By Stamati Horiates

Born and raised in the South Bay, Montage is a rising young artist you’d better get to know soon. Currently in the midst of recording his second album, The O Album, Montage has performed in clubs throughout the Bay Area as well as at the ESPN Summer X-Games, and has made an appearance on The World Famous Wake up Show with Sway and Tech. He’s also in the process of shooting a music video for the song “Get at Me.” There’s no question this rapper’s journey has taken flight. But how has he come this far? If you ask him, he will tell you straight up: “Persistence.”

Montage, aka Phil Corbin, first developed as an artist by drawing and painting. The walls of his house are decorated with intricate portraits of revolutionary hip-hop stars like Biggie Smalls and Tupac. Although he has enjoyed producing visual art, Corbin soon turned his interests towards other avenues of expression.

Enrolling in a graphic arts college and spending many late nights spinning as a DJ was just the beginning. Before long, Montage found himself flying back and forth to LA at the drop of a hat, recording in studios and working with top professionals in the business. In one year’s time, Montage went from relative obscurity to dropping his first CD, The M Album. “We recorded something like 50 or 60 songs and narrowed it down to just ten,” said Montage. The album was released in January and has since been gaining momentum in the industry.

“It takes me outta the underground and puts me in the forefront. I have a lot of respect for underground hip-hop ‘cause that’s where we all have to start, but I wanna take this to the next level. I wanna win them [Cali Heights Records] an award,” Montage says.

From drawing to graphic arts to spinning to rapping, it appears that the sky is the limit for Montage. The O Album is set to drop in November of 2008 and promises appearances from some familiar voices including those of Linkin Park and D-12.

When asked for the most important piece of advice he can give to others pursuing their dreams, Montage answered, “Make friends and take every opportunity. I don’t care if you’re sick or tired or you have to drive six hours to record in a studio. The first time someone offers to help you and you say no, that door could be closed forever.”

GET AT IT:
-The M Album is available in record stores, on iTunes, Amazon, Napster, MySpace, and at MontageWorld.com.
-Montage formed his own independent label, Cali Heights Records, also featuring artists Punky and Alterego.
-Montage is hosting a remix competition for his upcoming record. More information is available here.

Reviews originally published in the East Bay Express on 10/3/07.

Unified School District, Brokedown Palace (self-released). Emcee Super Ugly’s deep, sharp voice may hit some folks too hard, but at least they can’t say he’s biting someone else’s style. Ecto One’s proficient beats are unusual, too — part retro, part progressive, all choppy — making USD an alluring anomaly on the Oakland scene.

Nyles Lannon, Pressure (Badman Recording Co.). The former Film School guitarist sticks to striking out on his own: With few exceptions, Lannon wrote, performed, and recorded all of his sophomore effort, which nonetheless maintains a full, if overstuffed, plate of experimental folk-rock.

Paper Tiger, Bright Dreams of Cold Revenge EP (self-released). This four-song debut from the fledgling SF group offers a nostalgic take on lightweight alt-rock, with straightforward melodies that linger.

Willow Willow, Willow Willow (Mod Lang). Few will deny the merits of sunny, sweet British folk — but it’s a far cry from being in vogue. As Willow Willow, childhood friends Miranda Zeiger and Jessica Vohs don’t much care, and even wrote what’s likely the world’s first weed ode containing prominent use of the harpsichord.

Desoto Reds, Bernadette and the Hundred Devils (self-released). In a region so blessed with gifted groups maintaining absurdly low profiles, it can be risky to sort the winners from the losers. Still, we’ll place our bets on Oakland’s little-known Desoto Reds, who show heaps of promise through a rare blend of cerebral pop and garage rock.

Reviews originally published in the East Bay Express on 9/26/07.

Rogue Wave Asleep at Heaven’s Gate (Brushfire Records). The indie-pop pride of Oakland, which recently left Sub Pop for Jack Johnson’s small and surf-friendly Brushfire Records, issues an excellent, dramatic third album about the mysterious joys of hardship.

Mavrik About Face (Skoman Productions). A local microcosm of the major-label rap release: guest appearances (Mistah F.A.B., Jennifer Johns, Gift of Gab), high production values, spoken word interludes, and interwoven elements from the urban spectrum (turntablism, R&B, funk). A paint-by-numbers success.

Talking Wood Talking Wood (Jizo Records). Multi-instrumentalist Keenan Webster and Oakland African roots ensemble Balafo form Talking Wood, whose improvisational style centers on prominent playing of the balafon — an ancient wooden xylophone from West Africa with a warm, bright sound — over percussion, string, and wind accompaniment.

The Drift Ceiling Sky (Temporary Residence Ltd.). Instrumental rock and progressive jazz collude quietly in this hour-long collection of rare tracks and remixes from San Francisco quartet the Drift. Don’t stare too hard, or you just might miss it.

The Action Design Into a Sound EP (Pop Smear Records). Remember Tsunami Bomb? That tenacious pop-punk band blanketing Bay Area clubs around 2000? The one with the cute-chick lead singer? Her name is Agent M, and she’s back with a new band and a more mature, occasionally rousing sound

Reviews originally published in the East Bay Express on 9/26/07.

