Live45's | Goodie Kao- Magic?!*S# (feat. Tower da Funk Masta) (instrumental)

Brand new funk from the Sons of the Sweet Potato beatmaking collective. This time around we get some laid-back and jazzy boom-bap sounds from producer and crew member Goodie Kao, with assistance from fellow SSP member Tower da Funkmasta.  Would love to hear the Jazz Addixx or Moka Only go in on this one.  Dope sounds! ...

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News | Producer/Emcee Black Milk About to Embark on Solo Beat Tour

(courtesy of Fusicology.com) Critically acclaimed emcee and producer Black Milk will be touring this August for the first time since his "No Poison, No Paradise Tour". His "Loops Don't Lie Tour", which will feature the Detroit native performing live beat sets, stops in five U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Tampa. Soon after, the multi-talented artist will...

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Valentina CX- Found (album)

Beautiful vocal work from a talented young singer by the name of Valentina CX. The sounds on display with this offering are lush and jazzy bossa nova pieces that artfully blend acoustic and electric elements into a cohesive whole. Valentina's vocals are warm, soothing and heartfelt for the entirety of this brief, yet very satisfying, project. CX's band is solid...

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Tajima Hal- Sometime Ago (album)

Glowing, jazz-tinted work from producer/beatmaker Tajima Hal. While the beats on this effort are soaked in the sort of dusty, sample-based mode of beatmaking that made so many golden era productions so beloved by hip hop fans, Tajima Hal manages to give the listener a unique take on that classic sound. Through the use of subtle changes in his arrangements and sample choices...

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Joose- Cruise Control (album)

Top shelf hip hop music from Michigan emcee Joose. The set definitely lives up to its "cruise control" title as Joose uses his laid-back rhyme style and cool-out demeanor to create an album filled with feel good, "bump-it-in-the-car" type of music.  Short, sweet and to the point, the overall sound of Cruise Control falls somewhere between the traditional southern...

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SoundCheck | Rah Digga, Tristate, Lyric Jones & more @ The Terrace (Pasadena, CA)

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Tamara Renée- The Moon Goddess (official video)

Official video for the title track from singer Tamara Renée's The Moon Goddess album. I fell in love with this young lady's voice while repeatedly listening to the track "Alchemy" (from ShunGu's The Pisces Tape) earlier this year. Directed by Ms Renée herself, the video's intimate, candlelit frames and up-close-and-personal feel matches the tracks deeply spiritual...

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Dave East- Black Rose (mixtape)

A brand new mixtape from a new name to me. The mixtape is called Black Rose and it from a young Harlem rhyme spitter by the name of Dave East. From the jump this mixtape goes for the throat as East's uncompromising street-level rhymes shine bright over the project's massive selection of cinematic beats. Loads of epic  beats and rhymes on this one. Standout...

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Winter Inter- Equal Moving Parts (album)

Here's an outstanding batch of sweeping soundscapes and chilled out electro-funk productions from the always brilliant Stratford Court record label. On this new Equal Moving Parts LP from producer Winter Inter,  listeners are treated to an first-class display of bright keyboards and futuristic synthesizer experiments that are underlined with crackling drums...

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Live45's | Schadillac- Kawhi Leonard (instrumental)

Producer Schadillac really dug deep into his crates when it came time to put together this new "Kawhi Leonard" instrumental. The track is a heavy funk groover that sounds as if it was ripped straight from the closing credits of a early 70's crime flick. Tons of warm electric piano chords, bubbling bass notes, and psych-influenced guitar riffs ensure that the infectious...

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ADaD- In Search of The UNSEEN (album)

Just in time for my first weekend off in weeks, ADaD releases a brand new project entitled In Search of the UNSEEN: ADaD x Madlib. As expected, the Chi-town wordsmith keeps it live with the rhymes as he loads verse after verse with razor-sharp lyrics and delivers them with his characteristically engaging style. And while the promise of hearing new rhymes from ADaD...

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Brenk Sinatra- Gentle Giant (mixtape)

Here's a powerful collection of beat-heavy cuts from the always funky Brenk Sinatra. This just released Gentle Giant mixtape is a bumpin' mix of classic collaborations and unreleased cuts from the talented Viennese producer's extensive sound library. Clocking in at just over an hour, this mix has a little something for everyone. Brenk covers the laid-back & jazzy...

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Live45's | DanalogOne- Moon Dust (instrumental)

Producer DanalogOne, of the music-making duo Outer Limit, recently leaked a bit of synth-heavy goodness from the group's soon -to-be-released Textures EP. The track, which is entitled "Moon Dust", highlights a sparse, stripped down sound from the young beatmaker. One that  filled with raw electronic drums and circuit bending keyboard wizardry. An understated...

