Another sneak peak of what’s to come from Modern Vintage, the all new upcoming full length album from veteran emcee/visionary John Robinson and drummer/composer/producer PVD, which will be released on Brick Records on June 17th, 2014.

Modern Vintage is the new collaboration album from veteran emcee John Robinson (aka Lil Sci of world renown Hip-Hop group Scienz Of Life) and prolific drummer, composer, producer and band-leader Pat Van Dkye (aka PVD). John Robinson and PVD originally met at a show in 2008 and since then their chemistry has grown organically and has developed into the duo performing many formal shows together at venues like SOB’s, Blue Note NYC, LPR and others around the NY-NJ Tristate area.

Modern Vintage spells out the approach in which this album was made from front to back: The music was composed with a combination of modern technology software mixed with vintage synths and outboard gear, all blended seamlessly with live instrumentation being the foundation. The lyrics and concepts were all spontaneously crafted in the studio, session by session, by letting the soundscapes speak to the lyricist similar to how vintage recordings of the 60’s & 70’s were created.

“I took a much more structured songwriting approach to the lyrics on this album; my goal from the beginning of making this record was to take advantage of the fact that I am working with PVD- a composer/musician and not just a beat maker/producer, which definitely makes this record different from my other releases. This one is for all the true music lovers worldwide” says John Robinson. PVD states “making this record was a dream come true. From the very first session, we set out to craft quality songs that capture a cohesive vibe and feel good. In many cases, JR was writing to merely a sketch of what actually ended up on the record. It felt great to work with an artist who trusted me enough to lend his talents to the music not knowing where I would take it sonically. Live drums, keys, guitars, horns, and synths give this record a distinctly human feel that is present in all of my favorite records, old and new. A modern-day true Hip-Hop record, grounded firmly in the traditions of jazz, funk, and soul music.”

John Robinson & PVD’s Modern Vintage is now transmitting live to the world; catch the vibes on June 17th, 2014 via Brick Records.

After selling out the first three pressings of his vinyl in under 30 days, old soul producer L’Orange has signed a 3 album production deal with Mello Music Group for 2014 & 2015. Slated to create a combination of projects from instrumental, to jazz singers, to alternative edged collaborations with emcees, L’Orange is looking to bring his distinct sound to Mello’s audience, while continuing to push the boundaries of his musical explorations.

L’Orange recently recruited Mr. Lif & John Robinson for his contribution to the MMG compilation “Mandala Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows”. The track, titled “The Lost Nova”, combines jazz rhythms, classic crackle, and intricate drum patterns for the raspy voiced Mr. Lif to tell his tale of verbal kumite (組手) and whirlwind zephyrs, while John Robinson takes listeners to the crystal city via his astro-physical-lyrical gift and extra-galactic tactics.

So after many years of being under the study of Beat-Making John Robinson has finally decided to let the rest of the world hear what he creates outside of writing lyrics and working with various other producers around the world. “My beats are very personal to me, they are like therapy for whenever I am not writing. It is another outlet to express myself creatively.” says J.R. when asked why he hasn’t put his beats out there sooner. Welcome to the first installment of Brilliant Soundscapes, enjoy and spread the vibes.

“The Most Efficient” is track number 3 off the album A Moment To Reflect II now available for download at http://www.venomous2000.bandcamp.com/. Track produced by Sci Fi Stu, video by V2G Photography.
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From a laments perspective you can call this Jahcoozi’s Robot Koch meets Scienz of Life’s John Robinson. However we here at Project: Mooncircle like to see this as two dynamic forces of nature coming together in parallel universes, delivering cosmic opted sonics with science-fiction narrative conventions in a metaphysical tone. Robot Robinson is the FUTURE from Earth to Mars to Venus to Jupiter and Beyond, this project spells out the attempts to bring a different pitch of vocals to the world of Electronic Music. Robinson being no stranger to the scientifical lyrical approach along with Robot’s evolutionary voyage prone soundscapes this one is a sure shot! The Future of Music is in Good Hands. All tracks produced by Robot Koch. All lyrics by John Robinson. Artwork and original paintings by Ima One (Japan). Design by Gordon Gieseking. Release date: April, 12th

Jahcoozi’s Robot Koch meets Scienz of Life’s John Robinson for the Robot Robinson project, hitting March 4th. The cats at Project: Mooncircle refer to it as “two dynamic forces of nature coming together in parallel universes, delivering cosmic opted sonics with science-fiction narrative conventions in a metaphysical tone. Robot Robinson is the FUTURE from Earth to Mars to Venus to Jupiter and Beyond, this project spells out the attempts to bring a different pitch of vocals to the world of Electronic Music. Robinson being no stranger to the scientifical lyrical approach along with Robot’s evolutionary voyage prone soundscapes this one is a sure shot! The Future of Music is in Good Hands.”

Peep the sampler below.

Take Another Look , dropping December 12th, is the brainchild of producer, MC & occasional DJ, Madwreck. Peep the “Someday Remix” feat Torae, John Robinson and Talib Kweli.

Madwreck – Someday Remix (ft. Torae, John Robinson & Talib Kweli)(MP3)

Nice mini-doc of emcee John Robinson. As you may remember, JR recently dropped an LP with producer Lewis Parker called International Summers. Peep the video for more info on JR.

Former Scienz of Life emcee and the deadliest man with an SP (his words), team up for what sounds like a dope LP, coming this July.

Here we go with a new Laudz remix from DJ K.O., Talib Kweli, Torae and John Robinson. This track will appear on the upcoming album The Nicest-Indie Hip-Hop, Vol. 2. which hits iTunes tomorrow. The original track is from DJ K.O.’s Picture This album.

DJ K.O. + Talib Kweli + Torae + John Robinson – “Someday (Laudz Remix)” (MP3)

Directed & Edited by Rick Foy for Dvid Films Productions. John Robinson & J Rawls, Jay ARE. Taken from the album, The 1960′s Jazz Revolution Again, coming soon.

Robinson presents himself as a well-traveled, underground hip-hop legend.  The native New Yorker was formerly with the east coast group ScienZ of Life.  On “Indy 102,” he breaks down how to make it in the independent scene:  Getting your Web site up and running, hiring a good manager, working your way from open mic nights to touring with a band, making sure you have plenty of merchandise to sell, etc.  It’s a bit inside hardball if you’re not an underground rapper, and it’s done so earnestly (Robinson complains with some seriousness about the annoyances of air travel–“just got to the airport for a two-hour bag check/missed the first flight now you’re late for sound check”) that it doesn’t really give you the impression this is a fresh voice you’ve been missing out on.

And, if you’re not familiar with Robinson’s work, you haven’t been.  He’s just not all that good.  Not terrible–the kind of opening act you might see at a show, and say, “Well, it could’ve been a lot worse.”

The production from MF Doom is fairly solid throughout, but without a special MC to carry the album, it fails to inspire.

Songs like “Shrink Rap” and “Outta Control” are your requisite odes to hip hop, and Robinson critiques the state of the game:  “When I say shrink rap that means the culture is shrinking/faster than you can blink, man/and most don’t give an inkling or care/as long as some dough is there so heads can buy some more bling bling to wear/call me J dot, R dot, the anti-bling/spread like small pox in this hip-hop thing.”

There’s nothing awful about this run-of-the-mill independent-style release.  J.R. just isn’t the antidote he thinks he is.  - Stefan Schumacher