New video from the dude with the best band name Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or TEED for short. The video is a bit wierd but goes well with the accessible popiness of "Garden." The track is off sort of newish All In Two Sixty Dancehalls record. Check it out.

Read more: More about TEED over at fellow friends and bloggers Big Stereo.

Garden (snippet) by T-E-E-D

One of my favorite bands over the past two years has been Aeroplane, the Brussels duo of Vito De Luca and Stephan Fasano. Signed to my favorite Eskimo Records they are set to release a full length record in September. Recently the group split and is now being headed by Vito De Luca. They just dropped a single off that record over at Pitchfork that you have to hear.

The irony is thick with thier new single, entitled "We Can't Fly". The track is thick with driving bass, synths, guitar and vocals that make it the perfect summer jam. A danceable disco hit featuring a diva repeatedly singing the hook. Pretty awesome track to debut.

In other news as a way to thank their Facebook fans Luca they released another track on Soundcloud. This was featured in their Essential Mix which if you haven't you must here.

I Crave Paris by Aeroplane (Official)

Turns out you have most likely heard parts of this track and that is because it is a Friendly Fires track, "Paris" with Flight Facilities vocals, "Crave" mixed up by Aeroplane to result in summer listening bliss. Looking forward to that new full length and wishing both dudes all the best.

Bonus track:

One of the coolest remixes you'll hear of Aeroplane with Ludacris and Diddy from Arthur King.

Aeroplane / Ludacris / Diddy : Paris (Arthur King edit) by arthurking

Not that I did not see this coming but I was hoping that common sense would prevail in this case. It has not.

Today the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Chicago handgun ban in its 5-4 decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago. Many will site the importance to bear arms to protect ones family or the ability to rise up again some future ominous oppressive government. Neither argument holds much water.

The irony of the argument that handgun are necessary for family protection is that the Chicago handgun ban had, according to statistical evidence presented in an amicus brief submitted to the court, resulted in as many as 1,000 fewer homicides since it was enacted in 1982, particularly those occurring in the home and involving family members.

At issue with the second argument is that handguns are a necessity to protect against government oppression - social movements can and have occurred without guns.

I hope that Chicago and other cities continue to push for alternative strategies to regulate and monitor the sale and transfer of firearms. I also would like to hear the necessity for citizens to own handguns. This past weekend alone 26 people were shot in Chicago and 3 were killed. Our insistence and gun owning fetish is nonsensical and unjustified. When is enough truly enough?

Chicago has committed to revise the handgun law.

International music afficianado Quantic aka Will Holland is set to release his latest record Dog with a Rope. Whether its Quantic or Quantic Soul Orchestra this dude knows how to make good music. Mishaps Happening his 2004 record remains one of my most favorite albums. On this record he blends latin sounds and even gets down to a bit of dub reggae. The album is streaming exclusively at NPR until its release on July 13th via Tru Thoughts. It is already recieving some pretty high praise:

Gilles Peterson: "He's at the forefront of a global sound."

Okayplayer: "Dog With A Rope is impressive work...Imagine Buena Vista Social Club doing reggae. Quite literally, that's what Dog With A Rope is."

NPR: "a Latin-infused reggae beat, stripped down to essentials and spice - no filler, only flavor."

Pretty impressive stuff. Check out a track off the record.

Mp3: Quantic presenta Flowring Inferno - "Dog with a Rope" (128 kbps)

Buy: Get the record here.

Some great King of Pop tribute stuff out there. These are some of my favorites. Particularly loving this cover of "Billie Jean" by Aloe Blacc and The Grand Scheme. RIP Michael.

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (Only Children Club Edit) by Only Children

Mp3: Michael Jackson - "Man in the Mirror" (Das Glow In Remix)

Mp3: Michael Jackson - "Rock with You" (Siik Remix)

Mp3: Michael Jackson - "Thriller" (Villains Remix)

OK, OK...so I’ve been writing a lot about ReSet! lately—but what can I say? They’re on their game. This time they’re back with two fresh remixes in the classic summer style.

First up is a remix of Lee Mortimer & Foamo’s “Superman”—Already a devastating club track, ReSet! slathers on a bit of that Italo turbofunk right over the singing disco strings.

Lee Mortimer & Foamo - Superman - Reset! RMX by RESET!

Then you’ve got this remix of London-based Graffiti 6’s track “Annie You Save Me”. The original has a certain gospel/soul/pop flavor to it, but this right here is a full-on bass-drivin’, synth swellin’, piano breakdownin’, drum crescendo blazin’ Summer Anthem. I don’t know if that’s your thing, but the sun is back in Seattle—after going 273 consecutive days without cracking 75 degrees—and this is exactly what I need.

