bang the box

Raekwon // Lizz [prod by Scratch]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:31:46 PST

This is the sound for this morning. I'm not sure if it's the fact that this has to be, hands-down, one of my favorite sampled Les McCann joints or that Scratch just worked it so well -- or both. I could let this loop ride for hours. The vocalist is a beautiful setup for the soulful murder Rae delivers with his verse. I'm particular about female vocals, but whoever this is has a serious set of pipes and absolutely nailed the vibe.

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon - Lizz [prod by Scratch]

via Metal Lungies

Guru To Undergo Surgery

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:42:26 PST

By now I'm sure most of you know that Guru suffered a heart attack yesterday, is in a coma and is set to go into surgery sometime soon. Keep Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal in your thoughts and prayers. Marinate on this and hope he pulls through, 43 is too young.

Terry Urban presents The Dills

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:09:03 PST

Terry Urba n pays homage to one of the greatest beat-smiths Hip Hop has ever known, J Dilla. All the blends sound pretty dope, but my personal favorite and the best sounding (in my opinion) has to be the Mobb Deep Hell On Earth blend. That particular snare shares a lot of characteristics with something you'd hear on a Mobb Deep track circa The Infamous and Hell On Earth. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Terry Urban presents The Dills (Unreleased Dilla Blends)

Trans Europe Express

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:34:44 PST

I woke up this morning and suddenly (and quite unexpectedly actually) Kraftwerk popped into my head. Not a bad thought to have first thing, but imagine doing the robot and trying to say TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS with a mouthful of toothpaste.

Rendezvous on Champs-Elysee... Leave Paris in the morning on T.E.E.

Duck Down Records // Survival Kit Mixtape

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:22:10 PST

Duck Down meets Mick Boogie & nVMe to salute two of the industries' veterans, the teacher and the B-D-I. The tracklist is a solid dose of classics reinterpreted by a handful of up and comers. My pick is the Talk Shit Remix featuring Torae and Skyzoo, but that Gotcha Opin rework by Tanya Morgan ain't half bad either. Thanks, LouHa.

Tracklist:

Survival Kit (Intro) by DJ Sherazta
Gotcha Opin Original (RMX) – Tanya Morgan (produced by NVME)
South Bronx (RMX) – Cause, The Kid Daytona & Chaundon (produced by NVME)
Buck Em Down (RMX) – Christian Rich (produced by NVME)
Sound Of Da Police (RMX) – Diz Gibran & Shawn Chrystopher (Produced by ILL TAL)
Shit Iz Real (RMX) – Ruste Juxx (produced by NVME)
Step Into Our World (RMX) – Team Facelift & Jade (produced by ABADDON)
Talk Shit (RMX) – Torae & Skyzoo (produced by NVME)
MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know – Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts, Fashawn (produced by NVME)
I Got Cha Opin 09 – Kardinal Offishall & Buckshot (produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep)
Past Present Future – KRS-ONE, Buckshot, Melanie Fiona & Naledge of Kidz In The Hall (produced by 9th Wonder)

DOWNLOAD: Duck Down Records presents The Survival Kit Mixtape

As 2009 Comes To A Close...

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:47:23 PST

Never mind the fact that I've been silent for a bit, I'm always listening, even when I haven't much to say. It's the end of the year and the fam at Metal Lungies have asked me to throw my two cents alongside some reputable producers, bloggers and other notable characters on 2009's heaviest beats. So far it's a 2 part joint, but a 3rd part might surface with out-takes and the like.

Metal Lungies 2009 Beat Drop: Part 1 / Part 2

Go on, be a rap nerd.

Duck Down Sampler // Download The Right Thing

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:51:14 PDT

Duck Down has compiled some if its most recent offerings from their roster into a sampler mix, so you don't have to bust a mission. Based on the labels' rep, you know it's going to be quality and the flip of the Do The Right Thing cover and concept is a nice touch.

Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: Duck Down Sampler - Download The Right Thing

GrandMaster Roc Raida

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:08:09 PDT

Another one taken too soon. RIP to the great GM Roc Raida.

Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa // Saudade Vem Correndo

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:06:27 PDT

Taken from the Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa collaborative album Jazz Samba Encore! this gem features Maria Helena Toledo on vocals and might be recognizable to some of you as the samples flipped on the JayDee-produced Pharcyde classic Runnin'.

DOWNLOAD: Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa - Saudade Vem Correndo

Enjoy.

Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7 // Scopolamine

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:27:29 PDT

Never ceasing to amaze, Truth & Soul Records bring forth their latest offering, a single from long-time T&S trumpet player Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7. Absurdly funky and absolutely quality as you can expect from T&S. This, the debut 45 for the group, is now available at the Truth & Soul online store.

DOWNLOAD: Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7 - Scopolamine

New York area heads can catch them live (and free) tomorrow night at Rockwood Music Hall.

Michael Jackson // Butterflies [A-Sides Tribute]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:25:44 PDT

The East Side label-boss, A-Sides, offers us a little tribute to the late great Michael Jackson. Truly a dedicated artist, versatile, innovative, a solid DJ and one of the nicest fellows I know; his rework of the MJ classic Butterflies is classy and masterful.

DOWNLOAD: Michael Jackson - Butterflies [A-Sides Tribute]

Enjoy.

Dam-Funk // Toeachizown

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:25:52 PDT

Kicking off the debut long-player series Toeachizown from Dam-Funk is LAtrik, the first of five volumes showcasing Dam's signature spaced-out electric funk. Look out for the remaining volumes in stores this Fall.

DOWNLOAD: Dam-Funk - Toeachizown

LINK: Purchase Dam-Funk Toeachizown Vol. 1 : LAtrik

Lee Fields & The Expressions // My World LP

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:23:41 PDT

I gave you a little heads up about this album with a download of Ladies in April. Today, the debut album from Lee Fields & The Expressions, My World sees release on Truth & Soul Records. This album is straight-up soul. I can't put it any simpler than that -- it's just a beautiful thing. Available via the Truth & Soul shop, Amazon or iTunes.

Below is a link to the album preview, a message from Lee Fields about the album and another cut from the long-player.

LINK: Lee Fields & The Expressions - My World LP Preview & A Message From Lee Fields

DOWNLOAD: Lee Fields & The Expressions - Money I$ King

Alaska & Paradox // The Isolationist LP

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:49:48 PDT

The Isolationist is the phenomenal debut LP from Alaska & Paradox now available on Paradox Music. If this says anything, the entire album has been in my playlist all week -- and listened to beginning to end. I highly recommend it for drum and bass and downtempo fans alike, or if you just into good drum work, lush ambient textures and moody beats. If you're familiar with Alaska & Paradox, you can expect the same quality-forward thinking music. If you don't know the name, give it a listen -- it's well worth it.

Below is a link to the album preview and two podcasts on the Paradox Music SoundCloud page.

LINK: Alaska & Paradox - The Isolationist LP Preview

Madlib // Lifetime [Lifeline]

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:27:05 PDT

From the masterful beatsmith Madlib comes a cut off the second part of his tribute to the late, great J Dilla, Beat Konducta Vol 6 The Dil Withers Suite. If you haven't had a chance to give Vol 5 a good listen, I strongly suggest and recommend that one as well. It's just full of chunky Dilla-esq flavors with that tinge of Madlib.

LINK: Madlib - Lifeline [Lifetime]

Mos Def // Casa Bey

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:19:29 PDT

Off the forthcoming Mos Def album out June 9th. Truthfully, I've never been a fan of Mos' singing so I kind of just tune out when he starts to harmonize. It's not that dude is out of tune usually, or that he's bad per se -- but I'm just not in it, he loses me in the process. That being said, the verse in the first two minutes is phenomenal flavor. Absolute precision over a soulfully powerful track. Dig it.

LINK: Mos Def - Casa Bey

Lee Fields & Phenomenal Handclap Band

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:51:57 PDT

Truth & Soul Records was generous enough to sort out some ridiculously dope forthcoming material from the imprint. If you've read this blog before, you definitely know I have an ear for this particular label and most if not all of the artists on their roster and I'm an avid record collector -- so win/win.

The two downloads are taken from the forthcoming PHB and Lee Fields 45" releases. The bonus beats are from El Michels Affair's A Tribute To Black Moses and Lee Fields' forthcoming album, My World out June 2nd (my birthday, woo!).

These days good meaty vibes like this are hard to come by. Bask in it, enjoy.

~~DOWNLOAD: Phenomenal Handclap Band - Baby~~

EDIT: PHB track streamed at band's request.

DOWNLOAD: TS029 - Lee Fields - Problems

BONUS: El Michels Affair - Walk On By + Lee Fields - Ladies

Scoop all these and more over at the Truth & Soul store.

Willie Colon // Pan y Agua

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:18:58 PDT

Fania Records was a staple in my musical diet as I was growing up. I recall many Sunday afternoons when the sounds of Pedro Navaja could be heard emanating from the hi-fi in the living room. I still play the LPs at home from time to time to recapture that nostalgia.

