Today's PopularBelief

Epic 4G Touch vs. EVO 3D: A Real Life Comparison

2011-09-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind these are my opinions of the two devices on a professional level.

While I had the opportunity to represent the PA Team on these amazing devices I fell in love with HTC Sense 3.0. Do I think it is more polished than TouchWiz? Yes and No. On one hand it has a wonderful overlay, great screens, beautiful widgets, more HTC downloads, ease of use, and pure customizations. On the other, Touch Wiz has amazing screens, resizable widgets, font customization, and multitasking in the bag.

Cellular Radio (Winner: HTC EVO3D, but not by much):
While on the PA Team I performed all my conference calls on the EVO 3D. I loved the clarity and flipping it over to engage to the speakerphone was very useful. The Epic Touch has it's dropped calls and the speaker isn't performing at full in my opinion.

Email (Winner: HTC EVO 3D):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-OxnhrrwaA

If the video doesn't grab you then the customizing HTC Sense will! I love the email on the HTC EVO 3D. HTC Sense makes it easier to get where you want with a few easy slides. Don't want that many sliders? Just long press and delete them. Easy as Pie. The Epic Touch has a great "Outlook" feel but when it comes to robust multitasking within email they missed the boat.

Camera (Winner: Epic 4G Touch):
It is quite hard to compare a 3D camera to non 3D camera so with no judging on the 3D side of things. This shoot out will be pure 2D only! The 5mp camera does a good but not great job on indoor photos. The dual LED flash is a bit overwhelming and can wash out your dark setting photos. Can I get a light umbrella in here? It handled outdoor photos with more control and light in the elements. The physical two step shutter control should be the industry standard, in my opinion. While these things are good they are not great.

The Epic Touch has time and time again proven to be the better photog. It takes great pictures in any light. I can easily snap a photo and close out without any picture remorse. The 8mp camera with single LED flash handles dark settings without sacrificing quality. I have taken more pictures faster too. I would have liked a dedicated camera key, but I will survive.

User Interface (Winner: HTC EVO 3D):
Did I mention HTC Sense yet? Some people will not like the heavy UI that accompanies the heavy contender. If you have never used an HTC device then you might not be missing out on what you never experienced. I admit it can be a bit overwhelming once you see it for the first time, but once you get settled inside the device can really open up multitasking in a new way. The device handles social networking with ease. It keeps you connected with great widgets. It keeps you inside all your favorites without the addition of clunky apps interfaces. It adds more flair and panache to your mobile experience. Granted some people like the Pure Vanilla Google experience, but I wanted to immerse myself deeply to fully demo and experience the hard work HTC performed.

The Epic Touch has great qualities inside Touch Wiz as well. The new resizable widgets are refreshing and colorful. They look beautiful on the SAMOLED Plus screen. The Social Widgets are not to my personal taste or form but they are reasonably functional in their own regards. The built in Task Manager is exceptional and performs great.

Design (Winner: Epic 4G Touch):

Please keep in mind this is aesthetics not build quality. The Epic Touch is svelte, thin, light, and stunning. Once you turn on the screen it pops! The device runs smooth and flawlessly through apps while multitasking. It comes with 16GB of internal storage and a 1800mAh battery.

The EVO3D is a little on the heavy side. It's still quite thin in comparison to the OG EVO 4G and the qHD screen is amazing while using the 2D / 3D. It comes with 1gb of internal storage and 1730 mAh battery.

Both have DLNA technology and 1.2 GHz processors, respectively.

Screen (Winner: Epic 4G Touch)
That brilliant SAMOLED Plus screen wins everytime in these shoout outs and it's with great reason. More sub pixels equals better quality. While the EVO's qHD resolution is great under 3D conditions the colors don't quite pop. I also noticed that certain movies on Netflix weren't as clear on the EVO 3D. (Pitch Black, Knockaround Guys). Your mileage may vary and gaming is phenomenal on the Epic Touch

Media (Tied)
As stated both have dual core processors to handle the gaming and have DLNA technology for streaming media to your DLNA devices locally. The Epic Touch has Samsung's Media Hub and access to Netflix out the box. While the EVO 3D has HTC Watch and Netflix now available for streaming. Both have YouTube HD and access to the Android Marketplace Movies. Both stream great under WIFI and under 4G conditions as well.

Sprint 4G Shootout: Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch vs Motorola Photon 4G vs Nexus S 4G

2011-09-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity while in Harker Heights to set up a quick video shootout. I didn't want to make a long video so I did a quick shootout. even though while on video the numbers weren't the highest, I also performed a few screenshots of the best numbers during the test. Some people have their own experiences so your mileage may vary. Enjoy!
As you can see from the screenshots that the numbers all occurred within a similar period of time. While you might not get a burst of speed all at once you can still rest assured you're going to get some good speeds while on 4G service while using these devices.

Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch screenshots:

Motorola Photon 4G screenshots:

Nexus S 4G screenshots:

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S2 / Samsung Epic 4G Touch first look

2011-09-13T06:36:00.001-07:00

One of my teammates got his Samsung Galaxy S demo and let me test drive it for the morning. All I have to say is WOW! I hopped right into the widgets and SAMOLED HD Plus. The device's 1.2 ghz dual core processor is so fast that everything loads in a snap. The Widgets are crystal clear and have an amazing layout now.
I apologize in advanced for the crummy pictures. I didn't have my Sony HD camera with me that I usually take my shots with so I was forced to use my 5mp BB Bold 9930 camera. I tried installing the Motorola Photon 4G's screenshot app but it didn't work (edit: I was advised later in the afternoon the screenshot feature is available by holding HOME and POWER Buttons, respectively)

The lockscreen doesn't have any weird locks or sliders. It's a picture and you just swipe in any direction to unlock.

Adding Widgets and folders is a crisp and easy experience. Samsung really went deeper into the UI to make it a fluid experience without adding too many windows to the User Interface.

Sprint TV looks beautiful and has a better loading speed, even over 3G speeds.

YouTube streams HQ faster while on 3G and didn't even buffer a 4 minute Street Dance HD video.

Browsing the Web on 3G was a breeze and the mobile websites loaded so quickly and clearly it's hard to imagine your'e on a mobile device.

Samsung stepped it up further by not only offering better widgets but better looking widgets! Dual clocks that look great on the SAMOLED Plus HD

Samsung designed a prettier Power Control Widget as well, with an extended power bar that gives you more battery saving abilities than it's predecessor.

Thoughts?

I am excited about this device and the stats speak for themselves in volumes. The device is light, thin, and an absolute joy to use. It's fast, durable, built well, and has the ability to take on anything the competition is advertising right now on their lineups.

The Sprint Blackberry Bold 9930 and the beautiful.

2011-09-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

It seems everyone is talking about iOs and Android (maybe even a WP7 thrown in there now and again) smart phones these days. Verizon or AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile. How do I ever figure out what to upgrade to next?
Some Blackberry upgrades have been hell and high water (BB Storm anyone?) but through it all it seemed that Research In Motion has always had a leg in a sinking ship and the other in the grave since the newest reiterations of the two powerhouse mobile OSes hit the platforms running. More people are now carrying Android and iOS devices for Enterprise than ever before. Is this the end of RIM?
Not so fast... I was given the privilege of leading a small but powerful BB Bold launch team and I couldn't have been more excited when the opportunity surfaced. I was eager with delight and joy to find out the specs and details about this mystery device. When the specs were finally released officially I had to admit I was very impressed with what was on paper. 1.2 Ghz processor? Capacitive touchscreen? NFC? New OS7? Did I mention internationally capable, too? Still, I had my doubts when I did my research on the amount of apps RIM has vs the current competition's App stores. It was going to be a hard fight for RIM to win me over. Delays, patience, and time were all I had building until that big day. I went on vacation to the West coast during the initial launch by Sprint and missed those crucial days and did my homework before getting my device in the mail.
When the day came I eagerly unboxed my device on YouTube with joy and a powerful vigor. You have to understand I haven't been inside a BB device sine the BB 7520. This was a HUGE breakthrough in terms of upgrades. This blog post isn't going to be your typical VS blog post I usually satisfy your hunger with. This is the return of the BB Bold and how it can reinvigorate your love for a BB even if RIM isn't reinvigorating their own brand.
First out the box the activation was pretty zippy as noted by the unboxing video. Right off the bat I was a little weirded out by the quirky touch pad but after a few movements through out Home Panels I got the hang off the stock sensitivity . I got started with the BB Set Up wizard. It's sort of like the Motorola Photon's Setup Wizard in concept but with a BB flair.
After setting up all my emails accounts the device downloaded all my contacts in one easy sync. Brilliant. No need for third party apps doing the job. After scoping out the stock apps that come on the device (Telenav, Twitter, Bing Search, Sprint TV, Nascar,etc) I immediately hopped into the App World to grab my necessities.
Slacker, UberSocial, Tweetcaster, Grooveshark, Yelp, Endomondo, Pandora... Wait a second... Where's Pandora? You mean to tell me there's Pandora on every single Android device but not on my brand spanking new Blackberry Bold featuring OS7 ????? After a quick Google search I learned the new OS7 version wasn't completed yet. I would have to wait.(As of this blog post Pandora is available for OS7)
After uploading the unboxing video to YouTube it was time to test everything on this device to full potential. While the experience is what you would expect on a 2.8 inch TFT (640 x 480 pixels) screen, there are some kudos to be delivered. While being small it does pack quite a resolution quality. The screen is full of clarity and punch. The videos are smooth,clear, and the 5mp camera in the back does provide a crisp picture that is far from grainy. It's nothing close to DSLR quality but if you are a on the run food blogger ( TUMBLR DROP) as I am you can handle your business in a few short moments.
The dedicated camera button is smooth like butter and the 1.2 Ghz processor boots the camera in a flash. Like all smart phones however the LED flash does more damage than good to any serious photo opportunity. The LED flash has ruined more pictures for me than helped. That's a terrible downfall on the device but the Flashlight App comes in handy when I drop my keys in the garage.
The BB App World doesn't hold a candle to the iOS App Store or the Android Market, but there are some quality free apps out there. Paying $9.99 for a theme seems ridiculous, however, when I all I need to do when I want to customize any of my Android devices is download a Free Launcher. iOs, is that you crying in the back?
I am surviving the daily tech grind with this device. The battery life is quite comparable to my previous dual core devices (EVO3D, Motorola Photon). I get a good 15 - 18 hours of medium to heavy use and 20 hours even with light use. While riding my bike I get good great signal quality in Central Texas while running Endomondo with Slacker or Pandora, respectively. The GPS lock is accurate and I get a pretty good 30 - 40 minute bike ride with no lag, signal degradation , or hand off. The battery suffers the most but it's to expected when it's only 1230 mAh.
The best feature I would have to say is the actual phone. Yes! It makes CALLS! Can you believe it? iOs is still crying in the back. Verizon iPhoners, sit back down. the call quality is absolutely wonderful. 100% loving the speakerphone and sound clarity. Even the music sounds great out these speakers. You have a built in EQ for tweaking the sound.
Can we safely assume that RIM isn't going anywhere? Only time will tell, but one thing for sure is that RIM needs to get back into the App game right now or these wonderful and highly sought devices are going to stop coming to fruition. Dropping the price on that Playbook another hundred bucks might do it too :)
Until next time....