Graffiti 6 - Annie You Save Me (Reset! Rmx) by RESET!

Dubstep technician and dance master Rusko, aka Christophert Mercer just released a video for his track "Hold On" featuring Amber Coffman (of Dirty Projectors) from his Mad Decent release, O.M.G.! He will be playing

Rusko will be here in Chicago on Aug 7th for Lollapalooza.

If you didn't like football before this World Cup you have to now. I have a hard time getting into the premiership because of the timezone but I certainly can get up for the World Cup. Awesome showing by the US so far.

US now has a chance to redeem themselves against Ghana on Saturday. Personally I think we can beat Ghana. That setsup a match with Uruguay/Mexico in the quarters another winnable match. Seems there is a realistic shot at making the semifinals which is unbelievable given our poor showing in 2006.

Over the last week I’ve been really into this new Diskjokke album, En Fin Tid. Straight outta Oslo, Diskjokke aka Joachim Dyrdahl comes from the same scene that has produced Lindstrøm, Prins Thomas, and Todd Terje. And, you know, every time I listen to this album, I see this massive space station orbiting high above an alien purple planet. Vivid and fresh, cool and understated…the music weaves seamlessly between hints of 90s-era rave lines to futuristic discotheque grooves to minimalist computer love. This must be what chrome robots get funky to after a long day of pushing flashing buttons on stark-white mainframes. You can almost see them robo-partying in their glass-walled observation lounge.

Mp3: Diskjokke - "1987" (Radio Edit)

This magnificent album of space opera disco releases today on Smalltown Supersound. You can check out the album on iTunes here.

Onra - The One feat. T3 from Slum Village from Onra on Vimeo.

One of my favorite records of the year is Onra's Long Distance and it is great to see it get a video to go along with one of the better tracks. Video is by Donal Thornton.

The video corresponds with the release of an upcoming 12" single for "The One" which features 2 remixes by Detroit native and original Slum Village member, Waajeed of Bling47. Keep an eye for that.

Buy: Get Onra stuff here.

The next up in the K7 records DJ-Kicks series is a personal favorite, Kode 9. Born Steve Goodman in Glasgow, Scotland, Kode 9 is a London-based electronic artist, DJ, and owner of the Hyperdub record label. His record Memories of the Future which he collaborated on with emcee, The Spaceape, is one of my favorites. Another fact about Kode 9 is that he has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Warwick.

This track taken from his forthcoming DJ-KiCKS mix, Kode9's "You Don’t Wash"sums up his record as a collection of addictive sounds coming from a 4x4 kick drum pulse mixed with hi hats and marimba. It’s not that obvious that it’s a Kode9 production until the bass hits at around the two minute mark. Check it out.

Kode9- You Don't Wash (Dub) by !K7 Records

photo by Passetti

Buy: Record out soon. You can get it here.

Sure Pitchfork has Raekwon, El-P, Dam-Funk, Big Boi which is promising but perhaps the most exciting hip hop lineup this summer in Chicago is the North Coast Music Festival. On a side note whats with the weak selection of hip hop talent at Lollapalooza? But I digress...

The North Coast Music Festival offers up an incredibly exciting hip hop lineup. Hip hip legends De La Soul and one of the best duos going in music right now with Nas and Damian Marley headline with other awesome acts to follow. The next thing in hip hop with Jay Electronica I am especially exited about seeing live.

The lineup also includes two of the most exciting people existing on the borderlines of hip hop with glitch experimental and Brainfeeder maestro Flying Lotus, and dub-stepper Benga. The bill is rounded out by the sure to be a soulful set by the AG favorite Mayer Hawthorne and the Country. Check out some tracks to get a taste of why we are looking forward to this festival.

Mp3: Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" (Flying Lotus Remix)

Mp3: Jay Electronica - "Exhibit C"

Mp3 link: Nas and Damian Marley feat. Junior Reid - "Ancient People" (Spine Magazine)

Mp3 link: Benga and Walsh - "Biscuit Factory" (Plugged Not Thugged)

Read: Get more information or pick up tickets to the show which has the makings of greatness here.

photo by mitzuo

Edit: Negativity from this post has been removed! Get out and see some hip hop!

This recording dates from circa 1971-72 in South Bay Area, CA produced by P.E. Hewitt. It used to be available as a Japanese import only but thanks to Now-Again record it is getting a full and proper release here in the States.

