AUTHOR: FRITZ LE CHAT
I’m back in the T-Dot after a couple months in LA. Peace to everybody out there who I hooked up with (especially Cheapshot, good looking!). Back at home, I’m feeling a little sentimental about the heads in Canada putting it down, so this issue’s B&R will be 100% Can-Con.First up, in the T-Dot, if you’re still sleeping on Kardinal’s album, you’re losing. Easily one of the banginest LP’s of the year. From the same crew, word on the street is that Choclair, Solitaire, and Saukrates are all working on some heat to be heard soon as well.Also, my man Day says to watch out for Bishop. Anyone heard Jelleestone yet? The single’s tight, so I’m looking to pick up the album. Heard Thrust has a new one coming out soon too. I’m really wondering what’s up with K-Os though. I heard a few tracks when I interviewed him last year, and shit was bumping.Mindbender (Supreme Being Unit) is working on a solo album, and has an EP for sale right now. You’re not going to find it in any stores — he’s on some sell-it-out-the-backpack shit — but it’s definitely worth peeping, so holler at him (mindbender777@hotmail.com) and find out how to order one. The other half of SBU, Conspiracy, is also working on a project, so look out for that soon too. Fellow Nextra Terrestrials member Eternia is working her own album right now, and based on the tracks I’ve heard so far, she’s definitely going to fuck up some heads. She’s working on with Collizhun (of Nefarius), easily one of Toronto’s brightest stars, so peep his album as well if you get a chance.The Low Pressure gang is working on a steady stream of new releases. In addition to re-releasing formerly cassette-only albums from Governor Bolts and Tachichi on CD, look out for new albums from both Bolts and T, as well as Five Headed R-Tard, Josh Martinez, Contrabanned, and a new Low Pressure compilation (lowpressure.ca).In Vancouver, things are heating up as well. BattleAxe Records continues the takeover with a new Swollen Members album, and a continuous stream of Moka Only vinyl. Keep your eyes peeled for Moka’s crew City Planners, consisting of Jeff Spec and others. Following up his album with DJ Moves, Birdapres has been in Toronto for a while now, hard at work on his new album, and will be returning to Vancouver soon to get things underway.Out east, word is that Buck 65 will be dropping another album shortly. No word yet on who’ll be releasing it. Also repping the East, keep your eyes peeled for Sixtoo and the Goods.One of my favorite crews in Canada, the Oddities will (finally) be releasing some vinyl shortly. Keep an eye out. Another cat topping my up-and-coming list is Transit, based out of the 519. He’s got an underground CD floating around which I highly recommend. Holler at him:transtonic@hiphopsite.com. Mackenzie (formerly D-Rock) is putting the finishing touches on his debut solo album, guaranteed to make some serious noise. No word yet on an official release.On the instrumental tip, beat-heads need to pick up Montana Mathews & Nevada Brown’s Southern Comfort LP, a collected mixture of beats, breaks, scratches, and a couple of guest vocalists (one of whom happens to be a certain VICE Magazine hip hop columnist). Order it from them:leanbutter@hotmail.com. Also look out for my homegirl Esthero, who’s finishing up her new album. The shit I’ve heard so far is banging. Don’t sleep.If you’re digging for dope Canadian product, here’s some other names to look out for: DJ Fase and Abdominal, Nautilus feat. Arcee and Fatski, True, Nine Planets, Jugganot, Noah 23, Symbolik Musik, Don Cash, Checkmate, A6, and Lo Kreepaz.Lastly, by the time you read this, the Divine Vinyl EP should be in stores. A co-release between Divine Vinyl Records and Low Pressure, the EP features yours truly (with Montana Mathew and Nevada Brown), along with Mindbender (SBU), Oddities, Transit, Tachichi, and Zest the Smoker (campcrypt.com).Send VINYL to: Fritz the Cat, 650 Dupont St. Box 501, Toronto ON, M6G 4B1 CANADA. E-mail: fritzthacat@hotmail.com
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