J.Dilla ~ Still Shining

poster design by pain19

This week many of us celebrated the birthday of the late James "J.Dilla" Yancey. The video below is a tribute which was put together in 2006 to help commemorate this legendary producer through rare footage and interviews. One of the great things about this film is the respect this man garnered not only for his amazing and ground breaking style of production, but for his legendary work ethic. He was a true master of his craft and I can relate to those endless nights toiling away in the "lab", trying to perfect whatever task was at hand and often foregoing human interaction and sometimes sustenance in the spirit of pursuing the passion that drives us.

Distant Relatives ~ Patience

I came across this video by Nas and Damien"Junior Gong"Marley's collective effort Distant Relatives and am loving the tones and overall cinematography / imagery used. 

Directed by Nebil Elderkin

Post artwork by Gustavo and Clara

Well done.

DISTANT RELATIVES "Patience" from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Soulection

I stumbled upon this wonderful compilation from Soulection featuring some of the most avante guard beatsmiths currently making noise in the underground across the world. Click the image above to be directed to the Soulection website to download the full mix.
Soulection // Teaser by SOULECTION

Oddisee ~ I'm From P.G.

One of my favorite producers, Oddisee, has released a compilation of tracks from his various productions of last year. Not one to disappoint, the standout track below features his signature break beat drum programming style and thoughtful sampling. I'm definitely looking forward to his long overdue solo release this year. Follow THIS link to be directed to his Bandcamp site and to download the entire release.

Kanye West ~ Runaway

Decadence, thoughtful, contrived, tasty, delicious....Kanye's film for "Runaway" is all those things. Hate him or love him, the guy is well on his way to Pop Culture icon status. Video after the jump...

Friday night jazz...

Not much puts a smile on my face the way listening to live jazz and photography do. I had the opportunity to do both as I was commissioned to cover up and coming jazz vocalist, Adia Ledbetter's album release at the West End Wine Bar in Durham. Here are a few shots of the the crew doing their thing. Her father, the great Freeman Ledbetter, is on the bass.

Kanye West - Power, dir Maro Brambilla

Ok, I have to admit that it took me a while to actually give a damn about this new Kanye release. Lately, well let's just say I haven't been impressed by his latest sonic forays, minus a few jewels here and there. Frankly, I miss the hungry Kanye West, you know, that guy who once rapped an entire song through a jaw wired shut due to a near fatal car accident? Or perhaps the guy that helped inspire me to start digging through my old collection of vintage soul classics again because of his great ear for samples...

Slum Village feat Dwele - "Don't Fight the Feeling"

23-52, needs.

Eric Roberson - "Still"

directed by Chris & Blaq for Impakt Studios. 

chemistry.

image © Creative Silence

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listen

Tree City prod by 14KT

Zo! feat. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington, Rapper Big Phoo - "This Could Be the Night"

MED & Talib Qweli - "Classic"

via stonesthrow

Rhapsody - "Every" prod by 9th Wonder

20-52

Brooklyn Sunset..
by
Afta-1

Robert Glasper - J Dillalude (Simon S extended mix)

Just listen..

Miguel feat J.Cole - All I Want is You

Big tune from soon to blow crooner Miguel and NC's rising star J.Cole.

The Stuyvesants (blatant swipe)

Some things just deserve to be swiped and spread like wild fire across the diaspora of Blogland....This mix is one of them.  Good looking out to the ever aware KMBA for the initial post as this is must listen for my fellow crate diggers.  Beats produced by Algorythm, who also is a dope graphic designer (random fact I didn't know until now). Along with Darien Victor Birks, better known as Flwrp, the soundscape and feel of the 60's and 70's was perfectly captured in this mix made to ride to.  Be sure to check out the classic material Flwrp uncovers at his blog, good listening...

Onra feat. Reggie B - High Hopes

French producer Onra gives us some silky 80's tinged "Dam-Funk" styled R&B.  Vocals by Missouri crooner Reggie B...

Groove music.

throwback wednesday ~ "Truth Is" - Pete Rock feat. Black Ice

This came out several years ago on Pete Rock's Soul Survivor II release and still speaks volumes today.  Black Ice is still one of the illest spoken word artists I've heard and I still get chills listening to this piece.

Listen

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