Whoa its like all my favorite artists decided to wait till late July to leak their albums. First it was Aesop Rock, then Common (can he redeem himself for the Gap ad?), then Atmosphere and Kano now another favorite of mine, Blockhead (Anthony "Tony" Simon) has a new record due out.
The newest by this hip hop producer is Uncle Tony's Coloring Book which drops August 14th on Ninja Tune. Check out a track:
Mp3: Blockhead - "No So OK Corral"
Pre-order: Be sure to get this record here.
Kane Brett Robinson aka Kano, the Jamaican-British Grime star has a new record due out September 3rd. Its Kano's second full length following up his amazing Home Sweet Home record ("P's and Q's" is a track I just don't get sick of).
The new record features some guest spots from Vybz Kartel, Kate Nash and Damon Albarn. Kano is certainly a talent to watch if you haven't gotten on board yet. Check out a track.
Mp3: Kano feat. Vybz Kartel - "Buss it Up"
The first single "This is the Girl" features UK's Mr. Smooth Craig David. Pre-order the new Kano record here.
photo by prancehall.
Due to some vandalism on the blog I have had to pull anonymous commenting. If you want to leave a comment which I wish more people would do because good or bad I love feedback you'll have to log in. Again I'm sorry, I would love to keep it how it was but hate, racist and angry verbal assaults are NOT going to fly here.
Atmosphere's newest is Sad Clown Bad Summer #9. Another Hip hop record I am real excited about. Slug and Ant drop this amazing appetizer while they are putting the finishing touches on their 6th studio album, When Life Gives You Lemons...its due early 2008. Check out a track from the EP:
Mp3: Atmosphere - "Rftc"
Buy: Get this choice 5 track record here. Love these dudes. They know how to represent the midwest.
Another great week living in Chicago. My new gig as a GIS specialist is really working out well. On top of that there's alot of exciting new music coming out. Oh No's disk is out soon on top of that Common's Finding Forever is out on Tuesday, Atmosphere has an EP (track to come) and Aesop Rock out later in August.
*Kanye's "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Zach Galifianakis Version)
*Win Daft Punk tickets!
*New Wes Anderson movie.
*Killer Todd Terry Remix of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good".
*The Biz with Redman.
*Those pants weren't mine is no defense.
*Whoa. New Cham video. It's Slick Rick everybody.
cool photo by Steve Roe 61's
Madlib's younger brother is following suit with a great Stones Throw release of his own due out at the end of the month. According to Stones Throw the album is "an audio tour of Turkish, Lebanese, Greek, and Italian psyche funk" and listening to it I would say thats about right. This 28 track instramental gem is certainly worth the purchase. Check out a track.
Mp3: Oh No - "Exp out the Ox"
None Shall Pass due out August 28th marks Aesop Rock's 6th major record release. Most of the record is produced by Blockhead (7 of the 15), five by Aesop Rock himself and then one by El-P and one by Rob Sonic. We talked about the first single "None Shall Pass" a bit back. I'm diggin' it. Here is another new track that didn't make the record. Not sure why I am a pretty big fan. Check it out:
Buy: Be sure you pre-order None Shall Pass which drops in about a month here.
photo by Lalitree.
Another weekend another "fest" in Chicago. This one comes at a good price (gate donation of a lincoln) and probably sans quite a few hipsters compared to Pitchfork. There are certainly some great electronic/hip hop groups making appearances (notably Prefuse 73 and Eliott Lipp). The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Sabertooth (great jazz quartet from Chicago that hold it down at the Green Mill), The Thermals, Dearborn and electronica jammers Future Rock will all be there.
Some might dismiss this thing as a bit of a hippie fest, but with Prefuse and Lipp on the ticket it definately makes the show worth checking out. Check out some tracks from the people at the festival.
Mp3: Eliot Lipp - "Eyesore"
Mp3: Prefuse 73 - "Nuno"
Mp3: Future Rock - "Airplane Train Tracks"
Check it out if you are in the Chicago area July 28th and 29th.
photo by kookybites.
