Underground Fossils: edison victrola

Underground Fossils was an indie rap focused blog run by myself (Dimxsk) and by Trylemma, who passed August 3rd, 2024 from liver failure of unknown origin at the age of 34. We mostly posted week or twice weekly, the bulk of which were rare rips we made, found on old blogs, he acquired through his insanely broad connection to the scene, etc. We did all we could to make sure we didn't post stuff that (1) You could still reasonably buy from the artist directly, (2) You could reasonably buy secondhand for cheap, (3) You could download easily elsewhere, (4) The artist(s) asked us not to for any reason. Being involved in this blog was some of the most fun I ever had, even if at times it was time consuming, challenging or intimidating (having a readership). It was the product of one of the best friendships I've ever had. If I could say one last thing, it's to encourage all of you: if you have the time and desire, make your own UGF. Find a friend who loves this shit like you do and build it together. It will bring you incredible joy, enhance your connection to this amazing community, and change your life in unexpected and exciting ways. I know it did mine. Love you all!

Showing posts with label edison victrola. Show all posts

Friday, September 11, 2020

Mad Squirrel - Bear With Me (2003)

Okay, so I'm coming down to the wire once again this week and I had to pick something to post for you lovely folks. I vaguely remember someone requesting this one a few months ago though. At the time I didn't have it, but Trylemma worked his magic and managed to dig this up recently. Awesome.

So I haven't had a chance to even listen to this yet. I included two versions because one is apparently not so great, the other is supposedly better. You can decide. It's a tape rip, so keep in mind it's gonna sound like a tape rip. If you're even reading this you probably have hundreds of those though so why am I saying this? It's Thursday night, I've been awake since 3:30 for work. Oh that's why.

Anyway Mad Squirrel is a key member of the many years defunct Bay Area based Forest Fires Collective. His flow can sort of be compared to a weirder Kirby Dominant, but the truth is he's got a sense of style and poetic sound that's all his own. His work with the FFC is good, as is his work with Blake 9 as The Acorns. Those albums are all fairly easy to find, but this number is not.

This album, like most FFC material is produced by both Edison Victrola and Feller Quentin. You can find a few more albums by Quentin here, just click that tag! His work is great and I actually made that Latter tape rip so I'm proud of it.

Wow I'm tired and I need dinner. You guys just ignore me and listen to some dope West Coast underground now okay?

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Friday, September 13, 2019

The Latter (Feller Quentin & Edison Victrola) - Ivorics (2015)

Those of you who've been checking in on UGF since the early(er) days know this one was promised when I posted Feller Quentin's solo rap album I Want to be Black Kind of. I'm a big fan of the Forest Fire sound, and Tim Cohen aka Feller Quentin aka Smif Carnivorous is a good place to begin to get a sense of it. Put his vocals over beats from their talented producer Edison Victrola (not to be confused with Edison of Papervehicle) and you get interesting and catchy DIY rap.

Ivorics was a cassette only release that was sold briefly in 2015 and is as of now (as far as I can tell) sold out, making it properly fossilized and eligible for posting here at UGF. It consists of a collection of singles by the duo, re-released for the first time as a full length album. The closing track is also featured on I Want to be Black Kind of, but for the most part these should all be new for anyone who hasn't heard them in their original format.

The sound is very similar to the easier to find Forest Fire albums, sample based boom bap production with a hefty dose of indie rock sensibilities and instrumentation. There is also a tongue in cheek, self effacing sense of humor that makes all the releases by this group fun. They're dope tracks with something for everyone.

Enjoy Ivorics!

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