Ro Spit - A Different Arrangement

Artist inspiration can be channeled through many unexpected outlets. For Ro Spit, that inspiration arrived in the form of fellow Michigan representative Mayer Hawthorne and his 'Strange Arrangement' LP. We have a hard time with these album-approaches, but this is one we think gonna be a good thing.

Ro Spit’s “A Different Arrangement” will be released as a free download on June 8th, 2010 over at his bandcamp site. Video HERE.

Ro Spit got hype by his widely played 'OH S#!T Project' which elevated him from the pack of rappers to an artist with a heavy following. Our favorite track is 'Yours Truly' featuring the lovely Monica Blaire.



Ro Spit - A Different Arrangement


Ro Spit - Yours Truly feat. Stretch Money & Monica Blaire (Prod. Koen)

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F. Stokes & Lazerbeak - Death of a Handsome Bride

"go to sleep. have a dream. wake up. work a shitty job. finance your dream. sell a rap cd. believe."

'Death Of A Handsome Bride' is a collaborative EP by emcee F. Stokes from Chicago and producer Lazerbeak from Doomtree out of Minneapolis. Don't miss out on this one.. You can hear the immediate and urgent attraction these two share as Stokes pours his life story over Beak's well crafted backdrops.

With subjects that range from domestic violence to dealing with the injustices of a black american, the EP is a sure shot for any junkie of good music. We feel some Murs 3:16 - The 9th Edition nostalgia over this. Down to earth, roughness and honesty.



F. Stokes and Lazerbeak - Blessings


F. Stokes and Lazerbeak - So Into You

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Label of the week: Circulations.jp

As a laidback finish to this hot Sunday afternoon we present you the japanese hip-hop/soul label Circulations.

Dai-San Kurihara, the label manager, has put together an amazing blend of artist and styles. Among others Circulation has put out records by the 80ies inspired french beatmaker Onra (The Big Payback), California's Manuel Moran (a.ka. Afta-1), experimental japanese beatmaker Daisuke Tanabe from Japan and old Beatheart's favourite swedish soul act Hygher Baby (Pure P & Melo).

Here's one of our favourite tracks from Daisuke Tanabe's latest album "Before I forget" that dropped earlier this year:

Daisuke Tanabe - Vestige

The Big Payback is Byron The Aquarius on keyboards and Fender Rhodes, Onra on the MPC. They met on Myspace exchanged music files over the net, worked with a few vocal artists, and produced two albums so far. This track is from their self entitled first album:

The Big Payback - Dance with me

Last but not least we give you a beautiful & experimental mixtape from the Circulation boss for a taste of all flavours the label has to offer:

Dai-San - Monday Jazz Circulations

Tracklist:

1. Intro - Loops from Super Smoky Soul album "Cycling" (Circulations)

2. Super Smoky Soul - Simply (Circulations)

3. Samon Kawamura - All About You (Nesola)

4. Ge-Ology - Holistic (Female Fun)

5. RLP - Beat 12 (CDR)

6. Flyamsam, Ahu of Dolly & Byron The Aquarius - Roberta Flack (CDR)

7. Black Pocket - Look Over Honey (Exit)

8. Reggie B - Time (Circulations)

9. Snowman - Late Night Drive (CDR)

10. J Dilla - L.L. (Bling47)

11. le.N?KO - Pussyoil 10 (CDR)

12. The Big Payback - Cosmic Travelling (Rush Hour)

13. The Big Payback - Cosmic Travelling Pt. 2 (CDR)

14. Pure P - The Love Song Remix (GAMM)

15. Pure P - 5 On It Remix (GAMM)

16. Smurphie's Fearless Bunch - 2, 3, Smurph (Lastrum)

17. le.N?KO - dyelll 3 (CDR)

18. Kid Swing - Kid Love Ra (CDR)

19. Take - Slouched Over (Innercurrent)

20. Harmonic 313 - Word Problem (CDR)

21. Hudson Mohawke - Trace (Rush Hour)

22. Cinnaman ft. J Todd "A Love Supreme" (CDR)

23. Super Smoky Soul - 289 (Circulations)

24. Harmonic 313 - Neon (CDR)

25. O. Boogie - Paper Chaser - Tom Trago Remix (Rush Hour)

26. Mike Slott - A Muse (All City)

27. Shawn J. Period - Seek Jesus for Peace (SSR)

28. Jay Scarlett - Love Music (Rush Hour)

29. Daru & Simply Cherry - Come Too Far (CDR)

30. Moon Balloons - No Soul (CDR)

31. Fyza - Angel (CDR)

32. Outro

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Robert Glasper - Unreleased dillaludes

We just had to put this out there eventhough it's a radio rip. Robert Glaspers unreleased live performance of his amazing dillaludes.

