BluRum13

James Sobers
Also known as Blurum13, Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, Killah Platypus
Born New York, New York, United States
Origin Washington D.C. United States
Genres New school hip hop
Underground hip hop
Funk
Jazz
Electronic
Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1990-present
Labels Besides Records, BBE, Ninja Tune, Jazz Fudge, Beatgeeks
Associated acts Bullfrog, Russian Percussion, One Self, DJ Vadim, Luke Vibert, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Reverse Engineering, True Ingredients, Water Power, Frameworks, Abstract Rude, Indigenous Invaders, BluConnspiracy
Website www.blurum13.com

James Sobers, a.k.a. BluRum13 (alternate spellings include Blu Rum 13, BluRum 13, and Blurum 13) is an American underground rapper (MC/emcee) and producer under the pseudonym Killa Platypus.[1] Originally from New York City, he spent most of his formative years in Washington D.C.

Career

Solo Projects

BluRum13’s first album The Previouslee Unreleased Recordings of BluRum13 (not on a label) was the catalyst for subsequent collaborations with London-based DJ Vadim, who included the song It’s Obvious on his 2002 release U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side[2] (Ninjatune, 1990). BluRum toured as the live emcee for Vadim’s group The Russian Percussion (also featuring beatboxer Killa Kela, DJ Mr Thing and DJ Woody), which was created to promote the album. BluRum’s second album Vaguely Familiar was released on DJ Vadim’s label Jazz Fudge, along with singles Sleep Speechless and Figure it Out. Vadim and BluRum went on to form the hip hop group One Self in 2005 with MC Yarah Bravo, releasing the album Children of Possibility, also released on Ninja Tune.[3] The group were described by The Times as "best newcomers of 2005" and won Channel 4's Slashmusic Showcase.[4]

BluRum self-released the 2007 EP Tether with UK beat boxer Koobs.[5] After multiple collaborations with various artists, collectives and bands, he released an online full-length album entitled Inverted in 2013.[6][7] In 2017, BluRum released Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas produced by Australian DJ/Producer and BBE label mate Inkswel (Beatgeeks Records).[8]

Bands & Collectives

BluRum13 is well known for his work with various bands, producers and collectives in North America, Europe, and Australia. He was part of Montreal-based funk band Bullfrog (featuring Kid Koala) from 1994 to 2004 (Atlantic/Rope-a-Dope Records[9]), a member of London-based collective True Ingredients and Maryland-based collective Water Power. BluRum has also collaborated with a number of producers including Luke Vibert (who produced a self-released, full-length album with BluRum in 2004 entitled Smell the Urgency[10]) and been a featured emcee and live front-man for a number of other groups, including US3, Fat Freddy’s Drop,[11] Reverse Engineering,[12] Resin Dogs,[13] Aquasky,[14] and many more.

In 2012, BluRum13 released a joint project with Manchester artist Matt Brewer, a.k.a. Frameworks, entitled "The Brickbuilders EP." That same year, BluRum13 began a live show collaboration with acclaimed Spanish jazz drummer Mark Ayza,[15] and also founded the dub-hop/electro step group Indigenous Invaders[16] with DJ Toner[17] (Granada). Indigenous Invaders appeared live at the world’s first YouTube music festival “YouFest” in Madrid on September 28, 2012.[18]

In 2017, BluRum13 reunited with former Russian Percussion tour mate DJ Woody and his close collaborator DJ Boca as "BocaWoody," appearing on five songs on their debut Carousel LP and accompanying 7" vinyl.[19][20] Later that same year, the long-lost full-length album collaboration between BluRum13 and Luke Vibert, Smell the Urgency[21] was released on French label Besides Records[22].

Film

In 2016, James Sobers (a.k.a. BluRum13) played a supporting role as cowboy outlaw “Randy” in the cast of western feature film ‘’’The Price of Death’’’ by Chip Baker, shot in Almeria, Spain.[23]


Discography

BluRum13 Releases

  • Smell the Urgency BLUKE with Luke Vibert, Besides Records, France 2017
  • Rainbows, Butterflies & Gangstas (12") with Inkswell, MP3 BeatGeeks Records, Germany 2017
  • BluConnspiracy Online release 2015
  • Inverted (LP) Online release 2013
  • The Brickbuilders EP with Frameworks (EP) My First Moth 2012
  • Tell Me You Love It (EP) (2 versions) 777 Records 2008
  • The Hip Hop EP (12") 777 Records 2008
  • Choose To Care (12") The Elephant 2006
  • Do It (4 What?) / Be 1 Too / Odds Even (12") Analogic Recordings 2005
  • Earthbound / Futuristic B-Boys (12") The Elephant 2005
  • "Did You?" Jazz Fudge 2003
  • Figure It Out / It Is (12") Jazz Fudge 2001
  • Vaguely Familiar (3 versions) Jazz Fudge 2001
  • Sleep Speechless / On Course (12") Jazz Fudge 2000

Bullfrog

  • Bullfrog / Robertson - Deeper Shade of Green (Independent) 2004
  • Bullfrog - s/t (Ropeadope Records) 2001

One Self

  • Organically Grown EP (November 2006)
  • Be Your Own w/Amp Fiddler remix 12” and Ltd Edition (Ninja Tune, April 2005)
  • The Blue Bird/Fear The Labour 12” (Ninja Tune, May 2005)
  • Children Of Possibility LP (Ninja Tune, June 2005) with Yarah Bravo and BluRum13.
  • Paranoid/Over Expose/Come Along 12” (Ninja Tune, September 2005)

