Video: Chromeo- Don't Turn the Lights On

Don't Turn The Lights On from Chromeo1 on Vimeo.

Single from Chromeo's new album, Business Casual, set to release on September 27th. Directed by Keith Schofield.

MP3 Download: ThinkLoud- City Lights ft. Oddisee

ThinkLoud's Droppin' Mirrors dropped back in June and features a few tracks from some of my favorite artists from my hometown of Washington, DC. Sample cuts and more info on the release below. You can purchase the album for $6.99 on Amazon now.

“Droppin’ Mirrors is a musical cross-section of past collaborations, as well as a glimpse of projects to come. Droppin’ Mirrors contains almost nothing but exclusive productions. These are the natural result of joint shows with, and tours managed by ThinkLoud’s DJ Conikt across Germany and Europe. We managed to get artists like Aloe Blacc (Stones Throw), Kev Brown (Up Above), Grand Agent (Superrappin’) and Oddisee (Diamond District) on board. At the same time, young and talented artists like Portformat, Shuanise, Fid Mella, and others have found their way onto the album. A major portion of the songs were composed by in-house producer Stroe, and recorded together with the guest artists in Berlin. The result is a genre-crossing product that transcends its roots in Rap, Experimental, and neo-Soul. Droppin’ Mirrors sets sail towards electronically fragmented, soulful beats, deconstructivist arrangements, and unconventional ideas to let a charm of its own flourish.”

Download: ThinkLoud- City Lights ft. Oddisee
Download: ThinkLoud- Girl ft. Kev Brown & Kaimbr

This One Time, on Bandcamp #1: Thallus- Between Head and Hand

The first edition of This One Time, on Bandcamp spotlights a free instrumental record from German producer, Thallus. What originally drew me into Between Head and Hand was the dusty and blunted mood that stretched throughout the entire album, but unlike most of my past instrumental downloads I've found on the internet, this one was simple and undressed.

The digital drummer boy from Deutschland shows a lot of potential in twenty short minutes. Remnants of early Oddisee and 90's trip hop are scattered within the 8-tracks, but as Thallus works his way through the EP, you begin to hear a young musician toy with his future personality.

Thallus' debut is balmy but pleasant and serves as a perfect sidekick to any late night study session or walk into dusk.

Favorite Tracks: Bring the Moon Down & Lonely Roads

Download: Thallus- Between Head and Hand

Video: Ceschi- Bad Jokes

Ceschi Ramos is famous for his genre bending visions. His work with experimental post-psych-rock-hop-jazz-fusion band Anonymous Inc., Los Angeles collective Toca, and hardcore punk band Dead by Wednesday have all been acclaimed by fans, critics, and artists alike. The ability to sculpt something beautiful and original from hundreds of opposites seems impervious, but Ceschi and company always prevail.

Ceschi's new record The One Man Band Broke Up is now available for purchase and what an album it is. I have not posted anything on it before because I did not see any free MP3s or press floating around until I caught wind of the above video from one of my favorite singles. I'd have to agree with Stereokill's comments on the album when they said it was: "Some of the best examples of alternative hip hop in recent years." 

The album is entirely produced by DJ Scientist and follows a story of a well traveled musician that is at odds with the music industry and himself.

Links to buy: Vinyl w. Shirt, CD w. Shirt and iTunes.

Video: Deca- Due Time

Besides circle jerks and shameless self promotion, Twitter can be useful.

Denver beatsmith Kid Hum tweeted this fresh new video from Denver bred MC Deca, who now resides in the new mecca of hip hop, Los Angeles, California. Yea, I said it. Again.

The experimental and innovative lens manipulation comes from the steady hands of Director Eric Heights. 

A lot of beautiful shots in this gem.

MP3 Download: Othello- Gone With the Win

photo by arian stevens

Humble Beast is a brand new hip hop collective based out of Portland, OR and features some of independent hip hop's most humble and hardworking acts, such as: Braille, Theory Hazit, and more. Working hard to get their message and music to the masses, the good people at Humble Beast have released their 2nd compilation record, Humble Beginnings, featuring 10 new tracks that spotlight their entire roster and affiliates' skills.

Humble Beast tells us: "Humble Beginnings is a compilation which showcases new music from the entire Humble Beast roster. Whether you're looking to catch up on the latest music from our Hip-Hop veterans, or wanting to discover what our talented newcomers have to offer, Humble Beginnings will definitely whet your appetite."

Below is a track from the compilation record featuring Humble Beast affiliate Othello, who, in my opinion, is one of hip hop's most talented and overlooked individuals. The Portland MC/Producer sports a solid discography with his work with Lightheaded (Braille, Ohmega Watts, Muneshine) and his two heavily slept on solo albums (Classic & Alive at the Assembly Line).

You can purchase Humble Beginnings now on iTunes.

Download: Othello- Gone With the Win

Free Mix Tape Download: ESQ & Chikaramanga- Recession Free

Mommy, what's a record label?

While many labels face extinction, Los Angeles based Tres Records continues to build, network and produce high quality independent hip hop by sporting a rock solid roster and mind state that beholds lasting power. The artist owned label has already built a sturdy foundation with Giant Panda, Lightheaded, Thes One, DJ Alibi, Blu's side projects, Shawn Jackson, Big Tone, Paten Locke, Co$$, DJ Lowkey and continue to expand.

One of their most recent expansion draft picks was long time MC and activist, ESQ. This nomadic MC has already released three solo records, trekked our countryside with numerous marquee artists, and helped spread US hip hop throughout Asia, but it wasn't until long time friend Paten Locke introduced him to Giant Panda DJ and Tres co-founder, Chikaramanga, that ESQ got a proper spot on the soapbox.

