Kon & Amir, 'Off Track Vol III. Brooklyn.'

Disco and boogie release out soon on BBE. The good stuff!
Free stream here:

Kon & Amir - Off Track Vol. Iii: Brooklyn (Mix) by Moovmnt on Mixcloud

Onra, 'Long Distance'

French producer extroidinaire Onra releases his third L.P. next month. Check the preview video below for an idea of what to expect.

Onra - Long Distance - New Album (Teaser) from enozoib on Vimeo.
 

Kon and Aminr, 'Off Track Vol III'

Killer mix promoting their new release on BBE Records. Nice & easy listening. Free download.

KON STRONG LOVE by bbemusic

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah, 'This Way'

Forthcoming from one of the best producers around still Jazzy Jeff, an album with Canadian soul singer Ayah. Should be good.

Free album sampler here

John Martyn, a very short film

Haven't mentioned John Martyn so far here, but he's one of our favorite musicians. Sadly died last year but left music from the heart that will never die. This nice short film has a really brief peek at his mischievous but inspired life. His music's available everywhere if you like it.

Erykah Badu, 'Incense'

Just under two weeks until Erykah Badu's new album is released and it looks dangerous. Free download of one of the tracks below, produced by Madlib, mellow.
Erykah Badu, 'Incense'

Breslin 'Venga Muchacho Mix 03.10'

Finally, the bastard beat master Bres, A.K.A. Thomas John Angus Hamish Braveheart Breslin has made the mix.... and despite keeping us wait for about a year, it was worth it! Listen and understand why he has the smug look on his face in the picture above.

Venga Muchacho Mix  by  Breslin

Classic Bres, hope you enjoy as much as us.

Tracklisting:

1. Mark Seven “Uptown A”  [Twelve Inches of Delight]
2. Pilooski “10”  [NROS]
3. House of House “Rushing To Paradise” (DJ Harvey Streets Mix) [House of House]
4. Chez Damier “Soul Minimal”  [Mojuba]
5. Azari & III “Reckless (With Your Love”  [Permanent Vacation]
6. Andre Lodemann “Still Dreaming” (SoulPhiction’s SP-X-Mix)  [Freerange]
7. Radiq “Mo’ Roots” (SoulPhiction RMX)  [Philpot]
8. Motercitysoul feat. Ernesto “Deliver Me” (Prosumer Reprise)  [Simple]
9. Anja Schneider “Amore”  [Mobilee]
10. Shit Robot “Simple Things”  [DFA]
11. Precious System “The Voice From Planet Love” (Dixon Chic-A-Go Edit) [Running Back]
12. Andy Vaz “Bygone Times” (Trus’me Mix)  [Yore]
13. Chez Damier “Sometimes I Feel Like”  [Mojuba]
14. Moodymann “Detroit: A Place Where…”  [KDJ]
15. Charles Webster “It’s Not What It Was”  [Dance Tracks]
16. Kink & Neville Watson “Full Flight”  [Hour House Is Your Rush]
17. Mr. Fingers “Waterfall”  [Alleviated]
    

Azari & 111 'Wreckless with your Love'

A super-heavyweight new proper house release: dubstep will never compare to this shit.

Fatima, 'Mind Travellin'' EP

Look out for a really nice new EP from Swedish born London based vocalist Fatima. Out on vinyl but digital release likely. Dam Funk produced one of the tracks and it's a melodic masterpiece. Out next week.