True Ingredients

  • Who's Next single (2010)
  • Prepare & Assemble album (2008)
  • All Out single (2005)
  • Chaos Woxow Alcazar Little Beat More, 2018
  • Carousel LP BocaWoody (DJ Boca, DJ Woody) 2017
  • Jump (Single) 7" vinyl BocaWoody 2017
  • Flip the Scripture The Allergies As We Do Our Thing (LP, Full-length album) Jalapeno Records, 2016
  • Lost In A Vortex Berlin Eggsile (CD, Album, Jak) Jarring Effects 2010
  • Stormy Minds Figure One (A JFX Studio Session) (12", White Album) Jarring Effects 2010
  • Defiance Future Shock Highly Complex Machinery (CD, Album, Dig) Jarring Effects 2010
  • Alignment Battlefield (2xLP, Album) Jarring Effects 2008
  • Alignment French Dub System 2008 (CD, Comp) Wagram 2008
  • Choose To Care Targets (Album) (2 versions) Discograph 2008
  • Channels Just Banks Under The Influence (CD, Enh) Etage Noir Recordings 2008
  • There Are Things... Closed (2xCD, Album) All Soundz 2007
  • Choose To Care DJ Netik - Champion Sounds (CD, Mixed) DMC 2007
  • DTTR (12") (Total Terror mix) Jarring Effects 2007
  • End Game Resin Dogs More (CD, Album, Dig) Hydrofunk Records 2007
  • The Soundcatcher Extras (Album) (2 versions) Quand Vient La Nuit BBE 2007
  • Invisible Soldiers Olven Миледи (CD, Album) True-Melody 2007
  • A Hundred Days In One (2 versions) Rest Assured Catskills Records 2006
  • Cay's Crays (Single) (3 versions)
  • Cay's Crays (One Self) Kartel Creative 2006
  • Duck And Cover (CD, Album) Tug O War, Soundsystem, Jarring Effects 2006
  • Ghost Forest (CD, Album) No Fridge 2006
  • Temptation Jstar UK Dubs Remixes Vol. 1 (12") Jstar 2006
  • Liquid Surfaces Re-Processed #1 (2 versions) Jarring Effects 2006
  • Między Nami Cafe 4 (CD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) "Be Your Own" (Amp Fiddler)

Audiopharm 2005

  • Nutrition Facts (CD, Album) Dramenbejsky Gig Ant 2005
  • Mash Up (2 versions) "Choose To Care" (Main) Discograph 2005
  • Reverse Engineering Feat. BluRum13 (LP) Jarring Effects 2005
  • U.S.S.R. The Art Of Listening (Album) (2 versions) "Till Suns In Your Eyes"

Ninja Tune 2002

  • U.S.S.R. Life From The Other Side (Album) (5 versions) 2002
  • Bullfrog EP 2 (CD, Mini) Rope-a-Dope/Atlantic Records 2000
  • It's Obvious (Single) (2 versions) Ninja Tune 1999

Tracks Appear On

  • Love to Hate War (Dusty Remix) Various - Electro Swing Fever (4xCD, Comp + Box) Wagram 2010
  • Stormy Minds Various - Audioactivism #2 (CD, Comp) Jarring Effects 2010
  • Tell Me You Love It Break Beat Bass Vol 4 (CD, Mixed by Aquasky) Passenger 2008
  • Soundsystem Various - Métissages Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) V2 Music France 2006
  • Choose to Care Various - Scopitone Nantes/Rezé (CD, Comp, Dig) Olympic (3) 2006
  • Talking Green Dope Beats Vol. 1 - Jusqu'Ici Tout Va Bien (CD, Comp, Dig) Supadope Records 2005
  • Did You DJ Vadim - Stereo Pictures Vol. 03 (CD, Mixed, Promo, Album) MK2 Music 2003
  • Letter Twenty Five Juice CD Volume 21 (CD, Comp) Juice Magazine 2002
  • It Is MPM (Mikirov Per Minute) (Cass) 2002
  • It Is Spotlight Records (3) 2002
  • We Might Be You Up North Trip, (CD, Comp, Promo) Under Pressure Magazine 2002
  • It's Obvious #20 (Cass, Comp, Mixed) Not On Label (DJ Kojak Self-released) 2000

Unofficial Releases

  • Def Beat Remixes Vol. 3 (2xLP, Comp, Unofficial) 2005

References

  1. ↑ Ugs Magazine interview 2008 by Hannah Cherry
  2. ↑ Live show of the album U.S.S.R. Life From the Other Side
  3. ↑ Album Children of Possibility on Ninja Tune record label
  4. ↑ "Ninja Tune".
  5. ↑ Tether album on Discogs
  6. ↑ Live High Five Interview with Blurum13
  7. ↑ Wildy's World Blog: Inverted album review
  8. ↑ Blurum13 & Inkswel launch party
  9. ↑ Bullfrog Album on Ropeadope Records
  10. ↑ Smell the Urgency on Discogs
  11. ↑ Fat Freddy's Drop, Cay's Crays 7" Single
  12. ↑ Reverse Engineering feat. BluRum13 on label Jarring Effects, France Archived July 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ Resin Dogs "More Tour" announcement feat. BluRum 13 on Beat Broker.com Archived May 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ Aquasky "Tell Me You Love It" feat. BluRum13
  15. ↑ Mark Ayza Group featuring BluRum13 write-up on Vilnius Jazz
  16. ↑ Indigenous Invaders video "As Long As IC"
  17. ↑ DJ Toner Bio on Kedin Granada
  18. ↑ Inzona YouFest line-up review
  19. ↑ BocaWoody Carousel LP review by Louder Than War .com
  20. ↑ "Jump" single & album review by 45 Live
  21. ↑ Smell the Urgency
  22. ↑ Besides Records, Lille
  23. ↑ IMDB Listing for Price of Death
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