The Hinderance "Bring on the Trumpets"

The Hinderance, ended 2011 with a little surprise for their fans, a new free EP, entitled "Bring On the Trumpets." Yes, I realize I am almost a month late on this but that is much earlier than most of these so called tastemakers are when it comes to the Hinderance. If you do not know this by The Hinderance are a dope group of MCs Passive 65ive and Issuez and on the ones and twos ManOne. Last year the released the incredible album, "GoodAll" along with a some high quality EPs. Their latest offering, "Bring on the Trumpets" is more a teaser than an EP in the traditional sense, at 9 minutes, what it does for me is makes me go back and listen to "GoodAll" again and makes me wonder when the next full length is coming out. But it is a great introduction for new fans and a little something for those who have known about the group for years. So check out the EP and develop your taste for this English based group now.

You can stream and download the album here.

LAMEBOT "Crunk Whomp"

Another regular on the blog has just released a new project, this time it is LAMEBOT, who has made some very dope spaced out, funk/hiphop/house/ or whatever you want to call it music that is infectious and able to take you out of your comfort zone and let you freely roam the sonic domain (that might be a bit convoluted.) This time, LAMEBOT has taken on a rather surprising genre...crunk. This is one of the more intriguing albums I have listened to, my first reaction was, what the hell is going on here. The vocals are exactly what you would expect and through first listen that is all I was able to focus on. Luckily, LAMEBOT has included the instrumentals to the project as well which are incredible, as you would expect. After absorbing the instrumentals, I went back and checked them out with the vocals and it all made sense. This is one of the more risky albums in recent memory, because LAMEBOT is using a genre that I assume, most of his fans are not very fond of, but brings us into that world, and makes us understand and even appreciate crunk a bit more, very impressive. Check out the album and give it a few listens and make sure you keep an open mind and ear...it will click and you will see the dopeness of this album.

You can stream and download the album here.

Malkovich & P.U.D.G.E. "Lethal Vice"

Looky, looky, guess who has returned with another project, none other than MC/DJ/producer P.U.D.G.E. This time he joins forces with Malkovich to bring us an EP entitled "Lethal Vice." This might be a rather short project, clocking in at just over 13 minutes, but each one of those minutes hits hard and doesn't quit. So do yourself a favor and check out the video they put together, which features snippets of each tracks (very cool idea as the video flows together almost as if it were one song) and then download the entire project and vibe out.



You can stream and download the album here.

Rusty Redenbacher "Iron Man Monster Factory"

Rusty Redenbacher has returned with his second solo album (if you do not include his various EPs, alter egos, or group projects etc) with "The Tinkerer" which he produced, mixed, mastered, and of course wrote. The album officially dropped today, and figured what better way to inform you of the new work by one of my favorite artists then by sharing a video from the album. The song, entitled "Iron Man Monster Factory" features Rusty in full Tinkerer attire, face bandaged up and sunglasses. Plus his other creations from the factory (in case you do not know, Iron Man has a ton of suits either upgrades or for different situations just like all of the different masks we wear in life.) But now I am beginning to ramble, do yourself a favor, check out the video and go get the album and support the artist.



You can buy the album on iTunes or buy the physicals here.

Nasa Asan "Orange Military"

One of the most discussed underground hip hop albums of 2011 was Death Grips "Ex Military," with its in your face lyrics and production and is sure to evoke some sort of response from just about any listener. But what really caught my attention was what happened later, when Death Grips decided to offer "Black Google: Ex Military instrumental/a cappella / stems" in other words, everything needed to remix the album or to create the album with your vocals.

Well, Nasa Asan, aka Nasa, decided to remix two of the tracks, "Takyon" & "Guillotine." He even got ADAM (former Adam Warlock) to drop a verse on "Guillotine." So check out the project below and while you are at it, check out the original album by Death Grips.

You can stream and download the project here.

