Cosmo Baker just offered up a great 56 minute mix of funk and soul all based on his 45 collection. Its a must download for anyone in love with the funk. Check it out.
Mp3: Cosmo Baker - ".45 Caliber Funk Volume 1"
Its about 55 mb so keep that in mind. Also Cosmo has all sorts of updates on his page so be sure to head over there and grab some of his mixtapes they're the real deal.
Ciara, Cassie and Nelly are all pumping out the jams this year. They have also been the subject of some seriously good remixes. First up is a blend by AG favorite DJ B.Cause. He takes Ciara's "Get Up" and tosses it on top of an edit of the intro 12" version of Kashif's "Stone Love." Result = mind blowing dance party madness. Second Ciara remix is from the already featured Siik. He drops his remix of Ciara's "Promise" which is equally fantastic.
Mp3: Ciara - "Get Up" (B.Cause Kashif Home Stretch Edit)
Mp3: Ciara - "Promise" (Siik Remix)
Buy it: Be sure you grab Ciara's official here AND get your hands on that B.Cause stuff by heading to his myspace.
Purchasing Fader magazine was one of the better moves I've made recently. I had been picking it up sporadically (not a good move economically) but finally got around to subscribing (it's only like 30 bucks and well worth it!). You can download it for free actually from iTunes, but I prefer a physical copy so that I can tote it around to my various reading locals around the apartment.
Last month I was intrigued by an article about kids riding horses in inner-city Baltimore during the 1980's, this month its the article on dancehall phenom Mavado. Before reading the article I had never heard of him (my dancehall knowledge does not run deep but I am working on improving that!). Mavado grew up in Cassava Piece a Kingston ghetto. While his subject matter is often rough as should be expected given his living conditions and upbringing, his spaced-out psychedelic delivery is truly beautiful. The piece is well written and facinating. Its a must read.
Dude is incredibly difficult to get more info on. AMG has nothing and outside of a pieced together myspace page (or is it this one?) there really isn't much about Mavado out there. If you have some knowledge about him or dancehall in general by all means enlighten me. I was able to track down some tracks off some various Greensleeve compliations. Check them out.
Mp3: Mavado - "Nuh Say Dem Caan"
Mp3: Mavado - "Mama Say"
Mp3: Mavado and Vybz Kartel - "How You Gun Rise"
Photo: The photo is from Fader's blog.
Was just reading about this track the other day in Fader. Low Budget has blended the Teddybears' "Cobrastyle" with the Justice vs. Simian's "We Are Friends" beat...the result is "Cobra Justice."
The vocals are from a Mad Cobra song which the Teddybears used. According to Low-Bee himself the acapella was used by the Teddybears and is from a song called "Press Trigger." He also throws in some extra well placed horns.
Mp3: Low Budget - "Cobra Justice" (mp3 tag fixed)
Buy: Get yourself some Low-Budget records here.
Alfred Weisberg-Roberts better know as Daedelus, the eccentric, electronic maestro of the Pacific coast follows up his fantastic Daedelus Denies the Day record with his Throw a Fit EP.
This record is in typical downtempo/experimental style and was mixed by both Daedelus along with Daddy Kev. The track "It's Madness" is a stand out for me. Check it out.
Mp3: Daedelus - "It's Madness"
Bonus Mp3: Daedelus and Frosty - "We All Agree it's Grand"*
Bonus Mp3: Daedelus - "Sundown" (Diplo Remix)
Buy: The record comes out on Alpha Pup Records you can get it from iTunes here. *This track is off Aim Records' Adventure Time and Jukebox series. Learn more about it here. Frosty is from Dub Lab fame.
Rough game for the Bears last night. Once again Rex Grossman looked unimpressive and I about lost my mind when he threw away the Bears' comeback chances with that ridiculous bomb at the end of the game.
I have never trusted a Florida QB (I can't even think of a good one). Hopefully the Bears address this position in the upcoming draft. Until they do every game will be an adventure. It's even worse to lose to the Pats as just about everyone in New England is one of those type of fans...you know...like the Yankee types that drive you absolutely up the wall.
