HipHop

Thirty Eight

Posted by modulatorsoul on May 4, 2014
Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

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Apollo Brown just dropped his newest instrumental album Thirty Eight. After the success of his last instrumental album Clouds, Apollo Brown comes back with a new a concept album that pays homage to the soundtracks of the black exploitation movies from the 70s and 80s.  He purposely leaves the crackles and pops from the old sampled vinyl, and that creates this warmth and nostalgic feeling that transforms you to a different era. There is no need to mention Apollo Brown’s production, he is a master with the selection of his samples and his well laid down drums.This album is another classic.  Don’t sleep and cop this album!

The Departure

Posted by modulatorsoul on April 26, 2014
Posted in: HipHop, Soul. Tagged: , , . 1 Comment

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I know it is a little bit late, but better late than never. The man behind the super successful collaborations Fela Soul and Bizarre Tribe Amerigo Gazaway has released Yasiin Gaye: The Departure.  The project is a mashup between the Marvin Gaye and the Brooklyn rapper Yaasin Bey aka Mos Def, it is the first instalment in his new series Soul Mates. Amerigo Gazaway comes correct with this collaboration, he effortlessly creates these new orchestrations as if there were originally recorded. The soulfulness of Marvin Gaye mixed with Bey’s on point delivery is balanced perfectly while still staying true to each artist. Lately there has been a few mashup collaborations but this one is top quality. I can wait for the next instalment, Check it out!

Afropolitan Dreams

Posted by modulatorsoul on April 23, 2014
Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: , , . 1 Comment

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Summer is slowly creeping upon us, the longer days and warm weather is positively changing everyone’s mood. One of my favourite parts of summer is BBQs, great food, great company and foremost great summer tunes. Blitz the Ambassador just released the single Make You No Forget to his upcoming album Afropolitan Dreams and it is for sure a summer jam. The infectious afro beat just gets you jammin, you automatically start nodding to the beat. Blitz’s skillful delivery with his conscious lyrics fit perfectly over the highlife hiphop sound. The album will drop on April 28, 2014 and features some music heavyweights such as Seun Kuti, Nneka, Angelique Kidjo, and a few others. Get your summer vibes early and pick up this album.

Mandarin Oranges

Posted by modulatorsoul on April 22, 2014
Posted in: HipHop. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

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The nineteen year old phenom emcee Little Simz is back! She just dropped a two part single named Mandarin Oranges, the ultra talented beat maker Sango does the honour of providing the production behind both parts .The first part features Michigan emcee Waldo alongside Little Simz and the beat is more of the standard hip hop sound.However, in the second part Sango creates this mellowed out galactic beat that gives Little Simz free reign to deliver and showcase her lyrical expertise. I don’t need to say any more, the evidence is presented in the video. Don’t sleep!

Malev Da Shinobi

Posted by modulatorsoul on March 9, 2014
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malev

Every once and awhile, you hear an MC and their voice, flow, or lyrics just sticks with you. Well Malev Da Shinobi out of Salt Lake City, Utah has caught my ear; his distinct voice is just hypnotizing. It sounds like this combination of Roots Manuva mixed with a chilled out DMX.  The versatility of Malev’s flow is evident by the various producers he uses and the assortment of production styles.  I am thoroughly impressed by his Malev‘s choice to release his music for free (just contact him) and the description and background information for each song he gives behind the tracks. It is rare that an MC gives you a glimpse into what was he feeling during the making of the track. I can’t wait for him to release a full length album, keep Malev Da Shinobi on your radar!

 

 

Need You

Posted by modulatorsoul on March 6, 2014
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It has been a long minute since the last post, but the music keeps flowing. The surprising collaboration between the prolific Los Angeles emcee Blu and North Carolina producer L’Orange has created some hype for L’Orange’s upcoming new album The Orchid Days.  L’Orange’s expertise and comfort is in flipping 1950s jazz records into these chilled out hip hop beats.  While listening to his music, you are immediately transported to this smoky underground jazz club.  Blu comes correct on the mic effortlessly rhyming over L’Orange Billie Holiday-esq beat. While I want a full length LP with L’Orange and Blu, this has got me really excited to see what other collaborations are planned on the new album. Cop the album when it drops!

Xiomara

Posted by modulatorsoul on January 9, 2014
Posted in: HipHop, Jazz. Tagged: , , . 1 Comment

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I am almost speechless while listening to Xiomara, I am blown away by the ease that she flips these classic tracks from Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest . Xiomara’s voice and delivery is unbelievable, it sounds like a mix of a classic RnB songstress mixed with some classic jazz and blues vocals. It is like she is this hybrid of Erykah Badu mixed with some Billie Holiday and some Nina Simone. Cop these tracks, you will not regret it! Hopefully Xiomara will release some music in the near future.

2014 Mellow Orange

Posted by modulatorsoul on January 5, 2014
Posted in: HipHop, Jazz. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

stay mellow

2014 here you come, I started a little late but I needed some re-charge time. But getting back to it, I think 2014 maybe a highlight year in music, already there has been some crazy releases and we are only day 4. The Mellow Orange crew released two dope releases in the new year and one super close to Christmas. A super plus is that all these releases don’t hit the bank.

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Freddie Joachim comes again with his signature chilled out hiphop beats. The Begonia EP are a little extra beats that he has been holding on to. Freddie Joachim has the Midas touch, I want to hear all the beats in the vault.

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Question, drops his Favela EP. It is cold out there, cop this release and warm up with some flipped Bossa Nova and Samba beats. You are transported to a beach while listening to these tracks. Question’s digging and straight up music knowledge is a real treat.

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Chloe Martini, a new addition to the Mellow Orange roster, the female beat smith comes correct with her first release Reborn EP . The Poland native layers these chillin drum patterns laced with jazzy samples. She is one producer not sleep on!

Mellow Orange is one of the most consistent record labels out there, always dropping quality music. I can’t wait to hear more from them in 2014.

Spare Overtime Re-Inspired

Posted by modulatorsoul on December 11, 2013
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Damu the Fudgemunk is probably one of the most underrated producer in hiphop, but I think he is probably one of the most consistent beatmaker in the game. While he doesn’t have the glitz and glam of the some of these bigger named producers, he makes up for it in his precision and quality in his sound. While each beat is meticulously layered with a mix of different samples, Damu is careful not overload the sound. You can see the similarities between the Japanese Zen approach to simplicity and Damu’s music. Damu the Fudgemunk has been making music over 5 years and while his sound has changed, he wanted to release an album that tells the fans that he didn’t abandon his original style. Spare Overtime Re-Inspired rerecords and re-sequences tracks from his first two releases. All I can say, Damu kills it! You are left wanting more. Just go download the album!

Cut A Rug

Posted by modulatorsoul on November 29, 2013
Posted in: Funk, HipHop, Soul. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

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The long awaited return of Slakah The Beatchild is confirmed for January 6,2013 with his second instalment of Soul Movement.If you haven’t listened to the originally, drop whatever you are doing and go listen here. The song Enjoy Ya Self is still in my rotation even though the first album dropped in 2010. The super talented Toronto native creates these smooth rhythms with a blend of soul, funk, and hiphop. While volume 2 has been under wraps, Slakah released the video for the single Byram’s Groove(Cut a Rug), and it is a heater. You just want to get up and dance, the video doesn’t help, you find yourself trying to compete with those folks dancing. Check out the video below and cop the album here when it drops.