A 4Hero Podcast - The Best Way to Start the Day

As if releasing their new album Extensions wasn't enough, Marc Mac brings us Escapism. What to expect: 4Hero type remixes, rare grooves, electronica, smooth jazz... it's dope. It is the perfect day opener; the rhythms, the melodies... I'm having a Calgon moment, it's really taking me away...

Marc Mac - Escapism

For more 4Hero info, to purchase & to download go HERE

Coultrain : Seymour Liberty a.k.a Mountolive

This soul brother has been a breath of fresh air to my ears since I 1st heard "Green" back in 08 HERE. His music sets him apart from the rest in an industry where everyone sounds alike, and they're singing about the same uninteresting stories. With an unforgettable /unmistakable voice, powerful & relatable lyrical content, and stellar production, [his 1st album] The Adventures of Seymour Liberty was a 2008 classic in the Nu Soul scene. If you've never heard of him, let me stress how great his artistry is by stating that the Platinum Pied Pipers scooped him up as their lead vocalist for Abundance... it made perfect sense, they only work with the best. I patiently wait for new material from him, more so an album. We posted 2 new tracks in September to hold the fans over til a new album rears its beautiful head. :) Feel free to check out all our Coultrain related posts HERE. He recently made himself available to the lovers of good music on the social networks, so hit him up on Facebook or Twitter, and patronize his Myspace page for new tracks.



Coultrain - Self Pity


Who is Coultrain?


PPP - Ain't No If's Or Maybes


PPP: Meet the Cast #2 - Coultrain

Exile and DJ Day - Thriller Routine

Exile and DJ Day performed at the legendary Root Down in Los Angeles, CA and debuted their Michael Jackson "Thriller" routine, in honor of MJ as well as an ode to Halloween.

Peep this first ever performance of this particular routine, and lookout for more to come.

Jaafar - Everytime (Electric Soul Remix)

It's time for Jaafar's second single to be released and So For Real Productions is making sure you pay attention! Just listen to this remix from the already dope, Everytime. Haven't heard the original? Well, go buy the album already or peep it on the Fudge Muffin Mix


Jaafar - Everytime (Electric Soul Remix)

Byron the Aquarius - Galactic Freak

Here's a new one from Byron the Aquarius. This Luxury Life album he's working on looks like it's shaping up to be LARGE; There hasn't been one track he's sent me that I'm not feeling! Album sampler coming soon and Luxury Life is scheduled for a 2010 release
Leave us a Love Note and let us know what you think


Byron the Aquarius - Galactic Freak

DJ Destroyer - Anthony Valadez Audio/Visual Sample Mix

As the night draws near to a close this mix seems to be fitting in quite nicely so I had to share. We told you about Anthony Valadez dropping his debut album Audio/Visual HERE, and now we have a mix to entice you some more. DJ Destroyer did a 15min sample mix to get you going, get you warmed up and ready for the real thing, and he doesn't disappoint. This is a groove you can go ahead and leave on repeat...

DJ Destroyer - Anthony Valadez Audio/Visual Sample Mix

DOWNLOAD

Vinyl? Check! #43: Easy Come Easy Go

Philadelphia International was a musical powerhouse during the 70s and mid 80s. Some of their extraordinary acts were more than just performers, such as Dexter Wansel who oversaw a lot of artist’s album including The Jones Girls. He’s also credited with Executive Producing Jean Carn’s 1979 album, When I find You Love. Eddie Levert of The OJay’s also contributed to Jean’s album as a producer on the stepping My Love Don’t Come Easy. This is one that will definitely get the feets moving on the dancefloor, once you get past the 40 second sax intro that is


Jean Carn - Intro/My Love Don’t Come Easy

Vinyl? Check! #42: B Side Wins Again

Leon Haywood revitalized Carl Carlton’s career with the Grammy nominated ode to the female form, She’s a Bad Mama Jama. As usual, the B-Side has an equally dope tune although much more subdued than She’s a Bad Mama Jama. The Leon Haywood produced flip, This Feeling’s Rated X-Tra, puts me in the mind of Tyrone Davis’ 1975 classic In the Mood. It’s primarily the horns and the guitar licks but also just the mellow midtempo smoothness of the track. Leon cut an alternate version of the track on his 1975 Come and Get Yourself Some album that you can check out HERE


Carl Carlton - This Feeling’s Rated X-Tra

Wax Poetics Issue N°37 - "Going For Self" by Rico Washington - Review

I saw a video a few months ago with Erykah Badu mentioning that "Michael Jackson is a part of our DNA". I found her statement to be true, whether you look at the structure and culture of pop and R&B music, metaphorically speaking, or at our individual physical/genealogical makeup.

After reading the Going For Self article by Rico Washington in the newest Wax Poetics N° 37 MJ issue, Erykah's words rang true once again after I found myself getting chills at the thoughts of how these artists came together and wrote these beautiful songs for Michael. Stories by producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (Philedelphia International Records), songwriters James Ingram (P.Y.T. - Pretty Young Thing), Siedah Garrett (Man In The Mirror), Susaye Greene (I Can't Help It), Leon Ware (I Wanna Be Where You Are), and Marsha Ambrosius (Butterflies), tell of the passion, love, professionalism, and humbleness that these writers and Michael possessed during the creation, development, and recording of these classic tunes.
This piece also sheds light on the importance of songwriters, how they can help shape the life and career of an artist, and then touch the world, as did Michael Jackson with his collaborators.

Needless to say, the entire issue is a gem for collectors (I heard they are moving fast), but is also a treasure for fans who have a part of Michael inside of them, as most of us do.

Available at WaxPoetics.com, Charlemagne Records (Birmingham, Alabama) and at fine record and book stores near you.

Dres (of The Black Sheep) - FOREVERLUVLEE

New music from one of my favorite emcees in the Native Tongues Crew. His new album, From the Black Pool of Genius in stores soon and he dropped the single on his twtr page.
Also, check as he keeps the myth going of an upcoming Native Tongues tour. You know Dana Owens Queen Latifah won't be anywhere around...but still the thought of a reunion tour would be nice


Dres (of The Black Sheep) - FOREVERLUVLEE

Chief - True Love feat Sene and Blu

Here is another joint from the upcoming Chief "Collabo Collection" LP dropping on November 3rd via Feelin Music straight from Switzerland. A couple of weeks ago, we dropped the joint featuring Co$$ entitled "Love Lost," and here is another joint entitled "True Love" ft. both Blu and Sene on raps/vocals.

Enjoy, and peep the upcoming album from Chief, dropping November 3rd, and make sure to cop the Sene & Blu LP "ADayLate&ADollarShort" In Stores Now

Chief - True Love feat Sene and Blu

Idle Warship - Party Robot (Download)

Idle Warship (Kweli, Res + Graph Nobel) sez, "Idle Warship welcomes you to our first full length offering, Party Robot. This started out as a path to musical freedom. When we established Idle Warship, we did it for us. Now that we are giving you this music, Idle Warship no longer belongs to us, it belongs to the world. We don’t believe in labels for music. Labels make stop you from hearing something before you listen to it. We appreciate those who have taken this journey with us without judgment and enjoyed the ride. To everyone who purchased our music on iTunes and anyone who has bought a ticket to an Idle Warship show, this is for you. All my party robots stand up!" Download HERE

Mr. Chop - “T.R.O.Y.”

Mr. Chop is a producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist behind several Now-Again and Jazzman Records releases. Recent work as a co-producer & co-writer on a series of tracks on Born Like This from MF DOOM (who called him “the illest to grace the boards”) led to a chance to rework psych funk, jazz and rock covers of producer Pete Rock’s greatest beats, resulting in For Pete's Sake. His is a unique take that has led to an album that the heads will recognize by, say, the Tom Scott sax-line Pete Rock poached for “T.R.O.Y.,” or a host of other sample-based calls and response that Chop has deconstructed and reassembled again.

These tracks were recorded at his Cheshire, England-based Ape Studios with the likes of The Heliocentric’s Malcolm Catto, Jake Ferguson and Mike Burnham, offering up a futuristic mixture of fuzzy psychedelia, funk and jazz, informed by years of record collecting and hip hop studies. Worldwide release date for For Pete's Sake is November 3rd. Download Free from Stones Throw HERE



Mr. Chop - “T.R.O.Y.”