Jazz pianist, Robert Glasper, worked with Dilla several times and the dillaludes are his ode to the late James Yancey. He recreates the vibe of some of James Yancey's finest moments together with his live band including drummer extraordinare Chris Dave.

This recording of uncut live takes was apparantly handed over to Benji B for exclusive play on his show Soulful beats on BBC 1xtra. We challange you to unveil what classic dillatracks he's covering...


Robert Glasper - Unreleased dillaludes

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Sene - Time Kills (prod. Erik L & Illingsworth)

Brooklyn emcee Sene recently dropped a very slept on, but quality release in 'Reality Bites' (download it HERE). Last year he released the album 'A Day Late & a Dollar Short' on the Shaman Work label, produced by Blu and post production, mixing and mastering by Erik L.


We love this track, only just over 2 minutes long but with such an impact. It is also featured on the album 'Northern Connection' by Erik L & Illingsworth.

The spit is heavy, but we got our heads twisting for the production by Erik L (Supersci) and Detroit's Illingsworth. MASSIVE beat!



Sene - Time Kills (prod. Erik L & Illingsworth)

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Apollo Brown - The Reset

Detroit rep! 29-year-old beatsmith Apollo Brown drops his banging debut 'The Reset' this month. He signed as a producer to the Mello Music Group last December. Up till now he has released two great beattapes; 'Skilled Trade' 2007 and 'Make Do' 2009.

On 'The Reset' he gets help from allstars Finale, yU, Big Pooh, Black Milk, Declaime, Buff1, MED, Grap Luva, John Robinson, Prince Po, Kenn Starr & Oddisee.

We suggest you give this one a listen!



Apollo Brown - Hungry feat. Big Pooh & Black Milk


Apollo Brown - Beauty of a Day feat. The Regiment


Apollo Brown - Ghetto Soul Music feat. Declaime, Prince Po & Finale

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The Roots - Dear God 2.0

The Roots and Def Jam will release their 9th studioalbum 'How I Got Over' on June 22nd. First single is a socially aware mellow joint called 'Dear God 2.0', it surfaced online saturday night and it has exploded since then. It features Jim James of Monsters of Folk.

The Roots take an indie rock song, re-work it, and rap over it. The result is a fantastic song that proves that The Roots are one of the best out there.

There's word that Decon based Jason Goldwatch will be shooting a video for the song this week. He's been doing great work for Kanye West & 88-Keys, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes & Jay Electronica, so we believe it's gonna be really stunning.


Album tracklist (Update; FINAL):

01. A Peace Of Light (Featuring Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian & Haley Dekle)
02. Walk Alone (Featuring Truck North, P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw)
03. Dear God 2.0 (Featuring Monsters Of Folk)
04. Radio Daze (Featuring Blu, P.O.R.N. & Dice Raw)
05. Now Or Never (Featuring Phonte & Dice Raw)
06. How I Got Over (Featuring Dice Raw)
07. DillaTUDE: The Flight of Titus
08. The Day (Featuring Blu, Phonte & Patty Crash)
09. Right On (Featuring Joanna Newsom & STS)
10. Doin' It Again
11. The Fire (Featuring John Legend)
12. Tunnel Vision
13. Web 20/20 (Featuring Peedi Peedi & Truck North)
14. Hustla (Featuring STS) (Bonus Track)



The Roots - Dear God 2.0 (Low Quality)

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Beathearts rewind #6: Hashim - Al-naafiysh (the soul)

In the early 80's, Gerald Calliste Jr. a.k.a. Hashim put out what in our opinion is one of the fatest electro breaks of all time. Al-Naafiysh(the soul) hit the streets in 1983 and was THE tune for breakdancers in New York. It still sounds fresh and everytime we hear this track it brings a smile. If you haven't heard the track before you're in for a real treat! Check it here:

Hashim - Al-Naafiysh (the soul) 1983

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Producer: Lone

Walked home in the night/morning just now with Lone banging in my headphones, and had to share this treat with you'll!

Lone is an electronic producer from Nottingham, UK. He's released three full length albums, the debut Everything is Changing Colour in 2007, the critically acclaimed Lemurian in 2008, and Ecstasy and Friends in summer 2009 on Werk Discs.