Rogue Wave Asleep at Heaven’s Gate (Brushfire Records). The indie-pop pride of Oakland, which recently left Sub Pop for Jack Johnson’s small and surf-friendly Brushfire Records, issues an excellent, dramatic third album about the mysterious joys of hardship.

Mavrik About Face (Skoman Productions). A local microcosm of the major-label rap release: guest appearances (Mistah F.A.B., Jennifer Johns, Gift of Gab), high production values, spoken word interludes, and interwoven elements from the urban spectrum (turntablism, R&B, funk). A paint-by-numbers success.

Talking Wood Talking Wood (Jizo Records). Multi-instrumentalist Keenan Webster and Oakland African roots ensemble Balafo form Talking Wood, whose improvisational style centers on prominent playing of the balafon — an ancient wooden xylophone from West Africa with a warm, bright sound — over percussion, string, and wind accompaniment.

The Drift Ceiling Sky (Temporary Residence Ltd.). Instrumental rock and progressive jazz collude quietly in this hour-long collection of rare tracks and remixes from San Francisco quartet the Drift. Don’t stare too hard, or you just might miss it.

The Action Design Into a Sound EP (Pop Smear Records). Remember Tsunami Bomb? That tenacious pop-punk band blanketing Bay Area clubs around 2000? The one with the cute-chick lead singer? Her name is Agent M, and she’s back with a new band and a more mature, occasionally rousing sound

Let it be known: classic hip-hop is back in the Bay Area. San Francisco crew Bored Stiff has quietly resurfaced after six years on hiatus, and brought with it the aesthetics of old-school underground rap: DJs, MCs, ample scratching, salient lyrics, and chill beats. It’s all there in the group’s first three new tracks since 2001’s Ghetto Research — “Spirit of Lee,” “In the House,” and “Maturity” — released on a limited edition sampler that foretells the group’s official return in 2007.

Bored Stiff formed in 1992 or 1994, depending on who you ask, and released two EPs — Explainin’ and Timeless — in addition to the full-length Ghetto Research before disbanding. Its 12 members all became involved in other projects, many releasing albums on their own, before deciding in 2006 to give it another go. The new record is due later this year (July 10) on Oakland hip-hop label Hella Records (not to be confused with Sacramento noise-rock duo Hella), the same label that released all of the group’s earlier work.

Lately the hyphy movement has prevented most other forms of hip-hop from getting a decent foothold in the Bay Area, but Bored Stiff could be the band to take advantage of hyphy’s decline and swing the scales in the other direction. In Seattle over the past few years, the classic hip-hop sound has enjoyed a strong resurgence through the voices and beats of groups like Blue Scholars and Common Market. Could Bored Stiff help that happen here? With Del the Funky Homosapien promising a new solo record — also his first in seven years — called 11th Hour later this summer, maybe 2007 will be the year hyphy gets shut out for good.

THE 12 HIP-HOPOSTLES
-That’s right, Bored Stiff comprises 12 members. Behold the list: Equipto (Queezy), TD Camp, Big Shawn (B.I.), Dubstar (K-Dub), P-Way, Mint Rocky, White Mic, Jules, Liel, Priz, Ike, and Jo Jo (Jo Jigidy).

Let it be known: classic hip-hop is back in the Bay Area. San Francisco crew Bored Stiff has quietly resurfaced after six years on hiatus, and brought with it the aesthetics of old-school underground rap: DJs, MCs, ample scratching, salient lyrics, and chill beats. It’s all there in the group’s first three new tracks since 2001’s Ghetto Research — “Spirit of Lee,” “In the House,” and “Maturity” — released on a limited edition sampler that foretells the group’s official return in 2007.

Bored Stiff formed in 1992 or 1994, depending on who you ask, and released two EPs — Explainin’ and Timeless – in addition to the full-length Ghetto Research before disbanding. Its 12 members all became involved in other projects, many releasing albums on their own, before deciding in 2006 to give it another go. The new record is due later this year (July 10) on Oakland hip-hop label Hella Records (not to be confused with Sacramento noise-rock duo Hella), the same label that released all of the group’s earlier work.

Lately the hyphy movement has prevented most other forms of hip-hop from getting a decent foothold in the Bay Area, but Bored Stiff could be the band to take advantage of hyphy’s decline and swing the scales in the other direction. In Seattle over the past few years, the classic hip-hop sound has enjoyed a strong resurgence through the voices and beats of groups like Blue Scholars and Common Market. Could Bored Stiff help that happen here? With Del the Funky Homosapien promising a new solo record — also his first in seven years — called 11th Hour later this summer, maybe 2007 will be the year hyphy gets shut out for good.

THE 12 HIP-HOPOSTLES
-That’s right, Bored Stiff comprises 12 members. Behold the list: Equipto (Queezy), TD Camp, Big Shawn (B.I.), Dubstar (K-Dub), P-Way, Mint Rocky, White Mic, Jules, Liel, Priz, Ike, and Jo Jo (Jo Jigidy).