With every project Oddisee shows his diversity as a producer, translating themes into music in lush ways. Rock Creek Park is a unique place centered in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC and extends 12 miles from the Potomac River to the border of Maryland. Donald Byrd‘s group of his best students, Black Byrd‘s recorded the seminal track “Rock Creek Park” in 1972, and is what inspired Oddisee to create his own interpretation of what the park means to him. Capturing the sounds of the soul and jazz era of the 70s, which was mired in compassion, Oddisee‘s take on Rock Creek Park is a sensory piece of work through break beats, samples and live instrumentation. There are few songs from the past that have that same effect, such as Bobbi Humphrey‘s “Harlem River Drive,” and Light of the World‘s “London Town” and Oddisee‘s entire project captures the essence of a landscape and how life plays into it, through his experience. “When I was younger, [Rock Creek Park] was a place for skipping rocks, bike rides and imaginary adventures in the woods. As a teen it was a place where I played basketball, had cook outs with friends and walked through with dates. As an adult it’s my short cut through the city, my quickest way from Silver Spring to Georgetown. One thing it still is and always will be, is my retreat,” says Oddisee of Rock Creek Park. Hear it for yourself on Oddisee’s Bandcamp page and buy yourself a copy!

From the start of Muphoric Sounds, we’ve been hitting you with Oddisee‘s productions – most recently with Olivier Daysoul‘s Mr. Saint Louis. I would go as far as to say, he’s one of those artists who has grown exponentially over the past year—venturing into territories that most hip hop producers would shy from.  A Year In, is Oddisee looking at his musical highlights of 2010.  The 20-track compilation features a diverse list of artists as well as sounds.

A Year In features the some of the following artists; Kidkanevil, Trek Life, Tokimonsta, Asher Roth, blu., Tranqill, Eric Lau, Homeboy Sandman, Olivier Daysoul, X.O. & yU of Diamond District, Stik Figa, Keziah, Andreya Triana and Tiron.

Oddisee‘s debut album People Hear What They See is scheduled to release in May 2011. Looking forward to hearing what he comes up with for himself. Check out some of the tracks below, then head over to Oddisee‘s Bandcamp page to purchase a copy (it’s a bargain!)

Washington, DC-based producer, Oddisee (who is also a member of the Diamond District rap trio), has teamed with another DC-native, soul singer Olivier Daysoul for the Mr. Saint Louis EP. My ears are happy, not only because I have the utmost amount of respect for Oddisee‘s productions and knew that his teaming with Daysoul would be further extension of his versatility as a producer but also because Daysoul‘s professional track has been solid (Onra‘s “Long Distance,” Fabric 50 “Joy Fantastic,” and other productions). Oddisee and Daysoul are a great match!

The Mr. Saint Louis EP is old soul made modern. The musical cadences are reminiscent of the 70s, a la Curtis Mayfield or even Isaac Hayes production, especially on the tune “In the Now,” which is actually very Eckhart Tolle‘s The Power of Now in message — “We live in the now/ We never know how/ It ever goes down,” is the premise of the book, which is to enjoy the Now because that’s really all we have. The song “Labor” brings in a 60s retro/Motown feel with its piano chords, drums, and percussions, then together with Daysoul‘s smooth voice delivering painstaking lyrics of his partner losing trust in him, and he becoming resigned to the situation. And “Just a Song,” is a sexy tune with a Marvin I Want You flavour.

Mr. Saint Louis is an EP, so it is short, but the 4-song EP is enclosed with instrumentals, BPM acapellas, and then ends with a remix of  ”In the Now” featuring Von Pea. It is also a free download for the first 1,000 people in which after it becomes a name your price deal. Jump on it, as it’s been up for a couple of days now. Check out “Labor” below and then head over to Oddisee‘s Bandcamp site to hear the rest the EP!

p.s. Big THANKS to Put Me On It, for putting us on it!

Amir ”Oddisee” Mohamed, is a familiar name in rap music, part of the Diamond District trio with yU and X.O., and founder of the label Mello Music Group. Odd is part of a music series which conveys the feeling of each season with each EP aptly titled Odd Summer, Odd Autumn, Odd Winter, and the latest, Odd Spring are a collection of tunes which do exactly that. The samples and influences are clear, with instrumentals that build in a progressive nature, as a metaphor to renewal, the season which spring represents. Check out the tunes below, then head over to Oddisee‘s bandcamp page to download these seasonal gems.

And big thanks to Put Me On It for putting us on this!

The mastermind behind Mello Music Group has done it again! This time with what is his solo project, Amir “Oddisee” Mohamed is spitting the hard rhymes over dope beats. There’s just so much coming out of the Mello Group, that I’m so spoiled as to what to listen to because it’s all DOPE. Oddisee can stand firmly as part of a collective who are truly, “making hip hop cool again.” With rhyme appearances with Black Milk, J-Live, Finale, Rapper Big Pooh, and others make Mental Liberation more of an EP of sorts, rather than a solo project. You can tell they just went into the studio and had a good ass time!

Hitting the stores May 5, and already available on iTunes, you need to wrap your ears around more of the Mello Music crew. Listen to what’s on Oddisee’s MySpace and Diamond District sites too.

“Let the Music” feat. LMNO from Mental Liberation

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Go to Fresh Selects for the exclusive download of “What’s Crazy.”

I’m always on the watch for hot rap beats accompanied by rappers with a sick flow, but in recent years have shied away from rap due to its current mundane and manufactured formula not worthy of my attention. However, in the past two years, I’ve seen a resurgence of artists who are changing the face of rap and bringing me back to love again. Diamond District are making my love grow a bit stronger.

Oddisee, the founder of Diamond District is no stranger to the game, having worked with Talib Kweli, Muhsinah, Jazzy Jeff, Buckshot, Saigon, to name a few; his production skills are serious. Group members, who are also solo artists, include X.O. and yU and together they create that lost rap sound we crave. And they do it effortlessly in In The Ruff and the latest solo release by yU with Before Taxes. All three members are from DC, the murder capitol of America yet home of America’s most powerful and wealthiest. This reality is the source of their material where they portray their life experiences, struggles and observations, while offering solace for people in America. Diamond District has brought back the dirty east coast grime our fathers in rap would be proud of.

For an exclusive download of Before Taxes, go to Fresh Selects.

“I Mean Business” from In The Ruff

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“Break Down” feat. Bilal Salaam from Before Taxes

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