Cusses "Worst Enemy"

Big shouts out to the Savannah folks behind this gem. Bob Jones on the camera and editing + Angel and the two Brians (Cusses) for kicking out the jams. Rawwwk. Cusses debut album will be out later this year and it's going to be off the chain.

CUSSES|Worst Enemy from Bob on Vimeo.

Eric Ryan "Kelso Called"

I don't know anything about this other than it was made circa 2006 by Eric Ryan and is a tune perfected for the art of hard chilling. I also wonder whether the title is a That 70s Show reference...

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

YES! Finally a smooth ass instrumental cover of one of the great Outkast songs of all time.
  Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Spottie by ArtDontSleep 

Bam Circa'86

I'm digging this on some mellow afternoon steez. There's a lot of good artists floating around the underground looking for the come up. Who says the internet isn't magic?


Check out the whole album here, and some of his back catalog.

Gensu Beats

Gensu Beats is a TX based sample junkie on the come up with Mello Music. His new album Lo-Fi Fingahz is out in February, so to let you know what he's working with, GB and MMG dropped this mixtape showcasing the style, which is straight classic. Stroll through the guest list and remix subjects and it's like a stroll through the hallways of the Golden Era. If you like your soul grooves served chopped and grilled, then don't miss this.

Phonte "Not Here Anymore" ft. Elzhi

I missed this record (Phonte's Charity Starts at Home) when it came out, and I guess that's a shame because the two tracks I heard off of it tonight were pretty dope.

Okapi and Aldo Kapi's Orchestra

Imagine a deconstructionist, electronic take on quirky easy listening records like The Three Suns or the Polyglots. This tune "Bah!" is off the Okapi and Aldo Kapi's Orchestra record Love Him Vol. 2 released in 2009:

Goer

Here's a pleasant surprise I discovered while perusing Bandcamp. This Denver duo is comprised of Tulip War members Sean Geisthardt and Dan Barnett. This one of several tracks they released this month. A minimal piano line and a soul-tastic drum pattern are the foundation of a mesmerizing track.


I also really enjoy this one, which builds upon itself wonderfully to become something powerful.

Filastine

Some crazy, indescribable beats from Barcelona-based Filastine. Musical saws. Crunchy bass. That's all you really need to know.

First Serve

Most days, I don't wake up expecting to hear that members of De La Soul are collaborating with some french producers on a concept album, but lo and behold, that day has come. The project is known as First Serve, and the first musical taste is sweet.
De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 present First Serve - Pushin' Aside, Pushin' Along by FIRST SERVE

I heard about it via Egotripland, so go check them out for the full story, plus a really bizarre video starring Plugs One and Two.

"Thuggin"

Without a doubt one of the best hip hop songs of last year. I catch a new line from Gibbs every time I listen. Now there's a video, and it's equally hot. No frills, just trill.

K.Junya x DJ Classy Individual

 I really wish I'd been able to get more tracks done with KJ. We recorded these two tracks during the summer of 2010, fi I remember correctly. Loyal Empire reps Savannah all day everyday.

Past Paste EP

 I've decided to open up the vaults and release some new/old tunes. Over the next couple weeks, I'll unveil a couple of EPs and singles that haven't been released elsewhere, things recorded sometime between 2007 and 2012 in four apartments and at least two states.
The reason it's all in smaller formats - rather than one whole album - is because it's fairly diverse, and some of it just wouldn't work together. The first in the series is call the Past Paste EP. It's experimental downtempo - although that ranges from some dark, deep, non-traditional dubstep to some glitchy off-kilter beats. Enjoy.

Aristocrat Ranchettes

I found this while perusing a google map the other day. Ahh...the promise of the suburbs...

Random Goodness #5

Another round-up of completely unrelated things that leaped from the depths of the aether into my consciousness:

• The Arts Desk has an awesome interview with Gonjasufi wherein he discusses his transition from hip hop into whatever psychedelic-electronic-mayhem he unleashes on the world now. Definitely worth checking out if you've enjoyed any of his recent records.
• Downtempo beat maestro Bonobo just did a mix for Ninja Tune's Solid Steel radio. It makes a pleasant musical backdrop for a variety of activities.
• Stones Throw announced they're releasing a 2nd installment in the Minimal Wave Tape series. If you like to get down with post-punk/new wave electronic music from the late 70s and early 80s, then you definitely don't want to miss that.

Shigeto "Huron River Drive"

Shigeto riffs on the classic "Harlem River Drive" for this mellow gem. A laidback organ clears a path for shuffling percussion and crisp, deep bass. This would be a great opening tune for a downtempo set. Click the down arrow button to keep an mp3 version of the tune.
  Shigeto - Huron River Drive by ghostly

His 2nd album, Lineage, is due out on Ghostly on January 31.

Diplo x FKi x Heroes & Villains

 This new FKi x Diplo x Heroes & Villains mixtape has been in the works for a while. It was supposed to be released last Fall, but saw some delays. Judging by this, it might've been worth the wait. If you don't know FKi (aka Fuckin' Kickin' it), the crew has been blowing up ATL for a couple years, off the strength of a couple mixtapes loaded with strip club anthems and party bangers. Most recently, folks might recognize them for some production credits on Travis Porter projects. Peep this mayhem. It's one of those rarities that is both gully and irie:
FKi- I Think She Ready (feat. Iggy Azalea) Prod. By Diplo, DJA, HxV, Fki by Mad Decent

Get more info via Mad Decent.

