Before you grumble about Little Dragon teaming with ABSOLUT to promote new drink ABSOLUT Punch — think about the landscape for indi artists. This is one band who I personally am happy to see cross-over and maintain a high level of integrity. They keep it 100% Little Dragon! Some of our more successful counterparts could learn a thing or two from this. The video premiered on The Daily Show last night, a gorgeous track, with their signature electro-pop and Yukimi’s incredible vocals…you will smile after watching this. Check it out below!

Muphoric Sounds has been super excited about this project by Neneh Cherry and The Thing, sharing the first track “Dream Baby, Dream” back in April and “Accordion” last month. The Cherry Thing is a fusion of Neneh Cherry‘s influences where the selections are juxtaposed bringing to the forefront that contemporary music (jazz, hip hop, and punk) are musical forms that defy conventions. The way in which The Thing (Mats Gustafsson on saxophones, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on double bass and electric bass, Paal Nilssen-Love on drums) reinterpret each song in these covers, create something that is arresting – like a collage that touches upon the genres and moods of this music to show how vividly they are interconnected.

“Cashback” an original written by Cherry is a great start to the album, where Cherry sings about realising her self-worth in a relationship, knowing that the merry-go-round of uncertain love is nothing more than a feeling of cashback,  saying, “I’m think I’m built to last.” On the Suicide‘s “Dream Baby Dream,” you feel completely hypnotized by the heavy sax and the pulsating drums as Cherry‘s delivery is that of a soothing lullaby. With Martina Topley-Bird‘s (most notable work with Tricky) “Too Tough To Die,” is changed into something moodier, a collaboration between jazz and trip hop as the elements are inverted. “Sudden Moment” an original composition by Mats Gustafsson, is pure contemporary jazz in that it is completely free from structure, with Cherry‘s vocals bringing a simplicity to its arrangement. “Accordion,” the MF Doom cover is an cinematic subversion of what was already a great track. Cherry‘s incredible delivery of turning the rap lyrics into song yet still maintaining a hard edge is one of the highlights of the album. “Golden Heart” a interpretation of Cherry‘s step-father, jazz musician Don Cherry’, where The Thing keep it simple with an middle eastern vibe and Cherry‘s golden heart is an echo in the distance. The Thing‘s interpretation of legendary punk band, The Stooges song “Dirt,” is a killer – containing more aggression, turning the saxophone into a conquering sound as Cherry sexy delivery adds more dirt to the track.

The Cherry Thing from start to finish shows us that Neneh Cherry is a force to be reckoned with. This collaboration with The Thing shows us just how bad-ass this sister is! Looking forward seeing them kill this live!

Check out a couple of tracks below and do yourself a favour and buy The Cherry Thing, available on iTunes.

Cashback (Neneh Cherry)

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Too Tough to Die (Martina Topley-Bird Cover)

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Part of the Diamond District troop, yU the 78er has been running a tight ship since getting his real recognition back in 2003 on The Antidote: The Healing Part 2 compilation which also featured singer Raheem DaVaughn. His work since shows he is no lightweight in the game of independent hip hop. “I Believe,” was featured on yU‘s sophomore album The Earn, which was released last year. Now with a fresh remix by his cohort in sounds and rhymes, Oddisee adds drums and horns, poising the production as an ode to the Golden Era. Got this one on rotation. Check it out below.

Max Tannone has this uncanny ability to marry two musical elements together and create something that is so uniquely fresh, you’d wish you drummed up the idea. Since hearing his critically acclaimed remix projects Jaydiohead, Ghostfunk, and MosDub, I personally have been picking Tannone‘s brain with the idea of doing something with Bjork. Still trying to figure the best suitors.

Now with Mic Check 1234!, Tannone brings two unlikely musical genres together — Rap and Punk — both starkly different musical forms but represent a level of rebellion, against the status quo, where social inequality is highlighted throughout the music. He chose his favourite emcees, Dead Prez, Black Star, Eminem, Tupac Shakur, Nas, Public Enemy, and Kanye West, those who are more conscious in lyrical content and fused them against legendary punk bands, from The Ramones, The Clash, Sex Pistols and more. What’s particularly interesting, is how the vocal choruses of the original punk tracks are used as the hook and they work perfectly! Really dope; get your free download!

If you’re unfamiliar with Max Tannone‘s work, check out the other projects on his website.

If this doesn’t get you excited to hear the forthcoming album from Omar, then I don’t know what will. In this impromptu style video shot on the streets of Copenhagen, Omar sings the title track off the new album, “The Man.” Last year, in an interview I did with Omar on Loop 21, he was very clear in sticking to the personal formula of only releasing music he can live with and that with The Man, “we’re not to expect anything, but expect everything.” From the sound of The Man, I’m expecting EVERYTHING! Check it out below!

It’s always fun when producers are inspired to remix a track into something completely different. And the sound of their inspiration is “Sweet Rendez-Vous” by Belgium producer and DJ JtotheC & the Bad Mothas featuring  Incksalonious on the rap. Released earlier this year gave the remixers enough time to bump heads to release something in time for summer. The first mix on the 6-track single is from Dutch producer, Kid Sublime — known for his Basement Soul debut in 2006, featuring Lady Alma and Jneiro Jarel, and in 2008 Rappin’ Blak, featuring Camp Lo, Illa Jay, Frank N. Dank and others. Kid Sublime gives us a high energy dance track reminiscent of Floating Points remix of Reel to Real‘s 80s classic “Love Me Like This” – which never gets old (if the truth be told!). Belgian producers Jazz Neversleeps, Billy Palmier, and MonkeyRobot, choose a more subdued treatment – definitely harking on the 80s style of funk, bass, and percussions. Dutch producer SleepinGiant takes us on a hip hop ride with his remix. Check out the promomix below, which is a joint release venture between On-Point and Citywurl Records next month.

First and foremost, this is one of the most provocative videos I have ever seen to date. In fact, I didn’t know what to think on first listen of Flaming Lips‘ unique take on Roberta Flack‘s “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” Renaming the song, “Western Esotericism“ leaves so much for interpretation. From taking this to slavery days of Africian-American women’s domination by their white masters to the purest form of sex, from the symbolism of blood and semen, to the use of golden sand to heighten its eroticism. Honestly, I don’t know what the true intention is for this video. Perhaps, it’s not for us to fully understand — only  for those involved in its making.

Check it out below. Yes, Erykah Badu is naked again, but the more revealing body shots are apparently her little sister – who clearly doesn’t have an arse like her big sis!

A new sound is going around, and he goes by the name of Giovanni James! Formerly known as Jelly Jells or Jellyroll, and a member of the Harlem James Gang, which comprised of Deacon Boondini and The Great Gatsby,  where they’d be dressed vaudeville-style, singing, dancing, blowing fire, and riding unicycles during their performances. Knowing this, we can be assured this style maven will give us a fresh outlook in music. His debut single, “Shining,” is the best way to kick off the summer of 2012. The whimsical whistle blowing throughout, is nothing short of happiness, then coupled with what he calls ‘indi vintage soul’ vocals — we’re loving this! Check it out below and stay tuned for the release of his Ponyboy’s Gold EP!