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Album Preview, Hip-Hop, New Music, UK Sounds

Copped: Well Deep: 10 Years Of Big Dada Recordings

myspace.com/bigdadarecords

Ty feat. Roots Manuva - Do You Want More (refix)

It’s hard to believe that Big Dada is only 10 years old.

Out of all the record labels that come and go in this world, I think that Big Dada is one of the few that resonate the most with me. When I was living in London, someone slipped me a copy of Manuva’s Brand New Second Hand and I was hooked ever since. Then came Ty, Wiley, TTC, and later the US fire of Diplo, who got his first major break from the London-based label, and Spank Rock, who released my number two favorite album of 2006.

After 10 years, a retrospective was not only necessary, but almost required. Big Dada’s impact on the underground music scene is so potent that in addition to the 33 tracks on 2 CD’s there is a DVD filled with a documentary filled with interviews of every Big Dada artist as well as appearances from such names as Saul Williams and Boards of Canada. In addition there will be a full megamix of every Big Dada video and promo ever made.

Well Deep: 10 Years Of Big Dada Recordings drops in the UK on October. Of course, there is no US release date set, so look for it on import or on Ebay soon. Tracklisting after the jump. And please check out the MP3 of Ty and Roots Manuva’s “Do You Want More” refix. That beat is classic!

Read the rest of this entry »

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Album Preview, New Music, R&B

New Music: Mary J. Blige - Let It Go

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Mary J. Blige - Let It Go

I usually don’t post snippets on here, but since this one happens to be from the Queen of R&B and Soul, I have to digress.

“Let It Go” is the first track from Mary J’s upcoming album Growing Pains which drops on November 20th. I’m liking this track. It’s “radio friendly” without going overly Rhiannaish and the whole vibe of the song reminds me of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall. Look out for more from MJB in the coming months.

And as the track will remind you, this is a Talk of the Town exclusive.

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Hip-Hop, New Music

New Tracks from Aceyalone

Aceyalone - Easy Feat. Chali 2na
Aceyalone - Shango

West Coast MC Aceyalone is back with a new album entitled Lightning Strikes. The album, recorded in Jamaica, marks a huge departure from his last album, the amazing Magnificent City. According to the press release, Lightning Strikes was inspired by Dancehall I’m really on the fence with these two tracks. I’m hoping that they will grow on me. Off the bat they scream CONCEPT ALBUM like it was going out of style. I’m never one to down a concept album, but you always take a risk in doing them, by alienating current and potential fans. Ask Common. What do y’all think?

Lightning Strikes drops on October 2nd.

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Hip-Hop, New Music

New Lupe Fiasco - Can You Let Me Know

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New Lupe Fiasco - Can You Let Me Know

New Lupe Fiasco track of quasi unknown origin and a little too much on the pop side for me. But hey, whatever works! My Japanese sucks but I think this is off of a Japan only mixtape. (via NahRight)

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Couch Sessions Appoved Artist, Music News, New Music

Kick Out The Jams

http://www.turntablelab.com/vinyl/217/1061/28464.html

“The sixth release from the en fuego T&A Records comes courtesy of Baltimore’s own Dave Nada. If you don’t know Dave, he’s played in a bunch of hardcore bands around the Bmore/DC area, produced with one of the guys from Q & Not U under the name Rubber Bullets, and now holds it down as a resident at Taxlo with his DJ partner, Tittsworth. The six heavy Bmore remixes here not only feature some sick production from Mr. Nada, but also some original synth work(!) a la Blaqstarr or old Samir shit. A-side has the MC5 remix “Kick Out The Jams,” the Biggie-sampling “Where Brooklyn At” and the Queen / Ying Yang jumble “Fat Bottom Girl.” B-side wins, however, with remixes of Unk’s “Back It Up” and Screamin Jay Hawkins’ “Spell On You,” plus “Bonus Beats,” featuring crisp Bmore drums and some of that tasty synth.”