His music is described as "kaleidoscopic, shimmering hip-hop instrumentals that fill your ears with warm nostalgia and sails you away into a nebulae of opiated psychedelia".

And that's what it is, that dreamy wonky electronic hiphop stuff that we all love!



Lone - Seaspray


Lone - Karen Loves Kate


Lone - To Be With A Person That You Really Dig

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Oskar Linnros - Vilja Bli

Not the typical thing we would post, but we couldn't let this pass!

The 9th of June Oskar Linnros from Snook releases his debut solo album 'Vilja Bli' (swedish for 'Wants To Be') through Universal. This probably gonna be one of the best swedish album of 2010. And we've only heard two songs. The lyrics is in swedish, so if you don't know it just enjoy the warmth and the musicality of it. This is so soulful! Beathearts favourite!



Oskar Linnros - Ack, Sundbyberg


Oskar Linnros - Från och Med Du

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Beathearts rewind #5: Buff1

We're backing 2-3 years in this post, and presents Athletic Mic League's Buff1!

The group is 14KT, Buff1, Grand Cee, Mayer Hawthorne, Texture, Tre Styles and Vital. You might recognize one or two of these acts, beatmaker 14KT is also a favorite of ours, and will by 100 percent show up in future posts.. Same with the biggest soul-hype of '09, mr. Mayer Hawthorne.. Great music!


Buff1, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, but with that dirty souly detroit sound, is incredibly dope. If you’re still sleeping on Buff1 we feel sorry for you, we really do.

He released his debut solo 'Pure' in 2007, and the second LP 'There´s Only One' in 2008. He's rocking party anthems, political burners or soulful bangers, one thing is certain – Buff consistently delivers. Real Detroit Weekly crowned Buff1 “Best Solo Rap Artist of 2007.”

Currently Buff1 is in the studio with DJ Rhettmatic (of the World Famous Beat Junkies) working on their collaborative project, 'Crown Royale', and hopefully this will be released some time soon.

Enjoy the tunes! You know where to get them.. If you don't, get in touch!



Buff1 - For U (Pure)


Buff1 - Hula Hoops (Pure)


Buff1 - The Sky (There´s Only One)


Buff1 - Never Fall feat. Black Milk (There´s Only One)

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New Design

We grow a little tired on the old design, so here is the new shit! Hope you'll like it!

Also. Quick TIP.

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Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong

The Brighton, UK, based Soul/Folk/Acoustic singer and songwriter Andreya Triana will release her debut album 'Lost Where I Belong' in August 2010 on Ninja Tune, produced by Bonobo and co-written with singer/songwriter Fink.

Here are the first single 'Lost Where I Belong' remixed by Flylo and the second single 'Town Called Obsolete', on a beautifully made acoustic version.



Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus Remix)



Andreya Triana - Town Called Obsolete

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Swedish allstars' Guru tribute

Swedish veteran rappers Looptroop Rockers & Timbuktu just put out their tribute to the late Guru. Their track pretty much sums up what we feel about Guru and other rappers that has left us too early.

Get it here:

Looptroop Rockers & Timbuktu - Guru R.I.P.

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Reflection Eternal - Revolutions Per Minute

Emcee Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek are Reflection Eternal. A classic duo!

They will release their second album 'Revolutions Per Minute' the 18th of May. It's been a long wait since the debut 'Train of Thought', released 2000.

1997 the two formed Reflection Eternal, and signed to upstart underground hip hop label Rawkus Records. In 1998, Kweli and his high school friend, fellow Rawkus Records artist Mos Def, formed the duo Black Star, and released their first, and only album, Black Star, where also Hi-Tek provided a couple of beats.

The albums put the three at the front of an underground hip hop scene at the time.



Reflection Eternal - Got Work


Reflection Eternal - In This World


Reflection Eternal - Just Begun feat. Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def

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Ty feat. Sarina Leah & Shaun Escofrey - Emotions (Waajeed Refix)

UK MC Ben Chijioke, a.k.a. Ty, has a new album out entitled Special kind of fool. The first single off the album, Emotions, has been reworked by Dego from 4hero as well as another of our favourite beatmakers Waajeed.

Check Waajeeds fantastic version here:

Ty feat. Sarina Leah & Shaun Escofrey - Emotions (Waajeed Refix)

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John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up

John Legend will put out his new album 'Wake Up' this september together with the legendary Roots crew. We're curious if Black Thought will do some guest apperances. Anyhow it looks very promising!

