CD Track Listing:
01. Been there
02. Ain't no crime
03. Monty
04. Dramaz
05. For da family
06. Crusading
07. Inner city blues
08. Jam on it
09. Mont man
10. Ron beat
11. Spinner
12. Gettin Hot
13. Take your time
14. Turtle Man
15. Been there Part 2
16. Urbiank
DESCRIPTION:
K-Def an unopposed underground beat legend, has been banging on his MPC for years. Beats From Da 90's brings you some of his released and unreleased sampled, looped, soul-drenched; lost tracks. Found in a bag of dusted dats. Before leaving the House of Hits and changing over to computers, K-Def brought the heat out of his analog machines. The MPC 3000 and S-3000, were his main weapons, of choice. These tracks in question exemplifies that mid-'90s sound to such a degree that it serves up a veritable lesson in boom bap aesthetics, a flawless realization of how emotive, sonically rich and downright beautiful hip hop music can be when executed by a master.
VINYL VERSION FEATURES UNRELEASED TRACK “FLETCHER” NOT AVAILABLE ON CD!
K-DEF PRESS REVIEWS:
Fans of the sound that cemented the 90's as a great period of Hip-Hop
will find themselves instantly at home on a number of tracks. Head
nods are guaranteed with joints like the the hauntingly dark "Dramaz"
to the exciting "Ain't No Crime", and "Jam On It" where K-Def gives
his own stylish take on the Nucleus' hit by the same name. My personal
favorite "Monty" kept iTunes on repeat with the rugged drums, filtered
bassline, and echoed horns.
- Semantik (CRATE KINGS - BEATS FROM THE '90S REVIEW)
They Still Love Her...We've been sleeping on this for a while, but
this seven-track EP from '90s production don K-Def and emcee Dacapo is
an unexpected blast of freshness. The title track is reminiscent of
the vibe and chemistry Pete and CL forged on their second set, 'Gotta
Get Da Cash' laments the task of an emcee with something to say - but
who doesn't want to come off as all self-righteous - in a world where
the soundbite rules, and 'Fallen' pays tribute to departed rap
soldiers. Check it.
- Mike Post (Hip-Hop Connection 225 HIP-HOP CONNECTION)
K-DEF... "My story's a little crazy. Me and Larry-O, we started
hookin' up and going to the studio in 88, and I think in 89 Larry-O's
sister started dating ICU from Boogie Down Productions. So from that
point him and Larry hooked up and then KRS-One came into the picture.
So them being kinda cool with each other, we went into the studio and
did a song that never came out..."
- James McNally (Hip-Hop Connection 225 HIP-HOP CONNECTION)
Most of the thirty and over hip hop heads should remember K-Def, who
was monumental in releasing a slew of classic records in the early/mid
90's. He was behind Lord of the Undergrounds "Funky Child" and "Chief
Rocka" along with "Grand Groove" from Tragedy's "Saga of a Hoodlum"
along with the whole Real Live album. K-Def has long been greatly
underrated in the grand scheme of things as far as his production
goes. There was the World Renown album that has never seen a proper
release, a bootleg version of Nas' "Street Dreams" produced by K-Def
that is amazing, and other tidbits found here and there that lead us
to believe that he had some music in the vaults that we had yet to
have heard. That was until now. K-Def has pulled some tasty treats out
of the vaults and released them in the form of "Beats From The 90's".
- TRAVIS (WAKE YOUR DAUGHTER UP)
With 'Ain't No Love', as much as I have tried to sit back and assess
the intricacies of K-Def's composition, all too often I've realised
that I'm no longer paying attention to these details anymore and am
lost in the song's swirling brilliance. If ever you needed proof that
K-Def was amongst the best that ever did it, take a minute to indulge
yourself in one of the most sumptuous slices of hip hop production
ever committed to wax.
- DAN (FROM DA BRICKS)
Any list of great hip-hop producers from the '90s should include
K-Def. But while Kevin Hansford's bluesy, jazzy beats for Tragedy, Da
Youngstas, and Lords of the Underground have the same timeless feel as
the work of peers like DJ Premier and Pete Rock, such recognition has
largely eluded him. There are several reasons why. As one of a stable
of producers working under Marley Marl at the upstate New York studio
House of Hits, he remained relatively anonymous.
After lying low during the Jiggy Era, the Passaic, New Jersey, native
is now enjoying a renaissance that began with work on Ghostface's The
Pretty Toney Album in 2004. Not content to rest on his sample-based
laurels, the producer used Willie Boo Boo 'The Fool', an instrumental
LP from 2006, and Real Live Gangster, a set of remixes of Jay-Z's
American Gangster, to showcase his virtual arrangement skils.