Strong Arm Steady feat. Talib Kweli - Get Started

Stones Throw has been consistently dropping good music; Just check their recent releases such as albums from Mayer Hawthorne and Dam Funk. To continue to sweeten the pot, they've released a FREE mp3 of a collaboration between Madlib and Strong Arm Steady feat Talib Kweli from their upcoming album Stoney Jackson. Download the clean version of Get Started HERE and you can find instrumentals and the dirty version in the blogosphere if you just cant wait

Strong Arm Steady feat. Talib Kweli - Get Started (prod by Madlib)

The "Can I Get You High" podcast (Download)

Check this LIVE audio from the recent "Can I Get You High" CMJ event at BLVD in NYC. Presented by VTech and Plug Research w/ support from Spectre, Okayplayer, Fusicology, and Taste NYC it hosted an amazing line up featuring Bilal w/ 6 piece band, Exile ft. Blu, Shafiq Husayn w/ live band, Pharoahe Monch on hosting duties, and DJ sets by Large Professor, J Rocc, DJ Spinna and Blu Jemz.
Here is sneak peak into what went down at the show this past Weds. Featuring an intro acapella from Pharoahe Monch, Exile live on the MPC, then a short set w/ Blu announcing the upcoming new Blu/Exile album while performing a new song, moving onto an exclusive DJ set w/ Large Professor, then a classic record-for-record set from both J Rocc and Dj Spinna, this audio snippet is at top sound quality making the experience something that will last for years to come.
Look out for the upcoming video footage from the event coming later this week, w/ footage from the entire event, as well as the live performances from Bilal and Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA).
Download or Just Listen HERE

Alice Russell 'All Alone' (DJ Day Meets Clutchy Hopkin's Remix)

British soul sensation Alice Russell has been making folks in the states and across the pond grooving for years. Her amazing vocals and presence makes her a stand out from her other blue eyed soul contemporaries. These remixes of her 2008 album 'Pot of Gold' are an amazing and interesting reinterpretation of her classic. The beats here range from laid back smooth to dance floor funky and everywhere in between. My favorite is the DJ Day & the mysterious Clutchy Hopkins produced 'All Alone' a track that has been on repeat ever since I pressed play. A must for every collection.

Alice Russell 'All Alone' (DJ Day Meets Clutchy Hopkins Remix)

Vinyl? Check! #41: Find the FONK

This gem is from the schmaltzy Thank God its Friday Sdtk, and finds the group that we’ve come to know as "The Funk Grand Masters", Cameo, operating in a disco mode, yet they still find a way to funk it out!
Just check the break at 2:17 that begins simply with bass and guitar that has your body rocking before they bring the chorus back in. Produced by Larry Blackmon, Find My Way is a delicious piece of 31 yr old proto-funk. Enjoy!

Cameo - Find My Way

MORE: Check out this cut, Love Junkee, that they recorded in 2003 with DJ Cam for his SoulShine album


DJ Cam; Cameo - Love Junkee

UNDRCRWN presents: He's the King I'm the DJ

An MJ lovers dream, mixed by one of the best to ever do it! Jazzy Jeff does it oh so beautifully. This is the perfect musical prequel to "This Is It". Peep the track list...

Original post and download link HERE

Sy Smith - The Art of You (Video)

Sy Smith Tweeted: "I definitely wanna know what you guys think of my new video. Shooting w/ 8mm vs HD video is MUCH different!"

Hey Sy! We dig it! So much so, we wanted our people to get to see the newness as well...

Hit Sy up on Twitter to tell her what you think AND leave us a Love Note!

The Dene Road EP

Somewhere between traditional and experimental, between conscious and abstract lies The Dene Road. Taking a daily routine and appropriating actions and sounds for such an activity, 'The Dene Road EP' settles as the story of a gentle brush against the arm and the way which touch has interacted with the arm. There is speech and dialogue of tracks of layers of ideas of moments. Wrong question: How do we react? Correct Question: What does reaction affect? Answer:

Peter Hadar - Meet the Cool Weirdo EP (Download)

Our good friends at Quality Time Online are obviously big fans of Peter Hadar and have compiled some of their favorite tunes for the benefit of long time fans and newcomers alike. Download HERE
Check out his website/blog for more freebies, newness and musings!