Dave Nada

COP THIS NOW PEOPLE AND SUPPORT A DOPE ARTIST, DJ, AND AWESOME PERSON FROM THE DC/MD/VA UREA

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DJ Mix, New Music

Bodymore

My man hip hop dan just posted a new mix over @ Riottt. This is the second one in as many days so Dan is on his GRIND! Get over to Riottt now or download the mix here.

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New Music

Bonafied Remixin

DJ Eli, a NY club DJ and producer (google his work for Bobbitos Fondle Em Records) has been on fire for the past year or so with his production work and his site. For this remix he teams Chromeo with his hip hop meets club beats and a guest verse from Spankrock dude/ill DJ, Pase Rock. Pase and Eli are working on a full length together and Eli and Diplo have an EP out now which is hella dope and I play out all the time.

Check the remix here.

And if you an go back and download everything dude has put up on the site. Trust me its a good look.

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Hip-Hop, New Music

OFFICIAL Lupe Fiasco Single

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Lupe Fiasco - Superstar (CLEAN)

I know that I posted the live version of this track a few weeks ago, but Lupe’s people hit me up with the official “I can’t get sued by the RIAA” proper version of his newest single “Superstar” featuring Matthew Santos. Atlantic wants to create a grassroots effort around this track via the Internet and his people are asking for feedback, so let me know what y’all think in the comments. And yes it’s the clean version, but since there ain’t a lot of cursing, it doesn’t matter anyway.

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Negroclash!, New Music, R&B, Rock/Alternative

Album Preview: Janelle Monae Just Dosen’t Give a F#%k

www.myspace.com/janellemonae

[mp3]http://www.thecouchsessions.com/media/Violet-Stars-Happy-Hunting-.mp3[/mp3]
Janelle Monae - Violet Stars Happy Hunting!

(fyi…I’m experimenting with MP3 players so if this song doesn’t play bear with me)

Remember Janelle Monae?

Most people will remember her as the girl from the Idlewild track “Morris Brown” as well as from Big Boi’s Got Purp Vol 2 (”Time Will Reveal”, “Lettin’ Go”). At the time, she got some mixed reactions. Most people I talked to thought she was okay, but as one person put it, she was “tryin’ to out-Kelis Kelis.” Word?

At first, Monae’s fate was uncertain, and personally I thought she was left for dead like most Dungeon Family (esque) projects, like Sleepy Brown, Joi, and Cool Breeze. However, I’m glad that ol’ girl got her business together and is releasing an “suite” next week entitled Metropolis under the alter-ego Cindi Mayweather who according to her is “the biggest star in cybersoul, is on the run from the Metropolis Execution Force” (yes, I do understand that you might have to be under the influence of drugs to understand this, but bear with me.) Instead of a full album, there will be a new suite released every 3 months or so with a new account of Cindy’s struggle.

Having that said, the first single is pretty cool, nothing overly special, but it manages to be outside the box without trying too hard. I’ve listened to some other cuts and they’re pretty dope too, but I could do without the whole cyberstory thing though. Although it won’t win her many fans, I gotta respect a Black artist who’s willing to think outside the box. She doesn’t seem like an artist that’s begging for your approval. What do y’all think?

Preorder Metropolis at the Janelle Monae store. (props: Concrete Loop)

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Album Preview, Jazz/Blues/Gospel, New Music

Miles Davis, Nas & Olu Dara

Mp3: Miles Davis, Nas & Olu Dara - Freedom Jazz Dance

I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz lately (more on that soon) and no one epitomizes jazz like Miles Davis. In tribute to Mile’s and his impact on jazz, a new CD entitled Evolution of the Groove is being released next week. The CD is a remix and rework of Miles Davis tracks based on previously unreleased material. The CD includes Carlos Santana, as well as Nas and his daddy Olu Dara, who got together for a remix of “Freedom Jazz Dance.”

The track itself is so-so at best, and Nas’ one verse in the middle seems to be inserted at the last minute (it wasn’t). I’m not really a fan of these jazz remix projects, so I’m a bit skeptical about the release at the whole. However, I’m not gonna pass judgement until I get my hands on the full album. (hat tip: Spine Mag)

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