Mixtape Corner - Oddisee & DTMD

Welcome to the next issue of Mixtape Corner



We kick off proceedings with the third instalment of Oddisee's season-themed mixtape series "Odd Winter". This time around Oddisee has blessed us with a half instrumental tape half underground guest emcee tape featuring the likes of X.O who forms one third along with Oddisee of the Washington DC based group Diamond District, the very impressive Stik Figa, NY's Homeboy Sandman and Tranqill from the UK.

The mixtape opens with City Life which is the first of two joints featuring Tranqill. Oddisee has created a track that takes the listener travelling through the inner city in the middle of winter via the safety of a car while surveying the scene’s Tranqill describes in his verse. Tranqills gruff UK accent compliments the beat and creates a track that could describe a city on either side of the Atlantic. The other standout emcee collaboration for me is Riiight featuring Stik Figa out of Kansas, not exactly known as hot bed for emcee's. Oddisee provides a hard hitting drum beat as the backbone as stik figa spits nonstop for over two minutes dropping metaphor after metaphor without missing a beat. I'll assume it's a written verse but wouldn't be surprised if it was off the top of the dome. A track that's worthy of the rewind button.

Of the instrumental tracks the standout for me is the third track Winds from the North . The track starts with a violin arrangement that reminded me of the my days in Scotland and walking against the winter wind's coming off the North Sea. The violin combined with the drum programming had me reaching for my winter coat during the middle of the Australian summer. The other big track for me was Carry On with its piano licks and soul vocal sample gracing the track. I was adamant that I'd heard this track before and was correct as Oddisee had produced this one for Kenn Starr's Starr Status album which was released on Half Tooth Records in 2006, check out youtube link below for the vocal track.

Odd Winter finishes as it started with another appearance from Tranqill and the pair create another track that captures the bleaker images of a harsh Northern Hemisphere Winter. I wonder if we will be blessed with a whole album release from this pairing??

Click here for Oddisee's Odd Winter mixtape









The other standout mixtape from the last week was DTMD or Dunc & Toine Makin Dollas with The Basics. DTMD are a emcee & producer duo out of Washington DC who have released one of the freshest mixtape/EP's I've heard in a while. Obviously some people will avoid this group just because they have chosen to name themselves after the legendary EPMD but I see it as a tribute to EPMD and a statement that they are creating music that will hopefully have the longevity of EPMD. Time will tell on that one but from early showings they definitely have a solid product - Dunc has crafted some solid beats whilst also showing off some of his record collection and Toine seems effortless when flowing over the beats with intelligent rhymes that ask the listener to use their mind. Hip Hop to my ears.

I thoroughly enjoyed every track on this EP but must mention the standout tracks Champion featuring Tier Zero (see the youtube link below). This track opens the album nicely with the three emcee's verbally murdering Dunc's mid tempo instrumental. Above the Clouds again allows Toine to showcase is lyrical ability over a guitar and piano laced Dunc beat dropping lines like "Something told me to follow my dreams/And I was tired of the blunt passing/Worlds Clashing/Settling for people who aren't really feeling my passion/I knew I had to go another place/I was on my way to being another face". The track is explaining how they have reached this point in their career and some of the sacrifices to achieve this, whilst encouraging others in a similar position to do the same.

All in all this The Basics is a breath of fresh air from some of the current releases out there but will it be able to float to the surface in a crowded sea of independent hip hop????

Click here for DTMD's The Basic mixtape

Mixtape Corner - Reflection Eternal & Jay Electronica

In an effort to bring some structure to this blog I've created a few different headings to help the music consumer find post's that relate to them. So welcome to Mixtape Corner providing you with all of your mixtape links and reviews plus video clips.

First of the bat is "Reflection Eternal - The RE-UNION mixed by Statik Selektah"



The RE-UNION Mixtape is the pre album sampler to support Reflection Eternal's long awaited sophomore album "Revolutions Per Minutes" due for release in 2010. For those that don't know Reflection Eternal is Talib Kweli on the mic and Hi Tek on the beats. The mixtape is hosted/mixed by Statik Selektah and starts off with a few mouth watering treats from "Revolutions Per Minutes" including the bass heavy "In This World" which features the classic line from Jay Z as the hook "If skills sold, truth be told, I probably be, lyrically Talib Kweli". The listener is also treated to a sensational posse track featuring the ever impressive Jay Electronica, J.Cole & Mos Def which is a straight banger. Unfortunately the tracks off “Revolutions Per Minute” are just snippets, though it's enough to hook you in for a purchase when the album drops.

