tay LOTUS

1) Erika Blatnik: ".Glisten."

2) Blue Static: "Leap of Faith"

3) Gigi Dover: "Crazy Molly"

4) Holster: "Spy vs. Spy"

5) Junque Gallery: "Stuck in the Middle"

6) Bayou Butch Lucas: "Lunch Break"

7) Masonboro Boys: "Eliza"

8) Nelace: "Like This"

9) The New Familiars: "Got This Disease"

10) S.O.Stereo: "Just Like a Stone"

11) Silent Weapons: "Driving"

12) Transmission Fields: "While I Sleep"



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Coming from the West Side bricks of Charlotte, NC, emerges Tay Fewell, better known as Mr. BeatSmith--an alias that derived from his providing a 'fix' for music addicts and DJs alike. At a time when the fellas where busy flirting with girls and hustling Kool-Aid packets, 13 year old Tay found himself more concerned with creating and sequencing sounds that only his mouth could make. With a backstory that conversely reads 'video games' and 'basketball', it's a wonder how he chose music as the number one outlet for success and happiness.



Well for starters, he was never one to choose lyrics over production, unlike his peers that were aggressive with punchlines and battle rapping. He just happened to be the concrete rose that thought of music the other way around like a true musician does. For nearly all his life, the drums, the melody, and the structure of a song have undoubtedly been the most relevant instruments to provide something 'meaningful'. His modest attitude towards his work allows folks to brag upon him even more.



In February 2005, Tay joined forces with one of his best friends, MC/Producer Nelace and they together birthed the From Skratch brand. This was also around the time that he opted the moniker, Mr. BeatSmith as his stage name. In the kitchen, is where he and Nelace work diligently, dishing out instant classics like, "Oh, Is That Right?", "The Flow Show", and "Route 11". Like a bonafied producer, Mr. BeatSmith's competitive nature on the boards breeds numerous questions that range from how do two dominant personalities come to agreements all the way to who's the better producer. Nelace answers the latter with a witty, yet engaging response: "Put it this way, I don't think there's another producer that's not famous yet that's on the same planet as me, and he doesn't think anyone's he's heard is better than him either." Could this mean that there really each others' favorite? Hmmmm.



His hard-hitting bass drums in conjunction with old-school snares recollect the sound circa early 90s. Most of the melodies that he creates or chops are unpredictable, for his influences range from nearly all genres of music. Disgusted at listening to only 'one' type of sound is what keeps Mr. BeatSmith composing so many flavorful instrumentals. So many backdrops, that he had time to conceptually concoct an alter-ego for an unorthodox soundscape. The result is "Corporate Gone Mad," an album that reflects his hardships and experiences working at places that he frankly, didn't want to work. Not quite a soundtrack and not solely an movie, this album falls right in between, featuring some of the most out-of-this-world production by both he and Nelace. This LP along with some beats on Nelace's "From Skratch" demo definitely make him a player to watch for during the 4th quarter of '05, as his list of production duties grows for various artists. Guess he's keeping the oven on high.