Hotlist: April 2013 Week 4

Trei & Concord Dawn - "Wipeout EP" 2012

This is some pretty standard sounding, semi-hard driving, drum & bass. Nothing too special, but not bad or annoying. You can listen to the whole thing here.

Le1f - "Dark York" 2012

This album is super dope, and is the first time i've seen proof that it could be possible for a gay dude that's not in the closet to not only be accepted within hip hop, but possibly become a big star as well. Part of this lies in the fact that he's not generally all up in your face about his sexuality. He's just someone who makes good rap music and happens to also be gay, instead of trying to use his sexual orientation as a gimmick, which is all I had ever seen in the past when others had tried. He's got an interesting style that fits in well with whatever beat he's on. He switches from club type flows similar to Spank Rock, to some more sing songy stuff, but not typical sing songy stuff, he definitely has his own way of going about it, where it sounds like he could possibly be freestyling the words and just getting really rhythmic with it. He also sometimes gets a little more hyped sounding at times, almost yelling, vaguely similar to Death Grips, except Le1f actually sounds good and not like some drunk homeless dude. GREAT production on this throughout, provided by Nguzunguzu (I really want a new album from them too!), Boody, Morri$, and others. There might have been 2 beats that were just OK, and the rest of this album is just bangin. This album is a free download on Soundcloud, so do yourself a favor and grab it.

fLako - "Eclosure EP" 2012

First of all, what great artwork... Second of all, these 4 songs are pretty sweet. It seems like he's heading down the same alt-r&b route that Shlohmo and Lapalux are forging into, and it seems to suit his style of beat making very well. You can stream it and purchase it from here.

"Keats Collective Vol. 3" 2013

I'm very happy with the fact that sample based music of this nature is becoming a scene now, but I wish more of the artists had their own unique stamp on things. A lot of these songs sound like they were produced by the same person, and I know they weren't. There is still some awesome music to be heard here, and I think different people will find different songs on this compilation more interesting to them, depending on what they get nostalgic about. This compilation covers a wide range of styles, but it all still fits in a sample-based, happy sounding pocket. Listen and download here.

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra - "Reel To Reel" 2012

I probably don't enjoy this album quite as much as some of his other recent releases (there is many), but that doesn't mean this one isn't great too. All instrumental except for one song, where they list off people who are carrying on the funk in their eyes. You can get a better, detailed description of this, and listen to and purchase this album here.

Unknown Hinson - "Reloaded" 2012

This album is funny as hell. He's mostly known for doing the voice of Early on Squidbillies, but it looks like I'm going to need to delve more into his own music career because this is not only hilarious, but the music is pretty high quality as well, with nice guitar work and background vocals. The styles range from straight country to more classic rock sounding stuff, some rockabilly-ish stuff, and some stuff that has the same production style as a lot of Roy Orbison classics. Check out "Fetch It For Me", "Before Your Husband Gets Home", and "A Smartass Yankee In A Rebel Court".

Pale - "The Yearn EP" 2012

Some nice and light dance sounds that aren't corny sounding. Nice details within the high end too. Here is a little mini mix of the 3 songs.

How To Destroy Angels - "An Omen EP" 2012

I listened to this and the full length in the wrong order, obviously. At least half of these songs ended up on the album, but this is still a must-have for a Trent Reznor fan. Check out "On The Wing", "Ice Age", and "Keep It Together".

Hotmixes: April 2013 Week 4

DJ FACT 50 - "The Floating World: Music In The Spirit Of Studio Ghibli" 2013

This mix delivers on it's description, so if this sounds cool to you, you should probably check this out. Listen here.

Scruffnuk Dust - "Audiosincretismo 2.27" 2013

This dude throws down. Beat scene oriented mix that is relentless with just one fresh beat after another. I wish more DJ's wanted to spin music like this and were confident with it like this. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

Lastview - "Hell" 2013

This mix goes super hard. I don't understand why almost NOBODY has listened to this yet on Mixcloud. Lots of cool, newer sounding drum & bass and dubstep. Give it a whirl.