Pretty catchy remix of the Daft Punk track "Da Funk" from Casino Inc of Paris. Casino Inc. claims they are going to be bringing "disco back" not so sure about that but the remix isn't bad. Check it out.
Mp3: Daft Punk - "Da Funk" (Casino Inc. Remix)
Another close to another week. Working two jobs at the moment so things have certainly been busy. Last week was good. I got a chance to hang out at Pitchfork, talk to a quality cat and see some truly amazing fashions (seriously why must we relive 80s fashion? and does it kill to give yourself a bit of breathing room in your clothing?).
It was a bit bittersweet in that I was starting a new job (which I am thankful for) but had to miss out on De La Soul. Was able to see Cadence Weapon and Cool Kids perform, but Pitchfork's Balance stage was a bit weak in my opinion. The poster exhibit they set up was fantastic hopefully nobody missed it. Anyways check out some of my favorite links from the past week.
*Rootdown radio is back!
*Daft Punk b-side.
*Samples off the new MIA's new album Kala are available on this German website.
*Mike Vick is a jerk. Really low down if he is found guilty of all this dog stuff. Innocent until proven guilty I know but whatever is the case the dude was allowing shady stuff going on at his place of ownership.
*This crap really scares me.
*People that go to see Transformers and find it to be a good film worry me.
*Switch and Diplo go on tour.
Mp3: RJD2 - "Nappy roots over swls" (Thanks Mad Decent!)
Go Cubs! Have a great weekend everybody. The Flosstradamus winners will be picked this weekend. So enter if you haven't yet. Peace.
art by scrawl collective.
Mp3: RJD2 - "Nappy roots over swls" (Thanks Mad Decent!)
Go Cubs! Have a great weekend everybody. The Flosstradamus winners will be picked this weekend. So enter if you haven't yet. Peace.
art by scrawl collective.
Mashup track from the mysterious Sham Sham. No idea who that is and they didn't send me a link but the mashup is top notch. Check it out.
Mp3: Jay Z v. Architecture in Helsinki - "99 Hearts"
Not sure if everyone is familiar with westcoast hip hop, but Lateef the Truth Speaker and DJ Z-Trip have been holding it down for some time now. Lateef made his name as a key component of the Solesides collective, (which includes Blackalicious & DJ Shadow, Latryx, Lifesavas and the Poets of Rhythm among others). DJ Z-Trip really pioneered the "mashup" sound and puts on an amazing live set. Lateef with Z-Trip created a mixtape of original beats and remixes called Ahead Of The Curve.
The list of people making appearances is phenominal. DJ Shadow, Slug, Gift of Gab, Lyrics Born, Charli 2na, Q-Tip and DJ Zeph all make apperances on the tape. Check out a track.
Mp3: Lateef & Z-Trip feat. Slug & DJ Sharp - "On My Side" (Lady Don't Take No Blend)
Get the mixtape as an import here.
The list of people making appearances is phenominal. DJ Shadow, Slug, Gift of Gab, Lyrics Born, Charli 2na, Q-Tip and DJ Zeph all make apperances on the tape. Check out a track.
Mp3: Lateef & Z-Trip feat. Slug & DJ Sharp - "On My Side" (Lady Don't Take No Blend)
Get the mixtape as an import here.
Berlin's favorite knob twiddlers Modeselektor are set to make their return in September of 07 with Birthday. The album is set to feature the likes of TTC, Thom Yorke, Apparat, Maximo Park among others. Hello Mom! was a fantastic record and there teamup with TTC on "Dancing Box" was amazing stuff. Check out a track off the upcoming record.
Keep an eye/ear out for it. Swing by here if you haven't gotten your grimy fingers on Hello Mom! or Hello Mom! Remixes both are definately worth owning. Ohh and the cover art for the album is just short of genius.
