A bizzarely gorgeous instrumental from LWH’s upcoming CIA TV. Very different from what Hodge and Julian Wass previously cooked up with the Chandelier Instrumentals, this track is much more lush and cinematic; more reminiscent of Morricone’s vistas than John Carpenter’s nervy windups.
DOWNLOAD: .L.W.H. – Regulate Ur Gat
A wave of skittering shape-shifting synths and percussion that was previously used as the beat for the title track of Ethereal’s excellent debut album. Good one to ride out on as Friday ends.
The leading track from another great single by the great Red Apple 45 label (more on them HERE). I love the template this label is setting for itself in terms of both sound and overall philosophy/approach to music. They are right there with Roc Marciano and KA in shaping the other NY resurgence, focused on channeling the essence of the classic NY sound in an updated way, with older MCs creating music that’s appropriately age-wizened and/or introspective and always very polished in execution yet still raw at the core.
DOWNLOAD: Kool Keith and Ultramagnetic MC’s – You’ll See
If any of the above is enjoyable/making sense to you, check out this recent interview with Ray West, producer & co-founder of Red Apples 45. There is some interesting info there about what these guys are trying to do and what they have coming up next: SBS Interview With Ray West
Brand new BBNG studio album that shows the band progressing with confidence and more willingness to experiment than before. Almost half of this is original compositions, and their covers are becoming more and more adventurous. Flashing Lights is a good example of the latter, re-imagined as a sprawling post-rockish opus that retains little of Kanye’s sleazy glitz and gloss. The last track, a MBV cover assisted by Luan Phung on electric guitar, reminds me of something by Sonny Sharrock – that’s a very good thing.
DOWNLOAD: BADBADNOTGOOD – BBNG2 (Props to the band for offering FLAC versions along with MP3s like proper audio nerds.)
Was Rapped On By Lil B Very Very Rare Black Ken Mixtape Instrumental -
Keyboard
#BASEDSOULCOMINGSOON
This certainly lives up to the #BASEDSOUL tag, and is possibly my favorite Keyboard Kid beat ever. Those horns >>>>>>
A brief but satisfying warped sample collage built from odd bits of exotica, oldies radio and AM gold. The defining stand-out moment comes on track 2 where strange things are done to doo wop standards with impressive results. Fans of Monster Rally or Madlib’s more esoteric sampling work should be pleased.
Cold Blood being the instrumental version of Cold Blooded. Fingers crossed for ‘trapicalia’ to live up to the potential implied by the word itself.
One of Clams’ most straight forward productions, a breezy and jazzy beat wouldn’t feel out of place on an early 90s Native Tongues release (or at least a recent release doing a good job of sounding like early 90s Native Tongues.)
DOWNLOAD: Clams Casino – Moon & Stars Rmx Instrumental
This shit on infinite loop till time runs out. This is the official proper version from the digi single, not some dodgy half-assed youtube remake. Stream only, no dl, go buy it on itunes. Harry Fraud has well earned your 99c.
As expected based on the leaked singles, REL delivers a subtle vaguely futuristic instrumental set. There’s admirable restraint at work here, the beats are not cluttered or overworked and many clock in under 2 minutes. The minimalistic approach pays off, the album is very enjoyable in a low-key way .
