Download: Khizman – The Trophy Winner

Vision is a well put together album, but that’s about the best thing I can say about it. Jern Eye has been rapping for a while as a member of the Dilated Peoples-like Lunar Heights, and this album continues that vision. Illmind leads the way with four beats, ranging from the orchestral “Beautiful” to the Aftermath-like “The Difference”. Everybody’s favorite producer Jake One supplies three typically consistent and hard-knocking beats, while blogger darlings and labelmates Keelay & Zaire hand over two backdrops. I was a little underwhelmed with Ridin’ High, but in smaller doses K&Z have two of the more interesting productions on the album.

Things are a little rougher with the unknowns, though – Jern Eye, Cali Agents and Aristotle teamed up with DJ Swift Rock to cook up “Burnin’”, a song that would have been better off ghostwritten for Fabolous. The track’s dull hook isn’t a rare occurence, either. “Seasoned” is a beat that sounds like Freeway did Jern Eye a favor by not wanting to rap over it, but the track leaves you waiting patiently for a Nightclubber Lang verse that doesn’t stand out from any particular Nightclubber Lang verse. But at least when Lang – or other guests like Guilty Simpson and newcomer J-Billion – get on the microphone the beats seem to come to life a little. The guests are probably right at this album’s maximum capacity, but Jern Eye’s mic presence leaves Vision dangerously close to sounding like a showcase for his production lineup, and in turn the features that remind me this album’s about the rappers first.

Not that it’s all bad for Jern Eye. Keelay & Zaire, who featured him on their own debut, hand him a more basic ’80s style beat for “Get Down”, and he seems much more comfortable in a loose barbecue style atmosphere. But he only sounds so natural two other times on the album – another ’80s throwback, only this time with a new wave lean (“Pleasure of Love”), and the title track “Vision”. Unfortunately, in the same way that “Beautiful” sounds too much like Skyzoo’s “Beautiful Decay” (an unhappy accident, but still something that affects the record for me) “Vision” sounds too much like Common’s “Drivin’ Me Wild”. If Jern Eye’s other tracks were more singular, perhaps it wouldn’t be worth noting but on an album where Jern struggles to retain dominance of his collaborators it’s a shame a few of his more recognizable moments come on the heels of others. I don’t mean to be down on Jern Eye, but I can’t help but wonder how interesting this album would be without Illmind, Jake One, et al. What more can I say?

Download: Flawless Hustle Presents: Money Isn’t Real

Hit the skip to check the back cover and tracklisting…

Download: Jern Eye – “Get Down” prod. Keelay & Zaire (Right Click Save-As)

August 25th is finally here. It’s the moment that we have all been waiting for! Today, we officially release Transmitting Live Volume One, a collection of 29 exclusive and unreleased tracks mixed by DJ Traumatix. This project spotlights some of the finest underground hip-hop acts from all over the globe that we have had the pleasure of working with.

None of this would have been possible without you, the readers. As such, it’s only right to give back and show thanks for the successful launching of our blog with this fantastic medley of hip-hop like this? And, best of all, this is just the beginning of many excellent, exclusive projects to come.

Download: Potholes In My Blog Presents… Transmitting Live Volume One Mixed by DJ Traumatix

Special shout goes to Theodor3 for whipping up the fresh artwork that you are feasting your eyes on at the moment. Hit the skip to check out the tracklisting…

Transmitting Live Volume One Tracklisting:
1- Objektiv One – Intro (Beyon3)
2- Muneshine - Heavy Hitters (feat. Fundament & D-Sisive)
3- Trek Life – As The World Turns (Unofficial) (prod. 9th Wonder)
4- DJ Traumatix – Jansport J Scratch
5- K-Murdock – Up-Rizing (feat. Real Reid & Damu The Fudgemunk)
6- Joe Kickass – Gratitude (prod. Arts the Beatdoctor)
7- The Tones & Nichelle Brown – Stay
8- King Magnetic & Elucid - Double Your Money (prod. Haj of Dumhi)
9- Debaser (Ethic & Sapient) – Shuddup
10- J Freedome & MidaZ – Return With a Mask On (prod. IMAKEMADBEATS)
11- Killing Skills – Van Dijck Brown
12- Dujeous – Open for Business (feat. Jigsaw the Puzzler) (prod. by Apex of Dujeous)
13- Jern Eye – What U Want (feat. The Regiment)
14- DJ Traumatix – Buff Fart Scratch
15- Buff1 – Good Gracious (prod. M-Phazes)
16- Keelay & Zaire – Pimp Dreams (feat. Slo Mo of Fortilive)
17- Kayo – Calling Me (feat. CooLEra & Kitda) (prod. Ritchcraft)
18- Descry – TV Customs (Swamburger & Alexandrah of Solillaquists Of Sound)
19- Blame One – Never Fit It
20- The Red Giants (Jermiside & Brickbeats) – Touchin’ You
21- Animate Objects – Look to the Sun (PV Wonder’s ‘Just Smile’ Remix) (feat. Charles Hammond Jr.)
22- TAIS – The Gold Rush (prod. Keelay & Zaire)
23- Jon Hope – Renaissance (prod. Taktix)
24- Panacea – Reasons (feat. Drew Thomas)
25- Dela - Oblighetto
26- Alternate Reality (Dumi RIGHT & Cadence) – Lovin’ That Heat
27- Big Tone - Liquor Store Counter
28- Sene – PaperPlanePushers (prod. Blu aka GODleeBarnes)
29- ESEMDEE – Hi-Tek FX Bachatiago Outro (feat. by DJ J.br0.5ki & DJ Ab-loon)

We just got the first leak from West Coast emcee Jern Eye’s new LP, Vision, which is sounding fantastic so far. With Keelay & Zaire behind the boards, the track “So and So” really had enough going for it already. But one of my favorite guest rappers (and rappers in general) Guilty Simpson hops on for a guest verse and some adlibs to take this one to another level. Vision, Jern Eye’s sophomore effort, is set to drop Oct. 13 on one of our favorite labels, MYX, and will feature Zion I, Nightclubber Lang, Mistah F.A.B., and several others. Be on the lookout for more information as we get closer to that release date and enjoy “So and So”!

Download: Jern Eye – “So and So”

Download: Amen – Head On [Free Album]

Hit the skip for full artwork & tracklist…

Keelay & Zaire – “Alright With Me” ft. Dminor

The New Royales – “New World Order”

Spec Boogie - Summer Movie Season – Edward Scissorhands

The Kickdrums – “Just A Game”

Cage – “I Never Knew You”

Here comes the next Keelay & Zaire masterpiece, mixing jazzy keys, synths and samples to create this fine soundscape. Mario Dones also adds his two cents on this celebratory track, giving you that positive vibe you need on this hump of a day. I will also urge you once again to go out and cop Kee & Zee’s latest LP, Ridin High, if you haven’t already. Some of the freshest hip-hop to grace 2009 on that record, perfect for heading into the hot summer months. Check it and let us know what you think!

Download: Keelay & Zaire – “We Made It” ft. Mario Dones
Buy: Keelay & Zaire – Ridin High Lp

A little late on posting this, but it needed to be done. Keelay & Zaire are the homies and they just put out their stellar Ridin High LP. They already leaked “The Times” and today they come with their second single, “Alright With Me” featuring DMinor & Phonte of Little Brother. This has a real smooth, laidback west coast vibe; a prime example of what you can find on the rest of the album. Also peep the Ridin High Album Sampler. Check it out and as always let us know what you think!

Download: Keelay & Zaire – “Alright With Me” ft. DMinor & Phonte

Stream it before you download it: