REEEEE-MIIIIX!

When someone screams that out at the beginning of a song, you get hyped, right? What are you expecting when you hear that? Do you expect the same beat and lyrics, but with an added verse somewhere in the song? Or maybe the same song with a completely different beat? A "remix" can mean different things.

In the original song Where Did She Go?, the song is driven by heavy drums with a guitar to help fill out the "body" of the song. The remix version contains strong synth chords and also has changes in the lyric layout and delivery (due to different notes in the beat). The song layout between the two songs are clearly different as well.

Original

Remix

Yum Yummz will make you dance no matter which version you listen to. The initial version gives a strong dancehall/island vibe that's comparable to R. Kelly's "Fiesta." Seth Chaos, who has worked alongside Sunspot for years, took the idea of the song and flipped it. Chaos created a more hip-hop based remix by adding a simplified guitar riff and a bass-heavy drum pattern. The lyrics for this remix are rearranged as well. Seth Chaos has also remixed the title track to the Morning After album. It is available only through an ALBUM download of Check The Recipe 2, which is free.

Original

Remix

As of this writing, Raw and it's evolved counterpart have the most plays on our Bandcamp site combined. That may be due to the type of remix that it embodies. The original song had 4 emcees on the track while the remix doubles that number of lyricists. Eight different emcees means eight different fan bases the song possibly reached. The second version also keeps the same tempo and feel of the original, which is late 80s/early 90s hip-hop. The hook is gone in the latter track to make room for the Elite Eight - which is a moniker not only for the number of the emcees in the song, but the amount of bars each one delivers.

Original, Raw

Remix, Still Raw

Every remix on this list is unique from the others, but Nobody Has To Know is a remix, but could also be considered a remake. The original song, Caught Red Handed, presents as a jazz/hip-hop/R&B hybrid, written and performed by Thright Hook. The idea for restyled version was to give the melody a more pronounced bass presence. Part of the hook of the original is reworked into the new hook and performed by G. Jonz. Finally, the song becomes more of a hip-hop version of "Trapped In The Closet" as POES lays down lyrics to a similar story to Caught Red Handed. [Didn't think I'd have two different paragraphs referencing R. Kelly... craziness.]

Original, Caught Red Handed

Remix, Nobody Has To Know

Highlights of CTR2, Part 3: HNL & Seth Chaos

Check The Recipe 2 is my latest mixtape which features 18 musical talents from the 781 area and beyond. I'll be giving some background info on two of the people involved in CTR2 in this entry. Sit back and take in some insight on the Recipe.

Seth Chaos is a major name in the underground music scene in the Boston area. You've heard of the Six Degrees of Separation theory, right? Well, it'd be very rare for you to find someone in the Boston underground hip-hop scene who hasn't heard of Chaos. He's been working on music since the 90s and is involved in nearly all aspects of music peoduction. Rapping, vocals, DJing, filming - Seth Chaos is a man that wears many hats.

HNL has been under the learning tree of music production for years, honing his craft and coming up many different R&B beats. His earliest beat that has been released can be heard on the One Night Stand album on the track, "Comfortable". Since then, the quick study that is HNL has also lent a hand in producing the Intro track for CTR2 and single-handedly composed the beat for "Take A Walk" from the Morning After album, featuring the voices of Runna, G. Jonz and J-Dub.

Highlights of CTR2, Part 2: Ladii Goddiva & Balan Braxton

Check The Recipe 2 is my latest mixtape which features 18 musical talents from the 781 area and beyond. I'll be giving some background info on two of the people involved in CTR2 in this entry. Sit back and take in some insight on the Recipe.

Ladii Goddiva wears many hats. Not only is she a lyricist, but her catalog spans a long list of achievements. Born in Dorchester MA, Goddiva has written artist biographies for up and comers around her. She has also started the Ladii Diva Team, an all-female street team that cater to different events and needs in the Boston area. This female emcee can spit on any kind of beat and plays different instruments, making her one of the more well-rounded talents on Check the Recipe 2.

