Hot Mixes: June 2013 Week 2

Adam Kvasnica - "The Mystery Of Jazz" 2013

A nice smooth listen. Check it out here.

Dam-Funk - "XLR8R Podcast #291" 2013

Dam really outdid himself with this one. It's really hard to craft mixes that are full of songs the average person has never heard of, and not only make it listenable, but make it awesome as well. He seems to do this effortlessly, but when you've been into music as long as he has, i'm sure it's like 2nd nature. You can stream or download this from here.

Hot mixes: June 2013 Week 1

ShiKung - "Live At The Black Cat May 1st, 2013"

This mix is right up my alley with a nice blend of beat scene stuff with a little juke thrown in too, and even a Mayer Hawthorne track... Great stuff... Check it out.

Audiosincretismo - "#2.30" 2013

This mix is different from the others i've heard from them, and is mostly some pop rock like Beck and The Racontours. Still sounds good to me. Check it out.

Adam Kvasnica - "The Amazing Ursula Rucker" 2013

I'll admit that I was ignorant and didn't know she was an actual singer. I only knew her from her spoken word poetry stuff. This mix let me know that I need to dig into her catalogue and see what it has to offer. Listen here.

Audiosincretismo - "#2.31" 2013

This mix came off slightly sloppy to me, but the heart is still there, and I enjoy the songs. Give it a try.

DJ Clone Funk - "Brasil-Ish" 2013

I always seem to like mixes of music from Brazil and this is no exception. Dance the night away.

Album Reviews: June 2013 Week 1

I was so busy last week that I didn't listen to any new albums at all, but i'll have a few new reviews up from week 2 within the next couple days.

BitsBits: Mystery Mix June 2013

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/mystery-mix-june-2013/

This month's mystery mix features tracks from: Ol Dirty Bastard, Stone Angels, Res, Guns N Roses, Meek Mill, Dyme Def, Moon Wiring Club, Krazy Baldhead, Brian Eno, Venetian Snares, Too Short, Ashkira, Freestyle Fellowship, The Lonely Island, and B.V.S.M.P.

BitsBits: May 2013 Hotlist

http://www.mixcloud.com/ryanbirch54/may-2013-hotlist/

The audio version of this blog. Almost 2 hours of the best in new music.

Album Reviews: May 2013 Week 4

"Never Say Die Vol. 2" 2013

If anything, this compilation shows what a sad state that dubstep has gotten to in such a short amount of time. None of these songs are incredibly interesting to me, which is sad for a sub-genre that is supposed to be exhilarating. Check out the video for "Experts" by SKisM, which features a pretty good Phil Anselmo vocal sample from his famous stage banter. Also check out "Mind Control" by Zomboy and "Sucker Punch" by Dodge & Fuski, which almost sounds like the most hyperactive Depeche Mode song ever created in an alternate universe.

Global Goon - "WeMe10 Edits" 2013

I've been really diggin all these new Global Goon releases, and this is no different. This one is only an EP, but it still packs a pretty good punch with his own strange brand of acid techno. Unfortunately, I can't find any links to listen to this anywhere,so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Parhelia - "Astralaguna EP" 2012

A blind download that turned out to be some very light sounding drum and bass. It's strangely soothing, kinda like dentist office music for the future. Check out "Cote D'azur", "Gliding Through Constellation", and the title track.

Serengeti - "Saal" 2013

He seems to have this weird way of getting in a certain groove for each separate project he does, which are all different from each other as well. This EP is like a weird hybrid of indie rock and rap that sounds pleasing to my ears. If you analyze the lyrics it all seems slightly creepy, but it all somehow comes off as endearing as an end result. Check out "Day By Day" and the video for "Glasswell Park".

Lapalux - "Some Other Time" 2012

So, I'm really feelin the LP he just put out, so I had to go back and check out his EP's from last year, and this stuff sounds just as amazing as his LP. This is the future of progressive pop music. Check out "Close Call / Chop Cuts", "Jaw Jackin", and "Forgetting & Learning Again" featuring Kerry Leatham.

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge - "Twelve Reasons To Die" 2013

So, after checking out some of his other music, I was eager to see what Adrian Younge was going to do for Ghostface. This album is most definitely good. These funky backdrops are perfect for a Wu Tang project, and I actually think currently, Adrian Younge may be more suited to produce songs for them than RZA, in terms of sound. A lot of the beats have an almost Tarantino feel to them, due to all the wah wah guitars going on. This album is by no means perfect, but if anything the weak link is Ghostface himself, as sad as that is to say, he seems like he might finally starting the downslide of his career at this point, after such a long run of sounding dope as hell. I'm really just being nitpicky though, he still has the same bravado he always had, and it's a great match for this brand of live band beats. Check out "Revenge Is Sweet" featuring Masta Killa & Killa Sin, "Blood On The Cobblestones" featuring U-God & Inspectah Deck, and The Sure Shot (Parts 1 & 2).

DMX Krew - "Broken SD140 Part II" 2013

I must admit, i've been slightly disappointed with the last few EP's I heard from them, but this is pretty solid. Nice and Aphex Twin-like. Check out "Sppooookey", "Honeydew", and "Apple Grid".

Del The Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought - "Attractive Sin" 2012

This is the 2nd album they've coupled up for as a MC/producer duo, and I like this one a lot more than the 1st one. Del seems at least slightly more focused again. Not up to his prime form, but a definite improvement from what i've heard from him during the last 6-8 years. Maybe he just seems the most comfortable over these 90's sounding beats, but in any event this is at least worth a listen if you ever liked him. Check out "Get To Drillin", "Blow Your Mind", and "Activated Sludge".

Lapalux - "When You're Gone" 2012

Just a superb EP. If you're not willing to check out Lapalux, you're fuckin up in life. Check out "Moments" featuring Py, "Gone", and "Yellow 90's".

Hot mixes: May 2013 Week 4

Adam Kvasnica - "Jazz Juice" 2013

As usual, some good jazz vibes. Check it out.

Wriggly Scott - "Live At Dust, Dubai" 2013

Some cool partytime shit. Listen here.

Hudson Mohawke - "Valentine's Slow Jams Chapter VI" 2013

A few months late on this one, I know. This installment of the series is especially weird. It looks like he ran out of early to mid 90's slow jams and has turned to weird new age and ambient music. It makes for an interesting journey. I don't know what kinda couples are making out to this type of music, but this is still a good mix regardless, and definitely much different than you'd expect from him. Here it is.

Lex Maestracci - "The Shiro Is My Friend" 2013

Nice and dancey. Have a party.

Sly (Chinese Man Records) - "Inverno" 2013

I love accidentally finding stuff like this on Mixcloud. My kinda mix. Smooth with some rough edges. Beat scene oriented but not exclusive. Give it a whirl.

Audiosincretismo - "#2.29" 2013

These guys never disappoint and i'm just gonna leave it at that. Awesome.

DJ Clone Funk - "Breeze" 2013

I know this was supposed to be spring themed, but it worked really well listening to this on a cold and stormy day for me. Check it out.