Casamena Remixes Common, John Legend

Check out these dope remixes of Common's "The Corner" and John Legend's "Ordinary People" by Carlos Mena. If you don't already know about Carlos Mena, you need to check for his brilliant and refreshing album Hip Hop Meditations that came out last year. Word is that he is also starting up a label with none other than Osunlade. The label will be called Casa Ocha. Looking forward to what magic those two can cook up together. To keep up on Carlos Mena, check his blog

Hezekiah "Hurry Up & Wait" (Soulspazm Records)

Soulspazm Records is displaying all the traits of an upstart label to watch. Previous releases from their roster include Grand Agent’s Fish Outta Water Remixes, Fel Sweetenberg’s Lost Dreams, Wasted Talent, Supastition’s The Deadline and now Hurry Up & Wait from Hezekiah.
Delaware-raised and now Philly-based, Hezekiah is a hip-hop renaissance man. He sings, writes, produces, MCs and is also the prime mover behind the hip-hop producer showcase & club night, Beat Society. As a young ‘un he was immersed in both gospel and funk, and both these influences are exhibited on Hurry Up & Wait in vocal and instrumental stylings. Hezekiah’s sound is soul-drenched, funk-fuelled, and generally fresh-sounding. He invokes a seductive but futuristic funk influence that reminds me of Sa Ra, while his crispy and satisfying beats are reminiscent of classic Dilla, as exemplified on Slum Village’s Fantastic Vol. 2.
Although Hezekiah is more than capable of holding his own, a handful of quality guest spots enhance the proceedings. Among them, Grand Agent shows up on “Live & Direct” and Bahamadia makes an always-welcome cameo on “Gypsy Slang.”
Lyrically, the subject matter varies from motivational tales of overcoming everyday struggles (“Put Your Toys Away”), to the perils of dating (“Psycho Chick” containing the classic line “took 2 months to get with her, took 4 months to get rid of her”), a rousing call for political change (“Gasoline”), as well as something for the ladies (“Conscious Porn”). Hezekiah is a charismatic storyteller for the most part, which helps when trying to gloss over his sometimes puerile although not totally offensive references to women.
His beats are stylized and distinctive but varied and though he produces almost the entire album, with a couple of exceptions including Illmind’s notable contribution on “Children Don’t Play”, the overall sound remains vital and fresh throughout. Thick basslines underpin solid beats and each track is laced with a variety of sonic trappings whether it’s a wash of warm keys, subtle horns, rousing strings or DJ Statik’s scratches. Musically, it’s one of the more satisfying hip-hop albums out at the moment, with a lot of details in the production that make for richer than usual soundscapes, prolonging the stay of this cd in your changer.
Hurry Up & Wait has a vibrant, hungry quality that seems in keeping with the idea behind the title (a testament to the “woes of the independent artist” according to the Soulspazm site). The breadth of musical ideas contained within gives the impression that Hezekiah’s been bubbling with all these thoughts for some time and has finally found the outlet to manifest them. This album definitely whets the appetite for more from Hezekiah and the Soulspazm camp.
Soulspazm Records
Listen to the album sampler mix

M.E.D "Push"

Grab this dope teaser of an MP3 at Stones Throw while you can. MED's album "Push Comes To Shove" is scheduled to drop May 31st. If ya didn't know, MED is of course short for Medaphoar and he is part of the whole Oxnard crew that spawned Madlib, Oh No, Kankick etc. Read all the details here ...this album is definitely long overdue and is shaping up to be a hot one. But then again, most of Stones Throw's stuff is the authentic 'ish. New Quasimoto album is due out shortly also....heads worldwide are naturally a-buzz....

Ian Pooley "Souvenirs" (Ministry of Sound/Studio Distribution)

As a longtime fan of Ian Pooley I was excited by the prospect of a new artist album - after all it’s been 5 years since the excellent Since Then. During those 5 years, downtempo and soulful house with Latin flavours have exploded in popularity with more and more recognition being given to proponents of the genres. As with any musical genre that sees commercial success, the amount of imitators and bandwagon-jumpers start to outnumber those who push the genre forward with original and quality production. With the release of Souvenirs, I’m loathe to say that the distance between Pooley as an innovative figure, and the flock of imitators has lessened.
Souvenirs is a mixed bag that by turns demonstrates why Pooley is as revered as he is, but also reveals moments of mediocrity with tracks that are better suited to interchangeable “summer house” compilations. In the latter category belongs “Hotel Boogie”, a disco-flavored elevator house song additionally marred by Terry Callier’s wavering, loungey vocals. “All About You” and “Heaven” are enjoyable but similarly anonymous slices of disco-house.
Tracks more worthy of the Pooley name are the more intricately produced, and sonically satisfying “Here We Go” and “Bony Batacuda”; the latter simmering with a percussion-heavy beat while “Here We Go” subtly builds over a wickedly solid house thump, both in combination with radiant melodies. The downtempo flavor of “Stonyridge Terrace” delivers with an array of instrumentation over a slinky beat and sparse vocals to conjure up a seductive mood. “Distant Love” is an emotive mid-tempo track effectively utilizing live horns to complement vocalists’ Jade and Danielle’s smoky tones.
Souvenirs is not a bad album but it lacks the consistency and distinction that usually typifies a Pooley release. While some tracks would sound at home on compilations, it’s this assimilative quality that makes it disappointing. The highlights are excellent but after such a long hiatus one would expect the filler to have been weeded out. Will the real Mr. Pooley please stand up?