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Live45's | Abjo- Gladius (instrumental)

Beatmaker and sound selector Abjo shares a lush and far-reaching experiment in sound with his latest track, "Gladius".  The feel of this beat holds true to the characteristically smooth sound that fans have come to expect from members of the Soulection crew, but also has a slightly darker tone than some of Abjo's previous work. Still, when it's all said and...

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Miles Bonny- Mile Bonny Remixed (album)

Usually I have an idea that certain projects are on the horizon when it involves an artist that I keep up with on a semi-regular basis. However, this new Miles Bonny Remixed release kind of caught me by surprise.  Listen as a few of the acapella's from Miles Bonny's 2010 project ACCA are remixed by fans of the singer's uniquely soulful sound.&nb...

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Live45's | Damani Nkosi- All Around the World (feat. Mika Lett) (single)

A brand new track from Cali-based lyricist Damani Nkosi. The track is called "All Around the World" and it showcases Nkosi's international mindset as the world travelling emcee let's listeners know that there's a larger world surrounding their immediate surroundings. The combination of some dope rhymes, a dope concept, and some beautiful notes from featured singer...

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D.A.C Beats- Beach Mu$ic (EP)

Brazilian producer & G-funk enthusiast D.A.C Beats has just dropped an expansive batch of low-end heavy, future-funk instrumentals with his latest project, the Beach Mu$ic EP.  The vibes on this one range from sparse-but-still-bangin' trap-musik (see: "House P.A.R.T.Y" or "S.H.E") to warm electro soul arrangements that will have you zoning out in...

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Lyric Jones- Listen, C'mon (feat. DMT) (official video)

And here it is! Check out the official video for the track "Listen, C'mon" from Lyric Jones' recently released EP Love's Trail Mix. Now, I could  wax poetic about the visuals and the music, but the folks over at Nu-Soul Magazine did such a great job doing a write-up for the video that I've decided to just  steal from  quote them: ...

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Ogiyy & Cascade Records- Nostalgia (teaser mix)

Here's a dope little teaser mix for a project that I'm really looking forward to hearing when it drops. On August 4th the taste-makers over at Cascade Records will be journeying deeper into the lands of spacey electro-soul and future funk when they release the LP Nostalgia as curated and arranged by beatmaker/producer Ogiyy. Judging from the snippets that we're...

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Hezekiah- Can I Live (official video)

Official video for the track "Can I Live" from Hezekiah's upcoming album Dreams Don't Chase Themselves. Moving words and visuals from the 3Crates Productions head honcho. Check out the video below and make sure to show support when that Dreams Don't Chase Themselves album drop. ...

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Live45's | Jazz Spastiks- Dumb (feat. Yesh)

You're obviously a fan of dope music. So while I'm sure you've already bought your own copy of Jazz Spastiks' The Product, I would be remiss if I didn't share this link to their newly released single "Dumb". Jazzy beats from the Spastiks and dope rhymes courtesy of Yesh (aka Yeshua da PoEd). Dig the sounds. ...

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Live45's | Midnight Runners- Drive into the Night (instrumental)

Enjoy this sweet little 80's-style groover from Midnight Runners. An upbeat blend of funk, soul and electronica in the duo's signature style. Can't wait to cop that Odyssey when it drops. ...

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Live45's | DTMD- Slow Down (single)

Brand new single from DTMD member Toine whose debut solo album Antoine Jameson hits your favorite music retailer this Tuesday (July 15th). Production handle by Dirty Church.  ...

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Live45's | JVNTG- IAin'tAfraid. (instrumental)

Producer/beatmaker JVNTG (pronounced "J Vintage") drops a live bit of spacey keyboard wizardry with his latest instrumental "IAin'tAfraid.". The track is a mix of rumbling drums and bending synthesizers that's held together by a sweet vocal sample from a singer that I probably should know but just can't place at the moment. Enjoy some quirky late-night electro funk...

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Stik Figa- The Book of Chad (official video)

Official video for the track "The Book of Chad" from Stik Figa's recently released project The Pookey Tape. Not trying to get preachy or anything, but Stik Figa and Pimp C (via a soundbyte) are speaking on some real life deals with this one. Press play to dig the sounds, and rest in peace to the one and only Chad "Pimp C" Butler. ...

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Stress Boogie- The Randy Watson EP (album)

After touching down with the catchy "Glo" single back in May, emcee/producer Stress Boogie returns with the release of The Randy Watson EP. The album is a killer mix of Stress Boogie's hard hitting, sample-heavy production and rugged, street-level rhymes. The fact that Stress handles duties on the mic as well as behind the soundboard gives the EP...

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Curci- Killin em (official video)

Official video for the track "Killin em", the latest single from Curci's recently released Forever Summer mixtape (which you can download for free here). I'm diggin' the song's cool-out, summertime vibe and I have no doubt that you will too. I'm a couple of tracks into this Forever Summer mixtape as I write this, and I gotta tell you, this cat makes some...

