Fresh Selects » PPP

FRESH SELECTS RADIO #1

Kenny Fresh — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:01:25 +0000

Today marks the debut of my new podcast, simply titled Fresh Selects Radio. Even though this is the first episode, it feels like the second in a way, because its more or less a follow-up to the Loose Joints mixtape I put together last fall. Just like that, its a collection showcasing both new and unreleased tracks from some of my favorite artists, some projects I’ll be working on in the near future, artists you should be on the lookout for, and more. I’ve also thrown in a few tracks that have been previously been posted on the site that you might’ve missed. But unlike the Loose Joints .zip, this podcast is one single track, which freed me up and allowed me to include some super-exclusives that I know I couldn’t post as individual downloads.

Originally, I was going to host the podcast like a radio show – but instead I decided to let the music speak for itself. If you feel like it sounds unfinished, I left the instrumental interludes I was going to talk over in the mix, so feel free to fill in the blanks yourself. However, if people get on some bullshit and rip some of the exclusives from the mix and re-post them as downloads on other sites, then next time out I’ll have to talk all over all the good shit – so just behave yourselves & act right and I’ll be able to keep bringing you the latest & greatest without any problems.

I might still write up some liner notes to go along with the tracks, but it might be a while. We’ll see what the feedback & response is like first (*cough*leaveacomment!*cough) and then take it from there. So yeah, lemme know what you think. In the meantime, the tracklisting with the artists’ MySpace links is listed here and then you can download or stream the mix below.

1. DaveNotti – FSR Intro (Thrilla Music Group)
2. Blu – Say Say (CD-R)
3. Finale feat. Invincible – The Waiting Game (prod. Khrysis) (iM/Universal)
4. Waajeed – Fat Bottom Girls (Bling47)
5. Konphlict – Socialize (prod. TaRaach) (Lovelution)
6. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) - Helium (prod. Ohmega Watts) (TBA)
7. Hi-Res – Yahhhhh (Pt. 2) (Thrilla Music Group)
8. G&D feat. MED & Rapper Big Pooh – Endure (prod. Georgia Anne Muldrow) (Mello Music Group)
9. MAGr (DistantStarr & Al Mighty) – Butterfly (prod. Hudson Mohawke) (TBA)
10. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Been A Min… (Brainfeeder)
11. Cubic Zirconia (Tiombe, Nick & Todd) – I Wanna Freebase You (TBA)
12. PPP feat. Coultrain & Karma Stewart – Rocket Science (prod. Waajeed) (Ubiquity)
13. Hawthorne Headhunters (Black Spade, I, CED & Proh Mic) feat. JimiJames & Coultrain – She Wanna (HVW8)
14. Exile feat. Muhsinah – Stay Tuned (Stay Here) (Vocal Remix) (Plug Research)
15. TaRaach vs. Tiombe Lockhart – Kalifornia (Instrumental) (Lovelution)
16. DJ Cadik feat. Invincible & Finale – Don’t Look Back (All Soundz)
17. Devon - Shoes (Thrilla Music Group)
18. SA-RA Creative Partners - High Moon Lust (Rawkus)
19. Luck-One – The Coolax (prod. Dekk) (Architect Ent.)
20. Johnson&Jonson feat. Miguel (Jontel) - Stadium (CD-R)

Artwork courtesy of Lyle Owerko & Wuzz Magazine.

DOWNLOAD: Fresh Selects Radio #1

STREAM: Fresh Selects Radio #1

SUBSCRIBE: Through iTunes or Google

ALSO CHECK: Fresh Selects – Loose Joints mix .zip

FREE DOWNLOAD: PPP – The Official Abundance Mixtape

Kenny Fresh — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:45:22 +0000

As promised, PPP have released an exclusive free download mixtape to promote their brand new album, Abundace, dropping next week. PPP founder, Waajeed, originally put together this mixtape for PPP’s European tour last fall. Compromised of exclusive new remixes of PPP classics & Waajeed-approved blends by Seattle-based, DJ Topspin, along with exclusive outtakes from both Abundance and the group’s debut, Triple P – we knew this mixtape was too good to not get it out here in the States as well.

