Google+ Beathearts: 2010

12.30.2010

Beathearts rewinds 2010

2010. What a year! It's about that time when we all sum our memories and experience from the year past. We decided to compile some of the best releases, tracks and trends from 2010 in our view. Not in any particular order or ranking. Just a few pieces of amazing music that never left our headphones during the last 12 months. Here we go!

Thestrom's 2010 picks:


Jay Electronica: Exhibit A, B & C.
These days it doesn't happen very often that we're blown away by a new MC, but Timothy Elpadaro Thedford a.k.a. Jay Electronica did just that. With amazing storytelling skills backed by Just Blaze's cinematic beats his exhibit A, B & C stopped me in my track everytime it popped up in my headphones. We're very much looking forward to an official album release in 2011.


Jay Electronica - Exhibit B

Jay Electronica - Exhibit C

Mala (Digital Mystikz) - Return to space
South London dubstep pioneer Mala dropped his highly anticipated album "Return II space". It was released on his own DMZ imprint and hasn't left my daily commute playlist since it dropped in July. He has such a unique sound that blends that deep dubby laidback vibe with menacing beats and dirty basslines. It was the mindblowing soundtrack to one of the hottest summers of the decade.


Robert Glasper - Dillaludes
Dilla passed almost five years ago but he's still very much present. Robert Glaspers unreleased live performance of his stunning dillaludes was one of my strongest musical memories of 2010.

Jazz pianist, Robert Glasper, worked with Dilla several times and the dillaludes are his ode to the late James Yancey. He recreates the vibe of some of James Yancey's finest moments together with his live band including drummer extraordinare Chris Dave. We challange you to unveil what classic dillatracks he's covering...


Robert Glasper - Unreleased dillaludes

Mark Pritchard/Harmonic 313/Africa HiTech
Mark is a longtime Beathearts favourite. Every since the days of his Jedi Knights and Global Communication projects I've followed his every release with great anticipation. 2010 was no exception with absolutely stunning tracks, remakes and collaborations with people like Wiley, Steve Spacek and others. We have very high hopes that a full lenght Africa HiTech album will see the light of day in 2011.

Mark Pritchard ft Wiley - Scar

2010 - Year of the Afrobeat
We never saw it coming but 2010 turned out to be the year when Afrobeat came back. Cratediggers turning to south central Africa instead of south central Los Angeles for crate digging. The spotlights were turned back on Afrobeat legends such as Ebo Taylor who after all these years got a new record deal and released his first album in years.

Afrobeat parties seemed to pop up everywhere and the tribute/cover mixtapes never stopped coming. One of the better productions was J.Period and K'Naan's The messengers.

Finally, and I never thought I'd say this but, Jay-Z, Will Smith and Questlove put together a stunning broadway show (!) entitled Fela covering the life story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It raised the awareness of Fela's (and Africas) amazing muscial heritage to a whole new audience.

Fela Kuti - Water no get enemy (1975)




Antwan's 2010 picks:



Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye did his "comeback" late 2010, and got nothing but good reviews. The album is a little rugged, but no doubt this makes my top 5. Quality music.


Kanye West - Devil In A New Dress feat. Rick Ross

Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

This collaboration was quite a match! Combined political criticism, humble awareness and hard-hitting attitude results with a beautiful album.


Nas & Damian Marley - Patience

Apollo Brown - The Reset

Detroit hiphop at it's best, dillauesque wonderful samples and fantastic guests. The mellow "Seasons" is one of the best tunes this year.


Apollo Brown - Seasons feat. Stik Figa

Benny Tones - Chrysalis

New Zeeland's Benny Tones has crafted a masterpiece, with rhythms and beats out of this world.


Benny Tones - Fire Fly feat. Mara TK

Black Milk's Album of the Year and Nottz's You Need This Music share the last spot on my list.

These two marvellous beatmakers each made heavy music in 2010. I've got a soft spot for Nottz smooth melodies, though equally for Black Milk's massive music!


Black Milk - Deadley Medley feat. Royce da 5'9'' & Elzhi


Nottz - You Need This Music feat. Dwele

Pete Rock & DJ Premier - One hour sit down


Wow! Now this is something out of the ordinary (hence the full width video). A full hour sit down with two of the greatest of all times going through the making of classic tracks. Taken of a Pete Rock & DJ Premier battle-DVD released in Japan earlier this year via Juno. Goose bump material. Enjoy!

