Let's KETCH UP.

Damn. I knew I hadn't posted up here in a while, but I didn't realize it had been over month. It looks like the spam kept a rollin' in the comment section of my last post...dog training, ways to quit smoking, lost arc of the covenant...god bless the internets.

Biggest news would be that things keep rolling in a positive direction w/ the twins. We had our 20-week checkup two Fridays ago and everybody looked great...plus, we found out we're having TWO BOYS! Pretty exciting stuff and we are now dipping our toes into the water of looking at all the baby raising equipment you need...strollers, car seats, pack'n'plays, etc. So much stuff...rather, TOO much stuff. Then, multiply it times two and it'll make your head spin. Anyhow, I think it's cool they'll both have built-in playmates and there won't be any barbie dolls versus legos when they decide what they're going to play with. We're still weeding throuh possible names, but we've decided tentatively to go with GERONIMO and KONG...you know, good Irish names. It seems like the due date is a million years away, but then you realize all that you still have to take care of and it seems like they're coming tomorrow. Crazy.

Outside of that, music-wise, i've been on a rather large hip-hop bender since we last spoke. Two discs (one old and one new) have been receiving non-stop rotation and I have to make mention of them:

OHMEGA WATTS

'The Find'

This album has that true old school throwback feel i've been looking for in a new artist for quite a while now. Hailing from the burgeoning Portland, OR hip hop scene (Portland?! Who knew?), Ohmega Watts is an insanely talented producer and impressive MC. A large part of the beats and instrumentals are original compositions that have been chopped up, put back together into some truly funky head bobbing tracks and, together, make up a musical breath of fresh air in totality. Lyrically, it's also a throwback to the days of the 'call and response' block party jams from back in the day...before it became rehashed beats and brags on how much ice you had around your neck. There is enthusiasm, positivity and respect for the genre's history on this disc that reminded me why I love hip hop (and music) in the first place. Most likely, my top album of '05. Check some samples HERE and if you're in the Chicagoland area, go catch him live w/ RJD2 at the Abbey on November 12th.

K.M.D.

'Mr. Hood'
Big ups being beamed via satellite out to my man Charles in Arizona for clueing me into this one. K.M.D. got the jump off via the classic 3rd Bass jam, 'The Gas Face'. The cuts are mostly soul/jazz-based mixed with the odd clip from a children's album, laid down over some nice uptempo beats and basslines. The album loosely centers around a character named Mr. Hood that has been constructed from some sort of self-help/instructional tape to pretty hilarious results. Lyrically playful, but with some biting commentary on racial stereotypes...it all sums up to a satisfying listen ala De La's '3 Feet High and Rising'. After the death of his brother (and KMD DJ) Sub-Roc, group-leader Zevlove X would later go onto become underground hip-hop's mad genius, MF Doom. This album was recently re-released on vinyl out of the UK, but the CD seems to be out of print...worth scouting for online or in the used bin at your local shop.

So, that's it for now true-believers. Hopefully, it won't be as long a wait for the next post...I know you're all setting your watches to them and male the sad face when there isn't anything new to digest (right). Be well and PEACE!