The Overly Dramatic Truth (Dirty) / EMG (Bass Clef Remix) (Dirty) / Flyentology (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) (Dirty) / Smithereens (Dirty) / The Overly Dramatic Truth (Instrumental) / EMG (Bass Clef Remix) (Instrumental) / Flyentology (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) (Instrumental) / Smithereens (Instrumental)

DEFINITIVE JUX

Lifted from his current long player I'LL SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD, THE OVERLY DRAMATIC TRUTH / SMITHEREENS is the latest missive from former Company Flow mainman and Definitive Jux label boss El-P.  Collaborating with the heavyweight likes of the Mars Volta, Cat Power, Darryl Palumbo and Matt Sweeney on the album, El-P is cementing his position as an alt-rap pioneer this time round.

THE OVERLY DRAMATIC TRUTH is stark, darkly intoned hip hop that rides along on a menacing dub bassline and sinister piano stabs; El-P spitting out his lyrics in a manner that imagines Eminem duking it out with Fred Durst.  Its elsewhere here though, that this release really comes into its own; with FLYENTOLOGY (CASSETTES WON'T LISTEN REMIX), the original version is given a stunning makeover; Trent Reznor's previous blink and you'll miss it vocal cameo given more prominence and El-P's rhymes delivered with an edgier sense of urgency and attitude.

Another impressively dark and edgy release from El-P, THE OVERLY DRAMATIC TRUTH / SMITHEREENS finds the hip-hop pioneer on rude form; a near essential package.

BIOGRAPHY

In 1993, a teenage visionary named El-P (born the son of a jazz piano player and raised Jaime Meline in New York City) put out his first piece of vinyl under the name COMPANY FLOW. What followed was a sound, perspective and philosophy destined to change independent hip hop music forever...

2 years earlier, after constant clashing with authority figures, leading to 2 high school expulsions in the same 8 months, a then 16 year old El-P found himself at a crossroads. He could either renew his efforts to fit into the scholastic system that had ejected him, or choose the uncharted territory of a career in music (his true love since age 10). He chose the latter, and after getting his GED (General Equivalency Diploma), he enlisted in musical engineering school. There he would learn the fundamental studio skills he knew he needed, and set himself on a path that he would never turn back from. At his 18th Birthday party he first met DJ Mr Len, whom he hired to spin for the night. They struck a harmonious musical chord and Mr Len Joined up to make it a group. Shortly after they released the first Company Flow 12", "Juvenile Technics" on the short live Libra records. The relationship between Co Flow and Libra quickly diminished, but Libra employee and aspiring artist Bigg Jus became close with the group and soon after joined. For the next two years, El-P and Jus worked by day (Tower records mail order) and recorded by night, using the money from their jobs to fund the label they created: Official Recordings. Steeped in b-boy experience and similar loves for hip hop culture and wordplay, El, Jus and Len set out to create something new.

Throwing themselves fully into their new endeavor, they came up with the groundbreaking EP Funcrusher (released in 1995), of which they sold over 30,000 units on their own. Self-produced, self-promoted and self-controlled, they began getting regular support from hip hop radio luminaries like Bobbito and Stretch Armstrong on the east coast and Sway and Tech on the west. They quickly caught the attention of several labels, including a little known NY indie named Rawkus, who was willing to give them a distribution deal on the group's own terms. Adding a gang of new tracks to the existing EP resulted in the now classic and legendary album Funcrusher Plus, which won acclaim the world over and positioned El-P as a rising indie star. The entry of Company Flow into the indie hip hop world started a movement and defined an attitude and approach toward the music that changed the climate within the scene forever. The release of this album signified a new era in hip hop, and soon after, the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Hi and Mighty, Pharoahe Monche, and others followed suit, leading to the emergence of Rawkus as a major player in the industry. Touring the world to support the album and the single/video (End to End Burners) allowed El-P to take his music directly to his fans, who responded with overwhelming love for him and his compatriots. Numerous appearances on other artists records have added to his considerable and growing profile, including Del the Funkee Homosapien (Heiro Imperium), The Handsome Boy Modeling School (Tommy Boy), the Quannum Spectrum album, DJ Krush's Zen (Sony), Alec Empire (DHR), Techno Animal's Brotherhood of the Bomb (Matador), not to mention being sampled by group's like Primal Scream. The Beastie Boys, Zach de la Rocha, RZA, Chuck D, Radiohead, Gangstarr, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Bjork, Eminem, Roni Size, My Bloody Valentine, DJ Krush, have all been counted as fans, not to mention legions of fans worldwide who regard El-P as one of the few artists out there holding down the vanguard of independent hip hop. In addition, having toured with the Beastie Boys as well as performing at the 2000 presidential rally for candidate Ralph Nader at Madison Square Garden (also feat. Eddie Vedder, Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper), have put his name, face and most importantly, his music out there in ways most independent or underground artists can only dream of.

