Roc C Discusses Upcoming Projects, His Work With J Dilla And More

Stones Throw artist Roc C just wrapped up the Value Menu Tour here on the West Coast with Tanya Morgan, Hall of Justus artist Chaundon and debuting Rapper Big Pooh of Little Brother and Roc C new joint project - Young Americans. I caught up with Roc C for a post performance interview.

Beside discussing Roc C's many upcoming projects in 2011, we also had a pretty lengthy discussion about his last days working with the late J Dilla.

Little Brother Perform Live In DC

Little Brother performed live at the Black Cat in Washington DC on their Farewell Tour Friday May 14 promoting Leftback.

Little Brother Farewell Tour Dates:
Wed May 19 - Chicago, IL at the Double Door
Wed May 26 - San Diego, CA at 4th And B
Thu May 27 - West Hollywood, CA at the Key Club
Fri May 28 - San Francisco, CA at The Independent

Little Brother Left Back on Hall of Justus in stores and online now!

(video courtesy of S-Roc)

Little Brother 'LeftBack' Advance Album Preview

via Planet Ill

Revenge

A well flipped usage of James Brown’s “Big Payback” buffered by ambient chants and ill rhymes. Standard fare, but executed well.

So Cold Featuring Chaundon Prod. by King Karnov

Bottom heavy beat with the crooner on the hook doign their best D’Angelo impression (not sure if it’s Phonte singing). Phonte runs the middle leg of this track with malice intended; crisp delivery and lines that make yourburrow your eyebrows and bob your head. Guest emcee Chaundon brings a flare to the cleanup slot with a bit less laser sharpness but much more energy. The bridge is well places and while synths give the beat rhythm, the bottom heavy bass rules here.

Second Chances Feat. Bilal & Darien Brockington (Prod. By Denaun Porter)

Dithering keys and a slithering bassline allow Bilal to bring his trademarked neurosis to full tilt. The music on this song is beautifully arranged and Bilal takes it to the bridge and jumps off. The interplay between the rapped verses and the sang chorus on the last stanza weave in and out like red and blue Tron cycles racing each other. Flawlessly finished.

Go Off Go On

The chorus on this is very weak but the track is notable because Big Pooh really spazzes out on it. It’s a bit too similar to the previous song in tone but pales in quality.

What We Are Feat. Quiana

A relationship song (one of many). It’s not syrupy by any means and is well put together. the song deals with what happens when you hook up but you realize the relationship isn’t going anywhere.

After The Party

Piano key opening and a semi comedic internal monologue from Phonte showcases his range, humor, and personality. The track runs on a well balanced thump, with beat and rhyme fusing nicely.

2 Step Blues

Picks up the pace of the album with lively vocals. It’s really “Just Got Paid” 2.0 in function. Nice horn solo and piano keys close the song out nicely.

Get Enough

Towering aggressive drums push the momentum of this song. Phonte comes out swinging on all sucker emcees but Big Pooh steals the show on this Khrysis-produced banger.

24 Feat Torae

Torae muscles this high-powered song from inception, changing the energy/pace of the entire album. Everyone in the room looks up as soon as this track begins. His aggression immediately stands out and forces Pooh and Phonte to raise their energy level above what they have shown on the rest of the album. This song would have done better in the middle of the album, serving to break up the monotony of a few too any similar in feel songs.

This album has a strange energy to it. There are some extremely high musical highs, in particular ‘24″ and “Second Chances,” which surpass much if not most of their previous material. However there are a few too many songs that remind you of each other, in either spirit or theme, without really placing an overall theme or narrative on the album. Arrangement wise, most of these songs are places together. It’s not their worst overall work, but as a unit it doesn’t surpass The Listening or The Chitlin Circuit 1.5. What it does do is make you wish they could have toughed it out for a really focused album with the best elements showcased on Left Back. These are two talented rappers who are as good as their production and focus allow them to be.

Little Brother - 'LeftBack' Artwork & Track Listing Revealed

Little Brother - 'LeftBack' Official Track Listing:

01. Curtain Call (prod. by Khrysis)
02. Table For Two ft. Jozeemo & Yahzarah (prod. by Khrysis)
03. Tigallo For Dolo (prod. By Khrysis)
04. Revenge ft. Truck North & Median (prod. by Khrysis)
05. So Cold ft. Chaundon (prod. by King Karnov)
06. Second Chances ft. Bilal & Darien Brockington
(prod. by Denaun Porter)
07. Go Off Go On (prod. by Khrysis)
08. What We Are ft. Quiana (prod. by Young R.J.)
09. After The Party ft. Carlitta Durand
(S1 and Caleb’s Who Shot JR Ewing Remix) (prod. by S1 and Caleb)
10. Two Step Blues ft. Darien Brockington
(Zo’s Purple Suit With The Matching Gators Remix) (prod. by Zo!)
11. Get Enough Pt. 2 ft. Khrysis (prod. by Khrysis)
12. Before The Night Is Over (prod. by J.Bizness)
13. 24 ft. Torae (prod. by Khrysis)

Little Brother - 'LeftBack' on Hall of Justus arrives in-stores April 20.

Little Brother To Release Final Album 'Leftback' April 20

via A.V. Club

If you're like me, North Carolina's Little Brother is one of your all-time favorite hip hop groups. The group has experienced all sorts of highs, lows and creamy middles since its classic 2003 debut The Listening was championed by the likes of ?uestlove and Pete Rock. The trio was signed to major label Atlantic and then abruptly dropped after its second album, The Minstrel Show flopped.

Super-producer 9th Wonder left the group after landing a beat on The Black Album and becoming one of hip hop's most in-demand beatsmiths. Most recently, frontman Phonte was nominated for a Grammy for Best Alternative performance Involving Black People with soulful side project Foreign Exchange.

Alas, the long, strange, often glorious story of Little Brother appears to be coming to an end. The duo of Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh has announced that their forthcoming CD, Leftback (on the duo's boutique label Hall of Justus), will be its last. The album will be released on April 20th and feature production from Khrysis, Denaun Porter, Zo! and others. Back in my video store days I used to play a long-form Abba video that featured an interview with a fan who was asked, "If you could say one thing to Abba, what would it be?" The fan's answer gave the video (and box set and hardcover book) its name: Thank You For the Music. With that in mind, goodbye, Little Brother and thank you for the music.