Musings Of Chris Lakey

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (5/17/13)

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:58:30 -0400

1) MAYER HAWTHORNE feat. JESSIE WARE – “Her Favorite Song” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIfdjIko3Uw :: Some funky soul with a touch of rock from Mayer Hawthorne and Jessie Ware. I like the rawness and dirtiness of this tune before it smooths out. Definitely a cool song for summer to jam out to at BBQs and pool parties.

2) MIRAGE – “Let’s Kiss” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nikc_-mJzPY :: Funky…electronic…voicecoder.

3) GILBERE FORTE – “Pray” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyzU0tXkMps :: Dude…the Fiona sample kills it for me. This tune is HEAT! Then the bass kicks in properly. Dude can rap his ass off too…good video too. All around this tune is solid. Just dloaded his free mixtape too so I’ll report on that later.

4) FLUME feat. JEZZABELL DORAN – “Sleepless” (MANILA KILLA remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH2MJcPno-4 :: The original of this tune is sick and Manila Killa did the remix much justice…just how a remix should be done.

5) BADLANDS – “Sleeping Beauty” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZDNtCcpDPo :: This is apparently Badlands first song ever and it is good. Dreamy with a tinge of darkness. Hopefully they can continue to build on this to make great music.

6) THE WEEKND – “Kiss Land” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN84vAqO9NY :: Any time the Weeknd drops anything I’ll cover this. This is apparently the single from the forthcoming album and of course it drips sexiness so I am down!

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (5/10/13)

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:43:00 -0400

1) TRICKY – “Hell Is Around The Corner” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIxnSyqS0XM :: Ahhh the days of “trip hop”„,anyways this is a classic tune from Tricky (who is coming to LA…I am excited!). So I threw it back on this one. Trip Hop was so underrated as a genre…it is like New Jack Swing.

2) CHANCE THE RAPPER x NOSAJ THING – “Paranoia” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYetKuoUyjg :: Sorry this is the second week I have covered Chance The Rapper, but it is because his new mixtape is just so remarkable! Unconventional in his own way, he has great beats, he can actually rap his ass off and is beyond interesting. On this one Nosaj Thing delivers a ridiculous beat even in its subtleness. I highly implore you to dload Chance’s free mixtape. I have been giddy over it since it dropped.

3) THE 1975 – “Haunt // Bed” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpYt_METXeU :: Bassy dream synth styles here that builds as it continues to thread along.

4) TWIGS – “How’s That” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7CTo2-bAA8 :: I featured Twigs a while ago and post that couldn’t find too much more on her but like 4 songs. Well this week she dropped a new song which is HEAVY! The kicker though is how dope the video is, check it out. I hope she stays in this mysterious lane ala The Weeknd…dude though…the video…go click it!

5) JOSH SCHROEDER – “Paraglide” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMH2nxXTYo :: I am not kidding when I say I actually really really like ukulele music especially done right. I have a whole playlist of ukulele tunes that I love listening to when hiking or running or driving up PCH (I know so cliché). Anyways this is such a great song and it has made my Ukelele Playlist (whooopty whoot)!

6) A TRIBE CALLED QUEST – “Date Rape” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks0kDOZ4Vy4 :: The very first hip hop song I learned every word to (and I mean it). And yes still know every single word (and the ad libs) and yes I change my voice rapping from Q-Tip to Phife. “I won’t cry over split milk / if you won’t let me / take you to the Hilt(on)”. Ohhh and the next song on the album is classic too. Arguably the best hip hop album ever.

7) GROUP HOME – “Supa Star” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZCNnDSKJsM :: Was talking to my boy from Brooklyn this week and we were reminiscing of what he thought LA was like based off of rap music (before ever visiting). This was in the 90s. He thought it was all gangs, shootouts, crooked police, high speed chases, but mostly gangs (thanks to 2Pac, Dre, Snoop, Quik etc.). Got me thinking and I remember seeing this video by Group Home back in the day and was convinced that NYC was all dudes hanging on corners, shooting dice, abandoned buildings, jaywalking, corner stores, and essentially wildin’ out…ohhh how so right I was, ha! Kidding my New Yorkers (but I think it does give certain parts of NYC character in a sense). Classic beat by Primo and I love Lil Dap (maybe the first ‘Lil’” rapper in NYC…someone look it up)!

***The first mixtape of the week is courtesy of MAYA JANE COLES and her new Essential Mix (BBC). It is some dope house and you can check it out here: https://soundcloud.com/mayajanecoles/bbc-radio-1-essential-mix-4th

***The second mixtape of the week is courtesy of FOUR TET and their Beats In Space mix. Four Tet are really making a name for themselves with their music and remixes (even Atoms For Peace co-signed them by remixing their work). If you like it odd (like me) this is for you definitely (you can stream/dload it here): https://soundcloud.com/timsweeney/fourtet

***Lastly one of the best music interviews ever…NARDWUAR vs QUESTLOVE (2103): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8X7Re7PbPY

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (5/3/13)

Fri, 03 May 2013 15:35:16 -0400

1) OWL EYES – “Closure” (GIRAFFAGE remix) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2b0QO_KLLM :: Spacey, bassey (or is it ‘bassy’), head noddin’, cosmic, chopped n sampled. The bass on this one thumbs as Giraffage chops up Owl Eyes vocals beautifully. The ending is dope too as it slows into a slurrrrr.

2) N8 ST9 – “Morning Hero” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JlKB95POJg :: Upbeat indie electronic tune. Simple yet effective.

3) CLAMS CASINO feat. DOOM – “Bookfiend” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYLQJA6FhcQ :: Dude…this has been a long time coming. Doom and Clams Casino! Anything Doom touches is gold and I am a huge fan of Clams Casino (seriously his “I’m God” beat is one of the best instrumentals I have ever heard). This one has been on rotation over and over and over again with me this week. They need to do more.

4) J. COLE feat. YOUNG JEEZY – “Kenny Lofton” (prod. By CANEI FINCH) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9gvHwgwkok :: Gonna be honest…this one here I put simply for the beat. Canei Finch produced the hell out of this tune. Not because he did anything complicated, but sometimes (actually most times) the simpliest thing is the most hard to do. He also is responsible for the incredible beat “Westside, Right On Time” which is bananas too. Definitely a producer who needs to be on the radar.