Random & Mr. Miranda "Big Beat Jawn" produced by Random and DN3

In December, Random (aka Mega Ran) and Mr. Miranda released their album "The Memorandum" and since then, it gets daily play in my headphones. What else can you ask for but two talented, veteran MCs coming together to create a dope album over some great beats, not to mention some very cool guest appearances. The two decided to get together again to create video for their track "Big Beat Jawn" produced by Random and DN3 (who does a great job on the entire album on the 1s and 2s.) The video has a heavy late 80s feel...partially due to Mr. Miranda's Adidas outfit and bucket hat. One thing to keep your ears open for (besides the entire track) is one of my favorite math inspired lines ever, "keep the verses mean like the middle of a number set." So sit back, watch the video and go cop the album.



You can stream and download the album here.

Maxx Julian "Excellency"

Maxx Julian returns with, "Excellency" the first track off his new album "Throw Mama From the Train" which drops in March later this year. If this track is any indication "Throw Mama From the Train" will be an album filled with bangers that will get you up and moving. So check out "Excellency" and while at his bandcamp page, listen to his previous works, you shall not be disappointed.

Koncept feat Soul Khan "Aspirations" (produced by J57)

Ok, I am VERY late on this one, but finally got the album and figure the least I can do (considering how far behind I am on reviews) is share the video. But first let me say that some of the best music in the past year or so is coming out from the Brown Bag All Stars camp, and for some reason I have been lacking on sharing their music, but that will stop. You don't believe me that the crew has talent? (ok no one argued with me but it is my transition ok, thanks.) Check out the video off of Koncept's incredible new album "Awaken" (check it out on http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/awaken/id478114551 or amazon or buy the physical.) What is really cool about this track, "Aspirations" is you get a taste of another of the MCs of the Brown Bag All Stars, Soul Khan and a producer J57, not to mention that the video features Papito.

Megabusive "Dialtone" produced by DJ Traps & "Starscream (Live)"

Last year, Megabusive decided to make a new song everyday for 365 days, (impressively he made it through 132 days while also working on other projects) the exercise, entitled "365 Songs in 365 Days" was just that a fun exercise to stretch his abilities and to have fun. Well, his fun songs turned out better than most of the music out there today, so he decided to showcase some of them via videos, the first is the DJ Traps produced track "Dialtone" that got the official video treatment, the second is entitled "Starscream" (if you don't know who that is, you may have to leave this blog) which he released as a live video, so check them both out below and keep your ears and eyes open for any future work by this superbly talented MC.

Black-Tokyo x HeDreamtMars "Tokyo on Mars"

Black-Tokyo is at it again. It being two things, the first is making incredible music at incredible paces (which he always does) and the second is returning with another collab with an artist outside of the medium of music. This time it is artist and designer, HeDreamtMars (check out his work.) What I find very cool about this project is besides the very cool artwork from HeDreamtMars, is how the album was created. Instead of Black-Tokyo creating music and then HeDreamtMars creating the cover to match, it was done the other way. In other words, you get a sonic interpretation of HeDreamtMars through Black-Tokyo. It is almost like a musical art critique, and not surprisingly it works exceptionally well. Put your headphones on, and get ready to drift into the world of HeDreamtMars via the sounds of Black-Tokyo and check out both of there previous works, both are vastly talented and underrated.

You can stream and download the album here.

Karniege ft Kenyattah Black "Universal" produced by Thanos

So often you hear people say they miss that "real New York hip hop" (first, what does that even mean, what era of NY hip hop do you miss) they often seem to be talking about that gritty and raw MC, I tend to think of 36 chambers, but for all those people complaining, very few actually take the time to look and fine that artist. Well I will do you a favor, I will inform you of one such MC that you may have been (shame on you if you have been) but his name is Karniege and he has been releasing music for longer than most people asking for that real hip hop have been listening to the art. So do yourself a favor, check out his new track, "Universal" featuring Kenyattah Black and produced by Thanos, then once you do that get everything on his bandcamp page and his collab with Nasa entitled "From the Left." Then come back and thank me.




You can stream and download the single here.

