One month ago , the good 'Live from Londyn' EP was released by Soundweight Records and Dusty Platter, and I have to admit that It has been on heavy rotation since I received my copy.
So here are more information about L. aka L. Fly and this release, strictly for your personal Hip-Hop Culture :
Born the son of a radio personality and a schoolteacher, rap music was an easy sell to a young boy who loved music but had to read & write because of his mother's stern stance on education. L. Fli or L. as he is more commonly referred fell in love with the culture of Hip Hop while spending a summer in its birthplace: New York City. Too young to venture out on his own L. would perch himself by the window of his Aunts uptown apartment soaking up the sounds of the city blasting from the park jams, portable ghetto blasters and cars passing by. The sounds of early pioneers such as Grand Master Flash, Run-DMC & Big Daddy Kane left a huge imprint on the impressionable pre-teen.
Shuffling between Maryland's Eastern Shore, Baltimore & NYC, the different music heard inspired L. to first try his hand as a D.J. following in his father's footsteps. Born and raised an only child, L. was given a drum machine for his 13th birthday and a set of turntables for X-mas. Becoming enthralled with the music, his parents would often have to tell him to put away his records and go-to-bed. It was then that the precocious teenager started to write the rhymes that had been swirling around in his head, illuminated only by the streetlight right outside his window. With his writing ability improved L. was ready to make his debut at bar-b-q in a neighbors back yard. Nervously taking the mic L. spit a verse that was well beyond the spectrum of his 14 yrs that not only impressed all who were in attendance but his grandmother as well who had been secretly watching him from her back steps two houses over and applauding proudly. Inspired by the reaction of the crowd and the proud look on his grandmothers face, L. began to take his craft more seriously and continued to write, perform & hone his skills through out high school into collage up & down the Eastern seaboard.
Making his foray into professional recording was an easy one for L. because of his lifetime of experience. Having released well over 10 singles independently over the last 12 years L. has garnered a respected following from Los Angeles to as far away as Japan, where his music is so popular that a bidding war ensued between two labels for the exclusive licensing rights to his entire catalog in that region. Having been embraced by such taste-makers as Rich Medina & DJ Spinna some of L.'s out-of-print recordings have fetched top-dollar on Ebay through out the world.
L.'s latest Long Player entitled 'Sunrise on the Reservoir' is his most cohesive and eclectic work to date, L. attributes the affinity to his music through out the globe, to god, family, an awesome support team and HIS undying love for the music & the culture that his feels is responsible for sustaining him to this point in his career and life..
Side A (Live Side) :
A1 - ILL Vs. (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded by IllDECIBEL at KC Studios Mixed by Joe Quinde at Unique Studios, NYC
A2 - Street Superstar (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded & mixed by Jay Funk at Illsteet Studios
A3 - Relax Your Mind feat. Black Spade & Jay Funk of the Ghetto Connect (L. Allen & J. Carter) recorded and mixed by Fred Derby at Sheffield Studios
A4 - Guns (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded & mixed by illDECIBEL at KC Studios
Side B (Fly Side) :
B1 - Blue Lights & Blunts (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded at Central Studios by Mike Neal, mixed by Joe Quinde at Unique Studios, NYC
B2 - O.N.G. (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded & mixed by Jay Funk at Illstreet Studios
B3 - Stackin' Grands feat. K. Mack (L. Allen, J. Carter & K. Mack) produced by Jay Funk. recorded & mixed by Jay Funk at Davis Street Studios
B4 - Tight (L. Allen & J. Carter) produced by Jay Funk recorded by Mark at Cloud 9 Studios, mixed by Joe Quinde at Unique Studios, NYC
All songs Produced By J. Funk for Funkie Ave Productions
Re Mastered By J. Funk at Cool & Company Studios, USA
(Re-Mastered for the Vinyl release completed by Dj Drinks (UK))
(Re-Mastered for the Vinyl release completed by Dj Drinks (UK))
Credits:
L.'s S/O's and Thanks -
1st & foremost thanks to the creator for giving me life and sustaining me despite my shortcomings and misgivings. My parents looking down on me from heaven, my entire life is dedicated to your memories. My Grandmother for taking me in and allowing me the space to learn and grow as a hip hop musician. My family for praying for and believing in my dreams.
My bro Jay Funk for spending countless hours in & out of studios with me while I 'searched for my voice' no check could ever cover the debt I owe you, bro. Syl Henderson for believing in me and helping me in more ways than this space will allow. Sid Wilson for staying down and being diligent through the years. All the people who have supported us worldwide. Our music has reached places and touched ppl we've yet to see and for that we are eternally grateful.
Special shout out to the homie Mike Cole (the plug), Dusty Platter / Soundweight Records and all the other hip hop labels keeping the spirit of traditional hip hop alive.
All Tracks taken from the original recordings straight from J Funks own personal archives, The original recordings of classic material before it was re-recorded into 12" Singles and distributed to the masses, Along with 5 unheard original recordings from Jay & L.'s personal archives for an unprecidented look at the come up of one of Baltimore, MD's Undoubtably most talented duo's to ever do it! Nostalgia is key to fully appreciate this unreal release. Perfect for the Hip Hop Collective resurgence!