-cezeOne

Why should I upgrade to a Motorola Photon 4G?

2011-08-08T18:04:00.001-07:00

Those were the words uttered by another fan of my outstanding demos. Ok, so not really. She wasn't even a Sprint customer. She's a staff member of my Chiropractic's office. She's one of the awesome people that fell in love with some amazing demos of the HTC EVO 3D. Truth be told it was damn hard to put down the 3D goodness of the "3VO". I mean seriously, how do you top that?

It seems that Motorola wasn't trying to top anyone when they made this device. They just made an incredible solid device all it's own. Sure, it has a kickstand like the HTC EVO 4G but that's a great feature that many people manufacturers are adding these days (Verizon & T-Mo phones have them too, respectively)

So without further ado I will give a quick run down of what I really like and unfortunately what I don't like too. Got to be honest, right?

Things I liked:
I like the qHd resolution and screen size. I love the 8 mp camera with dual led flash. I like how fast the shots come out without too much play on the dedicated camera button.

Full Digital Zoom

Regular Shot

Outdoor Regular Light Shot

Indoor Flash Shot

Outdoor 1/2 Digital Zoom Regular Light Shot

I like the ability to remove many of the stock apps. I like the pre-loaded Rich Location App (sort of an alternative to Google Places).

I like the stock Music and Email Apps. The stock Music App works and looks incredible with cover art and even found my saved playlists that I inserted from my HTC EVO 3D 8gb microSD card. The built in Files App displayed it all in an easy "Windows 7 PC" like manner.

If you choose to play your saved mp3s with the Motorola Photon 4G it will make recommendations for internet radio or music purchases via Amazon Mp3 app based on your music library. Audio quality was great and loud through headphones plugged in to the 3.5mm jack, and the external speakerphone got very loud without breaking up on my phone calls. The audio even has it's own EQ settings! I really like that feature bc I use my phone as an impromptu mp3 player in my rides.

The signal quality is great over 3G but REALLY shines over 4G. I got some pretty awesome download and upload speeds over the course of my weekend errands. The 1650 mAh battery was tested to the edge and performed every step of the way. I had an average of 20 to 22 hours with heavy use over the weekend which is just about on par with my EVO 3D experience.

Desktop Mode works with the device plugged in or not. (Either side of the device can be supported by the kickstand bc it's built so well) The device is so sleek and built so well.

I hate to make such comparisons but they are both equally impressive in their own respects from two top dog manufacturers. It really falls on who your loyalty remains with HTC Sense or the new revised Motorola UI (Anti-Blur?).

Things I do NOT like?

I been hearing many people saying this and it's totally true but I don't like the built in Motorola Widgets. I won't factor on individual bc to be honest they ALL suck. They are ugly, simple, and some don't even work as good as its predecessors. The Alarms & Timers Icon at the top is a battery with a check mark? WHY? Makes no sense. The battery icon is simple. The 4G indicators and signal indicators turn blue which is nice yada yada yada. I don't like the Gallery App to be honest either. I can see they wanted to match up the scheme with the music app but I don't like the layout and ease of accessing my pictures.

Why is the Micro USB Charger cord so short? I been noticing this on more and more new devices. It's bad enough that laptop USBs don't power them enough but then I need to figure out a way to get the cord on my desk somehow too? This needs to change. ASAP. Compare all your old chargers and tell me I'm wrong. Do it.

All in all it's a solid device and definitely worth an upgrade if you want some impressive accessories and some impressive speeds on hardware and radio signals. I haven't had it a full week so anything can change between now and Friday but hey I feel good about it and it's just what Sprint needs to continue churning out hot devices this summer. If you have an upgrade and looking to get into something a little different and fast then go for it.

Nook Color: Best Android tablet for the money? I think so.

2011-07-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

With tablets popping up every month it's hard to decide on one that fits your everyday use. I wrote a blog about the Galaxy Tab back in December and why I spent so much money on one. After the two price drops and deciding on waiting for another iPad killer, I returned it within 30 days. Was my pocket feeling most of the burden? Yes.

I have a friend who told me about the Nook Color being rooted and booted with a Cyanogen Mod. I couldn't believe it until seeing it. I had seen a Nook running Froyo on youTube but wasn't impressed to say the least. So after doing side by side matches, accesories, data plans, and plain customizations, I decided on purchasing a Nook Color. I bought one retail for $249.99 from Staples bc I had some store credit and a coupon for some office furniture.

I booted it up and tried out the regular stock interface for about 15 minutes before hopping on XDA and learning the basics to rooting this bad boy. Granted, it's not as pretty as a gTAB. It doesn't have built in 3G or two cameras, but it does have speed, a 7 inch screen and 200K apps on the Market to satisfy my Gingerbread appetite.+

After modding it and playing with it the last 2 months I got a little bored, I wanted more. Yesterday Android Central posted the early birthday / XMAS gift of the year: MIUI rom ported to Nook Color. I was in shock, joy, and just plain giddy! One of my favorite roms and developments was finally here. Early this week I asked my friend how much I would enjoy a MIUI port and now I finally have it.

For those unfamiliar with MIUI rom I will satisfy your attention with some screen shots and a short video tutorial as well as links and how to's. I started the process around 4pm yesterday and can't get enough of it on my Nook Color. If you have a rooted device and know the ropes around roms I HIGHLY suggest this rom.

Enjoy!

Video Tutorial on HTC phone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZlxdI5FzEw&feature=player_embedded

Video Tutorial on Nook Color
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJkTKzUQdIY

XDA - MIUI ROM info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1160232&page=3

XDA- Nook color general
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=862

My HTC EVO 3D initial review

2011-06-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

After having my HTC EVO 3D for about 4 full days, I can fully confirm that this is Sprint's next flagship model with great appeal, speed, and value.

For anyone unfamiliar with the HTC EVO 3D, The HTC EVO 3D is HTC's next generation device in the EVO family lineup. It currently ships with Android 2.3 also known as Gingerbread, a 1.2ghz Dual Core processor, a brilliant 4.3 inch QHD 3D display, 3G/ 4G capabilities, TWO 5.0 mp cameras that capture images in 2D and 3D, as well some amazing pre-loaded 3D content, including games,3D sample pictures, and a copy of the Green Hornet 3D.

Upon opening the simple minimalist box I noticed the 1730mah battery was already inside the device. The device is wrapped with a clear plastic with detailed instructions how to remove the back cover safely. You have to unwrap the device's battery prior to turning it on. The battery had enough juice to power it on but I decided to give it a full charge while activating it.
The device powers up in about 60 seconds harnessing the dual core power right out of the box.
The animations are brilliant and brief. The device goes through a few prompts for hands free activation, then PRL updates, then firmware updates. The new MR update was not sent out when I received my device so I had to manually update it later in the week.

Set up:
My set up was fast and easy. I easily signed into Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Yahoo with ease and speed. HTC Sense 3.0 has been totally invigorated with a new UI that allows the lock screen to be used as a quick app access. Just slide your app into the lock ring and you are there in a flash! You can choose to personalize it with a few quick clicks on the main menu. The HTC Sense UI has some wonderful add ons to the drop down menu as well. You can see your last 5 apps accessed in the top menu. The bottom menu has two tabs that gives you “notifications and quick settings” to adjust all your radios in a breeze.

Speed:
Right out of the box when you turn on the device you can see HTC has designed a device that is built perfectly with multitasking and ease of use in mind. The HTC Sense changes have e not only been built with multitasking and speed but simplicity in mind. The dual core never lags and if you feel that you want to free up some room on the device Sprint and HTC have given you the ability to remove the pre-loaded apps such as: NASCAR, Blockbuster, Sprint TV, and Telenav. Unfortunately you cannot remove all the pre-loaded content but the device moves so fast you will hardly notice its presence.

Camera Quality:
The device comes with an amazing 2D/3D switch and camera shutter button on the side of the phone built with amazing craftsmanship. The 3D pictures come out accurate in low light and the flash works really well. The 2D pictures are not exactly as eye popping or stunning but they are definitely on par with other 5mp camera's quality. I took a few shots in 3D in my home office and noticed the depth and 3D quality right away.

Call Quality:
I performed a few test calls to my friend on an EVO 4G and he stated I sounded clear. I flipped the phone over and the self-activating speakerphone (HTC perk!) transferred the sound with speed and rich quality. The speakerphone isn't exactly what I would call loud, but you can hear the call clearly within 4-5 feet with little to no muffles.

Data over 3G / 4G:
I successfully signed into my all accounts, email, social networks while indoors in just under five minutes on 3G. I turned on 4G to download all my apps and connected successfully on the first try. I am lucky enough to be in a great 4G coverage area. I get about 1-2 bars of signal and an average of 2.0 Mbps down link on 4G and .38 Mbps down link on 3G, respectively.

Battery Life:
The biggest sell point on any device is use. We all need a device that can tote the power, ease of use, and multitasking ability all day long. In the 4 days I have had this device I have charged it to full battery three times. No lie. The first charge last 18 hours with heavy use: playing the Spider Man game over Wi-Fi, watching about 30 minutes of The Green Hornet, Social Networking, and browsing around the devices add ons: HTC Hub, HTC Watch, HTC Likes, Media Share, and a few others. Granted, I was on WIFI the entire 18 hours. I recently clocked over 26 hours with light to medium use such as: Texting, Voice calls, tweeting, social networking, taking a few pictures here and there, and using GPS (Sporty Pal PRO) to calculate my bike ride (2.5 miles) while streaming Pandora over 3G.

Verdict:
While this phone has the potential to blow everyone's expectations away only time will tell. Some reviews are really farfetched, some are painfully accurate, but only your personal use will dictate how you really feel about having dual core speeds and 3D capabilities on the fly. With many mobile websites jumping on the so called 3D bandwagon it's hard to ignore that Sprint has once again out done themselves with an industry first. I have no dizziness and no problems with the 3D experience whatsoever. It's just another amazing feature that the competition will call a gimmick until they possess it themselves. The device is a solid, robust, upgrade to an industry first of flagship devices. It will be hard to put down and ignore this summer as well as the rest of the year.

