MID ONE  (Manuals Instrumental Disc One) is the debut instrumental release from drummer / producer Manuals.

The Illinois native has been on the Music scene for some time now, and has provided stickwork for artists such as De La Soul, Gorillaz, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and [The Mighty] Mos Def. He lays down some heavy grooves on his new LP, which contains 100% live instrumentation (!!!).

Manuals also enlisted some pretty talented musician friends to perform on his 11-track album, including Q-Tip bassist Josh David and Alicia Keys’ organist Rogiers. Be sure to check this one out!

RJ Bass

Like many of you all out there, Monday is not my favorite day of the week. However, there are those times when Mondays are pretty damn awesome…like when you get fresh new Music delivered to your desk first thing in the morning!

I finally got my copy of Tall Black Guy‘s Tempo Dreams Volume 1 in the mail today and couldn’t wait to get home to fire up the turntable (yes, vinyl!). TBG’s latest project is a compilation LP which consists of tracks from some of his favorites producers. The lineup includes BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble, Detroit’s own Doc Illingsworth, Apple Jac,  Ta-Ku and several others. Oh, and of course there’s a banger on there by the man himself.

Check out the video trailer below then head on over to Bastard Jazz and order a copy!

RJ Bass

May 27th will mark the 1 year anniversary of the passing of Gil Scott-Heron. Chicago producer Dion Brown has put together another nice instrumental piece dedicated to the late activist, educator and social commentator.

April 2nd – A Tribute to Gil Scott Heron

Rest in Peace Gil.

RJ Bass

DJ / Producer Eric Lau was recently asked to do a mix…but not just any ol’ ordinary mix. The mix had to contain songs that fit the theme of his‘Last Night On Earth’. He took on the challenge and put together a compilation that contains Music he fell in love with as a child with some more recent joints by the late, great J. Dilla. Check out the playlist of songs that Eric would bump as he leaves Mother Earth. Oh yeah, download it for free while you still have the chance!

Peace!

RJ Bass

Put Me On It ‘Last Night on Earth’ Vol 1 – Eric Lau by Eric Lau

I’ve been waiting [impatiently] for this album since Robert Glasper talked about it during his concert here in Tokyo last September. RG announcing that he and his crew would be releasing new Music had me (and the crowd) excited, but when he finished calling off the names of the special guests that would be performing on it, I could hardly speak. Needless to say this has been a long 5 months but the wait is finally over.

“Black Radio” is the highly anticipated release from Robert Glasper, Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge, and Casey Benjamin otherwise known as the Robert Glasper Experiment or RCDC. This group is one of the best live bands around. Jazz, Hip Hop or an experimental rock joint, no matter what they play, it’s always amazing. Oh, and about those special guests they invited to be on their latest project…lawd! Erykah Badu, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, King, Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Chrisette Michelle, Stokley Williams and more.

You can buy this incredible album direct from Robert Glasper, Amazon or iTunes. For my folks here that are buying through the iTunes Japan Store, RCDC decided to bless us with an extra bonus track.

Peace!

RJ Bass

When I heard the first single off this joint in November 2011, I made a note to buy the full release the day it comes out. How I missed this when it dropped earlier this month is still a mystery to me (must have been the birthday drinks).

“The Mission” is the latest from DJ / Producer Eric Lau. His new project is available in digital format and on vinyl. Both feature Detroit’s own Guilty Simpson as well as vocalists Fatima and Olivier Daysoul. For those who order this on vinyl (limited release) you’ll be blessed with more songs, that include addtional production by Damu The Fudgemunk and beats by one of my favorite Hip Hop / Jazz drummers, Chris “Daddy” Dave…yes, that Chris Dave!

RJ Bass

I burned up a lunch hour watching this vid but it was definitely worth it. A lengthy conversation with A Tribe Called Quest DJ/Producer, Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

The soft-spoken Musician talks about the early days of ATCQ (my favorite Hip Hop group of all time) as well as the joys and pains of working at a record label. He also shares what it was like working with artists such as D’Angelo, Lucy Pearl and the late, great J. Dilla.

Young and old Musicians (and fans of Music) can learn a lot from this brotha so please check it out.

RJ Bass

“Life Sketches Vols 1&2″ is an instrumental album by U.K. beat-maker / producer Mecca:83. Released in December 2011, the full-length album (16 tracks in all) consists of cuts from Mecca:83′s debut EP “The Life Sketches” as well as brand new material.

All tracks were produced by the Manchester based artist but he enlisted the help of some other really good Musicians including my homie Buscrates 16bit Ensemble, who’s a talented producer in his own right. One of my favorite joints on the album is a track called “Detroit Twilight” which features both Mecca:83 and brotha BusCrates. (Love the name too!)

Please check out the entire album below and for those that dig it, you know what to do…buy it!

RJ Bass

Hip Hop. Both the culture and Music were born in the streets of New York and lot of my favorite Hip Hop artists are from that state. No question, New York is a special place.

Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I also listened to a lot of local artists which I felt were as good (or better) than some of the “up and coming” New York cats. To this day Michigan continues to feed the World with great Hip Hop and Music in general. Another special place that has provided great Music over the years is the state of Pennsylvania. Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul..the list goes on and on and on…

So what do you get when combine a dope Michigan lyricist with a creative producer from Pennsylvania? Well, you get some pretty damn good Music.

Blacktivity is the newly formed duo which consists of rapper Illtone (Port Huron, MI) and beat maker / producer Shade Cobain (Pittsburgh, PA). Their self-titled release is a winner. Illtone’s raspy voice fits perfectly with Shade’s hard-hitting beats. Hip Hop fans, TURN THIS JOINT UP LOUD! You will love it.

Peace

RJ Bass

While chatting with my fellow writer friend Marion aka Carminelitta about writer’s block (of all things) I took a peek at her FB page and discovered some Musical goodness.  This is just what I needed!

“Nothing Lasts Forever” is the The 5th studio solo LP from SPAN PHLY (uh, where the hell have I been?!) and features 11 songs. Dude flows heavy on every track but the 5th track “High Road Hopes”, wow! Anyway, have a listen and get a taste of some Arizona Hip Hop.

Peace.

RJ Bass