Winter Winds by Hewitt, a composer, arranger, vibraphonist, pianist and pilot, who gathered together a group of musicians and recorded several records without ever taking the time out to name his record company. Not sure if that is just poor planning or being an artist first and looking to make money second.

His three albums pressed in a maximum run of one hundred pieces per album – recently surfaced after Bay Area collector Chris Veltri re-discovered it. Check out a track off the album. Well worth the reissue.

Mp3: P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble - "I'm Wondering Why?"

Buy: Get this record here.

Italian funkamagicians RESET! kick off Friday right with an arm-shaking, rump-thundering guest mix on Annie Nightingale's BBC Radio 1 show. These guys are ferociously talented, and it's great to see them getting love from Radio 1.

Skip to 1:15 to jump right to the RESET! guest mix.

photo by Ciccio Pizzettaro

Self taught English singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Kwesi Sey aka Kwes has a new record coming out on Young Turks records. To show his depth of talent Kwes joined up with fellow label mate Jack Peñate Matinee to play organ on the debut LP. He subsequently joined him on tour in the UK and Europe, playing the laptop, snare and melodica.

He already has a couple remixes of Beck, Hot Chip, Damon Albarn and Mr. Hudson & The Library under his belt. I am a big fan of the artists on Young Turks and Kwes is no exception. Check out this bass heavy synth track. Pretty sweet.

Kwes / No Need to Run by Young Turks

His upcoming record No Need to Run is due out in July.

Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek and Estelle get in on the retro soul revival with another awesome cut off the Revolutions Per Minute record. Shows off Hi-Tek's production chops.

Mp3: Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek feat. Estelle - "Midnight"

Buy: Get the record here.

Let my guard down for a minute and I miss a record release by one of the most accomplished hip hop duos ever, Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli. There latest is Revolutions Per Minute. The two team up with some of music's finest in Estelle, Mos Def, Jay Electronica and Bun B.

On this track the three take (featur on politics, AIG, healthcare system and prescription medication. Bun B matches an uptempo Kweli on this track with perfection He flows at a pace to match that of an uptempo Kweli, Hi Tek’s distinct horns and production make this track unreal.

Classic hip hop record here. Pick it up.

Video: See Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli talk about the track here.

ASCENSION from chris lavelle on Vimeo.

Great audio visual project by Chris Leville. I encourage you to check out his other works. Impressive stuff.

Awesome track and video from the album Distant Relatives.

Mp3 link: Nas and Damien Marley - "As We Enter"

Seu Jorge and Almaz (drummer Pupillo and guitarist Lucio Maia, bassist and composer Antonio Pinto) have a new record coming out on Stones Throw's Now and Again where they cover Brazilian songs while adding a bit of psychedelic samba to some classic American and European soul tunes. Sounds intriguing.

They have enlisted additional help from producer Mario C. (Beastie Boys, Jack Johnson) to put the finishing touch on the project. For those that don't know Seu Jorge is a known his acting and covers of David Bowie music in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic and his work on Fernando Meirelles’ City Of God. His Cru record is one of my favorites. Read more about Seu Jorge and Almaz project here.

Here is a track that you can't argue with the message. Especially since the weather has been so great here in Chicago. Check it out.

Mp3: Seu Jorge and Almaz - "Everybody Loves the Sunshine"

Buy: Get the record here.

LA native Henry Laufer the 19-year-old producer, better known as Shlohmo, has jumped onto my radar screen given his affiliation with the superb Lo End Theory events.

The kid blends psychedelic abstract hip-hop with dubstep and synths resulting in a great sound. He recently released the Shlohmoshun Deluxe mini-album, and has done a podcast for XLR8R. Along with Flying Lotus and Nosaj Thing LA is leading the beat scene and is one of the most exciting places in music right now.
Antigravity by shlohmo
Hot Boxing the Cockpit by shlohmo

Buy: Get his mini-LP here.

All you hip-hop fans in Seattle will already be all on top of this, but the rest of you out there may not have heard the so-very-smoove flow of Helladope. Their first album, "Helladope" (self-titled AND aptly described) came out back in March and it's definitely worth checking out. You know, at times, it leans a little to the dance side--and that's what I like about it. Like a lot of the hip-hop bubbling up around here, it bends the rules.

Oh, and it looks like I missed the show, but I hear they opened for Snoop when he was in town to a sold-out crowd. Matson on Music's got a really nice writeup of the album, but seriously, if these tracks don't do it for you--what will?

Helladope - "Just So You Know"

Helladope - "Rainwater"

Very smoove.

The album is definitely worth picking up.