Disclaimer:
Your 3G/ 4G speeds may vary depending on location. Your 3D experience may vary depending on use & if you are subject to nausea from pure awesomeness.

7 days with WP7 (HTC Arrive: Sprint's First WP7 device)

2011-04-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is having a great week. I am having another wonderful week. Great weather and great experiences. So I got my HTC Arrive Wednesday of last week and immediately unboxed it to charge it up. I also had like 3 errands to run on my fixie. (see future blog post about awesome Fixie bikes) When I got back from a 24 mile bike ride and running my errands I got about two hours to set it up, activate it, and still get a full 8 hours of sleep for work the next day.

Screen Size / Brightness / Feedback:
The screen is much smaller than my last device (Samsung Epic 4G) but still bright and beautiful. The built in themes for the tiles / hubs are refreshing and different. ( You will hear me note "different" many times so brace yourself.) The sensor works pretty accurately in ambient light conditions as well outside. I noticed a slight glare but got over quickly after accustoming to the main Start screen. while not as big the screen packs quite a punch. almost as if the colors are popping up off the screen.

Set up / Sign In / Email:
I quickly signed into Windows Live over WIFI ( I used to own a HTC Touch Pro 2 running WM 6.5) as well as Facebook, Gmail, and Ymail. contacts syn pretty fast and the caller id pics look great with limited pixelation. A near perfect size on the People Hub. Email looks stunning. The WP7 interface makes everything so clean and accurate it's so hard to describe without experiencing it yourself. It's also very fast too. The sync used to take a few seconds on my Android devices but the sync is just a tad bit quicker.

Social Networking:
The Marketplace has more than enough social networking apps for free if you want to wet your beak little. I started off with Beezz bc of Live Tile Updates feature, Official Twitter for comparison, and Seesmic from prior Android experience. Seesmic won the 7 day bout due to customization of feeds on tiles and posting to multiple accounts. LOVE that feature (reminding you of Tweetdeck anyone?)
Official Facebook app is also robust but looks a bit like email in the long run. I can just hit up my people Hub for any q=on the fly updates I need. The drawback is the notifications button it's a tiny globe in the top right hand corner of the device and you just might miss it if you aren't keen.

Video streaming (over 3G) :
Must have video apps in order of awesomeness : MSN Video, DailyMotion, Break, Netflix, HTC YouTube. Some YouTube videos don't even play at times. I get "this video is not supported" very limited at times. IGN has a nice app with videos but I read they are using a backdoor to YouTube so the download times must be limited. Details to follow.

GPS and Location Based Apps:
GPS locks accurately inside and is amazing. I get a pretty accurate reading using apps like Gas Buddy, 4th and Metro (an amazing Foursquare Client), Telenav. I have been spoiled by google NAv but gave Telenav a chance. It's surprisingly accurate turn by turn. The maps are nowhere near as pretty as Google Nav. I am hoping for some Bing Nav in the future updates. I absolutely loved it on my HTC TP2. Endomondo and RunKeeper both get a decent lock before your workout and start up like champions. Allowing me to hop on my fixie and just go without worrying about anything. I like how the Internet Explorer browser as well as dedicated Bing Search gives me three feeds ( web, local, news) for every search. Sometimes it's way faster than scrolling through the phone for info. That's pretty convenient and a great add on.

Processor:
The Snapdragon processor handles my apps, texting, emails, and browsing pretty easily. Maybe because it's a brand new phone but it does not lag between menus, hubs, and is quite zippy. I like that alot!

Build Quality:
Upon receiving the phone in my hands I felt the weight, build quality, and loved the design. It felt similar to the HTC G2 build quality. The slider is strong and I like the recessed tilt feature. The keyboard is responsive just like all HTC keyboards. I like the QWERTY layout and the "clicking" is addictive.

Battery Life:
The phone got plenty of juice after unboxing and it had plenty of juice after getting crazy on some downloads. After another full charge at the beginning of my day it continues to blow my mind. the previous phones I owned never had such a good battery consumption even after more exploring with data heavy apps (video) and GPS location based apps in full tow. I let it die for testing purposes and got a ridiculous 18 hours on a single charge with heavy use all day long. ( calls, text, twitter, social networking, emails, live streaming, and gps navigation)

Overall:
I feel great about WP7. I feel great about the potential. There's something about it that makes you love it every time an amazing app blows your mind. I honestly have found every free app I need to satisfy my app needs and hunger. I found some decent games to hold me over too. More reviews on apps and games to follow in the future but I see this phone going places and the sky is the limit.

Drawbacks:
Of course there are drawbacks! I don't like the length of the micro USB cord. I do not like that the volume rocker is right where I hold the phone steady while using the keyboard. My biggest absolute hate is the recessed power button. The sliding mechanism pops out a bit and I always think it's the power button. It's not center. It's not off center. It's just weird! It takes me several tries in the morning in the dark to turn on the screen and that pisses me off beyond belief. I wouldn't mind a Tile to toggle WIFI on / off. I wouldn't mind a Tile for setting either bc I like to change the theme daily. No MASS Storage drive mode. What does this mean? I can't take my phone and use it as a usb hdd to steal er um trade music with my friends. I have to carry a flash drive with me everywhere now. Uber Fail. Small things to deal with when the rest of the phone is so dope.
sorry this review was long but I had to be as honest and robust as possible. If you have any questions hit me up. I look forward to many more months with this new device.
Cheers.
cezeOne

SXSW 2011: gdgt Live, Wired Magazine's Happy Hour, On Live swag, and much more!

2011-03-15T09:28:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of attending day 3 of SXSW yesterday after work with my best friend. We started out at the Austin Convention Center hit up some information booths and scored some free food at the SquareSpace truck. Squarespace is a web publishing (blogging/content management) company that sells a software publishing platform and file server service to individuals and businesses, providing them the tools and assistance to create and maintain well-designed websites. Squarespace powers tens of thousands of websites with billions of monthly hits.

Afterwards we hit up the Wired Magazine's Tech Happy Hour and mingled with many of the industry's up and comer's. Free food & beverages were served until a fire broke out in the dining area. It was crazy and exciting at the same time. TheDroidGuy was there briefly for promos and had like 5 devices on his beltclip like an Android Batman utilty belt. I met a web developer named Christian that works for Lingo24: a web translation service. Lingo24 was founded as an online translation company by Oxford University languages graduate Christian Arno, from his parents' Aberdeen home in September 2001. The company was named as the best e-business start-up in Scotland in 2002 and Arno won the Shell LiveWire ?Young Entrepreneur of the year' competition in 2003. He was also a finalist in the Scotsman Entrepreneur of the year Award at the National Business Awards for Scotland, 2009. Christian was awesome to chit chat with. He had lost his voice earlier in the day from doing interviews and was very nice.

After my girlfriend showed up we got some free swag like Wired Magazines, Leica brochures + twitter offers to win, raffles for MacBook PROs, iPhones, Starbucks gift cards, Starbucks mugs, and of course free photo ops with many Wired magazine editors.

The highlight of the evening was the gdgt Austin live event. We got there about 15 minutes early and we couldn't have had better luck. We were about 50 people deep into the crowd. In about 15 minutes the crowd turned into a line of over 500 around the block corner to corner. Sonos was in the crowd providing solar charges to iOS devices and Android devices. Seagate was handing out bouncy balls with leds inside them and local Austin vendors were handing out popchips (an all-natural chip like you've never tasted before. We don't fry it. We don't bake it. We take the finest ingredients, apply heat and pressure (no oil, mind you), and pop! It's a popchip.) My friend said they were good. He had the sour cream and onion flavor. I wasn't too hungry after the Wired event so I gave him my bag.

We waited in line for like 25 minutes talking tech to some of the others in line. One had no idea that Sprint's 4G ( WiMax ) was the same technology Clear uses. After introducing myself and presenting some facts about Sprint 4G vs AT&T "faux G" technology they were very nice and eager to find out about the upcoming CTIA events.

The front door at the gdgt live event had a goodie bag waiting for us with either sticker packs or a t-shirt. I went with the white screen print on black cotton tee. Free swag! We hit up the industry tables which had many amazing demos set up. Buffalo Wireless was unveiling their new Cloud Server/ NAS systems. To easily understand, a NAS can be thought of as a hard drive or multiple hard drives for your entire network rather than for just one computer. Roku was unveiling new integrated channels on their new set tops. Blackberry had Playbook demos. HTC had a Thunderbolt on display but was not live, unfortunately.

The Gazelle staff was very friendly and gave us a great demo of their website. Gazelle is a reCommerce service that helps you sell and recycle your used electronics. Whether you want to sell a cell phone, laptop, or any other of the more than 250,000 products they accept, Gazelle can help. Once received, your used cell phones and other used electronics are inspected to make sure their condition matches your evaluation. Then they send your payment. The process takes about a week once they receive your box. They offer amazing pay options too: PayPal, Money Orders, Amazon Gift cards, Walmart cards, and more.

The highlight of the evening was the On Live demo. OnLive is a cloud computing, gaming-on-demand medium: the games are synchronized, rendered, and stored on remote servers and delivered via the Internet. At the demo, OnLive announced the OnLive Game Service will be integrated into new VIZIO VIA Plus TVs, and VIZIO's new line of VIA Blu-ray players, Android tablets and smartphones.

The OnLive service has been demonstrated on smartphones such as the iPhone, and tablet computers such as the iPad. Steve Perlman has also suggested that the underlying electronics and compression chip could be integrated into set-top boxes and other consumer electronics. The OnLive viewer for the iPad was released December 7, 2010. OnLive also confirmed the details of its PlayPack flat-rate payment plan bundle with the purchase of Assasin's Creed: Brotherhood. With this option players pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to "recent, classic and indie titles" in the OnLive library, which is expected to exclude the newest releases. PlayPack is currently available for owners of the OnLive Game System or to anyone who has purchased a game from Onlive as a free beta period until the plan officially launches in January 2011. The OnLive PlayPack is priced at $9.99/month and will allow players to play over 40 different games whenever they wish. There will be more games available in the future as OnLive adds them to their library. I saw demos of Assassin's Creed, HomeFront, Battlefield, Dirt 2, and many more. Did I mention they gave me one to test out and blog about? SWEET!

