Ghost- A Tale of Life in VI Parts

       Dramatic and meloncholy, A tale of life... is a concept album that channels Ghost's thoughts on life, death, and the great unknown. Comprised of organic string instrumentation and propelled by understated instrumental hip hop percussion- part clattering drum breaks,  part stark classical overtures and moody piano loops. Created as a way to deal with the fragile mortality of humanity, Ghost summons a cinematic 22 minutes to get us through tough times of the daily grind, and question parts of our existence.





 

Mustard Tiger- Bonus Round

         The very Definition of glitch.  A free single released to promote his new EP Hows' your Skrimz, Aussie producer Mustard Tiger (Trailier Park Boys Reference?) unleashes a barrage of funky robotic sounds and jerky rhythms to wreck the dance floor.  If you like what you hear, check out this beatport link to purchase the Skrimz.. EP,







 

Mad Cube- Retrospection

     Laid-back and moody. It's time for Retrospection, a great tour EP and introduction to the musical world of Mad Cube. Murky and Subdued. This is a compelling listen of Instrumental Hip Hop and Glitch fed through an nostalgic, and slightly hazy filter. When the time comes that you need to slow down and reevaluate your lot in the world,  put this on and maybe some revelations will come to you.
      Mad Cube released another EP earlier this month- titled LordoPorco- that has a much glitchier and more experimental vibe. A bit more intense listen- showing the contrast and  duality of Mad Cube's production. I'm hungry for more from this guy, but there is little to find on him. Showing me the frustrations (and wonders) of finding music on the Internet.

 

Mr Bird- On a sunny day

          And now for something almost completely different... a smooth hip-hop injected R&B/ Soul tune summoned right out in the mid- 60s, courtesy of Portugal via Britain Producer Mr Bird. An expert homage- beautiful and touching, this subtly funky track has the rare gift that the greatest soul music seems to possess- being able to dwell on the subject matter of heartache/ longing and turn it into something strangely uplifting.
       If only it could uplift me out of bed, since this New York weather is definitely not sunny today, but this helps. If you like the song, Download it of course, it's only 1 British Pound.

Mecca:83- D A Y B R E A K

          Manchester's Mecca:83 gives us D A Y B R E A K- some soothing sounds for the morning struggle. Light, crisp drums, soul samples, and rhodes-like keyboards that make you never want to leave bed again. Fans of Nujabes and Dilla rejoice.You can download for free (or donate and be a good person) on the bandcamp player below.







 

Esbe - Sweet & Sour- 3rd collection Volumes 1 &2

      Instrumentals carved in the dark corridors of consciousness-  Esbe from Dusted Wax drops a massive double LP, Sweet & Sour 3rd collection- volumes 1&2.  An excellent collection of vaporous and indefinite atmospherics, blending with soothing jazz loops, and rattling, cavernous drum breaks cranked up to eleven. The result is an album of Trip Hop that is the perfect combination of melody and ambiance- Breezy and Subterranean, Soothing, yet intense and inspiring. This album has really opened a portal of possibilities to the imagination.
       As Always, you can stream or download these albums and many more for free on their website,  Dustedwax.org

DJ Format Featuring Edan- Spaceship Earth

           DJ format is back! Fresh from his new album Statement of Intent, and pretty much all I can say is WOW- This Song is absolute Fire. Edan does rip it every track he's been on, but I thought maybe he'd be rusty or something.... how wrong could I be? He  comes onto Spaceship Earth, and frankly drops one of the greatest verses I have heard in the past few years. Quicksilver psychedelic imagery Spit over Format's raw psych guitar stampede- a track that totally would fit in on Edan's last album, Beauty and the Beat. You can tell he feels right at home, and the flow is locked in place for lift-off. Statement of Intent came out on February 27th, Check it out if you're in search of forward-looking hip hop craft work.

Handbook- Listen to the Sea

    Just Discovered this excellent Producer on soundcloud, York-based Handbook Crafts mellowed-out Instrumentals that takes Boom Bap in a more Serene Direction. I really dig everything I've heard so far, and recommend his newest LP, Layerism if you want to hear more. It's only costs a Pound too!

DJ Krush- Optical Path/ Phasic Swing

           Nearly 20 years later and The Legendary DJ Krush is still equipped with the sickness.This New(ish) Single Optical Path B sided w/ Phasic Swing w dropped a few weeks ago that I somehow didn't notice. These Tracks show off the creepier, Subterranean side  of his production style to sound like twisted Tokyo Nightmares. This style was displayed to full effect when  I saw him in Williamsburg last month- He Blew my Mind with the best 3 hour set of DJing I've ever seen by a mile. If you have the opportunity, see him live by any means necessary.

Suhnraw- Soul

           Tranquil  and reflective, L.As SuhnRaw drops Soul - a silky smooth yet low-end loving collection of beats that I'm really digging for unwinding and relaxing in the afternoon sun. Spring time is pretty much here and there's hardly any other album out there that captures the feeling of worry-free R&R and the warming climate- Loungin' son.
   Suhnraw just dropped another EP this month titled 4U which you should check out. It's a little more soul/funk influenced sound and equally sick. I'm having a hard time keeping up with all these producers dropping  an LP a month.




 

heRobust- Late Night/Morning After EPs

More Far out Tunes from the crazy prolific heRobust, Producing beats that seem like they they were crafted in another world, disorienting Electronics fed through a hazy funk filter. The sounds on these two companion EPs Late Night & Morning After are truly off-the-wall and ahead of their time. The sound of the future is here. Check it out and Name your Price.

Shadow Attack- Aqua Dipped

Although Coming out a few months ago, I feel like I just have to promote this EP since I've been playing it to death these past few months and it's a little too under the radar for comfort. A relatively New producer, (in terms of back catalogue) Shadow Attack creates complex beats of glitchy Detroit style hip hop with tripped-out dubstep Elements to craft futuristic, evolving soundscapes not quite like anything you've heard before. Prepare For Shadow Attack! I can  hardly do it justice so you'll just have to check it out for yourself.  This guy has to gain the notoriety he deserves and for just $5 on his BandCamp, It'll be one the best music purchases you'll make this year. This Thing Bumps Like no other.