5) MT WOLF – “Veins” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFHJDw7CHdE :: This tune is pure bliss. Seriously the subtle turns in it makes it so dope. Her voice is amazing that if you aren’t paying attention you’d think she was singing in another language…kind of weird. Also stay till the end when they drum it up a bit…literally.

6) CHANCE THE RAPPER feat. AB SOUL – “Smoke Again” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1aFTjvKnv8 :: Credit due to my brother for hipping me to Chance The Rapper. He is weird, odd voice, sings a bit off, lyrics are on point then off point, but man he is quite interesting. Looked up a few of his live shows and he’s legit (gets crowd hype, knows how to perform live etc.). Anyways this song is great as he is joined up by Ab Soul on this cool tune off of his new mixtape, Acid Rap.

7) DJ QUIK – “Loked Out Hood” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FANc-6cUrJ0 :: So this week Jason Collins (who I played high school ball against and who my brother went to school with) who plays on the Washington Wizards came out of the closet this week (1^st active pro athlete to do so in USA). The article he wrote in Sports Illustrated is outstanding and I would encourage you to read it. Anyways in the article he talked about his first rap album ever was Quik Iz The Name by DJ Quik when he was 14. I think I would be safe to say that if Dr. Dre is the king of west coast rap producers, DJ Quik is the people’s champ! Anyways here is a classic cut off of Quik Iz The Name!

8) SHABAZZ PALACES – “Free Press And Curl” (Live) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br2pvioqusU :: One of the most interesting rap groups in the last 5 years is Shabazz Palaces. Based out of NYC they comprise of a multi-instrumentalist and ‘Butterfly’ of the defunct group Digable Planets. Now these guys are easily in their 40s, but seriously run circles around 95% of hip hop today. The music is crazy creative and the lyrics/flow/vibe is just plain dope. I posted a live version of this song above, but also check out them doing a full live performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djFrCb03-OI. This is just seasoned veterans of their craft just doing the damn thing.

***The mixtape of the week is courtesy of NICOLAS JAAR and his live set at Boiler Room NYC. Set is just just really really good. You can check it out here: https://soundcloud.com/kathe-rina/nicolas-jaar-boiler-room-nyc(you can also YouTube it, if you want to see him actually in the mix, mixing it).

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (4/26/13)

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:09:25 -0400

1) SIA – “Kill And Run” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqJVn6S85o :: This song is so fucking spectacular. Sia straight NAILS IT! One of my favorite songs of 2013 so far (top 10)!

2) ASTR – “Operate” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4xuM05T_tU :: This is like some dope indie meets trap and it is done really well. This tune is heavy…tell me it doesn’t have you boucin’!

3) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – “Animal X” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCwMPHYg7AU :: This was released for Record Store Day 2013 and it is almost as if Nick Cave is really doing some dark sultry spoken word. Anything he touches is gold and his voice is so damn distinctive…

4) MADLIB/QUASIMOTO – “Planned Attack” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0sPtj57inQ :: This is just vintage Quas + Madlib. Man after hearing this track had me playing The Unseen this week. Classics!

5) KANYE WEST feat. GLC and CONSEQUENCE – “Spaceship” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTjugAgCR6M :: My favorite Kanye west song ever! The flip of the Marvin Gaye sample is tremendous cause it is so simple but so damn effective and his verse on this is probably my favorite from any of his songs ever. I remember waaaay back in the day (literally like 70 people in the crowd) seeing him perform this with GLC “The Knockout King”…it was one of my concert highlights of life. “yeah I stole never got caught / take me to the back and pat me / askin’ me about some khakis / but let some white people walk in / I bet you they show off they token blackey”, ha! First Kanye song I learned verbatim (and consequently I can’t listen to the Marvin Gaye original tune anymore without rapping over it…thanks Yeeezy).

6) FOUR TET – “Pyramid” (ATOMS FOR PEACE remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diesGQRz3Q4 :: I love Four Tet (one of the best things I saw at Coachella, Yuma tent dancing like crazy) and mix in an Atoms For Peace remix. Nigel and Thom Yorke did this song interesting justice. Dare to be different!

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (4/19/13)

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:23:52 -0400

1) DAFT PUNK feat. PHARRELL and NILE RODGERS – “Get Lucky” (Radio Edit) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aqzm_RuFlk :: Really not too much needs to be said…The Robots are coming back for your soul! If I see you at a party and this song comes on and you don’t even slightly nod your head, I am not kidding…I will DE-FRIEND you. The great thing about this song (and Daft Punk) in general is that it is all about non-pretentious dancing (whether you have the moves of James Brown or you have two left feet). Dance people and don’t be afraid…it is one of the best joys of life! And please please please please let’s not remix/trap out/dubstep out/mashup the album so quick after release because honestly all you’re doing is probably going to ruin it…just let it breathe for a while. Sorry to sound crabby, but it is true.

2) POLICA feat. JUSTIN VERNON – “Tiff” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_vx7AMkUMU :: I love Polica…I love Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver), song is perf! Channy’s vocals once again are entrancing and so right for a song like this.

3) JOSEF SALVAT – “Hustler” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6DPoIGHwmQ :: “I’ve got the heart of a hustler / Playing a dangerous game”…wow this song is so beautiful! Who is Josef Salvat? Definitely check out this beautifully awesome song.

4) SZA – “Wings” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCIDjynUSso :: I put Sza’s free EP in my blog last week (seriously go download it), but I had to just mention her song “Wings”. Whereas many in this sub-genre of futuristic electronica R&B are doing spacey/minimalist songs, I love how lush her production is. Check it out on this tune. The beats are HARD AS FUCK but it is still sexy and sultry as hell!

5) COMMON feat. COCAINE 80s – “Congratulations” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWIH_oPUZWM :: This ditty from Common is such a great head nodder with a great story behind it. I like Common in this zone.

6) LONDON GRAMMAR – “Wasting My Young Years” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kA3P26H2c :: This song is beautiful and her voice is unique (it’s like a bit ‘off’ but that’s what gives it a crazy amount of character and depth). Fin.

7) BIG K.R.I.T. – “R.E.M” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFrnrE0m9c :: Big KRIT is a pretty underappreciated rapper and producer. He flipped this James Blake sample nicely. This mixtape is pretty solid too.