Thank you to:
@onlivegames
@onlivefans_com
@onlivecommunity
@gazelle_com
@westerndigital
Jay from Buffalo Wireless
Lance from @htc
Christian @lingo24chr
@chadharlan
@wiredmag for the swag!
@leica_camera
@ruby_red711
@fotografopoetic

Sprint HTC Arrive - First Look

2011-03-09T13:44:00.001-08:00

Good afternoon , you awesome friends. I hope everyone is having a great week. I am having the best week ever. Why? I got to demo the HTC Arrive for the last two days and got a nice first look at it before the customers and the employees get a test drive. This won't be a full blown review bc it's just our demo and I only got try out the main features without too much in depth daily abuse like my prior devices. During my demo I had the phone a total of two work days (estimated 16hours) so don't take this first look too seriously as a final review. As time goes on I will review apps, battery life, outdoor abuse, and of course the question that I get daily "Is it better than Android?".

Screen Size / Brightness / Feedback:
The screen is very responsive. It feels great in my hand. It's a nice size for one handed texting. Size is somewhere between a Evo Shift and Samsung Transform. It feels about as responsive if not better than the Evo Shift. It has crisp, bright colors. The free trial XBOX games play fluidly with minimal lag. Text and font can be a little on the small side but I like it. ( For reference: I use 19point on Tweetdeck on my Epic4G )

Rear Facing Camera:
The dedicated camera button is quick on the fly. It's a little snug on the device but looks sleek enough to mesh really well with the build quality.

Email:
I used our demo email hotmail account to set up the device for testing. I tested an outgoing message from my ymail with 4 attachments. It handled the receipt with ease and download was quite snappy. I sent a gmail calendar invite and it was also pretty snappy. The calendar integrated really easily as well.

Social Networking:
Twitter is a free app and looks stunning on the crisp, responsive screen. A quick jump into the Marketplace Hub and in ten seconds I was downloaded and logged in. YES It's really that snappy!
Facebook was a little slower considering I have a pretty huge feed of news, friends, photos, videos, and tons of blogs that I follow on FB.

Video streaming (over 3G) :
My office is a little flaky sometimes, but the HTC Arrive handled the data with minimal lag and great signal quality. Netflix is a free app on the Marketplace. The download was once again in under 15 seconds. Streamed "That 70s Show Season 2" during my lunch break and it only bufferred once for about 20 seconds. The video quality was pretty good before the buffer and I imagine if you are outside or on a WIFI it will look pretty stunning.
YouTube is a free app on the Marketplace as well. The biggest flaw? It pulls up Internet Explorer and goes mobile. ( m.YouTube.com ) I did not like that feature and expected an integrated app similar to the HTC Touch Pro 2 You Tube app. I also tested video via Internet Explorer on wimp.com. The videos loaded up pretty fast but once again due to the spotty 3G in my building they looked a little pixelated.

GPS:
GPS locks accurately inside and is amazing. I get a pretty accurate reading for restaurants, gas stations, food, and hotels in all within a close distance. I like how the Internet Explorer browser gives me three feeds ( web, local, news) for every search. That's pretty convenient and a great add on.

Processor:
The Snapdragon processor handles my apps, texting, emails, and browsing pretty easily. Maybe because it's a brand new phone but it does not lag between menus, hubs, and is quite zippy. I like that!

Build Quality:
Upon receiving the phone in my hands I felt the weight, build quality, and loved the design. It felt similar to the HTC G2 build quality. The slider is strong and I like the recessed tilt feature. The keyboard is responsive just like all HTC keyboards. I like the QWERTY layout and the "clicking" is addicitive.

Battery Life:
The phone had a decent charge out of the box and after a full charge and heavy use it had about 50% by the end of my shift. After another full charge at the beginning of my shift this morning I noticed minimal wear on the battery. Even after more exploring with data heavy apps and GPS location based apps in full tow. I finished up my shift with a little more than 50% so the battery life is pretty good.

Overall:
I feel good about WP7, I have no doubt this phone will be a hot seller. Many co-workers that are still using the HTC Touch Pro 2 are excited and I think they are going to love the transition. Windows Marketplace looks good so far. I saw many business centric apps for multi tasking and getting things done (foursquare, yelp, craigslist, poynt, WHERE, etc). Unfortunately, I saw many "fart apps" too. They are everywhere and are hard to ignore on every OS so what can you do? I want to give WP7 a chance to grow a little more on me before I make any dead on VS battles between Android and WP7.

Enjoy the pictures!

EMAIL

MUSIC HUB

INTERNET EXPLORER

MAPS

HTC HUB

Why I paid $400+ for a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

2010-12-27T10:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! First things first. I am currently using a Samsung Epic 4G. The convergence across every single app was absolutely flawless. I love the screen size. The only app that didn't adjust to the 7 inch screen size was the Engadget app which is pretty terrible on their part. However, the Mashable app looks beautiful! The built in News & Briefing app is also a beauty. Favorite apps on the Tab so far: PS1 Emulator, FourSquare (the new updated one), IMDB, XDA , and Media Hub so far.

Upon "unboxing" I was pretty thrilled until I saw the size of the charger plug. What an ugly piece of work.

Battery life:

The battery was 3/4 of the way full out the box so I powered it up and hopped on the house WIFI. I signed into Google, downloaded App Brain & fired up App Brain on the browser. The device was recognized easily and I sent all my apps from my Samsung Epic 4G list to the other. Unfortunately "Fast Install" is disabled on this version as well so I had to manually click all of them. The battery life is great on a full charge. I can get about 8-12 hours depending on use. youTube HD, Media Hub (video playback) & internet browing seem to be the hogs. Games, basic email checks, and syncing periodically being less.

Screen:

I installed LauncherPro (paid) and cannot believe how great everything looks with custom icons & custom dock plus a matching live wallpaper.

Rear Facing Camera:

I managed to take a couple shots with the camera using the flash indoors at first then some outdoor shots when I was out & about during my XMAS break from work. I took some night shots using the night settings but no shots using 3rd party camera apps as of yet.

The Italian Job via Media Hub

Outdoor Shot (Normal setting. No Flash)

My neighbor's set up. Outdoor Shot (Night Setting)

Indoor Shot. (Normal Setting. Auto Flash)

Outdoor Shot. (Normal Setting. Auto Flash)

Email /Social Networking:

I love the email app. It looks much better than the actual yahoo app when used in landscape mode so I uninstalled the app and use the regular email app installed. Tweetdeck and the Facebook App both look okay on the Tab. Nothing amazing. The integrated chat inside Facebook's app is the best part in my opinion.

Video Calls:

Video chat using Tango was absolutely amazing. It looks great and works flawlessly oer WIFI. Unfortunately 3G has some latency hiccups and in some instances wouldn't dial the end user. I performed a PRL update then update profile and that seemed to fix it. I haven't seen any issues since performing those steps. I have not tested Fring or Qik for video calls but did manage to make a Skype call over WIFI to an iOs user. Very clear and easy to use.

GPS / Navigation:

GPS and Google Navigation look absolutely brilliant. Will I buy a dash mount for my oversized Galaxy Device? Maybe. Maybe not. It seems like an attention hog and I don't want the police all up in my business, so I will stick with the Samsung Epic 4G mount I am currently using while driving.

Overall Experience:

While this device may not be for everyone seeking a solid laptop replacement, I am totally sold on tablet computing. I still have another 14 days to keep running every single app I can to see if it's a solid laptop replacement but I mapped everything to remote desktop while I was out of town these last 13 days and I have to say everything worked with ease and amazing results. For my blogging needs, Blogger has an app that is pretty robust and I use for minimal blogging. The Wordpress app is much more impressive in my opinion. MS Office 2010 projects and documents can be viewed via ThinkFree Office app. Digital notes, camera snapshots, audio notes, and group notes can be saved to the cloud server on Evernote app. Tasks can be set up via Astrid app and synced via Google Tasks or Productiv, respectively. Items can be saved to the cloud and backed up with 3 amazing cloud storage apps: Dropbox (2gb free), Sugarsync (5gb free), ZumoDrive (2gb free). You never have to run out of space. If you have a pretty good handle on Android right now and only want to move faster, better, stronger with a productive edge. you seriousy need a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. I often get asked why didn't I just buy an iPad? Just in case you are thinking the same.
1. Ipad WIFI edition = $500 (before taxes) + no 3G. Unless your phone is 4000mah and WIFI Hotspot is free on it you don't stand a chance at doing anything mobile. The $100 I saved payed for my 3G for ten months before taxes.

2. I own a Galaxy S phone. Does the iPad play nicely with an Android phone, apps, gmail, Windows 7? Absolutely not (in my opinion of course). I don't own a MACBOOK PRO or iPhone4. Buying an iPad simply does not work well for seamless convergence.

3. It's OPEN SOURCE BABY! I am currently getting support from 3 Android developers on developing my own app. I registered for an i-Learn course that gets me free eBOOKS weekly and one of them is about writing code for Android OS. How sweet is that? I also met a few good people at the Android BBQ that have leading me in the right direction so far.

(p.s. There's a way to make calls on it too but that's reserved for the elite few who are savvy enough to sit there and research the right ways!)

Well I am off to look for and read another Free E-Book on 3 different Readers. Happy Monday!

cezeOne

2010-11-29T08:30:00.000-08:00

cezeOne: "I connected Blogger to my http://flavors.me page - http://flavors.me/cezeone"

cezeOne Presents Seasonal Architect Vol. 4: Final Season

2010-05-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a journey it has been. I cannot believe I haven't blogged anything since November. The good news? The new compilation album is out. It is not a mixtape so please do not call it one. It is a collective compilation of songs I have collaborated with multiple producers and engineers. Some tracks are produced by myself and some are tracks that were produced by others (noted on the cover). Many people have helped me get here and I appreciate you all. I will let the listening experience do all the talking and if you like it feel free to pass it along to a friend.
Download it HERE

HIP HOP DOCKTRINE 2 (The Official Boondocks Mixtape) Thugnificent Edition (Disc 2wo) Hosted by Metaphor The Great- Music Review

2009-11-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

Damn. Just when you thought we couldn't get enough fire this wonderful Tuesday. Here's the promised Disc 2 from Vol 2 on the HipHop Docktrine Series. I am hopeful and looking forward to more delicious fire treats from the Hiphop Docktrine Crew.
The Thugnificent Edition has many great tracks and straight fire in your headphones. (or earbuds :D ). It's a fun ride with many awesome samples from The Boondocks. Laid out quite nicely with a subtle tone and tremendous listening ability. Turn it up while playing Modern Warfare 2 tonight. (You know you have to have copped that shit!) I like the appearances by Pac Div (big ups to RubyRed for putting me on in 2008)and the Emilio Rojas appearance on this partiocular digi-tape. Stay tuned for more delicious heat.
Enjoy the goodies. Download it HERE
cezeOne

Mr. Peter Parker Presents: Happy Birthday Big Pun The ReMixtape

2009-11-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

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I love Big Pun remixes. You should too. Enjoy the Goodies. Shout out to Mixtape Monster
Download it Here.