Personal highlights from the set include the original version of PPP’s infamous cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” sung by Grammy-nominated singer, Raheem DeVaughn; the infectious vocal version to the Loose Joints instrumental, “Can’t You Feel It;” Topspin’s perfect blend of the “Fever” vocals over the “Stay With Me” instrumental, and plenty others.

Check the full tracklisting and get your free download below, then watch Waajeed’s self-made EPK after the jump, and most importantly – cop Abundance next Tuesday, the 20th.

1. Abundance Intro
2. Angel (feat. Coultrain) (Waajeed Remix)
3. Shotgun (feat. J Dilla) (Waajeed’s Plinky Remix)
4. Your Day Is Done (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix) **
5. Deep Inside (feat. SA-RA & Rozzi Daime) (Waajeed Remix) %
6. Stay With Me (feat. Tiombe Lockhart) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix)
7. Fever (feat. Zeno) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix) **
8. Goodbye (feat. Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE) ++
9. Stand For Something (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)
10. Detroit Winter (feat. Invincible) (Waajeed Remix)
11. Act Like You Know (feat. J Dilla) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
12. 1 Luv 2 U (feat. Neco Redd) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
13. Can’t You Feel It (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)
14. Now Or Never (feat. Tiombe Lockhart) (Waajeed Remix)
15. No Worries (feat. Steve Spacek) (Waajeed Remix)
16. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (feat. Raheem DeVaughn) (EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL VERSION) @
17. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (feat. Rogiers) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
18. Synchronicity (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)

All tracks produced & remixed by Waajeed for PPP/Bling47, plus:
** Co-produced by Saadiq for PPP/Cherry Ann Music
% Additional production by Selan
++ Additional production by Simon Katz
@ Additional production by Mark de Clive-Lowe

Interludes feature interviews by DJ Eko, Garth Trinidad, Gilles Peterson, & Benji B

DOWNLOAD: PPP - The Official Abundance Mixtape

SUPPORT: PPP’s Abundance CD/LP, available everywhere January 20th

AFTER THE JUMP: PPP - Abundance EPK video directed by Waajeed

BLING47 TV presents… PPP - Abundance EPK

PPP presents…Karma Stewart – The Karma EP

Kenny Fresh — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:37:40 +0000

As Soulbounce announced last week, today marks the online release of new PPP starlet, Karma Stewart’s The Karma EP. For those who don’t know, Karma is an up-and-coming singer from Austin, Texas now living in L.A., whose best known (so far) as the voice of PPP’s latest single, “On A Cloud.”

After the success of “On A Cloud,” some people tried to pigeon hole Karma as a “throwback singer.” While Ms. Stewart definitely has some classic Motown grace and gospel-tinged strength behind her voice, with this EP she presents a few alternative sides to the story with a sound that she describes as “experimental with an edge of funky soul.” And according to her, even this is “just a taste of what I’ll be bringing to the table.”

Produced by group founders, Waajeed & Saadiq, and mostly written by Karma’s fellow cast member, Coultrain, The Karma EP is definitely a PPP family affair. The 4-track CD was originally sold at PPP shows all across Europe this fall – but now Karma & PPP have decided to give the EP away for free as a preview of both Karma’s upcoming album, and more immediately, PPP’s second album, Abundance.

You can preview all 4 songs below before downloading them all in one convenient .zip file at the bottom. And after the jump, stick around for my liner notes interview with Karma as well as three bonus tracks – including a live cover song, a collaboration with St. Louis rapper Wafeek, and a selection from the PPP “On A Cloud” Remix Contest from Tayreeb (note: I don’t know who won the contest so don’t ask – this is just one of the ones that I liked).

Karma Stewart “Look”
produced by Saadiq, lyrics by Coultrain

Karma Stewart “Waiting In The Wings”
produced by Waajeed, lyrics by Coultrain

Karma Stewart “Love Games”
produced by Waajeed, lyrics by Karma Stewart

Karma Stewart “Withdrawal”
produced by Waajeed & Saadiq, lyrics by Coultrain
additional backing vocals by Justin Pierre Bennett

DOWNLOAD: Karma Stewart – The Karma EP

SUPPORT: PPP’s single, “On A Cloud” featuring Karma Stewart, in stores now. Abundance CD/LP drops January 20th on Ubiquity Records.