MOEdavey + Melodious Mike "Beauty Joints"

Can we just say that album collabs between one producer and one MC are just superior the throwing a bunch of different producers on an album? Yes, of course there are exceptions to this but generally I firmly believe it is true. I will offer you another dope collab right now and not only is it between a dope MC and producer but it also spans two continents with producer, MOEdavey hailing from Bristol, England and MC Melodious Mike from Montclair, New Jersey. What really separates this album from so many hip hop albums out there, is just how much fun it is, I think the last time an album was this much fun was Atmosphere's "Sad Clown Bad Summer 9." It isn't just the heavily jazz influenced beats of MOEdavey that bring you back to that 1988 sound but the free flowing voice and cadence of Melodious Mike. Everytime I listen to this album, my head nods, even when Melodious Mike drops a few bars a cappella. Now just because I characterize it as a "fun" album do not think it is all light and breezy topics or throwaway music. This is quality hip hop that will infect your mind and refuse to let go of your ears, so check it out and enjoy.

You can stream and download the album here.

MC Eleven (of 11:00A.M.) "Eleven presents... M-Theory"

Remember back on November 11, 2011 (yes 11/11/11) everyone was releasing an album or at least a track? If you don't remember, trust me, it happened. Well, one of the few that actually made sense and for some unknown reason *cough* lazy *cough* I didn't cover, was "Eleven presents... M-Theory." I hope I do not need to explain why it makes sense that it was released on that date (look at his name.) MC Eleven (of 11:00A.M.) released his solo debut album with production from the familiar A.M. Breakkups, Willie Geen, aRCSIN, Dylemma, Asonic Garcia and Ormo, while having Shortrock handle the turntable (yes you will hear a lot of turntables on this album, and great turntable work at that.) If you are new to Eleven, you are in for a treat, a very talented MC, who for some reason more people don't talk about, opens up his rhyme book and your mind (see what I did there) on "M-Theory" so check out the album and get a slice of some incredible hip hop from MCing, turntablism, and production.

You can stream and download the album here.

Lyle Horowitz "Grey Matter"

Lyle Horowitz has released a song from his vault, in fact it is a track that did not quite make the cut for "Nothing Says Hello Like Goodbye." He was gracious enough to release it to this here wonderful blog exclusively (until everyone else picks it up as they should.) The song is entitled "Grey Matter" and the sound is summed up perfectly by a tweet he sent to me just before the track appeared "Can I ask you something? Do you like Cyndi Lauper?" So check out the track below and see why he is becoming one of my favorite producers out right now.

Our Helical Mind "analogftw: The Waatu Remixes"

If you are unaware of who Waatu is, you need to check out his bandcamp. Recenty he joined forces with Our Helical Mind to remix their EP "analogftw". The result is below and once again realize that their is dope hip hop being created in many more countries than just the US.

You can stream and download the album here.

PremRock & Willie Green feat. Open Mike Eagle "Jogger" Video

PremRock and Willie Green bring in Open Mike Eagle for the first video off of their stellar self-titled album for the song "Jogger." The song and video are pretty self explanatory filled with great rhymes, references, and humor. So check out the video below and purchase the album if you haven't already.

Dam-Funk "Bionic P****y" (outtake from Toeachizown"

If you do not know who Dam-Funk is by now then it is time you learn. One of those in the leading the way when it comes to Modern Funk, Dam-Funk is creating some of the most original, groove filled, smooth, and funky music out there today. In late 2009, Dam-Funk's debut album "Toeachizown" was released by Stones Throw, and since then he has been pushing forward and pushing boundaries. Dam recently released an outtake from "Toeachizown" entitled, "Bionic P***y." Check out the track below and get ready to feel the funk move you.


Bionic Pu**y - DāM-FunK (unreleased outtake from: "Toeachizown") by DâM-FunK

Moonsatellite "Glory Daze"

Often when I hear an artist is doing a remix or a project inspired by a classic album, my first thought is, why are they messing with this album it is going to be horrid (yes I am VERY pessimistic about that) but every once in a while, the perfect combination of inspiration, album, and artist come together to create a very dope project. That is exactly what happened when Moonsatellite remixes Portishead's classic "Dummy." Moonsatellite created "Glory Daze" using only the sounds of "Dummy" (minus some bass.) Check out "Glory Daze" and turn it up, loud. While you are doing this, I HIGHLY recommend you check out Moonsatellite's blog, Culture King, one of the dopiest blogs out there, and see just how versatile one person can be.

