bang the box

Kicking off the debut long-player series Toeachizown from Dam-Funk is LAtrik, the first of five volumes showcasing Dam's signature spaced-out electric funk. Look out for the remaining volumes in stores this Fall.

DOWNLOAD: Dam-Funk - Toeachizown

LINK: Purchase Dam-Funk Toeachizown Vol. 1 : LAtrik

I gave you a little heads up about this album with a download of Ladies in April. Today, the debut album from Lee Fields & The Expressions, My World sees release on Truth & Soul Records. This album is straight-up soul. I can't put it any simpler than that -- it's just a beautiful thing. Available via the Truth & Soul shop, Amazon or iTunes.

Below is a link to the album preview, a message from Lee Fields about the album and another cut from the long-player.

LINK: Lee Fields & The Expressions - My World LP Preview & A Message From Lee Fields

DOWNLOAD: Lee Fields & The Expressions - Money I$ King

The Isolationist is the phenomenal debut LP from Alaska & Paradox now available on Paradox Music. If this says anything, the entire album has been in my playlist all week -- and listened to beginning to end. I highly recommend it for drum and bass and downtempo fans alike, or if you just into good drum work, lush ambient textures and moody beats. If you're familiar with Alaska & Paradox, you can expect the same quality-forward thinking music. If you don't know the name, give it a listen -- it's well worth it.

Below is a link to the album preview and two podcasts on the Paradox Music SoundCloud page.

LINK: Alaska & Paradox - The Isolationist LP Preview

From the masterful beatsmith Madlib comes a cut off the second part of his tribute to the late, great J Dilla, Beat Konducta Vol 6 The Dil Withers Suite. If you haven't had a chance to give Vol 5 a good listen, I strongly suggest and recommend that one as well. It's just full of chunky Dilla-esq flavors with that tinge of Madlib.

LINK: Madlib - Lifeline [Lifetime]

Off the forthcoming Mos Def album out June 9th. Truthfully, I've never been a fan of Mos' singing so I kind of just tune out when he starts to harmonize. It's not that dude is out of tune usually, or that he's bad per se -- but I'm just not in it, he loses me in the process. That being said, the verse in the first two minutes is phenomenal flavor. Absolute precision over a soulfully powerful track. Dig it.

LINK: Mos Def - Casa Bey

Truth & Soul Records was generous enough to sort out some ridiculously dope forthcoming material from the imprint. If you've read this blog before, you definitely know I have an ear for this particular label and most if not all of the artists on their roster and I'm an avid record collector -- so win/win.

The two downloads are taken from the forthcoming PHB and Lee Fields 45" releases. The bonus beats are from El Michels Affair's A Tribute To Black Moses and Lee Fields' forthcoming album, My World out June 2nd (my birthday, woo!).

These days good meaty vibes like this are hard to come by. Bask in it, enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Phenomenal Handclap Band - Baby

EDIT: PHB track streamed at band's request.



DOWNLOAD: TS029 - Lee Fields - Problems

BONUS: El Michels Affair - Walk On By + Lee Fields - Ladies

Scoop all these and more over at the Truth & Soul store.

Fania Records was a staple in my musical diet as I was growing up. I recall many Sunday afternoons when the sounds of Pedro Navaja could be heard emanating from the hi-fi in the living room. I still play the LPs at home from time to time to recapture that nostalgia.

Pan y Agua is taken from the Masterworks version of Colon's 8th album El Juicio.

More info on the project here.

DOWNLOAD: Willie Colon - Pan y Agua

Hands down one of the best, if not the best part of the entire conference this year. Great music all around, packed all night, and an absolutely slammin' vibe. Below is a link to all the sets from that night. Everything from classic to exclusives and everything in between.

Sets from Stereotype vs Methodus, Will Miles vs The Engineer, Stunna vs Submorphics, Bailey, Ink, Spirit, Goldie, A-Sides, DStar, Mason, Spinn, Flaco, The Illusionist, Ronin Selecta and more.

DOWNLOAD: Bassdrive vs Metalheadz - WMC 2009 [All Sets]

Setting the pace on the new Bucktown USA imprint is General Steele of Smif-N-Wessun fame with his solo album Welcome to Bucktown, in stores May 5th. A Toast To Bucktown showcases General Steele alongside Buckshot and Jo Chris, with Che-Triumph and DJ Evil Dee on production and drums -- respectively.

This one just has that old Black Moon feel. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: General Steele ft Buckshot & Jo Chris - A Toast To Brooklyn

I'm still recovering from WMC. It was totally out of control.

Here we go again! Winter Music Conference completely takes hold of South Beach next week and like every other year I've attended -- I'm hype for all of it. Slammin' parties, dope line-ups, great friends, good times to be had. People are excited to come to Miami, I'm equally excited to have them coming through my hometown. I love it.

