1.31.2011

Chief, "Drone Beats & Electric Waves"

A few months ago, I happened upon this producer from overseas named Chief. I think it was one of those connections where we were following the same producers on Facebook and so forth. Turns out he's a dope producer in his own right, having done work with and or remixed some dope MC's from all over. Today, he dropped his newest instrumental project, "Drone Beats & Electric Waves" on his own, Feelin Music, imprint. You can check out his catalog (and I definitely recommend this) on his Bandcamp site; link below.



Download Chief, "Drone Beats & Electric Waves":
http://chiefbeatmaker.bandcamp.com/

Dibia$e, "Skullcrack" music video

I figured since I just posted the video for a track that he produced for Versis that I'd go ahead and post one of his own vids (for those that aren't in the know) for his Alpha Pup Records release, "Machines Hate Me". The guy is dope...



Buy Dibia$e "Machines Hate Me":
http://www.alphapuprecords.com/releasepage.php?UPC=669158521852

Versis, "Journey(4U)" music video



Anyone that knows me knows I'm a big fan of Versis (CA). If you prefer dope hip hop (and from a youngin' especially), check out Versis' debut album "iLLCANDESCENT":
http://versis.bandcamp.com

And if you're wondering who banged out the production, Google "Dibia$e". One of the dopest sample choppers out right now. From the extremely talented LA scene, at that... think Madlib, Flying Lotus, A3 (prob never heard of him, neither; look him up), Afta1, and a rack of other dope producers paving their own way in the game right now.

Sy Smith, "Teena (Lovergirl-Syberized)"

Speaking of the late Teena Marie, I'm not exactly sure why I passed up on posting about this tribute when it initially came out but DC songstress Sy Smith posted a free remix of "Lovergirl" by Teena Marie; affectionately naming it "Teena (Lovergirl-Syberized)" produced by Mark deClive-Lowe. The two of them have (Sy Smith & MdCL) have been making great music for a while now and this is no exception. Adding some much needed bounce to the tragic loss that the R&B soul community and fanbase experienced with the loss of Ms. Teena, this song has that uplifting and danceable edge that will make you reminisce on those great times that Teena got you through with her classic catalog. Great job, Sy & MdCL; keep it coming. Really surprised that she's still putting in work and not walking amongst the superstars right now, but that's all a part of the biz. Either way, you've got a fan in me...


Download free track from Sy Smith & MdCL "Teena (Lovergirl-Syberized)":
http://mashibeats.bandcamp.com/track/teena-lovergirl-syberized

PS:
Be sure to read the back story to the track and the inspiration that lead to the track, "Teena". Dope stuff... that's just how it happens sometimes.

Deborah Jordan

I think all of us were affected by the loss of "White Chocolate", longtime R&B songstress, Teena Marie. It came as a shock to all of us; and I hope that we don't forget her 19 yr old daughter in our thoughts and prayers because I'm sure this and every Christmas holiday will be rough for some time to come.

Now while Ms. Teena can never be replaced, we can do our part in acknowledging up and coming talent that exudes that same level of soul-enriched vocals that we love to keep around to get us through those times. Enter Ms. Deborah Jordan, who has done work with Silhouette Brown in the past. Unfortunately, I can't post MP3's on this blog right now but trust me, what I've heard so far has been very refreshing from this young lady. Please give her an ear...


Her current album, "What You See" is available online at Juno Records:
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/414348-01.htm
http://www.myspace.com/deborahjordanmusic
http://www.deborahjordanmusic.com/

New instrumental radio show in LA, "Soulection"

