Electroom Acoostap- Black Host Inspiration (mix)

After releasing the impressive Black Host LP last month, producer Electroom Acoostap decided to put on his DJ hat and prepare a funky mix of  "heavy spiritual loops" for his fans to dig into. The set is called "Black Host Inspiration Mix" and, as the title suggests, it features 45 minutes of rare spiritual & gospel grooves- the sort of which helped to inspire Electroom Acoostap during the creation of his recent instrumental opus. This is absolutely something my fellow crate diggers will get into. Enjoy.

(words by Electroom Acoostap)

"Here is the 'Black Host inspiration' mix.  It's not a beat tape, it's not a mix, it's not live, it's all three together. I've blended several breaks from chopped killer 45 gospel funk.The result is an impressive collection of heavy spiritual loops.

This will make your ears blessed."

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MDMay- Come Close (Rework) (single)

Singer/songwriter Ego Ella May and producer Mini-D, who connect to form the future-soul duo MDMay, recently released their unique take on the neo-soul classic "Come Close" as originally performed by rap star Common and the legendary Mary J. Blige. Where most artists would stick pretty close to the script when it comes to a track that's pretty much universally loved by hip hop and soul music fans alike, the forward thinking duo rework the song into something totally unique and beautifully executed. Over Mini-D's subdued and seemingly sparse production touches, Ego Ella May delivers a hauntingly graceful vocal performance that takes the song into a totally different sphere. And though the MDMay version of "Come Close" truly lives up the word "rework" in its title, the updated version still manages to remain true to the original's heartfelt spirit. Great introduction from a duo that we are sure to hear big things from in the near future.

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ADaD- Gumbo: The Stolen Arts EP (album)

When it comes to witty and unpredictable emceeing, few can hold a candle to Chicago's own ADaD. As a writer, ADaD pens rhymes with enough attention to detail to make his verses play out like scenes from a movie. And as a performer, you would be hard pressed to find a lyricist with a voice, style or delivery that more infectious than the trifecta utilized by the Chi-town representer. I'll admit that I'm wearing my bias on my sleeve. But honestly, I'm a relatively new fan that wasn't really exposed to ADaD's music until hearing his work as the frontman of the Eulorhythmics duo back in 2010. Since that time, ADaD has continued to make dope music as exemplified on his most recent project, Gumbo: The Stolen Arts EP. New and longtime fans alike will most definitely enjoy this project, as it showcases ADaD signature rhyme style and distinctive vocals over production from funky track makers such as Tall Black Guy, Kenny Keys, Slot-A, and more. The EP features a number of bouncy groovers ("Hi", "Get it Together", "Red Cup, Blue Cup"); a couple of jazzy, sample-heavy cuts ("Eulo", "Coming Home"); and the amplified march of the album standout track "Money". When it's all said and done it's ADaD's engaging rhymes and delivery that make Gumbo: The Stolen Arts EP another "must-have" project to add to your music library.
For Fans of... Green St. & Avers by Eulorhythmics | Home is Where the Art Is by Substantial | The Anti Nigger: A Humble Ardor Mixtape by Akil Nadir

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Stress Boogie- Glow (single)

Even though this new "Glow" single is my initial introduction to New Jersey rhymesayer Stress Boogie, the independent emcee/producer has been making his mark on the hip hop scene for a while now. And on his latest offering, Stress not only does his thing on the microphone, he also fires up the MPC and constructs a live "staking-my-claim" type anthem that's sure to remained etched in your memory long after the final note has sounded. While Stress Boogie's choice of sampling material is rather unique to say the least (it should take you all of 0.00001 seconds to recognize it), the end result is a dope-ass beat that works well with the Boogie's rhymes. Definitely diggin' this. Press play and enjoy.

