THINNING THE HERD
Label: 2-99 Records
Catalog#: 299CD023
Prophet. A messenger of things to come. The one chosen to deliver the law. Historically, Moses was all of these things. History repeated itself at the turn of the mellennium, when we saw the emergence of a new messenger; the namesake of the one before him. Moshe, frankly honest and impossibly humble, has accepted the responsibility of leading his flock to the light. But, it now has become clear, at this stage of the journey, that we all have to pass through the darkness first.
In a matter of a few short years, producer and record label head Moshe (Marc Shepard) has become synonymous with the New England underground hip hop movement. His releases, compilations and collaborations have earned him notoriety amoung critics and respect among his peers. The sound he generates is a thick amalgam of instrumental down-tempo, film noir and ambient dischord sobered by sorrow and crusted with a heavy layer of grime.
His initial releases gathered the faithful in collections such as "The Lesson", an extension of his weekly nightclub series featured the best hip hop artists in Northern New England. Though, it was wasn’t until his debut solo release, "Tending to the Sheep", that he seemed to absorb this duty in its fullness.
The grim reality of this mantle is demonstrated on "Thinning the Herd", where Moshe challenges himself to sonically sacrifice the things that have been the closest to him. At the end of the music and the mourning, there is still a sense of hope that all can be well for the faithful. Moshe is, after all, just the messenger.
01. Dirt Nap
02. Her Song
03. Paperclipped Memories (ft. Losaka, Aamir, & Cognition)
04. Senseless (ft. Dilly Dilly)
05. Warm Fuzzy Feeling (ft. JamesPHoney & Bleubird)
06. Hey Woman (ft. Epic & tOUCh)
07. Spine (ft. Brzowski & K-the-I???)
08. Scared Little Girls (ft. geneva.b & Ira Lee)
09. Kardboard Krown (ft. Audio88 & JamesPHoney)
10. Carrying the Burden (ft. Georg Korg & DJ Bizkid)
All Songs written, produced, mixed & arranged by: Moshe.
Additional mixing by: Mike Clouds for Golden Touch Productions.
Mastered by: j.hjort & Moshe @ Slit Your Wrist Studio, Portland, ME.
Executive Producers: George Korg & Incunabula.
Graphic Design & layout by: Dabob.
All guest verses written respectively by each artist.
Photography by: Megan Carrie for Just the Girl Next Door Photography.
Models: Shy Seduction, Lauren Alivero, Iris Burke.
Additional photos by: Kaylan Libby for edit.photography.
Ukelele & trumpet on "Senseless" by: Dilly Dilly.
Vinyl manipulation on "Carry the Burden" by: DJ Bizkid.