HipHop Docktrine Volume 2 (The Official Boondocks Mixtape) Hall Of Justus Edition (Disc 1ne) - Music Review

2009-11-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

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Another Dose of the Hiphop Docktrine Series. Little Brother and Skyzoo (Hall of Justus) team up to host this edition. They even got the edition title featuring the crew's name. I think I like this edition much more than volume 1. Due to the fact I had many of the tracks featured on volume 1 prior to finding it (I guess that's my own fault really). The beats are insane and nothing short of amazing production from the finest in the game ( Khrysis, J Dilla, Aeon, 9th Wonder). The tempo is consistent and keeps a solid listening experience. A few emcees appear on this edition with Little Brother (sLAyers) in a delightful assortment of bars, concepts, and great wordplay. It's really a breath of fresh air when the best in the indie scene get together on fantastic collaborations with a thematic appeal. This edition is hands down, bar for bar, a heavy dosage of tight hiphop.I hope you enjoy the ride.
Download it HERE

The Boondocks Mixtape Hip Hop Docktrine Volume 1 - Music Review

2009-11-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

This is not necessarily an oldie but definitely a Goldie bc I was completely unaware of it's existence. I am a big fan of Asheru and of course The Boondocks. I instantly jumped to purchase season 1 on DVD when it came out.
This digi-tape isn't totally about new material as much as just a great blend of mash ups and songs that collectively display The Boondocks influence on media. There are however few of the songs that really pay comedic homage to the show such as Ghostface's "Whip you With a Strap" (after a clip of Riley getting beat by Grandpa) and Akir's "Politricks" (Huey's leftist characteristics). I won't go and elaborate too hard into the into how the compilation moves and take shape but will offer you the free download link instead. I hope you enjoy this gem as much as I do.
-cezeOne
Download it HERE

Royce da 5'9 - Street Hop - Music Review

2009-10-16T16:16:00.000-07:00

If you were to recall the intro to "Slaughterhouse" when Royce said "I, the apparent head I am the general, bow now". I really imagined a subplot to his leadership and was certain he would be the blowout artist of the Slaughterhouse camp. Move forward a few months and this gem pops up. Opening with "Gun Harmonizing" , this destructive trade of bars with one after another over an amazing piano laden track is the keynote address to the rest of the album. Followed up cohesively by "Count for Nothing", a track about the industry and the countless wannabes faking the status and failing on dexterity when it comes to real music. The album seems to plateau in a mediocre manner after the 3rd track Soldier. A nice tune of riding slow music is presented on "Something 2 Ride 2" feat Phonte (of Little Brother). "Dinner Time" was a loud obnoxious polysyllabic gymnastic lesson in lyrical prowess. Busta Rhymes def put a nice couple of bars together in his intrinsic manner of appeal. "Far Away" starts off in the most hilarious manner. Without giving too much away I will tell you if you're still using Auto tune on your tracks you're about to get clowned on in the worst way. "The Warriors" feat Slaughterhouse is the best track on the entire album (IMO). It features 2 verses from every member which is a delight. All stops were pulled out on the ensemble's energetic delivery. This track continues to reassure us that this camp is not going to sleep on music standards. Pulling the album together are little skits and intermission. These intermissions/skits are absolutely hilarious. "New Money" is another track about the industry's fasaud in the music game right now with an elevated play on words and recent hilarity in the entertainment world. "Shake this " is an amazing piece of legend. Providing an in depth look into Royce's life and the present outlook. It is accompanied by a video directed by Rik Cordero. Check it out here. "Mine In Thiz" should be the next "in the club" track but we all know real hip hop is hardly displayed via radio or clubplay. At least in a commercial fashion really. The title track "Street Hop" has everything the hiphop head desires. Bars, hooks, punchlines, and a devastating synthesized beat. "Part of Me" is an interesting take on a common urban legend involving two women. this track embodies Royce and shows a relevant delivery storytelling at it's finest. The final track "Hood Love" feat Bun B & Joell Ortiz wraps up the album tightly and puts the last amount refreshing rhymes. Bun B is always a great featured guest and Joell is consistent with his flow. Download the teaser here. Buy the album Oct 20th 2009
-cezeOne

Krs-One & Buckshot "Survival Skills" - Music Review + Download

2009-09-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy a great collaboration album. especially with two legends like KRS-ONE and Buckshot. Both have incredible lyricism backed by a nice catalog of amazing albums. My favorite Buckshot album was a collaboration with a producer named 9th Wonder (Chemistry). You might have heard of him. He's kind of a big deal. The beats are just as amazing as any 9th Wonder classic you own, but there's no colloquial cock block to the emcees either. With guests ranging from Mary J. Blige, Slug Of Atmosphere, K'NAAN, Talib Kweli of Black Star, Immortal Technique, Melanie Fiona, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall, Sean Price of Heltah Skeltah, Geo of Blue Scholars, Smif N Wessun, and Rock of Heltah Skeltah, "Survival Skills" represents a diverse range of topics, all while maintaining that east coast indie sound. The album has production from Havoc of Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Coptic, Moss, Nottz, Marco Polo, and KHRYSIS of Justus League so there's a symbiotic solution between emcees and production.
This is definitely a heavy hitter in the deck and with Fall/Winter 2009 album releases tickling my earlobes, I grow anxious with anticipation. Skyzoo's album is just around the corner (Sept 24th on Duckdown Records) and with KO albums like this one coming out on the shelves hip hop has a herald of heroic history on the forefront.
Laid out over 14 tracks is an ethereal experience that only comes every so often. Few legends have collaborated in these repugnant days and times of the Auto Tune movement so it's a refreshing salute to the aging hip hop scholars to justify his/her reign as the overseer in the hip hop community with such a vibrant dose of music. I can only hope that some of these delicious assortments get actual OTA radio play but alas we can will only be blessed by internet radio and savvy satellite radio play. No need to get all cranky if you don't possess either. (but if you don't you're not exactly reading this online are you?) You can get it here.. My favorite track is "Clean Up Crew" feat Rock. He has such an incredible inventory of punchlines that it often baffles my mind to listen to him. I am always giddy with laughter and humor after his verses. This song has a particular premise and the lyrics displayed by everyone surmise a nice twist to the chorus.(Reminds me of Masta Ace's Soda & Soap Feat. Jean Grae ). "Robot" has a very dope video out and is the official destruction of auto tune track hands down (Sorry ,Jay, they did it MUCH better than you.) It's an overall solid album and recommend it for every tenured hip hop heads shelves or play-lists.

Definitive Jux 4 -Compilation Review

2009-09-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of collaborations lately (Slaughterhouse, Reservoir Dogs, Dj Spinna) I keep up the weekly reviews with a refreshing dose of Def Jux goodness. I been listening to El-P/Company Flow since 2000. So I been a "Def Jukie" for quite some time. I seen many emcees come and go on the amazing label. Without jumping too deep into their catalogue of prodigious hip hop prophets let's take a step back for those that need a hip hop definition of what exactly is DefJux presents entails.In the beginning stages of Definitive Jux (label) El - P released the first "Def Jux Presents". It served its purpose as a preview of what to come from one of the reigning underground hip hop labels. Critically acclaimed albums and artists have been synonymous with the label since it's inception. Def Jux 4 is no different. You can stream the entire album free on the DefJux Site. They opened the album with 3 of the more tenured emcees on the label. It's a dope track with an interesting theme. (RIP) Camu Tao took me by surprise on "When you're Going Down". It was a much different flow than I was used to hearing on older tracks. I enjoyed the track very much and look forward to his rarities being released. Despot shined the hardest on " Look Alive". In my eyes (and ears) he is embodying the strength that comes with being an indie facet on such a dope label. I eagerly await his next releases on Def Jux. Yak Ballz is consistently delivering great music.His tracks are nothing to bat an eye at and his philanthropy is all together as well. Go check out his line of clothing called Scifen when you get a chance it's pretty dope and I own a few pieces myself.
I own all 3 previous albums and love this one just the same. There isn't much I can say to deter a listener away from such a diverse camp. I firmly believe this camp will continue to bless the indie movement with gems and a modern outlook into the future of hip hop.
Tracklist:
1. Weathermen (Feat. Aesop Rock, El-P And Cage) “Reports Of A Possible Kidnapping”
2. Camu Tao “When You’re Going Down”
3. Despot “Look Alive”
4. Cage “Worm In Her Vein”
5. Yak Ballz “Gas Galaxy”
6. Mr. Lif “Digi Data” feat. Miz Metro
7. Hail Mary Mallon (Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz) “D-Up”
8. Central Services “We Do The Work, You Do The Pleasure”
9. Rob Sonic “Domestic Animals”
10. Yak Ballz “Halogen Glow”
11. Chin Chin “Live Or Die”
12. El-P “How To Serve Man (The Meanest Things I’d Never Say

Reservoir Dogs - Mixtape Review

2009-09-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

Taking a quick look at the cover of this astonishing ensemble of artists (Jozeemo, Joe Scudda, Chaundon, and Rapper Big Pooh) and you might think they were actually cast members of the Tarantino Epic Cult Classic. If you have no idea who these four amazing emcees are look no furrther than the Hall Of Justus camp. Jozeemo has been featured and many of 9th Wonder's compilations. Joe Scudda has been featured just as much and you probably heard him on a bunch of Little Brother joints in the past. Chaundon is a dope emcee from South Bronx, New York City, who is also part of Little Brother's Justus League collective, and is best known for his 2008 album "Carnage". That particular album was a delightful assortment of lyrical skill displayed in true fashion. Rapper Big Pooh ,well c'mon, if you been living on the moon for the latter part of a decade I might understand but seriously Little Brother changed my entire approach to indie hip hop. His last album was "Delightful Bars" and boy oh boy was it exactly that. He released four different versions and I copped two of them. Big props to that man right there.
Without giving too much away and giving the listener the opportunity to indulge in some serious mix tape madness I will try my best to deliver a thorough review. As we enter the tape we are hit with an eminent excerpt from the film Reservoir Dogs. The tape doesn't follow any distinguishing premise except the fact that they destroy beats with perception paintings. The lyrics comprised by each member on "Family Affair" is enough to to gauge the temperature of the tape and the upcoming thrillers. Chaundon has a distinct flow and follows it suit easily on "Back Up". Some tracks are solo tracks throughout the tape and that is such a breath of fresh air lately. Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in 4 people dropping bars you fail to hear each verse accurately. I like the concept of Reservoir Dogs and hope they continue similar work together in the near future. As illustrious indie artists seem to get together and take over the headphones of fans (Slaughterhouse) they bring the true essence of hip hop ciphers on these tapes. Having 4 different perspectives proposes a colloquial advantage over other artists that try timelessly to deliver but fall short. "D.R.E.A.M." is exactly what I mean when an affectation takes fruition. A classic song about cash featuring artists of legendary proportions turned into a sort of parallel interpretation. I will let the artists' verses do the explaining but this song had me going bananas in my kitchen.
The hosts DJ Skills and Dj Warrior do a great job of cuts, scratches, and keeping the drops to a safe level albeit the same horns and bombs being dropped occasionally (Funk Flex!). All in all I am very happy I got my copy of this gem. A week of great music being released continues the summer heat into the breezy fall (but not in Texas). Big up to Mixtape Monster and the HOJ camp for another great concept. Download it HERE.
-cezeOne

Dom Kennedy - Best After Bobby - Mixtape Review.