Jonti "Sine & Moon"

For a limited time only, Stones Throw is celebrating the new year by offering up Jonti's new album as a free download. I haven't checked out these new tracks yet, but Twirligig was pretty awesome, so I don't think you need to worry.

Cop it here.

Old Dirty Bastard's FBI File

Using the power of the Freedom of Information Act, you can now read the files the FBI kept on Old Dirty Bastard.

DJ Classy Individual "Deep Thoughts"

A nice survey of the stylistic diversity that used to be known as beats, but what might now be called some sort of post-Dilla, wonky, choppy, futuristic blend of hip hop and electronic music. It starts bass heavy, and then wanders into some spacey material before finishing strong. Definitely stay tuned in for the last couple tracks.

Tracklist:
Free the Robots - Orion's Belt Buckle
Mophono - Cut Form Crush | Be Human Part One
Mux Mool - Drum Babylon
Onra - Raw Shit
B. Lewis - Les Saisons
Ben Jamin - Gutter Fonk (ft. Matt Miller)
DiBia$e - Lo Fi Crust
Gonjasufi - Nickels and Dimes
OhBliv - yoohoo
Groundislava - Cave Meats (ft. Jake Weary)
Shlohmo - 7AM
Alex B - Getting to know you
SirFroderick - nobodycares
Ethereal - Recovery (ft. Micah Freeman)
Flako - Knots
Xperiment - Stayin' Steady
S-Type - Sweet Vixen
Fid Melia - Tubo

Download it here (DivShare) or here (MediaFire)

"Money in the Sky"

I can't get enough of these guys... This was recorded over the course of a day in Norway...and it's better than what most folks are doing in a month of sessions...The beat shuffles along beneath thick stand-up bass plucks and a somber piano line. Then the hook drops like a lost Goodie Mob B-side...G-Side is killing it.

The Mind-Benders

This is a government funded anti-drug film from 1970. It's very far out - undulating, soft-focus shots, sitar music, psychedelic mayhem. I'd bet the people who made it were experimenting with drugs while making it.The testimonials around 3:00 aren't even scary. They'd probably make kids more curious...it does get a little scarier a few minutes later when the narrator starts talking about panic and insanity, or the guy who discusses how he was in bed with a girl when all of the sudden she turned into a monster. Does the government still make things like this? I can't imagine they do, but then again, where is all that money going if not for educational film strips? Oh yeah, missiles...

Supermarket Knife Attack

ATL production team SMKA returns with a nice recap of their recent work, which includes appearances by Freddie Gibbs, Fashawn, Young Scolla and a bunch more. If you like your beats Suthren, these dudes deliver. Their first mixtape series The 808 Experiment was choice too - put me onto Yelawolf way ahead of the curve with "Deer Mama" off volume 2. Also, Volume 1's "Bang" is one of the best, most slept-on strip club anthems of all time. 

The opening track with Spodee is a personal fav off this new compilation:

Download Mixtape Free | LiveMixtapes.com Mixtape Player

Jealous Guys "AudioBook"

 SF's Jealous Guys team up with producer Jeremy "Zodiac" Rose for this EP called AudioBook. Apparently, FADER thinks Zodiac is gonna be a big deal.
 The Jealous Guys | Audiobook by 3qtr

What's up with all these young producers slowing down on some post-Drake-triphop. Clams Casino is on it. What happened to cats spitting over 96 bpm, instead of half-step 130? It's cool for now, but all you youngsters need to eat a steak and man up sometimes. I'm digging "Genesis" and "Miss San Francisco." Not so crazy about "Life Insomniac" or "Walkin Around."

Grab the whole EP here.

Random Goodness #4

 Here's a little roundup of some lesserknown things you might like:

• The new single by Jean Grae "Me & U & EveryoneWeKnow" popped up on RapRadar today, and it's worth a listen. Production by M-Phazes is expansive and thoroughly jazzed. It takes a minute for her to actually come in because the instrumental just builds. Real music. No word on whether the title is a reference to the Miranda July film of the same name.
• Ever thought the awesomest thing the universe could offer was to see Booker T. & the MGs in a little club in Paris in 1968? You might be right. Aquarium Drunkard found this video as proof. The band just tears it up.
• Drink a lot of coffee? Good has an article explaining why your morning kickstart is about to get more expensive.
• The Iowa Caucuses are tonight. While the mainstream media drools over the political bloodshed, few have actually gone about explaining what the caucuses are (and why their different from other states' primaries). The War On Stupid links to a flowchart that helps explain.

Super Basement EP

I've posted about Canadian beatsmith Jesse Futerman before, but his Super Basement EP just wandered back into my rotation, and I'm enjoying it so much, I had to show some love. Super chill beats that will surely resonate with fans of Bonobo, Dilla or Shadow. I'm particularly feeling "Funds" which is a superior late night soundtrack.


Download the whole EP for free.