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Daryl Donald- Kept (album)

Centering his sound around cooly emotive tones and spacious soundscapes, producer Daryl Donald strikes a distinctly ambient-breakbeat chord with his debut album Kept. From the start, the all-instrumental affair creates a far-reaching, late-night vibe with the aptly titled album opener "Planets". Through the use of lush keyboards and stripped down rhythms, the track conjures up images of star filled skies, swirling galaxies, and drives the listener into an almost cosmic headspace. The set's mellow introduction is immediately followed by a spacey head-nodder called "Science", which blends thickly layered synthesizer melodies over a rock-solid drum break foundation. Donald continues to keep things laid-back throughout the project with slow burning groovers like "Aura" and "Rain" yet still provides grittier touches with hip-hop laden cuts like "Softly" and the standout bonus track "Aesthetics". With Kept  producer Daryl Donald has put together a sweet {albeit too short) debut album that creates a sprawling downtempo tone. Dope work from the young beatmaker out of Scotland.
For Fans of... Code 4109 by DJ Krush | Soulmates by Nobody| People, Places and Things by Slide Five

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Moods- Voodoo (instrumental)

Brand new chill-out groove entitled "Voodoo" from producer Moods. 

(words by Moods)

"I have been listening to D'Angelo's Voodoo album a lot lately. 

Reeeally love the sound of the whole album so I was inspired to do this piece.

Enjoy!"

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DJ Harrison & Friends- Polytoned (album)

Here's a really mind blowing mix of spaced out, jazz-funk driven, hip-hop and soul music (whew) entitled Polytoned from producer/multi-instrumentalist DJ Harrison. The set recalls the warm, lush sounds of 70's electric jazz yet each track has a decidedly dusty hip-hop grit glowing at its edges. After setting an almost ominous tone with the fluttering sounds of  "Jellowstone Intro" and sounding the alarm with the dizzying "Bitches Brew Tea", DJ Harrison segues into a heavy jazz-funk mode with the amazing "RVA Analog/ VA Nights". The cut starts as a body-moving funk groover that recalls the best work of Lonnie Liston Smith then morphs into a plush Fender Rhodes affair about halfway through. The appropriately titled "Change Directions" takes the stage next and allows DJ Harrison and friends to switch things up with a bluesy rock number that somehow manages to sound right at home on a mostly jazzy hip-hop sounding album. After suddenly venturing into the amplified realm of 70's rock, the album just as suddenly steers itself back into a jazzy hip hop lane with the tracks "Stuck Stone/JellowstoneJokes", "Rush Hour" and "Bubble Love". The whole album is filled with standouts, including the down-home soul number "My Frainds" and the way too short "On Time/Backwoods" which sounds like an unreleased Questlove/Georgia Anne Muldrow collaboration. At this point I think it's best to stop and let you get into the album for yourself, as I could probably wax poetic about this project for hours. So I suppose if there's one thing you should take away from this rambling write up it's this: Polytoned lives up to its name as DJ Harrison has successfully managed to create a soulful and cohesive album that draws from a mixed bag of sounds and influences. This is some amazing stuff people
For Fans of... Angles Without Edges by Yesterdays New Quintet | Breakout by Soulive | Expansions by Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes

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Dudley Perkins- Me and My Brudda (aka The Cut) (official video)

Watch Dudley Perkins fire up the grill, break out the veggie burgers and vegenaise, and put it down in the kitchen in his new "Me and My Brudda" video. The song (which was originally titled "The Cut") is from Dudley's most recent album, Dr Stokley, which is available now at your favorite music spot.

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Tigermoth- Riddim Killa (rmx)

Back in February, Australian beatsmith Tigermoth and the Sinister Jazz record label released the instrumental album Traversing Karma digitally and made plans to press up vinyl copies of the project at some point in the future. And while a quick trip to the Traversing Karma page on Bandcamp still does not show an option to purchase vinyl copies of the album, recent updates from Tigermoth provide good evidence that the wax is definitely on its way. As a bonus, Tigermoth also plans to make an exclusive remix project available to all supporters that order the Traversing Karma project on vinyl. Recently, the hardworking producer offered up a little taste of what the remix project has in store by leaking his take of the 2002 cut "Riddim Killa" from U.K.-based hip hop artist Rodney P. Where the original cut draws heavily from the dancehall and reggae sounds of Rodney P.'s upbringing, Tigermoth's version goes for a more aggressive tone with its use of prog-rock electric guitars and crashing drums. Where other remixes often fail to bring anything new to the table, Tigermoth's soundbed adds a level of frantic, "in-your-face" energy that's definitely missing from the original. Simply put, this is a really dope remix that's guaranteed to be a welcomed addition to you weekend soundtrack.