8) CHILDISH GAMBINO – “Think Of Me” (prod. by CUT CHEMIST) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WXbvI7_m60 :: Another underappreciated rapper, Childish Gambino has lyrics. This is a cool tune produced by Cut Chemist. Just a rapper rapping solidly!

9) MR. LIF feat. EL-P, JEAN GRAE and AKROBATIK – “Post Mortem” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uE5yH8crgg :: One of the finest MCs to come out of Boston, Mr. Lif! This song takes it back, the beat by El-P is killer. I still have fond memories of beat juggling this instrumental on my Technics. Lyrical fire too!

***The mixtape of the week is by ISAAC FERRY and it is a live Funk Mix NYC Fashion Week @ The Standard. So if you like Funk music you should check it out stream/download it: https://soundcloud.com/isaacferry/funk-mix-nyc-fashion-week-the

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK + COACHELLA PICKS (4/11/13)

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:03:10 -0400

1) TNGHT – “Acrylics” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm7XRkpkti4 :: Massive tune from TNGHT. I just like that their beats are very layered and the layering is as important as the bass or the stabs. Can’t wait to see them at Coachella.

2) EAZY-E – “Boyz In Da Hood” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGeNDnYcQOA :: This is up because a couple of weeks ago I forgot to blog it on anniversary of Eazy-E’s death. Was he the best rapper, no…best writer, no, but he is responsible for being the ring leader of rap music’s best group ever (yeah…ever)…YES! NWA is my favorite rap group ever (got a huge poster of them in my office with Cube with that jeri curl looking like a menace) and yes this is the song everyone knows, but it still is hard as hell (btw Cube wrote it while taking the bus to Compton from LAX). Also the real version of the song is like 10,000 verses ha. RIP Eazy-E!

3) ATU – “The Way I Feel” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb7qA7rrRhc :: A 1:24 snippet of pure unadulterated sexiness! More from Atu…please…like…now…wait…I mean…now.

4) FLOBOTS – “Handlebars” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUX0y4EptA :: This song is amazing but the video is one of my top 5 videos of all time. The story of it is so damn compelling. It is a stunning piece of storytelling via pictures and makes you really think about innocence, the loss of innocence and for me a reflection of where one is in life to where one began (when times were simpler).

5) YASLIN BEY (aka MOS DEF) – “The Light Is Not Afraid Of The Dark” (prod. by KANYE WEST) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRKCMtJjY7w :: Mos Def (I’m not calling him Yaslin Bey) dropped my favorite hip hop album of all time, Black On Both Sides (and #2 album ever besides Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’) and he continues to amaze me (though I wish his release schedule was more consistent). Anyways as always he rides the beat perfectly, his wordplay is excellent, he makes me think and head nod. Also don’t fret with Kanye on production…one thing about Kanye, as over the top as he can be, he can jump right back in his production bag (or rhyming) and keep it simplistic yet still effective.

***The mixtape of the week is actually a free EP download from SZA. It is ‘alternative R&B’ but seriously the production on here is amazing and SZA is amazing over it. Go and download this ish and bump the hell out of it. Pick it up here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ab5yaltarg3zru2. You can preview the tracks on SZA’s soundcloud (say that 10x fast) here: https://soundcloud.com/justsza

Lastly I am off to Coachella and wanted to share with you my 5 things I am most excited to see. Fortunately I have seen a lot of the acts before and it is damn near impossible to pick 5 things, but if I had to pick 5 things with the ‘holy shit there is no way in hell I’m missing them’ list here it is:

*TNGHT – Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaatz!!!! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ia34yXU1gw

*2 CHAINZ – Yeah f-you I love 2 Chainz (hell I wish they had Waka Flaka at Coachella I’d be there too). This can either be the best thing ever or the worst…who cares cause 2 Chainz in my mind is straight hilarious and hipsters getting turnt up will be…ha! Please please please play “banz to make her dance” so everyone with 100,000 wristbands on and think they are important can think the song is about them! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVjeKltMVJs

*BAT FOR LASHES – “Glass” is one of my all time favorite songs. I love this band. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeLNuQdfcQw

*RONI SIZE – Now I heard he’s bringing Reprazent with him. If he is…hell-f**kin’-o! Btw MC Dynamite is the best dnb MC living period (always #1 is Hyper D). - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwI0gbGEyuI

*WU TANG CLAN – Up from the 36 chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambers! *anyone I see with Wu Wear on during this set I’ll buy you a beer*…can we petition for Shyheim ‘aka the Rugged Child’ to roll through with Remedy and Cappadona and Sonz Of Men and Killarmy and Killah Priest and Gravediggaz (damn seriously I could go on with all the Wu Affiliates) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZVbShtNeU

*If RONI SIZE doesn’t bring Reprazent then I’m replacing him with JAMES BLAKE or DEAP VALLY

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (4.5.13)

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:41:45 -0400

1) DAUGHTER – “Medicine” (THE CHAINSMOKERS remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB2xFHAP9f8 :: Liking this remix here. Great build and the voice of Daughter is so smokey over this almost trancey-esque tune

2) SZA – “Aftermath” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqOmwHBV1eM :: holy shit this tune is so dope! I don’t know who WNDRBRD is, but he/she/them produced the hell out of this song and Sza’s voice is fucking perfect! Sza is amazing (new fan here)!

3) CHLOE HOWL – “I Wish I Could Tell You” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKLhnEFwH2c :: This video is odd but very cool. The tune is good too. Late night steez right here.

4) KID CUDI feat. TOO $HORT – “Girls” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seQJMvsUYV0 :: Cudi!!! Add in Too $hort!!! Nuff said. “I see pretty girls everywhere I go / every everywhere I go / every everywhere I go” *so many colors and sizes…so many surprises*. Brrrrrrap!!!

5) JAMES BLAKE feat. RZA – “Take A Fall For Me” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPC0ZdU9Jqg :: Are you kidding me…James Blake’s album is going to be a fucking classic!!! Fucking RZA murks it so insane. I seriously have listened to this song 100 times. So good (I need to know that wailing sample in the background…DITC!)

6) BJORK – “Pluto” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-QNxD56p_U :: My third favorite (yes I rank them) artist of all time, I included this old joint from Bjork because her tix to the Hollywood Bowl went on sale and it spurned me to relisten to Homogenic (which sonically is one of the best albums ever [not to mention electronic albums. Seriously if you are a producer in electronic music and want to hear a non-edm ‘stadium status’ electronic album, this is the one to study]). “Pluto” is quite crazy, but I love it…the distortion, the beautiful chaos…nothing is funnier than me trying to sing the shit out of this shit ha!

