects » Honor Roll

HONOR ROLL PRESENTS…Mike Baker The Bike Maker “The Chase” video b/w Now Or Never mixtape outtakes

Kenny Fresh — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:39:45 +0000

I’ve got some new shit from Honor Rollee & Fresh Kept Secret alumni, Mike Baker The Bike Maker, for you guys today. First up we have the exclusive premiere of the viral video for “The Chase,” which was produced by 1o.A.k. and appeared on Mike’s Now Or Never EP which I leaked a few months back. The video was conceived, directed & edited by Whiz Ward, completely out of scenes from the movie, The Professional – Golgo 13, directed by Osamu Dezaki (think Ghostface’s “Daytona 500″ video).

To go along with the video, Mike has also laced me two un-used joints that were recorded for Now Or Never, back when it was originally going to be a mixtape, instead of an EP with all original production. First we have MBtheBM & 1oAK rocking over a dub of Gnarls Barkley’s “Online,” called “Exquisite.” Along with that, there’s also the short-but-sweet “Wanting Things,” which finds Mike rhyming over a loop from the Astrud Gilberto classic of the same name.

Check the video and then download both tracks below. If you like what you hear, be sure to vote for Mike Baker on URB’s Next 1000 list. And if you’re gonna be in the L.A. area this week, check him rocking live at The Dakota Lounge this Sunday.

DOWNLOAD: Mike Baker The Bike Maker x Gnarls Barkley “Exquisite” (feat. 1o.A.k.)

DOWNLOAD: Mike Baker The Bike Maker x Astrud Gilberto “Wanting Things”

LIVE: Check out Mike Baker live @ The Dakota Lounge in L.A. 4/26

SUPPORT: Vote for Mike Baker on URB’s Next 1000 list

FRESH KEPT SECRET: Mike Baker The Bike Maker (prod. Trackademicks & 1o.a.k.)

Kenny Fresh — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:46:02 +0000

As the latest installment in the Fresh Kept Secrets series, allow me to introduce you to Mike Baker The Bike Maker – a fresh new voice coming out The Bay, and a founding member of the mighty Honor Roll. No, Mike Baker does not make bikes – but he does make fresh music. And that’s exactly what I’ve got some more of for you guys today.

As an appetizer of sorts what Mr. Baker will be serving in the future, I’ve got an exclusive deluxe edition of his Sampler EP. Included in the EP are the 5 original sampler tracks (if you were able to get your hands on that), plus 4 bonus mixtape tracks which feature Mike rhyming over dubs by everyone from Metro Area to Madlib, and Mos Def to Hot Chip. That kind of range of traditional, fun hip-hop blended with next level rock and electronic sounds is a good example of the breath of fresh air that the whole Honor Roll crew is bringing to the game right now. And with the EP featuring production from Honor Roll resident beatsmiths, Trackademicks & 1o.a.k., as well guest spots from all the HR MC’s (Josie Stingray, Spank Pops & Moxmore) – the whole Roll is definitely represented on here. With Mike Baker The Bike Maker already working on his debut solo album, as well as an Honor Roll crew project and numerous collaborations, take my word for it now – this crew is going to be doing great things in ‘09 and beyond.

You can preview full-length strengths of three personal highlights from the EP plus the clip for Mike Baker-featured remix of Kenna’s “Say Goodbye To Love” by Trackademicks below. And then at the bottom, make sure to get your free download of the full Sampler EP: Deluxe Edition.

“Espionage” (prod. 1o.a.k.)

“Let’s Make It Happen” (feat. & prod. Trackademicks)

“Strut” (Metro Area dub)

Kenna “Say Goodbye To Love (Trackademicks Remix)” (feat. Mike Baker The Bike Maker)

DOWNLOAD: Mike Baker The Bike Maker – The Sampler EP: Deluxe Edition

SUPPORT: Honor Roll merchandise available now

ALBUM PREVIEW: Havana – Entervention (prod. Trackademicks, Brook d’Leau, GB & more)

Kenny Fresh — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:49:58 +0000

Three years after the release of her debut album, Havana, is back with her sophomore offering, Entervention. Where her first LP, L.I.F.E., featured production from the likes of Waajeed, Zo!, Nicolay, and Symbolyc One providing a mellow, soulful backdrop – Entervention has a decidedly west coast house party sound. Providing that sound are some of Cali’s most forward thinking producers, including Brook d’Leau (of J*DaVeY fame), GB, Trackademicks and BeatStreetS. Lyrically, Havana goes even further introverted and autobiographical this time out, but she still manages to keep it balanced with plenty of future house party and club favorites still sprinkled throughout the album.

Entervention is currently scheduled for a February 17th release date through the Detroit-founded and San Diego-based label, Skoolcraft Music Group. To preview the album, I have an exclusive first listen to four tracks from the LP. In downloadable form I have the first single, “Nitelife,” which is produced by and also features Honor Roll member, Trackademicks, and “It Ain’t New,” co-produced by Bay Area collaborators, BeatStreetS & 1O.A.K. To go along with it, I’ve also got streams of the 80’s throwback, “In Touch” produced by GB, and a track from Havana’s new group, Match’d Frantic with MC, Bennie Herron, “Not Affected,” produced by Brook d’Leau. All four songs are still rough, unmastered versions – so be sure to check the album when it drops next month for all of the final versions.

Stream or download the songs below, and then, stay tuned after the jump to three of my favorite tracks from her first album, LIFE: Living In Fearless Emotions.

Havana “In Touch” (prod. GB)

Match’d Frantic (Havana & Bennie Herron) “Not Affected” (prod. Brook d’Leau)

DOWNLOAD: Havana “Nitelife” (feat. & prod. Trackademicks)

DOWNLOAD: Havana “It Ain’t New” (prod. BeatStreetS & 1O.A.K.)

SUPPORT: Havana’s Entervention album in stores everywhere February 17th

BONUS TRACKS: More from Havana produced by Waajeed, Nicolay & Zo! after the jump

Havana “Caught Up” (prod. Waajeed)
from LIFE: Living In Fearless Emotion (Skoolcraft Music Group, 2005)

Havana “Feel My Love” (prod. Zo!)
from “Feel My Love” maxi-single (Skoolcraft Music Group, 2006)

Havana “Shine” (prod. Nicolay)
from “Shine” maxi-single (Skoolcraft Music Group, 2005)