After 2 years of pushing the album and touring, group member Bigg Jus decided to strike out on his own. El-P and Mr. Len followed up their debut with the brilliant (though poorly promoted) instrumental album Little Johnny From the Hospital (Rawkus). Flexing the production skills that had set so many ears on fire, El-P (and Mr. Len) continued the trend-setting, cutting-edge work that further bolstered their rep as innovators. Fast forward to 2000. The relationship with Rawkus had run it's course, with the label striving hard to enter the mainstream and the group striving hard to remain true to themselves. The time off and frustration of battling the label over music and the approach to music led to the group announcing their departure from Rawkus. El-P and Mr. Len shortly after amicably decided it was time to go their individual ways as well. El-P took the opportunity to form a new label, Definitive Jux, that was soon to pick up where Company Flow left off, and would again redefine the spirit and purpose of independent hip hop music, receiving accolades worldwide and garnering impressive record sales from it's first release.

Debuting in late 2000, Definitive Jux (originally called Def Jux but our friend's at Def Jam, threatened by the Def Jux's sudden multi-platinum success, ordered a cease and desist last fall!) quickly made an impact on the world around it. Starting with the release of the EP Def Jux Presents: Company Flow and the Enters the Collosus EP from Boston's brightest star, Mr. Lif, El-P and his new label came strong out of the gates. Following up in 2001 with two of the most celebrated independent hip hop albums of the last several years, Cannibal Ox's The Cold Vein and Aesop Rock's Labor Days, Def Jux solidified itself as the new lodestar of indie hip hop. 2002 has seen the release of Aesop's Daylight mini-LP and the DJXP2, the 2nd volume in the series featuring the entire Definitive Jux artist roster.

Now, with the release of El-P's debut solo album, Fantastic Damage, in May of this year, hip hop is about to get a shot in the arm, head and heart. Delivering on all the promise this artist has shown over the past 7 years, it is destined to be one of the most talked about, listened to and championed independent hip hop records in recent memory. Staggeringly inventive, intelligent, emotional, funny and still hardcore, it is engaging in a way we've yet to see from him (yes ladies, you can even dance to it). Bound to find its way all over the globe and into the hearts and minds of fans (and soon to be fans) everywhere, Fantastic Damage signifies the next level in a progression towards the realization of one young man's dreams.

This year, El-P will be co-producing the solo album of ex-Rage Against the Machine front man Zack de la Rocha, co-producing an album with Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, Dr. Octagon, Handsome Boy), scoring the new movie "Bomb The System", producing a free jazz album with William Parker, Matthew Shipp, Daniel Carter and others, remixing the single from the new album of indie Brit Rock darlings, Cornershop, the new single for alt-hip hop star Beans of Anti Pop Consortium (Warp), a Charlie Parker remix (Verve) and amongst various other projects. El-P will be touring the world throughout 2003.

Producer, emcee, composer, musician, label boss and all-round 

fearless innovator El-P returns with a blistering wake-up call in the 

form of his second solo album. Four years in the making, I’ll Sleep 

When You’re Dead is a magnum opus and the purest distillation yet of 

El-P’s many talents. Made with a blatant disregard for genres and 

pigeon-holes the result is original, groundbreaking and thrilling. 

El-P describes the creation as his “post-traumatic stress album” 

documenting the political and personal turbulence of current times, 

and adds, “I don’t think there’s another record which sounds 

like this.”

El-P is renowned for his boundary-smashing musical experimentation 

and here he continues on his unique trajectory laying profound and 

urgent vocals over his own hugely original, gritty, dark and visceral 

compositions. Our insomniac innovator doesn’t rest there, uniting 

an intriguing array of diverse and highly-respected collaborators on 

I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, the breadth and scope of which speak 

volumes for El-P’s own ambitious and progressive attitude. The line- 

up includes many leading lights from the roster of El-P’s own 

Definitive Jux label; Mr Lif, Aesop Rock, Murs, Hangar 18, Cage, Camu 

Tao, Rob Sonic and Mr Len. Over its 7 year history, Def Jux and El-P 

have played a key role, not only in releasing records by all of these 

artists, but in progressing and nurturing their careers too. Always 

awake to wider possibilities, El has also enlisted kindred spirits 

from further afield. Album opener Tasmanian Pain Coaster [“I’m 

shooting for the worst track titles of all time!” explains El-P] 

features Mars Volta with Matt Sweeney of Billy Corgan’s Zwan adding 

electric guitar to the already eclectic mix. Glassjaw and Head 

Automatica founder and frontman Darryl Palumbo joins El contributing 

vocals and bewitching piano to The Overly Dramatic Truth. El-P’s own 

powerful production and vocals are combined with those of Nine Inch 

Nails architect Trent Reznor for the intense Flyentology – an 

imminent single release from the record. The album is put to bed 

with El’s dystopian lullaby with singer/songwriter Cat Power [aka 

Chan Marshall], the woman behind 2006’s acclaimed album The 

Greatest. El-P’s path has crossed with each of these artists via 

various past musical endeavours, and crucially they all share a 

common love, admiration and respect for the man and his music.