2009-08-30T08:30:00.001-07:00

Dom Kennedy bring us a breath of fresh West Coast lyricism. I sat on this for about a week and my dog Maysun gave me a push on it. My first introduction to Dom Kennedy was through a Houston connect named Garfield. Without the ad libbed approach and name drops (sans Dj Drama) you get a laid back listen. You can pluck and drag individual tracks for a nice play list. When you get a Drama tape everyone knows where you got the tracks from bc of all the name drops. It's not a bad thing at times but I am not into sharing music in that format (often) sometimes we have to settle with what we got. I wish more artists would do what Little Brother did when they released "Separate But Equal" (Drama Free Edition) I have both but needless to say I enjoy the Drama Free Edition in my ride much more. Back to the review.
"Best you never had" came at a hard time. If you remix a "popular" song please make sure you do it at the height of the popularity. I am so f*ckin sick of hearing the original enough to ignore this track. He did ride the beat rather well but following this played out track isn'ttitillating my cortex.
"Player Shit" is a good remix to a classic beat. By implementing a few classics in the middle gives the tape a nice plateau after having your stomach turn a bit."Arrived on Time" is a wonderful change of a pace to an overused beat (DOA) albeit sounding braggadocio in the process.
I did not like "Up and Down Remix" quite possibly bc of the south snap sounding "Hey, Hey, Hey" being looped in the back of the entire track. Call me a hater but this tired attempt of hip hop is ruining beat making and production. He does follow that track quite well with "On and Off Switch".
The rest of the tape follows a true mix tape premise with strength and quality by creatively flowing over more time honored beats that are pleasant to listen to. All in all we are left with a tape that has a great list of indie stars (Carter, Jason Madison, Reese, Skeme, PAC DIV) and a wonderful collaboration. Nothing too exaggerated and outlandish. Enjoy the download after the jump.
-cezeOne

The Power of Words - Skyzoo - Music Review

2009-08-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

I been down with Skyzoo's music since 2007 after hearing about his destructive flows and lyrics on such productions by 9th Wonder and J Dilla. He is consistently telling tales of the hood life and has a huge indie fan base.He was named 2008's "Best Lyricist" by The Underground Music Awards and recieved the number 7 spot on Hot 97's poll of the "Top 10 Emcees Alive". Jamla Records is 9th Wonder's label, which is now a sub label of Duck Down. I can continue to catalog his many hits and many releases or you can just google him or hit up the new tape for an understanding of his skills.
He has also has a new debut album out called "The Salvation" out on Sept 29th. Looking forward to that one and you can guarantee the review/download will be here for your listening pleasure.
This mixtape is brought to you by the famous Dj Drama and Statik Selektah. If your headphones are correct then you heard of both of them. They have brought us such gems as Asher Roth's "Greenhouse Effect" and Emilio Rojas' "Recession Proof". The reason I used those two particular emcees (as opposed to other high caliber artist) is the ability to distuinguish the talent in collaboration with indie hiphop emcees. Delivering top notch production from the best (9th Wonder, Illmind, J Dilla, Jake One, Khrysis) not only adds some famed esteem but some serious beats that have your head/system knocking. The mixtape also boasts a very vivid and voluminous guest appearance list (Maino, Wale, Young Chris, Big Remo, GQ, Rapsody, EPMD, Rapper Big Pooh, Talib Kweli, Reks) . IMO I think I could been having an allergic reaction harder than the Maino verse but hey that's me. to each they own. Everyone else throughout the entire mixtape DEFINETELY delivers.
The end result is a endless barrage of bars that have you revisiting each track for a double take / double taste. You will often say to yourself "Hold up?!? Did he/they just say...?". Exactly. You know what I mean now, right? Few artists have the ability to ride the mic effortlessly and make it sound so simple. I liked "Bells & Whistles" and "The Don Cheadle Effect" which is easily the best song name since "Lark on my Go Kart" :D.
Enjoy the goodies and expect much more from Hall of Justus/ Justus League when the full album debuts!
Download it Here

Fresh Cuts Episode III with DJ Ill Digitz- Music Review

2009-08-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

Dope Dope Dope ! Found this gem on Mixtape Monster's blog.
Quoting Straight from the site:
Mixtape Monster
You may have seen DJ Ill Digitz spinnin the 1’s and 2’s in a North Cack bar near you, or perhaps you recognize him from Kooley High and/or Inflowential. Either way, homie knows his way around a mixer. Check out his Fresh Cuts Episode (this is the third one) sponsored by K97.5 below and you can even get it for download. Tracklisting below as well…
Check out Ill Digitz this Saturday night at the Pour House in Raleigh with Kooley High and Tanya Morgan. It’s pretty simple people…..if you ain’t there…..you’ze a lame.
---
I stay following his blog. It's thorough, raw, and unrelentless with the ILL Drops. Hope you enjoy the tracks.

The Reborn - Big Pun vs The Engineerz - Music Review

2009-08-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Sorry for the delay and upsetting emails I sent out to all my fam, friends, and fans. I will continue writing and delivering the freshest HipHop goods to you.(Weekly.that's my word!)
this isn't going to be an all out review because most of us have the classics in our HDD or iTunes catalog, but I did want to pay homage to an excellent crew named "The Engineerz".(The Engineerz are a 2 piece production team based out of New Jersey & Orlando, Florida). they masterfully crafted this excellent poignant mixtape available here. i got this one remixed track of "Rhyming Abomination" a few weeks ago from my boy J Millz (no not that J Millz from D Block) and just couldn't stop playing it on my phone. i turned it into a ring tone and felt compelled on blessing my p.classic heads with some Big Pun auditory delight. you will enjoy the fresh beats interlaced with such classics as "twinz", "itz so hard", and my personal fave "it wasn't me". and for 12 free remixed tracks you can't go wrong. if you don't want to sign up for the site download hit me up and i will send it to you direct.
-cezeOne

Slaughterhouse - Self Title - Music Review

2009-08-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

So I got a leaked copy of the new Slaughterhouse and I think I am the luckiest guy in the Cubicle World today. Some people win the lottery and some people beat cancer. cezeOne gets leaked copies of epic hiphop classics. yes i used the C word. Classics! Slaughterhouse is Joe Buddens (Jersey Stand Up!) , Joell Ortiz ( Cooper Stand Up!) , Royce Da 5'9 , and Crooked I. They each bring a huge caliber of strong mixtapes, freestyles, industry beefs, and horrible major label follies. So it's only correct to say they create beautiful music together. Think about that word. Beautiful. There's nothing like listening to a strong violin entry on the opening track featuring a multi syllabic barrage of breaks, cuts, loops, and killer bars. So many people have followed each of these amazing lyricists. We finally get a collabo so strong and worth an "Album of the Year" nod as well as "Supergroup of the Year". I haven't felt so good about a supergroup since EMC dropped. In a world filled with internet phenoms dropping mixtapes like Mickey D's fast food menu in your colon, we often wonder if this bar is elevated high enough. One listen to "Microphone" and the bar is heavily rasied. Royce tears a hole in the industry standard. Joell blesses the track with insane wordplay. The body of the record has enough subject matter to write a thesis on how hiphop changed my life. So many tracks hit close to home. These aren't artists that make records to make money. They make real hiphop for real hiphop heads that turn this shit into power in their real lives. You turn this joint on when your getting your grind on and grind harder. You listen to this in the whip and think back to the days of your youth. You laugh along with your brovaz while smokin piff at the punchlines they drop. This is the type of album that remains solid after the sequel and trilogy has dropped. (god willing)
I can continue this review and tell you how much emotion this amazing piece of auditory science has brought me but it wouldn't do them all justice. They all shine on each of the tracks and think I will highlight the songs they shine just a scorch "brighter". Royce really drops a heavy set of syllables on "Sound Off" . Joe Buddens delivered an interesting but solid verse on "Cuckoo". I highly enjoyed "The One" , which on a side note has the funnest chorus featuring The New Royales. You can tell so much time and talent was given 100% on the production team as well. The production is riddled with greats such as Alchemist, DJ Khalil, Emile, and a few others. Guest spots filled by The New Royales, Pharoah Monch, Kay Young, FatMan Scoop, Novel, and Melanie Rutherford are a perfect selection for this collective. Bump this hard and enjoy the ruthless delicery of a hiphop epic. Big up to Maysun for the Leak. Album in Stores Aug 11th Download it here for the LEAK

Better Late Than Never - Trife Diesel - Music Review

2009-07-29T14:37:00.001-07:00

after a thorough listen bc i DID not want to skimp out on the review, i have finally surmised a general consensus about the new Trife Diesel. i am so blown away by this man's appreciation for the reality that surrounds us. his wordplay on "world today" is a step above most commercial artists. dropping tidbits about politics and the ever changing world of GOP innuendos that we hardly tune into (probably bc they been fucking us for the past 8 years) don't get me wrong i am not calling this commercial music, but when you tour heavily with the likes of J-Love,Ghostface, and Theodore Unit you tend to get that commercial light that an indie hiphop artist wouldn't. all the tracks on "Better Late Than Never" see a equipoise between indie hiphop and commercial sound. all the facets that one would enjoy on a commercial release. to say we have been waiting for a Trife release for a minute is an understatement. i been "feened" out since the days of "Bulletproof Wallets". i met Trife Diesel once in Jersey back in 2006 and he was a really cool cat. very laid back and altruistic. he even shared some his champagne and complimented my wallies after i spit a quick freestyle for him and his friend. i returned the favor later on in the evening and bought him a hennesey shot. ok enough with the revisit to memory lane. this album should be respected on many fronts bc of the artistic levels of sound engineering and even the Obama laden drops in the samples. "blind man" pays homage to our past talents that never saw the light of day (literally) and how we should really keep in mind how much blind artists crafted hiphop in today's sample heavy industry prduction. guest appearances by Termanology and Ghostface (as well as a few other note worthy artists) primmed this as a cult classic and sleeper album. i highly recommend it.
Download it here.

