Adagio! - These Never Dropped - 2022

2xLP - 2022 - 90s Tapes / HHV  

90's Tapes are back with "These Never Dropped", a selection of unreleased tracks (10 vocal tracks & 5 instrumentals) recorded by Adagio! between 1993 and 1997.

"Adagio! (pronounced "A-dee-gee-o") stands for "A Definition of Ambition, Goals, Interest and Organization!". The Juggaknots-affiliated New York and Philadelphia based underground hip-hop duo consisting of Rayme Supreme (Raymond Fogle) and Big Cousin also known as The Obvious Wonder (Brian Pritchett aka Carta' P.) made some buzz with their highly respected underground 12" releases and "These Never Dropped" marks their second release on 90's Tapes." - courtesy of 90's Tapes 

Available on black vinyl 2LP (500 copies), CD  (Digipak & Jewel case - 150 copies each) and cassette (100 copies).

Orders  

Adagio! : A Definition Of Ambition Goals Interest and Organization

2xLP - 2019 - Akromégalie Records / HHV Records 

Carta' P and Parental are back with their last single titled "Misunderstood", off of their brand new "A Beautiful Mess" album, released on Akromégalie Records / HHV Records. 

Still available for Pre-Order  

Shipping date : September 20th 2019

It was the good opportunity to talk with Carta' P and asked him a few questions about his famous indie group named Adagio!

For those who aren't familiar with this group, Adagio! was a hip-hop duo formed in the early 90s by Raymond Fogle a.k.a Rayme Supreme and Brian Pritchett a.k.a Carta' P who was known at the time under the name of Big Cousin a.k.a The Obvious Wonder. 

I'm a huge fan of this duo, and I remember the day when I bought the New York to Philly EP by pure coincidence in a record store in Paris. These artists were totally unknown to me in '97 and this indie record was a real stunning surprise !

Carta P' : "I’m from Mount Vernon, NY. The same town that Pete Rock, CL Smooth, Heavy D are from... Just to name a few. Rayme Supreme is from West Philadelphia, PA.

Rayme and I met at Adelphi University; Long Island, NY in 1992. We lived on the same floor as each other, and Breeze Brewin of the Juggaknots was my roommate.

Ray and I started recording together in 1993-1994. We always studied and watch the Juggaknots during their recording process of Clear Blue Skies. We used all of what we learned to help launch our first single “ The Obvious Joint”...We eventually recorded close to 75 songs from 1994-2002..."

12" - 1996 - EMO Recordings  

 Their first 12" came out on EMO Recordings in 1996. "The Obvious Joint" is on the New York Side and "Ass Benefits" is on the Philly Side, both tracks produced by Big Cousin. 

Carta' P : "EMO is an acronym for my former girlfriend at the time. EMO stands for Every...Move...Organized. That was the name of the label that I started. I used that as motivation to always be organized with all of our music. The name ADAGIO! is also an acronym. It means A Definition Of Ambition Goals Interest and Organization."

 In the mid 90s Breeze Brewin’ introduced them to Bobbito and in July 25th 1996, the duo was invited by Stretch & Bobbito on WKCR for the promo of their 12". Here is the freestyle session: 

 

The same year, Big Cousin and Rayme Supreme also featured on Wisdom's debut single "All Star Jam" with Breeze Brewin' of the Juggaknots. Wisdom was from Connecticut and was also at Adelphi University (Long Island, NY), that's how the connection happened with him.

One year later, they dropped their excellent "New York To Philly" EP. This is a 6-track EP which was released on SOM Recordings / EMO Recordings. All the tracks were produced by Big Cousin a.k.a The Obvious Wonder. 

EP - 1997 - SOM Recordings / EMO Recordings 

Carta' P : "SOM is a company that I was able to work / record with in the mid 90s (95-97). The owner... Tone was somebody I met at music function in NJ. We formed a great friendship and we started to work together. He was really big into House Music and he wanted to branch over and work with hip hop. SOM was based out of Patterson, NJ. We recorded the NY to Philly EP with SOM ( Sound Of Music). We recorded and mixed the EP during one weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in 1997.... Lol"

In December 4th 1997, the duo was again invited by Stretch & Bob for the promo of their wax. Here is the Interview & Freestyle :

The EP will be followed by 4 other 12-inches released between 1997 and 2002 : "The Break" and "Everybody" in 1997. The other tracks of both 12" titled "Obvious II" and "My Girl" were the same. In 1998 came out the single "The Meaning" featuring Wisdom , with a remix of "Listening Pleasure" on the flip side, followed in 2002 by their last single "Poetry To Infinity / Who Is Adagio? ". 
They also featured on the track "Who Makes It Hot" from the Juggaknots "Re:Release" album which was released the same year.

12" - 1997 - EMO Recordings

12" - 1997 - EMO Recordings / SOM Recordings 

12" - 1998 - SOM Recordings 

Their discography will be ended with the great "The Obvious Archives Pt.1" EP released by Heavy Jewelz Records around 2013-2014, which contains unreleased material that was recorded around the mid to late 90's. 