Networking is a major strength of Ladii Goddiva, as well as Balan. Ladii Goddiva linked up with G. Jonz because Balan was the mutual acquaintance for the three.

Balan, or Ξәƞῼβλα (zen-OH-bee-ah), is a multi-talented singer who has the distinction of being featured on Check the Recipe 2 more than anyone else. She is a musician-professional singer who writes screenplays in her spare time. She plans to put them into action through the making of machinima films & comic strips. Miss Braxton is a beacon of creativity and ingenuity, which is demonstrated in all her creative outlets. Whenever you press play on one of her songs, you will immediately be drawn in by the power of her voice. Balan is currently working on her own music project.

Here is a song featuring both of these musically-moving women: You're All I Need

Highlights of CTR2, Part 1: Walnut & Mara Bettencourt

Check The Recipe 2 is my latest mixtape which features 18 musical talents from the 781 area and beyond. I'll be giving some background info on two of the people involved in CTR2 in this entry. Sit back and take in some insight on the Recipe.

From left to right: Walnut, G. Jonz and Blak C admiring the beauty of Mara Bettencourt.

Walnut is a veteran in hip-hop culture. For over 20 years, Da Lyrical Geni has solidified in his name in the Boston area as one of the most diverse and conscious lyricists to ever hold a mic. CTR2 isn't the first time that Walnut and Sunspot have crossed paths. Walnut made an appearance in C.Luk's Extradimensional album as well as the critcally-acclaimed short film, "Captain Asian America." G. Jonz and C.Luk also lent a hand in producing two songs ("Next On the Mic" and "You Need to Stop") from Walnut's 2011 release - "Love Is In Your Face." C.Luk performs on "Next On the Mic" along with Big Brotha Sadi and Zullo Crew.

During the calendar year, Walnut hosts a series of Community Building parties where artists of all genres come together and promote positivity, have jam sessions, and generally have a good time. This is how G. Jonz met the vocalist/musican/songwriter Mara Bettencourt.

The Chef brought up the idea of making a second mixtape and explained that he wanted to expand his skills as a producer and delve into pop. Bettencourt agreed to help with this and stated that she wanted a sound that would be reminiscent of a "celestial" dance pop sound. About a week later, the beat was brought to Mara and the aural artist of Azores went to work on creating the lyrics. Soon, Love At First Sight was created and was instrumental (ha.) in leading the pop sound on CTR2. Mara's newest CD is scheduled for release sometime in January 2013.

You can listen to Walnut and Mara and get free downloads right now! Keep checking for updates as I highlight the remaining 16 voices of Check The Recipe 2!

The Morning After album notes

"The Morning After" is the sophomore album by Runna & Right Hook, and it's the follow-up to their "One Night Stand" effort. It is the second album from Sunspot Productions that features mostly R&B and pop songs. Executive Producer: G. Jonz.

Track listing information:
1. On My Way Home Intro
Concept by L. McClain. Performed by J. Runner III. Music by O'Brian Music.

2. Stop, Breathe
Written and performed by J. Runner III, C. Luk, and J. Warren. Produced by P.O.E.S. Beats (Check out his debut mixtape: People Only Envy Strength - Think POES).

3. Yum Yums
Written and performed by C. Sout and J. Runner III. Music by Swollen Drumz Productions.

4. Too Long
Written by C. Sout. Music by JuSaMeLoDy.

5. Soul Clap
Written and performed by J. Runner III, C. Sout and J. Warren. Produced by Seth Chaos (@SethChaosChoZen) for S.O.U.L. Music.

6. Have You?
Written by C. Sout and G. Jones. Performed by C. Sout. Music by SINIMA BEATS.

7. We Found Love
Written by J. Runner III. Music by T3K Beats.

8. Take A Walk
Written and performed by J. Runner III, J. Warren and G. Jones. Produced by HNL Beats (@YourBoyL).

9. Oh No (She Fo Sho)
Written and performed by C. Sout and V. Marrero. Produced by Bill Collectors Music.

10. Milky Way
Written and performed by J. Runner III, C. Sout, C. Luk (His ReverbNation page) and G. Jones. Produced by G. Jonz for Sunspot Productions (@sunspot781).
"Planet Guilt" interlude written and performed by J. Runner III.