BUG, 'Cosmic Lab'

Exciting new music from London. 24 year-old producer/songwriter BUG released his first single today. Might be a bit weird and wonky for some but we're feeling it to the max, and reckon it's a grower too. It's also a free download.
Here's what BUG makes of his sound:
"The BUG sound encompasses the finer elements of hip-hop and neo-soul, yet the real beauty is in the delivery. Think the smooth richness of the Dam-Funk vibe, the solid construction of a Dilla beat, the electronic wizardry of Flying Lotus and the soulful melodies of Lonnie Liston Smith’s jazz."
Not far off either; download here: http://www.bugmusic.net/

Moodymann Mix

A 6 hr live mix from the boss, with Jerome Derradji at his left.
Moodymann & Jerome Derradji Live @ Smartbar, Chicago - Valentine's Day Love Affair 2009  by  R_co

Dexter, 'Hi-Hat Club Vol. 3'

Nothing like jazzy hip-hop, so be sure to buy Dexter's Hi-Hat Club Vol. 3, in which the relationship is explored using magnificent beats. The 26 year-old Heilbronnian has come up with an excellent arrangement of jazz and hip-hop beats. Number three in the Hi-Hat Club series, out now on limited lp or through usual digital sources.

Dexter - The Future / Sounds Great Les from MPMTV on Vimeo.

Aloe Blacc, 'I Need a Dollar'

New single from Aloe Blacc's forthcoming album Good Things, produced by Truth & Soul, and featuring Expressions and El Michels Affair. Album coming later on in the year, this track's just been chosen as the theme to a new HBO TV series, big time for Aloe (vera?).

Free download! http://www.stonesthrow.com/jukebox/aloe-dollar.mp3

Dilla x Stussy Documentary

First installment of a three part documentary series about J Dilla:

Erykah Badu, 'Window Seat' free download.

Promoting her forthcoming (next month hopefully) album, Erykah Badu has released 'Window Seat' for a free download! Drums by ?uestlove, nothing too new but classic Badu.

Dwele & Suite for Ma Dukes Orchestra, 'A.N.G.E.L'

Today was the day that J Dilla died four years ago. To mark the occasion Mochilla, a production company who the few people who read this blog may remember from a post last month, have released footage from a concert last year aimed at raising money for Dilla's mum. The full video package will be released next month, it should be pretty amazing. Check out Dwele performing the Dilla track A.N.G.E.L. below:

FULL SCREENThe Sounds of VTech / Angel Feat. Dwele   

J Dilla Month

We've mentioned surprisingly little, so far, on poptotheblog of who we and many more consider to be the greatest music producer ever to have lived, James Yancey A.K.A. J Dilla. Words can't really do justice to the love for music that Dilla transmitted and continues to transmit to his fans. He was an inspired genius and his legacy has lived on with unforseen strength since his premature death in February 2006. His life is celebrated by someone listening to his music somewhwere in the world every second. If this sounds like hyperbole to you then you need to go and listen to some of his productions. There really is nothing like it and, as hard as people try, will be nothing like it ever again.
Anyway, February is now known as J Dilla month, as it was on Feb 10 2006 that he passed away, due to complications associated with lupus, a terminal illness that he contracted three or four years earlier. Amid the devastation of his death came touching tributes to Dilla and his music. Radio hosts all over the world dedicated their shows to him and mixtapes came left right and centre. Four years later tributes come and the love resounds.
Below is a show on Reb Bull Music Academy Radio from Dilla's friend Talib Kweli and his musical mentor Pete Rock, with Ma Dukes, Dilla's much celebrated mum.

Towards the end of his career Dilla signed to Stones Throw Records, whose tributes to him have been fitting and a real treat for fans. They rereleased some of his music and, most notably, posthumously produced his album Donuts (which Dilla produced largely from his hospital bed and is incredible). Stones Throw have made three tribute mixes available for free download again - in podcast form, visit Stones Throw to get hold of them.
There's also a killer new T-shirt available:

Finally, a few tracks produced by him:

We hope Dilla brings as much love into your life as he does for us!

Oddisee, 'Traveling Man'

An interesting one from Washington hip-hop producer Oddisee (of Diamond District, and who worked with Jazzy Jeff on the 'Magnificent' lp). It's a collection of instrumental tracks composed during several years of traveling the world touring and touristing. The result is a diverse collection of inspired sounds... spanning every continent, including Brixton. Our favourites are Paris, San Fran, Brixton and Houston. Be sure to support him by buying them, he needs more money to travel with. Available now from the usual places.