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Repost: Jazz Spastiks- Move (feat. Apani B Fly) (official video)

(words courtesy of Jazz Spastiks)

Apani B Fly has a wild adventure in a hand drawn, cut out paper world on the official video for the track "Move"

"Move" is from the new Jazz Spastiks album entitled The Product, which is available now at your favorite music spots.!

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Sair- View (album)

On his recently released album View Portuguese keyboardist/producer Sair taps into the cosmic and puts together a tightly crafted electro jazz offering that ranks right up there with some of the best projects to come out of the late 70's/early 80's fusion-jazz scene. Channeling the same sort of experimental music-making style that made the late George Duke such a pioneering figure in the genre, Sair creates cuts that are bright and overflowing with electronic touches, but still manage to remain rooted in the field of jazz. On the album's opener "Ship Castle" Sair's keyboard work dances wildly in the forefront, but the rest of the instruments do more than loop endlessly in the background. Instruments swirls around and interact with one another as though they are being manipulated by a band full of musicians, not just a single man. That same fluid feel shines through for the rest of the album, particularly on the songs "Mornings", "City Flavor" and my personal favorite "Quick Note". In fact, I think that it's this quality that sets View apart from it's contemporaries in the chillwave/synthwave scene- this isn't imitation, this is a genuine progression of something that was started years ago. Admittedly, this album won't be for everyone. Many will probably have trouble getting past Sair's heavy use of synthesizers and the album's general absence of anything resembling a natural acoustic note. But for fans of fusion-jazz and electro-funk, View will be right up your alley.
For Fans of... Toeachizown by Dām Funk | Oasis by Joe Sample | Letherette by Letherette

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Ida Divine- IG My Shoe Game (official video)

There are probably a couple of different ways that I could set up this write-up, but honestly the only thing that comes to mind right now is to speak plainly. So here goes...

I'm really digging Ida Divine's new video for the single "IG My Shoe Game".

As hinted at in the video's title, "IG My Shoe Game" is a 4 minute look into the life of a young woman with a healthy shoe fetish that she proudly showcases on the social networking site Instagram.  Now, is the message in this song directed towards a man in his mid 30's who only owns a few pairs of Timbs and Rockports? That would be a resounding "...nah, not really bruh!". But by the same token you don't have to be a shoe aficionado to appreciate Ida Divine's charismatically soulful sound and the stunning visuals that this videos has to offer. Simply put, the singer and the song both radiate good vibes and producer Herb Middleton really put together a live bit of feel-good electro soul for Divine to work with on this one. Funky stuff that should be popping up on mixtapes and podcasts all summer long. 

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Qwill & The Soul Review- Ghost (single)

With varying degrees of success, I've been trying to keep tabs on the band Qwill & The Soul Review since hearing their impressive Live @ Dimension Sound Studios project last year (check out my review of the project from the previous incarnation of this blog here). During the chaos of trying to make sure that all of my "favorite musicians" contact info was up-to-date, I realized that I had been out of touch with the band for a few months and needed to quickly remedy the situation. After a quick visit to the band's website I found myself immediately purchasing their latest single entitled "Ghost". The single is a stirring piece of bluesy-soul that brimming with airtight rhythms, smokey guitar riffs, and a really moving vocal performance from frontman Jesee "Qwill" Ciamartaro. The single's credits refer to "..an evolution in production and arrangement.." for the band and I couldn't agree more. Don't get me wrong, the band wasn't slouching to begin with. Still "Ghost" shows a somewhat grittier, bluesier sound from the group that I can't wait to hear more of.  Press play and dig the sounds for yourself.