11. Hungover
Written and performed by C. Sout and V. Marrero. Produced by P.O.E.S. Beats.

12. The Morning After
Written by J. Runner III and G. Jones. Performed by J. Runner III. Produced by G. Jonz for Sunspot Productions.

One Night Stand: One Year Later

June 1, 2011 marks exactly one year since Sunspot dropped "One Night Stand." I thought it'd be interesting to get some insight from the lead artists from that project, Runna and Right Hook. I thought it'd be even more interesting to ask them the same questions about it separately. The video below shows what they said when I asked them these questions:

1. What's your favorite "Runna" track?
2. What's your favorite "Right Hook" track?
3. Has working with the other affected your singing/writing style? How?
4. What's next?


Listen and download One Night Stand for free.

Sunspot Discography, Part 5: One Night Stand

This is Part 5 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."


June 1, 2010

Production on "One Night Stand" started just weeks after the release of "Check The Recipe." Sunspot headed into uncharted territory as this effort would be its first completely R&B/pop album. Runna performed most of the R&B tracks while Right Hook performed most of the pop contributions.

Due to the personal & professional relationships we've built over the years, "One Night Stand" was created with help from many people. P.O.E.S. blessed the team by producing most of this album. An up-and-coming beatmaker who goes by HNL teamed up with G. Jonz to produce "Comfortable," which was performed by Runna. As far as featured vocalists go, Right Hook teamed up with Taina and Remy Redd for the slick dance jam "Come Home." Runna enlisted his lyrical cousin (J-Dub) to create the ambiant "If I Don't Have You." C.Luk, P.O.E.S., A-Class and T-Pain (yes, that T-Pain) are also heard on these respective tracks: "To Go On," "Your Body," "Mamacita," and "Everybody Else."

A few facts about "One Night Stand" that you may not have known:
A snippet of Right Hook's "Mamacita" was first heard on Check the Recipe as a prelude for the song "Just A Little Bit Closer." The beat for Runna's "Comfortable" was actually made in the summer of 2006 and was first used as a backing track for a local slide show. Finally, "Live It Up" is the only track on this album that features both Runna AND Right Hook.

Go to the Azn Wayz Bandcamp site to listen to and download One Night Stand now!

Sunspot Discography, Part 4: Check The Recipe

This is Part 4 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."

December 18, 2009

The thought of creating my own "album" had crossed my mind for a few years. Since I'm not a lyricist or a regular on-stage performer, I wasn't sure how to do it. I thought about some of my influences - The Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland - they've all come out with mixtapes or albums. Yes, they're "household name" performers in a sense, but they are primarily known as producers. As the sole member of Sunspot who had no expectations placed upon him to put out a project, I decided to finally pull the trigger.

To start, I gathered 6 to 8 R&B and hip-hop beats and emailed them to the Sunspot team, telling them my plan for what was called my mixtape, then my album... then finally, my "mixtape album." Blak C, my brother, and J-Dub, Runna's cousin, were also asked to contribute to the project. I was obviously a little hesitant/unsure about this for a while; to make sure that I was held accountable, I let the public know that I was working on this project with 5 videos documenting the making of the album.

Halfway through the production, P.O.E.S. linked up with Sunspot and showed that he not only produces beats himself, but he's also a lyricist. P.O.E.S. illustrated his lyrical ability in "Huntin For The Game" (with J-Dub and Blak C) and "You Like It," (with Right Hook) a song in which he came up with the concept.

Ro$e Marie made her lyrical debut on the album with "Let The Beat Burn" (with Runna & Right Hook) and "We Cookin It," which featured Right Hook, Blak C, J-Dub and Quiet Storm in his only showing on the project. C.Luk also made appearances on the tracks "Raw," "Check The Recipe" and "Just A Little Bit Closer," which made its debut on the "DJ Kurt presents C.Luk" mixtape. Here's the original version of the song.