Later this year, ESQ and Chikaramanga will release their debut collaboration record, The Succession, but until then we have been given gift in the form of a 19-track mix tape that is beautifully mixed by DJ Lowkey and spotlights ESQ's mic skills over various Tres Record beats. In one of the most slept on mix tapes of 2010, ESQ lifts the dying spirit of an underwhelming year in independent hip hop with a throwback tongue twisting temperament reminiscent of the years when intelligent, creative, and viable record labels still roamed the earth.

Download: ESQ & Chikaramanga- Recession Free

Video: Fel Sweetenberg- Save Ya Life ft. Dave Ghetto & Baby Blak

After going through my cd collection today I came across one of my favorite unknown underground classics (at least in my opinion) in Fel Sweetenberg's debut LP"Lost Dreams, Wasted Talent." I quickly googled to see what Fel has been up to and was pleased to find out that his sophomore record, The Sophomore Jinx, is set to release this month on the 24th via iTunes!

Here is the first single/video from the upcoming album featuring Dave Ghetto and Baby Blak. If you haven't heard Lost Dreams, Wasted Talent yet-- do yourself a favor.

Black EL- Milf & Cookies + Rush

Rising through the ashes left by a failed NBA championship, Boston MC Black ELement (now known as Black EL) plans to bring the glory back to Beantown before Tom Brady does.

Since the release of his debut LP, Black EL has been diligently working on refining his craft and building his musical relationship with producer Ryan Durkin. Their efforts will soon be heard on August 31st with the release of Black's sophomore album, Color Commentary, which is rumored to feature Outasight, Jelani and John Hope.

Below are two NON-ALBUM leaks that Black EL has decided to release to get everyone hyped for his say goodbye to summer release. Milf & Cookies is a fun and playful Stacey Dash tribute over the Bumblebeez record Black Dirt and Rush is an infectious Durkin signature full of rumbling bass lines and playful vocal samples that instantly proves this upcoming record is well worth the 22 month wait.

Download: Black EL- Milf & Cookies

Download: Black EL- Rush

MP3 Download: DJ Day & Miles Bonny- Learnin' To Fly

R&B/Soul hardly get play in my stereo or iPod, but I have become a substantial Miles Bonny fan over the past year. This track is a non-album cut from California DJ, DJ Day, featuring the Kansas City crooner on vocals and trumpet. Conscious, inspirational-- "Learnin' to Fly" is an infectious, soulful track that will bring a nice breeze into to your summer day.

Download:  DJ Day & Miles Bonny- Learnin' To Fly

MP3 Download: Jack Spade & Blu- 2 Long + more

Slow down you kilobyte kleptos. This is not new Blu.

In 2003, before Blu was everyone's favorite new underground rapper, he collaborated with fellow Los Angeles MC, Jack Spade (aka Blacc/Black/Donel Smokes), and made The Bruise Brothers EP. This extremely rare EP shows a 'green' Blu beginning to form and perfect his now infamous nonchalant style and shines a bright spotlight on a passionate and gritty MC that has slid under everyone's radar over the years in Spade.

We all are aware of Blu's success, but Spade hasn't been doing too bad himself. Besides rapping, Spade found greater success as a producer, rocking tracks with Planet Asia, Jurassic 5 and Strong Arm Steady. 

Below are the tracks that showed not only Blu's future potential as the blunted subterranean superstar we all know and love, but the duos potential as a whole.

Side note: You can also find Blu and Spade (Donel Smokes) on Exile's 2006 release, Dirty Science.


Download: Jack Spade & Blu- 2 Long
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- Ain't 'Bout U
Download: Jack Spade- Asphault Grow (solo track)
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- Day by Day
Download: Jack Spade & Blu- That's Life

Free EP Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia by the way of Brooklyn, New York, Bagir-Ba is an emerging producer with a knack for making the weird and eccentric sound crisp and cohesive. His free debut EP, Yello-21, gives beat heads a small taste of his talents. Throughout the EP's ten track frame, Bagir-Ba stirs up a bubbling cauldron full of electronic loops, eerie synths, and Phillip K. Dick like accents.

If you are into Kan Kick, grab this freebie before Bagir blasts off into the blogosphere.

Download: Bagir-Ba- Yello-21

MP3 Download: JR & PH7- All In a Days Work ft. Oddisee + Steel Remains ft. Blu & The Waxolutionists

In 2009 there was an LP that got the frozen shoulder from fans, bloggers, and journalists alike, but I never understood why. German production duo JR & PH7's "The Standard" instantly raised the standards attached with creating a memorable hip hop compilation record. On top of the vivid artwork, refreshing production, and tasteful song sequencing, the no namers from Deutschland brought 20 very different hip hop artists together and somehow kept a cohesive synergy and sound throughout its 17-track body. A feat many veteran producers fail to hit on their own compilation projects.

For those that missed their last release, you're in luck. JR and PH7 are brewing their follow up LP, The Update, set to drop this fall on Soulpasm Records. In the meantime, they have dropped a dope 6-track EP, aptly titled The EP, that features Blu, Termanology, Oddisee, Ohmega Watts and Trek Life. The EP is available to purchase now via iTunes; however, below, you can find two of my favorite tracks to spread on your gums before you snort the rest of it up.

Download: JR & PH7- All In a Days Work ft. Oddisee
Download: JR & PH7- Steel Remains Remix ft. Blu & The Waxolutionists

Beat Tape: Lokid- Oldies & Cakes

Here is an old beat tape I came across from French producer Lokid from 2008. A lot of versatile loops and cuts all from the low, low price of $free.99.


Download: Lokid- Oldies & Cakes

Video: Black Milk- Album of the Year Trailer

He murdered it in 2008 with Tronic-- can he do it again? On another note, I think I know where BM got his name from: the incredible track from Massive Attack's 1998 album Mezzanine. Confirmation?