12.29.2010

The Church of Mark de Clive-Lowe

Mark is one of those genius producers we don't talk about enough. Putting out a constant flow of amazing tunes, remixes, mixtapes and live shows he definitely deserves more recognition. With styles ranging from jazz jamsessions and broken beats to nu-soul and soulful garage house among other things he's responsible for one of our favourite two-part-tracks of all time: Heaven part I & II.


As we were reading through his year in review over at his Mashibeats blog we were a bit ashamed that we haven't done a single piece on him all year. I mean check the summary of his output this year:

MdCL 2010 released productions & collaborations
  • MdCL + Friends - 'All I Ever Wanted' (Soundcloud)
  • MdCL feat Jody Watley - 'Tonight's the Night' (Strictly Rhythm)
  • MdCL presents... EP vol.1 (Especial) Rob van de Wouw feat Ivar - Common Ground (MdCL remix) / Sandra St Victor - Cosmos / The Politik - Dreams
  • MdCL presents Midnight Snacks vol.1 - 'Blueberries' (Free download)
  • MdCL presents Rahel - 'Hope' (Free download/Bandcamp) G.P. Worldwide Winner
  • MdCL presents... Rahel - 'Hope' / Lady Alma - 'I Can't Help It' (Alala)
  • MdCL presents Sy Smith - 'Truth' (Strictly Rhythm)
  • Sandra St Victor - At My Spheres EP (Strategic Soul Ventures)
  • Tortured Soul - Did You Miss Me (MdCL remixes)
  • Alton Miller - When Morning Comes feat Amp Fiddler (restless soul remix)
  • Atjazz & Mark de Clive-Lowe - Sweat No Sleep (Atjazz)
  • Isoul8 + MdCL - Stop Bajon (Archive)
  • Osunlade - Butterfly (restless soul remix)
  • Phil Asher - Esoteria EP vol.1 (restless soul)
  • Phil Asher - Esoteria EP vol.2 (restless soul)
  • Warm Days feat MdCL + Za'belle - 'Red to Green'
2010 Mixtapes:
Church vol.2: Forward (Free download)

Then of course, there's loads of new music coming in 2011:
  • MdCL - Renegades & Vagabonds LP: The new full length album!
  • Bonus album EP with special collaborations
  • Productions/collaborations: Ovasoul7, Tosin Tao, Jody Watley, Leon Ware, Lyrico (Japan) and more including the new replife LP 'The Love Note' (Tokyo Dawn Records), a live record with the Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra and the Sy Smith full length album, Nova Lima, Myele Manzanza, Zed Bias, Toddla T, Dego, Jose Carretas, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Sandra st victor, phillip bailey (earth wind & fire). The list goes on and on...
Finally we are very happy to hear that his resident jam over att Church in Santa Monica, LA is evolving into a recording concept! Mark explains:

"CHURCH is my platform to bring together a blend of everything i love and show my own personal journey through music. The first set kicks off with an acoustic jazz trio set, and over the night that morphs into the second set complete with MPC drum machine, fx, synths and guests jamming. It's become that one thing that musically has really made me feel at home here in LA. It's already completely memorable with unexpected guests jamming."

Sandra St Victor ft Mark de Clive-Lowe - Cosmos

Mark de Clive-Lowe presents Rahel - Hope

Check out his amazing music via the links embedded above, purchase and support it if you're digging it!

12.28.2010

Nottz Raw & Asher Roth - Rawth EP


Here's something we have been waiting on for some time. Nottz and Asher Roth collaborative EP Rawth. And the guys are releasing it for free! Enjoy!



Nottz & Asher Roth - Don'tcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor)


Nottz & Asher Roth - Break Bread


Nottz & Asher Roth - In My Mind

Tracklist:

1. Intro/Don’tcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor) feat. Colin Munroe
2. Gotta Get Up feat. D.A. of Chester French
3. Enforce The Law
4. Break Bread
5. In My Mind
6. Coming & Going feat. Rhymefest
7. Run It Back (Remix) feat. Kardinal Offishall
8. Nothing You Can’t Do

Download: Nottz Raw & Asher Roth - Rawth

Tokyo Dawn Records presents The boogie

Marc Wollowy and the Tokyo Dawn crew has done it again! Another amazing compilation this time with what they call a "Boogie" theme. Marc explains:

"Based on groove fundamentals such as 80's and 90's R&B, Minneapolis funk and early electro, this compilation holds 18 modern approaches to what we like to call boogie music.

