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.

China Syndrome...

My man Eli Sweet just posted a link for his new mixtape. A collection of music he recorded here at the crib during his latest visits back from China. Some excellent verses/songs on this joint, really some of his best work to date. Mostly the production consists of tracks he "borrowed" from various producers, but he makes sure he gives credit where credit is due...respectfully. Eli is one of the nicest, and on China Syndrome, he's got his superman swagger on and shines on every track he blesses...don't sleep.



You can click the picture, or here to get to the download link. (I had to download Winzip since he made it a .zipx file, but it's worth it.)

Check the track-listing here

Below are words from Eli himself:

Album Notes

1. THIS ALBUM IS FREE. IF YOU LIKE IT PASS IT ALONG TO YOUR FRIENDS.

2. I didn't pay for any of the beats on this album. Some of them were made by friends of mine, or offered by their creators for free download, but the majority were taken from other hip hop artists' mixtapes or albums without their permission. The production credits for the beats are listed below.

3. I stole that Usain Bolt punchline from my buddy Leif. We were freestyling and he dropped that shit; I thought it was funny, so I took it and ran with it. I told him about it and hes cool with. He gets props.

4. You can learn about my time as Captain Morgan in China at www.EliSweetIsAPirate.blogspot.com

5. If you like my music you can download stuff from my previous album, “Firebrand” here (www.ReverbNation.com/EliSweet).
New music will also be available for free download here: http://elisweet.bandcamp.com.

6. Eli Sweet is my given name. You can contact me at Eli.M.Sweet@gmail.com.

Getting This Album Done...

I feel I have been neglecting this blog, but rest assured, the lack of recent posts is merely an indication that most of my spare time has been spent crafting and completing this new Collective Efforts project. We have decided to do all mixing in house (with a little consultation and feedback from other trusted ears), meaning that I have to get off work, go straight home, get some food, and start working. We have completed all recording and are just working on the final touches, getting everything ready to master. I am also honored to have added to my plate the rewarding process of recording and mixing some new mixtape material for my homie Eli Sweet. He is back in town from China and as usual, has an exorbitant amount of dope verses to drop over stolen hip hop tracks. So, I will pop in every now and then, but for the most part, until Root and I head out to San Fran, I will be consumed in this Freezing World...check out our website from time to time and give us a shout, kind of quiet over there right now as we try to rebuild awareness, let people know we haven't dropped off the Earth, yet. Drop a comment, every little bit helps build morale.

Peace family.

Get to know Bonobo...

Simon Green, aka Bonobo is an incredible British producer and musician who also DJs under the name Barakas.

His song Noctuary, off of Dial "M" For Monkey, is one of the smoothest pieces I've heard in a minute.



When he tours with the Bonobo project he brings a live band with him, and plays bass and leads the stage from center.



My man Eli Sweet laid down a dope vocal version. He does an incredible job capturing the mood and is, by far, one of the most talented lyricists out there right now. Listen to the song here on his imeem music page and while you are at it, check out all of his tracks...great all around guy and MC.

And learn more about Bonobo at the official site:

www.bonobomusic.com

Peace, fam.