Chicago's own Flosstradamus played a set with Chromeo this past weekend at the empty bottle. In the aftermath of that set we have 5 copies of their latest mixtape to send out. The record features tracks from Bloc Party, DJ Mehdi, the afterformentioned Chromeo, Justice and others.
The question is simple...
What is the best thing about Chicago?
My wife who is all knowing when it comes to things Chicago will be the judge. 5 best answers win. Don't forget to include your email. Good luck to yah. Check out a track while you are here:
Mp3: Sebastian - "H.A.L."
Sometime in 2007 Floss is set to release a full length LP. No idea when but should be sometime in the near future.
Contest is over. A couple people owe me emails. Sorry to everyone that picked "hot dogs" but my wife is vegan so those went right out the door. More contests coming up in the future. Thanks all that joined.
photo by Ian Meyer.
Just six months after the first Pocket Symphony single, "Once Upon A Time," Air are releasing their first EP for the new album Mer du Japon EP. You can see the weird video for the single here. The single comes with a new vocal mix by the dudes themselves, and Kris Menace and the Teenagers lend a pair of remixes as well.
Air are one of the few bands that I can look back on their catalogue, all the way to my high school days and say that I enjoyed just about ever record they have put out. This track is especially good as they take off from their "Alone in Kyoto" track they did for the Lost in Translation soundtrack (which is one of my favorite Air tracks). Check out the Kris Menace remix where he cranks up the bass.
Mp3: Air - "Mer du Japon" (Kris Menace Remix)
Tour: Air is going on tour more about that here. Don't get your hopes up there are zero US dates.
Now-Again Records is the little brother of Stones Throw Records. Created by Eothen "Egon" Alapatt it focuses on reissues of little-known funk bands from around the country. The latest is Now-Again Re:Sounds Vol. 1.
Set to drop July 17, the compilation features previously vinyl-only remixes and new, deep funk-influenced cover songs by Edan, Koushik, Aloe Blacc, Guilty Simpson among others others. Check out Kenny Dope's remix of the fantastic Kashmire Stage Band it'll blow your mind.
Go get it: The record will be available here.
Sorry forgot to hit post last night when I got home from work. So its friday wrap up on a Saturday morning. Its set to be a great weekend with a Cubs game and the Chromeo/Flosstradamus show tonight and then Pitchfork in all its glory tomorrow. Here are a couple of the notable posts from last week.
*Just discovered this great electro/disco mp3 blog.
*Great post on Busdriver.
*Again. Don't miss Wale & Catchdubs' mixtape, thing is awesome.
*Modesektor over at Discobelle.
*New Ross Hogg mixtape! Order it.
photo by orbphoto.
Chromeo and Flosstradamus are playing a sold out show on July 14th at the Empty Bottle. Its sure to be a crazy good time. Check out a couple new remixes of Chromeo's fantastic "Tenderoni."
Mp3: Chromeo - "Tenderoni" (MSTRKRFT remix)
Mp3: Chromeo - "Tenderoni" (Sinden remix)
Buy: Get Fancy Footwork here.
One of the most exciting and promising young emcees in the game Wale teams up with the equally talented Catchdubs. Mixtape is fantastic. Comes with the highest of recommendations. You can get the free, Catchdubs mixed 100 Miles and Running mixtape on Wale's MySpace page (or direct from zShare its legal and proper so go get it!).
Check out Wale going bananas on Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." beat.
Mp3: Wale - "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E."
more here! another Wale track here.
photo by Dorothy Hong
UNKLE has always been one of my favorite groups (in all its various incarnations) mostly because of James Lavelle's work. Psyence Fiction is quite possibly one of my all time favorite records. UNKLE's latest record is War Stories due out at the end of this month. A bit back I featured the Junkie XL remix of the first single "Burn My Shadow" which is an amazing club/dance track/remix. Be sure you check out the video here.
