The Sound Providers

The Sound Providers are a Jazz rap duo formed by producers Jason Skills and Soulo. Formed in 1998 in San Diego, California, it originally included a third member, an MC named Profile, who left the group shortly before they were signed by ABB Records. The Sound Providers have produced a number of singles before releasing their debut album "An Evening with The Sound Providers", recorded and produced in San Diego and Los Angeles, in 2004 on ABB Records. Without Profile The SP's filled the void by bringing in a number of guest artists; Asheru, The Procussions, Wee Bee Foolish, Maspyke and Little Brother all made contributions to the album. Soulo, although fulfilling the role of DJ/producer, is known to occasionally spit on the mic. He only raps briefly on the debut, but rapped on a number of their earlier tracks.

In early 2006 they released another album entitled "Looking Backwards: 2001 - 1998"; which is a compilation of earlier songs made when Profile was still a member of the group. These songs were previously only available as 12" singles. The album also includes a number of radio promos and other beats and songs which had never seen the light of day before.

In 2006 The SP's remixed the Kero One track "Give Thanks" featuring Niamaj. The remix was released as a B-side to Kero One's "In All The Wrong Places" single.

Jason now lives in Florida where he teaches advanced web development using Adobe Flash. In 2006 The Pro's also completed a full length album with an emcee from Tampa, Florida named Surreal. The album is entitled "True Indeed" and the first single "Just gettin started" b/w "Place to be" was released in June of the same year. The full length album was released on 14 November 2006 on Quarternote/ABB Records.

The Sound Providers sound is predominately jazz orientated hip hop, but they infuse a wider array of genres too. Their style is a mix of socially conscious lyrics and new school rap beats, with jazz, funk, and reggae samples. They have cited artists such as Gang Starr and the Native Tongues Posse as influences on their work.

Discography

Albums

* "An Evening with The Sound Providers" (Quarternote/ABB Records, 2004)
* "Looking Backwards: 2001 - 1998" (Quarternote/ABB Records, 2006)
* "True Indeed" (Quarternote/ABB Records, 2006)

Singles

* "Dope Transmission" (1998)
* "Get Down" (1999)
* "The Difference" (2000)
* "Who Am I" (featuring Grap Luva) (2001)
* "The Throwback" (featuring Maspyke) (2004)
* "Street Keys / Apples" (2004) (Limited edition 7")
* "For Old Times Sake" (featuring Asheru of Unspoken Heard) (2004)
* "The Blessin"' (featuring Blest) (2004)
* "Its Gonna Bee Part II" (featuring Wee Bee Foolish) (2005)
* "Just Gettin' Started" (2006)

External links

* [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/22282/Sound_Providers_An_Evening_with_the_Sound_Providers "Pitchfork Review" on "An Evening with the Sound Providers"]
* [http://www.mobileunderground.com/artist/sound_providers/84 "MobileUnderground" on "An Evening with the Sound Providers"]
* [http://www.parisetudiant.com/loisirs/article.php?article=516"Paris Etudiant" on "An Evening with the Sound Providers"] (in French)
* [http://www.thesoundproviders.com/ Official site]