People are loosing there mind about this album. Its a great album don't get me wrong but I am still not even convinced that its the best album of this year. Call me crazy. This track is definately my favorite one on the record though.
Mp3: Clipse feat. Bilal - "Nightmares"
Little bonus off the their 2002 mixtape Lord Willin' and one from the famous DJ Benzi. Don't be the only one out there who doesn't pre-order this record (out Nov. 28) do that here.
Mp3: Clipse - "We Fly High" (Benzi Refix)
Mp3: Clipse feat. Jadakiss, Styles P, Roscoe P. Goldchain - "I'm Not You"
Mp3: Clipse feat. Jadakiss, Styles P, Roscoe P. Goldchain - "I'm Not You"
Buy: Make sure you pre-order Hell Hath No Fury here and other various Clipse stuff here.
UPDATE: Listen to the entire album over at AOL CD Listening Party.
Great video, greater track. One of the most haunting hip-hop tracks out there. Originally off James Yancey's Ruff Draft EP.
Architecture In Helsinki released a great record in its In Case We Die in 2005. In 2006 they have teamed up with some of the hottest remixers out there with the aptly titled We Died, They Remixed. Blogger allstar favorites Hot Chip are on there along with one of my favorite in the game, DJ Mehdi. Ohh and BTW the "Wishbone" remix on this record is probably the catchiest
Mp3: Architecture In Helsinki - "In Case We Die" (DJ Mehdi Remix)
Mp3: Architecture In Helsinki - "Do the Whirlwind" (Hot Chip Remix)
Buy: Make sure you pick yourself up this remix disc here.
What the newest edition of Fader mag will remind you is that Carl Craig is a Detroit-electonic/dance music legend. It will also inform you that he is featured in the latest issuing of the Fabric Mix series (had my copy since it first dropped). For those not in the know Carl Craig is also the dude behind the electro-dance label Planet E which aside from his own work, has released records by well known techno and house artists (Moodymann aka Kenny Dixon Jr. comes to mind). Check out a couple tracks from this latest Mix session.
Mp3: Carl Craig - "Angel (Caya Dub)"
Mp3: Carl Craig - "Darkness"
Read: Get yourself the latest issue of The Fader and read about Mr. Craig.
The fact struck me today...the US mission in Iraq has now lasted longer than America's involvement in World War II. That should be a sobering reflection for anyone. The estimated number of civilians killed in Iraq...minimum of 47,781 and a maximum of 53,014. Number of US troops killed is up to 2,872.
When is it going to stop? I want our young people going to school. It's possible with the amount we spend on the war machine. We could send all these kids to class instead of sending them to far off places to fight rich white peoples wars. There has got to be a better way. Support our troops and bring them home...people love them, I love them too much to die for this.
Mp3: Digital Mystikz - "Anti-War Dub"
Also known to some as "Black Friday." Buy nothing day started in Van City BC. Is real easy don't go out and buy anything listen to some records or hang out with some friends. Buy Nothing Day is an informal day of protest against consumerism.
I can't wait for the news footage tonight of some ridiculous people waiting outside of Sprawlmart and then rushing in and tearing each other limb from limb over a 10 dollar DVD player.
Post u-tube videos of the ridiculousness of Black Friday in the comments. I'll be looking for some footage as well to post.
Official: Buy Nothing Day website by Adbusters.org.
Happy holiday for all those out there. I'm gonna get my fill of organic-free range turkey and maybe even eat a bit of the fiance's TOfurky...maybe. Anyways happy one to you and yours.
Mp3: Raekwon & Ghostface - "Cutting It Up" (Ratatat Remix)
Mp3: Ghostface feat. Amy Winehouse - "You Know I'm no Good"
Mp3: M-1 feat. Ghostface & Raye -"Been Through"
Mp3: Ghostface - "Walking into Darkness" (Cosmo Baker Remix)
Now go out and be social. Give thanks to friends, family and music. Peace.
Link: Vegetarian thanksgiving recipes.
New Line Cinema really knows how to screw up a good thing. They are going forward with making The Hobbit without Peter Jackson. That just ain't right...The decision to drop Oscar-winner Peter Jackson as director of The Hobbit film has led to an online petition of 2,324 (after I signed) people asking for him to be reinstated.
