Interview with SID aka Sidney Reynolds...


Sidney Reynolds aka S.I.D. from Strong Island (Long Island, New York) first broke onto the scene in 1990 with his dope and classic single with partner B-Tonn-"Deathwish", then he produced for Nikki-D and they both had a hit with DNA/Suzanne Vega sampling,  Daddy's Little Girl"... later on he formed Crimedanch Cartel, who released a dope and obscure 12" in 1996 featuring LL Cool J and Rakim on tracks and according to Discogs there were 2 12"s one on a label and the other on a white label and both go for pretty hefty pricea.

He has done a fair bit of production and remixes over the years for artists such as Freddie Foxxx, World Renown, Slick Rick,Nefertiti, LeShaun, Apache (R.I.P.) Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Nikki-D and R & B and Pop acts like Color Me Badd, Zhane, REM, Casserine and many others. I was lucky enough to send some questions to SID and this is the dope info he gave you good readers...I really hope that unreleased material sees the light of day.


Big ups and any thanks to Mr Reynolds and to Grimee Rappuh for tracking down some tracks for me, peep his dope blog here...


reprezentgoldenagehiphop.blogspot.com

CRDS: SID, please give readers a break down of your history please, what is your earliest Hip Hop memory, how did you get into forming Sid & B-Tonn and becoming a well renowned producer?

SID: My earliest memories of Hip Hop go back to the Coldcrush Brothers, Sugarhill Gang days. I started out as a DJ in Crimedanch on the set rocking out in the park when I was 14 and made a name around the way for being a musical talent early on. We formed Sid & B.Tonn right after high school in 89 after I came back from NC where I was for 4 years and where I met my wife. who I'm still with till this day.


At the Time Rakim was embracing what we were doing and eventually made a call to Lyor Cohen and the next day Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen,myself, B.Tonn and Rakim was at the Def Jam/ Rush table signing the dotted line. From there Lyor and Russell saw my producing prowess and at the time needed a big record for the first lady of Def Jam Nikki D. 



Lyor and Russell put me in the studio with Nikki D, Busta Rhymes and the Bomb Squad and I ended up writing and producing Daddys Little Girl (1991) which was Nikki`s biggest gold record. Lyor told Francesca Spero to bring me in as a rush producer alongside the best in the game from Easy Mo Bee to Marley Marl to Large Professor, Pete Rock and on !!  Francesca was very influential in making decisions for us as producers . From there it was Lyor and Russell along with Fran  who decided to put me on Slick Rick`s project and to really taking producing as a serious entity.


CRDS: What is your favourite equipment to produce with and what was your original set up?

SID: I had 808 machines to casios. My first machine I used seriously was the w-30 Roland  keyboard ;( Erick Sermon came to the crib and wanted to buy it, He knew what time it was with that machine, He used it also way back). Then I bought  the SP 1200 and went drum crazy. Next I bought an MPC and all hell broke loose. From the MPC days led straight to Logic PC style then eventually to Mac. Now its a combination of using the Analog world balanced with the Digital world.








CRDS: What kind of records did you hear most when you were younger SID and a question I always love to ask is who were your influences and favourite artists?

SID: I heard and felt all kinds of music when I was young . From Jazz to Rock music, to easy listening it hit me hard. I was blessed to be one of the last producers along with Easy Mo B to work with the late great Jazz King Miles Davis ( which was outside the box for me) just before he passed when Francesca Spero put us together before his untimely passing. 


We were honored to be included in the book entitled the Last Miles which details his last musical years on this earth. We worked on two songs and louring recording of the songs  Miles became sick and passed before the tracks were completed as you can read in his book The Last Miles,By George Cole.

 


CRDS: What have been some of your producing highlights and do you have a lot of unreleased material in the vaults?


SID: I'm the King of unreleased material in the vaults ; whew; Here we go!!  Rakim; Anytime; Ny to Cali;/ LL.Cool. J, Dead Presidents, Satelittes/ Queen Latifah; Message, Hand it to you, My days; When we ,Give in / Apache ; Whole album; / Freddie Foxxx; Out the Gate; / Miles Davis ,Mr.Cool., Lets go/ Ness; Talkin bout Diddy /Lil Fate ,Hypnotic/ Rass Kass,Im God Body/ Left Eye's artist Nandi,The longer my days,we wait/ Crimedanch Cartel  album /Rhazel; Words and sounds/ Kurrupt Mob/ Bankey Staxxx album/ Syrus/Album/ /Soul Fa Real ,A Little sum. 




