Music of the Week (12/4/09)
Another week, another batch of tunes to keep you moving along...
Last week, I slacked on picking up the Blakroc album (probably because music almost never drops on a Friday), and boy was I disappointed in myself. A hip-hop album featuring Mos Def, Ludacris, The RZA, Q-Tip, Pharoahe Monch and ODB (and even Jim Jones?) produced by The Black Keys? You guessed it: its certified dope.
The LP opens up with "Coochie" featuring ODB and Ludacris, and what a way to get things jumping off! The beat is heavy and has just the right groove to suck you in immediately. As off-the-wall as we all know ODB was, his verses on this are surprisingly on-beat and on-point - a welcome change - while still holding true to the craziness that we all love Ol' Dirty for (R.I.P.)... and as always, Luda comes thru delivering a fun and party-filled 16 bars. There's been something about Luda from day one that appealed to me; his voice, flows, and the vibe he gives off always seems to do no wrong. Mos Def is featured on two of the tracks on the LP, and as one of my favorite MCs, he can do no wrong. Even the usually-too-heavy-to-listen-too-long M.O.P. member Billy Danze shows up on two tracks, both of which aren't too abrasive not to play on repeat. Nicole Wray, who my old friend Feller posted about on One Stupid Mop (with his review of the LP) is on 4 of the tunes, and her voice breathes a real soul into the tracks, just amping up the cool. This one comes highly recommended, and with good reason. The album also features Raekwon and Noe, and was conceptualized by Damon Dash, of previous Rocafella fame.
Blakroc on iTunes
Blakroc's Official Website
Tuesday saw the release of the newest EP from Hotflush head honcho Scuba (Paul Rose), entitled Aesaunic. Scuba's sound has always been a little off-the-beaten-path for what you're used to hearing from the dubstep scene, as are most of the releases from Hotflush... and it still remains one of my favorite labels out there. This EP sees Scuba doing something a little closer to 4/4 stuff, though you can hear his signature melodic, dreamy sounds throughout. Some out there might juxtapose this with some of Burial's stuff, and I can understand it. The echoes and delays on some of his drums and the sounds are Burial-esque, but Scuba's sound is uniquely his own. If you're looking for something to lounge out to, and still need something to keep you listening intently, this is one to check out for sure. I forsee a tune or two off this EP finding its way into an upcoming mixset.
Scuba - Aesaunic EP on iTunes
Hotflush Recordings Website
In the past, I haven't really dropped singles or random one-off tracks into this blog, but as I find myself coming across more and more added to my library, here are some things floating around the interwebs that you may want to check out:
This one has been posted all over the place, but I'm gonna re-post it anyway: Steve Aoki remixed Drake's newest chartbuster "Forever," and I'm sure if my local area had even the most remote EDM scene, you'd be hearing it for weeks to come. I've read mixed reviews on it, but I guarantee, like it or not, this one will get asses moving on the dancefloor. Sure, the verses have been chopped, and speeding Drake, Weezy and Kanye up while slowing Eminem down might not make sense to all of us, but play this one for the ladies - I promise they'll appreciate it.
Drake (ft. Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem) - Forever (Steve Aoki Remix) on RCRDLBL
"Forever" has also gotten the remix treatment from Travis Barker... And this version is just sick. Travis has been putting his touch on alot of different things recently, and his work ethic and prowess working in multiple genres is just awe-inspiring. This post quotes him talking about doing the remix, and supplied me the video posted below.
Drake (ft. Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem) - Forever (Travis Barker Remix) (via 2DopeBoyz)
Speaking of Travis, the word of DJ AM Nike Dunks surfaced this week. A tribute to the recently passed DJ, they're not my style, but still pretty dope. Seeing this post got me thinking again about AM and had me pull out his mixtapes with Barker. Both editions, entitled Fix Your Face, are a testament to how good a DJ he was, and how he pushed borders and genre bounced on his own, not to mention going way outside the box to team up with Barker on the TRV$DJAM project. I really regret never seeing him do his thing live, but I'm sure he's destroying heavenly dancefloors day in and day out.
TRV$DJAM - Fix Your Face (Volumes 1 and 2)
Lastly, I want to share something from khal's Dubplate Digest blog I mentioned last week. Now, I'm not a fan of Christmas carols (especially since they've been pumping through the PA at work since November 1), but if you're gonna listen to one, why not make it a drum and bass remix, right?? Mariah Carey gets the remix treatment from Blade... and you never know; this one may find itself being a closer tune the next time I play out somewhere in the St. Augustine area (just for kicks).
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas (Blade 2009 Remix)
Take care everyone! Till next time...
