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)