It's been a long time since I've blogged an episode of the Trackside Burners Radio Show. Here is the latest episode (#629), still hosted by the fellas DJ Philly & 210Presents and aired on the London-based radio ITCH FM.
Intro
Mystery’s Extinction - Faraway
Big Kwam - Mic To Mic
Big Kwam - The Reunion feat Big Twan
Talk Break
Lord Sear - Hello! (The Wake Up Call)
Choclair - Brainwaves
Omniscence -I Gotta Maintain
T-Max - All About the Rhyme
Citizen Kane - Black Rain Instrumental
Talk Break
Citizen Kane - Black Rain
The Lady Of Rage - Some Shit
Mathematik - On My Mind
Kukoo DaBaga Bonez - All I Hear Iz
Da Bush Babees - Maybe
Edo.G - Dedicated Remix Instrumental
Talk Break
Q-Unique feat The Nomaads - Statictics
Basick Mentality - Disaster ’s Yours
Lootpack - Verbal Experiments
The Blunted Crew - T.O.R.
Dredknotz - Foul Weather
Basement Khemists - I’m Doin’Ya Instrumental
Talk Break
Basement Khemists - I’m Doin’Ya
Kamakaze - Da Rocks Y’All
Madlocks - Fast Lane
T-Love - I’m Comin’
Troubleneck Brothers - Circle Of Stone (Demo Version)
What do you know about this cat named Maintain, who dropped the excellent track "Steady Scheming" in 1999 ?
Probably nothing... but "Steady Scheming" is by far the best track on this compilation album entitled "Young Lord Presents... The Red Book Masters", released on vinyl on Honcho Mogul Industries / Roadrunner Records by Bronx-based producer Richard "YoungLord" Frierson.
This MC from the Bronx remained a mystery to me for a long time, until I managed to track him down and he told me a bit about his story... crazy because I discovered that he was actually Mental Flex, a member of the Bronx-based crew Da Henchmen.
Maintain : " Well, I generally started rapping after I was a dancer for a rapper named Supreme. He was working with my neighbor who was a drummer producer named Rich. Supreme was the one who told Rich that I could rap. Rich then asked me to rap for him and we created my first song "Straight to the Dome". And ever since then, I've been rapping, which in tune lead me to do music.
Later on, I worked with a friend of mine who lived the next building, who's a famous DJ, DJ Logic, who worked with maroon 5 and John Meyer. As time progressed, I met people who wanted to hear me rhyme. I met a Spanish producer named Ernesto "Tic" Morales, who, together with the real brother of Tracey Morgan created a label called Ill Cyde Records, who then created a group called Da Henchmen.
Maintain : "We recorded an EP and two of the members of the Henchmen were the Evil Twins, who get the song "Puerto Rico" with Frankie Cutlass. As time progressed, I continued on and met more people in music. Like my homie Melodramatic who had a group called Left Field, who in tune had a familiar family relationship with Richard "YoungLord" Frierson who produced "Steady Scheming". YoungLord later became one of the Hitmen producers for Bad Boy Records.
Over the years, I went through several names, from Mental Flex to Maintain, and later Messiah Blaq. I was an unsigned artist who did the Lyricist Lounge under the moniker Mental Flex in the late '90s and early 2000s. Music is a living, breathing thing for me. It has taken me around the world and allowed me to share stages with many successful artists. I'm still continuing my journey and have new music coming soon... Thanks for taking the time. "
"Young Lord Presents... The Red Book Masters" isn't exactly a must-have for record collectors, but it's still worth owning, as "Steady Scheming", originally recorded in 1995, is a true '90s indie hip-hop gem to me. Peace
Mad props to Maintain a.k.a Messiah Blaq. Thanks for your time.
"Rollercoaster Pt. 2" is the new joint dropped by M-Dot & Confidence, featuring Masta Ace.
" Boston lyricist M-Dot and producer Confidence return with their powerful new single, "Rollercoaster Pt. 2," featuring legendary Hip-Hop emcee Masta Ace. Produced by Confidence, who also provides the cuts, the track delivers a soulful boom-bap backdrop for sharp lyricism and introspective storytelling.
"Rollercoaster Pt. 2" is the sequel to the single "Rollercoaster" off M-Dot & Confidence's album "Library Of Sound" released last year. The single marks a special reunion between M-Dot and Masta Ace, who have previously collaborated and now reconnect to bring fans another standout moment rooted in authentic Hip-Hop. Both emcees trade thoughtful verses and share hook duties, reflecting on life’s ups and downs, perseverance and the unpredictable ride of the music industry. With Confidence’s signature production and turntable work tying everything together, “Rollercoaster Pt. 2” captures the essence of classic Hip-Hop " - courtesy of Below System Records
Chopped Herring Records are back with "Street Politics 2", the new musical project released by NYC-based beatmaker Karbine, featuring Rome Streetz, Ace SL, Hahyeem, Tragedy Khadafi and more ...
Available on White Coloured Vinyl (125 copies) and on Black Vinyl (225 copies)
In 1995, the Canadian magazine Elements published an interview with legendary Toronto-based rapper Saukrates. Joined by his manager Chase Lover, he discussed the upcoming release of his debut album "Father Time", produced by Clark Kent, Buckwild and No I.D.
For reasons that remain unclear... though most likely related to label issues... the album was never released, a significant loss given the expectations surrounding it. Saukrates released his first single "Still Caught Up", in 1994 at the age of 17, followed a year later by "Hate Runs Deep", featuring his friend Marvel. Father Time LP was originally scheduled for release that same year. It's definitely something that I'd like to see coming out on vinyl nowadays. Here are a few tracks from the original Father Time demo tape... Enjoy!
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