John Legend recently said:

“We’re, like, 99 percent done. We’ve done all the recording, and now we’re mixing half the album. I’m very excited about it. It’s gonna be a very interesting, very cool album. I’m a big fan of the Roots. This is a group I’ve been following since I was a kid at college. I would go to open mics and watch them host, wishing I could be onstage with them, and now I’m in the studio with them making this album, and it’s pretty exciting.”

John Legend covers Teddy Pendergrass beautiful song 'Wake Up Everybody' with the Roots at Live Earth’s Run For Water event.


John Legend - Dreams (possibly on the album, however one of the best JL songs we've heard)

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Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

Next week, the 18th of May, the long awaited 'Distant Relatives' drops. A collaboration between Brooklyn MC Nas and reggae artist Damian Marley, son of the late Bob Marley. The duo work with samples from African music. The album features Damians brother Stephen Marley, Dennis Brown, Joss Stone, Lil Wayne and K'naan.

The albums content will revolve around Africa, from ancestry and poverty. Proceeds will go to possibly building a school in Congo. The album will offer their social commentary of the United States and Africa.

Beathearts present a couple of tracks from the album that we find striking. Enjoy!



Nas & Damian Marley - Strong Will Continue


Nas & Damian Marley - Tribal War feat. K'naan


Nas & Damian Marley - In His Own Words feat. Stephen Marley

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Roska, Roska, Roska...

Man of the moment, Roska or Wayne Goodlitt to his mother, has had an amazing year. With a resident show and podcast on Rinse FM, own label under the name Kicks & Snares, remixes all over the place he has also found time to put out a debut album a couple of weeks ago on Rinse.

Our favourite track of the album is the minimalistic but oh so funky I need love featuring Anesha:

Roska - I need love feat. Anesha

For the indepth view on Roska check his interview from the Red Bull Music Academy:

http://www.myspace.com/rosiroska

http://soundcloud.com/roskakickssnares

http://www.roska.co.uk/

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Producer: Freddie Joachim

Freddie Joachim began his music career as a DJ in 1996 in his hometown of San Diego. He spins an eclectic mix of genres, with focus on hip-hop and jazz.

In 2001, he turned to production. He's been producing music for various local and international hip-hop and soul artists.

Freddie released his first full-length album in 2008 entitled, 'In With Time', featuring Aloe Blacc, Blu, Muneshine, Profile (Sound Providers), Surreal, Othello and others. In 2009, he released both the instrumental album 'Study Guide' with friend and producer Question, and the same year, the free 5 tracks EP 'Getaway', fully produced by Freddie Joachim. Get it HERE.



Freddie Joachim - Splendor


Freddie Joachim - Wake Up feat. Othello


Freddie Joachim - Run: Interlude for J Dilla


Freddie Joachim - Heat It From You feat. Lauren Santiago & Jacewon

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Ethan Goldhammer & S. Burke – In the Pocket (Rhodes & Moog Light Paint)

Coming straight to you from the Beathearts Blog with love. Music by Ethan Goldhammer and S. Burke. Great experimental track with a whole lot of soul and funk mixed together, it shines all the way through with a nice mellow beat finish. You can stream the song here.


But it's all about the video..

So beautiful! This blew our minds. Enjoy the ride!

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RJD2 - The Colossus

Veteran RJD2 released his new album 'The Colossus' on his own label RJ's Electrical Connections some time back. It features guests like Kenna, Phonte, Aaron Livingston, The Catalyst, Illogic & NP.

The last albums, 'Since We Last Spoke' which was the electric ride, and 'The Third Hand', the mellow album, didn't match up with his finest album, the 2002's hip-hop classic 'Deadringer'.

On this album, RJD2 balancing punchy funk beats ('Let There Be Horns', 'A Spaceship For Now') with soul ballads ('Games You Can Win', 'The Shining Path'). Four albums deep, RJD2 is nowadays for our listening pleasure in a reflective mood.



RJD2 - A Spaceship For Now


RJD2 - A Son’s Cycle feat. The Catalyst, Illogic, and NP

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yU - Before Taxes

This is not brand new, it was released as a free download by Kenny Fresh (Fresh Selects) last spring, but we feel you'll need to know about yU. 1/3 of the new DC hip hop group Diamond District together with Oddisee & XO. They released their album 'In The Ruff' oct '09.

yU's debut 'Before Taxes', now dropping on CD and Vinyl, features production by yU, Slimkat78, Kev Brown, Oddisee with guests including detroits finest Finale, Bilal Salaam, EyeQ, Grap Luva and more.