Glory Daze by Moonsatellite

Download the album here.

Turquoise Summers "To You"

THEY'RE BAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKK. Ok, any one who follows this blog at all knows I am a HUGE fan and supporter of Turquoise Summers, the rather mysterious modern funk creator. So anytime a track drops, I shall post it, because well...it is what I do, so check out the latest offering one of the smoothest and funkiest tracks you will hear, sit back and enjoy "To You."

To You by TurquoiseSummers

Aeon Grey & Bashir "Still Lifes Sabotage

If you thought the only thing good that came out of Iowa was wrestling and Slipknot (yes I like Slipknot,) then you need to learn about MC/producer, Aeon Grey (you can find a chunk of his work right here.) For his latest project, "Still Lifes Sabotage," Aeon handles the microphone duties, while he hands the production over to Bashir. The album doesn't disappoint at all, Aeon Grey kills it on the mic while Bashir does a great job on the beats, together they form one hell of a duo whose music will get inside your mind and refuse to leave...in a good way. So go to the link below, put on your headphones (or turn up your speakers) and get ready for a great project to take over your ears.

You can stream and download the album here.

dada powell "Work and the New Middle Class"

The more I think about it the more astounded I am by the amount of MCs who are labeled "conscious" who are not saying anything, and that goes for mainstream and underground. But do not get me wrong, that doesn't mean there are not a slew of MCs who actually saying something, I would even say there are tons that are, but you just have to look for them. Well, let me help you out with that a little bit, I give to you, dada powell, an MC who is actually trying to (and succeeds at) creating art with with his music. And if you are worried about people making socially conscious music but do not live what they preach, rest assured dada is living what he preaches as well, a quick search will prove my point. But enough about that, the real point of this is that you need to check out his latest project, "Work and The New Middle Class" and while you are at it, you should check out his previous work, "undone heroes."

You can stream and download the album here.

Megabusive "Crunch Time (Maxi-Single)"

Not many people release "singles" anymore, where you get the original, clean, instrumental, and a cappella version of the song, and even more rare is when it is actually worth the cost of the product. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have one such release that actually is a value for the quality of the track. Megabusive (if you do not know please do your research and check out Isolated Wax which he helps run) has released the first single, "Crunch Time" in what he is calling "My 2012" which is an ongoing project of songs and videos being released throughout the year. Megabusive is one of the few MCs who are not afraid to open up their vocabulary on a track but still makes bangers. Rumor is (according to the man himself) that this is just the start of a slew of releases coming this year from Megabusive, so start it off right by checking out the track below and then opening up your wallets for the 2 dollars to check out the rest of the versions.



Download the maxi-single here.

Black-Tokyo x DJ Jazzpants "Slapboxing with the Juggarknot EP"

I have been blogging for about a year and a half and thoroughly enjoy it. Probably my favorite part is when someone lets me know that they never heard of an artist or an album until they read my blog and now they are big fans. Well...a couple weeks ago, something very cool happened, Black-Tokyo said he wanted to create an album especially for this blog and I was blown away (much like they were at TECB when he did the same for them check it.) I couldn't believe that an artist who I am a big fan of would decide to do such a thing, it took me about 2 seconds to agree. This is one of only two times when I can say that something is an exclusive (at least until everyone else picks it up.)

But let me tell you a little something about the project. First, I might be a little biased but this is probably my favorite project that Black-Tokyo has released thus far. The main reason is the range of sounds in these 17 and half minutes, while still staying very cohesive...not an easy feat. It has a great mix of hard in your face tracks (see "Panorama") along with laid back grooves (i.e. "Groove Savage") but each track will have you nodding your head and wishing for a bit more. What you need to do, is clear yourself of distraction, put on your headphones, turn this up, and get ready to go on one hell of a ride.

So without further ado, here it is....
Black-Tokyo x DJ Jazzpants "Slapboxing with the Juggarknot"

Black-Tokyo x DJ Jazzpants "Slapboxing with the Juggarknot EP" by djjazzpants

You can download the album here.