The second half of the album allows Statik Selektah to mix some of the classic Reflection Eternal tracks off their debut album "Train in Thought". This mixed in with some of the classic Rawkus Records singles and tracks off both Talib and Hi Tek’s solo albums take the listener on an eargasmic ride through history. Some huge tracks for me include one of my favourites "Chaos" featuring the much underrated Bahamadia and who could also go past "Respiration" featuring Mos Def & Common. Jump on the net and download this special treat and support the album when it drops.

Click here for the Reflection Eternal Mixtape link



Next up is one of my current favourite in the game right now Jay Electronica with "Victory is in my Clutches" mixed by DJ Dub



I'm excited, very excited indeed. Every time I hear a new track or guest verse from Jay Electronica I get goose bumps up and down my arms. I was initially drawn in with Exhibit A, was delighted to find Exhibit B featuring Mos Def then was completely blown out of the water with Exhibit C. It is with great pleasure that I can announce that DJ Dub gets this mixtape rolling with both Exhibit A & B. These already classic tracks nicely ease the listener in as the mixtape takes you on nonstop rewinding ride through Jay's singles to date and numerous guest appearances. After nearly an hour of jaw dropping one liner’s that seem to flow so effortlessly off Jay's tongue, DJ Dub drops the sample Just Blaze used for Exhibit C - Billy Stewart's "Cross My Heart" (see youtube clip below). As the anticipation builds up the eardrums are finally treated to the full version of Exhibit C. As the tape concludes you’re left salivating for more.

If you have been slow on the uptake of Jay Electronica this mixtape is a great way to quickly educate yourself. Discover for yourself why Jay has been labelled the next hip hop messiah as the hype swells for a full length LP in 2010.

Click here for Jay Electronica mixtape link

Xmas present wrap up - Qantic and the Combo Barbaro - Tradition in Transition & Kylie Auldist - Made in Stone

I always enjoy Christmas, catching up with family and friends is good but I really enjoying seeing what presents I'll receive and which of my musical gift wish choices come to fruition. I also exchange the obligatory Xmas CD with my wife, a tradition that has been running for the last four or so years. Both this years albums are from the Tru Thoughts label and are both excellent albums in their own right. Firstly I received the latest LP released by Quantic this time moving away from the Quantic Soul Orchestra and releasing his first release as Quantic and the Combo Barbaro.



In 2007 Quantic moved from the UK to Cali, Columbia and set up shop to record his third Quantic Soul Orchestra album Tropidelico which expanded the sound of the Soul Orchestra to encompass the funk & soul from Central and South America. Combo Barbaro goes one step further and takes the listener on journey into the heart of South America, capturing the rhythm and soul of the continent and transporting it to the ear of the listener. 'Tradition in Transition' is one of those rare albums where there is no filler, no track to skip over, no sitting there wondering why did they spoil an sensational album with including this track. It's a quality journey or entry into latin funk and soul, one that has this music fan salivating for more.

Quantic and his Combo Barbaro - Mas Pan (off the album)



Quantic and his Combo Barbaro - Live performance in LA

Quantic & his Combo Bárbaro @ the Echoplex, LA from Quantic on Vimeo.

Next up is Kylie Auldist - Made in Stone



'Made in Stone' is the sophomore release from Kylie Auldist and follows the same successful formula as her debut album 'Just Say'. The Bamboos provide the soulful musical backdrop that allows Kylie to deliver her tantalising tales of love, heartbreak and daily tribulations. If you enjoy the music of Sharon Jones and the Dap King's or Alice Russell you will thoroughly enjoy 'Made in Stone', plus be supporting Australian funk and deep soul artists.

For anyone in Sydney heading out to Days like This festival this weekend you can catch both Quantic and Kylie Auldist plus the Bamboos performing live, wish I was there.

Kylie Auldist - Title Track 'Made in Stone' - First 6 sec intro is courtesy of the youtube user who uploaded the track.

Jay Electronica Exhibit A, B and C

If you haven't checked out Jay Electronica I suggest you get on board now before he drops an album (hopefully sometime in 2010). Below is the Exhibit tracks that have been released online or via itunes. Exhibit A is a tasty treat of Jay's lyrical ability over a Just Blaze beat, Exhibit B sees a remix of Exhibit A featuring Mos Def. Then there is Exhibit C. Since I heard this track I have not stopped listening. Once again Jay rhymes over another Just Blaze beat and lyrical kills the track. Surely this track alone will result in a record deal for the New Orleans Emcee. Just the thought of a full album has me excited about Hip Hop in 2010. Hopefully he doesn't go the route as so many before him have and never grace our ears with a full LP or produce something lackluster in comparison with the Internet bombs.