Combining neon synths and soul chords with a decent portion of future funk, we're invited to ride an exciting new wave of artists combining latest production techniques with classic grooves deeply rooted in 80's boogie wonderland."


There are favourites from the year that past such as B.Bravo's laidback electro bubbler Computa love. They also included a future albumtrack from the German production and DJ collective Soulparlor who we believe are gonna blow up in 2011.

But we particulary enjoyed the fact that they decided to revisit a huge Beatheart favourite from 1983: The Rah Band - Message from the stars. On this compilation revisited by Atjazz. Check the remix and get the original below! Oh, and as a christmas bonus we included DJ Koze's kick ass mix of Clouds across the moon. Enjoy!

The Rah Band - Message from the stars (Atjazz astro mix)


12.18.2010

AFTA-1 - Tuesday


This treat comes from AFTA-1, which we covered earlier. One of the most beautiful tracks we've heard recently. From the 4 songs EP H(e y e)land. "This album is a Life Translation - A direct reflection of my experiences in life & love on the week of 10/20/10 - 10/27/10: the week it was created."



AFTA-1 - Tuesday

12.02.2010

Goapele - Different feat. Mos Def


Sorry for not posting in a while, there's been a lot of work lately, plus been away from home 'cus of a minor water damage in the apartment, living in a wore down rental with a slow connection the last few month, but back on track in a couple of days!

The good music keep on coming though, 'the strom' been holdin' it up lately..!

To start of slow, here's a lovely Goapele tune! This is an unreleased remix of 'Different' off Goapele's last album 'Change it All' featuring the always steady Mos Def and produced by CA native Bedrock/Iambedrock. The album version featured Clyde Carson, and this version was recorded after the album was released as a remix and was previously unreleased due to industry politics.

Keep a look out for more fantantic music!



Goapele - Different feat. Mos Def

11.26.2010

Brandt Brauer Frick - You make me real

Now here's a fresh take on new music crossing boundrys: Brandt Brauer Frick. The trio from Frankfurt has just released their debut album You make me real on K7!

Their working process is to make tracks with an electronic mindset of looping, filtering and layering but all through jamming with live instruments. Recording everything, taking the best parts, cut it up and go back to jamming. Just like Marvin Gaye, D'angelo and Matthew Herbert used to do it.

Daniel Brandt, Jan Brauer and Paul Frick are based in Daniel's mother's garage in a Frankfurt suburb which they rebuilt to suit their needs. Daniel continues:

"It’s a great place because it’s close to nature. We don’t have internet access in our studio and my mom is cooking for us every day. So we can really focus on making music. It’s kind of a holiday situation there.

In the beginning it was just a garage for cars, now there is great acoustics inside, totally dry sound to record. And of course we collected a lot of instruments and things to make music with. Like an old piano which we bought for 50 euros somewhere.

As we are kind of in a cave there with no media input or other tasks coming in from outside we have a great atmosphere there. And the fact that every single sound of our album has been recorded in the same room with the same acoustics makes it all stick together. At least we believe that… And it’s kind of close to the Robert-Johnson club where we go quite often after a session."

Brandt Brauer Frick - Mi corazon

Heading for great achievements in the coming years the hype has just started. Their scheduled Maida Vale session for Gilles Peterson on December 17th will be the launch of a new era for the Franfurt trio getting worldwide attention.

Also check their late-show-70's-inspired video for their current single Bop below:

11.25.2010

Beathearts rewind #13: Digging in the crates



We thought it was about time to do some digital crate digging. This time we're digging deep. In Ghana and Kuwait. We've only been able to find low quality rips but the tracks are awsome. If you know where we can get a hold of a copy or if you're sitting on a better quality rip get in touch! beatheartsblog@gmail.com

First up is the long lost Conflict LP from afrobeat legend Ebo Taylor. Originally released in Ghana in 1980 this never got the attention it deserves. First dug up by Frank Voodoofunk, (the don of African crate digging), the Conflict EP has the same kind of vibe as Fela Kuti's Water no get enemy. And from what we hear Ebo was also a close friend of Fela's back in the day. The first song, Victory, is based on a traditional song of the Asafo people.

The second tune is a revisited version of Love and death. Originally released on Conflict the new version is on Ebo Taylors new album Love and death that was just released on Strut Records. Check the tracks below and then go buy Ebo's new album here.