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Anthony David- Let Me In/ Smoke One (live session)

As I mention before, singer/songwriter Anthony David is on the road for his "Simple Man Summer Tour" (which you should definitely catch if it passes through your area. During a recent stop at the Adinkra House in New Jersey, Anthony treated fans to a intimate acoustic medley of the tracks "Let Me In" (from his 2011 album As Above So Below) and "Smoke...

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Lyric Jones- "Listen, C'mon (teaser)

On July 15th, Lyric Jones will be dropping the official music video for the track "Listen, C'mon" from her recently released Love's Trail Mix project. Check out the teaser video and behind-the-scenes pics below then mark that July 15th date on your smartphone calender. ...

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Moses Rockwell- Ahkwellington.Dweeb Supreme.One (LP)

Brand new sounds from Moses Rockwell - an insanely talented lyricist that hails from the fertile hip-hop environs of Rochester, NY. With his latest release, Rockwell mixes his cerebral rhymes and agile wordplay with a well thought out collection of beats that range from simmering meditative pieces to thumping head-nodders. One of the best entries under the...

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Live45's | STB- Prey (instrumental)

Although the title and cover art for STB's new "Prey" instrumental seem to hint at a menacing piece of music, the track itself is a really laid-back, late-night number filled with thick basslines, shuffling drums, and expansive strings. Dope track with a real "meditative head nod music" vibe to it. Shout out to Stan The Beatsmith and the Beatsmith Collective. Press...

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Live45's | ClassicBeatz- Ms Mary Mack (feat. Sixteenstone)

Producer ClassicBeatz and singer Sixteenstone (aka Sonya Freeman from the site 16StoneVintage.com) decided to revisit the classic kids song "Ms Mary Mack" and give it a soulful spin with this newly released single. You may have heard this song during recess back in the day, but you never heard it like this. ClassicBeatz ' low-end heavy production...

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Live45's | DJ Harrison- The Richmond Sound (instrumental)

Beatmaker/Multi-instrumentalist/Music making machine DJ Harrison will be dropping a brand new project later this month. And while I'm not able to cover Harrison's music as thoroughly as I would like to, believe me when I say that this young brother is incredibly talented and has a vault full of dope music to back up that claim. Not one to leave his fans fiendin' until...

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Photos from Crunch 22's Spring Tour

I really enjoy the band Crunch 22. So much so, that I decided to add them to the blog's "featured artist"roster with the hopes of sharing more than just new music from the band. Unfortunately I do not speak a word of Hebrew, which limits my ability to keep tabs on the band and their moves. Still, I am determined to not let that little fact discourage me and will do what...

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ADaD- Money/Intro (official video)

Check out the official video for the the single "Money" from ADaD's recently released Gumbo: The Stolen Arts EP project. The video also features some behind-scenes-footage of ADaD doing his thing set to the album's "Intro" track (with a extra-live cosign from the one and only Q-Tip!) ...

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Live45's | S.Fidelity- Second Chance (feat. LaNo' & Tajima Hal) (single)

Get into some richly soulful sounds from producer S.Fidelity courtesy of the lead single from his upcoming debut project Five to Nine. On the eclectic, future-soul track, singer LaNo' is able to show off some powerful, and still somehow fragile, vocals over S.Fidelity's bubbling 21st century funk production. Also along for the ride is fellow beatmaker Tajima Hal who...

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Live45's | Kartel Kobain- Amen (BeatGoddess rmx) (single)

While I wasn't really up on VA-based wordsmith Kartel Kobain prior to hearing this KB da BeatGoddess remix to his "Amen" single, I'm glad that I'm finally in the know. Kobain is sharp with the rhymes and I'm really diggin' how well his flow meshes with KB da BeatGoddess' production. Dope collaboration. Press play below and get to know Kartel Kob...

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Rob Viktum- Proper Etiquette (album)

Beat Fanatic and True School DJ's member Rob Viktum unleashes an brand new set of lean, cinematic instrumentals with his latest beat-tape entitled  Proper Etiquette. Seemingly drawing from the tense and meditative sound of old-school crime funk soundtracks, Viktum has created an album filled with tightly focused cuts that feel as if they were ripped from the...

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Live45's | Midnight Runners- Tropical Rain Vibe (pt 2) (instrumental)

A real breezy, electro heavy cut from Yordan Admiral and Munir Harry Septiandry, aka the Midnight Runners. Living up tot he sun drenched scenery hinted at in the track's title, "Tropical Rain Vibe (pt 2)" slows things down a bit, but still follows the wavy modern-funk sound of the original track (here). Dig the sounds below and don't forget to cop the duo's Odyssey EP...

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