LOTR nerds unite!! and put a stop to this Hollywood crap! Sign the petition here.
Contest: Got an extra copy of Nick Catchdubs and Mark Ronson's mixtape Radio Radio Radio. Already have one copy so there is no need to horde two. Why not pass it on to the AG faithful?
From TTL:
With exclusives and new blends galore, Radio Radio is exactly what you'd expect from Ronson & Young Catch – a total free-for-all, genre-defying and severely fresh. The coolest thing about this mix is the energy level, which stays up in the stratosphere for the duration but never feels tiring or overwhelming – it's just some good-ass summer music, mixed cleanly and cleverly.
Rules: American's only (sorry I love Canada but only paying to ship stateside this time). To win all you have to do is post why you want the mixtape and what track you're most excited to hear (tracklist here). Pretty damn simple. Contest ends Dec. 3rd.
Mp3: Mark Ronson/Nickcatchdubs - "Intro track"
Don't forget to post your email so I can get in touch with you.
Missed out? Buy the record here.
Not a likely combination for a blend but Omega One makes it work as he blends Toto's "Africa" with a bit of Ghostface. Omega One is repping Brooklyn's Nature Sounds label which has put out some great music (you know I love Ayatollah's Now Playing along with that Masta Killah's Made In Brooklyn). His claim to fame is his work on Aesop Rock's "Skip Town" and "Coma."
Mp3: Toto v. Ghostface - "Good Times in Africa" (Omega One Remix)
Buy: Be sure to get Omega One's Lo Fi Chronicles here. This track appears on The Rub's Remixes Vol. 6 EP get that here.
Siik is his name. An animation student and blog runner from Encino as far as I can tell. Ran across his page last year sometime and have just recently noticed hes a hollerboard head as well. His new Ciara remix is fantastic and while "Promiscuous" is overplayed his remix is great as well...finish it all off with some Big UNK. Check it out.
Mp3: Ciara - "Promise" (Siik Remix)
Mp3: Nelly Furtado - "Promiscuous" (Siik Remix)
Mp3: Big Unk - "Walk it Out" (Siik Remix)
Stop by his site and he has some great mixes posted up as well here, so check those out too. Hey kid doesn't make it in animation hes def got a career in remixing has such a knack for creating a smooth laid back sound. Respect.
In case you missed the solid Coldcut release Sound Mirrors (you should really check it out its pretty great) the engineers behind Ninja Tune have released a remix album. It should be no suprise its enttitled Sound Mirrors Videos and Remixes. The highlight of this record is the recut of "True Skool."
The original was great featuring rhyming by Roots Manuva but on the new version the talented Sway (not this Sway this Sway) takes a run at the track with fantastic results. Check it out.
Mp3: Coldcut - "True Skool" (Sway Remix)
Buy: Pick up this remix record here or the original here.
My dudes over at Discobelle just got the inside line on a new Diplo remix/track...like Diplo sent it directly to them. Guess its great to be Swedish...anyways he has a new record coming out in Hollertronix 6, which will be available from TTL soon enough. Be sure to pick that up. More about Yaz here.
Mp3 link: Yaz - "Don't Go" (Diplo Master Remix)
Buy: Get your Diplo fix at TTL ASAP.
Wrote about these guys awhile back, but just got another note in the inbox that Fujiya & Miyagi (made up of David Best, Steve Lewis and Matt Hainsby) are set to release Transparent Things stateside January 27th on Deaf Dumb & Blind Recordings. Take a listen to the single.
Mp3: Fujiya & Miyagi - "Ankle Injuries"
Shit is great but don't take my word for it. The Guardian said that Fujiya & Miyagi's record is "...not just one of the year's freshest dance records but also the wittiest." I downloaded this thing a long time ago and do really recommend it. Solid album thats a great listen.
Buy: Head over to Beatport to get the entire thing. I thought that emusic had it as well...
One of my favorite players. Couldn't have gone to a better dude. Always like a player that plays with passion and a smile. Philly is in good hands.
