Dilated Peoples, Dogme 95, Ghostface Killah, Psychic Ills

DILATED PEOPLES
Unable to ride the wave of “This Way” — the heavily spun joint effort with (it’s been 14 seconds since you last heard his name) Kanye West — Dilated Peoples waited and waited for the stores to ship them platinum in exchange for their 2004 album, Neighborhood Watch, to no avail. But now this West Coast hip hop squad comprised of MCs Evidence and Rakaa, along with turntable extraordinaire DJ Babu, has since emerged from the underground like famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. They are currently determined to achieve unaided, widespread notoriety with their latest album, 20/20. Dilated Peoples is a true throwback group in totality, with equal weight assigned to their lyrics and to their deejaying — while encompassing each root of true hip hop culture. DP’s words are conscious of the world that surrounds them and, at the same time, aggressive enough to stimulate reform. (Appearing with Little Brother at Park West on March 7) –text: Joe Ptak–photo: PC Nabil

DOGME 95
Dogme 95′s new and second album, The Reagle Beagle, does a great job of capturing the playful and unpolished sound of a bunch of musicians throwing things together around a campfire. Of course, this loose and layered sound completely belies the fact that Dogme 95 is actually just Chicagoan/Mission Label co-founder Nick Wright — who plays and sings almost every sound on the disc. Choruses of Wright’s voice come together in sea-chanty melodies as he opines about his imagined experiences of exploration and discovery aboard Charles Darwin’s boat “The Beagle.” All his talk of birds, evolution, Darwin’s locket, and for some reason peaches can seem a little contrived at times, but the album is spirited and the music catchy. Dogme 95 performances don’t feature additional musicians to accompany Wright, so he employs prerecorded beats and dresses up the stage to help turn things into a real performance. (Appearing with The Impossible Shapes at Subterranean on March 6) –text: Noah Levine

GHOSTFACE KILLAH
In the world of hip-hop, it almost seems like the early ‘90s again. 1993 saw the utterly unique hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan hit the streets with the group LP Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) followed by a slew of solo albums by various members. Now, it’s 2006, and once again, we’re in a Wu-world. All of the surviving members of “Strong Island’s” fiercest clan toured together in February and original Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah is preparing for his own solo tour as well as the highly anticipated release (March 28) of his fifth solo album, Fishscale (Def Jam). But don’t expect Ghostface (hip-hop’s original “Ironman”) to just recycle some old RZA beats. Fishscale features beats from some of today’s top beat crafters including MF Doom, J Dilla (RIP) and Madlib. All hail the Wu! (Appearing with M-1 of Dead Prez at House of Blues on March 10) –text: David Mittleman–photo: Scott Schafer

PSYCHIC ILLS
New York City’s Psychic Ills aren’t necessarily a bunch of shoegazers — they’re too dynamic for that. Some might label the band and their epic-sounding guitar parts as spacey, but really…they are more than just a charming bunch of mystics. The Ills simply make it acceptable to delight in the guitar for more than a quick pop second. While they sometimes peak along those dreamy landscapes native to the typical space rocker, the Ills also tend to hammer into less of a minimalist lump by their fearless attention on the trap kit. The rhythm keeps you moving while the guitar keeps you dreaming of distant places. Nothing wrong with that, especially when occasional lush vocals are thrown into the mix. With a fresh release on experimental rock’s distinguished Social Registry imprint, the Ills are bound to have fans staring out beyond their shoelaces. (Appearing with Serena Maneesh and Dirty on Purpose at Empty Bottle on March 11) –text: Cliff Berru