War Stories features some usual faces from past records of course Lavelle is there but Ian Astbury and Josh Homme show up again and 3d (one of the founding members of Massive Attack) is featured as well. If you haven't seen the art work associated with the new record look around its truely the things nightmares are made of. Here is a remix off the War Stories 4-track UK pre-order bonus disc. Check it out.
Mp3: UNKLE - "Burn My Shadow" (Jesse Somfay Mix)
Support: Be sure to get this record as all indications point to it being a fantastic one. Pre-order it here and here.
Well now that we have a solution to the mini crisis of me not getting on the ball and getting tickets to Pitchfork my next thing is deciding who to see. So of these questions take care of themselves...miss De La Soul? No chance. Yoko Ono versus Cat Power? Cat Power for sure. On Saturday my schedule is going to be this I think:
AG Pitchfork Schedule
Saturday - 4:10 Fujiya & Miyagi , 5:15 Professor Murder , 7:00 Clipse, 8:00 Cat Power
Sunday - 3:00 Junior Boys, 3:30 Nomo, 5:00 Jamie Lidell, 5:30 The Cool Kids, 8:30 Klaxons, 9:00 De La Soul
Sunday is where I run into some issues with wanting to see both Nomo (3:10) and Junior Boys (3:00) and The Cool Kids (5:15) and Jamie Lidell (5:00). I've seen Lidell and his live show is fantastic. On the flip The Cool Kids are one of the freshest things to happen to hip hop this year. Probably head and see the Klaxons for a half hour then close out the festival with De La Soul at 9:00. Whatever the case I'm just happy to be going to check it all out.
Keep a look out for a tall skinny white kid with a Cubs hat and probably some variation of a reggae shirt. That will be me.
Mp3: Professor Murder - "Thats How they Getcha"
Mp3: Junior Boys - "Like A Child" (Carl Craig Remix)
Mp3: Nomo - "Hand and Mouth"
Mp3: De La Soul - "Plug Tunin" (12" Inch Version)
Mp3: Jamie Lidell - "You Got Me Up" (Live at the Scala)
Mp3: Professor Murder - "Thats How they Getcha"
Mp3: Junior Boys - "Like A Child" (Carl Craig Remix)
Mp3: Nomo - "Hand and Mouth"
Mp3: De La Soul - "Plug Tunin" (12" Inch Version)
Mp3: Jamie Lidell - "You Got Me Up" (Live at the Scala)
photo of Marina City by sgoralnick.
this is fun. cat power v. clipse & gza v. sonic youth.
For the first time in LA the performance of Brasilintime will be seen live. It will feature performances by Paul Humphrey, James Gadson, Babu, J.Rocc, Cut Chemist and Madlib along with some very special Brasil musicians. Check out Brasilintime's myspace or offical spot here. The flyer here.
Analog Giant has two tickets to give away for the JULY 19th event. You MUST RESPOND by the 12th (winner selected the 13th). All you need to do is send me your mailing address (must be able to make it, so LA or surrounding area addresses only!). I'll choose at random. Sweetin up the email if you REALLY want it. Event will be at:
July 19th-
BRASILINTIME LIVE
Mayan Theatre
1038 S. Hill St.
LA, Ca 90015
CONTEST OVER. CONGRATS TO NATHANIEL.
Well its not totally new, but its something to definately pick up for us Shadow fans. Its DJ Shadow: Best Of Mo Wax 12's a record featuring remixes, singles (of course), b-sides and other indelible rare Shadow tracks from the Mo Wax label. Even has a track from the old Soulside days. Here is just one of the tracks from the 17 track record.
Buy: Get the record here. Highly recommended, naturally.
photo by mediaeater.
So the black background is OK in Firefox at least the content is legible but if any webdesign heads could tell me why the white is not extending down in Firefox that would be great. I can see the start of the white bar just under the banner but it doesn't continue to float down through the middle like it does in ie. I really want to get this thing looking good in Firefox since I back Firefox more than ie.