R&B and pop stylings were also added to Check The Recipe with "Turn It Up" by Runna and "Caught Red Handed" by Right Hook. Thanks to everyone who supported CTR, we received reviews from other blogs. We also put out a music video for one of the strongest singles from CTR. Shout out to Kevin's Bar & Grill in Lynn (they were very cooperative in the making of the video).

Go to the Sunspot Bandcamp site to listen to and download Check The Recipe now!

Sunspot Discography, Part 3

This is Part 3 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. At the end of each entry, there will be a media player where you can listen to and download selected tracks from each CD. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."

August 2004
Mixtape: "Opposites Attrack"

Coming off the heels of a red-hot release for "Blackface," Runna and Quiet Storm continued to make the summer of '04 even hotter with this mixtape. The name of the project obviously plays off of the phrase "opposites attract." However, the R&B crooner and the street lyricist did a little "give and take" on some of the tracks; sometimes QS gave you some hip-hop to rock to ("You Better") or on the opposite end of the spectrum, Runna would give you some R&B to groove to ("Hardly Breathe"). The entire mixtape has a "summertime-in-the-city" feel with tracks like "Caramel Lips", "Step Up (Show Me Where The Spot Is At)" and "Go" featuring C.Luk. He is featured on one other track and G. Jonz also makes a cameo.

July 2008
Album: "Extradimensional"

"Blackface" was supposed to be C.Luk's last album... HOWEVER, there was an offer on the table for a record deal. That offer didn't go over well. C.Luk explains why "Extradimensional" was created:

"Beatmart, a Christian subdivision of Warner Bros. Music (they eventually went to Sony), had offered a deal. They eventually backed out because they didn't have faith in the business side of C.Luk. True story: on "Live" ft. Right Hook, there's a line that was changed about three days before it was sent to be pressed. The current line is "Hey, C, there's a booger in your nose/ hey back up off of me dude man you lookin too close!" The original line was "Hey, C. Didn't Beatmart back out of the deal?/ Quiet man I'm in denial get that crap out of here!" The line was pulled at the request of Bobby Bishop, former Beatmart recording artist and mentor in the game, who thought that the line would unnecessarily burn bridges. If you're curious, Beatmart no longer exists."

C.Luk's fourth album includes appearances by BPC, G. Jonz, Nathan Martin, Bobby Bishop, Quiet Storm, 7:13 (formerly known as Grimm the Heatmeiser), Walnut, Alex Stoyanov, Runna, Right Hook, Miguel Urena and Howie Doo. Cover art was created by Ill Day. The lead single for the album was "Bounce Back." The music video for it can be seen here.
[Refining the Recipe (02.13.11): When I mentioned the "F Wit Us" mixtape in the Discography series, I said that it had the most features we've ever had on any project. I now realize that "Extradimensional" has that honor, with 11 features. "F Wit Us" has 8.]

May 2009
Mixtape: "DJ Kurt presents C.Luk"

Months after "Extradimensional" was released, C.Luk moved to Philadelphia where he currently resides. It was there that he entered the 1st Annual Music and Entertainment Conference held by 100.3 The Beat. This video quickly illustrates that the Happy Asian MC won the Conference and got a lot of attention. When it was over, he got new management and the decision was made to release a mixtape, hosted by Philly's DJ Kurt. The mixtape churned out bangers like "Temp," "Clap Your Hands," "I'm Like" and "Fake Rappers," which is a revamped version of "Eliminate Rappers" from Luk's last album. "Eliminate Rappers" earned C.Luk a nomination for "Song of the Year" at the 2010 Underground Music Awards in NYC.

To listen to 13 tracks from this mixtape, click here for his Soundclick link.


Four tracks have been added to the Discography playlist. Play and download them for free.
blog discography by gjonz

Sunspot Discography, Part 2

This is Part 2 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. At the end of each entry, there will be a media player where you can listen to and download selected tracks from each CD. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."

