Music: From Jazz to Underground Psycho Rap posted
I've been hearing some pretty good music lately and I thought I'd tell you about it. Normally I don't do this, but you won't hear any of it otherwise because it's all way underground.
First off, I went to a place called Java Joes on Saturday night. They had 2 bands playing, Kite Strings and Cleo's Apartment, which were both very good. Kite Strings was a mix between Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, and techno. They had a violin, turntables, drum machine, keyboard, and every once in a while a guy rapping. Cleo's Apartment combined Keyboards, synthesizers, turntables, and even horns. They're both pretty mellow but really good. Search for them on mp3.com or check out softfocus.com. The site isn't up yet, but when I talked to them they said it'd be up soon.
Now, on the other end of the spectrum we have Q Strange who is insane... but also insanely good. His first CD, Creation ExeQtion, is so messed up; it is supposed to be an audio version of a horror movie, and that's exactly what it is. I mean, I listen to some pretty messed up music (psychopathic records) but this CD will seriously make your stomach turn ...maybe that's why I liked it. It follows a story line. It starts off that he was the first cloned person and his whole life/childhood was spent by scientists running test on him and keeping him locked up. Then, eventually he gets free and just wants to kill everybody for the way he was treated. Real messed up. But I bought his second CD as well, which is called Strangeland. This CD is so incredibly good, seriously, you all should buy it. He has calmed down a bit since Creation ExeQtion, and there are lot of slower type raps... Actually, it sort of has an Eminem type of mood/mentality, except Eminem is lot more lame. If you like underground rap, buy this cd. I got both Q Strange CDs from redrummedia.com. Seriously, I'd advise you check it out. If you'd like to hear a sample or something, let me know.
First off, I went to a place called Java Joes on Saturday night. They had 2 bands playing, Kite Strings and Cleo's Apartment, which were both very good. Kite Strings was a mix between Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, and techno. They had a violin, turntables, drum machine, keyboard, and every once in a while a guy rapping. Cleo's Apartment combined Keyboards, synthesizers, turntables, and even horns. They're both pretty mellow but really good. Search for them on mp3.com or check out softfocus.com. The site isn't up yet, but when I talked to them they said it'd be up soon.
Now, on the other end of the spectrum we have Q Strange who is insane... but also insanely good. His first CD, Creation ExeQtion, is so messed up; it is supposed to be an audio version of a horror movie, and that's exactly what it is. I mean, I listen to some pretty messed up music (psychopathic records) but this CD will seriously make your stomach turn ...maybe that's why I liked it. It follows a story line. It starts off that he was the first cloned person and his whole life/childhood was spent by scientists running test on him and keeping him locked up. Then, eventually he gets free and just wants to kill everybody for the way he was treated. Real messed up. But I bought his second CD as well, which is called Strangeland. This CD is so incredibly good, seriously, you all should buy it. He has calmed down a bit since Creation ExeQtion, and there are lot of slower type raps... Actually, it sort of has an Eminem type of mood/mentality, except Eminem is lot more lame. If you like underground rap, buy this cd. I got both Q Strange CDs from redrummedia.com. Seriously, I'd advise you check it out. If you'd like to hear a sample or something, let me know.
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Born out of a disgust for the local music scene and to "fight the evil rap-rock hybrids," the Urbandale group Cleo's Apartment merges acid jazz with hip-hop and electronic music to create one of the most original sounds in the Des Moines area. The group plays 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at Java Joes, 214 Fourth St.
The group, formed in 1999, consists of two main members: DJ jazzcop on turntables and samples and E.P. Wurly on keyboard, though they bring in a number of other performers at their shows.
Cleo's Apartment obviously feels a great affection for the early "70s Blaxploitation films - it's named after a Marvin Gaye song from the 1972 Mr. T movie "Trouble Man," and among its songs is "Richard Roundtree," named for the star of "Shaft."
The hip-hop group Kite Strings will open at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Call 288-5282.
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