BTS Radio returns

If you're a fan of cutting edge music and free mixes, you can be very excited about the return of a legendary movement and radio show called BTS Radio. Check out the site post haste: http://www.btsradio.com/. Next week sees Dego (of 4Hero) deliver a fresh mix, which is guaranteed to be real nice. Here's a bit about the show:

BTS Radio was created by Andrew Meza at the University of Cal State Fullerton in 2003. What started out as a local college radio show soon became a worldwide movement and culture unique unto itself. Since BTS’ start, Meza has welcomed guests ranging from all music genres and in the process, spearheaded a new movement of electronic/hip-hop producers.

Meza is known as one of the most influential tastemakers/djs, spotlighting underground talent and championing artist such as Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke, Blu, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Georgia Anne Muldrow & J*Davey long before their respected acclaim and record deals. Other guest features on BTS have also included a slew of up and comers, seasoned & the legendary, including acts and members of: 4Hero, The Avalanches, Four Tet, Peanut Butter Wolf, Cinematic Orchestra, DJ Mitsu, Exile, KanKick, Eric Lau, Samiyam, Rustie and Jneiro Jarel among others.

It’s 2010, another wave begins and this is the place to hear it. We're here to bring you some of the most innovative music shows and podcasts on the net.

Get ready.

Gil Scott-Heron, 'I'm New Here'

Legendary American musician and political rap pioneer Gil Scott-Heron releases his first album for thirteen years on Feb 8 (Monday). We haven't heard it all but what has reached us is quite something. Poetry with contemporary beats, feeling and atmosphere pulled together by his classic vocal skills. An interesting story behind it too - he was in prison in 2006, for reasons related to his crack-cocaine addiction, when the boss of XL Records suggested a new album. Dark in more than a couple of places, self reflective and too short, but here it is, quite a comeback if you ask us.

RJD2 'The Colossus'

This album's taken a few people by surprise. Released on Feb 1 but nobody seemed to know much about it. From the underrated (in our opinion) US producer RJD2, his fourth main album 'The Colossus'. Released on his own record label. Check out his other albums for top class listening.

Jose James 'Code' vid

As mentioned last month, Jose James dropped his much anticipated second album on Feb 1. It's jazz but with some hip hop beats on a couple of tracks. He's a good guy and personal friend after Glastonbury where we had a good old chin wag about stuff ;-) word up to Jose, Here's his latest video - 'Code' from the new album, track produced by DJ Mitsu.

Erykah Badu, 'New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)'

Erykah Badu's new album is finished and looks like it'll sound good. She gave birth to her third child today (the dad is hip-hop producer Jay Electronica) and the album is due for release in March. Badu says the album explores emotional and spiritual battling.

Tracklisting (tantalising!):

1	20 Feet Tall [produced by Erykah Badu and 9th Wonder]
2	Window Seat [produced by Erykah Badu and James Poyser, featuring ?uestlove]
3	Agitation [produced by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn of SA-RA Creative Partners]
4	Get Money [produced by Erykah Badu]
5	Don't Be Long [produced by Erykah Badu and Taarak]
6	Love [produced by Erykah Badu and J Dilla]
7	Umm Hmm [produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib]
8	Fall in Love [produced by Erykah Badu and Karriem Riggins]
9	Incense (Instrumental) [produced by Erykah Badu and Madlib]
10	Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 1) (Undercover Over-Lover) [produced by Erykah Badu]
11	Out My Mind Just in Time (Part 2) [produced by Erykah Badu and Georgia Anne Muldrow]
12	Jump in the Air [ft. Lil Wayne and Bilal] [produced by Erykah Badu, RC Williams and Jahborn]

Four Tet, 'There Is Love in You'

London based producer Kieran Hebden a.k.a. Four Tet released his seventh album last week. It's melodic and beautiful and original; generally killer. Opening track from the album below, performed live for radio one. Below that is a mix he did to mark his new residency at London's Plastic People.
Angel Echoes (BBC session)  by  Four Tet
Much Love To The Plastic People (DJ mix December 2009)  by  Four Tet

DJ Alex From Tokyo new mix.