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Skanks- Martyr Music (Astronote rmx) (single)

I'm only just now becoming familiar with NY-based emcee Skanks after stumbling upon this Astronote-produced remix of his single "Marytr Music" this morning. And while I haven't had a chance to get real deep into his past work, I have no problem saying that this dude is arguably one of the rawest emcees making a name for himself today. From start to finish, Skanks tears into the mic and sets fire to any and all lameness in his area with an energy that's rarely seen outside of battle rap ciphers nowadays. Nothing but raw lyrics and live production from  Astronote. Dig the sounds.

If you dig what you're hearing, head over to Shinigamie Records' Bandcamp page (here) and get your copy of Skanks' debut album The Shinigami Flowfessional.

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News: Sorceress- Dose (new release)

(words courtesy of Wonderwheel Recordings)

Sorceress (formerly known as Funkommunity) is a 5-piece band from New Zealand. Their 2011 debut album Chequered Thoughts received worldwide acclaim and saw the band tour Europe and Japan the following year. Fast forward to 2014, and the band announced a new name: Sorceress and a new studio album: Dose. 

While previous works were influenced by J Dilla-inspired future soul and R&B, the new album sees their sound evolve, fusing elements of Deep Electronic Soul, Afrobeat, and Dance Music. Dose retains their distinctive sonic texture, but also projects more movement while going deeper into the source of the music. Experienced in headphones or a club/festival context, Sorceress traverses the boundaries between audio intimacy and the bass driven rhythms of the dancefloor.

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Repost: P.SO the Earth Tone King- The Bullsh*t (single)

(courtesy of P.SO The Earth Tone King)

The "Kill My High" B-side track entitled "The Bullsh*t" is a dope non-album track flexing an ill piano loop by producer Jinesis and more lyrical gems from P.SO The Earth Tone King.

Discontent with merely creating the hip-hop flavor of the month, P.SO The Earth Tone King’s latest creative undertaking is designed to stand the test of time- no matter what cruel fate may fall to planet Earth in the near future.

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Various Artists- Stratford CT | Confero (album)

Almost two months after releasing the impressive Midi Life Crisis album from producer Walkie Talkie, the folks over at the Stratford Court record label are back with a brand new batch of cutting-edge future sounds on their latest compilation  Stratford CT | Confero. The album is a dizzying set of genre-blurring compositions that range from 80's influenced, nu-wave grooves (like the hypnotic "Believe" from Melbourne-based singer/producer Hawaii94), to cosmic modern-funk heaters that were made for blasting from your car stereo while speeding down the highway (such as the album stand-out "Space Case Go" from producer Harrison).  While the album is a relatively large collection of tracks from music makers from all across the globe, Stratford CT | Confero doesn't sound disjointed. On the surface, the album's unifying theme is its synth-heavy, chillwave sounds and none-too-subtle admiration of early electronic music. But more than that, it's clear that this compilation flows well from start to finish because everyone involved was concerned with making great music. Other notable cuts include "Need to Love" from (my boys) Midnight Runners, "Just Let Go" from Shy Wolve and  "Who's 2 Blame" from Walkie Talkie. Get your copy now as I'm predicting that Stratford CT | Confero will be one of your go-to albums this summer.
For Fans of... Stratford CT | Amicus Curiae by Various Artists (Stratford CT) | Long Distance by Onra | The Starship Connection by B. Bravo & Teeko

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News:Third Coast Kings- West Grand Boulevard (new release)

Brand new set of heavy, deep-funk burners from the Third Coast Kings!

(words courtesy of ThirdCoastKings.com and James Keovongsak)

The wait is over! Record Kicks proudly presents West Grand Boulevard, the new much awaited album by Michigan’s finest deep funk combo Third Coast Kings. Available now on LP + limited edition transparent 45, CD and digital download. Limited edition transparent 45's are limited to 500 copies worldwide, so first come first served. Get it now on Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, Dusty Groove Records, Kudos Records and anywhere else good music is sold!