AFTER THE JUMP: Liner notes Q&A plus bonus tracks from Karma Stewart

BONUS TRACKS

Karma Stewart “Smoking Cigarettes (live)”
originally performed by Tweet

PPP feat. Karma Stewart “On A Cloud (Tayreeb Remix)”
from the PPP “On A Cloud” Remix Contest

Wafeek “Romance Is Back” (feat. Karma Stewart, Estadje & Azeem)
from The Aristocrats Mixtape (Red Pecker, 2008)

INTERVIEW

So when was The Karma EP recorded?
It was recorded In August ‘08 right before I left to do the European tour with PPP in September and October. I wanted to make sure to have something extra for the fans overseas to listen to and enjoy!

What was the recording process like for this?
Recording The Karma EP (formerly titled Just like Faye) was a long process that needed to be done in a short span of time. But, I had all the motivation to complete it. Through my performance with PPP and this EP, this was going to be an introduction of me to the world. I wanted to give the people something different. There were a lot of emotions that were conveyed through the songs on this EP, which is exactly what i wanted to do in the midst of this music making process.

Can you give us a quick rundown of how all the songs came to be?
Coultrain had written “Withdrawal” and “Waiting In The Wings” prior to me starting to put in work for The Karma EP. When I heard those 2 songs I was like “Whoa!!” He’s such a prolific writer; I was more than honored to be the voice behind the genius of his lyrics, ya know?
Shortly after, Saadiq sent me a couple of tracks that he had produced and there was one in particular that stood out to me. I had told Saadiq that i wanted some straight up funky Vanity 6 meets Prince like track. And thats exactly what he did!! Lol…So I sent it to Coultrain and he reached into the depths of his funky soul and wrote the song “Look” which was inspired by the late Rick James. It’s actually one of my favorite songs on the EP.
Last but not least, I wrote the song “Love Games” which was produced by Waajeed (and is also one of my faves). This track is so sick I told Waajeed I had to have it!! Through listening to it, the first thing that popped into my head was “Sweet Dreams” by The Eurythmics. From that inspiration, “Love Games” was created and it was a done deal! I’m very happy with how it turned out.

Do you think this EP is a good introduction for people to get to know your sound and who you are as an artist?
Yeah, totally.. And this is just the beginning!! This just gives people an idea of my sound and what I can do. I have many musical influences from soul and funk to rock and because of that, it’s 2nd nature for me to incorporate all of the above. All in all, I just want people to hear me out and simply enjoy what they’re vibin’ out to.

What are you thoughts on the new PPP album, on which you are one of the prominent featured singers?
There’s a mix of various genres of music and all the songs cater to the senses. PPP’s Abundance album (which drops in January,might I add) incorporates all of the elements, from the production and lyrics to the voices and how the songs are conveyed. Abundance (like my EP) is an album with a different sound and everyone involved put a lot of hard work into it. And its definitely something to look forward to. It’s soooo Dope!!

What about your full-length solo debut, what can we expect from that?
That’s a good question. I’m writing a lot and coming up with a lot of different sounds and ideas. The next step is to just figure out which direction I want to take the album..I’ll keep ya posted…

Who will you be working with on it?
I’ll be doing majority of the writing on my album and Coultrain will be writing 4 songs as well. Maybe he’ll even bless us with his voice!! We’ll see. I’m working on having a few guest voices, writers, and lyricists featured, Its all in the works… Its definitely something to get excited about. So keep a look out!

Are you looking for a label deal for your album or are you doing it yourself?
Definitely shopping for a deal.. But until that time comes, I’ve got to be the one to make it happen, ya know? Me not having a deal at this point in time won’t stop me from making music and putting albums out. The rewards will come in due time..