Nice new mix by DJ Alex from Tokyo for the Warm record agency. Free download. May start a small party in your pants.

DJ Alex From Tokyo - Live From The Lower East Side by warmhq

Some exciting new jazz/hip-hop sounds from a group called the 'Shelltoes'. New to us, and all the more impressive for it. A refreshingly non-futuristic or wanttobegroundbreaking sound. Album's available on itunes or free through soundcloud (for a limited period!).

Here's something a bit weird they say about themselves:

Ugh. No tea or biscuits. Could life be any worse? Doubtful.

This is our first EP. It blends the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, and that feeling when you open the pantry and there’s no English Breakfast left. Or there is, but there’s no milk. Heartbreaking stuff.

Thanks to www.applejbreak.blogspot.com for the heads up on this.

Henrick Schwarz 'Train Wreck Mix'

A killer deep house mix from one of house music's finest producers Henrik Schwarz (Sunday Music, Innervisions) from Germany.

If you like it and are in London on Feb 11 check out the line-up on the following night: Red Bull Music Academy and Resident Advisor at Festival Hall

Andres 'II' (Mahogani)

One of the best albums we've heard for a while here. From Andres and called 'II'. It's classic Detroit house with soulful and gospel and even hip hop vibes. Everything nice basically. You might be familiar with the record label that released it just before christmas - Mahogani (owned by Detroit underground house legend Kenny Dixon jr. aka Moodymann). Moodymann's influence is definitely there to hear and that is no bad thing at all.
Check out 'Moments in Life' from the album and if you're feeling it get a copy at rubadub.

Jose James 'Blackmagic'

The eagerly anticipated second album from New York jazz vocalist Jose James. This one looks like it'll be much better than his first. It features production from DJ Mitsu, Flying Lotus and Taylor McFerrin. The album's out very early February. Check out the Blackmagic EP out now if you haven't already.
'Code' from the forthcoming album:



And from the Blackmagic Ep that was released in December 2009:

Bonobo 'Black Sands'

The upcoming release from Bonobo looks like it'll be sensuous... featuring a few tracks with vocals from Andreya Triana. Out very soon on Ninja Tune.

Mos Def ft. Talib Kweli, 'History'

We just saw this new video and had to post it. You might find the music is so amazing you don't pay too much attention to the vid, don't worry, you can watch it as many times as you want. Brilliance from Mos Def and Talib Kweli rapping over a J Dilla beat. Long live Black Star.

Mos Def - "History" (ft. Talib Kweli) from Downtown Music on Vimeo.

'Timeless'

A heads up here on a very special and limited DVD release due in March. The three disc set covers three amazing concerts put on last year by film maker Mochilla and sponsors VTech. The concert series was called 'Timeless' and aimed to honor the musical legacies of some of the greatest composer-arrangers ever. 
The most special DVD for us is footage from a concert held to raise money for Ma Dukes,  the mother of the late J Dilla, the greatest hip-hop producer of all time. Suite for Ma Dukes features performances from Posdnuos (De La Soul), Dwele, Bilal, Talib Kweli, Common, Karriem Riggins, and others with a 60-piece orchestra conducted by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Below is a video of the orchestra performing Dilla's 'Take Notice' from his Ruff Draft LP (2007 Stones Throw - re-release).

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Suite For Ma Dukes: Take Notice

And the Dilla original:

T.R.A.C, 'For the Love' (prod. Marc Mac)

Some more exciting fresh Hip-hop, this time from a collaboration between Marc Mac (part of the incredible 4Hero group and outstanding producer in his own right) and an lyricist/songwriter we've not heard of called T.R.A.C (a.k.a. Terry Nickz) from Brooklyn. Feeling this one to the max.

Look out for the album 'The Network' in the next couple of months.