With so many dope parties going on, believe that I'll be hopping around all night. Although, if you want to catch me doing my drum and bass thing, I'll be touching down (DJ'ing) at the following events on the following nights:

Wednesday, March 25th - Swerve @ Lucky Strike, South Beach
Thursday, March 26th - Sick Day In The Sun v.4
Thursday, March 26th - Heads of State @ Liquor Lounge, South Beach
Friday, March 27th - ViRAM @ Soho Studios, Downtown Miami
Saturday, March 28th - Bassdrive vs Metalheadz @ Black Sheep, South Beach
Saturday, March 28th - Ultra Carry-On Afterparty @ Soho Studios, Downtown Miami

I love meeting people at shows, so if you happen to come out -- don't hesitate.

Be sure to check out the FloridaDNB WMC 2009 forum for more event info on the bassier side of things.

Something fresh and different from Guillermo Scott Herren (aka Prefuse73), Eva Puyuelo Muns and Roberto Carlos Lange. Taken from the forthcoming Savath y Savalas album La Llama out today in digital format and May 19th in physical form.

More info on the project here.

DOWNLOAD: Savath y Savalas - La Llama

Ghost & Doom go in over some militant Oh No flavor. Ain't half bad, mean.

DOWNLOAD: Ghost, Doom, & Oh No - Chinatown Wars [Original]

DOWNLOAD: Ghost, Doom, & Oh No - Chinatown Wars [Remix]

The fourth installment of the J.Rocc original series dedicated to the late great, Jay Dee.

For the collectors, finished and packaged CD versions of Act 1 and Act 2 are available.

DOWNLOAD: Thank You Jay Dee, Act 4 - Mixed by J.Rocc

TURN IT UP.

This one just appeared in my inbox courtesy of DJ Franchise at Know The Ledge. Word is 400 of these will go on sale tomorrow at noon on the Obey site. Whether it's priced at $55 or $155, the cause behind it is the key factor -- supporting Ma Dukes. I hope to be able snag one.

Here's a little something Shepard Fairy had to say about it:

“J Dilla was a great music producer who died of lupus. Now his mom has lupus and needs help with her medical bills. This collaborative poster with B+ will benefit Dilla’s mom “Ma Dukes”. There is a benefit concert as well. Info below. Please support “Ma Dukes”.”

Snag this slammin' new promo from the Frite Nite label featuring forthcoming catalog from the imprints' diverse roster. There is a little bit of something for everybody on this 20-track jobbie.

Includes music from Lazer Sword, Lorn, Mophono, Myron & E Da Boss, Mike Boo, J Todd, Salva, Epcot, B. Bravo, Subdued, The Abominable Twitch etc. etc. etc...the homies from San Francisco, Chicago, Glasgow, Australia and more

DOWNLOAD: Frite Nite - Sound Pieces [Promo]

LINK: Frite Nite @ Fried Human

Please keep Ma Dukes in your hearts and prayers. Dilla's music will live forever.

LINK: Vibe - The Battle For J-Dilla's Legacy

I'm certain the grandeur of this trio is self-explanatory, at least in my purview. Scope out some of the alternate vocal and instrumental versions of some Beastie classics. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Beastie Boys - Sureshot [Green Mix] + Shadrach [PBW Instro Mix] + So Wutcha Want [SA Rmx]

DOWNLOAD: Beastie Boys - Rootdown [PP Ballon Mix] + Negotiation Limerick File [Handsome Boy Makeover]

Eat it up. This shit is dope.

I've been getting a lot of requests for this pair, so enjoy the bonus re-up:

DOWNLOAD: Beastie Boys - Scenario + I'm Down

Let me start by wishing all y'all a very Happy New Year. May nothing but the best bless all y'all in 2009.

Some of you may know about Dave Huismans, or 2562, some may not -- that's part of why I'm here. In my opinion, this guy makes some of the more forward-thinking dubstep I've heard, but Shortcuts is definitely not that. This compilation brings together some of his dopest beat experiments. If you want to hear something different (and very raw), pick this up -- it's some next shit. Apparently, all of these tracks were recorded in June 2004 while on a very disciplined work schedule. If you enjoy soulful, deep, yet tech'ed-out flavor; you'll certainly be into this. This is phenomenal.

DOWNLOAD: A Made Up Sound - Untitled 18

So I've been on the mission of missions trying to juggle all this work, career, music, and academic madness that is my life. End of semester, with grad-school on the horizon -- shit is real. What a mission, and throw holiday parties in the mix to chime in the full-scale clusterfuck -- that's a technical term.

Whatever, it's nothing. The semester is over, and I'm feeling a little bit better.

Vacation? Hardly. More shit to do.

In the spirit of, I share with y'all Special Ed's classic, Come On, Let's Move It.

Enjoy. I need breakfast.

DOWNLOAD: Special Ed - Come On, Let's Move It [Profile, 1990, VLS]

Cain't none fuck with this, it's where I'm at right about now.

DOWNLOAD: Count Bass D - Believe

... or this bigga-bonus shookness. Shouts to J-Ro, my dog forever.