J.Holmes is a musician and producer based in San Francisco.  His album, Woodward’s Gardens, recalls the sound and feeling of golden era hip hop.  “Golden era” refers to the late 80s and early 90s, which many consider the art form’s peak.

This album features an array of talented bay area vocalists, including R.C., Net EQ, Matt Furey, TN Castro, Mike, Sani, and Gravy.  Thoughtful, creative rhymes flow over fat basslines, crunchy loops, cracking drums, film dialogue samples, and sharp scratches, producing a simultaneously lively, conscious, dreamy, and distorted atmosphere – a time capsule of a vibe and world long gone.

This release is a 2 disc set.  Disc 1 is the Woodward’s Gardens album.  Tracks 1, 5, 7, 8. and 11 are clean for radio.  Disc 2 contains radio clean versions and instrumentals.  Standout tracks include “Rap With Intellect,” “Recess,” and “Introduce Me.”

Disc 1 – Woodward’s Gardens

1.     Grand Entrance      (2:39)
2.     Introduce Me (R.C.)      (4:02)
3.     Rap With Intellect (Net EQ, Matt Furey)      (4:23)
4.     Recess (TN Castro)      (2:29)
5.     Mission Street Interlude      (1:31)
6.     Playaz ‘n Hustlaz (Mike)      (3:10)
7.     Bird’s Eye View Instrumental      (2:44)
8.     Where Do I Fit In ? (R.C.)      (3:36)
9.     Soul Rebel (J-Million, Net EQ)      (4:38)
10.    Words Of Power (Net EQ, Mike, Gravy)      (5:22)
11.    Woodward’s Gardens Instrumental      (2:46)
12.    Wonder Why Freestyles Dub (Sani, Net EQ, TN Castro)    (5:21)

Disc 2 – Clean Versions & Instrumentals

1.     Introduce Me (R.C.) (clean)      (3:54)
2.     Rap With Intellect (Net EQ, Matt Furey) (clean)      (4:17)
3.     Recess (TN Castro) (clean)      (2:28)
4.     Playaz ‘n Hustlaz (Mike) (clean)      (3:15)
5.     Soul Rebel (J-Million, Net EQ) (clean)      (4:27)
6.     Words Of Power (Net EQ, Mike, Gravy) (clean)      (5:47)
7.     Wonder Why Freestyles Dub (Sani, Net EQ, TN Castro) (clean)   (5:07)
8.     Introduce Me (inst.)      (3:53)
9.     Rap With Intellect (inst.)      (4:20)
10.    Recess (inst.)      (2:29)
11.    Playaz ‘n Hustlaz (inst.)      (3:36)
12.    Where Do I Fit In ? (inst.)      (3:17)
13.    Soul Rebel (inst.)      (4:15)
14.    Words Of Power (inst.)      (6:10)
15.    Wonder Why (inst.)      (5:13)

Influences for this record are many but some notables may be:  Black Moon, Gang Starr, The Pharcyde, Native Tongues, Wu Tang Clan, Nas, Hieroglyphics, etc.

Woodward’s Gardens is online at www.uplaterecords.com.  Visitors can download a free digital version of the album.  Messages or inquiries can be left at the contact page.