If you’re not familiar with The Beat Inn yet and how they get down, let this serve as an introduction. The members select a song to sample, in this case Astrud Gilberto’s Meditation and chop it, flip it, edit it, and rework it  into something new. Just peep how Tall Black Guy takes a bossa gem, and gives it a Hip Hop feel while allowing it to maintain it’s subtlety and smoothness. Just beautiful!

 Composed in memory of the late Trayvon Martin, harpist Brandee Younger releases a musical reflection of her concern for the tragic, violent death of youths around the country. Solemn, yet beautiful, grab He Has a Name (Awareness) HERE. All proceeds go “to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. to help the organization continue its fine work in striving for racial justice.”

 “Hipology is a collage of some of my personal influences as a DJ/Producer growing up listening to Hip Hop; it’s a real eclectic mix of Breaks, Beats, Soul, Jazz, and freaky squeaks and not a sampler in sight. Visioneers is about revisiting my love for Hip Hop; What it was and what it is; the musical influences and the culture…”. Hipology will be released on BBE records late spring and features guest spots from John Robinson, TRAC & Baron, Notes to Self, Luke Parkhouse, The Support Brass & Ariya Horns”
Grab it HERE

“All Shook Up represents the remix works of David Hanke a.k.a. Renegades Of Jazz and is a collection of 14 tracks with most of the remixes
made until end of 2011. They all have been re-mixed, re-grooved, re-fixed, re-loved and re-touched by Renegades Of Jazz and are now available on this compilation album. Figure out what the “Northern Jazz” sound is all about.”
Preview the compilation HERE especially the sexy Mo’ Horizons – Jungle Affair (Renegades Of Jazz Remix)

Producer/Engineer Dorsh bust onto our radar with a Szjerdene remix that we thoroughly enjoyed! This was quickly followed up by 2 more exciting tracks that have been released on his debut album, Neopolitan. Described as “a mixture of Reggae, Electro, Disco, Soul, Hip-Hop, Rock, Dubstep, and R&B, flavors” you can tell where the title comes from and the tracks are just as delicious. A FREE download, there’s nothing preventing you from checking this album out. Grab it HERE

“The conclusion to 2011′s release of The After 2am Sessions EP where up-and-coming musician/composer/producer, Ahmed Sirour, attempted an unorthodox approach by releasing a fully instrumental, slow-tempo’d, 6-track EP as his debut album, utilizing 3 themes of Love: The Romantic, the Erotic, and the Spiritual.”
Grab The After 2am Sessions LP May15th at 2:22 EDT  HERE

Inspired by greats like Norman Whitfield, David Axelrod and Sly Stone California’s Monophonic are prepared to blow your mind when their album drops May 15. Using analog equipment, and a soulful, psychedelic aesthetic, the crew’s tunes emit a feeling unlike anything you’ve experienced while listening to music in a long time! Whether rocking out or belting out sentimental ballads like Say You Love Me, this band will leave it’s mark In Your Brain. Cop it HERE

Monophonics – Say You Love Me

German jazz label Jazz & Milk will release Sam IRL’s 4 track EP Slower Bavarian May 21. The producer/DJ’s knack for creating somewhat unorthodox dance tunes Batuque is equaled only by his ability to make infectious dance tunes such as Safety Hertz all while maintaining  a jazz aesthetic. Dancing not your thing? Peep Cid Rim’s remix of Safety Hertz while chilling at a lounge, sipping a nice red.

Sometimes the only good thing that comes out of bad relationships are really, really great songs!  Such is the case with T Robinson aka LMBRJCK. His 5 track EP, The MixtapE Sessions is available for free HERE and was created using an iPhone mic and FruityLoops; Totally DIY yet totally sounds good. Check it out

DJ Nyack puts in over an hour of work mixing Black Star, Mos Def and Talib Kweli classics as we await the potential release of a second BlackStar album. Download HERE and enjoy!

DJ Nyack presents Blackstar Tape!

No one makes telling you when you’re going to do something and spelling it out funkier or more danceable than Uptown Funk Empire , Juan Rozoff and Patchworks. This single features 5 remixes and signals the return of Uptown Funk Empire after 3 years. Play this one when you want to get folks on the dancefloors not now, but right now!

Uptown Funk Empire – N.O.W. featuring Juan Rozoff (Patchworks Rmx)