It's amazing how much great music that was produced in Africa in the 70's. If you want to learn more about African crate digging check Frank's ace voodoofunk blog.


Ebo Taylor - Love and death (revisited)

The third track is quite out there. It's something as rare as 70's Lebanese funk recorded in Kuwait. Recorded in 1978 The Bandaly Family fused that global 70's funk vibe with the traditional way of Arabic singing. This has been on constant rotation since we got it. Check it below!


During 2010 Mochilla has put out some amazing mixtapes from the likes of Madlib and Shafiq Husayn (of Sa-Ra Creative Partners). If you're into the Bandaly sound above you should definetely check the Mochilla mixtape put together by Jay Electronica, Coleman and Quantic on their recent trip to the Middle East. We challenge you to spot that sample used by Jay-Z...


11.23.2010

Beatchild + Ebrahim + Tingsek - War within

Wow! Just got this. Not sure when it was released but appearantly Slakah the Beatchild hooked up with singer/beatmaker Ebrahim (Vancouver) and swedish singer songwriter Tingsek for a Detroit minitour. They met in Toronto to put this track together to promote their Vibe - Love - Smile - tour. When the tour was cancelled they decided to put the track out there for our listening pleasure. Deep bass, slick harmonies and a beat that instantly gets your head nodding. Just the way we like it. Get it below!


As a bonus here are two more amazing clips from the fellas. The first is Ebrahim putting together his version of Bobby Caldwell's classic Open you eyes. The second is Slakah's amazing video for Enjoy yourself. Still slammin!

11.17.2010

Mayer Hawthorne - No strings (Jazzy Jeff roller boogie remix)

Stones Throw can't seem to go wrong this year. One fantastic release after the other spiced up with secret freebies almost every week. This week they let Jazzy Jeff remix No Strings for Mayer Hawthorne to promote the ongoing US tour.

"I'm a big Mayer Hawthorne fan," DJ Jazzy Jeff explained, "so when the chance came up to do the remix, I jumped at it. It made me feel like I was at a roller disco, so I went with the roller boogie feel… I had a blast doing it."

If you missed the original version it was released to promote the start of the tour. Get them both below!

Mayer Hawthorne - No strings (Jazzy Jeff roller boogie remix)

11.10.2010

T.Calmese - The Calm

More new talent from Detroit. Second week of T.Calmese's new project Audio Drops is a smooth Sade tribute entitled The Calm (produced by Jaye Burough). Dropping new tunes every two weeks for our headnodding pleasure is Calmese's way of preparing us for his album scheduled to drop early next year. Check it below!


And if you missed out on his earlier new jack swing tribute project it's still available here.

11.08.2010

Hi-Hat Club Vol.5 - Eggs and pancakes

Dutch producers FS Green (Franklin Samuel Groen) and Full Crate are on a roll. When they're not busy putting on parties like The Gardens in Amsterdam they've got a steady flow of amazing beattapes, compilations and mixtapes.

Their most recent output is volume 5 of their instrumental album series Hi-Hat Club. This one entitled Eggs and pancakes and is in our view their best output so far. Bouncy electronic beats, deep bass and smooth harmonies. Available now at their bandcamp.

FS Green & Full Crate - Trooper cat

FS Green & Full Crate - Monoshow

They also put together a beautiful (!) promoclip for the album.


Last but not least as a bonus here's November Niceness: A geniusly laidback November mixtape put together by Full Crate and DJ Manga. Enjoy!


Tracklist:

1. Mista – Blackberry Molasses
2. Slum Village – Don’t Fight The Feeling Ft. Dwele
3. FS Green Tycoon Thug
4. Electric Wire Hustle – Chaser
5. Busta Rhymes – Illvibe (Remix)
6. Chico DeBarge – Soopah Man Lover Ft. Redman
7. Musiq Soulchild – Reallove
8. Full Crate – Bobby & Melinda
9. Platinum Pied Pipers – Fever (DJ Spinna BK Banger Mix)
10. Heavy – Do For You
11. fLako – 04500 Ft. Amenta
12. Dam-Funk – Mirrors
13. Prince – The Ballad of Dohorty Parker
14. Q-Tip – Even If It Is So

11.03.2010

Beathearts rewind # 12: Martyn - Hear me (Zomby remix)


You know those tracks that always stay put when you update your playlists in your phone? Well, this is one of them. It dropped about a year ago from dutch producer Martyn, now residing in Washinton D.C.