EP - 2013/2014 - Heavy Jewelz Records  

 

The productions have always been handled by The Obvious Wonder during all these years. In terms of productions, he dug in different music styles like Jazz and Soul Music, using samples from artists like The Crusaders, Leroy Hutson, Jack DeJohnette or the Weather Report, and also from Rock'n Roll music with artists like Jeff Beck or Steely Dan. And when I asked him what were his influences, he answered : 

Carta' P :" As a producer.... I looked up to Kev Fevr (Juggaknots), Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q- Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Kay Gee (Naughty By Nature) and Tony Dofat."

Carta' P & Rayme Supreme - photo courtesy of Carta' P

Carta' P : "All of the Adagio! tracks that were not released are going to be on the NY to Philly (Re Release) that’s coming out on HHV Records in December 2019. There will be 8-10 unreleased Adagio! tracks as well as the original tracks from NY to Philly."

That's a good news... a brand new Adagio 's project will be on your shelf soon ... stay tuned Fellas !!!

Carta' P. & Parental - A Beautiful Mess 2xLP - 2019

2xLP - 2019 - Akromégalie Records / HHV Records

"Carta’ P. aka “The Obvious Wonder” who hails from the talent rich city of Mount Vernon, NY debuts with his full length solo album “A Beautiful Mess”. 

In collaboration with french producer Parental, the two combine to mix melodic samples, strong baselines and infectious drums in conjunction with stories about women, relationships, life as an adult, money, children and family. The combination of Parental and Carta’ P. help produce a sound very similar to the 90’s “Golden Era of Hip Hop”. 

The entire project was produced by Parental and written by Carta’ P. over the span of two years. The two musical juggernauts collaborated and recorded over twenty songs together. Throughout the project, you can hear the musical chemistry along with the development of the album. 

Carta’ P. is part of the hip hop underground group ADAGIO! from the mid to late 90’s. A lot of the same musical influences and lyrical creativity from ADAGIO! can be heard through this latest collaboration."  

Written & Performed by Carta' P. (B. Pritchett), except "Too Many (Remix)" by Carta' P. & Breeze Brewin' (P. Smith)

All tracks produced by Parental (R. Besikian), except "Zoo" by Lex (de Kalhex) [A. Besikian]. Scratches [Cuts]: DJ Boo. Guitar [Additionnal]: Ferdinand Cros

Artwork: RVB / Photography: Yann "L'œil" Cressent

300 copies only ...
Pre-orders : HHV / Bandcamp

Carta' P. & Parental - I'm Fly - 2019

"I'm Fly" is the 3rd single from the forthcoming album "A Beautiful Mess", which is slated to be released in 2019 by Parental & Carta' P a.k.a the Obvious Wonder of ADAGIO!, followed by the release of the EP "Crepes and Soul Food". Stay Tuned ! 

Carta' P. & Parental - MSNBC (My Story Needs Better Clarity) - 2019

Here is certainly one of the most interesting thing which comes to our ears this week... the single "MSNBC (My Story Needs Better Clarity)" created by the collaboration of the French Producer Parental and Carta' P aka "The Obvious Wonder" member of the hip-hop underground group ADAGIO!. 

1 - MSNBC: My Story Needs Better Clarity 

2 - MSNBC: My Story Needs Better Clarity (Radio Edit) 

3 - Love Sexy 

4 - MSNBC: My Story Needs Better Clarity (Instrumental)

Both songs are written and performed by Carta' P and produced by Parental for Akromégalie Records. The project was recorded at Matic Studio, Bronx, NY., engineered by Kev Fevr (The Juggaknots), mastered by  K-Def (K. Hansford) and mixed by Parental at Akromégalie Studio, Paris. Artwork done by RVB (Parental). 

Dropping February 14th on all Digital platforms.

Pre-Orders 

Parental & Carta' P - Photo courtesy of Yann "L'œil" Cressent 

The single will be followed by the album "A Beautiful Mess" which could be released around April 2019, and followed then by the EP "Crêpes & Soul Food" : 

"Carta’ P. aka “The Obvious Wonder” who hails from the talent rich city of Mount Vernon, NY debuts with his full length solo album “A Beautiful Mess”. In collaboration with French Producer Parental, the two combine to mix melodic samples, strong baselines and infectious drums in conjunction with stories about women, relationships, life as an adult, money, children and family. The combination of Parental and Carta’ P help produce a sound very similar to the 90’s “Golden Era of Hip Hop”. The entire project was produced by Parental and written by Carta’ P over the span of two years. The two musical juggernauts collaborated and recorded over twenty songs together. Throughout the project, you can hear the musical chemistry along with the development of the album."

Stay Tuned Fellas !!! 

"Dedicated" Hip Hop Vinyl Radio Mix Show - December 13, 2015 - WNUR

Here is the "Dedicated" Hip Hop Vinyl Radio Mix Show aired on December 13, 2015 (Sun-Mon 12midnight-5am CST on Chicago's WNUR 89.3fm), hosted by Da Truckster and DJ 3rd Rail.  

This episode was a special show dedicated to the indie group Adagio! and the birthday of Ray Foges aka Rayme Supreme.  5 hours of show with a dope tracks selection !! 
 It seems I was online during that night, you can hear my name at  '01:04:48', thanks for the dedication fellas !

Mad Props to Jose Feliciano a.k.a DJ 3rd Rail