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.