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Precise- Ladies Love Mixtapes: The EP (album)

I'm a fan of concept albums in hip hop. Building a whole project around a central theme or story can be off-putting to some fans, but when it's done right, this method of music making can lead to some really classic tracks (see Prince Paul's  A Prince Among Thieves LP). So when I had a chance to check out this new Ladies Love Mixtapes: The EP project from Chi Town emcee Precise I was pleasantly surprised to discover it's central story of a man navigating the ups and downs relationships. On cuts like "I Like It", "Marvelous" and the lead single "Take Our Time (Right Away)"  Precise successfully captures that addictive feeling that accompanies those first rosy moments of falling in love. And though I don't want to give away too much of the story, 'Cise keeps things moving with skits like "The Argument" and the stand out track "Let Go", all the while making sure to keep the listener engaged. Finding a good balance between telling a good story and making good music seems to be the winning formula for creating a good concept album, and Precise definitely strikes that balance on this project. Press play and dig the sounds.
For Fans of... Ali'Yah by D.Black | The Daily Journal by D Rose & DJ Cozmos | Dreamtalk by The Tones

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Big Tone- Clear (EP)

I just happened to come across this recently released Clear EP from Detroit's own Big Tone while checking up on the group Clear Soul Forces and I gotta say, this joint is live as hell! After listening to the first couple of tracks, I ended up buying the whole release because it's just that dope.  From the start, Big Tone sets a soulful tone (no pun intended...well, maybe a little) with the laid back groover "Time is of the Essence". The track starts with a hilarious bit from comedian Paul Mooney then segues into some sharp verses from Tone as set against a really smooth 70's soul influenced beat. The energy built up by the strong opening track is maintained on the next track as Clear Soul Forces members L.A.Z and E-Fav connect with Big Tone for the jazzy throwback burner "Ya Gotta". The laid back but definitely live vibes continues throughout the 5 track EP and make for a dope hip hop set. Add this to your "must buy" list.

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Lyric Jones & Friends Concert Recap (live session)

On May 4th, Lyric Jones and a host of featured guests performed at the M Bar venue in Los Angeles, marking Jones' first official concert in the "city of angels" since recently relocating to California. While I'm sure that many of her fans were able to go to the show and enjoy all of the good live music, others were unable to attend and show support. If you, like me, fall into the latter category, take comfort in the fact that Lyric Jones love her fans and made sure to put together a quick recap video of the concert for everyone to enjoy. Check out the video below and see some highlights from the show, featuring Lyric Jones as well as special guests B. Slade, Shemika Secrest, Kenyon Dixon, and DMT. 

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Funk Bast*rd- Darker Than Wax & Cascade Records Presents: "Feelings In Colour" Teaser (mix)

Darker Than Wax co-founder Funk Bast*rd just dropped this dope teaser mix featuring tracks from the upcoming Feelings in Colour double LP that hits your favorite music outlets next month. The album will be a collaborative effort between the labels Darker Than Wax and Cascade Records and will be an amazing trip through the realms of future funk jams and spacey hip hop soul music. Definitely check out this teaser as Funk Bast*rd has put together a mix that's 15 minutes of chilled out vibes that dope enough to stand on its own. Dig the sounds and get that Feelings in Colour LP when it drops on June 16th.

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Che Grand- Botswana (instrumental)

New music from Che Grand! I definitely felt like writing a post about this new instrumental track called "Botswana" as soon as I heard it on Grand's Soundcloud page. While Che doesn't give us any of his signature verses on this one, we are given a solid little number that's loaded with dancing rhythms that have an almost worldbeat feel to them. What I'm diggin most about the track is how it pairs organic percussion instruments with ambient 21st century electronic sounds. While that probably doesn't sound like a winning combination on paper, the natural sounding percussions take center-stage on this one and the more synthetic tones play the back for the most part. Dope stuff.  Press play and enjoy. 