Textbeak, Blam Lord, Theway Peoplestare, & Omar Doom - "Grim Harvest" 2013

Jesus crappin christ this mix is good. Just drenched in darkness and washed over with drugs, there's not a dull moment in 2 hours, as long as you're down with what they're doing here. Check it.

Nowy - "Mix Mee Te Maken Vol. 5" 2013

I remember listening to this a few days ago, but I don't remember anything about it really. Either my memory is really starting to fail, or this mix must've fallen into a zone for me where it was good enough to keep listening to, but nothing about it was memorable for me to have a lasting impression of it. Either way, it's some house music. See what you think.

Eskmo - "Earth & Words Mix" 2013

This is a nice mix he did of his own material. Very light and airy while still being slightly bubbly and dancey. Free download from his website.

Adam Kvasnica - "This Is Jazz Hop" 2013

Short little half hour mix of hip hop with jazz collaborations or at least jazz influenced hip hop. I feel like this mix is actually a little thin compared to what this DJ usually brings, but it's probably my personal taste as well. I never seem to enjoy it very much when European people do hip hop mixes. Their tastes generally seem flat to me, for lack of a better way to put it. My description is actually making this mix sound bad, when it's not, so I should just shut up and let you decide for yourself.

Takanome - "A Taste Of Funky House Mix" 2013

I was doing a bunch of housework with this blasting and it went by like a breeze. Check it out.

BitsBits: BMSR Radio #1: Max Headroom's Can Of New Coke

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/bmsr-radio-1-max-headrooms-can-of-new-coke/

BitsBits: Mixtape Exchange #2 (Side B)

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/mixtape-exchange-2-side-b/

BitsBits: Mixtape Exchange #2 (Side A)

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/mixtape-exchange-2-side-a/

Hotlist: April 2013 Week 3

Chrissy Zebby Tembo & Ngozi Family - "My Ancestors" 2012

Re-issue of an album  from the 70's from a sub-genre known as Zam Rock, which is like a weird hybrid of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and african funk recorded by artists from Zambia. Apparently Chrissy was a drummer for a lot of bands and this was his solo album. Highly recommended to any music lovers out there. Check out "Fisherman", "Coffin Maker", and the title track.

Mord Fustang - "Welcome To The Future" 2012

Very pristinely clean sounding production, but it's not really my bag. I'm sure a lot of big clubgoing folks would like this EP a lot. Check out "The Majestic", the title track, and "Windwaker".

Ryan Hemsworth - "Last Words" 2012

Man, this guy is just really hitting all the right angles and sounds right now. I can't stress enough how happy I am that music that sounds like this is becoming somewhat popular. The sound design on a lot of these tracks is just great and sounds fabulous on headphones as well as speakers at home and in the car. I also love the choices for remixers on here. Perfect matches. Check out "Overthinking", "Slurring (Baauer Remix)", and "Charly's Mask Shop (Sam Tiba & Canblaster Remix)".

Atoms For Peace - "Amok" 2013

I admit, i'm slightly underwhelmed by this album, but I fully realize that all Thom Yorke related stuff takes a few months to really gel with me, so i'll probably revisit this album again later this year and tell you what I think after many, many listens. It's still satisfying my Radiohead fix and is by no means weak at all. I think I was just expecting something grandiose and this is not. Check out "Ingenue", "Stuck Together Pieces", and "Reverse Running".

Mouse On Mars - "Parastrophics" 2012

This album is ridiculously good. I love it when veterans of a genre come out with new material and prove that they not only still know what's up, but are making cutting edge material still. There's no duds at all and they display a range of styles within their own, almost like an electronic version of Ween or something. Ever changing, chameleons that never fail to leave their personal stamp on things. Check out "The Beach Stop", "Baku Hipster", and "Imatch".

