Say what you feel...

"I am not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts."
- Mark Twain

Fishbone & Fishburne...

This new documentary about Fishbone looks very dope.

It's called Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone, directed by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler, and it's narrated by the one and only Larry Fishburne.

For more info, peep the site:

www.fishbonedocumentary.com

"Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone" - documentary trailer from Tilapia Film on Vimeo.

Freezing World Review...

As soon as I read this at work today, I began to have an awesome day. After getting painfully bad reviews of Trail Mix and Medicine at RapReviews.com (e.g. the guy who reviewed Medicine said not to operate heavy machinery while listening - HA!), we finally got some redemption in the form of Pete T. My self-esteem jumped up a couple notches, mainly because of lines like these:

"...their meticulously penned verses should offer at least something for everyone, and Ben Hameen in particular impresses throughout the tracklist. His blissfully smoked-out tone might be likened to Myka 9, but when he sings the hooks and backing vocals, it's more akin to an ungangstafied Nate Dogg. His multiple talents and endlessly soulful hooks buoy even the less effusive numbers. Their dedication to rap as an art and wholesome, tireless optimism will rub some the wrong way, but vocally "Freezing World" is often fantastic. "This Far" is gorgeously balanced between smooth guitar, percussion, somber synths, and a show-stopping performance from Ben Hameen for perhaps the LP's best track. The stark closer "See What You Find" is breathtaking, with a gloomy guitar line perfectly suited for his calls for introspection."

I must say, it really is a well-written and honest (and flattering) review. Thanks, Pete!

Read Pete's entire review here (or click the pic):

Work gettin' done...

Man, I just looked up and realized March was almost over, and I have not really been posting any updates. Rest assured I am not hibernating, your boy's been busy this month:

- Diamond D EP almost done (photos, artwork, design...BOOM!)

- shooting a video for a song I did with W.I.C. (which is turning out very cool, more to come on that soon)

- working on an acoustic guitar score to a dope short film my homie Sam Dyches wrote and directed

- mixing some tracks up for young Eli Sweet from his last visit from China

- just dropped a hook and verse idea for another Goon Trax release over a beat by Japanese producer Re:Plus.

- speaking of Japan, filling out my application for Red Bull Music Academy

I wonder if they still will be holding it in Japan this year...

UPDATE 3/31/11: Just found out that it will not be in Japan this year. Damn. The new location will be announced April 11th, they apparently extended the deadline to April 26th, which is great for the slack-ass procrastinators like myself.

Not that I think I could necessarily get in, but I really want to go through the process as sort of a self-evaluation, as it requires you to make a thirty minute compilation of the best of what you have to offer, and answer a shitload of introspective questions about who you are and where you see yourself in the musical universe. So, coming soon, thirty minute Best of Ben Hameen compilation (as I will definitely be throwing a version up for download, considering it has been taking up so much of my time).

Anyway, if you are having Hameen withdrawal and need more immediate contact, you can find me on Twitter @hameen for an occasional quote, pic, comment or response.

Or actually, you can just follow me in Google World, go to my Buzz. I always share anything interesting I find while perusing the infinite blogosphere, and it automatically lists any posts I do here, and any of my amazing tweets. So it's a win/win.

Inspiration...

Dope new video from Bambu's new solo project. Inspiration produced by Rah Groove featuring Art Soul on vocals with DJ Mafioso on the cuts. Video filmed, directed and edited by Chad Hess. CE REPRESENT!