Sa-Ra Creative Partners "The Hollywood Recordings"

[jaxxalude]

The recipients of a 2+ year set up as part of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music/Sony imprint, the Sa-Ra Creative Partners finally see the light with the April 24th release of The Hollywood Recordings, the prequel to their forthcoming major label album debut. Contrary to popular speculation, the trio are very much united, having emerged unscathed from the perilous depths of an ever shifting major label landscape.

Many artists talk about going to the proverbial "next level." The Sa-Ra Creative Partners -- Taz Arnold, Om'Mas Keith and Shafiq Husayn --simply exist there. They just are beyond what everyone else is doing creatively. That's because the Los Angeles/New York-based collective creates for more than the act of making music. Sa-Ra -- whose disparate resume includes work with Dr. Dre, Kanye West, John Legend, Jurassic 5, Ice-T, Lord Finesse -- creates for the universe. It's Afro Magnetic Electronic Spiritualism.

"Sa-Ra is a magical trio," says Taz, a proud citizen of the globe who was raised in South Central Los Angeles. "We're three lords from different aspects of the universe, different walks of life, here to put something magical together for the people."

Ready for release on Babygrande Records, the album collection defies categorization and represents Sa-Ra's complete vision, which encompasses more than just music. "We take the best of all doctrines, all the practices, all sciences and have developed our own style," Om'Mas explains. "That's where we're at. We've very eclectic because, unlike many people, we've been able to identify that with which is best of all systems -- belief, monetary -- and take piece by piece to develop this master blueprint. It's proven to be successful."

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Bring it on, boys! You were being sorely missed.

[jaxxalude]

Man, that's preposturous! :o Once you hear those crazy beats, your head will go from poppin' to downright being hypnotized! Yeah, they're that good!

[jaxxalude]

SOHH.com

Sa-Ra Clears Up The Rumors, "We're Still F*cking With G.O.O.D. Music"
by Anthony Roberts


Having built a strong buzz throughout the industry before releasing their debut, The Hollywood Recordings, you'd think that Sa-Ra, the eclectic bi-coastal trio and Kanye's latest additions to the G.O.O.D. Music roster would have it made. But amidst rumors of being dropped from the label, the group breaking up and a stalled release, group member Taz chopped it up with SOHH to set the record straight.

"The thing with G.O.O.D. is...we were never not signed to G.O.O.D, but they lost their distribution with Sony. So all of the artists were still signed, because G.O.O.D. represents Kanye, but we had no way to release the music. We were just on stage with Kanye the other day. We're still fucking with G.O.O.D.," said Taz of his and his group members, Om'mas and Shafiq's relationship with the label. Their debut album, The Hollywood Recordings, which features guest spots from Talib Kweli, Kurupt, Capone-N-Noreaga, Erykah Badu, Pharoahe Monch and the late J-Dilla is set for an April release and will now be released via indie label Babygrande Records.

"We got the news [of the split with Sony] in mid-November. That wasn't cool. You want to release your project and you build things for the past year and, quite naturally, it's very alarming because you have to feed your family. That's how artists make their money, you release an album and you hit the road. But we did what we had to, got our release[from Sony] and we hit the pavement again. I think we're at an advantage being on an indie. I don't think the majors have quite figured [our music] out. I think we're in a better position to win."

Undaunted by their road blocks to success, the group has remained focused on the task at hand and denies speculation that they were close to the point of going their separate ways.

"It's not that there was more tension than usual, but with not having money and cats starting to ask questions, that tension gets to a point...", he explains. "It was a growth period. We weren't broken up and as far as I'm concerned we weren't going to break up. I've been through worst situations in the music business. What it does...it's like facing death. You let it die or you resurrect and keep it moving. It made us face the importance of Sa-Ra."

While the group has stayed by busy producing for a long list of artists including John Legend, Pharoahe Monch, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and even Dr. Dre, they still found the time to craft what they feel is a great album.

"It's a combination of older recordings and real new shit," Taz excitedly details. "It's some interesting things on the album. I want people to pay attention to the details. This is the first installment of a multi-faceted presentation."

The next installment will quite possibly be their major label debut, Black Fuzz, which the group is hoping will see a fall release. But more than sales, the group is hoping to make an impact on what they see as a stagnant state in music.

"Take a chance on us. Sa Ra is one of the most creative groups to come along in a long time, and that's not hype, that's just what it is. Who's ready to be invaded by the next incarnation of Black music?"

The Hollywood Recordings hits stores on April 24 via Babygrande Records.

[jaxxalude]

Sa-Ra sure make you "Feel The Bass"! And with Talib Kweli giving a helping hand, you can pretty much say everything's in place for this track to make you move in all the right places. And you can sure bet it does!

(courtesy of the good people over at Spine Magazine)

[busyboy]

Spine also has "Not On Our Level", featuring Capone, Noreaga and Lord Nez. I'm definitely looking out for this. www.spinemagazine.com/music/april/sara/notonourlevel.mp3

[jaxxalude]

You should. "Glorious" was a, um, glorious 12" of a single. And the EP they released two years ago, Second Time Around, was probably one of my favorite releases of that year. Not to mention Dark Matter And Pornography, which I seriously think is one of the best, craziest mixtapes I've heard in my life!

[busyboy]

Looks like this one's been pretty well protected... Until now:

Leaked!

[areyoureadytojump]

Out today in the USA!

[XXIX]

Are the signed to Kayne's label?

[busyboy]

^ Yes, they still are.

"The Hollywood Recordings" debuts at #44 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.