IT'S HERE! (DIG DEEP THAT IS)

Don’t call it a come-back… allow Just Plain Ant to re-introduce you to blocSonic
by michaelGregoire

Yo Ant! I think you’re too deep for ‘em!



Well we’ve finally come back with that real ish… some real hip-hop for you fiends out there! Coming to you straight outta Richmond, VA. Just Plain Ant’s “Dig Deep” is our premier Original release and it’s available in all the same formats that you’ve come to expect with our netBloc compilations:

* Available in a choice of three high-quality audio formats — Lossless FLAC, 320kbs MP3 and 192kbs MP3.
* Complete album art is available in three formats — EPS, PDF and TIF.
* 40+ page PDF booklet with complete liner-notes, lyrics, photos and album credits.

“Dig Deep” is a shining example of what the independent music world has to offer. It’s also an authentic and innovative hip-hop album that refuses to be boxed in by quick and simple comparisons. With this album, Ant has brought together a terrific bunch of co-producers, vocalists and emcees that have all added their own touch in such a way that doesn’t make this producer-driven album feel like a compilation. Conceptually, there’s no doubt that this album is a whole.

Thanks to Just Plain Ant for his interest in having blocSonic release “Dig Deep”. Also, thanks to Sleaze, EENJ, Jay Slim, Alex Murphy, Elijah, Joey Ripps, Brad Oblivion, Caitlin Meissner and Yarrow Lutz for being a part of this fantastic album. Finally, thanks to Christine Lockerby for her fantastic photographic work.

Still to come this year are two more Original releases (which are scheduled to drop every four months) and more regular netBloc releases. In other news…
blocSonic 2.0!

As you may know from previous posts, we at blocSonic have long been shopping around for the perfect PHP framework. After much trial and consideration, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Yii Framework is perfect for our needs. What you now see in your browser, blocSonic 2.0, is now powered by Yii and PHP. Goodbye Ruby on Rails.

Due to a complete retooling/rethinking of the database schema, we chose not to port users from the old database. What that means for you is that if you previously had a user account, you’ll need to re-register. We’re very sorry about the inconvenience, we just felt that the user system needed a complete overhaul. Currently, the user system is quite limited to only offering no-approval commenting and a profile page. A more fully-featured messaging system and other user features will follow in the coming weeks.

We hope you enjoy the new look and the fresh sounds! Thanks for stopping by… remember… share the music. Burn copies for friends and strangers… peace!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM!!!!!!!

oohhh shit. takin it back

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What?

11 Days Left... (via BlocSonic)

By the look of our blog and our Twitter feed, you’d think blocSonic has been asleep at the wheel for the past month/month and a half. Nothing could be further from the truth. It all began last year when we realized that Ruby on Rails just wasn’t cutting it for us. The regular crashes and slow loading times became too much. We then began an incredibly long hunt for THE killer PHP framework to build blocSonic 2.0 on. After trying, testing and re-trying nearly every major framework, we came across Yii Framework and we fell in love. It’s on! 2.0 is coming just in time for our first original release.

On February 24th, the new blocSonic.com will be accompanied by a rich, soulful and above all… meditative hip-hop release by the talented producer/artist Just Plain Ant. The aptly titled ”Dig Deep” sees Ant stepping up his game both conceptually and technically.

One of the problems that usually plagues producers when releasing albums in their own right is the "compilation" effect. Because their albums tend to feature a variety of emcees and singers on top of their productions, the albums usually end up feeling like a mish/mash of tracks that don’t sit well with each other. “Dig Deep” is definitely not among those albums. It’s unmistakable, the care and attention that Ant invested in this release.

You’ll also be hard-pressed to place a neat and tidy label on the sound. You’ve got straight up soul-dripping jams such as Still’ Dreamin (Featuring Jay Slim), Can’t Say Goodbye (Featuring Elijah) and That Goodbye. Then you’ve got Hush which is less “hip-hop” than it is trip-hop/acid-jazz or minimal electro and Dig Deep (Featuring Alex Murphy) which is straight up glitch with a hip-hop feel, appeal to it.

As with our netBloc series, “Dig Deep” audio and album art will be available in multiple formats:

• Audio: Lossless FLAC, 320kbs and 192kbs LAME encoded CBR MP3
• Album art: PDF, EPS & TIF
• Liner notes: 30-40+ page PDF

If my endorsement isn’t enough for you to eagerly anticipate the forthcoming release, you'll find a couple mp3s for your aural pleasure in the album track-list below:

• 01 Hush (7:26)
• 02 Anti-Love (Featuring Sleaze) (4:33)
• 03 32 More (Featuring EENJ) (5:41)
• 04 Still Dreamin’ (Featuring Jay Slim) (5:06)
• 05 Dig Deep (Featuring Alex Murphy) (5:45)
• 06 If You’re Not True To Me (5:11)
• 07 Can’t Say Goodbye (Featuring Elijah) (4:23)
• 08 Good Night (Miles From This Place) (Featuring Joey Ripps) (5:27)
• 09 In The Air (Featuring Brad Oblivion) (5:32)
• 10 Love Letters (Featuring Caitlin Meissner and Yarrow Lutz) (2:24)
• 11 That Goodbye (4:35)
• 12 End of the Day (Featuring Jay Slim) (6:21)

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder, blocSonic.com

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