By The Throat - Eyedea & Abilities - Music Review

2009-07-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

just listened to it and i feel similar to how i felt when i listened to the new cage.experimenting is always great and it's an interesting album. albeit short my favorite track is "burn fetish". the sounds is definitely influenced by rock with the drums and guitar riffing throughout the entire album. dj abilities blends the scratching over the beats seamlessly on "time flies when you have a gun". if you don't recall their self titled sophomore effort, which came out in 2004, eyedea is a world freestyle battle champion and underground rapper. his notable wins include the televised Blaze Battle sponsored by HBO (2000) and a victory at Scribble Jam (1999). he has appeared as a solo artist, and as the emcee half of the duo Eyedea & Abilities (along with longtime friend and collaborator DJ Abilities). his non-battle rhymes are generally philosophically or thematically based, and often tell a definite narrative. dj abilities is his dj. (insert smug face)
listening to the album back to back you can appreciate the flow that eyedea constantly delivers. it's never water downed or short of surprising sentences garnished with meticulously crafted rhymes. what you may not appreciate are his often strained singing vocals. a vocal coach would've been great but he does show an abundance of emotion on "junk". whenever a group as talented as
eyedea and abilities brings us an album that has such a creative approach to a blend of genre you can't help but wonder if hip hop is going back to it's roots of experimentation and less monotony.
i give this album a very decent motion forward bc it's very fun to listen to and has a constant pace that gives the listener that "repeat button" feeling. that feeling when you let an album just ride and even if you shuffle around a few times you will always find yourself happily induced.

2009-07-20T12:24:00.001-07:00

Seattle, Washington - Local Review

2009-07-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

we departed to San Antonio International Airport at about 2:15am to make the 6oo am flight on time. a slight layover in LAX for about one hour was hardly a nuisance considering i got a cafe miso from Starbucks that was less than savory. we managed another 2 hours on a dismal flight to a crisp breezy entrance to Seatac. i don't know if you've ever traveled there but there's no Jetway to the airport. you have to walk up a flight of stairs to the airport then hop a train to the baggage claim. as my fiancee grabbed the baggage i declined an upgrade to an Impreza at the rental counter. most likely bc i didn't want another speeding ticket while enjoying my first true vacation this year (dutifully noted). as we hopped a shuttle to the dollar rental car agency i took a deep breath and was engulfed in the green landscape SeaTac offered. As we picked up the rental i noticed it was definetely optimized as economical as the car was an anatomically pug faced hybrid Toyota Yaris. at least i thought it was a hybrid. after all we only filled it up once. we took the interstate south to Tacoma en route to Lakewood. we stopped at a plaza for teriyaki which was unbelievable and so succulent we partitioned it several more times throughout the entire trip.
when we arrived in Seattle on Thursday afternoon it was bright and clear. a clear 82 degrees well worthy stroll on the waterfront. we gazed and took many pictures like good tourists often do when abroad and took a nice drive through the downtown area to the space needle. my fiancee got tickets online so it was a breeze to get through. the lines were small and short so we got our shots and enjoyed the breeze about 520 feet in the air. as we left the space needle we stumbled upon a very nice skate park and i was distraught by a young tween inquisition. you see he asked me if i had any cigarettes. which i strongly detest. i was rather distraught and told him they were very hazardous to your health like any old codger would as my reaction. we whizzed off south to the Mariners game and had a blast there with all the delicious tidbits a baseball game offers. (pizza, Italian sausage, honey roasted peanuts, etc) when we left there was an ambiguous amount of traffic so we high tailed it northbound to search for a dinner reservation. the GPS led us to a "norm's ale house and eatery" in north Seattle. this place had a nice dim lit ambiance and had a very peculiar decor. they had statuettes of canines everywhere. i saw a sign on the bar that read " pets welcome, children must be leashed". i asked the waitress if this was a fact and in all actuality it was. you can actually take your dog to this bar. i was amazed then the steak sandwich i ordered showed up and i was even more satiable. the concluding events weren't morose so it was a nice and quiet drive home.
the next day we went to point defiance to take in the scenery and cool mountain air the hills offer. 5 mile drive has many scenic routes and much foliage to your artistic advantage if you have a DSLR or alike. we enjoyed the romantic sights and many scenic shots to take home. the mid afternoon snack was postponed until we got to the Rainier game (AAA baseball) we enjoyed another evening of baseball follies and hijinks's with my fiance's brother and his soon to be wife. it was a delightful afternoon full of jokes, refreshments, and the occasional yuppie wearing man-dals with too much sun in his eyes. we topped off the evening with milkshakes from pho tai which is open from 9am-4am. probably the best hours for any Asian restaurant ever!
my fiance's birthday bash wasn't a tell all extravaganza that we wanted it to be but it was overall a fun night considering we did walk around the Tacoma area for quite some time looking for an amiable establishment that offered cordials cocktails and service that was worth tipping 20% but unfortunately not even in a perfect evening can you seethe a morsel of attention. the japanese steak house (Sakura) was a delightful palette of Hibachi cuisine and i can hardly administer a complaint about it. the shrimp/steak combo we ordered was full of flavor and body. the Riesling i had with it was refreshing and an endearing compliment to the drink menu. i do not recommend "6 olives" across the street from "house of tattoo" on 6th avenue. this place is a ominous bore. the manager is a rascist wench from the depths of hell. she couldn't possibly have made a worse drink. granted i ordered a Riesling Mamosa, but my fiance and friends ordered some sort of foo foo girlie drinks that turned out to be more ice and water than drinks. how dissappointing. 4 thumbs down. the waitress wonders why some of her tables walked out on the tab. i found utterly hilarious that she somehow chased us down to "Club Masa" got in, and then waived a receipt around in my face like i was somehow responsible for her shoddy service. go eat a bloody tampon, troll.
the last few days were spent with friends and evenings playing Taboo,Monopoly, Xbox360, and drinking chardonnay. yes, as dismal as it sounds it was actually fascinating to catch up with her closest of friends. i highly recommend a visit to Seattle as long as you plan everything ahead. i implore you to take what you can from my crazy recollection and i hope you find your visits as auspicious as my own.

Depart From Me - Cage - Music Review

2009-07-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

Taking a long hiatus (about 4 years) to bring us "Depart From Me" Cage takes us Def Jukies to a world that few that jump into. He blends an emotional rock roller coaster with his usual lyrical prowess on his. We all saw an in depth look into his past on Hell's Winter which was his highly acclaimed sophomore release.
While I have been a huge Cage fan and got to see these songs performed live @ Nectar Lounge in Seattle. I have to respect the talent this man possesses. He really emphasizes the past aggression he once saw day in and day out. I really listened to Hell's Winter until i started to rhyme over the included instrumentals. i copped this version inside FYE in Southcenter Mall in SeaTac. Not my favorite spot to cop music but i wasn't trying to miss out on a Cage release. As it would turn out it was the only one in the store. i was surprised it didn't come out with the instrumentals but i am certain i can find the double deluxe version online somewhere if not in iTunes somewhere.
Back to the review...
I enjoyed the intro which was fused with many guitar riffs and a few hooks on the chorus which struck me with energy fused with angst. Some songs just plain fall short, unsurprisingly they are not the best songs, lyrically. One of the tightest songs on the album to me personally, is "I found my mind in Connecticut" nothing too serious as far as a lyricism goes but I enjoyed the subtle guitar and the synths throughout the tracks. I also enjoyed the track "eating it's way out of me" produced by El - P . as soon as the synth drops you can definitely tell El - P has a reach into this track.
As far as hip hop goes these days you can't sell yourself cheap on a niche. I have been a Cage fan since i was about 14 years old. I recall listening to his snippets and samples on ughh.com (no plugs here). Overall I give it a solid review if you're into new and adventurous hip hop. this is by no means a walk down beat street or doing the six step to break beats or anything, but it is a valid attempt of recreating your sound and trying something different in these days of auto tune bubblegum hip pop garbage.

The Ecstatic - Mos Def - Music Review

2009-06-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

Mighty Mos Def delivers every pungent aroma of hiphop we desire! Where others are dependent on autotune and snap music to fill our ears, he auto tunes us effortlessly. To start this musical journey of epic proportions is to starve yourself the entire Thanksgiving holiday then sit down say grace and soak up the entire scenery of sensuous landscapes, language, lyrics, and acrimonious aptitude that only Mos Def has the ability of delivering so eloquently. I don't think I have ever heard such a display of lyrical character by him thus far. Lets take it back to the days of "Soundbombing" when we were on our stoops and blocks bumping the real shit in our boxes and our $50 Panasonics. I think he said it pretty clearly (on "Priority") that he still holds a clever bar or two raised above the industry coon. Yeah I fuckin SAID IT!.
There's no limit to the skills Mos Def brings to the table. Whether your palette is Spanish, English, or spanglish (No Hay Nada Mas) he will tell the tales of a true school seasoned legend on the mic. Close your eyes and think back to that episode of Dave Chappelle when you heard that ill ass freestyle turned track release on the show, then told all your boys about it that next day at work. The beats are incredible the xylophone (Pistola), the synths (Life in Marvelous Times), the drums, and the loops. The auditory accents are unstoppable. I don't think I have enough metaphors to fully digest the realism and fruition on this release. I didn't know Christmas came early!?! OK all j/k aside.
This is an valued piece of illustrious art by Mos Def. If you love the classics and stuck right next to him after all the amazing film work (16 Blocks ) then you obviously and undoubtedly enjoy the shit out of "The Ecstatic". Framing a genre around Mos Def is such a trivial action of deceit and common misconception. He is a pliable identity in the world of true school hiphop. If you don't have at least a 1/4 of his catalog then this edition will bring you up to a light speed of eclectic work and provide an in depth nucleus to a thorough upbringing. I am a malnutrition ed malcontent in 2009 and thank goodness that Mos Def brought us back to the breathing surface on a plain plateau of pop orientated so called "hiphop" destroying our ear waves (airwaves?)