I might just blow the whole thing up so inspiring graphic designers let me know if you are interested!
Thanks for any help in advance.
If anyone has the lowdown on some tickets for Saturday and Sunday's sold out Pitchfork festival please let me know. I can do the whole paypal thing.
Thanks. I am officially a fool for thinking it wasn't going to sell out. Not so good planning on my part.
THANKS TO ALL THAT CONTACTED ME I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME TICKETS.
Mr. J. Medeiros of the Procussions is set to release his album Of Gods and Girls July 24th. Featuring production from Omega Watts, 20Syl of Hocus Pocus and featuring Strange Fruit and Pigeon John. Its another great record for Rawkus following up the release of Blue Scholars' Bayani. Check out a track off the upcoming record.
Mp3: Mr. J. Medeiros - "Silent Earth"
Support: Check out Mr.J.Medeiros' myspace for more info.
I am sure everyone by now has heard or is at least familiar with Attack Decay Sustain Release. One of the best electronic albums of the year. SMD's exclusive North American single is set to feature favorite "T*ts & Acid" along with 3 previously unreleased tracks "Simple," "3 Pin Din," and "State of Things." Check out one of those tracks:
Buy: More info about the record here.
Here is a couple great remixes from the mysterious SebastiAn an upcoming French producer of Paris' Ed Banger crew. A side from his fantastic Ross Ross Ross & Smoking Kills 12 inches and various remixes I haven't had much exposure to him and I know very little about him.Its impossible trying to find a picture of the dude (perhaps hes going the Daft Punk anonymous route? and thats labelmate Busy P in the picture) and trust me I spent some time looking...anyways check out some of his remixes. One of the indie band The Fields the other of Daft Punk's "Human After All" of of the 12 inch.
Mp3: The Fields - "If You Fail We all Fail" (SebastiAn Remix)
Mp3: Daft Punk - "Human After All" (SebastiAn Remix)
photo of Ed Banger party from Fader specifically Liz Johnson-Artur.
Paint it Blacker is the name of Plan B's limited edition mixtape produced by Sem, Beni G, J33, Analog Kid (no relation) and Plan B himself. The tape was distributed during B's January-February 2007 tour. It features Plan B rapping over rock tracks by the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Radiohead, Nirvana, Jose Gonzalez and others.
Mp3: Plan B feat. The Rolling Stones - "Paint it Blacker"
Support: Get more info about Plan B here or at his myspace.
photo by briandavidstevens.
AfroReggae out of Rio de Janeiro is part band but better yet is a cultural organisation working for social change within Rio's favela communities. Currently their stage show features 19 musicians including 3 rappers/2 backing vocalists, 5 percussionists, 3 brass instruments, bass, lead guitar and keyboards.
I have no idea what they are saying on the record but I like how it sounds and the fact that they are working for social change in an area where thousands live on less than than $100 per month. Check out a track and lend your support.
photo by nickyd75.
You know when you're approval rating is around 20% who really cares anymore if you let a criminal off the hook? I just wonder how long they were waiting for a distraction like the Glasgow bomb to come along and try and sweep this one under the media rug.
No 30-month sentence for I. Lewis Libby Jr., yet his conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice remains intact for what thats worth.
photo by Doug Mills of The New York Times
A couple of great remixes of Amy Winehouse who I'll be seeing here in a couple months. The first one is thanks to Fader Magazine. Its a nice electro take on "Tears Dry on Their Own" by Al Usher. The other is by the dudes that remix pretty much every hit track released....Hot Chip. Both are from the associated imported 12".
Support: Get the singles here or better yet grab the album HERE.
Here is a nice little mix out by a couple dudes from Buffalo NYC. Team Radio (Chae Hawk & DJ DStar) put out some nice remixes of Kavinsky, Collie Buddz, Para One, The Knife, Para One etc. one this one. There are a bunch of beats that we are into. Check it out.
Mp3: Team Radio Mixtape (zshare)
