Shouts to the homies over at Bamalovesoul for putting me onto this one. A real nice slab of uplifting vocal broken beat niceness. Aischa Traidia is a singer/songwriter from Amsterdam, defo looking forward to hearing more from her on the MPMCGN imprint. “What’s Going On” is produced by Sotu The Traveller, those keys are waaaarm and the beats are tuff!!
Download: Aischa – ‘Whats Goin On’
Easily one of favourite singers around, Mara TK of Electric Wire Hustle fame has just released a two-track solo EP entitled Taniwhunk (a name given to a form of Maori music). We did inform you that the EP was coming when we posted ‘Run (Away From the Valley of Fear)’, admittedly back then we assumed the extended player would boast more than two songs. I’m not mad though, I always feel a bit starved of new music from these New Zealander’s – so I’m just grateful for the one other new track entitled ‘Anyone Here’. The song boasts the typical melodic and atmospheric dopeness we’ve come to expect from the EWH front man, his voice (which at times channels Marvin Gaye supremely) never disappoints.
Well, this is interesting. Drizzy jumps on SBTRKT’s new single featuring Yukimi Nagano (of Little Dragon fame), adding his own verse to the already superfantastic track. We dropped the original a couple weeks back, told you to keep an eye/ear out for SBTRKT’s debut album (out June 27th) – it’s bloody brilliant. Trust us.
I think it’s dope (and extremely clever, especially given the rumors that Aubrey will be ‘experimenting’ with new sounds on his sophomore) that Drake’s ear caught up on this – take a listen to what he did.
Download: SBTRKT Feat Yukimi Nagano (Little Dragon) & Drake – ‘Wildfire’
… And just like that, SBTRKT becomes a blogger’s darling. Remember where you heard about him first, ha!
Here is a real tasty mix from DK (for Ninja Tune) and it’s straight in with a tasty batch of leftfield beats that certainly hit the right groove for the weekend. Kicking off with another great 12″ on Botanika from Bunny on Acid, followed by Addison Groove, Seiji on the remix for Skream and a track off the Stagga album. Hexstatic continue the vibe with So Good, two tracks on Hessle Audio follow from Pearson Sound and Pangea, then it’s the Martelo remix of Bang On! and two soulful sounds from Stubborn Heart and Omar alongside Zed Bias. Then it’s latin heat off the BBE comp taking us through Mos Def, a Heatwave refix of a remix for Adele, new DELS, classic Nas and ending with greek legend Vangelis. This mix does not ramp. Download using the arrow on the player and enjoy peoples.
I can’t front…this is the first time I have come across Merrill Garbus (slacking… I know…I know). She is the mastermind behind the world beat/jam-pop entity tUnE-yArDs. This is a dope interview/live track combo which is nicely shot and I was blown away by her versatile vocal ability. The fact that she murks it with, wait for it…the ukulele = mad props. I can’t wait to go cop more of her ish right now. Shout to the Yours Truly collective who have been putting out this dope series. Check more out here
Straight out of the Pictures Music camp comes a couple of really beautiful tracks from man like Dauwd. Two very contrasting tracks though both stunning. ‘Could It Be’ is a nice broken beat number complete with atmospheric vocal stabs and some nasty drops along the way. Shimmer comes with a downtempo Mount Kimbie/ Gold Panda vibe and bubbles along nicely, sipping some cider in the park summer vibes….(fix up London weather please)…..press play and zone out below. They are both available on a ‘name your price’ vibe here….
Dauwd – ‘Could It Be’
Dauwd- ‘Shimmer’
Click cover to download
Mute and Mr. Miranda dropped La Bamba: The Ritchie Valens EP, a Hip Hop tribute to Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist Ritchie Valens on May 13th, his birthday.
After the intro the EP jumps straight into the warm, familiar sounds of what is easily Valens’ most popular song, ‘La Bamba’ on ‘Funky La Bamba’. Seconds later in a not so smooth transition enters Mr. Miranda, rhyming about what the short, but impactful life of Ritchie Valens means to him as Latino and an artist. The La Bamba: The Ritchie Valens EP sounds like a genuine tribute to an inspiration to many.