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Samurai Del- Aphrodite (instrumental)

While producer/beatmaker Samurai Del (formerly known as Delfonic) may not agree with me on this one (see below), I think his latest instrumental is just the sort of chilled-out instrumental backdrop that's perfect for bumpin' in your headphones while traveling on public transit. The track is called "Afrodite" and it's a hazy, downtempo number that's filled with ambient tones that ebb and flow through the listener's headspace as muffled kick drums and fuzzy snares march at a steady pace. Regardless of when or where you listen to this, you're sure to vibe out and dig the sounds.

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Jeepz- Reality is Overrated (LP)

You really need to get into this heavy set of funky instrumentals from Ontario-based producer Jeepz. The LP is called Reality is Overrated and it's a tight collection of cuts that takes the raw but still timeless sound of sample-based beats and gives it a fresh feel through the use of inventive arrangements and inspired source material. Fans of thickly layered, boom-bap constructions will immediately fall for tracks like "Stay.With.Me.Holmes", "Good.Times.Go", and the lo-fi burner "The.Road.We.Took". But if they listen intently, they will also appreciate the subtle touches that make beats like "Your.Love's.Sweet.Watch.Out" and the prog-rock sounding "Myself.When.Young" really dope tracks that color just a little bit outside of the lines. All in all, Reality is Overrated is a live set of digable grooves that pushes the art of making dusty, boom-bap beats into new areas.
For Fans of... Beat Konducta vol 1 - 2: Movie Scenes by Madlib| Beat Journey by Dr. WhoDat?  | Brooklyn's Finest by The Stuyvesants

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Gas-Lab- Moods (LP)

Revisiting the jazz-influenced hip hop sound that he thoroughly explored on 2013's Jazz Hop album, producer/multi-instrumentalist Gas-Lab continues his experiments in sound with his newly released Moods LP.  The album is a sun-drenched affair that mixes the sleek electronic sounds of modern broken-beat and hip hop with the organic feel of traditional jazz music. The end result is a 12 track instrumental heater that takes the futuristic sounds created by names like Herbie Hancock and Lonnie Liston Smith and pushes them forward into new realms. While it's worth mentioning that Gas-Lab opted to take a different route on Moods than on Jazz Hop by featuring only one vocal track, fans should rest assured that this doesn't lessen the album overall impact. Gas-Lab uses his instruments and love of various musical genre's to speak to his listeners and create a gumbo pot of sounds that range from soulful broken beat pieces ("Crazy", "Satori Robots") to glowing nu-jazz numbers ("Joy", and my personal favorite "Souichi"). In short, Moods is highly recommended ans definitely worth checking out.
For Fans of... Teoria Instrumental vol 1 & 2 by Gas-Lab| Cirrostratus by Evil Needle | 21st Century Soul by As One

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Evolve One- Ask The Lonely (instrumental)

Just came across this bumpin new track from producer/beatmaker Evolve One out of Seattle. There aren't too many beatmakers that can hold a candle to this guy when it comes to making classic hip hop tracks, and this new "Ask The Lonely" instrumental proves just how skilled my man is in the trade of that ol' boom bap. E.One really shows out on this one as he uses samples and loops to create an arrangement that constantly twists and transforms yet still remaining true to it's jazz-funk roots.The bassline changes from booming trunk rattling tones to plucky upright bass notes that sound like they've been lifted straight from a live set by Ron Carter. All the while mellow Fender Rhodes chords and spacey Moog (?) synthesizers shine brightly as driving drum chops hold the whole piece together. Dope work indeed. Press play and dig the sounds. 

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Ensilence- Vicious Visions (single)

When it comes to New Castle, PA-based poet/lyricist (and one helluva funny video blogger) Ensilence, I'll admit that I'm a relative late arrival to her fanbase. While that's not a crime in most circles, when it comes to music blogging, being behind the curve when it comes to up-and-coming artists can spell doom for a website.  I lead with that little editorial because the track that I'm about to feature, which is entitled "Vicious Visions", has been out for about a year but I only just became familiar with it when Ensilence posted a link to it on her Twitter page. On the track, the young rhyme-sayer gives fans nothing but dope music as she effortlessly drops rhymes in her signature stream-of-consciousness style. DJ Profecy, who handles production on the track, provides Ensilence with a stark, almost ominous backdrop to work against, which blends surprisingly well with PA native's unique voice. Dope work from one of my favorite rising hip hop artists.