7) DANNY BROWN – “Express Yourself” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Wbg0SJZyo :: Danny Brown fits so ill over this spacey ass trap beat.

8) RYHE – “Open” (S O H N remix) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0BczePr2P4&feature=player_embedded#! :: Killer remix by one of my favorite remixers of late, SOHN. Does this beautiful song much much justice!

***The mixtape of the week is courtesy of RYAN HENSWORTH and it has everything you want from R.Kelly to Henry Mancini to Janet Jackson to trap to indie to…whatever…check it out here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rkx70

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (3.29.13)

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:32:40 -0400

1) TYLER, THE CREATOR feat. LAETITIA SADIER and FRANK OCEAN – “PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=___HMip2H1Y :: Three new tracks off of Tyler’s anticipated album…I am a fan!

2) ACTIVE CHILD – “Evening Ceremony” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkj5wz8oiiY :: While I love Bon Iver I really love Active Child. his last album was great and this tune I hope is a precursor to a new one.

3) THE BULLITTS feat. YASLIN BEY (aka MOS DEF), JAY ELECTRONICA and LUCY LIU :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXNzy12YIkU. :: Seriously Mos Def (as he will always be to me) and Jay Electronica need to drop albums already…

4) FYF – “Lies” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Bgj_OJU3M :: Everything FYF has been putting out as of late has been quality.

5) PAPER DIAMOND & CHRISTIAN RICH feat. ANGELA MCCLUSKEY – “XIX” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4WbN6H9fCs :: love this tune…wow.

6) SCHOOLBOY Q – “Yay Yay” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EeGB69Blwc :: First single from Schoolboy Q’s album and it is freaking dope as hell!!!

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (3/22/13)

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:08:51 -0400

1) KEATON HENSON – “Milk Teeth” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABON2M0D4qg :: In my Top 10 songs of 2013 so far…Period.

2) GLASS CANDY – “The Possessed” (Extended Runaway Edit) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI1SyRiki4E :: Kind of upset I missed Glass Candy this year at SXSW, but those are the breaks. Anyways this extended edit of ‘The Possessed’ is chill and synthy. Love the warped out waa waa sound (yes I said ‘waa waa’).

3) RUSTIE – “Triadzz” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aUl3mVId3w :: This sporadic instrumental tune by Rustie is heavy on bass, drums and a whole lot of in between. Definitely a tune you have to listen to a couple of times to appreciate all that is going on in it, plus you’ll probably catch something you didn’t hear the first time.

4) HAR MAR SUPERSTAR – “Lady, You Shot Me” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzH-2kFMpus :: Some funky ass shit! Seriously this tune is awesome!

5) LIL WAYNE feat. JUICY J – “Trippy” :: https://soundcloud.com/hhcerecords-1/lil-wayne-ft-juicy-j-trippy :: Love hate relationship with Lil Wayne I have (talking like Yoda now)…anyways when he is ‘on’ he is really ‘on’ and this tune I love and Juicy J is steadily becoming the most hilarious rapper/character out there, but he is a producer monster (seriously old 3-6 Mafia stuff was just produced so well). Anyways this tune knocks.

6) KENDRICK LAMAR feat. JAY Z – “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” (remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ5-Soe3NJ0 :: Simply put…Kendrick’s 2^nd verse is the verse of the year so far in 2013. Lyrically destroyed it…ohhh yeah some guy named Jay-Z is on this too.

7) NEKO CASE – “That’s Who I Am” :: https://soundcloud.com/fantasylabelgroup/thats-who-i-am-neko-case/ :: Don’t be fooled (or cliché) because not all country is bad (actually some of the best songwriters are country writers in my opinion)…anyways I like this tune and as one commentor wrote…”nice as pie”.

8) ALELA DIANE – “The Way We Fall” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg_BYEu2wJ4 :: Alela’s voice is so great…not exactly pure sounding, but the tinge of roughness in it gives it life/character/a heart. The music accompanying her is a thing of beauty and there are a couple different “movements” in this one song…love it.

9) DENIRO FARRAR – “Play No Games” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5apLU45YQ4 :: Damn how was I sleeping on this dude! Definitely spitting some real rap shit over a ill ass beat that Ryan Hemsworth produced. D-O-P-E!!!

10) SHLOHMO feat. JEREMIH – “Bo Peep (Do U Right)” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrudElutfDc :: Ummmmm Shlohmo once again just shows why he is on another level producing and constructing just fantastic song. I need to see him live.

11) PRINCE INNOSENCE – “Golden Hour” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn2VLIn4O5o :: Power electro-synths + bass + then beat kicks in = Head nod factor at 10!

***First mixtape of the week is by…yes he who I blab about all the time…XXYYXX!!!!!! This is his Boiler Room Set from a couple of days ago. Peep it here: https://soundcloud.com/platform/xxyyxx-60-40-minute-set-boiler. I got to catch his set at sxsw and it was bananas!!! People dancing on stage, in the rafters, at the bar, on the bar, on the stairs…crazy! Honestly if the first track on this mix doesn’t get you moving I don’t know if we can be friends.

***The second mixtape is something I meant to post before I bounced to Austin for the week of SXSW…better late than never as they say. It is the M.I.A. – Matang Mix For Kenzo: https://soundcloud.com/miauk/mia-matangi-mix-for-kenzo. It is really good!

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (3/1/13)

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:03:13 -0500

1) PASSION PIT feat. JUICY J – “Constant Conversations” (remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jVWe-b-mkM :: This is an interesting remix as Juicy J jumps on this Passion Pit song and fits in like a glove. Juicy J is a character, but musically he is on point (especially when he produces). This is a sweet collab.

2) FYFE – “St Tropez” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgzCy9dNPY :: This is just a good tune. Starts off quiet and cute and then builds. The horns and the drum programming are what make it for me. This is screaming for a good remix (hence the word “good”).

3) TYLER, THE CREATOR – “Fish” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAdbR5Q-Tao :: With Tyler’s new album coming out soon, I have been going back listening to my favorite cuts from him and the OFWGKTA crew and this one is one of them. Love Frank Ocean’s part too…more of a fan of his when he guest stars and he comes clean on this one too.