Some of my producing highlights I would have to say is when Rakim started bringing me in the Lab to produce for him and also working with Latifah,; we had a real strong bond in the studio.She always said City is the best on the boards. During making Latifah`s Black Reign album album Mary J Blige`s husband Kendu played drums for Latifah and most of the drums on that album I had Kendu go in and play and sample the drums, then him and I would sit at the MPC while La puffed a Blunt and chopped up those drums and added from the MPC to make those hits from "Just Another Day" to "Black Handside"

Kendu would tell people that he learned how to program from watching me!!! ask him.lol


CRDS: Was there a finished Sid & B-Tonn album and if so will it ever see the light of day?

SID: No, the album was never finished because we got caught up in the whole R.A.L/Def Jam/Columbia kaos that eventually shut R.A.L down . Russell and Lyor pulled away from Columbia and R.A.L caught it. We had hot songs on deck that Lyor and people at Def Jam was real excited about and people still ask me about to this day. "Smiling Faces" was the 2nd single .



CRDS: You were signed to RAL, how did that come about, did you send demos out to different labels back in the day?

SID: Rakim called Lyor Cohen and we was sent immediately to the big league! We did the grind hard which Rakim was seeing up until the point were he said yall ready and I'm gonna make that call. That decision changed our lives instantly. I give so much praise and thanks to Rakim because not only did he bring us in the door but he never turned me away when I came to him for guidance. I look up to Rakim in so many ways. I love the God!!









CRDS: How did you get involved with The Flavor Unit?

SID: Apache ; R.I.P/ when I was working wit Nikki D, Apache and Treach were coming to the sessions. On the hook for daddy little girl its Apache and TreachTreach is in the video. Apache would always tell me you that dude and when the Flavor Unit signs  him he wants me to oversee his whole project even if I didn't produce every song on it. 


I did additional production on every other producer`s track on that album from Q.Tip starting off Gangsta Bitch and me finishing it. To Diamond D`s records with mixing and Maniac Mob records also. I produced 6 songs on his first album and when he got signed to Motown we did a 2nd album that had LL.Cool.J on it and Naughty .



Apache got sick and Motown held the album wit classics on it after the Flavor Unit /Motown situation fell apart. Apache introduced me to Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature and was responsible for bringing me in to the flavor unit fold. Apache and I worked together on Latifah's biggest album Black Reign in which I produced 7 songs and oversaw and mixed the album and also built a strong relationship with Shakim and Latifah whom I respect and love greatly regardless of what happened. 

This also led to the relationship wit Naughty in which on 19naughty three I was the only outside producer included on the project in which I produced "Its On" and "The Only Ones". KG and I built a strong forte and both appreciated the art of producing where we always clicked  and taught each other different ways to step your game up . 

I spent a lot of time in Jersey From East Orange to Brick City with Naughty and family.  

I eventually became the Flavor Unit main Producer working with Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxxx, Leshaun, Bigga Sistas, Zhane with KG, Chill Rob G!, Lakim Shabazzz and Simone Hines.


CRDS: What are the latest projects you have been working on?

SID: My latest project is the talk of 2011 I tell you; ya na mean; I signed an artist from L.I. NY named J.Parka  . Were mixing his album now and its called From the outside looking in. Classic hottest material produced by my son and I in which we now call ourselves The Superiors. S.I.D/CITYD/DJ Attention. He`s a 17 year old prodigy who keeps me on point  and has taken the Logic 9 world to the next level. Do I hear Apple deal. lol. Logic people.!!!!!


CRDS: Anything you would like to add SID?  

yes I would like to say thank you for being a true Hip Hop soldier Jaz. Big up to you and your crew in New Zealand and we (S.I.D and the ABM Team) appreciate the love and respect from oversees. Look out for that J.Parka in about 2 months and new tracks and projects coming from The Superiors.  


Peace and respect
Salute .  

S.I.D/CITYSID

Here is a selection of some dope SID produced tracks, enjoy and SID said he would me hook up soon with some remixes that are hard to find..stay tuned.