Hil St. Soul 'Baby Come Over' featuring Dwele

Undoubtedly the perfect combination is beauty and brains. There is nothing sweeter or sexier than a woman that can stimulate your senses in more ways than just one. Hilary Mwelwa is very special in that way; the the talent chanteuse of Hil St. Soul has both attributes and many more. Born in Zambia and bred in London, she holds a degree in biological sciences and as a teen was fascinated with the music of Annie Lennox and Blondie, this is not your average chick. She is making a name for herself on the UK R&B and Soul scene and is sure to be a big hit in the States as well. Collaborating with Dwele on the the sexy and smooth 'Baby Come Over' her voice just caresses your ears and leave you wanting more. But please believe she won't leave you hanging, the album is called 'Release' for a reason. So check her out for yourself, but don't fall too hard.

Hil St. Soul 'Baby Come Over' featuring Dwele

Raphael Saadiq - Staying in Love (Live)

Raphael Saadiq's winter tour is getting ready to start its engines, and vids from the fall tour are popping up on YouTube, yay for us! From the looks of the packed houses witnessing his electric performances, the energy is high and the masses are pleased. To make sure that you're front and center for the winter tour which will be featuring Janelle Monáe and Anjulie; check out the dates, locations, & purchase tickets HERE.

Raphael Saadiq - Staying in Love

4Hero :: Extensions - Conceptions

4Hero has truly outdone themselves with the sound and concept of this their 9th album. All this time I just knew their work couldn't possibly get any better... then came covers of their personal stuff. Extensions has such an intimate feel, I think that's as a result of the instruments used to create this masterpiece. Violins, keys, and the occasional tambourine [naming a Few] to boot are some of the sounds that permeate the album. I mean this is seriously some of the most beautiful isht I've ever heard...

4Hero - Conceptions :: The Landau Orchestra

Ancient Astronauts 'Classic' featuring The Pharcyde

It is believed that centuries ago that aliens visited Earth to share knowledge and trade with early human civilizations. It is believed that they left markings and evidence of their travels here. Stonehenge, the Pyramids,the Mayan Temples, all these marvels are surrounded in mystery and bear markings of some kind that can't be explained by science. The Ancient Astronauts are Kabanjak and Dogu hailing from Cologne, Germany . . .via outer space! Coy with their true origins, the duo can only confirm that they returned to planet Earth in 2001 after traveling the musical cosmos for thousands of years. Their very name, “Ancient Astronauts,” implies a mash-up of the distant past and the far future; traits exemplified in their melding of old school hip hop, funk, and dub reggae with forward-thinking flair and production technique. Their sound is hip, funky, space aged, and futuristic. Collaborating with some of hip-hop's most forward thinking artists they definitely deliver something new and interesting.

Ancient Astronauts 'Classic' featuring The Pharcyde

DJ Cam Quartet 'Montara'

Parisian hip-hop devotee Laurent Daumail aka DJ Cam is one of a few but growing number of French artists updating hip-hop for the chill-out crowd. His latest offering along with his band aptly named the DJ Cam Quartet recently released their new album 'Diggin' currently out of stock but available. The album is a fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and classic hip-hop samples that blend together seamlessly to create something amazing. The quartet comprises of DJ Cam on scratches, strings, drums and programming; Alexandre Tassel on the Bugle; Christian Brun plays guitar and Jerome Regard is on bass with guest appearances from Guillaume Naturel and vocals by Inlove. 'Montara' is a soulful groove that combines DJ Cam's jazz and soul roots with hip-hop sensibility. His music is made for those moments when you just want to put on something smooth and relaxing to vibe too.