4) MO – “Pilgrim” (MS MR remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD26aZ2fP3Y :: I am becoming a huge fan of MO (the “O” actually has a slash through it, but I don’t know how to make it do so on my computer)…anyways this original song I have profiled before, here Ms Mr (who yes I love too) did this remix justice!

5) BLACK DOTS – “Captain, Won’t You Help Me?” :: https://soundcloud.com/loveourrecords/black-dots-captain-wont-you :: Some good psych-rock!!!

6) LITTLE BOOTS – “Motorway” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBUv5VZWHNo :: This is how you come back from a 4 year hiatus! Freaking love Little Boots and this has been my jam all week!

7) RZA – “Do You Hear The Bells” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaZDPpqy3gQ :: “digital, digital / Bobby Bobby Bobby / yo fuckin’ up the mic be my hobby”…this entire Bobby Digital album was so slept on. This is my tune as RZA seemingly ramble raps for like 10 minutes straight (spelling his name no less than 4 times ha)…awesome!

8) GHOST BEACH – “Tear Us Apart” (CHAD VALLEY remix) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miYIf81hxjg :: I love about anything Chad Valley touches right now and this is another good one. Some synth-step (I just made that up and you won’t get the ‘step’ part unless you know electronic music)…whatever it is good.

9) THE WARRIORS THEME SONG (film) by BARRY VORZON :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydL3svXFQ84 :: So my new hiking trend is to hike up hills and run down them and this song has been my adrenaline boost. First up I have a vintage Warriors poster in my office that stares at me every day, secondly this is one of my favorite movies of all time, thirdly I hope they never remake it (it won’t work) and fourthly…”can…you…dig…it”!

***First mixtape of the week is by DJ WILLZ entitled ‘New Jack Swing Mix Pt. 1” and you can stream/dload it here: https://soundcloud.com/dj-willz-1/new-jack-swing-mix-pt-1-old. Ummm New Jack Swing was such a good genre of music and it literally came and went in 4-6 years in the 90’s. Who cares cause those of us who were young and around when I was out, it was the ish! Seriously I remember having danceoff’s with my friends and family to all these classic joints. I may need to bust this mix out this summer at a pool party.

***The second free mixtape of the week is from DON PASCAL and entitled “Jazz & Samba Mix” to which you can get here: https://soundcloud.com/don-pascal/jazz-samba-mix. Just a great listen of jazz and samba fused together. Great for background music that may get you grooving…

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (2/22/13)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:34:12 -0500

1) PHOENIX – “Entertainment” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_TqlVQscQ :: They are baaaaack! Love Phoenix so much and this is a great kick off for their new album. Can’t wait until Coachella.

2) SIR SLY – “Easy Now” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzd8KwvR7LE :: This trio out of LA only has four songs out (this being the newest), but all four are excellent! I just love the sound of the hook. They are definitely on my radar…

3) THEOPHILUS LONDON feat. TROUBLE ANDREW – “Snow Angel” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brrgv-_2Ujo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB5RfOwrmWQ :: Theophilus London is only part of a handful of artists I feel can do rock, electro, hip hop and pretty sound comfortable over any genre of music (but sounding like he actually is a part of that particular culture). Anyways he kills this song (and is that the tone from Kid A in the background???).

4) LITTLE DAYLIGHT – “Overdose” (TWICE AS NICE remix) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljmro5W42mA :: Just a cool driving electronic pop tune!

5) LAURA MVULA – “Green Garden” (S O H N remix) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8jglZVYWCk :: Ummm first up you should know of Laura Mvula. Seriously she is straight up dope. Secondly what S O H N did on this remix was excellent. Nothing major, just enough to make it a great head nodder.

6) SHLOHMO feat. HOW TO DRESS WELL – “Don’t You Say No” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP_pVPxWlrk :: I think I have featured Shlohmo a ton on this blog…and it is for a good reason, everything he touches I seem to like. This tune with How To Dress Well is some spacey, electronica, soundscapey R&B that is in its own lane from say The Weeknd. Tune!

7) THE POSTAL SERVICE – “Such Great Heights” (TEAM BAYSIDE HIGH bootleg) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81npkEUjmQ :: Always a huge huge risk to take on remixing a classic/great/critically acclaim tune because 95% of the time it is shit and just spurns hate. Team Bayside High however does this song justice! Loving it.

***Mixtape of the week is kind of old but I stumbled across it this week and it has been on rotation every morning when I wake up (nothing like dancing in the shower, eh). It is the Essential Mix from MAYA JANE COLES back from July 9, 2011. Seriously if you love deep house, this one is for you!!! You can stream/dload mix here: https://soundcloud.com/r_co/maya-jane-coles-essential-mix

5 THINGS I WAS LISTENING TO THIS WEEK (2/15/13)

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:24:10 -0500

1) TYLER, THE CREATOR – “Domo 23” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4OD3IHs5jU :: I am a big fan of Odd Future and Tyler, The Creator so naturally anything new out of their camp I gravitate to. Can’t wait for new album to drop (the album covers are hilarious).

2) ARAABMUZIK – “Never Have To Worry” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYXVRdJ_J1M :: This beat is like a mixture of nyc gritty hip hop, dubstep, drum n bass all rolled in one and I love it. Lush head nodding instrumental! Check out the mixtape selection below…

3) MO – “Glass” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB5RfOwrmWQ :: I heard of MO via a mixtape by Ms Mr and ever since been a fan of hers. I really love her voice on this unique synthy beat. “hey hey hey!”

4) YELAWOLF – “Way Out” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNiYzYTrqHA :: Just when I was like ‘what’s Yelawolf doing’ he drops this gem. Some futuristic trunk knocking music! If his next album is like this, it will be beyond dope!

5) JAMES BLAKE – “Retrograde” (MINORSTEP remix) :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X2OgfGMWI0 :: Love what Minorstep did to this James Blake tune. Added some fullness to it sonically, but never taking away from James Blake’s vibe.

6) GHOST BEACH feat. NOOSA – “Close Enough” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dnvX42rVWM :: This song is like power pop with an 80s influence. Love the hook on it.