Having helped to create what has been variously labelled as 

‘alternative’, ‘leftfield’ or ‘underground’ hip-hop, and 

reigning for a decade as its unofficial king, El-P is once again 

ripping up the rule book and venturing into a new realm, and I’ll 

Sleep When You’re Dead is the living proof. The record defies 

categorisation and is the sound of an evolving artist travelling into 

uncharted sonic territories without pausing for breath.

Producer, emcee, composer, musician, label boss and all-round fearless innovator El-P returns with a blistering wake-up call in the form of his second solo album.  Four years in the making, I'LL SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD is a magnum opus and the purest distillation yet of El-P's many talents.  Made with a blatant disregard for genres and pigeon-holes the result is original, groundbreaking and thrilling.  Our insomniac innovator doesn't rest there, uniting an intriguing array of diverse and highly-respected collaborators:  The Mars Volta, Mr Lif, Matt Sweeney (Guided By Voices, Chavez, Zwan), Murs, Darryl Palumbo (Head Automatica, Glassjaw), Aesop Rock and Cat Power.

LINE UP

EL-P

Trent Reznor

The Mars Volta

Mr Lif

Matt Sweeney

Murs

Darryl Palumbo

Aesop Rock

Cat Power

DISCOGRAPHY

DEEP SPACE 9MM 12" (Definitive Jux>1999)

Deep Space 9mm - Filthy

Deep Space 9mm - Naked

Deep Space 9mm - Newspeak

Tuned Mass Damper - Filthy

Tuned Mass Damper - Naked

Tuned Mass Damper - Newspeak

Stepfather Factory 12 (Definitive Jux>2001)

Stepfather Factory - Dirty

Stepfather Factory - Instrumental

Stepfather Factory - Censored

Stepfather Factory - Accapella

Fantastic Damage (Definitive Jux>2002)

Fantastic Damage

Squeegee Man Shooting

Deep Space 9mm

Tuned Mass Damper

Dead Disnee

Delorean feat. Aesop Rock and Ill Bill

Truancy feat Rob Smith

The Nang, The Bush and The Shit

Accidents Don't Happen feat. Cage and Camu Tao

Stepfather Factory

TOJ

Dr. Hellno Vs. The Praying Mantus feat. Vast Aire

Lazerfaces' Warning

Interlude

Constellation Funk

Blood feat. Mr. Lif and C Rayz Walz

FanDam Plus (Definitive Jux>2002)

Fantastic Damage - Instrumental

Squeegee Man Shooting - Instrumental

Deep Space 9mm - Instrumental

Tuned Mass Damper - Instrumental

Dead Disnee - Instrumental

DeLorean - Instrumental

Truancy - Instrumental

The Nang, The Bush and The Shit - Instrumental

Accidents Don't Happen Stepfather Factory - Instrumental

TOJ - Instrumental

Dr. Hellno Vs. The Praying Mantus - Instrumental

Lazerfaces' Warning - Instrumental

Innocent Leader - Instrumental

Constellation Funk - Instrumental

Blood - Instrumental

Squeegee Man Shooting (original version) - Instrumental

Lazerfaces' Warning (RJD2 Remix) - Instrumental

Dead Weathermen

Collecting the Kid (European Edition) (Definitive Jux>2004)

2004

Jukie Skate Rock

Collecting the Kid (Definitive Jux>2004)

Dream Theme

Jukie Skate Rock feat. Central Services

Leaving This Place

Feel Like A Ghost

Intrigue In The House Of India

Telemundo

Slow Sex

Constellation Remix feat. Stephanie Vezina

The Dance

The Day After Yesterday

Oxycontin feat. Central Services

Hide Ya Face ft. Ghostface & El-P (Definite Jux>2005)

Hide Ya Face

FLYENTOLOGY (Definitive Jux>2007)

Flyentology (Clean)

EMG (Clean)

Flyentology (Dirty)

EMG (Dirty)

Flyentology (Instrumental)

EMG (Instrumental)

I'LL SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD (Definitive Jux>2007)

Tasmanian Pain Coaster

Smithereens (Stop Cryin)

Up All Night

EMG

Drive

Dear Sirs

Run The Numbers

Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)

The Overly Dramatic Truth

Flyentology

No Kings

The League Of Extraordinary Nobodies

Poisenville Kids No Wins/Reprise (This Must Be Our Time)

THE OVERLY DRAMATIC TRUTH / SMITHEREENS (Definitive Jux>2007)

The Overly Dramatic Truth (Dirty)

EMG (Bass Clef Remix) (Dirty)

Flyentology (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) (Dirty)

Smithereens (Dirty)

The Overly Dramatic Truth (Instrumental)

EMG (Bass Clef Remix) (Instrumental)

Flyentology (Cassettes Won't Listen Remix) (Instrumental)

Smithereens (Instrumental)

LINKS

EL-P>www.myspace.com/elproducto

FURTHER LISTENING

Company Flow

Nine Inch Nails

Peanut Butter Wolf