Breeze Embalm- Fresh Pepper (single)

In anticipation of the release of his upcoming Embalming Fluid mixtape, Bronx emcee Breeze Embalm recently leaked a new track entitled "Fresh Pepper" directly to the people. Over some fully-charged electric guitar riffs and a rising tide of crowd chants, Breeze adds fuel to the track's already fiery feel by spitting line after line of amplified lyrics. The young lyricist skillfully makes the most of the brief, but brilliantly executed, single by gripping his listeners by the collar and refusing to let up on his lyrical barrage until the last note has sounded. "Fresh Pepper" is a dope combination of sharp rhymes and a high energy track that should definitely place the name Breeze Embalm firmly on the list of hip hop's rising stars.

Read More

Croup- Cry Inside (feat. Animal Pak) (single)

In my opinion, a producer-driven album either succeeds or falls short depending on how much of a sincere collaboration there is between said producer and the vocalists that he or she chooses to work with. Although I have no special insight into how much back-and-forth occured between producer Croup and the duo Animal Pak during the making of the track "Cry Inside", the end result  has the feel of an authentic back-and-forth between artists trying to make something meaningful. On the track, lyricists Praverb and Don Streat seem to lay down any and all guards and proceed to pour their hearts into the microphone as Croup's sobering production helps to set the scene. Piano keys tumble, ambient strings rise and fall, and drums vanish then reappear to help punctuate key lyrics. "Cry Inside" is the sort memorable music that results when emcees and producers really collaborate and treat the art of making music as more than just a PayPal transaction.

Read More

Third Coast Kings- Just Move (official video)

The Detroit deep funk combo Third Coast Kings hits the scene with new music after their heavily acclaimed 2012 self titled debut album. Their new LP is entitled West Grand Boulevard and to help spread the word about it's impending release, the Kings brought some cameras into the studio and shot a video for the single "Just Move". Watch as singer Michelle "The Belle" Camilleri lets the groove take over as the fellas back her up with their signature sound. Enjoy the visuals and make sure to cop that West Grand Boulevard LP when it hits the streets on May 19th!

Read More

Repost: Spinnerty- Sound Traveler Series #4 (mix)

"As Bob James alludes to in the little intro to this mix, these are some of the records that have been strewn around the timeline of my own life as a listener, maker, and lover of jazz music over the years. Jazz has taken many forms and evolutions - it's vibe is the common thread that pops up its head thru most of the records I find myself gravitating towards. In the spirit of the genre, this mix is improvised - relying on some ideas that have been floating around in my head along with a bit of luck!"

-Spinnerty

(sending a big shout to Spinnerty and the entire crew over at Record Breakin' for putting together this amazing mix!)

Read More

Midnight Runners- Shifted Dreams (instrumental)

I'm kinda amped-up to hear that one of my favorite production teams, the duo Midnight Runners, just released a new single entitled "Shifted Dreams". Just as the pairing did on their 2012 EP, Overdive, the Runners draw from their mutual love of 80's boogie funk and disco music to construct a track that clearly pays homage to the past while remaining firmly entrenched in the future. Expect to hear tons of airy synthesizers washing over stocky electro rhythms on this one. Modern funk music at it's finest. Let's just hope that this is just the start of a wave of new music from the duo.

Read More

William Rose- Keep it Real (single)

On the single "Keep it Real" 17 year old emcee William Rose successfully straddles that fine line between "giving the people what they want to hear" and "giving the people what they need to hear". If you're the type of listener that just wants something to vibe out to, Rose has you covered as he doles out an impressive display of witty, street smart rhymes over the song's soulful boom-bap production. But for those fans that are willing to give the song more than just a surface listening, Rose uses his earnest flow and fiery rhyme style to address a broad range of social issues, all while avoiding the sort of preachy stance that is quick to turn off many of today hip hop fans. Dope work from the rising lyricist out of Maryland and a extra shout out to producer Vanilla on the beat. These two really work well together*.
* Normally, I don't like to do this sort of thing but...am I the only one who got a real Skyzoo & 9th Wonder  type vibe from these two on this song?

Read More

SaiR- Wonderer (single)

Portuguese funk enthusiast SaiR shares some glowing summer-time boogie funk on his newly released track, "Wonderer". With plenty of warm synthesizers and dancing drum machine rhythms, the cut is guaranteed to inspire nostalgia in those of us old enough to recall warm summer days when the airwaves were filled with 80's boogie funk. SaiR decided to share the track with his fans as they patiently wait for his new album, the follow up to his 2013 EP Sunfield. So whether your scenery is filled with bright days or dreary overcast evenings, play "Wonderer" and let a little summer sun into your life.