Taken from his excellent debut album, Great lenghts, this version is refixed to perfection by dubstep champion Zomby. Wait for the drop...

Martyn - Hear me (Zomby remix)

If that's not enough check the mixtape he put together from Gilles Peterson's Worldwide show a while back. Featuring that fantastic Tron track by Waajeed. Don't miss!


Tracklist:

Cooly G – ‘Love Dub Refix’ (Hyperdub)
Roy Davis Jr. – ‘About Love’ (Classic)
Actress – ‘Hazyville’ (Prime Numbers)
Roska – ‘Gone To A Better Place’ (Roska Kicks & Snares)
Erobique – ‘Arf Patzo’ (Mirau Music)
Martyn – ‘For Lost Relatives’ (Aus Music)
Martyn – ‘Phone Lines’ (3024)
Flying Lotus – ‘Disco Balls’ (Hyperdub)
Slum Village – ‘Disco’ (Capitol Records)
Waajeed – ‘Tron’ (Bling47)
Martyn – ‘Natural Selection’ (Flying Lotus’ Cleanse Mix) (3024)

10.21.2010

Pollyn - 50 ways to leave your lover (re-edit)

Now here's something out of the ordinary. Recently stumbled over this beautiful re-edit of Paul Simons classic. Behind the boards is multi-talented L.A. based trio Pollyn who's muscial output is hard to define. To be categorized as 'eclectic' can be a bad thing but in this case it's brilliant. As much as we enjoyed Wajeed and Platinum Pied Piper's version a couple of years back this version has a somewhat more timeless vibe to it. Get it below while you still can!


As a bonus, if you enjoyed their sound, here's two other slick tunes from the Pollyn crew.


10.18.2010

Focus - Pay homage to Premier, Pete Rock, RZA, Dre and Dilla

You know how we like to put forward the hard working producers that might not get the recognition they deserve. Well here's another hero from behind the scenes: Focus or Bernard Edwards Jr is the son of the late Bernard Edwards, former Chic bassist. Previously signed to Aftermath Focus is no newcomer and has produced tracks for Busta Rhymes, Dr Dre, Truth Hurts, YahZarah, Beyoncé, 112, Christina Milian and many others.

But the project caught our ears was his tribute album to legendary hiphop producers that appearantly never was released. Brilliantly reconstructing the sounds of Premier, Dilla, Pete Rock, RZA and Dr Dre this will keep you smiling all day. Grab them all below!






If you enjoy these nuggets don't miss out on Focus albums. The debut album Dedicated is still available for free download here. His second album The avant garde project came out earlier this year and is available now on iTunes and Amazon and reviewed here.

10.17.2010

Krystal Klear


Newcomer Krystal Klear may have managed to keep his identity secret but we certainly know he loves that Dâm-Funk 80ies boogie sound. He's been getting lots of love and airplay from Benji-B, Hudson Mohawke, Mary Anne Hobbs, Cooly G and Floating Points. After several delays, just as mysterious as his identity, his first two official releases will hopefully drop in October. An EP on All City and the Green Silver single on Cooly G's Dub Organizer label.

Krystal Klear - Pursuaded me

Krystal Klear - Green Silver (snippet)


To ease the wait he has put togheter a fantastic nu funk swing oozing mixtape for us (from the AmpSoul Radio Show).


Tracklist:
01. B B And Q Band – Genie
02. Krystal Klear – Throw It Away
03. Bobby Brown – On Our Own
04. Dâm-Funk – Hood Pass Intact
05. Kleeer – Tonight
06. Krystal Klear – Boogie Wan
07. Krystal Klear – Never Thought You Would Go (Instrumental)
08. Krystal Klear – It’s Been Too Long Await (Instrumental)
09. Father MC – Treat Em Like They Wanna Be Treated
10. Krystal Klear – Anteater
11. Keisha Jackson – Mama Told Me
12. Change – You Are My Melody
13. Touch Sensitive – Body Stop
14. Ulysses 82 – Don’t Speak French
15. Krystal Klear – Tried For Your Love
16. Sharon Brown – Specialise In Love
17. Sharon Redd – Never Give You Up
18. James Pants – Rhythm Track Vol.1-9
19. Freddie Jackson – He’ll Never Love You
20. B B And Q Band – Ricochet 20
21. First Touch – Pleasure For Your Treasure
22. Sharon Redd – Love How You Feel
23. The O’Jays – Put Our Heads Together
24. Daft Punk – Voyager
25. Krystal Klear – Persuaded Me