Deniro Farrar - "The Patriarch" 2013

One of the best rap releases i've heard in a hot minute. I found out about him through the collabo EP he did last year with Blue Sky Black Death called "Cliff Of Death", which I also highly recommend. This album dispells any thoughts that he would need their beats to sound that good, because this whole LP bangs straight through. He has the type of voice, flow, and cadence like he was born to do this, and I appreciate the way he keeps it positive while still keeping it real, which is a very hard tightrope to walk, especially while being as overall entertaining as he is. I doubt he'll be in the underground for too long, unless he chooses to stay there. He definitely has that star quality. Check out "Big Tookie", "My Life", and "Fears".

Hotmixes: April 2013 Week 3

DJ Clone Funk - "On The Funk Train" 2013

Nice and upbeat. Guaranteed to make you move unless you're dead. Listen Here.

Omaur Bliss - "Melt Down Music: Fuck Winter Moombah Sweat Mix" 2013

Quick little mix to get you motivated. Check it out.

Mr. Nonsense - "Audiosincretismo 2.26" 2013

This website really culls together some great mixes, at least for my personal tastes. Check it out here.

O Benjamim - "Equinox #3" 2013

Part 3 of this series sounds very clean and detailed. Dancey without being corny. Give a listen.

Adam Kvasnica - "Magic Moments From Italy" 2013

This one really sets the appropriate mood. Check it.

DJ Clone Funk - "House For Sale" 2013

This mix has a great flow to it. Check it out like Steve Brule...

Adam Kvasnica - "The Amazing Nina Simone" 2013

Self-explanitory. I'm not the hugest fan, but I do respect her a lot. Listen here.

Dam-Funk - "Stones Throw Podcast #79: Spiritual Flight Volume II" 2013

This is an all 80's gospel mix. On paper that sounds like absolute trash, but listening to this mix, you can see how some very talented musicians were just really into Jesus. There's basically 2 types of songs on here. Songs that are actually good sounding, and I just have to ignore the subject matter, which isn't hard; and songs that are comically bad, both due to the lyrics and the popular sounds of the time it was recorded. Dam must have one of the craziest record collections out there. Check it out here.

Cathleen John - "In Vado" 2013

This mix is both aggressive and beautiful. Give a listen.

Takanome - "Goodtime Funk 3" 2013

This is a very feel-good mix. Happy dance floor fillers all around. Get down.

Adam Kvasnica - "Musica Brasileira" 2013

The 4th in his Brazil series. Such good vibes. Check it.

BitsBits: Music To Smoke To Vol. 1

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/music-to-smoke-to-vol-1/

Hotlist: April 2013 Week 2

This was a mostly administrative week for me, so I mostly just listened to mixes from Mixcloud while I was taking care of all the tedious work I needed to get done. I did, however, go vinyl shopping and I listened to a couple records, so i'll post about those.

Charles Bradley - "Victim Of Love" 2013

First and foremost, he definitely didn't fall in the sophomore jinx trap. In fact, I think the opposite happened. I think he improved on just about every aspect of his music between releases, and this just really has me excited for the upcoming concert. Anyone that's never heard of him, REALLY needs to check him out. Amazing voice and an amazing story. Just as the first LP was, his backing band is Menahan Street Band, and they do an excellent job providing the perfect backdrop for his vocals. I also feel that they have tightened up a little bit as a band within the last few years, and between this album and their own new one, they're one of the shining stars of the current soul/funk scene. Check out the video for "Strictly Reserved For You". Also check out "Through The Storm", "Where Do We Go From Here", and the title track.

Black Moth Super Rainbow - "Cobra Juicy" 2012

I'll admit that last fall when this was first released, I was maybe slightly disappointed in this. Tobacco is one of my favorite artists, and I felt like maybe he was treading water a little too much with this one. After having half a year to digest this, and also hearing it for real off of the record, I can say I was being much too hasty. Yeah, he'll probably never make anything as lush as "Eating Us" ever again, and I don't even think he has any interest in doing that, which is fine. Whatever direction he goes, i'm sure I will still enjoy it on some level. The orange vinyl is very aesthetically pleasing as well. I'm glad I decided to purchase one before they're all gone and it's a different color. Just in case you missed this album the first time around, check out the videos for "Windshield Smasher" and "Hairspray Heart". Also check "Dreamsicle Bomb", "Spraypaint", and "Like A Sundae".