Standouts for me include: The guitar driven ‘Hi-Tone’ and the somewhat eerie ‘Ritchie’s View’ as rhymed from the late singer’s point of view on his way to his last show before the fatal plane crash. The last few minutes of this one are good listening too.
If you are unfamiliar with the 2000black imprint you better get to know mothertruckers….started in 98 by Dego, it features a heavyweight roster of artists including the likes of Kaidi Tatham, Bembe Segue and a host of other badamen and women who consistently try and push music forward. After taking a brief break from music, Dego (one of favourite purveyors of the broken beat) recently returned and is giving these 2 tracks away for free. The beat and horns on ‘Eyelids Heavy’ are too much for me. Head-nodding in a cafe flex!! Not sure if they are from his upcoming album or not but who cares….dancefloor smash. Download both here for the price of an email address and have a listen below. Have a good weekend peoples
Dego – ‘Eyelids Heavy’
Dego – ‘Sunshine’ (feat. Bembe Segue + Dave Okumu)
Beyonce has revealed the album artwork for her new album entitled 4, due out on June 28th.
The superstar has said that this LP is her most musically diverse to date, taking on influences from the likes of Fela, Prince, 90′s R&B (Boyz II Men, DeBarge etc) and electronica. The video for the albums first single ‘Run the World (Girls)’ debuted last night, if you haven’t already peeped it – I’d recommend you do. I don’t like the track too tough, but the video is undeniable. Chick has Hyenas!
Here it is folks, Queen Bey’s latest visual offering…
… Even with a mediocre song Beyonce still manages to slay everyone else. This video is next. Sheesh.
No theme. No loops. No tracklist. Just dope music from “records found in the valley”, mixed by FlyLo for Stones Throw’s newest podcast.
10 minutes in and I’m on cloud 9. Tuck is my friends, tuck in…
Download: Stones Throw Podcast 66: Lovers Melt Mixed by Flying Lotus (via iTunes)
A couple weeks back we posted up the teaser to Muhsinah’s new (and seemingly out of the blue) EP entitled Gone. ‘How Great’, in all it’s classic-Muhsinah glory, is the extender players first single – lucky for us, it’s being offered as a free download. How lovely!
Listen and download the track below…
Download: Muhsinah – ‘How Great’
Taken from the Channel 4 series ‘Abbey Road Debuts’ that aired a couple of days ago, comes our favourite masked warrior joined by the vocal talent of Sampha (who may possess my favourite voice of 2011 thus far….) We have had the pleasure of listening to the whole album and trust me its a definite album of the year contender….it comes out on June 24th and trust me you are going to want it in your collection. Shout to the whole Young Turks collective
Some of you may not know who Chris Cunningham is, but I guarantee you’ve seen at least one of his music videos. Heralded as one of the best British video directors of all time, Cunningham has lent his genius to artists including Madonna, for whom he directed ‘Frozen’, Bjork who’s vision allowed him to create the visual masterpiece that is ‘All is Full of Love’, Apex Twin’s imaginatively disturbing ‘Come to Daddy’ as well as what is, arguably, my favourite video of all time – Left Field’s ‘Africa Shox’ featuring Afrikka Bambaataa. Make sure you watch that video (above) if you haven’t already.
I’ve been a massive fan of his for years (even wrote an essay on him in university) and so am truly excited about this forthcoming show…
Following on from his sold out Royal Festival Hall appearance earlier this year, Chris Cunningham is now ready for his second London solo show, this time at Camden’s Roundhouse on June 1st 2011. The ‘full live audio visual show’ will showcase “a large swath of brand new material following the unveiling of his video/remix of Gil Scott Heron’s ‘New York is Killing Me at MOMA earlier this year”.
Tickets cost £28 (advance) and £35 (on the door) and can purchased here. Flyer after the jump…
Produced by the Pac Div go-to producer Swiff D this banger comes from upcoming ‘The Great Debater‘ which drops on June 7th. Another heavyweight track from Gregory Skyler Taylor….
Download: Skyzoo – ‘Written In The Drums
