After delving into upbeat, electronic music on 2009′s The Takeover, Oakland hip-hop stalwarts Zion I enter a new phase of their chameleonic career with Atomic Clock (November 9th, Gold Dust), a moody, emotional record inspired by the group’s longtime admiration for reggae and dub.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9th, 2010

Housecall Entertainment & Ground Lift Media are excited to present the Chicago stop for Zion I’s “Atomic Clock” tour at Subterranean! Featuring local support from Notrydo.Sincere and Ground Lift Media’s own 1773! DJ sets by TREW.

Zion I Biography:

While the group’s roots are still firmly planted in hip-hop, Atomic Clock’s cavernous, atmospheric vibe recalls both the classic roots reggae of Max Romeo and The Congos and forward-thinking dub mixing of UK artists such as Adrian Sherwood. “The Takeover was a very external record and we wanted to focus on fun, party music,” says emcee Zumbi AKA Zion. “This one is much more reflective and internal. We didn’t want to just recreate what we did last album. Art is not about living in the past.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Enlisting beatmaker talent from across the globe and a myriad of Chicago Hip-Hop artists, Mixed Signals Vol.2 (release date 10/8/2010) brings the focus back onto 1773’s trademark high energy, back-and-forth delivery, with a limited number of guest appearances. Choice verses from Wes Restless (of The Gent$, The Jordan Years), Cerebral Vortex (of Vertual Vertigo, MPM), Sincerely Yours (of The New Old), Dee Jackson (of 80s Babies), and South African producer/MC Thir13teen add a unique flavor to the already rich soundscape. But as an end result Mixed Signals Vol.2 more fully captures the spirit, and brings into focus the motivations of 1773 as a duo.

Hosted by Chaka B and mixed by DJ TREW (Ground Lift Media), Volume 2 features production by Trishes (Austria), Soundprophets (Chicago), Tall Black Guy (Chicago), & Thir13teen (South Africa) as well as beats by J. Dilla, Shawn Jackson, Black Moon, Silhouette Brown, & 14KT.

And as an added bonus, each download of Volume 2 includes a hi-quality 320kbps version of Just Jay (of 1773) and Moral One’s new EP titled Maxwell St. Clocking in at a brisk 20 minutes, this EP represents the ideals of hard-earned pride and ‘big shoulders,’ two defining qualities for which Chicago has become infamous.

Presented by:groundliftmedia.com, fatlace.com, melloworange.com, thefindmag.com

1773 have been a part of every Blu concert here in Chicago for the past 2 years, and this weekend at the 2nd installment of the ‘Bring That Beat Back’ concert series was no different.

Although they were technically only hosts, they had few moments to rock a new track from their upcoming album titled Greenlight Go! The song, “Makin’ Moves” is produced by Tall Black Guy and features MC/Producer 14kt (of the Athletic Mic League). Sherron Shabbazz over at examiner.com captured the fellas as they injected their energy into the sell out crowd at one of Chicago’s premier live music venues, Subterranean. Check out the video below…

bring that beat back v2 concert flyer.

‘BRING THAT BEAT BACK’ v.2

Feat.: Blu & Exile, Tanya Morgan, Eulorhythmics (album listening party), Il Subliminal. DJs Tone B., Trew, Sean Doe, & RTC. Hosted by 1773, Ms. Chicago.

Saturday March 6th, 2010
Subterranean 2011 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL
17+, $10 presale / $12 door (www.subt.net)

The seminal Chicago Hip Hop label and artist collective All Natural Inc. & the Marketing /Event Production firms Ground Lift Media & Cold Grum Productions have joined forces to present the 2nd installment of the event series entitled ‘Bring That Beat Back.’ The launch event (Nov ‘09) featured live performances by Guilty Simpson, Black Spade and Rita J, a producer showcase and a host of supporting DJ sets.

Bring That Beat Back returns on Saturday, March 6th with performances from L.A.’s Blu & Exile, Brooklyn/Cincinnati’s Tanya Morgan, Chicago’s own Il Subliminal (of Tomorrow Kings), and Eulorhythmics, who will be previewing their new album Green St. and Avers Ave.

Hosted by 1773 and Ms. Chicago, the night will also feature DJ sets by Tone B., Trew, Sean Doe, & RTC.

Read the rest of this entry »