10.14.2010

Benji-B - The final show

DJ and radio show host extraordinaire, Benjamin Benstead a.k.a. Benji-B, has been a great source of inspiration for the Beathearts crew over the years. Starting off as an engineer for Gilles Peterson he got his own show in 2002 on BBC Radio 1xtra entitled Deviation and later renamed Soulful beats. Always cutting edge he was the first to put us on to artist such as Wajeed, Karriem Riggins, Africa Hightec, Harmonic 313, SaRa Creative Partners, Dabrye, Roska, Floating Points, SBTRKT, Mala, Geo-Logy, Robert Glasper and many, many other others.

Last Sunday was his last show on 1xtra as he now moves on to take over for Mary Anne Hobbs on BBC Radio 1 experimental beats show. The last show highlighted some of the greatest discoveries he broke over the years and what a show it was. For all fans, this is a collectors item.



Tracklist:

Jaylib – The Official (Stones Throw)
MadVillian - Accordion (Stones Throw)
MF Doom - Gazzilion Eer (Lex Records)
Mos Def – Auditorium (feat Slick Rick) (Downtown)
Erykah Badu – Soldier (ControlfreaQ/ Universal Records)
Flying Lotus - Melt (Warp Records)

Steve Spacek – Dollar (Sound In Color)
Madlib - The Payback (Stones Throw)
James Brown – Payback (Polydor)
Waajeed - Proud (Fat City) ()
Nas – Get Down (Columbia Records)
Nas – Made You Look (Columbia Records)
Busta Rhymes – New York Sh** (feat Swizz Beatz) (Flipmode/Aftermath/Interscope)
Big Boi – (feat Andre 3000 & Raekwon) - Royal Flush (La Face Records)
Raekwon - (feat Ghostface Killah & Method Man) - New Wu (Wu-Massacre Label)
Ghostface Killah – Whip You With A Strap (Def Jam Refords)

J Dilla - Gobstopper (Stones Throw)
J Dilla – Diamonds (Stones Throw)
J Dilla – Two Can Win (Stones Throw)
J Dilla - Stop (Stones Throw)
J Dilla – One Eleven (Stones Throw)
Jay Electronica – Exhibit C (Control FreaQ/Decon)
Dam Funk – Hood Pass Intact (Stones Throw)

Floating Points -Love Me Like This Dub (Eglo)
Cesaria Evora – Angola (Carl Craig Remix) (Lusafrica)
LCD Soundsystem - 45:33 (Theo Parrish’s Space Cadet Remix) (DFA)
Alice Smith – Love Endeavour (Maurice Faulton Remix) (BBE)
Ame – Hydraulic Dog (Sonar Kollektiv)
Peven Everett – Bangin (Trippin Records)
At Jazz - Osulande Remix – (Mantais Records)
Zed Bias ft Omar – Dancing Now ( ft Mr Fox Dubplate )
4Hero - Hold It Down (Bugz In The Attic’s Co-Operative Mix) (Talkin Loud Records)
DKD - Future Rage (Bitasweet, 2000 Black)
Afronaught – Transcend Me (Apollo)
Donnie – Twist This (Karizma Remix) (R2 Records)

Skream – Midnight Request Line (Tempa)
Digital Mystikz – Anti War Dub (DMZ)
Benga & Coki- Night (Tempa)
Martyn - Vancouver – (3024)
Dorian Concept – The Fu**ing Formula (Deviation Edition) (Kindred Spirits, Nod Navigators)
Bullion – Get Familiar (One-Handed Music)
Tron – Waajeed (Fat City)
SA-RA – Glorious (ABB Soul)
Georgia - Angels (Dubplate)
Geology – Geo Piano Instrumental (CDR)
Jiimy Abney - The Marvin Touch (Deviation Dubplate)
J Dilla - Bye (Stones Throw)

For those of you who haven't heard of Benji-B before, check the last show above and we're sure you will be hooked every Wednesday night through Thursday morning on the BBC iPlayer: Benji-B exploring future beats on BBC Radio 1 experimental show

9.30.2010

MNDSGN - Flybutter feat. Michael Jackson


For those of you who've been reading the blog might have noticed the name MNDSGN (pronounced Mind-Design) pop up a couple of times. Part of the Klipmode Fam and making great stuff. Members MNDSGN & Devonwho will release a project soon containing 30 tracks compiled between 2007-2010. As a taste of what's to come, the track 'Flybutter' is released on his bandcamp-site. MNDSGN did this a few months before Michael passed. Beautiful song. You'll find the instrumental HERE.



