In other Hip Hop News, We have party pics from the 2003 Cannabis Cup from our friends at Dark Theory Records. Those of you who are in the know and have been following this column and the site are aware of the fact that we at the pool help a lot of labels and artists achieve success in the music biz.
One of my proudest accomplishments with this service was to help get my favorite all time Live Hip Hop act- Phoenix and the Shadow booked to appear and perform at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam (on my birthday no Doubt C U there next year!) Enjoy these pics, and definitely keep your eyes peeled to HYPERLINK
"http://www.phoenixandtheshadow.com/"phoenixandtheshadow.com for updates on this ground breaking live hip hop act. Hip Hop was born from lifting and beat mixing rock beats, ala Rick Rubin, Run DMC, Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, and Phoenix and the Shadow featuring Voodo Fe and Taron, are well on their way to giving birth to a whole new era of music, they call the “trippy star” sound. Stay Chooned for the college circuit and club anthem “When I’m Drunk”! and Their 2004 Release of their full length album!
That’s it DJ’s, Rate Tracks and Win Prizes… the pool guy.
Coming packaged with two mighty discs (a mix CD and the album) and a DVD, this alone makes it worth the purchase. But then couple that with some of the best dynamic hip-hop that’s part drum&bass and all underground and you’ve got yourself one helluva purchase. Featuring a female and male MC both of whom can spit and rhyme with the best of the best, Phoenix and the Shadow showcase their talented live organic sound that’s soaked in sweaty groovy bass lines and gritty dirty lyrics. And the beats, oh the beats…
Alternative hip-hop project Phoenix and the Shadow combines reggae, afro-punk and jungle influences with their contemporary urban style to create this stunning self-titled debut. Fronted by the Brooklynite duo Voodo Fe and Taron Benson, Phoenix and the Shadow might just be hip-hop’s answer to the White Stripes. The band’s lyrical style ranges from perversely comical (“Put a Little Love in Your Mouth” and “When I’m Drunk”) to deeply introspective (“Existence” and “Think Not”). Backed by a four-piece band whose members have played with the likes of Mystikal and Beyonce, this group’s unique musical melting pot offers a refreshing escape from the mainstream into uncharted territory. – Cherise Watts
THE RECORD PPOOL
SMOTHER MAG
This EP came to me literally out of the blue, as did the complementary TROJAN prophylactic for use when you’re drunk, which will have its uses. The Brooklyn based Phoenix & the Shadow are male/female duo VOODO FE’ and TARON, backed by a live band. Phoenix & the Shadow have brought out their EP ‘Different They Think’ bringing together a number of influences such as reggae, drum & bass, and rock to give a quality piece of alternate hip-hop they have dubbed the “Trippy-Star” sound. Now don’t ask me what that means, because well……… I don’t have a clue.
What I do know is that this has the potential to find a place in any hip-hop heads collection. Phoenix & the Shadow have that knack of grabbing things from life twisting it and making it into a great tune, whether that be about sex, being drunk or whatever people do in NY.
The five track EP starts with ‘Hear Me’ reminiscent of Souls of Mischief, relying on a groovy b-line, fast drums and machine-gun lyrics, but with a nice riddim’ and a definite booty shakin’ feel. The next track ‘Existence’ is the best track on the EP. Kicking off with just the bass line, giving it a Dead Prez ‘Hip-Hop’ feel, followed with the catchy hook and tight beats. Taron’s verse is really tight, and this is where it hits home this is a real crowd mover. Voodo’s verse is a raga style, which definitely works with the rhythm of the snare. Track 3 is right out of the Alkoholik’s repertoire. ‘When I’m drunk’ has some sweet lyrics, a nice feel, and the hook, “when I’m drunk, all of you women look good” just makes it all the better. Something to shout out when you’re drunk……… Again Taron & Voodo deliver the goods Lik style.
‘Sex’ is a song about someone’s first time, something we all can relate to (I hope?!?). Its downtempo, and a little chilled compared with the earlier tracks, with an eerie Spooks feel to it, and some cool lines. It has all I like about sex… its sweet and tight! The final track is a real shouty punk, rock hip-hop fusion, broken up only by Tarons vocals giving us a break from the thrash-rock shouting. A strange end to the EP, but I guess it goes down well in a live gig, peoples would not stand still.