***First mixtape of the week is by ARAABMUZIK entitled ‘For Professionals Only” which you can dload here: http://pitchfork.com/news/49579-download-the-new-araabmuzik-mixtape-for-professional-use-only/. His album Electronic Dream was one of the best instrumental albums ever and this mixtape is a continuation of it (taking trance/electronic samples and adding in hip hop lush instrumentals). Seriously go dload it!!!!

***The second free mixtape of the week is B.I.G. FLUME which is a mashup of Notorious B.I.G. and the next big thing in electronic music out of Australia, FLUME. Flume’s forthcoming album is pretty sick (it is #1 in Australia, bumping even the likes of Bieber from the charts)! Jaymee Franchina and Jeremy Smith, put this great mashup mixtape together. You can check it out and dload it here: http://jaymeefranchinajeremysmith.bandcamp.com/

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (2/1/13)

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:05:13 -0500

1) ICE CUBE – “Jackin’ For Beats” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vsLcNJdF9k :: Arguably the best story telling rapper ever in hip hop, when Cube in his prime couldn’t be touched. I just watched End Of Watch and this song just reminded me of that movie and LA etc.. I love the line “…and even if you down wit my crew…I’ll jack them too”. And the flip of all the classic beats is well classic!

2) PIXEL FIX – “Rosa” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHKeGdTBKMQ :: Love the simplicity of this. When the vocals hit it sounds like another language (which it may be), but you get lost in the sound so it still is beautiful. The video is pretty cool too.

3) MMOTHS feat. HOLLY MIRANDA – “All These Things” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueTtxqO-GI :: To me this is “what would a Tycho song sound like with vocals on it” and they do it really well.

4) PUSHA T (prod. by THE NEPTUNES) – “Revolution” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBIvQHMAnUE :: Neptunes did work on this beat and subtly (which they usually don’t do…as great of producers as they are). This song just fits Pusha T so well and he does his thing. It is short and sweet and to the point, but that’s the point and it is on point.

5) AUTRE NE VEUT – “Play By Play” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFiupWwIZMY :: Was hipped to this by my friend (and one of my fav supervisors) early this week and have played it at least five times every day since. Just listen…

6) THE DOVE SHACK – “Summertime In The LBC” :: Quite simply one of the best summer SoCal BBQ party songs ever. Period!

***The mixtape is from my friends JAYVON and ROGER JAO called “Neon Sunrise” (stream/dload it here: https://soundcloud.com/fobbyjao/neon-sunrise-jayvon-x-roger. This is that mix you thrown on post the wick’d after party of the wick’d party…the mix from 14 on out is seriously where it is at!

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (1/25/13)

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:42:23 -0500

1) MS MR – “Fantasy” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0OoXv4xPfY :: I absolutely love this band! Was in love with everything they touched, got to see them at CMJ which was such an awesome show and then they put out an incredible DJ mix that I featured a while ago here: https://soundcloud.com/msmrsounds/ms-mr-track-addict-vol-ii. Anyways this track is lovely, big, lush, pop, indie, lyrically on point all in one fell swoop.

2) KANYE WEST (TNGHT Remix) – “Cold” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRk02IBD9mU :: This remix is heavy plain and simple. If you aren’t up on TNGHT, get up on them. Their EP last year was incred. The remix actually made me like the original song much better…I mean how many remixes really do that….

3) THEBLKHANDS feat. AFTER THE SMOKE – “The Usual Thing” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzMOlcYZTow :: This woozy rap seriously works as the hard drums marinate in the background… Love the MCs too as it isn’t all about the lyrics, it is more about how they work well over the beat. Late night tune right here…especially for you smokers…

4) FLYING LOTUS – “Such A Square” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mbvDCDk3yU :: Mainly posted this one because I love the video for it which is a collab between Flying Lotus and Lilfuchs of Adult Swim. Brings the tune to visual life.

5) WYCLEF JEAN – “Apocalypse” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGxd9kMbzA :: Wyclef’s album “The Carnival” was a damn near classic. This album is so good and pretty slept on. Even the skits are beyond hilarious. Anyways this is the opening track and seriously the sample is one of my favorite in hip hop period. It is simple, the lift of the sample is simple (as you’ll see), but damn if it doesn’t carry the entire tune…and if you want to know what the sample is see 5(a) below….

5a) DANIELLE LICARI – “Concerto pour une voix” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTK9r6htCPE :: So the sample used on “Apocalypse” above is this gem of a concerto. Danielle’s voice is literally other worldly. I implore you to just play and listen to this song and all of its beauty. When people say ‘sampling’ destroys original works I am reminded of so many great songs I would’ve never discovered had it not been for trying to discover the samples in hip hop songs as such…

***The mixtape is provided to us from my buddy and LA drum n bass legendary DJ, APX-1. But this mix is of 1990s hip hop. This mix is a beast and features my favorite era of hip hop tunes!!! DJ Quik, Brand Nubian, Souls Of Mischief, Black Moon etc.. Please go stream and download it (FREE99) here: https://soundcloud.com/nineteenninetywhat/free-download-nineteen.

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (1/18/13)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:07:23 -0500

1) NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS – “Jubilee Street” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYyX1ISE6KQ :: Excited for this album to come out as the single sounds right up my alley. Dark lyrics, mysterious vibe almost dreamy like…one of those songs you can listen to a number of times and find something new in it everytime.

2) JESSIE WARE – “What You Won’t Do For Love” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ltza7hYls :: Jessie does this classic song justice. Period.

3) SHLOHMO – “Later” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccKxcVliL5k :: Anything Shlohmo touches is gold whether he is remixing other people’s works or doing the damn thing on his on here. Bass knocks too.

4) AALIYAH – “Are You That Somebody” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuWMW7hVdTs :: Probably my favorite R&B artist ever…this week was her birthday (rip) and well if you don’t like Aaliyah we can’t be friends (btw how awesome was she holding that hawk). Her and Timbaland were an ill combo.

5) CAM’RON – “Get ‘Em Girls” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m2K0CD0UQI :: The last great (yeah I said it) NYC rap crew was the Diplomats. Meaning it was a crew who when they rapped together were fire and each on their own could hold it down be it Cam’ron, Juelz, Jimmy and even my favorite member Freaky Zeeky. Anyways Cam’ron’s Purple Haze, if not a classic album is damn near close. Man I loved this era of NYC rap. Yes half of what he says is crazy and the outfits were outrageous, but that’s Harlem! (btw “Killa Cam” tune in the end is my fav Cam song).