Apache-A Fight (1993) (off the Apache Aint Shit LP)
http://www.mediafire.com/?7dqmwa8q0bali45

Apache-Wayz of a Murderahhh (1993) 

Apache-Keep It Real (1993) (off the Roll Wit Tha Flava LP)
http://www.mediafire.com/?n4w4smvxlpi8ijw
Bumpy Knuckles-Reverend Glock 
http://www.mediafire.com/?is5gaib9uhbykci

Crimedanch Cartel-All My Friends (1996) (off the Rugged Dis Style 12")

Crimedanch Cartel ft Rakim-Realism (1996) (off the Rugged Dis Style 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?hpmnz38rcko86ew
Crimedanch Cartel ft LL Cool J-Money Is The Key (off the Rugged Dis Style White Label 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?1kdsoc69x80ygx3

Freddie Foxxx ft Queen Latifah-So Tough (SID's Mellow Mix) (1994) (off the So Tough 12"
http://www.mediafire.com/?a49bg2rwza08ckd
Leshaun-The Drill (1993) (off the Wide Open 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?838y98deia71h1m
Naughty By Nature-The Only Ones (1993) (off the Ninety Naughty III LP)

http://www.mediafire.com/?s7o6ooc2wj696lk
Nefertiti-Visions of Nefertiti (SID's Remix) (1993) (off the Visions of Nefertiti 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?ckxgaj2s1hw455x
Nikki-D ft SID-Hang On Kid (1991) (off the Hang On Kid 12") 
http://www.mediafire.com/?z74qi05p6732bro

Queen Latifah-Black Hand Side (1993)  (off the Black Reign LP)
http://www.mediafire.com/?rgo1u95ued74058

Queen Latifah-Just Another Day (1993) (off the Black Reign LP)
http://www.mediafire.com/?1fhi9aq33s8fqqc

Sid & B-Tonn-Deathwish II (1990) off the Deathwish 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?4pna7hzjf2b17k4

Slick Rick-Mistakes Of Women In Love With Other Men (Remix) (1991) (off the Mistakes Of Women In Love With Other Men 12")  
http://www.mediafire.com/?ukew4xdwkqywq0j


World Renown-How Nice I Am (S.I.D Remix) (1994) (off the How Nice I Am 12")
http://www.mediafire.com/?gut3tsuo5762hr7




















Suave The Ape "COLOREDonly" EP



The "COLOREDonly" EP is a free and official EP released by artist Suave The Ape , it has 10 tracks on it from dope producers like 14KT, Apollo Brown & Sugar Cane Davis.

I have not had a chance to check this, but I am sure it is dope and I am quite the fan of Kev Brown, Apollo Brown and 14KT beats, big ups to Suave The Ape for sending this through.

Download it here
http://www.limelinx.com/files/81b06b8eed608f96058b085e11e4bd2a

Contact and follow him here
twitter @suavetheape

Lacoste Legends Presents 12 Legends.



 LACOSTE Legends – The Power of 12

An inspirational new footwear design project, LACOSTE Legends brings together 12
legendary collaborators from the worlds of music, media, design and retail, to create an
exclusive collection comprising 12 shoes.

Sharing the LACOSTE values of tenacity, authenticity, modernity and effortless style,
together the 12 contributors are the LACOSTE Legends.

The story of Legends begins with René Lacoste. Reigning tennis champion of the 1920s
known as ‘The Crocodile’ for his on-court tenacity, René was a true legend of his time.
Famed for his sportsmanship, his spiritedness, elegance and enduring sense of style, René went on to found the eponymous LACOSTE brand that over 75 years later still bears the much-beloved crocodile emblem.

As a prolific inventor off the tennis court, René created the ubiquitous L.12.12 Polo Shirt,
utilizing state-of-the-art technology to craft it from breathable cotton known as petit piqué. To this day the Polo Shirt remains an icon of the brand, synonymous with quality and style.

Inspired by the legacy of René and the LACOSTE tradition of innovation, the story lives on through the Legends footwear concept that unites 12 contemporary Legends to pay homage to the great man and the iconic L.12.12 Polo.

Fusing the collection together, each shoe has a tongue crafted from petit piqué cotton,
incorporating a woven LACOSTE-branded tab finished with a mother-of-pearl button,
referencing the intricate detailing found on the L.12.12 Polo. The 12 designs reflect the
broadly diverse personalities and creative talents of each of the contributors, and confirm
their legendary status as the foremost trend-setters and opinion-leaders from across the
globe.

Legends is launched in style at a special event at Berlin hot spot Stadtbad, featuring DJ sets and performances from the collaborators themselves. In the build up to the global retail launch, news, updates and exclusive content from collaborators will be posted on
http://www.24teeth.com
the LACOSTE website devoted to footwear collections.

The 12 designs go on sale with selected global distribution on 12.12 – the 12th December 2010.