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Gabriel Garzón-Montano- Bishouné: Alma del Huila (EP)

Many of you may already be familiar with the music of Gabriel Garzón-Montano, but I only recently became familiar with his work after hearing his single "Pour Maman" on a newly released mixtape from producer/DJ Bolts (here). That single, with its relaxed atmospheres and infectious arrangement, drew me to preview and then immediately purchase Garzón-Montano's debut album Bishouné: Alma del Huila The album is hard to categorize as it sort of has the color and feel of a straight forward commercial R&B release, yet it also has that deeply introspective quality that makes for beautiful soul music that stands the test of time. Cuts like "Everything is Everything" and the insanely catchy "Keep on Running" have memorable grooves and vaporous melodies that seem to be custom made for radio play, yet still have reflective moods that keep them from coming across as standard pop music fare. Venturing into the realm of the cerebral, Garzón-Montano channels a more psychedelic sound on the spirited single "Naeja" and the aforementioned "Pour Maman" and arrives at outstanding results. Bishouné: Alma del Huila is bright, it's dark, it's soulful, it's jazzy, it's funky....but above all it's an amazing listen. Press play and dig the sounds.

For Fans of... A Love Surreal by Bilal | Electric Wire Hustle by Electric Wire Hustle | Mo Kolours by Mo Kolours

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Printempo- PT08 (instrumental)

Here's a bit of subtle yet soul stirring music from the downtempo instrumentalist Printempo. The track is simply titled "PT08" and it showcases a cooly melodic arrangement of samples and sounds that effectively create a soothing yet extremely hypnotic scene for its listeners. While I'll readily admit that I wasn't familiar with Printempo's music prior to listening to "PT08", this single has sparked my curiosity and has moved me to find out more about this nu-jazz composer from Poland. If you find yourself equally curious about Printempo and his music, get familiar by checking out his 2009 self titled debut album Printempo. And if you still want to hear more, make sure to cop his soon to be released Fluctuations LP when it drops later this month on the Export Label record label.

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Midnight Runners- Nights of Pleasure (free single)

And the heaters just keep coming.

Less than 2 weeks after sharing a new track with their fans, the Midnight Runners production team are back at it again with more modern funk goodness for the people! If you head over to the fellas' Facebook page (here) you can download a free copy the new track "Nights of Pleasure" directly from the band.  All you have to do is "Like" the band's Facebook page and the single will be made available for free download to your favorite electronic device. Expect to hear tons of thick analog synths over throwback rhythms as the Runners keep making classic tracks with their signature electro-funk sound. The duo is set to release their latest project, an EP entitled Odyssey, on Funkbox Records so expect to hear more boogie funk sounds from the Midnight Runners in the near future.

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Repost: Choklate- Whales (single)

New music from singer/songwriter Choklate.  I'm diggin this new track, called "Whales" which pairs Choklate's  soulful voice with a lush, orchestral backdrop to create a sound that hits listeners like R&B music with a slight progressive-rock twist.

(words courtesy of London Tone Music & Choklate)

We are thrilled to release a new single by singer-songwriter, Choklate, called "Whales", as this week's 52x52 song. Produced by Geoff Ott and Charles "Rawfingers" Hopper, the song is a combination of Choklate's magnificent vocals, beautiful lyrics on layers of soul and electronic music. Choklate is known for her desire to experiment with styles, moods and production and "Whales" is no exception. We are happy how it came out and happy Choklate is part of the London Tone Music family. Enjoy!