***The mixtape is the heavy bass, trappin’ mix by FLOSSTRADAMUS you can dload/stream here: https://soundcloud.com/nickraymondg/flosstradamus-b-nned-2-mixtape.

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (1/11/13)

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:20:00 -0500

1) ADAM TENSTA feat. ELLIPHANT – “Rat In The Snow” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjmngPT6oW8 :: Loving this tune mainly cause I love me some Elliphant on the hook and the raps. Good tune, the beat knocks too!

2) ATOMS FOR PEACE – “Judge Jury and Executioner” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4tW3mhp9io :: Atoms For Peace are Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich (longtime Radiohead producer), Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco and this tune is amazing. I love how it is almost as if a computer is beat boxing while a nu-age choir is subtly in the background as Thom Yorke sings. This one makes you do the spazz out dance with soul.

3) NONPLUS – “Playdate” (Original Mix preview) :: https://soundcloud.com/synthcityrecords/nonplus-playdate-original-mix?in=synthcityrecords/sets/playdate-ep :: Nonplus is a good friend of one of my good friend’s and when she sent this over to me I immediately hit him up! This track is dirty, crunchy, sexy, filthy and had me moving in my seat (“Chris ‘Playdate’…is my take on Italian Futurism aka ‘Noise Music’” – Nonplus). Seriously, had this on repeat all week long. His EP is out Jan. 21^st pick it up!

4) RAVEENA AURORA – “Grey Eyes” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goh33XGaIC8 :: This song is so beautiful and Raveena’s voice sparkles on it. I bet an acoustic version of this would be spectacular too.

5) WATER LIARS – “Fake Heart” :: https://soundcloud.com/big-legal-mess/water-liars-fake-heat :: Just a solid song that kicks in excellently in the second half. I love the bridge between the first and last part. Definitely some heart tugging rock with a touch of country. I wish I could play this song…

As usual I can’t count so here is more…

6) THE TRUST – “Sulk” (Piano version) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfoawJtQWBY :: The band is The Trust. The original of this song is so good and this piano version is incredible. I have not shut up about this song all week (and my co-workers can attest). I absolutely am in love with this song and video. Speaking of learning how to play this song…I am going to learn how to play this song in 2013 on the piano. So so so good…

7) WINONA HYPER – “U” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VUHx_8Eks :: So lush, so beautiful…i could listen to this all day.

***The first mixtape of the week is DJ SHADOW’s “All Basses Covered (Low End Theory set from July 1, 2012)” mix which is beyond awesome!!! You can stream and/or download it here: https://soundcloud.com/djshadow/all-basses-covered-low-end.

***The second mixtape of the week is a Grime/2-Step mix from DJ BARELY LEGAL you can dload/stream here: https://soundcloud.com/dj-barely-legal/grime-mix-2012. I know Trap and Dubstep and the 100 million different variations is the ish right now, but Grime is where it has always been at with me, from the beats, to the hyphy ass mcs, to the lyrics behind the hyphyness, the grit and the f**kin’ legendary MC BATTLES (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ORA0XoUa80) ! Anyways this mix is that UK urban brrrrap.

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (1/4/13)

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:15:00 -0500

1) SKRILLEX – “Scary Bolly Dub” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbRn-UYzyfE :: Vintage Skrillex, love the bounce vibe on this one as it gives the heavy head nod.

2) TORO Y MOI – “Say That” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmfOsdla2Y :: This song is so good, this video is so good, the vibe is so right…this album is looking like a monster come the end of January. Totally makes me want to snap my fingers to the beat.

3) ACTIVE CHILD – “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” :: https://soundcloud.com/activechild/his-eye-is-on-the-sparrow :: Active Child covers the famous gospel hymn and puts his own whispery falsetto on it in a beautiful piano rendition.

4) RYAN HEMSWORTH – “BaseWorld” :: https://soundcloud.com/ryanhemsworth/basedworld :: This tune is big and infectious. Love the drum programming on this one…sounds like something that could fit perfectly in the background of a film. Would love to hear on a big speaker system. Btw I am waiting for Lil B to get on this cut #BaseGod!

5) KODALINE – “All My Friends” :: http://vimeo.com/53956696 :: One of my ‘Bands To Watch in 2013’ does an excellent cover of my favorite LCD Soundsystem song “All My Friends”. This song is absolutely beautiful. Whereas LCD’s version for me gives me the nostalgic feeling of great times remembered in the company of friends, this version conjures up those times when you needed someone(s) to lean on and there were your friends. Love it!

***The mixtape of the week takes us back to 1994 when Massive Attack graced the decks at the BBC for an Essential Mix. Want to know why they were one of the best groups ever…because they knew good music! Check it out: https://soundcloud.com/das-boy/1994-12-11-essential-mix-massive-attack?in=das-boy/sets/essential-mix

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (12/21/12)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:29:08 -0500

1) T.I. feat. B.O.B., KENDRICK LAMAR and KRIS STEPHENS – “Memories Back Then” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atfLFqpi59U :: Quite possibly nothing is better than storytelling T.I.. He is one of the rare south rappers who can story tell over trap/groovy soul south beats etc. and compare to any rapper out there. This song is laid back with excellent lyrics from every contributing MC.

2) GROUNDSILVA – “Relics” :: https://soundcloud.com/groundislava/relics-groundislava-cool-mix :: Deep, chill, bassy…love it especially when the bass kicks in.

3) MAJOR LAZER feat. FLUX PAVILLION – “Jah No Partial” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlt9QmJFEz4 :: I have been seriously waiting for a while for dub to make its way back into ‘pop dubstep’ in the states (and this coming from a person who doesn’t necessarily love love reggae). However, this is much needed. Thank you Major Lazer for infusing soul to this jam! More soul in electronic music pretty please…

4) THE POLYPHONIC SPREE feat. SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS – “Silver Bells” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ79V0_Xgis :: This is one weird ass song…that’s all I have…

5) LONDON GRAMMAR – “Hey Now” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTvHcQmKUpU :: Pure unadulterated eargasm! I love this tune. The vocals on it are primo!