Cities of Foam "A Great Day For The Race" (Dorado Records)

Cities of Foam is the duo of Bristol-dwelling Todd Wills and Sam Menter. They’ve known each other since a young age and no doubt this chemistry helps explain the wondrous results of their musical pairing. Musically A Great Day… is situated somewhere in the realm of downtempo, but somehow that tag doesn’t do justice to this collection of beautifully lush soundscapes that go beyond your preconceived notions of said genre. Their electronic-meets-live instrumentation approach is bound to draw comparisons with the likes of Zero 7 but that would be misleading since Cities of Foam manage to be equally laid back but simultaneously sounding more dynamic and vibrant. Their music has been described as “ear wateringly good pastroral dream funk” and that pretty much hits it on the head, exemplified quite perfectly by the opening track “Last Man Standing.” “Barry Can’t Do Flat Tops” is a slightly more moody, dubby piece that recalls the influence of fellow Bristolians Massive Attack, but even then Wills and Menter put their own spin on it with the unexpected introduction of a flamenco-style acoustic guitar riff.
The album is mostly instrumental but the smoky vocals of Nia Lynn, complemented by mournful strings and acoustic guitars make for a magical blend on “Out of Reach.” Other highlights include: the insinuating funk of “Girls in Bars”; the simmering, cheeky jazz of “Goldtop”; “Liquid Remedy’s” exotic world music vibe and Oleambi’s brisker paced, yet equally emotive backdrop.
A Great Day For The Race is refreshing listening, and is remarkably compelling throughout. It’s clear that the pair has no shortage of musical ideas, but they come across with channeled exuberance, creating an album that remains cohesive but packed with vision. A great moment in music.

Download Girls In Bars here
for more info, visit www.citiesoffoam.com

Dubtribe Soundsystem "Baggage" (Imperial Dub)

Given that the backdrop to the creation of this album involves disappointment and disillusionment with the music and party scene, [read more about the making of the album here] it’s amazing that the overall feeling of Baggage is hopeful and inspiring. Sunshine and Moonbeam of Dubtribe Soundsystem are veterans of the house music scene and are renowned for their deeply sincere and organic approach to creating intimate settings and communities in which to enjoy the music. Sunshine and Moonbeam’s longevity in the scene, and as a couple has no doubt informed the sound of this album which is altogether a mature and sophisticated offering.

Baggage is full of beautifully lush but crisp deep house beats that uplift without laying it on thick. The variety of moods and nuances on this album suggest that this is deep house for adults – a collection for the dancefloor as well as the dinner party or Sunday afternoon chill out. With a longstanding love for dancing to house music on California beaches until dawn, Dubtribe’s music is imbued with the unique emotional rush that such scenes inspire. Typified by the album opener "Shakertrance", their sound sparkles with melodious backdrops, full basslines and irresistible beats. The soundscapes are diverse; there’s the dub influences of "Raggatronique", while "Nothing Is Impossible" combines deeper garage-y elements with tribal afro-brazilian vocals and beats. Both female and male vocals are utilized, and while the alternation provides variety, the vocals are probably the least distinctive part of the album. The climax and masterpiece of Baggage is the closing, 12 minute opus "Do It Now" which is a sublime work that subtly builds and builds throughout.

Remarkably for a house album, Baggage works best when taken as a whole, drawing you into its various rhythms and emotional patterns that displays their skill in creating moods and not just pounding feel good anthems. Real song structures help shape the album and the tracks are given room to breathe making the high moments feel more sublime, and the more reflective moments are a welcome dip in the pace. Baggage sounds vital throughout and holds up well to repeated listenings, giving you that fresh feeling every time the laser hits the cd. This is house music with real substance – a rare find.

New Zion I Joints

Bay Area crew Zion I are getting ready to drop their 3rd and, (in my opinion) best album yet, True & Livin' on April 19th. The album features both live instrumentation as well as sample-driven beats, and guest spots come from Talib Kweli, Gift of Gab, Del The Funky Homosapien, Aesop Rock and social activist Fred Hampton Jr.
We've scored some mp3s from the new album. Check 'em out:
Bird's Eye View
Luv
please right-click and 'save target as...'

Zero Distortion Podcast

Playing "the best underground hip-hop you've never heard", Zero Distortion is a new podcast that combines lively banter on current events, with dope tracks. Their most recent podcast features a new collaboration with mobileunderground.com whereby we provide them with authorized music from our artists, and they big us up. This week they play tracks from the Sound Providers and the Greans Crew. Give it a listen.