Read More

IAMNOBODI- Dearly Beloved (LP)

Only a few months after linking up with the Soulection movement to release his critically and commercially successful debut album Elevated, German producer IAMNOBODI takes his fans on another adventure through sound with his latest release, Dearly Beloved. The new album continues to give fans that expansive, groove-heavy vibe that made IAMNOBODI's debut such a success. But where his debut album largely showcased a sound that highlighted the trap-musik-esque rhythms that have become synonymous with the L.A. beat scene, Dearly Beloved also manages to raise its red SOLO^® cup to the jazzy R&B and neo-soul sounds of the late 90's and early 2000's. Melodic, soulful, and broad in its scope, Dearly Beloved is forward thinking soul music as realized by one of today's brightest new stars. Dig the sounds. 

For Fans of... Elevated by IAMNOBODI | Mood by Evil Needle | Analog Starship by B.Bravo

Read More

News: Heineken Presents: Beat Society w/ Pharoahe Monch (event)

Beat Society double-header in Philly & NYC - both featuring a performance from Pharoahe Monch!

Both shows hosted by Hot97's Peter Rosenberg & SiriusXM's Torae

Read More

Polyrhythmics- Cabbage Alley/Thanks You (single)

This week, the group Polyrhythmics will be doing a couple of shows at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (click here for the band's tour dates). To help celebrate the occasion the fellas decided to share an previously unreleased track with their "...generous fans and the Crescent City [itself]".So enjoy some heavy, Clavinet driven Nawlins funk as the Polyrhythmics cover the classic track "Cabbage Alley" as made famous by the legendary band The Meters!

Read More

Stanley Ipkuss- Wrapps (single)

Bay-Area emcee & beatsmith Stanley Ipkuss drops a brief but memorable slice of hip hop on his newly released single "Wrapps". Over a swaying, left-field track that's filled with stoned guitars and lo-fi drum samples, Ipkuss uses his distinctive voice to spit a steady barrage of intricate rhymes and ill lyrics. I'm diggin' the track for its dope combination of Stanley Ipkuss' commanding mic presence and the trance-like experimental vibes created by producer Ewonee Thee Beatnik. Dope work.

Read More

News: New music from Crunch 22?

While my  inability to speak more than one language has hampered by desire to keep track of all the latest news surrounding some of my favorite international bands, Google has been able to translate a few bits of news here and there. For instance, the Israeli deep funk band Crunch 22 just posted an interesting pic on their website that hinted that the band may be coming out with some newness fairly soon.

Read More

Repost: Cloak Dagger- Noc Boots vol 2 (LP & mix)

(words courtesy of Cloak Dagger & Noc Boots Recordings)

The ever soulful Noc Boots bootleg, edit and remix series run by NYC's own Cloak Dagger has returned with yet another lusty installment. In-line with the series sensuous debut compilation, Noc Boots 2 brings that tropical disco infused heat just in time for the looming celestial spring into summer. Featuring the reunited maestro collabo of Cloak Dagger and Basement Love and their lusty new joint "Take Me There". The project also includes Brother in Arms, the bay area alliance of J Boogie and Deejay Theory with their thumping summer anthem "Jamaican Gyal". Fast rising Mexican producer BRONX also contributes to the vibes with the sensual and alluring "Sundays". Finally, the mix is capped off with the sentimental heater "Eighty Seven" by UK Benny & Gain co-conspirator Emil Rottmayer. Looks like somebody's Noc'n them Boots!

Read More

Calibro 35- "100 Guests" Live @ French Culture (live session)

Italian funk outfit Calibro 35 recently shared this video of the band  performing live at French Culture a few weeks ago...

Look, I'm gonna be honest with you...I don't know anything about this video. English is my first and only language, so I'm unable to discern even a small amount of background info in regards to this session. What I do know is this: It's Calibro 35 performing a cinematic funk piece that sounds like it was ripped straight from some 70's movie soundtrack. Just a little something for my fellow funk fans and crates diggers. Enjoy.

Read More

"...Buy The Album When I Drop It!" (April 21st, 2014)

A round-up of new music that I'm feeling and want to share with the world ...but may not have been able to write about on the blog.

Including new releases from producer STB, the duo i.deals, Tim Love Lee & Shawn Lee, and more

Read More