Hand’Solo Records » 2011

August 31st, 2011

BACKBURNER: Heatwave now available! & Exclaim review

Backburner’s new album, Heatwave, has finally dropped. Orders it at Bandcamp. If you still haven’t heard it, check it out:

The release party is going down in Toronto at $5 Rap Show at Rancho Relaxo on September 1st. Only 5 bones to get in, and another 5 gets you the CD. A soon-to-be classic. Here’s the pertinent info, as seen in this month’s ad for Exclaim:

Backburner’s Heatwave album release party info:

Where: Rancho Relaxo (300 College St @ Spadina Ave)
When: September 1, 2011 (doors at 9:30 pm)
Who: Backburner members Wordburglar, More Or Les, Jesse Dangerously, Thesis Sahib, Ghettosocks, Timbuktu, Chokeules and more…
Why: To release this damn fine album in style!
How much: $5 or $10 with CD

AND EXCLAIM MAGAZINE HAS GRACIOUSLY COME THROUGH WITH A VERY NICE REVIEW, TOO:

Backburner - Heatwave
By Ryan B. Patrick

Even though having everyone physically in a room at the same time happens less often than they would like, for far-reaching Canadian rap collective Backburner to drop crew project Heatwave is a noteworthy feat. Under the Backburner banner, a legion of rappers, DJs and producers have been dropping underground head-nodders for a minute. With a current ensemble that includes underground names like Jesse Dangerously, Thesis Sahib, Timbuktu, Chokeules, SJ the Wordburglar and More or Les, it’s laudable that Heatwave retains a cohesive sound (delivered by a coterie of Backburner producers) while allowing each member their time to shine. If you’re down with the Backburner crew, you’re no doubt down with this 14-track album. Crew albums have the tendency to expose weaker members on wax, but there’s scant evidence of that here. The Amy Winehouse shout-out seems mildly ironic on “Lifers,” “Harm’s Way” stands as a straight-up lyrical showcasing joint and cheeky bon mots (”Getting brains like Jackie Onassis”) proliferate on standout “Show of Hands.” Heatwave solidifies the maturing Backburner sound and is an indication of the fact that these dudes aren’t leaving the scene anytime soon.
(Hand Solo)

Link: http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/backburner-heatwave

August 21st, 2011

We’re heading to FanExpo this year! With an exclusive mixtape!!

Are you going to FanExpo in Toronto this year?

It’s August 25th - 28th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building, 222 Bremner Blvd), and Hand’Solo Records is going to be representing with a table in Artist’s Alley. We’ll be sharing our space with Wordburglar, Dave Howlett and Jeremy Shultz.

Most know Wordburglar as the fun-loving verbal bandit of Hand’Solo Records, but he’s also the creator and writer of Snakor’s Pizza and the man behind over-the-top personality Grandpa Funnybook. Dave is the talented creator, author and artist of wrestling comic SLAM-A-RAMA as well as the occasional artwork for Wordburglar. Jeremy is a talented film maker who brings Grandpa Funnybook to claustrophobic, larger-than-life life from behind the camera.

At our table we’ll have copies of Wordburglar’s vinyl EP for sale, with awesome comic book-inspired artwork done by Dave Howlett, and everyone will be there to sign autographs. A RARE OPPORTUNITY! And we’re so happy to be at FanExpo for the first time that we’re putting together a limited edition mixtape exclusive to FanExpo. Only 150 copies, and you’ll have to get it from our table at FanExpo. Free with any purchase of $10 or more. The mixtape will be hosted by Grandpa Funnybook, is mixed by More Or Les and will feature a few classics from the Hand’Solo back catalogue along with a bunch of unreleased tracks from Wordburglar, Garthim-Master, Backburner, Swamp Thing and more.

It’s going to be fresh. I mean, just check the artwork:

August 16th, 2011

BACKBURNER - HEATWAVE single out now & Pre-Orders Available!

While the official video is still a couple of weeks off, hopefully to be debuted at the Heatwave release party, “Heatwave” is now making the rounds to DJs and is available to be heard and downloaded for free from Bandcamp. You can pre-order the album there too, for only $5 for a digital copy or $8.99 for CD. It’s a beautiful package.

<a href="http://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/heatwave">Heatwave by Backburner</a>

Track Listing:

1. Straight Out The Vault - Jesse Dangerously, Chokeules, Jay Bizzy & Ambition [prod by Dexter Doolittle]
2. Lifers - Chokeules, More Or Les, Timbuktu & Wordburglar [prod by Timbuktu]
3. Nothin’ Friendly - Jesse Dangerously, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks, Wordburglar, Ambition, Chokeules & More Or Les [prod by Timbuktu]
4. Back Home - Ginzu333, More Or Les, Thesis Sahib, Johnny Hardcore & Psybo [prod by Mister E]
5. Show Of Hands - Ghettosocks, Chokeules, Wordburglar & Timbuktu [prod by Beatmason]
6. Heatwave - Thesis Sahib, Timbuktu, Wordburglar, Jesse Dangerously, Chokeules & Jay Bizzy [prod by Timbuktu]
7. Hurtin’ - Chokeules, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks, Jesse Dangerously & Wordburglar [prod by Ghettosocks]
8. Style Dumpster - Psybo, Manalive, Thesis Sahib & Frank Deluxe [prod by Fresh Kils]
9. Long Story Short - More Or Les, Timbuktu, Ghettosocks & Wordburglar [prod by Fresh Kils]
10. Phantom Ghost - Chokeules, Wordburglar, Mister E, Timbuktu & More Or Les [prod by Beatmason]
11. Harm’s Way - Wordburglar, Timbuktu, Frank Deluxe, Ghettosocks, Chokeules & Jesse Dangerously [prod by Uncle Fester]
12. Freak Show Physics - Frank Deluxe, Timbuktu, Manalive, More Or Les, Chokeules, Thesis Sahib & Johnny Hardcore [prod by Uncle Fester]
13. Showtime in ‘09 (’011 Mister E-Mix) - Timbuktu, Manalive, Jesse Dangerously, More Or Les, Chokeules, Frank Deluxe, Wordburglar, Thesis Sahib, Psybo & Ghettosocks [prod by Mister E]
14. Burn It Down - Ghettosocks, Jesse Dangerously, Timbuktu, Frank Deluxe, Wordburglar, Chokeules, Jay Bizzy, Thesis Sahib, More Or Les, Psybo & Manalive [prod by Dexter Doolittle]

August 14th, 2011

ANGERVILLE: Warfare available on Bandcamp + video and tour update

Hand’Solo Records is excited to be marketing and distributing the new Angerville album, Warfare. Sole member Fortunato has the drive to bring his mix of street level braggadocio and honest introspection to an ever-expanding audience. The album is now available for ONLY $5 for the digital download on Bandcamp. Physical copies coming soon. The video for the second single from Warfare drops on Tuesday. And watch for Angerville opening for Onyx on tour in late August followed by M.O.P. in early September. Exciting!

<a href="http://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/warfare">Warfare by Angerville</a>

Track Listing:

1. Intro feat. Scott Jackson
2. No Time Like Now feat Massacre [prod. by Royce Birth] 2:30
3. Aint No Thang [prod. by Stuey Kubrick] 3:29
4. Stake Our Claim feat. Pumpkinhead [prod. by Fresh Kils] 2:56
5. Highway Of Life feat. Bishop Brigante [prod. by Graffic]
6. Change The World feat. Flex [prod. by MMac] 3:51
7. End Of Days [prod. by T-Wiss] 3:24
8. F*ck What You Heard feat. Swann [prod. by Anonymous Twist] 3:39
9. Famine [prod. by Basementunit] 3:36
10. Pain [prod. by Makemdef] 2:50
11. Turn Down [prod. by Derek4Real] 4:09
12. Sin City Remix feat. Evil Ebenezer, Snak The Ripper [prod. by Stuey Kubrick] 4:24

Recorded at Kilzone (Toronto).
Mastered by Dorc for Banging Masters.
Scratches for Tracks 7 & 8 by Uncle Fester

August 14th, 2011

HAN017 - Backburner - Heatwave

<a href="http://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/heatwave">Heatwave by Backburner</a>

Track Listing:

Website Links:

Backburner Hand’Solo Artist page
Backburner homepage
Backburner Twitter

August 14th, 2011

Backburner

BACKBURNER IS:

Fresh Kils, Wordburglar, Timbuktu, More Or Les, Uncle Fes, Ghettosocks,
Chokeules, Jesse Dangerously, Jay Bizzy, Thesis Sahib, Beatmason, Frank Deluxe,
Dexter Doolittle, Psybo, Ambition, Johnny Hardcore, Manalive, Ginzu333 & Mister E

* * *

The first collective effort to bear the group name “Backburner” was a 2001 compilation called Big Talk. It was recorded in the basement of a grubby suite of student flats; a five minute walk from the site where The Vault would one day be carved out of the living rock, and where Heatwave would be principally recorded in 2009. That record was exactly like this one, except for being completely different and not as good. The crate-digging ethic still rules all production, but the breaks have been honed to maximum nod factor and the mixes are thicker than thighs.

The cuts are still pulled from the furthest reaches of hip-hop heritage to illuminate the lyrics they dance around, but now the hands are steadier and every idea comes through with the precision of Jesus Christ Himself cutting a diamond into the shape of a single, delicate rose with His laser-vision.

The words are still a polysyllabic spree of interlocking rhymes, layered meanings and bravado, but now the voices are veterans of an independent hip-hop scene that will chew you up and spit you out into your own face if you can’t hold the attention of a tough crowd, or some stupid blogger.

The heat has baked Backburner; the weather has hardened them, the road has tested them and some thought they might be mad. They now sprint where others trundle, canter where others whinny, and swagger where others fucking suck.

Dozens of albums have been released by groups and individuals flying the Backburner flag, and the dream has always been to squeeze our enormous personalities back into one tight package, and blast that package into space like Zod and that chick and the big dude in Superman II.

Heatwave: Fourteen tracks, sixteen rappers, seven producers, and one DJ. Even these liner notes are the most amazing liner notes of all time, and the CD itself is made of a radioactive compound that reverses aging and improves sexual confidence by up to a factor of nine.