Jay Stays Paid (iTunes Bonus Track Version)- J Dilla - Music Review

2009-06-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

It was like a huge pleasure gong going off in my head on repeat.It's June 2nd! The new J Dilla comes out today! Oh best believe I emailed all my hiphop heads and connects to let them know the illest of the ill producers was doing it once again! "Jay Stays Paid" is a musical journey down a imaginative radio station aptly named KJay FM . This time Pete Rock held it down as the house dj on the show. Full of drops and fun skits it paints a clever and productive scenario. The beats are insane! It starts out like most Dilla Classics (Champion Sound, The Shining) kinda slow then rises like an auditory tide. It raises the bar on so many levels. I am a deep Dilla fan and truly felt his music changed my entire sound and palette when it came to buying hiphop. I have many of his albums and feel this is his best so far. His mother delivered a gem to us all, maybe that's why she's the executive producer on it! Yes she is seriously the executive producer!
The tone changes a few times throughout the entire album. From obscure beats and chimes to masterful synths on such songs as "Stilts". I especially enjoyed a track (Reality Check) with Black Thought on the mic simply destroying the bars with lyrics straight from reality t.v. drops. ("Dropped out of charm school when she fell in love with N.Y. and love money that's what I'm not made of. I bought her a membership to celebrity fit club to see if I could stand a chance with this love.")
It is definitely a must have for all hiphop heads that have been down since 1990. Yes I said 1990. If you joined the hiphop game when Hova came out this is not your type of music. This compilation features many other emcees besides Black Thought. Doom , Blue, Phat Kat, Havoc, Raekwon, his younger brother Illa J, and many more! This is for 'heads only. Just joking. It's for everyone alike and dislike hiphop but J Dilla has a nice catchy tune for all likes of the music genres. He's a such an artist when it comes to painting audio landscapes of surreal vision and clarity. You can seriously come up with a classic bbq recipe while listening to J Dilla ( I know I did!)
All pundits aside I will be sharing this legally with all my current friends and 'heads that put me onto the best. So shoot me an email if you want a legit copy and stop downloading garbage and destroying your hard drive and cop some real hiphop from the best. With this hit album by J Dilla you can't go wrong.

Majest Fatal - The Playboy Era - Music Review

2009-05-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

As the evolution of hip hop reaches it's hands out and gives the youthful grimace of time a dab in the face along the visual dexterity of a mobster film; a sort of kudos is awarded provided a successful job was accomplished after another caper,we take an auditory look into the words of a true emcee as irreverent and idiosyncratic as a new age Kobe Bryant on the mic. Let's now take a deep breath before we seek solace in that marauded visage. Majest isn't from Texas (Born in Detroit) but possesses all the satire and swag that can concoct an adept outlook. It almost resembles the same smear campaign of GOP candidates. Here's a nod to the industry that says the 'south' has to sound a certain way and act a certain way. It's almost as if they want us to dress up in black face start shucking and jiving across the screen on cable television wearing purple suits and pouring Moet on scantily clad women seeking industry acceptance and corporate sponsorship. Majest portrays the true grind: an independent hustler mentality slow cooked over erratic beats that are so catchy and addictive you will put your ride in neutral just to adjust the tweeters and highs ( *trust me I did it at about 85 mph while driving south). As an esteemed producer named Al Bizness once told me prior to putting "Hood Injected" in my hands "this isn't your industry standard". All it takes is once listen and you will crave the hypnotizing hook in your speakers {One Ton}. Throw in a video on YouTube that shows us the "Kill City" grind through the eyes of director Ben Green and we have a cult classic following that precedes the best independent film trailers. A special toast goes to the introspective drops on the entire full length. Where any other artist showcases a phantasm of surreal environments, Majest Fatal keeps it so real and down to earth with just a touch of humble banter, we can only continue to keep our ears to the streets for more fire. It was a little over a year since we last heard a full length from him so it's a refreshing contentment. If your from the "Kill City" then you undoubtedly been to his many live performances and guest spotlights. His delivery is pungent, vibrant, and sometimes too raw to discern a difference between freestyle and written. It's no mystery to genuine indie hip hop heads that "The Playboy Era" is looking quite delectable and satiable. As long as Majest Fatal's music is the caliber that the streets need to keep the bar at then "Real N*ggas will always think alike".
Majest Fatal Homepage
http://www.myspace.com/majestfatal
Sounds About Right Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrr5aPzxvs8

The Soloist - Movie Review

2009-05-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

In an age where film has hardly captivated the mind and emotions, "The Soloist" surpasses the gold standard in modern cinema. Here's a true story that was unbeknownst to the populace and transformed into a fantastic masterpiece that could well be gauged amongst the best Oscar worthy films (A Beautiful Mind) in terms of undeniable overtures of grandeur. We examine character flaws in both human and mental statures. In a world subdued into atrophy and materialistic solitude, we find ourselves ignoring the lower class society when in turn a higher power has granted many of them a talent or gift to bestow upon the masses. Here's a story of a hapless reporter that has seen the pitfalls of everyday detachment and descriptively displayed them in his LA Times columns. Even in the past the rigors of unemployment were evident and unfortunately public media was no different. We see this disgruntled reporter juggle with the success of a great story and the impact upon viewers. He in turn sees the true meaning of friendship through the ears and visionary thought of a schizophrenic violin player named Nathaniel. The sheer enchantment of the story is enough to bring tears to your eyes. We felt the emotional convolutions throughout the entire film and how the public can take themselves entirely too serious. There are so many moments where you find yourself captivated by Nathaniel's story and how the troubles of a broken mind can engulf your entire world. This film deserves high accolades and will undoubtedly be a nod when the Academy awards come along. I highly recommend this film and hope it takes to you, uplifts you to a new reasoning.

Maldeamores - Movie Review

2009-04-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

To go and say that this movie was a love story is being ethereal to the most delicate degree. This movie was many things as it unfolds with a rich sense of captivity. Taking the viewer on a ride that only a Puerto Rican can plot out (The cast is enriched with Puerto Ricans). It took a few deep breaths to fully digest the amount of dissonant dialogue, by all means it was bearable but at times it was shocking. No one can write this type of storytelling. Obviously Carlito Ruiz Ruiz got it right with precision. The film explores love on it's most obverse levels, by exploring love throughout age, rage, immense tragedy, psychosis, and of course humor. These different palettes create an exuberant amount of depth, body, and twisted sense of the word. It is definitely a family oriented film with so many references to Puerto Rican culture that you just want to throw some 'chanclas' on and hit the 'playa'. The themes of ancestry are doused with gasoline and set ablaze with trepidation. You feel what it's like to a part of the inner circle. The problematic circle is not that love is reciprocal but that the action exists and we cannot coexist if that understanding is discernible. A true gem amongst Latin gems. I hold this film in high accord with Innaritu's masterpieces.

El Evangelista - Movie Review

2009-04-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

El Evangelista was an entirely independent movie with latin accents. It unveils a vivid and divided world of brutal crimes and religious apathy. The cinematography is a bit tonal by sequencing urban landscapes and few countrysides. It almost moves like a sitcom instead of a movie. The leading cast capture dialogue reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction" with equal subject matter and flying pundits. The comedic hijinks range from the classic down to the outright childish (fart jokes). Some of the other supporting cast lack passion in their roles.
The film in general provides dramatic overtones in the style of Latin soap operas with a score from similar scenes in "Scarface " (Remember when Tony shot Manolo?) not to be comparatively vague but just to state the obvious. The main characters are faced with harsh dilemmas and no where to turn to. The movie heats up in brutal action and acts as social clauses for us to embody in everyday reasoning.
I highly recommend this Latin film, because of the accolades it won (Winner"Audience Choice Award"2006 Chicago Latino Film Festival Winner"Best Foreign Feature"2006 WYSIWYG Film Festival Official Selection 2007 New York International Latino Film Festival) and because it was a memorable tale of the two sides of crime and the how the loyalty one possesses, battles the conscience.

Saints and Soldiers - Movie Review

2009-04-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

***contain spoilers ***

Among a dying breed.,

12 April 2009

Without too much glitz and glamor, "Saints" puts a new dramatic feel to the WorldWar2 epics that we have all come to enjoy and some unfortunately hate. The beginning starts fast and action packed then turns to the character's personalities. I felt indifferent to the subtleties involved in character development. I saw this on hulu so there were some commercial interruptions but I was steadily tuned in to the dialogue and dramatic moments of religious overtones.Some WorldWar2 epics take the acting out of major event that changed lives forever. I am happy to this approach wasn't followed in "Saints".The fear, bigotry, camaraderie, and pure honor for one another came together in a great story. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it as a WorldWar 2 story add.

Brookyln Rules - Movie Review

2009-04-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

*** contains spoilers ***

Another Great Mobster Film,

12 April 2009

So here we have another mobster movie with a great list of great actors. Set in the 80s the costumes have a bit of tasteless gestures and some actually hit the mark with authenticity. The background music works well and so do the neighborhoods throughout the films.I was surprised to see pretty boy Freddie Prinze Jr. in this mobster film. I was so used to the childish films he had paraded around for such a long time to forget he has a narrative tone of acting. He played an honest student trying to do his best to escape the tortures of a rough and tumble Brooklyn neighborhood.Alec Baldwin gives a steadfast approach to the head mobster lifestyle by smacking a few locals around in the beginning. We see what the character assembly is going to produce throughout the film just from the short descriptive narratives.Jerry Ferrera plays the lovable sidekick friend that is conceptually frugal and down on his luck in unemployment. Scott Caan plays the most realistic character because in my most humble opinion, he has played this stereotypical role in every film I have seen him in. It's the Napoleon Bonaparte complex character that gets all the wheeling and dealing early on and gets his kicks from well, kicking people to the ground. It's characters like him in this film that really take it to another level. His acting is superb ,the love is genuine ,and sometimes you feel the scenes were ad libbed. Mena Suvari was an unconvincing student femme. She lofts around throughout the film carefree until the s*** hits the fans and then she turns against Freddy's character. She could have easily been knocked off in the script and nobody would've missed her. While she was entirely necessary to the script and in proving a friendship motif, I didn't enjoy her performance.Overall this movie hits the target. It's not another classic mobster makeover but in it's own way reinvents the story and leaves room for a few other younger actors looking to get their beaks wet in this genre.

The Wrestler - Movie Review

2009-04-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

**Contains Spoilers **

Apart from the Rest,
22 April 2009

In a world of glitz and glamor, we finally have a tour De force so real it's almost disturbing. Some of the fights were brutally honest and I think we needed that type of insane violence to truly depict the massive amounts of abuse these athletes go through. I have a deeper respect for Mickey Rourke as an actor. He truly touched my views on professional wrestling. I am from Jersey and I remember my youth was filled with going to the types of events. As I grew older and somewhat wiser I never knew that these so called has beens had it so bad. I respect Mickey for the role and role he depicts. That Acme store clerk that has the face of a champ but still gets p*ssed on by the store manager. That beat up tramp of a stripper that has the worst smoker's cough but still uses her last $10 to feed her son dinner every night. The estranged child that hasn't seen her dad in 13 years and doesn't give a damn if he had a heart attack or is dead, now coping with the sad reality that love ,just might be enough. Thank you ,"The Wrestler". It was a dose of reality in such an epic manner that I can only give thanks for such majestic pieces of film nowadays.