Enjoy
Average Music Fan

More free Mixtapes - 2 Hungry Bros & Oddisee

2 Hungry Bros - A Rare Groove Mixtape (My Crews all Thinner now)




Seems like December is the month of mixtapes for me. Came across this one a month or so ago and have been playing the shit out of it since. 2 Hungry Bros - are a production team made up of Deep and Ben Boogie and are based in Brooklyn NY and in my opinion have a released one awesome mixtape here. You may not have heard of many of the MC's on the tape (the only names I knew before downloading this tape were VonPea (Tanya Morgan fame) and Reef the Lost Cause from Philly). This tape is a great introduction to some fresh MC's emerging from the NY underground. Names like 8thw1, Fresh Daily, Homeboy Sandman and K.Gaines may not gain recognition now but hopefully with spreading the word of this mixtape that will change one day soon.

And the beats, the beats are all classic rare groove bangers ranging from Leon Haywood's "I wanna do something freaky with you" to Curtis Mayfield's "Move on Up" and some Spanish breaks that I have no clue as to the name. If you don't enjoy the MC's you should get some enjoyment out of listening to the rare groove tracks.

Download here.

Sorry I couldn't find any video clips from this mixtape but have a clip from Homeboy Sandman who is featured on a few tracks on the mixtape. Pretty funny video, track starts about 2mins in.



Oddisee - Odd Autumn



Came across the second in Oddisee's Seasonal instrumental mixtape series. There was a an Odd Summer mixtape released before this one but I'm yet to hear it (will download it once this published). Not sure if the Summer mixtape was an all instrumental affair but the Odd Autumn mixtape has two vocal tracks featuring Tranquill (London MC) on the opening track and singer Nikki Jean on the closing track.

With Summer upon us this makes a great album for the lazy Sunday afternoon BBQ. The beats range in tempo, drum patterns and instrumental inclusions that should meet a wide variety of tastes. I would love to hear some of these tracks with MC's dropping verses too especially "Every Day People". I know I'll be looking forward to the two remaining seasons of this series.

Download here or for track listing go here

Oddisee - Autumn Run





Oddisee ft Nikki Jean - Tell the Truth



Enjoy
Average Music Fan

Everybody loves free mixtapes - Chiddy Bang

There are a shitload of free mixtapes out there on the Internet these days. Some are woeful and others shine and are strong enough to be released as a standalone album. I'm happy to say that Chiddy Bang's "The Swelly Express" is one of the mixtapes that falls into the latter category. "The Swelly Express" is a tight mixtape that flows well from the start to end, with well thought out skits that actually have some relevance to the album rather than just including random skits for skits sake. I was also very impressed with the intelligence of the rhymes portrayed throughout the album which was highlighted without a single fuck or motherfucker over eighteen tracks. A quality mixtape you could play at your family Christmas gathering without offending your Nana.

The production style is a tad futuristic but also represents that early 90's east coast sound which can be expected as the group hails from Philadelphia. Speaking of Philadelphia, The Roots front man Black Thought makes an appearance on one of the standout tracks “Slow Down”. Unlike other mixtapes this is the only major outside influence on the tape. If you enjoy your hip hop without the diamonds, guns and bullshit this mixtape is for you.


Download here or check out some tracks from the album below.

Enjoy
Average Music Fan

Chiddy Bang - Get up in the Morning (love the sample for the hook on this one)



Chiddy Bang - Never (love the line "and I've got more gigs than an apple store")

Brownout - Aguilas & Cobras

Being located in Canberra we are shut off to a lot of things in this country, including weekly access to the Sydney gig magazines apart from 3D world. So when I was last in Sydney I was able to pick up a copy of Brag and to my surprise noticed that they had started to cover more hip hop & funk and soul. This lead me to the Soul Sedation column where I found out about the following group - Brownout

The Groups sophomore long player is Aguilas & Cobras released on Six Degrees Records


Brownout are an eight-piece group from Austin, Texas, creating a Latin funk sound but also traverses samba, jazz and psychedelic funk-rock. There previous album Homenaje gained them critical acclaim from international DJ's, especially their breakbeat cover of "African Battle" (see second clip below). I'm not sure where you would be able to pick up this album in Australia but if you got to the Six Degrees website you can get it on CD for half price before the end of Dec 09. I'm going to search for it on vinyl but if all fails will get the CD before Dec 09.

To hear further tracks similar to this you can try and stream live from the Soul Sedation show on Bondi FM (link for net listeners or those in Sydney can try 88.0 frequency). According to the column in Brag the show runs on Wednesday nights from 10pm to Midnight (Australian Eastern Time). A quick heads up - the website is a bit shit house and didn't seem to offer specific podcasts for each show.

Enjoy the tracks below.
Average Music Fan