Sometime back in '09, I remember being on iTunes looking around for podcasts to download and bump to and fro my way to work. I think at the time, I was getting sick of hearing lyrics (like I also do from time to time) so I was on my FlyLo (Flying Lotus) stint; anything instrumental, Dilla/Madlib-esque, obviously sample chop-sui-ed, dope production. As I was looking around, I happened upon a podcast mixed by a guy name Joe Kay (I think he went by Joe Dilla; which I had a slight qualm about) called "IllVibes" along with a graphic designer named "96". After that first podcast that I downloaded, which I had in rotation for a couple weeks before I decided to download anymore, I got over my issue with his choice of names because the love was obviously there. His mixes are quick, he doesn't play most songs all the way thru so it's almost like a 90 min sampler of dope instrumentalists from the LA community and abroad, esp. worldwide. Production tastes vary from underground hip hop instrumentals of pretty well known songs to cosmic electronic production that can easily put you in a trance; stuff I love because I zone out quickly... LOL. This cat, Joe has introduced me to some of my favorite electronic producers to date; the likes of Afta1, eLan, Samiyam, PUDGE, the Klipm0de Krew and a rack of other dope producers. He was still in school at the time and creating the mixes became a little difficult to manage so he put it aside for a while, not to leave everyone hanging because he was also in the process of starting something much bigger. That bigger something came to fruition in the form of a regular show commercially broadcast over the LA airwaves on CalState Univ radio (KBeach) and posted online via mixcloud.com. If you're into beats, I mean, really into head-nodding beats, please check out my man Joe Kay's "Soulection" Radio show. Exceptionally innovative in nature will have your head on nod for days... will occasionally bounce from dope electronic instrumentals to house music from time to time but then come back again. He's only pushing the dopest beats on his mix. I might have a ways before I get mine placed on his show but I've def got something to shoot for.

Shouts to Joe Kay and persistence.


Check out Soulection Radio:
Web site: http://www.soulection.com
Podcast: http://www.mixcloud.com/soulection

Kev Brown, "Instrumentals Vol. 1"

Ok, I think I did a much better job updating this blog last month. I'm gonna try and get better at that, especially if I want this to be an ongoing thing. Last night, I just happened to be on one site that had a link going to DJ Premier's blog (which I hadn't visited in a while) and while there I noticed that he had Kev Brown's blog linked on his site (shouts). So I visited Kev Brown's blog and saw a recent post that he had put out an instrumental album. Anybody that knows me knows I'm a big Low Budget fan and especially when it comes to production/material by their two heaviest hitters; Kev Brown and Oddisee. Oddisee's been busy making his own lane as of late with Diamond District and touring the world on a regular basis hooking up projects with other artists. He's due to drop a solo joint on MelloMusicGroup this coming spring that I'm definitely looking forward to. Kev Brown, on the other hand (and I'm sure I'm mistaken about this), seems like he's been on the low for a little while. Who knows, he could be about to bust out with a rack of albums with other artists and so forth; hey, it's about quality not quantity. Who am I to judge? All I know is, Kev is consistent and I always fiend for his sound. At any rate, if you feel crisp, warm, thumping drums over soulful sample chops like I do, go get his "Instrumentals Vol. 1" from his Bandcamp site.


Buy Kev Brown, "Instrumentals Vol. 1":
http://kevbrown.bandcamp.com/album/kev-brown-instrumentals-vol-i

1.04.2011

Oddisee, "A Year In..."


DMV's definitely got talent, extremely slept on talent, but that doesn't stop its artists from being resilient and persistent with their craft. Oddisee has been far from complacent, touring the world pretty much on a regular basis performing, recording new material for a slew of national and international artists and pushing his limit. 2010 saw some great releases, especially from the MelloMusicGroup roster, of which Oddisee is a member. To finish the year off, Oddisee posted a compilation to his Bandcamp including a bunch of songs that he completed throughout the year by aforementioned various artists including some of the local DC talent (Diamond District and it's individual members of course and Kingpen Slim), LA's Trek Life, Canada's Muneshine and Olivier DaySoul to name a few. 22 tracks of heat from one of DC's finest MC/producers very much on his grind.

Look out for a solo coming from Oddisee sometime this spring on MelloMusicGroup. If I'm still around then, I'll definitely post it here cuz I'm definitely a fan.

Download Oddisee's, "A Year In...":
http://oddisee.bandcamp.com/album/a-year-in