DJ Ayres of The Rub fame has just posted up an hour long Dub Session he did for Brooklyn Radio. The set is choice with all the required listening feature Horace Andy, Augustus Pablo, King Tubby, Scientist, Bad Brains and more...get the tracklist here.
Mp3 link: Omega One Meet Ayres Rock - "Tushunpeng Dubs"
Don't miss this radio show its required listening for everyone.
While I wasn't that into the whole "Wind it up" track this track is great. Thanks to DJ Benzi for the break on this. Song is pretty damn catchy nice improvement to be sure. It should have been the first single. Track is off Sweet Escape Gwen Stefani's latest album due out Dec. 5th (tracklist here). Be sure to check it out.
Track is pretty solid all the way through but the high point is definately the outro on this one.
Pre-order: Be sure to pick up the album here.
While I am not crazy about the latest Common Gap store team up...commerical isn't all bad, like the peace vibe, just never been a big Gap fan. But this post isn't some ideological rant about the Gap its about this new Common cut produced by Will.i.am (apologies if I misplaced some periods). The track is set to appear on the Freedom Writers Soundtrack (Out Jan. 9th).
Mp3: Common - "I Have A Dream"
Buy: Make sure you grab the album here.
In celebration of Drop the Lime's (aka Luca Venezia)We Never Sleep, and as taste of what is to come with a collaboration with Flamin Hotz Records. Casi informed AG that there is to be a a six song EP featuring the genre blending of of grime, dubstep, dance and Hip Hop.
Here are a couple great tracks thanks to Casi. In the past Venezia has excelled in making music for the underground dance and grime scene these cuts are no different. Check out these tracks and stop by DTL's official spot. Right click and save as...for a change.
Mp3: Cutting Crew - "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" (DTL Refix)
Mp3: Trouble & Bass (DTL V.I.P) - "Stitches"
Stitches came out on TB001, the first release on trouble&bass records in UK as a white label.
Buy: Get DTL records here. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for the new EP here.
Can't say they aren't trying. Cubs just added possibly the best player in baseball. Alfonso Soriano and the Chicago Cubs have reached a preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract worth about $136 million, a major league official told The Associated Press today. Soriano had 46 homers and 41 stolen bases giving Piniella one of the best power/speed combo lead-off players in the game. Right in time for me to make my move to Chicago to start watching some games in person.
Cubs have already made a bit of a splash with the re-signing of third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a five-year, $73 million deal, signing free agent Mark DeRosa to play second base and re-signed pitchers Kerry Wood and Wade Miller. Soriano is a .280 career hitter with 208 homers and 560 RBIs.
Had a couple people ask me what the cut is that plays in the latest Nike LeBron James commercial. For some reason I am thought of as a soul expert (hear me now that couldn't be farther from the truth!). BUT, I did know that track and anyone my age should, not because Kool and the Gang was big during my time, but because what WAS big was a track that sampled it...
DJ Jazzy Jeff's and Fresh Prince's "Summertime" rips the beat right out of Kool and the Gang's "Summer Madness" which is the LeBron James commercial track. Check it out this classic groove, its spacey as hell, I love it. First appeared on Love and Understanding back in 1976 I believe.
Mp3: Kool and the Gang - "Summer Madness"
I want one of those suits for my wedding!
Buy: Get some kool in your life right here.
Been really into listening to Larry Levan lately (maybe you noticed from the "rotation" section..anyone actually take note of that?). Levan (July 20 1954 - 1992) was a legendary DJ who mixed disco, house and garage and is widely quoted as being "the greatest modern DJ" (I think Kool Herc among others might have something to say about that).
Levan was the legendary DJ who for more than 10 years held down the legendary Paradise Garage in NYC. Many of today's most successful producers and DJs credit their first exposure to Larry's music at the Paradise Garage as a launching point for their interest in doing what they do. I am only now beginning to learn about this rich tradition of music which Levan created. Lets just say while many see Olympia as a mecca for indie music etc. you don't get much exposure to hip hop, house, disco and the emergence of the DJ.