MNDSGN - Flybutter feat. Michael Jackson

Ta-Ku aka. Flip - Dilla Tribute Beat Tape


Found a fantastic beat-tape while roaming bandcamp. Perth, Australia native Ta-Ku pays respect to the late J. Dilla with his own tribute beat-tape. Crazy beats! Nod your heads to this! Put 'Higher' on and RAISE IT UP, this could be the funkiest stuff we've heard in a long time! Freely available!

Words from Ta-Ku: "Beats I've made over the last 2 years that have that Dilla influenced sound. Rest in Beats."

Download!



Ta-Ku - Higher


Ta-Ku - Hearts

Kanye West - Lost In The World


A song have been leaked on to the net from Kanye's new LP. Say what you will, Yeezy always gonna surprise and do the unexpected. This time he get's help from the indie folk band Bon Iver's front figure Justin Vernon. Yeezy samples Bon Iver's 'Woods' song. Also the track features a spoken-word interlude by Gil Scott-Heron.

Despite reports that Kanye had targeted November 22nd to release his album, West took to Twitter say that the album was finished, but that no date has been set: "I'm still contemplating my album date... I'm finished with it but when should I drop?"

Take into account this isn't yet the final/mastered version. This cut have voice-overs and there's also talk that Nicki Minaj will be featured on the track. Check it out.



Kanye West - Lost In The World

9.28.2010

New Jack tribute from New Jack Kings!

Wow! This just dropped. A tribute album to the New Jack Swing era to reminisce and keep you smiling when the temperature drops.

T. Calmese (Subterraneous crew) and Vaughan T. (Athletic Mic League) has put togheter a compilation inspired by the infamous era of high top fades, eye brow parts, and house parties. The album flips and retouches classic tracks from New Jack legends such as Teddy Riley, Bel Biv Devoe, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat and New Edition.

Features and contributors include among others Buff 1, Mayer Hawthorne, Ro Spit, Aloe Blacc, Soul Deacon and Zo! Grab it now while it's still available!

Download: New Jack Kings


New Jack Kings - I want her

New Jack Kings ft Aloe Blacc - Let's chill again

New Jack Kings ft Mayer Hawthorne & Zo! - Ask of you

Kno - Death Is Silent


Here's another favourite of ours that haven't gotten credit on the blog so far. Heavy-weight hiphop group CunninLynguists producer Kno (and now also MC..), is making his solo debut with the LP 'Death is Silent' on CunninLynguists own imprint APOS Music, out digitally on October 12th and on CD the 26th. Two tracks have been released from the album, 'Rhythm of The Rain' and 'La Petite Mort (Come Die With Me)'. Check'em out below!

Kno have been handling nearly all of CunninLynguists production since the group joined together in 2001, as well as his own projects including the nice remix-album of Jay-Z's 'Black Album' entitled 'Kno vs. Hov - The White Albulum', and the 'Excrementals' mixtape series. After only 4 verses over the CunninLynguists’ last four releases, the Atlanta-based artist is set to step out from behind the boards on the album, both producing the entirety of the record and handling the majority of the vocals. The record’s concept involves the inevitability of death and it's impact on love, life, family and friends. The artwork up top was realized by Argentinian visual artist Diego Fernandez. Check the really nice single covers HERE and HERE.




Kno - Rhythm of The Rain feat. Thee Tom Hardy & Tunji


Kno - La Petite Mort (Come Die With Me)


Tracklist:

01. Death Is Silent
02. If You Cry
03. La Petite Mort (Come Die With Me)
04. Rhythm Of The Rain
05. Spread Your Wings
06. Loneliness
07. Smile (They Brought Your Coffin In)
08. Graveyard
09. I Wish I Was Dead
10. They Told Me
11. When I Was Young
12. Not At The End
13. The New Day (Death Has No Meaning)

9.25.2010

Boog Brown & Apollo Brown - Brown Study


Detroit what up?! Female Atlanta emcee Boog Brown & Detroit producer Apollo Brown joines forces and gonna drop a full-length collabo album, entitled 'Brown Study', out September 28th. Two singles is out and we have them here for your listening pleasure below. The first was the smooth 'Just Be' and the second the hard-hitting 'Friction' featuring Miz Korona and Invincible, two other ladys hailing from the D!