Pan y Agua is taken from the Masterworks version of Colon's 8th album El Juicio.

More info on the project here.

DOWNLOAD: Willie Colon - Pan y Agua

Bassdrive vs Metalheadz WMC 2009 Sets

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:44:38 PDT

Hands down one of the best, if not the best part of the entire conference this year. Great music all around, packed all night, and an absolutely slammin' vibe. Below is a link to all the sets from that night. Everything from classic to exclusives and everything in between.

Sets from Stereotype vs Methodus, Will Miles vs The Engineer, Stunna vs Submorphics, Bailey, Ink, Spirit, Goldie, A-Sides, DStar, Mason, Spinn, Flaco, The Illusionist, Ronin Selecta and more.

DOWNLOAD: Bassdrive vs Metalheadz - WMC 2009 [All Sets]

General Steele ft Buckshot & Jo Chris // A Toast To Brookyln

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:59:01 PDT

Setting the pace on the new Bucktown USA imprint is General Steele of Smif-N-Wessun fame with his solo album Welcome to Bucktown, in stores May 5th. A Toast To Bucktown showcases General Steele alongside Buckshot and Jo Chris, with Che-Triumph and DJ Evil Dee on production and drums -- respectively.

This one just has that old Black Moon feel. Enjoy.

DOWNLOAD: General Steele ft Buckshot & Jo Chris - A Toast To Brooklyn

I'm still recovering from WMC. It was totally out of control.

Winter Music Conference 2009

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:31:04 PDT

Here we go again! Winter Music Conference completely takes hold of South Beach next week and like every other year I've attended -- I'm hype for all of it. Slammin' parties, dope line-ups, great friends, good times to be had. People are excited to come to Miami, I'm equally excited to have them coming through my hometown. I love it.

With so many dope parties going on, believe that I'll be hopping around all night. Although, if you want to catch me doing my drum and bass thing, I'll be touching down (DJ'ing) at the following events on the following nights:

Wednesday, March 25th - Swerve @ Lucky Strike, South Beach
Thursday, March 26th - Sick Day In The Sun v.4
Thursday, March 26th - Heads of State @ Liquor Lounge, South Beach
Friday, March 27th - ViRAM @ Soho Studios, Downtown Miami
Saturday, March 28th - Bassdrive vs Metalheadz @ Black Sheep, South Beach
Saturday, March 28th - Ultra Carry-On Afterparty @ Soho Studios, Downtown Miami

I love meeting people at shows, so if you happen to come out -- don't hesitate.

Be sure to check out the FloridaDNB WMC 2009 forum for more event info on the bassier side of things.

Savath y Savalas // La Llama

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:29:12 PDT

Something fresh and different from Guillermo Scott Herren (aka Prefuse73), Eva Puyuelo Muns and Roberto Carlos Lange. Taken from the forthcoming Savath y Savalas album La Llama out today in digital format and May 19th in physical form.

More info on the project here.

DOWNLOAD: Savath y Savalas - La Llama

Ghost, Doom, & Oh No // Chinatown Wars

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:16:48 PDT

Ghost & Doom go in over some militant Oh No flavor. Ain't half bad, mean.

DOWNLOAD: Ghost, Doom, & Oh No - Chinatown Wars [Original]

DOWNLOAD: Ghost, Doom, & Oh No - Chinatown Wars [Remix]

Thank You Jay Dee, Act 4

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:12:15 PST

The fourth installment of the J.Rocc original series dedicated to the late great, Jay Dee.

For the collectors, finished and packaged CD versions of Act 1 and Act 2 are available.

DOWNLOAD: Thank You Jay Dee, Act 4 - Mixed by J.Rocc

TURN IT UP.

Obey x J Dilla - Print To Benefit Ma Dukes

bangthebox.net@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:37:35 PST

This one just appeared in my inbox courtesy of DJ Franchise at Know The Ledge. Word is 400 of these will go on sale tomorrow at noon on the Obey site. Whether it's priced at $55 or $155, the cause behind it is the key factor -- supporting Ma Dukes. I hope to be able snag one.

Here's a little something Shepard Fairy had to say about it:

“J Dilla was a great music producer who died of lupus. Now his mom has lupus and needs help with her medical bills. This collaborative poster with B+ will benefit Dilla’s mom “Ma Dukes”. There is a benefit concert as well. Info below. Please support “Ma Dukes”.”