Apollo Brown, "Clouds"

For those that keep up with the underground scene pretty well, you will definitely recognize the name Apollo Brown. Hailing from the Motor City, Detroit MI, where some of the illest underground MC's and producers have come from, he's definitely making his mark. Apollo's first appearance was on Finale's "Pipe Dream and a Promise" album (which I still don't have). From there, he inked a production deal with Mello Music Group out in AZ and put out 3 albums in 2010, his introduction to the world "The Reset", "Brown Study" with Boog Brown and "Gas Mask" with his group, The Left (named one of 2010's best hip hop albums by About.com!!). So, Apollo starts the year off strong with his new release, "Clouds", audibly a different angle for the typically dark production that we've come to associate with his sound. "Clouds" has a slightly softer feel to it than some of his other work prior, but still dope nonetheless. This time, floaty guitars, stringy rhythms and uplifting vocals complement his characteristic choppy drums. If you're interested in going places without leaving anywhere, this is what you need... definitely.

Download Apollo Brown's, "Clouds":
http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/clouds

Cortez, "The Journey"

Sometimes I wonder what a plug from a bigger name in the music community would do for me and my crews. I'm sure that day will come; I just have to keep bearing my torch and believing in my craft and what I have to offer. Up til this point, I had never heard of another artist from the DMV named Cortez (again, I'm not the know-all-end-all of active and involved artists from the DC area) but like I mentioned earlier, if you get a plug from Oddisee, whose name holds much weight for me, I'm bound to receive it as a dope co-sign. Such is the case for Cortez's current and freely downloadable project, "The Journey". And with production boosted by the likes of DMV's SlimKat78 (another local name I'm a big fan of), then this just happens to be one of those joints I must check out.

Download Cortez's, "The Journey":
http://dccortez.bandcamp.com/album/the-journey

Nameless, "Adobe Dillastrator: CS1"

Detroit's MC/Producer Nameless, who I've been looking out for since hearing his 16 Bit project earlier last year, drops a tribute project to the late/great Dilla, amicably entitled "Adobe Dillastrator: CS1". As a Web developer, I'm amused at the title and interested in seeing where he takes this. From his past work, I'm expecting some serious heat. Free download too.

Download Nameless, "Adobe Dillastrator: CS1":
http://nameless.bandcamp.com/album/adobe-dillastrator-cs1

Maverick, "The First Step"

I had never heard of this cat from the DMV named Maverick (not that I know every active artist from the ur'ea) but he's good buddies with one of my favorite MC/Producers (Oddisee) so his plug holds weight with me. Check out this beat tape by Maverick called "The First Step". Some dope stuff on there.

Download Maverick's, "The First Step":
http://maverickmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-first-step

Check this guy out... I remember some of these keyboards from my childhood (LOL).


HOT SUGAR: MAKING MUSIC from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Nick Koenig aka Hot Sugar, an extremely talented musician/electronic producer. All I can say is "Wow!".

Check him out at http://www.hotsugar.biz

Soulful, "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbreaks"

I missed this yesterday even though I saw the posts on Facebook (I guess I just wasn't paying attention) but I guess "better late than never" so...

Paying homage to DC's infamous "mumbo sauce" (which I'm not sure I've ever tasted, even for having grown up in the region... sad), Soulful (who has produced some of my favorite cuts for DC's Uptown X.O.) drops his own project, "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbreaks" presented by Inner Loop Records. Great looking cover art too. Love hearing anything from these guys cuz practically everything they do is dope.

Download Soulful, "Mumbo Sauce & Drumbreaks":
http://innerlooprecords.bandcamp.com/

Watch some video footage of DMV's Oddisee, Toine, Kenn Starr, Soulful, Quartermaine and Roddy Rod cutting it up in the studio.