Levan really is one of seminal names in DJing who mixed multiple genres (much like the stuff I am into today). He would take samples from anything from gospel, reggae, Philly soul and Euro-disco to rock. Maybe the highest compliment came from Adam Goldstone in saying that Levan "blurred the boundaries of music, race, sex, sexuality, and changing thousands of people's perception of music, sound and the world around them."
Mp3: Joubert Singers - "Stand of the Word" (Levan Remix)
Mp3: Grace Jones - "Pull Up to the Bumper" (Levan Garage Remix)
Mp3: Inner Life - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Levan 12" Mix)
Mp3: Chaka Khan - "Tearin' It Up" (Levan Mix)
Learn more:
Remembering a Legend: Larry Levan (1954-1992) by Raven Fox.
AMG Biography of Larry Levan by John Bush.
The somewhat obscure DJ Mitsu the Beats (maybe you're familiar with his remix off the widely downloaded Chocolate Swim EP) has compiled a 27 track record of hard to find and little known keyboard classics from the 70's. The result, 28 Roses, is priceless. Feel those keys! Great comp.
Buy: Only seems to be an import copy around. Check it out here.
The Hype is in full swing. Hell Hath No Fury already donning a "classic" rating from XXL magazine has finally surfaced on the blogosphere. I gave the album a listen and the hype is well deserved it will surely rival Fishscale and Donuts for hip hop album of the year. Swing by some spots to get yourself a listen to some tracks.
Mp3 link: Clipse feat. Pharrell - "Me Too"
Mp3 link: Clipse - "Trill"
Bonus Mp3: Clipse - "Re-Up Anthem" (Nick Catchdubs Remix)*
While the name isn't all that great but the guest rhyming spots on Antimc's record, It's Free, But It's Not Cheap is impressive. Anyone who thinks that Cadence Weapon and Busdriver need to be on a single album automatically gets a thumbs up from me.
Antimc is a lifelong LA resident and producer. The kid has a great knack for melding "traditional drum programming, world-influenced samples along with live instrumentation." Check out this track with one of my favorite emcees on the mic in Busdriver.
Buy: Make sure you pick up some ANTIMC records here.
I have kinda given up on the whole indie music scene. The level of snobery and people "in the know" that I have talked to have just kinda turned me off to it. In all my conversations its become more of a pissing contest than a discussion of why you enjoy getting down to the beat.
ALSO bit of an apology for slacking and not posting much...had a bit of a bug thought it was food poisoning but it didn't go away after a couple days so it was probably something else. ANYWAYS all is better so lets talk about what you came here for...
Bloc Party's Weekend in the City is due out February. Their track "The Prayer" was recently featured on one of my favorite blogs here. Bloc Party along with TVOTR are some of the few indie bands I continue to stomach. For the samples I have heard off the new record its sure to be a great one. One of my favorite tracks is "I Still Remember."
Mp3: Bloc Party - "I Still Remember"
Mp3: Bloc Party - "Prayer" (OK'ed by Vice Records)
These kids are genius. Sick stuff.
Buy: Be sure to support these dudes here and here and grab some stuff here.
Getting searched at the boarder by the Mounties, getting lost and getting a gnarly case of food poison couldn't stop me from checking out The Rub when they hit the Academy Club Saturday night in Montreal. Their Northern Exposure Tour is taking them to several exotic Canadian destination spots.
Be sure to check them out if they in a town near you. Met a couple of the DJs and have to say that Cosmo Baker is about as nice as they come. My camera was broken so unfortunately I couldn't take any pictures of the show.
Mp3: E-40 - "Tell Me When To Go" (Cosmo Baker Snakes Remix)
Mp3: Pitbull & Ying Yang Twins v Yaz - "Shake" (DJ Ayres remix)
Buy: Be sure to support these dudes in what they do by buying stuff here.
Don't forget: Definitive source for all your mashup needs right here...
Thanks to Discobelle for the heads up on a great new track. Track features a fantastic beat the infectious lyrics of Nelly and some old boy band dude I haven't heard of. Check it out. Going to be the new track off the new Timbaland album.
Mp3: Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin - "Give it to me"
Buy: Get Timbaland stuff here.
