"Livin' On Green Street" is a musical journey which explores the Green Street lifestyle and the importance of fulfilling the most fruitful aspects of our existence: good people, good lovin' and good music.

12 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: Hip Hop, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
You can buy this album at www.myspace.com/greenstreetrecords

A passion is something that is more important to you than anything else in the world. Determination is the ability to persevere even if the circumstances dictate you should not. When a group of individuals have a passion and determination, there isnât much they canât accomplish. Such is the case for Green Street, an upstart, innovative jazz/hip-hop/soul collaborative based out of Lexington, Massachusetts. The two founders and stalwarts of Green Street are producer Max Schneider (also known as Renaissance) and emcee Ani Sanyal (also known as A-Live). More often than not, Green Street is accompanied by the talented Ken Ross, an experienced guitarist and vocalist. Pianist Malcolm Campbell is also a frequent collaborator, lending his smooth keyboard work to Green Streetâs melting pot of sounds.
Green Streetâs love of music is what drives them to stay in the studio deep into the night, or to essentially live out of the studio for days on end. They are consumed by their quest to create the perfect sound. Through their hard work, Ren and A-Live have forged a unique and refreshing signature sound, which is born out of a wide range of influences. Like many of the greatest hip-hop producers of our time, Renaissance has mastered the art of âdigging in the crates.â In other words, he pours through old jazz, soul, hip-hop, and funk records, searching for a sample he can manipulate into a new sound. Green Streetâs respect for the old time greats runs deep, which is why their music retains an integrity and clarity not often found in todayâs popular music. Renaissance is a true student of the game, constantly searching for a way to better himself as a musician and producer, whether it be studying music theory or trying to pick up the nuances of all time great beatmakers such as J Dilla and Pete Rock.
However, the emcee is just as pivotal to the success of a hip-hop group as the producer. Like Ren, A-Live honed his craft through years of studying other emcees, improving the complexity of his rhymes, gaining a better understanding of flow and delivery, and free styling in any cipher he could find. The result is a style that is both clear and complex. A-Liveâs smooth, yet powerful delivery assures the listener that his words come from the heart. A-Live also has a keen ear for the beats, serving as Renâs consultant on each track. This is just one facet of the remarkable relationship these two have developed through their mutual love for music. The amount of hours they have put in together has given birth to a Green Street subculture, complete with fashion sense and an entire dialect. Observing the two in the studio, it seems as if A-Live and Ren know what each other are thinking long before the words escape their lips.
This understanding, coupled with talent and copious amounts of dedication, allowed Green Streetâs debut album Livinâ on Green Street to achieve underground success. The disc garnered the attention of not only local youths, but other artists and industry figures across the nation. Green Streetâs music is undeniably well made, versatile and pleasant to listen to. As long as Green Streetâs dedication and passion remains intact, the sky is the limit.