Overall a good insight to the non-commercial Yankee ish, its original and impressive, something not usually associated with US hip-hop. Phoenix & the Shadow are definitely worth looking out for, having toured with Run DMC, & Naughty by Nature amongst others. Definitely one to get you away from the UK scene, and into some different styles…..and I defy you not to nod ya head at this EP. - Mr Lingo
Genre-defying feats are hard to come by in the ever-narrowing hip hop offerings these days. Thankfully, the musical influences in PHOENIX AND THE SHADOW'S "Different They Think" read like a list of the sections at your favorite dj record store. Buzzy drum&bass-ish synth basslines snake their way through dirtysouth crunk- funk beats, and dubbed out guitar licks and dancehall style vocal hooks all converge to form a backdrop for hard-edged hip hop lyrics -scribe
11211 MAGAZINE
Maybe once a year a record hits your mailbox out of the blue that completely knocks you on your ass. This EP by Brooklyn's PHOENIX AND THE SHADOW (lyricists Voodo FE' and Taron Benson) is that record, imbued with undeniable old-school vibes and refreshing next-school vision. Comprised of nine tracks (plus an excellent remix of "WHEN I'M DRUNK"), each cut displays such range and skill that it brings a smile to your face.
- BY BRIAN COLEMAN
Here’s a quite pleasant 5-song hip hop EP that differs quite a bit from what can normally be heard on MTV. Phoenix and the Shadow lay down excellent vocals/raps done by a female and a male, while having a real live-band playing in the back-ground, which should make for a pleasant listen live instead of all the play-back hip hop groups filling the scene up right now
- BY Hans J. Eidisgard
PAST & PRESENT
(In Denmark)
This is some seriously cool shit! The first track “Get ‘Em” hit the walls like a wrecking ball, swinging its hard acid synth lines up against the hyped up percussion tracks and tearing down anything in its way. Taron and Voodoo begin to warn all the party people that when their in the spot, you better check your partner, because they just might “Get Em”!
- BY Laron
CANHEAD MAGAZINE
QUOTES:
"...the upcoming band your going to know about."
MONIE LOVE
POWER 105 AND THE METRO CHANNEL'S STUDIO Y
"...I dare you stand still while they rock the stage."
NIKI TURNER
SISTER 2 SISTER MAGAZINE
"...dope with tight lyrics and fresh original beats. A refreshing project. "
DJ AREMS
CFUV 101.9 FM, CFEX 107.3 FM, CLASSIC 103.1 FM, MAGIC 96.3 FM
"I was very impressed, very original and fresh."
MIKE JAX
WKPS
"best show I've seen in a long time!!!"
MELISSA MURPHY
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
"...one of the hottest shows coming out of Brooklyn..."
LARON CUE
CANHEAD MAGAZINE
"I dig the diversity of the tunes on there"
JERED
EM-ZINE.COM (a punk magazine).
You want a message from this album? Stay grounded, be true to yourself, and look to the sky-- and have great sex while you’re doing it. Phoenix and the Shadow drips with sweaty sexual energy, sometimes borderline uncomfortably. Just from the song titles alone should you be able to prepare yourself for what’s to come: “Smell My Fingers,” “Love In My Mouth,” “When I’m Drunk,” and “Voyeur.” Voodoo Fe’ Mathelier’s voice is seductive yet grimey—he draws his lines out like he’s been working too hard to talk at a normal pace. The music, like a good bedroom toy, adds to this. The sound Phoenix and the Shadow creates is a mash-up of hip hop, electronica, funk, rock, and even some hardcore metal. However, the group is definitely better at some of these styles than others. The unfocused nature of the album is a definite detractor. It’s cool that they’re trying to do all of this and mix these styles all together, but some stuff just doesn’t work. Their buzzing-synth backed songs like “Smell My Fingers,” “When I’m Drunk,” and “Existence” work the best, while some of the yelling and in-your-face guitars on “Think Not” seem forced, and combined with the strings in the background, it’s a bit reminiscent of the travesty Puff Daddy committed with that Led Zeppelin song for the Godzilla soundtrack.
As stated, there is one style between the mishmash Phoenix and the Shadow tries, and the stand-out track by far from this collection has to be “Existence.” The song starts out with a very humid synth ready to burst with double speed drum taps. Benson pleas for immediate existence and recognition, and Mathelier’s Jamaican-tinged wails for people to leave them alone are just as urgent.
It’s obvious that these guys are freaks in bed. On this record, they tried to transfer some of their fetishes and openness of trying new things out of the bedroom and onto the disc. But just like trying out new positions and toys and such, some of the styles on here are definitely favored for their pleasure over the pain some of the others provide. Yeah, we’re just voyeurs to these two’s artistic expressionism, but can’t we have preferences in this game, too?
Backed by a full live band and a high energy, entertaining show stands PHOENIX AND THE SHADOW far from the rest. Their take no prisoners approach to every performance has help them maintain a loyal following that streches from Brooklyn to Amsterdam. As Voodo Fr’ puts it, “we don’t have to talk allot about our shows, just ask anybody we’ve ever opened up for.” Their trademark writing approach of using topics of everyday situations that everyone can easily connect with has opened their markets allowing them to reach a more versatile audience
FLO MAGAZINE
