01. Hanif-Jamiyl (of Maspyke) - Hot Nights, Cold Days [LISTEN]
Hanif-Jamiyl is a member of one of the most slept on underground independent hip hop trios, Maspyke. The group was chosen as one of the URB 100 most influential artists for 2002 and have released two acclaimed albums “The Blackout” and “Static”.
www.bukarancerecords.com

02. Gray Matter featuring Eddie Bayard, Terrel Dunbar & Pharez Whitted - Let Go, Let Flow
[LISTEN]Gray Matter is DDOT and STORM9000, two producer/engineers that fuse live musicians over hip hop textured productions. Their impressive roll-call of credits include Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child) certified gold album and 50Cents multi-platinum DVD (they produced the score). They are currently scoring Sony’s new comedy "Easier Softer Way" directed by Maki Phifer and the score for the Elvis DVD series. The song "Let Go Let Flow" showcases the talents of Eddie Bayard (sax), Pharez Whitted (trumpet) and Terrell Dunbar (poet/MC), each one of these artist's have their own project's coming out soon.
Contact Gray Matter at storm@storm9000.com

03. The Procussions - Miss January
[LISTEN]The Procussions formed in the late 1990s when members of two rival b-boy crews decided to squash beef and make changes in the Colorado music scene. With their move to Los Angeles, they continue to pursue their mission of spreading life-affirming music and shattering Hip-Hop stereotypes. The Procussions have a unique and energetic live show, combined with a diverse catalogue, making them stand out in the Hip Hop world. Check out their album “As Iron Sharpens Iron”.
www.theprocussions.com

04. Wordsworth - It Ain’t You
[LISTEN]Brooklyn-bred microphone fiend Wordsworth is the epitome of a true Hip Hop wordsmith. He even has a degree in English Language and Literature to prove it. A veteran of NY’s Lyricist Lounge, Wordsworth (alongside part-time rhyme partner Punchlines) appeared on ATCQ’s “The Love Movement” album, and on Black Star's "Twice Inna Lifetime". His debut album “Mirror Music” was released in 2004 on Halftooth Records.

05. Kim Hill – Nutshell
[LISTEN]Kim was the original singer with the Black Eyed Peas and features heavily on their debut album “Behind The Front”. Look out for Kim’s new album, which will include the gorgeous “Nutshell”.
www.kimmykim.com

06. ed/ge – Quasimodo
[LISTEN]Ed/ge is a collaboration between saxophonist Ed Jones (ED) and producer/programmer Geoff Wilkinson of Us3 (GE), who combine the sounds of contemporary jazz with 21st Century beats. “Quasimodo” is taken from their acclaimed debut album, “A View From The ed/ge” on Kwerk.

07. Kev Brown - Albany
[LISTEN]A former protégé of Jazzy Jeff, Kev Brown is rapidly shaping up to be one of the most vibrant artist/producer’s out there. His list of collaborations and productions is growing all the time, and “Albany” is taken from his debut album “I Do What I Do”.
www.kevbrownmusic.com

08. Roddy Rod - Pop’s Influence
[LISTEN]Roddy Rod is also a member of Maspyke (see Hanif Jamiyl above)

09. Dent – Sunshowers
[LISTEN]Colorado based MC Dent is a serious crate digger and lists all points from Big Daddy Kane to Brother Jack McDuff as influences. Check out his track “Jungles Dreaming” on the compilation of Colorado hip hop “Low Budget Soul”. “Sunshowers” was produced by the Procussions (see above).

10. Pudge - Mona Lisa
[LISTEN]Hailing out of Queens New York, Pudge has now relocated to LA, becoming a member of the Vinyl Junkie crew. A solo EP “Listen” was released in 2001 with a solo album (provisionally titled BuSt.Ops”) on the way.

11. Sumkid – Greens
[LISTEN]Born in Chicago, raised in North Carolina and California, planted in Atlanta and New York, Pudge has seen all sides of hip-hop evolution, taking it all in as a child. Now as a grown man, he spills life in colourful stories, party anthems, sentimental thought pieces and futuristic club themes that break the walls a frightful music industry has built.

12. The Underdog Sound - Underdog’s Theme
[LISTEN]Brooklyn native The Underdog began his musical career playing classical guitar at age six. He attended junior high school with the likes of Evil Dee, Mos Def, Reggiment (formerly of L.I.B and Us3), and John Forte. Taking up hip hop production in 1991, he produced for a number of NY-based artists before daring to put out his own twist on "Soul Music”. He was the instrumental half of "P&D" a travelling duet with the late Pariss Clemons. He is currently working on his second solo album.

13. Superstar Dave Dar featuring Lew –Wizdom
[LISTEN]After recording and mixing for such artists as Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Beatnuts, De La Soul, Kool G. Rap, C. Rayz Walz, Jean Grae, Wordsworth, etc... "Superstar" Dave Dar is on the verge of garnishing the same success of some of his clients. Already a legend on the underground NY hip hop scene due to his prowess as a sought-after sound engineer, Dave is currently working on his debut album.

14. El Da Sensei - Course Of My Life
[LISTEN]As a member of rap duo Artifacts, El was jointly responsible for 2 bona fide underground classic albums – “Between A Rock And A Hard Place” (1994) and “That’s Them” (1997). His first solo album “Relax, Relate, Release” dropped in 2002 and El has featured on a host of collaborations.

15. J Rawls featuring Liquid Crystal Project and BJ Digby - Remember When
[LISTEN]Legendary hip hop producer extraordinaire J Rawls has worked with a vast array of artists including Masta Ace, The Beastie Boys, Wordsworth, Jonell, Us3, etc. As a member of the Lone Catalysts and 3582 J has several acclaimed albums under his belt, not to mention his own two solo albums “The Essence of J Rawls” and “The Essence of Soul”.