- Jesse Server (Wax Poetics 29 July 08 WAX POETICS)
On last year's excellent instro LP Willie Boo Boo "The Fool", veteran
Brick City producer K-Def expressed his own concern with the rap
game's turns over the years. This year, Def teams with youngblood
DaCapo to form 'The Program' and drop their inaugural EP, The Article
(Ghetto Man Beats), reviving the sample-reliant, low-90's-BPM vibe of
the early 90's. As expected, Def does his thing on the production
side--whether generating fresh soundscapes (the joyous strings of
"Free Speech" and "Day Dreaming") or tastefully repurposing the
familiar (some ol' Ed O.G. on the industry primer "Gotta Get Da Cash"
and a lil Latifah on the paean to lost rap cats "Fallen"). DaCapo,
however, provides the nicest surprise, thoughtfully enunciating
throughout like Large Professor or CL Smooth reincarnate. So when he
says, on the title track, that he's in it for "much more than the name
or the fame or the change in the game," it's official. Genuine
Article.
- Chairman Mao (Critical Beatdown XXL, July 2008 XXLMAG.COM )
Best known for his early '90's work with the Lords of the Underground.
K-Def arguably belongs in the same class as Dj Premier and Pete Rock
but remains one of hip-hop's most under acknowledged beat masters.
Fresh from lacing KRS-ONE with one of 2007's toughest tacks in "The
Teacha's Back," the soulful, poignant instrumentals on K's remix
effort, Real Live Gangster, suggest this could be the year K finally
gets his props.
- Jesse Serwer (XLR8R 115, March 2008.XLR8R.COM )
In the wake of Dilla's penultimate masterpiece, Donuts, the bar for
the hip-hop instrumental albums is pretty high these days. Even more
reason, then, to laud the inaugural solo effort of veteran producer
K-DEF, Willie Boo Boo "The Fool" (Ghetto Man Beats). Relatively
inactive since the mid-'90s, when he was churning out hits for Lords
of the Underground and Da Youngstas, Marley Marl's former protege
resurfaces with the sort of eminently listenable beat suite that makes
you wonder why his phone hasn't rung more often in recent years.
Unlike Dilla's Donuts, Willie doesn't dazzle with de- and
reconstructive wizardry. Instead, it seamlessly integrates its varied
productions styles (live remakes like "Ike Replay," Wu-esque soul on
"Time of My Life," even Jamaican roots on "I'm the King") into a
compelling mixtape-styled soundtrack that acts as an audio biography
of its host. But as exuberant as Willie is in celebrating classic
hip-hop production ("Blind Run," "The Symph"), it also possesses sober
moments. "Damm, I miss the game the way it use to be," K's tired voice
laments over the melancholy horn swells of the "Outro." Fortunately,
this Def creation beautifully recaptures that golden (era) touch.
- Chairman's Choice, Critical Beatdown, XXLMAG.COM
After lacing backdrops for Ghostface and the late ODB, production whiz
K-Def hooks us regular Joes up with 'The Fool'. Unlike the obscure
title, K-Def's wits are reflected over 42 tracks. Despite the nuisance
skits, Def's style of laid back loops and melodies hit hard and go
down smooth.
- BM (SCRATCH MAG.COM )
From his days rolling with Marley Marl to his memorable work with his
own group Real Live, K-Def has continued to stay ahead of the pack
with his diverse range of beats. Most recently he laced some of the
best cuts from Theodore Unit's 718, as well as contributing "It's
Over" and all of the skits with beats for The Pretty Toney Album, but
a few months ago he released a full-length beat album called "Willie
Boo Boo - The Fool", which I'm pleased to report sets a new standard
for "instrumental hip-hop".
- Robbie ( UNKUT.COM )
--
www.kdef.biz
www.rrross.com
www.myspace.com/kdefinite
www.bootcampmagazine.com
www.myspace.com/ghettomanbeats
http://www.wydublog.com/2008/ 06/k-def-presents-beats-from- 90s.html
http://fromdabricks.com/2008/ 06/13/that-sweet-boom-bap- beats-from-the-90s-review/
Music from Ghetto Man Beats LLC
THE PROGRAM (K DEF & DA CAPO) - “THE ARTICLE” EP
CD Track Listing
SIDE A)
1. The Article
2. Double Headed Coin
3.Day Dreaming
4.Fallen
5.Beggin Street
SIDE B)
6.Life goes on...