Read: Guardian article about Timbaland.
Plan B aka Ben Drew is a UK rapper born in '84 in Forest Gate, London and signed to 679 Recordings (same label as The Streets). His new album which came out June 27th is entitled Who Needs Actions When You Got Words.
Plan B placed 4th in the BBC's "Sound of 2006" competition. This is a new remix of his track "Who Needs Actions When You Got Words" by the remix maestros Hot Chip.
Mp3: Plan B - "Who Needs Actions..." (Hot Chip Remix)
Buy: Pick up your import version here.
Basically...it boils down that anything that Murs appears on I have to check out. Sorry thats not too selective and there isn't some larger musical theory behind it...its just basic love for Murs. Anyways enough about the man crush and on to this new record which dropped Oct. 17th on the Green Streets label by producer Belief.
Smother Mag:
"Dense and colorful hip-hop with fantastic commentary and stirring beats make Belief a shining example of what a hip-hop producer in the underground should aspire to."
Mp3: Belief feat. Murs & C-Rayz Walz - "Lets Go"
This is my favorite track. Great production which is consistant throughout the record. Check it out if you like that underground vibe.
Buy: Be sure to pick up Dedication here.
Following up there insanely good "Smokey Shuffle" mix Caps brings a stellar 71 minute mix entitled "Pysch June Fina." Its incredible be sure to check it out ASAP.
Mp3: Caps - "Pysch June Fina"
Buy: Don't forget to support these cats by getting some stuff over at their myspace zone.
Got back from Jamaica and found this record in the mailbox. It's Kero One's latest mixtape Plug Famalam which was released Oct. 27th on Plug Label. Kero a California Bay Area resident has been rhyming, deejaying and collecting records since the early 90’s. He put together this ace mixtape, its jazzy, mellow and very very good listening.
From Plug:
Kero One first official mix cd with 60 min of jazzy hiphop, fresh rhymes and moog powered beats featuring: Sound providers, J Dilla, Sa-Ra Creative partners, Grand puba, Jneiro Jarel, Dj Mitsu, The Procussions, and NEW Exclusive Remixes and beats from Kero One. Limited run and a lot of the songs here are hard to find.
Mp3: Erykah Badu - "On and On" (Kero One Remix)
Mp3: Kero One - "Musical Journey" (Waajeed Remix)
Mp3: Kero One - "In all the wrong places"+
Buy: Pick up the mixtape here for 10 bucks.
+not on the mixtape just another Kero One sample.
Wow unbelievable week in US Politics. What a monumental shift in power. First the Senate and the House go back to the Democrats. Rummy is forced to resign. We get our first Afro-American Muslim elected to the House, along with our first Madam Speaker.
Hopefully this is only the tip of the iceberg for the demise of the misguided Bush administration and what is to be a trend in American politics with the elevation of people of color and women to positions of power. It's long over due. A nice first step in fixing a big big mess.
If you haven't picked up either of Eliot Lipp's records that came out in 2006 your collection is sorely lacking. "Flashlight" off the latest Steel Street Scraps which came out the 31st of October is one of my favorite tracks of the year.
You can get it for free as part of a .zip file here (the zip file also includes "Landline" an online exclusive). Be sure to stay privy to what Eliot Lipp is up to here (there is also a podcast for you to check out there).
Just got back. Negril was amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested. We made (and had) some local contacts down there that totally set us up and made us feel at home. If you ever are interested in heading down there get in contact with me. Makes traveling so much easier when you know people that know the local spots.
We stayed at a great non-americanized resort in Negril. Met one of the most friendly human beings I have ever known in an I-tal rasta named Gifford. Gifford pretty much became or right hand man as he hung out with us all week.
Only regret is that I didn't pick up any music when I was there. Never really went shopping. I just couldn't pull myself away from the ocean. Spent alot of time just swimming and laying next to the water. So relaxing. Such great culture, people and lifestyle down there. Wish I could have found a great little record shop but thats just all the more excuses to get back there.
Mp3: Yabby You - "Zambia"
Mp3: Horace Andy - "Fever"