August 2003
Mixtape: "F Wit Us"

The streets showed a lot of love for the cool spot in the heat after the first 3 CDs came out. Many lyricists and artists wanted to be involved with Sunspot, so "F Wit Us" was born. As of the posting of this entry, this is the only project (mixtape or album) to begin with one of our skit characters - Pookie. Along with Sunspot staples Runna, Right Hook, C.Luk and a young Quiet Storm, "F Wit Us" also has the most features we've ever had on one project. Matayo, KG, Shogun, Big Business & Shanks represented All Day Entertainment. We also had Big Brotha Sadi, Ana, and AB (performing with Runna as Mass Appeal). [Refining the Recipe (02.13.11): After thoroughly researching, I've found that "F Wit Us" actually has the most features for a mixtape with 8 people. The "Extradimensional" album holds the record for most features on any project - 11.]

March 2004
Mixtape: "Spectacles, Volume 2: Contact Lenses"

C.Luk wanted to release his third album, but it had been almost 2 years since "HIYA!" came out. The plan? To drop the second "Spectacles" mixtape to promote the third album as well as the latest singles from the Sunspot family. This mixtape was done in a radio show format. G. Jonz was the host, playing a parody of Boston radio DJ David Allan Boucher. Many topics were addressed in "Contact Lenses" including C.Luk becoming a Christian, the reason why he called his next album Blackface, and the "rivalry" between Sunspot and another music group. Singles from Runna (R U Wit Me featuring C.Luk), Right Hook (The Ho Down) and QS (Let's Go) were also on the mixtape with interviews from them as well.

June 25, 2004
Album: "Blackface"

(PAYPAL IS SAFE AND 100% SECURE.)
"Blackface" was billed as C.Luk's retirement album, unless he achieved a higher plateau of success. At this point, the Happy Asian MC had more of a conscious flow, but with a Christian twist. The track "A Message: In" (featuring Runna) and three of the skits exhibited this. These skits revolved around Luk and actor Cristian DeJesus, who did a hilarious old man impersonation in the last skit of the album. Runna also appeared on this album with guitarist David Mancinelli on the track "We Jammin." Right Hook is featured with the songs "Asian Americans Say Hello" and "Let's Ride." The cover art was created by My Thai Phan.

Six tracks have been added to the Discography playlist. Play and download them for free.
blog discography by gjonz

Sunspot Discography, Part 1

This is Part 1 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. At the end of each entry, there will be a media player where you can listen to and download selected tracks from each CD. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."

December 2001
Album: "Uh... Yeah"


This is the one that started it all. C.Luk came onto the scene with this project that featured the songs "Dummy," "Substitute," "SKITS-O," and "Chinatown Ride and Stroll" among others. The sound was unique and had untapped potential to grow and mature. "Uh... Yeah" was also the beginning of the fan-appreciated tandem of C.Luk working with Right Hook (then known as Jah1Dah [jah-one-dah]). MACH-1 was the only other feature on this album.

November 2002
Album: "HIYA!"


Following a successful first album, C.Luk's sophomore effort had to show evolution in almost every aspect. "HIYA!" accomplished this with quality of sound, beats, song topics and even skits. This album marked the beginning of C.Luk's many run-ins with the BPC character and additionally featured "Flip" featuring Shanks (then known as Point Proven). Other features on this album include 5th Caliber ("Frustrated"), DOMINATION ("World Order, Tears"), and Right Hook ("Cambodian Love").

April 2003
Mixtape: "Spectacles"


Eager to continue building street cred, C.Luk put out his first mixtape featuring all industry beats (no original Sunspot beats). "Spectacles" really got people to notice C.Luk's lyricism. Tracks like "Street Fiends," "Something I'm Not" (featuring Right Hook) and "Why My World Is This Way" (featuring Runna) showcased the conscious side of C.Luk that would be prominent in the future. On the other side of the spectrum, tracks like "Lose Money" (featuring Runna) and "I'm C.Luk" demonstrated his sense of humor, while still being a great lyricist. This mixtape was the first time C.Luk worked with Runna and also debuted the skit characters of Pookie and the Old Man.

Four tracks have been added to the Discography playlist. Play and download them for free.
blog discography by gjonz