FRESH SELECTS: LOOSE JOINTS

Kenny Fresh — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:48:18 +0000

As promised, here’s the first-ever Fresh Selects mixtape. No, it’s not really mixed – its just a .zip full of tracks that I’ve been feeling lately, and/or been meaning to post about. I’m gonna be gone for the next couple of days so I wanted to put this up to hold you guys over until I come back. But if all goes well, I should be coming back with a bang. We’ll see…. but until then, bump this.

Tracklisting & download links below. Oh, and I also did some quick liner notes for each track after the jump, for those of you who are into that sort of thing.

Also, I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks to everyone who’s been spreading the word about the site whether it be through linking me on your own blogs, posting the link on your MySpace or Facebook, whatever it may be – thank you. This one’s for you.

1. Hi-Res – This World (Thrilla Music Group)
2. Black Spade vs. 88-Keys & Kanye West – Stay Up! (Viagra) (Stoney Rock Remix) (CD-R)
3. Mike Slott feat. DistantStarr – Boxed In (All City)
4. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins – Shine On (prod. Black Milk) (Mello Music Group)
5. Devon – Hold Up Zelda (Thrilla Music Group)
6. SA-RA Creative Partners – All In The Kitchen (CD-R)
7. Black Spade feat. Coultrain – A Lil Taste (CD-R)
8. Finale – Ice (prod. DJ Final) (CD-R)
9. Dill Clinton (TaRaach vs. The G.O.A.T.) – LiveWire (Lovelution Prosper)
10. Knowledge – Relief (CD-R)
11. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Clair Huxtable (Brainfeeder)
12. Waajeed – Can’t You Feel It (Instrumental) (Bling47)
13. TaRaach feat. Mia Simone – Benjamins (prod. AmDex) (CD-R)
14. Noni Limar – Monogamy (prod. Black L.A.) (CD-R)
15. Finale – Run It Back (prod. Rashid Hadee) (CD-R)
16. DaveNotti – Get Real (prod. DaiN) (Thrilla Music Group)
17. Kissey Asplund & DistantStarr – Car Ride (To The Future) (prod. Jay Scarlett) (CD-R)
18. Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Waajeed’s Flash Gordon Remix) (Bling47)
19. Fatima – Wildchild (prod. VeeBeeO) (CD-R)
20. Donel Smokes – Got Me High (Bridgetown Steel)
21. Devon – Sleep Tight (Thrilla Music Group)

All tracks selected & compiled by Kenny Fresh for Fresh Selects.

DOWNLOAD: Fresh Selects – Loose Joints

LINER NOTES: Track-by-track commentary after the jump

1. Hi-Res – This World (Thrilla Music Group)
Hi-Res is an up-and-coming producer from Portland, down with the Thrilla crew. I wanted this mixtape to have a kind of spacey, futuristic feel to it – so I thought this would would make the perfect intro. This is off Hi-Res’ free instrumental album, Sittin’ Up In My Room. Highly recommended.

2. Black Spade vs. 88-Keys & Kanye West – Stay Up! (Viagra) (Stoney Rock Remix) (CD-R)
Exclusive white label remix from Black Spade AKA Stoney Rock. Bigs up to the homie Ced of Hawthorne Headhunters for this one. I haaaate that corny Borat line at the end of the first verse – makes me cringe every time. LOL!

3. Mike Slott feat. DistantStarr – Boxed In (All City)
This is a track the homie Distant from MAGr did with Mike Slott of Heralds Of Change. Great late night driving music.

4. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins – Shine On (prod. Black Milk) (Mello Music Group)
Big ups to Mello for sending this through. This one’s actually for sale so if you dig it, support it. I dig this – no comment on its subject matter though….

5. Devon – Hold Up Zelda (Thrilla Music Group)
As far as this new era of beat shit goes, Devon’s definitely a name to remember. Actually, my very first post was about Devon. Be sure to check that if you haven’t already.

6. SA-RA Creative Partners – All In The Kitchen (CD-R)
This is another exclusive Shafiq from SA-RA hooked up last week. Goofy, off-the-wall shit.. but still dope.

7. Black Spade feat. Coultrain – A Lil Taste (CD-R)
This starts the Dilla dedication section of the mix. All of the next 4 tracks sample or reference Dilla in someway. But yeah, this is an old Black Spade track I got off his MySpace about a year or two ago.