-London Tone Music

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Buggz- Heavy (feat. Catalyst) (single)

This new single "Heavy" is my introduction to Cali-based rapper Buggz, but man is it one hell of a introduction. The track is an impressive example of introspective rhymes from Buggz and guest lyricist Catalyst as well as some stirring production from producer Tariq Beats. A dope track that's not so much of a club banger, more like the type of thinking man's head nod music that fans expect from cats like Blu or Sene.  Dig the sounds and make sure you stay on the lookout for Buggz' upcoming album Diamonds & Devils.

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Chester Goldbrick- 5158 (instrumental)

Enjoy some dope late night, cruising-down-the-highway, chillwave music from producer Chester Goldbrick courtesy of his newly released "5158" instrumental. The title is a reference to Goldbrick's mother, whose birthday falls on May 1st (i.e. 5/1/1958). The track is a nice little spaced-out, synth jam that sounds like some unreleased anime-funk from the Samurai Champloo soundtrack. Bumpin' stuff from Chester Goldbrick. 

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Khari Mateen- Live @ WXPN-FM (The Key Studio Session) (live session)

Like many of you, I was introduced to the music of producer/songwriter Khari Mateen through his contributions to the album Game Theory by the legendary band The Roots. That initial interest was strengthened by his work on Dice Raw's Jimmy's Back LP as well as Mateen's solo work on the 2013 album Qualia: Fall. If you're unfamiliar with the Grammy nominated, classically trained multi-instrumentalist and his music, check out the "Live @ WXPN-FM (The Key Studio Session)" audio that Mateen recorded at the WXPN studios back in July of last year. It's an amazing collection of really moving sounds that range from intimate acoustic takes ("Take My Time") to vast reaching cinematic vibes ("Go Again"). Enjoy.

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BrandUn DeShay- Had Em All (single)

I just ran across this dope new track called "Had Em All" from Chicago's own BrandUn DeShay and I just had to share it on the blog. I'm only just now becoming familiar with the young lyricist and producer out of Chicago, but the stuff that I've heard so far has been crazy nice. On the cut, DeShay effortlessly mixes an addictively bouncy beat with a steady barrage of "chest-out-proud" rhymes to create one of the catchiest tracks I've heard in a minute. Check out BrandUn DeShay's "Had Em All" and enjoy some high octane beats & rhymes that will have you pressing "replay" for hours on end.  Dig it.

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Aru-2- EµZik (LP)

The cover art for Aru-2's most recent instrumental album, titled EµZik (pronounced "e-music"), may look like something from a surrealist's fever dream, but the music is far from being unsettling. Over the course of 13 tracks, Aru-2 cooks up a nice mix of hip hop, electronica, and future-funk that's filled with warm analog synths and thumpin' drum breaks. The young Japanese beatsmith greets his listeners with twisting electronics and bass heavy rhythms that are constructed with a subtle looseness, which gives each track a noticeably organic feel. Check out EµZik and get ready to hear a gumbo mix of atmospheric future-soul music.

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News: The Word of Mouth Tour 2014

This summer the hip hop group Jurassic 5 will be traveling the world in support of their international "Word of Mouth Reunion Tour". The tour kicks off on June 11th in Stockholm, Sweden at the Debaser Medis concert venue. From there the band will continue to travel the world before ending the tour in August at the House of Blues in Boston, MA (US). Certain dates will also feature special guests such as Dilated Peoples, Ugly Duckling, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, D.J. Shadow, and the The World Famous Beat Junkies! Check out the entire list of dates below and definitely catch these guys live if they're in your area:

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Aretta Hill- Void (official video)

This has been out for a while now, but for reasons beyond my understanding I'm only just now discovering it. Back in May of last year, singer/songwriter (and fellow Tennessee resident) Aretta Hill made this live-wire video for the title track from her debut album, Void. Making sure to match the song's no-nonsense attitude, Hill takes center-stage with a swagger that's sexy, empowered, playful, and always funky as hell. The track is straight up funky soul music that falls somewhere between old school Millie Jackson and nu-school Amalia. I'm diggin the song. I'm diggin the vibe. I love this video and I love this singer. I may have slept once, but it won't happen again Ms Hill. Respect.

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