DJ Cam Quartet 'Montara'

Velben: New Album Preview

I am truly excited that I received the album preview from Velben today. For those who are not up on him, Velben is an artist hailing from Detroit, Michigan. He has worked with some artists/producers such as Jneiro Jarel, Baatin (R.I.P), Dragon Fli Empire, and Precise Hero. In 2006, Velben released his critically acclaimed  Formless EP independently and in 2008 it was re-released on vinyl with Traveller Records.  Formless received praise from producers Rich Medina and Jneiro Jarel dubbing it a must have EP for your collection. This year Velben has his debut album Creative Flowz to share with the world which will be release on his own label Formless Vibez Muzik. With production from J Palm, Bus Crates, and Byron the Aquarius, it's evident that Creative Flowz will be a dope must have for 2009. Not far behind in sound with previous project Formless, Creative Flowz  shows hints of progressiveness and Velben 's  ability to travel far off into another dimension as possible without losing himself or his audience. If my word isn't enough to prepare you for the amount of intergalactic inspired hip-hop/soul dispersing from Creative Flowz, just take a listen to the preview for yourself and post your thought here.

Velben via Myspace


Velben via Twitter

Velben- Creative Flowz  Album Preview

Dam Funk - Toeachhizown

The Ambassador of Boogie Funk's debut album has finally been released. DâM-FunK's 2 hour Double CD Toeachizown is a collection of series 1-5 that we've been hipping you to all summer . If you copped 1/2 but not all of the series, Stones Throw has released the 5 parts digitally for your downloading pleasure! While you wait for your cd to arrive, have a listen to DâM-FunK's “Spiritual Flight” Stones Throw Podcast #49 HERE.

DâM-FunK :: Toeachizown

Get the album HERE

DJ Phonetics presents Def vs DOOM

There have been a few vids popping up with Mos Def spittin DOOM lyrics (vid 1, vid 2). Imagine if the 2 ever truly collaborated! Here's a sample of what coulda been and what may still be...
Peace to DJ Phonetic for this one and Download HERE

Check out Mos' cover of Rainbows (LIVE)

Anthony Valadez - Audio/Visual available Nov. 10

Audio/Visual, available Nov. 10 via RecordBreakin, is the debut full length from artist, club and radio dj, playwright, Anthony Valadez. This album is a collection of beats that became modified with the addition of live instrumentation to add texture. The concept of the album is based on the merger between sight and sound...each song, sample and layer is inspired by a visual that inspired Valadez.

"I've always been inspired by the visual elements of everyday life" Valadez explains. "From my college days, taking public transportation, to driving home late at nights from gigs. my mind takes mental snapshots that stay with me while I play the keys, percussion and the mpc to create sounds. I got bored of beat music with simple loops that really go nowhere and I wanted to challenge myself in creating a palette that allows me to change the texture or moor within a song."

Valadez enlist the vocal talents of Stockholm's Kissey Asplund and Los Angeles' Wendisue on a few tracks. Nevertheless the majority of the project is an instrumental sound-scape accompanied with the musicianship of Dexter Story (Life Force Trio, Build an Ark), Shante Palmer (Raphael Saadiq, Talib Kweli) and Evan Lasrey.

Anthony Valadez - Azucar

MORE: Check out Anthony Valadez speaking about what inspired the album

Jern Eye - Get Down Remix

Jern Eye, coming strong off the release of his new album Vision, has teamed up with producer BOAC for a remix of the album's first single official single, "Get Down" featuring fellow West Coast emcee Z-Man!. The track doesn’t stray from the up-tempo style that the original brought forth, but does have its own flavor. BOAC stuck to playing everything himself, avoiding samples on his version, which gives the remix a live feel. A funky synthesizer and piano melody are prevalent throughout the song with added percussion rhythms to fill out the beat. BOAC had this to say about the remix version,
"The original 'Get Down' is real fresh. Keelay and Zaire produced the perfect funky beat for Jern Eye, who killed it lyrically. I like the challenge of taking a classic song and flipping the vibe completely. I was almost finished with it, when I realized Z-Man would sound dope on it. I played it for Z, he was feeling it and the rest is history."
Z-Man! also delivered a stellar verse that shines on the track in it's own right. Z-Man!'s tongue twisting flow doesn’t bore the listener at all as he raps,
"I'm a human cartoon makin' moves and keep a sharp tongue through these dizzy interviews, rippin' anyone of you's, I'm a real rapper-the ill rapper that'll kidnap the kidnappers kidnapper."
Make sure to check out Jern Eye's newest release Vision now available everywhere via MYX Music Label. Download Jern Eye's The Eye Exam Mixtape HERE