As usual I have more than five so here we go…

6) FLUX PAVILLION feat. CHILDISH GAMBINO :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2aO7B6zQlg :: First up, peeps need to stop hating on Childish Gambino, dude only dropped one of the hottest mixtapes of 2012 in Royalty and he has hilariously witty flows (“we in the house ya’ll n*ggas in the Senate…get it”). Anyways he does a great job over this Flux Pavillion production. More dubstep with quality MCs on it please, it keeps the raps and the beats interesting (can we get Ludacris on something please?).

7) WILLY JOY – “Woman Like Me” (FLINCH REMIX) :: https://soundcloud.com/flinchbass/willy-joy-woman-like-me-flinch :: Give me the subtle bass all day. The homie Flinch hooked this tune up! This tune simply knocks proper.

8) A$AP ROCKY – “Phoenix” (prod. by DANGER MOUSE) :: https://soundcloud.com/thatswagbitch/asap-rocky-phoenix :: This combo is excellent. When A$AP is on he is one of the better young rappers out there. I love the production too by Danger Mouse. Minimal but critical.

***The mixtape of the week are actually two mixes. The first comes courtesy of the band Alt-J. If you are not familiar with them they have been winning awards left and right for their debut album, An Awesome Wave. Anyways they hooked up with Hypem to spin a short set of some of their fav songs of 2012. I love how rap their set is. I love when you think and artist is a cetain way and they totally surprise you! Check it out for free download here: https://soundcloud.com/hypem/alt-j-vs-the-hype-machine-2012. The second mix is something old that I stumbled upon and is a live in studio set by Jony and 12^th Planet on Maddkidz TV. Jony’s set is dope, but holy christ my boy 12^th Planet (who I still call “Infiltrata”) murks the hell out of it. Can we please get a tune ID on the first tune. Check it out at 36:00!!! Here is the youtube of it live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdc1_OWq8I and here is the MP3 of the set (seriously BANGS!!!): http://www.yousendit.com/download/WUJiUWVnUzhCMTU3czhUQw

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (12/14/12)

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:37:51 -0500

1) KAVINSKY – “Protovision” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_svUt5_e0 :: Dude it is Kavinsky! Best known for their cuts on the Drive soundtrack, this tune from their forthcoming album definitely should be on your soundtrack of the night. Their album should be a beast!

2) M.I.A. – “Attention” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbTfP7JxpwU :: I have a love/hate relationship with M.I.A.’s music. When she is on, her stuff is def one of a kind. She is definitely on, in this song. I love the whole design of the song from the middle switch up, to her emphasis on syllables to of course the beat.

3) SANTIGOLD – “Girls” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQIciGoQLvs :: Now in a different vein than M.I.A., Santigold can do no wrong in my book! Don’t ask me about the actual tv show ‘Girls’ (sorry I think it is dumb and boring, but hey it isn’t made for me), but whatever the soundtrack is looking mighty good! Santigold kills it! I can already hear this being played in 2013…

4) CAROUSEL – “Stay Awake” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ2kxo6uqGE :: I love this dreamy, whispery tune. Very upbeat electro-rock that at the 2:30 mark just hits that sonic moment of bliss.

5) CHROME SPARKS – “Send The Pain On” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM0PVnOrKBA :: Electronica…very eloquent…lush with melody…

Okay so some more this week (it was a good week in music)…

6) ALT-J (BETATRAXX remix) – “Fitzpleasure” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtG1JbcugoM :: This remix is my fav of all the Alt-J remixes circulating out there. Beatatraxx brings in the stabbing bassline which plays well off of the vocals. The tune never loses its haunting feel even either.

***Okay the mixtape of the week could be the ‘easy’ pick, JAMIE XX’s mix he did at the Boiler Room (which you can nab here: https://soundcloud.com/platform/jamie-xx-55-min-boiler-room), but I am going with STAR SLINGER’s mix for DJ Mag from Paris Social Club. Seriously some deep house/French bangers (why am I just discovering how incredibly dope Nina Kraviz tune “Ghetto Kraviz” is???). Anyways you can grab it for stream or free dload here (get ready to daaaaaaance): https://soundcloud.com/starslingeruk/star-slinger-paris-social-club-djmag-mix

5 Things I Was Listening To This Week (12/7/12)

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:27:43 -0500

1) JHENE AIKO – “Mirrors” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cprAoOPiXqY :: This song and this video is incredible. Jhene’s voice is immaculate, her song writing perfectly matches her voice and the production by Key Wayne is so on point. So spacey, so sexy, raw, deep all at the same time.

2) ROCKIE FRESH – “Nobody” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbayZC1-p2s :: So Rockie Fresh is the latest signing on Rick Ross’ imprint MMG and the best thing Ross did was let Rockie be Rockie! This video is dope, the beat is hypnotizing, the vocal hook is awesome and Rockie Fresh is zoned out. This definitely is how you merge different styles of music together in a way that works so well!

3) WALL – “No Secrets” :: https://soundcloud.com/search?q=WALL%20%E2%80%93%20No%20Secrets :: Don’t know too much about her, but I really dig this song. Singer songwriter but with a cool thumping drum in the background. Her vocals are bigger than the music but it all works so well.

4) BIG BOI feat. KID CUDI – “She Hates Me” :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=220UgBbsiYA&feature=plcp :: Big Boi and Kid Cudi on a track…it’s a wrap!

5) THE GAME feat. KANYE WEST, TRAE THE TRUTH, Z-RO, PAUL WALL and SLIM THUG – “Rollin’” :: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJSYVY9zTI :: The Game’s album is going to be really good I feel and tracks like this (and the others I’ve heard) are really good. This beat is ridiculous and every rapper just delivers. Takin’ ‘em to church!

Okay so some more this week (it was a good week in music)…

6) OCTOVER – “Hurt” :: https://soundcloud.com/dangervillage/octover-hurt :: It’s like massive attack meets some chill IDM meets some Massive Attack meets some R&B…

7) NITE JEWEL – “P.Y.T.” (Michael Jackson cover) :: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Hcu-UegKE :: If you are going to do a cover and especially of one of the greatest songs in the history of ever it should be something great, unique, different than the original and really sheds a new light on someone else’s creation…this does it and then some. I really really like this. That 80’s synch wobble bass hauntingness is beyond awesome!!!

***My mixtape of the week isn’t even close it is the mix by MS MR. If you love indie bands, this mix of some unique cool ass indie bands is so so so good!!! Check it out: https://soundcloud.com/msmrsounds/ms-mr-track-addict-vol-ii