Flying Lotus - "Until The Quiet Comes" 2012

Just as with the BMSR record above, I was also just slightly disappointed in this album when it was brand new. After full digestion, and a nice, lush, vinyl listen, I can say that I was definitely just not ready for this yet. Easily one of the best releases of the year, and just a must-listen album for everyone that claims to love music, period. Check out the short film that was used to promote the album (Daft Punk: take note, this is how you promo an album) and the video for "Putty Boy Strut". Also check "The Nightcaller", "Phastasm" (featuring Laura Darlington), and "DMT Song" (Featuring Thundercat).

Hotmixes: April 2013 Week 2

Myself - "Sabroso" 2013

Some nice and light, motivational sounding electronic music. Listen here.

209 Sins - "Trap Them And Kill Them II" 2013

This mix is short and sweet. All killer, no filler. Check it out.

Textbeak - "#112: Pinebox- Decade" 2013

This mix is great. I really enjoy it when people are able to represent multiple genres, but still make it sound like it was all meant to go together. This is definitely my favorite of the Textbeak podcasts that i've heard so far. Give it a listen.

Adam Kvasnica - "Music For Your Soul" 2013

The sheer amount of mixes this guy makes is impressive. I like the historical/educational aspect of his mixes. You always learn about something new to you. Check it out.

Adam Kvasnica - "Ticket To Brazil" 2013

The title is just as it says. Really solid selections. Listen here.

Adam Kvasnica - "Jazz After Midnight Vol. 3" 2012

It's cool that he not only does a lot of themed mixes based around specific eras and regions and styles, but he also does these style mixes that are more loose and random and unexpected. I can dig it. Listen here.

Audiosincretismo - "2.25: BeatSoup vs. Pineapple Cut" 2013

Really, really nice beat oriented mix. This is great stuff. Take a listen.

Blam Lord - "Work Wiv U" 2013

According to him, this is the first time he's ever attempted making a mix. I'm really glad he did, because this is fucking awesome. On Facebook he's always hitting the world with an almost constant stream of awesome/interesting music and videos from his collection, and it's nice to see a fellow music lover putting it all together in mix form because I really dig his tastes and preferences. I hope this is the first of many. Check it out.

ShiKung - "At FerdyDuke Jazz Thursdays" 2013

This is a good mix of nice, safe standards and random lesser known stuff. Listen here.

Omaur Bliss - "Melt Down Music: Trap Style" 2013

Looks like he made a few 30 minute mixes in various styles, to celebrate the (belated) coming of spring. This one is nice and energetic. Listen Here.

Nowy - "Just Another Mix On The World Wide Web" 2013

I like the title. This mix kinda flew by without me noticing an hour had went by. I like that. Check it out here.

Audiosincretismo - "2.Bonus: 50+ Mixcloud Followers" 2013

I'm really glad I found their channel and am one of their followers. They never disappoint. Give it a try.

Adam Kvasnica - "Deep Sounds Of Jazz" 2013

This dude just keeps pumping out mix after mix. Check this one out.

Omaur Bliss - "The Melt Down: Old School" 2013

I disagree with a couple of his tempo choices for a couple of the songs, but this is still a good mix filled with classics. Listen here.

Takanome - "Jamiroquai Party" 2013

A club oriented mix of songs by Jamiroquai. Listen here.

Monica Rene Rochester - "April Showers Bring Landslides And Sewer ReRoutes" 2013

This is my idea of what a good mix should be like. A unique selection of songs from different genres that all compliment one another and maybe even share a common feeling and mood without being too obvious about it all. This mix hits really hard for how bizarre it actually is. I feel like it has an almost primal quality. I strongly urge any music lovers to check this out.