7.Free Speech
8. Article TV *
9. Double Headed Coin TV *
10. Life goes on TV *
*Bonus Instrumentals
(Limited Vinyl Only
DESCRIPTION: The group consists of legendary DJ/Producer K Def, and rapper Dacapo (Dave Cazeau). The group's sound is reminiscent of early 90's hip hop, combining the strong soulful and jazzy beats of K-Def with the lyrics of Dacapo, whose rhymes typically come from a sociological perspective, and avoids the use of profanity. K-Def, easily one of the most slept on producers of his time, has a style of production that is rare, complementing the lyrics of each song. The professional sound of the production helps to make each record stand out, demanding full attention. Both members have a strong bond to the roots of the music that they produce, and will come to be viewed as the next step after groups such as Gang Starr, Pete Rock / C.L. Smooth, and the like.
This limited Edition VINYL EP in a FULL COLOR RECORD JACKET is released through Ghettoman Beats, LLC.
K-Def arguably belongs in the same class as DJ Premier and Pete Rock but remains one of hip-hop's most under acknowledged beat masters. Fresh from lacing KRS-ONE with one of 2007's toughest tracks in "TheTeacha's Back," the soulful, poignant instrumentals on K's remix effort, Real Live Gangster, suggest this could be the year K finally gets his props. - Jesse Serwer XLR8R, March 2008.
Key Selling Points:
· K-Def's early Production work was with Marley Marl on the classic 1993 Lords Of The Underground "Here Comes The Lords" album (Pendulum Records/Electra).
· During 1990s K-Def carved out a defying discography producing artists such as Tragedy (Intelligent Hoodlum), A.D.O.R., Da Youngstas, Real Live, Positive K and The Artifacts.
· In 1996, K-Def & Larry-O formed the group Real Live . They Released an album aptly titled, The Turnaround: A Long Awaited Drama (Big Beat/Atlantic Records).
· In 2004, K-Def produced "Its Over" on Ghostface Killah's " The Pretty Toney Album" (Def Jam).
· Also contributed production work to other Ghostface Killah projects "Theodore Unit" and Ol' Dirty Bastard's
"The Osirus Mixtape".
· In Early 2006, K-Def contributed production to El Da Sensei's "The Unusual" (Fat Beats).
K-DEF BIO
Preferring the role of Hip-Hop insider than hyped recording artist, DJ/Producer K-Def has kept a low profile in the game for number of years. Earning critical praise for his early production work with Marley Marl on
the underground classic album "Here Comes The Lords" by the group Lords Of The Underground. K-Def has steadily produced stellar Hip-Hop music for the world to bump their heads to. During the 1990's, K-Def has co-
produced some of Marley Marl better tracks, taking his place as Marley's go-to man on the MPC, K-Def craved out a defying discography. K-Def has lent his production talents to artist such as Tragedy (Intelligent Hoodlum), A.D.O.R., Da Youngstas, Real Live, Positive K, and The Artifacts. In 1996, having paid his dues, K-Def & Larry-O formed Real Live. They released an album aptly titled, The Turnaround: A Long Awaited Drama. His cousin Larry-O handled all the vocal production, and the duos complementary styles; were applauded by rap fans and critics. They created the underground smash 'Real Live Shit". K-Def has a blues/soul sampling style, which of late has come back in vogue, with current Hip-Hop artists. A style he and other 1990's hip-hop producers help solidify. Before his work had matured beyond 2000, his catalog had been sampled three times. The first time by Easy Mo Bee for "The Notorious B.I.G.”, then by "Wildchild" for the club anthem "Renegade Master", followed by Dr. Dre for his first album on Aftermath. In 2004 K-Def kept his name relevant by producing the standout track, "Its Over" on Ghostface Killah last release, "The Pretty Toney Album" (Def Jam). He has kept the ball rolling by contributing tracks to other Ghostface projects "Theodore Unit" and Ol' Dirty Bastard's "The Osirus Mixtape". Earlier this year he was a contributor to El Da Sensei’s new baby, "The Unusual". Earlier this year, K-Def decided to work on an instrumental album called Willie BooBoo “The Fool”, a tour-de-force in hip-hop production, K-Def hopes it pleases his fans, who sit by the radio hoping that of his tracks leak out. This is a first for K-Def, no rappers just the beats. For more info on K-Def. please visit www.kdef.biz
Expect tour support, press, album reviews.
K-DEF VINYL & CDs WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON AT THE RED LINE STORE