This is our favorite tunes from the album, though this excellent album doesn't have one bad track.


yU - Memory feat. ERK (prod. yU)


yU - Breakdown feat. & prod. Bilal Salaam


yU - Brainwash feat. Grap Luva, Finale & OP Swamp 81 (prod. Slimkat78)

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Detroit's best kept secret: Karriem Riggins!

My eyes where opened a while back when I first heard of Mr. Karriem Riggins. Drummer, producer and jazz musician raised in Detroit. I can't belive I've been sleeping on this guy... Apparently he was close friends with Dilla and the whole Slum Village crew and responsible for productions like Erykah Badu's Soldier, Slum Village's Tainted and Detroit Experiment's Higher.

Just like Kenny Dope and Questlove, Karriem was inspired by and worked close with jazz musicians. In Karriems case it was legends like Marcus Belgrave, Betty Carter and Robert Herst.

I first heard his incredible mixtape on Soulful Beats on 1extra which led me to a hunt with a serious craving for more. First off I was stunned by his Kaleidoscope mixtape and his live set at the Miami Winter Music Conference for Stone's Throw records. I'm not easy to please but his selection of tunes is some of the most surprising and eyeopening music I've heard for years. No joke.
Etiketter
As a recording artist Karriem has also teamed up with Madlib under the name Supreme Team. As far as I know, Supreme Team only officially released two tracks so far: Volta por Cima and See. The later an amazing potpuri of crazy beats madlib style. An album is apparently on the way so keep your eyes open!



Mixtape for Benji-B


The Kaleidoscope mixtape


Supreme team’s “See”


Supreme team’s “Volta por Cima”

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Beathearts rewind #4: D'Angelo - Really Love

D'Angelo is one of our absolute favorites of all time, and will stay so.

He's released two of the greatest albums of "neo-soul", Brown Sugar (1995) and Voodoo (2000). We're not gonna tell you about them, cus you already know the deal with those. Instead this is about where the third one went. It's supposed to be called 'James River', and been talked about for a couple of years.

We haven't heard much from him since Voodoo dropped, besides some guest appearances on releases by Q-Tip, Dilla, Snoop, Common and Roy Hargrove & The RH Factor.

This tune came from nowhere a while back. It felt at the time as an intentional leak. But who knows, was it supposed to be on the future album? And when was it recorded? ?uesto probably knows the answer to that. The track is blurry and hard to identify, but you really feel the soulfulness, and you know that this is the best you can get in soul. Ever.


D'Angelo - Really Love

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DJ House Shoes - The Makings

House Shoes has been a long time favorite of the Beathearts Blog, a close friend to the late J Dilla and a excellent producer/DJ. Detroit born but now living in LA. He's just put out 'The King James Version'. A fantastic album of collected classic and rare Dilla samples, arranged and mixed by Shoes and mastered by Rhettmatic. It can be purchased at the iTunes Store.

This is from the Do-Over Vol.1 EP released by Stones Throw Records. Each volume is limited to 1,000 copies, featuring deluxe artwork/packaging by a different graphic designer. Volume 1 offers up two tracks courtesy of Flying Lotus & House Shoes.


DJ House Shoes - The Makings

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Bei Bei & Shawn Lee - Make Me Stronger feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow (Floating Points Remix)

Gu Zheng performer Bei Bei and producer Shawn Lee joined together and released the album 'Into the Wind' in januari 2010 on Ubiquity Records. With Shawn Lee adding doses of hip hop, electric jazz, and soul sensibility, the captivating sound of Bei Bei’s Guzheng (a 2000 year old Chinese string instrument) comes alive on the albums peaceful mellow joints as well on the funky ones. Beathearts presents the superb remix from the hyped UK producer Floating Points that was on the limited edition 'Beauty and the Beats' EP released some months before the album.


Bei Bei & Shawn Lee - Make Me Stronger feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow (Floating Points Remix)

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Marc Mac - In Between The Lines EP

Great EP by producer Marc Mac from 4Hero released a couple of months ago. Unlike the usual broken beat style of Marc Mac (Mark Clair), this is some downtempo/r'n'b hiphop shit. Featuring Phonte, T.R.A.C, Roshin of Notes to Self, Preach & Voice. For more info go to Omniverse Records.


Marc Mac - Radio Heroes feat. T.R.A.C.


Marc Mac - This Life feat. Roshin

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