So basically I hope you like getting your face melted off.

- Jesse Dangerously, 2011

Hand’Solo Records Discography:

Toolshed – The Lost

Various Artists – Bassments of Badmen 2

The Dirty Sample – Joshua’s Dreamixes

The Dirty Sample – Beauty & Poison

Various Artists – Hokey Religions & Ancient Weapons mixtape

Various Artists – Cock Dynamiks vol. 1.5

Wordburglar – Burglaritis

Website Links:

Backburner homepage
Backburner Twitter

August 14th, 2011

HAN016 - Angerville - Warfare (2011)

<a href="http://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/warfare">Warfare by Angerville</a>

Track Listing:

Recorded at Kilzone (Toronto).
Mastered by Dorc for Banging Masters.
Scratches for Tracks 7 & 8 by Uncle Fester

Website Links:

Angerville Hand’Solo Artist page
Angerville MySpace
Angerville Bandcamp
Angerville Twitter
Angerville Facebook

August 14th, 2011

Angerville

“I’m still killing it / Always going to rep the ‘Ville” - Fortunato, “Highway of Life”

Formed in 2006 out of the ashes of Aurora, ON rap group A-Team, Angerville was founded as a focus for the anger of rappers Fortunato and Conscious Thought, and to honour their friend and former group member, Ill Da Shystee, found murdered (still unsolved) on May 6, 2002.

The duo’s newfound focus has resulted in three Angerville albums, three mixtapes, three Fortunato solo albums, and five videos aired on Much Music, two in high rotation. They have also won the Best Urban Award at the Barrie New Music Fest in 2010, and were nominated for Best Live Performance at the Toronto Independent Music Awards in 2009 and Group of the Year in the Unsigned Hype Awards for 2011. Angerville has collaborated with Chad Hatcher, D.O., Tek (of Smif N Wessun), Juno nominees Ghettosocks and D-Sisive and Juno winner Moka Only.

New album Warfare concludes the trilogy started with Rebellion in 2008 and followed by Uprising in 2010. Producers Anonymous Twist, Fresh Kils, Royce Birth, Makemdef, Stuey Kubrick, Bassmentunit (Germany), and others, provide the music to match the themes of conflict, aggression and the darkness that surrounds war. Fortunato battles apathy as he watches the world turn to shit (“Change The World” with Flex of Antiheroes), imagines a post-apocalyptic world (“End of Days”), pens a love letter to his city (first single “Ain’t No Thang”) and offers the middle finger to doubters and haters (“Stake Our Claim” featuring Pumpkinhead and “F*ck What You Heard” with Swann).

He also dabbles in dubstep (“No Time Like Now,” featuring Massacre), takes a stab at over-the-top horrorcore (“Pain”), and gets plenty personal. “Highway of Life,” with KOTD host/battle rapper Bishop Brigante, touches on the absence of Conscious Thought, who left the group after the release of their Winter Mingler mixtape earlier this year in order to deal with problems bigger than music. ”Famine,” inspired by a youth spent in a street gang, reveals the lengths to which one might go for a bite to eat, and “Turn Down” is an honest depiction of his battle with Bi Polar Disorder.

Determined to finish what he and Conscious Thought started, Fortunto carries the torch forward with Warfare. While the switch from half a duo to solo artist was sudden, it gave Fortunato the opportunity to find his inner strength and spread his wings. No more excuses. Fortunato is ready to prove he has the talent and skill required to satisfy loyal Angerville fans worldwide.

Hand’Solo Records Discography:

Angerville – Warfare

Various Artists – Hokey Religions & Ancient Weapons mixtape

Website Links:

Angerville MySpace
Angerville Bandcamp
Angerville Twitter
Angerville Facebook

August 10th, 2011

BACKBURNER: “Heatwave” video shoot was a success!

The video for the first single, and title track, from the upcoming Backburner album, Heatwave, was filmed on August 4. A big thanks is owed to everyone who donated money in exchange for some great perks. The video wouldn’t be possible without your help. While we wait or 3AM Design to do their post production magic, here are a few shots from the video shoot…

Domino’s Pizza knows the deal - Timbuktu and Wordburglar with pizza delivery:

Jesse Dangerously and Thesis Sahib wing it on set:

Backburner - Jay Bizzy, Timbuktu, Thesis Sahib, Jesse Dangerously, Chokeules, Wordburglar:

More Or Les and Timbuktu enjoy the wrap party at Poppers:

August 9th, 2011

ANGERVILLE: Two videos from the new album with Hand’Solo Records

We’re throwing our support behind Angerville, helping to market and distribute the new album, Warfare. Physical copies are planned, but for now, the album is available to download

BUY ANGERVILLE - WARFARE FROM iTUNES:

http://itun.es/igN848.

And be sure to check the two Stuey Kubrick-produced (both musically and cinematically) videos from the album…

“Ain’t No Thang” - Angerville (prod. by Stuey Kubrick)

“Sin City Remix” - Angerville featuring Evil Ebenezer & Snak the Ripper (prod. by Stuey Kubrick)