8. Finale – Ice (prod. DJ Final) (CD-R)
Finale is one of my favorite MC’s right now – his album is gonna be crazy. More on that soon… in the meantime, this is a track he did with Norway producer, Final, that references the Jaylib track, “Ice.”

9. Dill Clinton (TaRaach vs. The G.O.A.T.) – LiveWire (Lovelution Prosper)
This is from Runnin 4 Precedent, a top-secret TaRaach project thats been in the work for years now. Word is the election campaign is coming soon… stay tuned for more on that.

10. Knowledge – Relief (CD-R)
Knowledge is another name to remember, he’s been putting in a lot of work lately. I first heard him on Invincible’s track, “Ropes” off of ShapeShifters but he’s done so much since then it’s hard to keep up. Look out for more from him & Devon on Fresh Selects coming soon.

11. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Clair Huxtable (Brainfeeder)
Dope new track Ras just hooked me up with the other day to close out the Dilla set. On this, Ras flips the sample to one of my favorite Slum Village tracks, in tribute to everyone’s MILF crush, Clair Huxtable. Ras explained to me this is for “the Clair after the kids left, the Clair Cliff saw before Rudy knocked on the door.” LOL

12. Waajeed – Can’t You Feel It (Instrumental) (Bling47)
This beat seems a little random on here – but it’s one of my favorites right now, so fuck it. Coultrain actually recorded a song to this for the forthcoming PPP Mixtape – so look out for that. As far as the beat goes – all my indie rock heads should be able to spot what Waajeed chopped up on this. Don’t get it twisted (hint) – there are samples galore in indie rock music.

13. TaRaach feat. Mia Simone – Benjamins (prod. AmDex) (CD-R)
Man… I almost have too many TaRaach exclusives – I might need to do a mixtape with all of these someday. In the meantime, here’s an oldie-but-goodie from 2003 that he recorded in Germany with AmDex of the Vinyl Junkies.

14. Noni Limar – Monogamy (prod. Black L.A.) (CD-R)
Noni is someone I’m really looking forward to hearing more from. You may remember her from C.R.A.C.’s “Buy Me Lunch” (which she also directed the video for). I got this off of her MySpace, hopefully she doesn’t get mad at me for using it :)

15. Finale – Run It Back (prod. Rashid Hadee) (CD-R)
Another one from Finale. He raps with such intensity on this one – you can’t help but feel it.

16. DaveNotti – Get Real (prod. DaiN) (Thrilla Music Group)
Notti & Dain were 2 of the first artists signed to the Thrilla crew – and this track is a good example why. Dave’s really beasting on this one – 5,000+ bars (I’m rounding up) and no hook. DaiN killed this beat too. Both of them have a lot more heat still in store.

17. Kissey Asplund & DistantStarr – Car Ride (To The Future) (prod. Jay Scarlett) (CD-R)
Another exclusive that Distant hooked up. This is off his upcoming project w/ Swedish singer, Kissey Asplund. Can’t wait till that one comes out.

18. Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Waajeed’s Flash Gordon Remix) (Bling47)
Long story behind this one – but basically Troubleman’s label put out this remix without paying Waajeed. Not a good move. But it’s a dope track and it fit the feel of the mix, so fuck it – don’t buy it, get it right here instead.

19. Fatima – Wildchild (prod. VeeBeeO) (CD-R)
Fatima’s another singer I’m expecting big things from. You might remember her from the Hygher Baby post I did. I really like how she came off on this one – her voice is definitely that of an old soul, despite her age. I dig the sparseness and simplicity in the beat too.

20. Donel Smokes – Got Me High (Bridgetown Steel)
I’ll be an honest – I don’t know much about Donel Smokes – except that he’s in Bridgetown Steel, rapped on Exile’s Dirty Science album and a track that got left off of Blu’s Below The Heavens. I love this beat though – I don’t even smoke, but when this shit comes on?? Pass some of that over here.

21. Devon – Sleep Tight (Thrilla Music Group)
Damn… all that smoking made me tired. A nice sleepy beat from Devon to close things out.