New Music: Parab Poet - Babelism

 

This week's new one comes via Parab Poet's new album, "Babelism."

Parab Poet is a Saskatoon MC and head of the Hip Hop Hippies (which includes DJ Chaps from Side Road Records.) Recently, he's been putting out some cool beat-tapes, but with the 9 track "Babelism," Parab Poet brings back the raps. And not only the raps, but the beats and mixing as well!

"Babelism" is a reflective life record and features Parab touching upon where he is spiritually, emotionally, and musically in these crazy times. The production isn't the most intricate, but it allows Parab's lyrics and flows to shine. The record also features a verse from the late Zumbi of Zion I.

Check it out!

Babelism

New Music: Saskatoon Folk Rap Records - Vancouver In The Rain

 

A handful of years ago, I often found myself wondering what Epic was up to and if he'd ever return to make music. Then, in 2016, an unreleased Epic song popped up on Hand Solo's "Bassments of Badmen 3" compilation. I then began hearing rumblings from the Audio Recon camp that some of Epic's back catalog was going to be released on wax. Fast forward to today, and Epic is heading up Saskatoon Folk Rap Records along with DJ Chaps, has a cross-ocean partnership with Audio Recon and Pen Thief Records, and is working on a new album (and I talk to the man pretty much every week.) The latest offering is a 7", with the A-Side being a brand new Epic track called "Vancouver In The Rain."

The 7" is backed by an Id Obelus remix and a new track from Add-Vice, from the Low Budget Affiliates, who has also made a grand return to music. The entirety of the 7" is produced by Noblonski who recently launched Pen Thief Records. The title track is a great little whimsical track that finds Epic nonchalantly rhyming like he never left. Id Obelus' "The Mousetrap Remix" is an amazing melodic redux and is certainly my favorite version of the song (Id released a maxi-single of the track a while back with various remixes that you should also peep.) Add-Vice's "Keep Your Distance" is a more upbeat closer that is short and sweet. 

I've been told that everyone associated with the crew is hard at work pumping out new content (Gumshoe Strut's new album is next and comes out this Friday.) Peep the project below and buy a physical if you're so inclined! If you purchase it off Noblonski's Bandcamp, you get the instrumentals as well! 

VANCOUVER IN THE RAIN

Lyr-x-ist - The Krossing (2004)

 

I was slated to have a guest post today, but that has temporarily been postponed, so instead I'm posting a homie's recent request: Lyr-x-ist's "The Krossing" from 2004.

Lyr-x-ist is a trio hailing from Saskatoon, SK, Canada, consisting of DJ/Producer Are-Tis-tik and Rappers Atrium and Apostle. The group has a number of various projects under their belt, but "The Krossing" seems to be the most prominent. While I am told that the crew didn't have lots of overlap with contemporary Saskatoon crew, Side Road Records, "The Krossing" is very much in line with that prairie-rap sound, in both rapping and production. Comma Concept and Patty C (aka Forgetful Jones) are even featured on several of the tracks. 

I'm not sure about the current status of the group (it looks like they haven't released anything for well over a decade,) so if anyone is up to date, let us know! Enjoy this old FTD scene rip below!

 

DOWNLOAD

Asthma and Reese's Pieces - S/T (?)

This week we have a pretty obscure little project from Saskatoon, SK, Canada to share - Asthma and Reese's Pieces' self titled EP. 

I recently had the chance to cop some stuff from Saskatoon legend Epic's personal music collection. When we were going through stuff, he told me that his brother (actual legal brother that is) had a project and asked if I wanted it. It was of course an immediate "yes" from me, and the product was "Asthma and Reese's Pieces." Asthma is Epic's brother, who I only know elsewhere from having a song on the Epic and Nomad collabo album. I have no idea who Reese's Pieces is. 

The 5 track EP sounds very indie and packs a pretty hard punch. Both of the guys are skilled rappers technically and have a lot to say regarding Canadian politics and their personal lives at the time (though I'm not quite sure when "at the time" was, there's no date on the project.) There's no track titles included. 

Peep the project below! 

DOWNLOAD