Code Red 'All Aboard' album

Formed from the deep indie talent pool of Louisville, Kentucky, Code Red has been the crew to contend with since 1998. With the musical motto “Not Confined, Not Defined,” Code Red bridges the hip hop generation gap with healthy reverence for old school as well as daring reflections of the new school. The result? Their debut album, All Aboard, on Toucan Cove Entertainment is one of the most eagerly anticipated of 2006.

El One Wise, a prolific MC, and Junior Dread, a Jamaican Reggae artist, though having completely different backgrounds, had a mutual desire to create a fresh, pure sound that embraced all the possibilities of lyrics and beats. With El One’s worldly vision and Dread’s fiery energy, the foundation for Code Red was laid. After recruiting super-producer Watz, whose production confidence is matched only by his sense of humor, the group independently released Since Forever…Till Forever, which was recognized for both phat rhythm tracks and great hooks. Soon after, the offbeat and experimental MC Manfred joined the crew, and the community started buzzing about Code Red - one of the livest hip hop groups on the come up.

For All Aboard, Label X’s Todd Smith, highly respected for his rock and pop production work, accepted the challenge of aurally capturing four completely unique personalities while keeping the tracks bumping for the heads who like it pure. “Todd understood that our differences make the music cool. Everyone, Todd included, contributed to this album, which is why even though we don’t spit one particular style, every track is Code Red style,” said El One.

From the hard-edged mic annihilation on “Elbow Room”(already burnin’ up XM Raw) to the playfully frenetic lyrical onslaught of “Let Yo Hair Down,” All Aboard showcases intense interaction between the MCs, neckbending beats and tight production. Continued El One, “Every track is like a Cracker Jack box…you never know what you’re gonna hear. Some of it’s clubby, some of it’s crazy, some of it’s chill, but it’s all true to Code Red.”

What’s also true to Code Red is social commentary. This spring, “Give Me a Reason” was released to Louisville radio and the resulting response was indicative of Code Red’s impact. The song is about The Iraqi War, or really about any military conflict, and how the conflict becomes internal to soldiers. “It’s not anti-war or anti-soldier. It shows the dual face of being in the military, and what real soldiers think and want to hear,” explained El One, who is not an outsider, but a soldier himself. As is Dread. Both were Army men stationed at Fort Knox, and while El has been in military life longer than civilian life, Dread is a Desert Storm vet. Both walk the walk, and talking the talk created a single that keeps listeners thinking and remembering.

Code Red’s follow-up single uses the Hot Chocolate-penned melody from “Brother Louie” that Stories took to #1 in the early 1970s. “Brother Louis” is a frank look of the trials of interracial relationships disguised as a hook-filled, R&B-tinged jam.

Code Red live shows are unforgettable, a power surge that has heated the stage for 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Mystikal and Nappy Roots, and have recorded with Skillz, Masta Ace and Smoke E. from Playa.

Be on high alert, ‘cause in a few months, it’s gonna get hot up in here. Code Red’s All Aboard drops in January ‘06.

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Code Red - All Aboard