The 12 LACOSTE Legends are:

Jazzie B:






Entrepreneur Jazzie B, OBE, is a household name. But his status is not just due to Top Ten hits and best-selling albums. Along with creating the world-famous sound system Soul II Soul, Jazzie imagined that total look known as the “Funki Dred”. It grows and changes every season, infusing all Jazzie’s endeavours with a unique and vibrant brand.


www.soul2soul.co.uk



Sébastien Tellier:






Sébastien Tellier is a modern day enigma. A hirsute lothario, conquering hearts with soulful music that brims with a seductive allure. As the summer of 2010 approaches, Sébastien is preparing to return to the studio to record his fourth album, the subject matter remaining under wraps for now. Fans should also watch out for CASTRA – a two-headed secret project with an as yet unnamed big collaborator.

www.facebook.com/pages/Sebastien-Tellier/10492353218


Stones Throw Records:




Stones Throw Records is an independent, underground hip hop, soul and funk record label based in LA. It was started in 1996 by DJ/Producer Peanut Butter Wolf. With a roster that includes Madlib, J Dilla, Doom, Mayer Hawthorne, Aloe Blacc, and Dam-Funk, they can be regularly found representing their unique sound in venues in all key global cities.

http://www.stonesthrow.com



ato 




Japanese designer Ato Matsumoto has been a fixture at Paris Menswear Fashion Week
since 2000. With a flagship store in Tokyo, the ato collection also includes a womenswear
line launched in 2003.

www.ato.jp

Christophe Lemaire:




Christophe Lemaire gained his experience with Yves Saint Laurent and Thierry Mugler,
where he completed his initial placements, then as assistant to Christian Lacroix from 1986 to 1990 at Jean Patou and Christian Lacroix. From 2000 to 2010, Christophe was Artistic Director of LACOSTE. Twice winner of the Andam Prize, he launched his own label in 1991 and added men’s ready-to-wear to the women’s collection four years later. He refined a fashion inspired by changes in music and pop culture, the mix of attitudes and the scent of freedom that they gave off.

www.christophelemaire.com

Tim Hamilton:






The designer Tim Hamilton founded his label in 2007; just over three years later, he has
risen to become a leading voice of New York American men’s wear new guard and is now reaching International acclaim.

www.timhamilton.com



Sneaker Freaker:




Launched in 2002 by Simon ‘Woody’ Wood and acknowledged as the first magazine to
document the modern footwear craze as a global phenomenon, Sneaker Freaker has
become an unlikely publishing success story. Now also online, it is a daily must-see for
sneaker fans everywhere.

www.sneakerfreaker.com



i-D:




Legendary British fashion and style magazine founded in 1980. Editor-in-Chief Terry Jones has established himself as one of the most innovative creative directors of his generation, from the covers of Vanity Fair and Vogue, where he was art director from 1972-77, to the innovative designs of i-D magazine.

www.i-donline.com



Shoes Master:




Japanese sneaker magazine first published in 2004, Shoes Master has rapidly become an internationally-distributed bible for all sneaker devotees. With a philosophy that ‘sneakers are not simply something to put on your feet, there is a deeper sense of fun that speaks to your emotions’, the magazine is a biannual publication showcasing sneakers from around the
globe.

www.shoesmaster.jp



Bodega:







Located in Boston in the US, Bodega is an iconic spot for urban youth. Hidden behind a
traditional “bodega” (convenience store) is a secret sneaker store. A faux Snapple vending machine activates a hidden sliding door -Inside is an ultra-modern sneaker store carrying limited edition styles as well as street wear and books on art and design. A truly legendary and fresh approach to retailing with second-to-none consumer care.

www.bdgastore.com


D-Mop:






Since its conception in 1988, D-mop has been unwaveringly dedicated to exploring unique, cutting-edge designs, advocating creative and quality collections as well as supporting new bright talents. In so doing they have gained themselves the reputation of possessing the most distinctive visions on the fashion scenes around the world. Stores cover all major shopping areas in Hong Kong, including Causeway Bay, Central, Tsimshatsui and Mongkok.


www.d-mop.com.hk


colette: 






Destination Paris fashion store colette first opened its doors in March 1997, situated at 213 rue Saint-Honoré. Its philosophy is aimed at reinventing the concept of retail, and the tag line "styledesignartfood" is the mantra through which colette has flourished.

www.colette.fr


View a video with all the action from the launch party here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_weuwW57hc
www.lacoste.com

Update

Peace The JMS blog is officially closed and I won't be returning to it, it definitely had a good 11 years or so run but it just s...