info

DJ Nu-Mark (Jurassic 5)

US - Hot Plate

Rising from a rare breed of audio architects, Nu-mark is one of the seasoned few able to conjure up his own sound in time. For well over 10 years, he’s been one of the West Coast’s most respected hip-hop producers, best known for his beat-making for Jurassic 5, alongside long-time colleague Cut-Chemist. Sculpting the entire J5 catalog, Nu-Mark has earned towering praise for his production abilities and stage showmanship as sound selector for his MC counterparts. On Blendcrafters however, Nu-Mark is ready to join peers like Madlib, Jay Dee and Hi-Tek as a formidable solo producer.

As a landmark innovator and breakthrough trendsetter, Nu-Mark is consistently raising the bar for sound manipulation and turntable technician. Though Blendcrafters is his first complete instrumental album, he has already become a staple figure and household name as a member of Jurassic 5. And while the group has become renowned for their vocal harmonizing and stylistic wordplay, the bedrock of their unique sound lies within the turntable team of DJs Cut Chemist and Nu-mark. Together, they have developed a nostalgic charm and classical b-boy spirit in their music; this adeptness in mining new compositions from old records is unparalleled – almost a lost art considering the sparse minimalism dominating hip-hop these days. Underlying this throwback texture, Nu-Mark’s fetish for exotic instrumentals always adds another dynamic dimension and distinct flavor to the group’s soulful soundscape.

Revolving around a carousal of creativity, and riding the momentum of his recently-released mix-CD ‘Hands On’ (Sequence Records), Nu-Mark now aligns with Pomo in presenting Blendcrafters on Up Above Records. This forthcoming project clearly displays their collective originality, providing a gripping experience for listeners.

Nu-Mark’s ingenuity won’t just be on record though – his upcoming solo tour promises the same kind of playfulness that he’s brought to J5’s shows. With inventive plays on sound – playing a rubber band like an upright bass for example, or his love for quirky musical toys, Nu-Mark shares adventures more than just on the wheels of steel. And although his beats incorporate every possible influence, Nu-Mark insists, “it always begins with the drums. I’ve always been trained to start that way.” He credits junior high school band, where his teacher would instruct everyone, “let the drums lead, everybody else follows. That approach has stuck with me – start with the drums and see where it takes you.” All these years later, Nu-Mark is ready to bring out his own one-man band of hand-crafted beat barrages. Remember to follow the leader.

Already established as a highly-acclaimed producer, DJ Nu-Mark now teams up with newcomer Pomo on his long awaited instrumental album Blendcrafters (Up Above Records). While Nu-Mark’s works have been widely-heralded for over a decade deep, this project is the first in which the spotlight shines solely on his soundscapes and incredible array of beat compositions.

With an entire tracklist of listening highlights, Blendcrafters ventures into a realm of music unexplored until now. The album is a riveting passage, revealing a smorgasbord of sounds that seamlessly flow together while breaking every possible boundary in the process. As an aficionado of all genres of music, it is no coincidence that his beats incorporate every imaginable avenue of audio; from flute-forays to chopped-up strings to harmonious keyboard loops, Nu-Mark displays an arsenal of innovative drum patterns and unorthodox influxes that are quite simply – untouchable.

With an inspired core, Blendcrafters outstretches into a musical journey and epic tale of instrumentation. The album is an amazing escapade of sound from start to finish. Filling a void long overdue, DJ Nu-Mark has put together an album’s worth of instrumentals so good, they don’t even need vocals. “Between more change-ups in the arrangement and more aural dynamics, for the most part, I’d say there’s no room for rhymes,” he boasts. The resulting spectrum will enlighten the entire music pulpit, as DJ Nu-Mark and Pomo have set a newfound precedent for beat orchestration, proving once again that creativity is king.

video