Jern Eye - Get Down Remix Feat. Z-Man! (Prod. by BOAC)

Diamond District - Hologram

For those chomping at the bit to get their hands on the official release of Diamond District's debut album, In The Ruff, Christmas may have just come a week early. While the album's official release date remains October 27th, District triumvirate Oddisee, X.O., and YU have come bearing gifts this week.
First, the single "Hologram" is dropping this week. One of the brand new songs on In the Ruff, "Hologram" has a raw, tough sound. Producer/Rapper Oddisee says
"we wanted something a bit grimier... the official release is coming out in the fall, towards winter, so we wanted something to fit the attitude of the season that the album is going to be coming out in. We were mainly trying to concentrate on storytelling raps and the aesthetic of the '90s. It's a style we all appreciate and it's something we were aiming for on In The Ruff." With a woozy beat, vintage soul sample chorus, and matter of fact lyrics, the track is perfect for headphones on a cold sidewalk.

The official release of In The Ruff is available now on vinyl. Diamond District's In The Ruff will be available on CD and digital download on October 27 via Mello Music Group. Download their FREE mixtape, Diamond District, and their single I Mean Business HERE



Diamond District - Hologram

Rodney Hunter - Dedications EP (Coming Soon)

This Hithunter obviously never sleeps. Just when you thought he would kick back and relax after the highly perceived Ministry of Sound release "Freak On", he returns with another bag of hits. "Dedications" is an ode to the people that have been down with Hunter Sound from the start, the friends and the critics. Despite a heavy schedule including recording sessions, remix work, touring the globe and his undercover second life as a g-stoner... he still manages to deliver the goods. The "Dedications" EP is the first release on his own newly founded label Hunter Recordings. And what a worthy debut this is! All in all, 4 songs spanning from dub to future electronics genre wise.
Check out "Cool Relaxation" or to put it in Mr. Hunter's own words: "sit back relax and let yourself go". Don't be surprised to hear this Hunter masterpiece all over the place from October on.


Rodney Hunter - Cool Relaxation

Audible Treats CMJ Megamix

Bay Area DJ King Most has created a special edition Megamix for the CMJ Showcase '09 giving listeners a taste of the likes of Souls of Mischief, Tanya Morgan, Finale, Oddisee, Trinity, & Kam Moye just to name a few! The tracklist is looking right, so I'm sure this is one for the ride tomorrow...

Tracklist:
Tanya Morgan: "We've Just Arrived"
Illa J: "Are You Listening?"
Finale: "Motor City Music"
Diamond District: "Who I Be"
Show & AG: "Next Level" (Premier's Nyte Tyme Mix)
Sadat X: "Lump Lump"
Souls of Mischief: "LaLaLa"
Jern Eye: "Get Down"

DOWNLOAD

DJ RODDYROD - Junji Faye (Video)

Another quick video drop from the Low Budget Crew for you guys today
This time it comes from DJ RODDYROD's forthcoming Cuba After Market ONE.POINTFIVE re-release,with a self-made video for the Cuban-inspired "Junji Faye"
RoddyRod's Cuba After Market ONE.POINTFIVE drops Black Friday iTunes Release Nov 27th. Shouts out to Kenny Fresh for the link. Go HERE for more info on the upcoming release plus downloads

Chinahblac Eargasmic Mixtape

Got some fresh Chinahblac for you this evening. I haven't had a chance to listen yet but I'm sure she shall not disappoint! Download HERE

MORE: Check this vid directed by: W.Ellington Felton and Jason Orr guest starring: Sy Smith, Eric Roberson, Russell Taylor, and visitors of the 2009 International Soul Summit in ATL.

Exile - Your Summer Song Remix ft. J Mitchell

Here is another joint from the upcoming Exile Radio (Remix) project, featuring a host of MCs and producers remixing the entire Exile Radio album that was released early 2009.
This remix is for the joint "Your Summer Song" ft. J Mitchell on vocals, giving entire new meaning to the song, over the original instrumental.
Look out for Exile's "Radio Remix" project dropping 2010, Exile' "Radio" LP is in stores now.

Exile - Your Summer Song ft. J Mitchell