They released a mixtape earlier this year in anticipation of their debut entitled The Grind Season Vol. 1.



Boog Brown & Apollo Brown - Friction feat. Miz Korona & Invincible


Boog Brown & Apollo Brown - Just Be


UPDATE: New track off the album, 'My Love' feat. Poodie The Byz. Words from Boog Brown: "Tryin to find that balance with romance in this type of industry that I am in can be difficult. I wanted to write a true love song that wasn't all cheese."



Boog Brown & Apollo Brown - My Love feat. Poodie The Byz

9.22.2010

DJ DRM - BSTRD Boots

Since its creation four years ago, Brooklyn based BSTRD Boots has quickly risen to become one of the most in-demand of the mash-up labels floating around. Updating and dubbing up classic tunes from artist such as Erykah Badu, Roots Manuva, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone this series is one you don't want to miss out on. Limited edition vinyl only so you have to be fast to get your copy at juno.co.uk or boomkat.com.

Roots Manuva - Join the dots (Drums of Death remix)

Dub Traffik Control - The fresh prince of Babylon

Label boss Aaron Schultz (DJ DRM):

"Quickly selling out limited edition vinyl runs, and never available digitally, the series has tapped into a plethora of high profile producers and DJs to version up and pay tribute to classic artists and tunes of bygone times, often utilizing original productions and live musicians on the cuts. Style being less important than substance, the series has hopped from hip-hop to salsa and boogaloo, samba, boogie, dub and reggae, funk, breakbeats, disco, psychedelia, and more."

Aaron has summed up the first round of releases in a smashing mixtape entitled "BJX: the sound of BSTRD Boots". Check it below:

DJ DRM - BJX: The Sound Of BSTRD Boots Mixtape

Tracklisting:

1. Greenwood Rhythm Coalition - Honey
2. Ginga Snaps - Cross That Bridge
3. $mall Change meets DJ DRM - Nuff Man Live Fi Jah City
4. Mishkin - Free
5. E's E - Scratch's Skank Pt 1.
6. E's E - Scratch's Skank Pt. 2
7. Dub Traffik Control - Fresh Prince of Babylon
8. Jugoe - BeastieBoot
9. B. Cause - In The Sea
10. Sneaky Fox - High Roller
11. Dub Traffik Control - Bongo Dub
12. Dub Traffik Control - Snakecharmer
13. Dub Traffik Control - Carlito's Cumbia
14. Captain Planet - Cleva
15. Rebel Crew - It's Gonna Getcha
16. Colm K - Dancing Skulls
17. DJ Platurn & Kat010 - Midas Touch 2009
18. Yosaku - Boboeira
19. Yosaku - Atoa Atoa
20. Hydroponic Sound System - Saturday Night Dread

3 videos by The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble in LA


More stuff from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson which we been covering in a few earlier posts. This time we put together the three latest videos in a combined post that been put out on the net in the last months. The live perfomance were set in the California Plaza, Los Angeles, on July 23rd.

In the first video Bilal is singing the Donny Hathaway classic 'Someday We’ll All Be Free'.
The second footage is featuring LA based and Brainfeeder master-mind, Flying Lotus. Alongside the all-star cast of musicians, enjoy everyone doing a rendition of 'Drips' from Flying Lotus’s recently released album 'Cosmogramma' and 'Take Notice', an arrangement of a J Dilla original from his 'Ruff Draft' EP.
The final and 3rd video features Stones Throw’s Aloe Blacc. Together, Miguel and Aloe pay homage and tribute to Gang Starr MC Keith "Guru" Elam, doing an arrangement of Gang Starr’s “Betrayal”, which initially featured Scarface.

The free audio of 'Some Day We'll All Be Free', 'Drips/Take Notice' and 'Deliver the Word' is available via Miguel’s Bandcamp. Get it while you can!

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson’s Bandcamp page.



Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble - Someday We'll All Be Free feat. Bilal


Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble - Drips/Take Notice feat. Flying Lotus


Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble - Deliver the Word feat. Aloe Blacc