This is one of the most enjoyable concert films I have watched in a long time. Dave Chappelle dos what he does best—bring people together through comedy and music. Great performances throughout, in particular, Dead Prez’s rousing rendition of “Hip Hop.” Also check out the bonus features, “Ohio Players” and “The Making of . . . ” footage.

In the end, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party shows why Dave Chappelle is one of our most important African-American entertainers. Please Dave, come back to television. We need you!

It’s good to know friends in low places.

I’ve known Jazzhole mastermind Warren Rosenstein since 1995, when the group released their critically acclaimed CD,
. . . And the Feeling Goes Round. It’s been hard for us to keep in touch with one another through the years because both of us are so busy. Whenever Jazzhole releases a new album, without fail Warren always sends me a fresh CD copy in the mail. What a cool guy.

I also treasure the fact that Jazzhole are truly a GREAT live band as well. In the last few years, crooner Marlon Saunders has been part of the fold and has given the group its soulful sound. Their latest CD, Poet’s Walk, was recently released in the U.K. and will hit U.S. stores on July 11. Poet’s Walk is a great collection of wonderful jazz-soul music. It’s a perfect album for the summertime. I will write a more detailed music review and post it on my blog Beats and Rants near or around the July 11 release date. In the meantime, check out a few selections from Poet’s Walk, right HERE.
My Favorites: The excellent remake of Boz Scaggs’s “Lowdown,” the tender ballad “The Slipping of Time” and the smooth jazz sounds of “Timeless.”

Atlanta’s hottest rhyme-spitter comes thru with a decent debut effort. A lot of crunk bangers that will keep you doing the motorcycle dance for a long time. It’s goin’ down, baby!

I’m actually consuming Crash (2-Disc Director’s Cut Edition).

When Crash first hit DVD, I decided to wait on purchasing it because I read somewhere that Paul Haggis was upset that he had to edit scenes out of the movie. So I knew it would only be a matter of time before they release an unrated version (or director’s cut edition) of this Oscar-winning movie.

Now mind you, I haven’t seen this movie at all—not in the theaters or on DVD. So the thrill for me here is that, for the first time, I will see Paul Haggis’ actual vision of the flick.

I’m only consuming it because, sooo many people have told me that this is an excellent film.

Ghostface is a great storyteller because he is able to paint the images so vividly you almost feel like you are there with him. This is a very important trait in MCing, but is extremely rare among most of today’s hot rappers.

Fishscale is not as stellar as Ghost’s near-classic LP Pretty Toney- but it’s damn close. Ghost shines on “Whip You with a Strap” (produced by the late J Dilla); and on his drug-selling guide “Kilo,” his lyrics outweighs anything Young “Snowman” Jeezy is spitting about the drug game. And don’t forget about “The Champ” (produced by the masterful Just Blaze), which is just one big braggadicios track. If Ghost’s lyrics were two fists - he would have knocked out every MC in the game right now. “The Champ” is one lethal track.

Fishscale is not a classic, but it’s another strong effort by the Ghost man.

RIP J Dilla!

I have said this before on my blog and people frowned at me.

But now everyone sees what I saw before his untimely death.

J Dilla is/was the Dr. Dre of the indie rap scene. And dare I say a better producer than the Chronic man himself.

Well, Dilla’s posthumous CD Donuts is just a small sampling of how ingenious this man was behind the production boards. To fully understand this man’s impact in the rap game, go to stonethrows.com and check out his discography.

There’s no one illa . . . than J Dilla!

Turn it up!

Madlib is simply one of the best producers in the rap game right now. This is a great instrumental CD. A lot of cats don’t like albums full of instrumentals, but I think they are dope. There are times when all I want to hear is just instrumentals—no wack verses, fake-ass drug-selling stories or booty chatter. Just beats, and only beats.

Madlib is the guy you go to if you want to hear some beats to fulfill your Hip-Hop Soul, ya dig?

I love it!

Murs and 9th Wonder teamed up once again and it’s sounds great. Granted, 9th Wonder hasn’t stepped up on his production, but what he did on here still thumps and gets the head nodding. Murs is a great MC—although he’s getting a little too PC and preachy for me. Nevertheless, it’s truly a collection of beats, rhymes and life.

Download this: “L.A.”; “Love & Appreciate”; “Murray’s Law”—aww, fuck it, cop the whole damn CD, you cheap bastard!

I’ll never stop consuming this CD.

This is a superb collection by a superb vocalist. Cassandra Wilson’s smokey voice meshes perfectly with the hip-hop-soul grooves provided by Grammy award-winning producer T-Bone Burnett. And don’t worry, there are some outstanding jazz numbers on here as well. Best of 2006 - no doubt. If you don’t have it - cop it now!