Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
One of the things that's held local hip-hop back over the years is the scene's underlying insularity. Cats will only work with MCs who have the same mindset or live on the same side of town rather than experimenting with different styles or collaborating with artists outside their realm. Thankfully, DJs Joe Thunder and Selector Sam are working to undermine such conventions by uniting Colorado MCs on mixtapes like Dez the Man, a 39-track effort starring veteran rapper Dez. Disc one features Dez spitting with his crew over G-funk and West Coast-influenced beats on "Dope Rhymes" and "Blow Doe." Similar to E-40 or Method Man, Dez has a distinct voice that sets him apart. But on disc two, where Dez collaborates with almost every MC in Denver, he gets overshadowed a bit, especially on up-tempo cuts such as "Thug's Life" and the Tribe Called Quest-leaning "Keep It Moving." In the presence of such strong MCs as Young J.R. and P.A.A.S., who pull absolutely no punches, that sort of thing is bound to happen. For the most part, though, Dez holds his own throughout this exceptional project.
by Quibian Salazar-Moreno - The Westword
After making a significant amount of noise in Denver's hip-hop scene for the past few years, Break Mechanics have finally released their debut album. Without question, Paas, Q-burse and Lo are dope MCs. And drummer Darren Hahn, bassist Casey Sidwell and keyboardist Greg Raymond are among the most talented musicians around. However, some of the songs on this inaugural effort are awkward; at times, the lyrics are too aggressive for the jazz-inflected material. Take "Calling All Cars," for example. Paas's shout of "187 on all bitch-ass crews" is followed by a smooth keyboard line that wouldn't sound out of place on a Sade album. But elsewhere on the disc, on cuts like "Serious Inquiries," "Nanzenji," "Listen" and "Bow to This (Possum Kingdom)," the Mechanics are perfectly in sync. The true highlight of the record comes when Ani DiFranco slips on a pair of Adidas, a gold rope chain and spits a verse on "Zen Zen." Keep an eye on Break Mechanics; they're bound to blow up.
by Quibian Salazar-Moreno - The Westword
Discography
Future Jazz Project, Check One, 2003
Break Mechanics, Self Titled LP 2004
P.A.A.S. Legend of the East Side Writah 2007
P.A.A.S. The Real World Denver Mixed Tape 2007
P.A.A.S. Over The Influence Mixed Tape (Vol. 1) 2007
P.A.A.S. Splinter Cell EP 2007
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Artist/Activist/Entrepreneur/Teacher Paul Matthews (P.A.A.S) mantra since day one has been to elevate the game, and has been since 1991, spittin' in clubs and jams from Denver to San Diego to NY, pushing himself and others to contribute to Hip-Hop by challenging each other to grow/move/change through knowledge and skills.
P.A.A.S cultivates his artistic craft continuously, now as a soloist and through collaborations with like-minded musicians including Future Jazz Project and Break Mechanics. He has shared the stage with greats like KRS-ONE, Slick Rick, The Roots, Zap Mama and Al Green, to underground legends like Ozmatli, Psycho-Kinetics, Gift of Gab, Rah Foundashun and Rhythm Vision. He regularly turns out venues such as the Denver Black Arts Festival, Westword Music Showcases, Denver's People's Fair and the Coors Jazz Fest, skillfully rocking crowds varying from 20 people to 2,000 people with his flow adaptability and freestyle flare.
Combining his passion for music and stand for social justice and positive Hip-Hop, P.A.A.S continues to be a bold and courageous leader/teacher in his community, and maintains a strong commitment to grassroots organizations working toward this end. From his presidency of the Black Student Alliance at Metro State in 2001, and alumni of the African-American Leadership Institute and to being the Program Director of the Colorado Hip-Hop Coalition, P.A.A.S unequivocally evokes the spirit of a world visionary. His political commentary is continuously sought for, giving voice to dozens of radio stations, appearing in the UCD Advocate, as well as the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.
Music critics have taken notice of this wordsmith, praising his intellect, flow and creativity. P.A.A.S has been featured in the Westword with Future Jazz Project winnners of the 04’ and 05’ “Westword Best Jazz Group”, and with the Break Mechanics who were nominated for '04 and '05 "Westword Best Hip Hop Group" award.
P.A.A.S is making playa moves in 2007 as he launches his solo career, dropping his concept mixtape this January with EPs, singles and a full length album in the Summer, he is always continuing on his spiritual path toward evolution.
Links
