In recent years, South London producer Paul White is definitely leaning back towards producing more and more hip hop, with the release of Rapping with Paul White and particularly collaborating with Detroit rapper, Danny Brown on his album XXX and his forthcoming album Old.  So it is no surprise that the leading single for Paul White‘s next project Street Lights features the Detroit native.   “Street Lights” is dark and menacing where the instrumentalization, especially the hard drums and percussion, give the track  fullness as Danny Brown paints a doomsday picture of Detroit. The EP is scheduled to release April 14, but you can download the single below or pre-order the EP on Bandcamp.

Philadelphia native and Ego Free Music Group artist, Realysm, for the past year has been going hard in making a mark with his sound. Teaming with incredible talents from Shade Cobain, Hezekiah, Mir Swain, and on this particular track, Flying Lotus. “Not What Eyes Expecting” talks about the togetherness you feel in a relationship, where everything blends perfectly but there is also that fear and apprehension which alternatively brings on your worst fear. The production, supplied by Flying Lotus counters Realysm‘s flow, giving the track a dynamic aesthetic. Check it out “NotWhatEyesExpecting” and also take a trip to his Soundcloud page – some really dope tracks on there.

Trip-hop pioneer, Tricky for some represents an exploratory time in music — an angst against mainstream music.  Nirvana were doing it in the states, Tricky represented the UK movement. Maxiquaye was Tricky at the pinnacle of his career; he could do no wrong and oftentimes when you receive that kind of success, you are expected to churn out the same thing over and over. False Idols represents Tricky getting back to his authentic self, and with this first single, “Nothing’s Changed” featuring the vocals of Francesca Belmonte shows that Tricky still reigns supreme. False Idols is scheduled to release May 28th on his label imprint False Idols through  !K7 Records and will have guest appearances of Nneka, Peter Silberman (of The Antlers), and Fifi Rong. Check it out below!

Funkmaster Dâm Funk is just one of those artists whose music just puts one in a right frame of mind. Understand that funk saves lives! Back in 2008, Dâm Funk released Spiritual Flight Vol. I for the Stones Throw podcast, an all-gospel boogie-funk mixtape. Now with Vol. II , Dâm Funk reminds us that, “this journey on this earth should NOT be about religion… it should be about ‘spirituality’” Could not agree with him more! Spiritual Flight Vol. II is available in a number of ways, by subscribing to Stones Throw RSS feed,  Stones Throw Podcast on iTunes, or a direct MP3 download. It is actually a gorgeous mix, showing that spirituality can indeed be found in innumerable ways. Enjoy!

This was a  pleasant surprise! A mix compiled by Vikter Duplaix featuring the musical works of Bilal. Both artists are Muphoric Sounds favourites (check out our interviews with Vikter and Bilal).  The Retrospection is a review of Bilal‘s work, from his start to present featuring unreleased tracks, such as a cover of Stevie Wonder‘s “Too High” and Madlib‘s “Yesterday’s New Quintet“. Definitely a walk down memory lane with a few great surprises along the way. Get your download – available via Facebook.

One of the things I love about electronic producers is their journey from hip hop to the other, a journey that is always one of authenticity. UK producer, Laurent Clerc, known by moniker Little People, released his debut album Mickey Mouse Operation in 2006, a traditional hip hop instrumental album, only to find in the past two years the album has steadily been in the top 30 selling iTunes download album in the electronic genre. Now with We Are But Hunks of Wood, his second full-length album, he spreads his wings into sonic downtempo sounds, that are atmospheric as they are cinematic; sounds that pose as an inquiry to soothe and inspire. If a comparison needed to be given, Bonobo springs to mind as no sound is left unturned – it’s all an exploration.

Check out some of the tracks below and pick up download of “Aldgate Patterns” from Little People‘s Soundcloud.

Marzipan Children

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Cartouche

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Funketeer Georgia Anne Muldrow in collaboration with DJ Romes have come together for this fOnkie project under the guise of Blackhouse. Laced with break beats, funk, electronica, and that West Coast flare, these instrumentals will make you want to unleash your inna B-Boy/B-Girl! Truly fresh. Check out the free download of “fOnkie Journey” below, then head over to their Bandcamp page to purchase Blackhouse.

Nick Hook‘s debut EP Without You, is another great release through Scion A/V — the initiative that supports the development of passionate artists as they explore infinite possibilities. Nick Hook known for his work as group member of the electro pop group Cubic Zirconia and working with Drop the Line. Without You is advantageous, exploring a wide range in soundscapes while still adhering to sounds Hook gravitates too – which is electronic music influenced by anything that hooks him in (pun intended). Using the help of Computer Jay, Gaslamp Killer, Andrea Balency, El-P, and Machinedrum – Without You is something to wrap your ears around. Check out a couple of songs below, then head over to Scion to get this great free download!

“Fish Food” with Computer Jay and The Gaslamp Killer

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“Medium Rare” with Machinedrum

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For download of Without You, visit SCION A/V Scion!!

Firstly, let me place my late pass on the table. This is far too dope not to acknowledge. Amerigo Gazaway of Gummy Soul blends A Tribe Called Quest‘s musical catalogue with vocals from West Coast golden era hip hop group The Pharcyde. It’s always a pleasure hearing beloved albums refashioned for us to hear anew. Enjoy.

“Whatchu Want From Me?” is the first single from Queens, New York native, Homeboy Sandman‘s forthcoming third solo album First of a Living Breed, a track produced by another Muphoric Sounds favourite, Oddisee. Always candid with his lyrical content, touching on the misconceptions in relationships, lack of respect and crime,  the hypocrisy of politics, and with a confidence that should not be confused with play – though his delivery would make you think otherwise. Digging the track. Not sure of actual release date for First of a Living Breed, but enjoy this free download in the interim.

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.

After releasing her self-produced EP Chameleon towards the end of  2009, Dezaray Dawn has been steadily building her catalogue. Last year she collaborated with UK producer Marc Mac (of 4Hero) on her second EP Deep. Now with “Over It,” the first single from her forthcoming album The Dawning, set to release in June, stays close to her musical sensibilities in funk soul, adding a little broken beat flare to it. It’s fresh. Check it out below and head over to her bandcamp for download.

It’s finally here, Seeing Her Naked, which is written, produced, and performed by Mar! Hauntingly delicious vocals, where Mar‘s range and falsettos give such emotion. Seeing Her Naked sounds like Mar actually bared all for us; a truly emotive strong collection of down- to mid-tempo songs, drawing on the styles that are current in sound, such as the opening track “Some to Remember” then to “Understand the Game” which brings in an 80s groove with a 2012 flare. What Seeing Her Naked illustrates is Mar‘s talent not only as a singer, but also a composer. We will definitely be hearing from from this artist as he spreads his wings wider in the field. 

You can stream the entire EP below or visit his website to download Seeing Her Naked. Also to learn more about Mar, read the Loop 21 interview where Muphoric Sounds‘ editorial director, Vanessa Warren talked with him about his work and creative process.

Fresh Daily is a Brooklyn, New York MC, graphic designer whose style draws from the old school boom bap era, yet has distinct new school elements to keep contemporary listeners nodding their heads and paying attention.

No newcomer to the game, Fresh Daily has worked with producers such as Illmind, Oh No, and Exile to name a few.

Teaming up with Complex Magazine and Converse to present his latest offering The Brooklyn Good Guy, a free 12-track album featuring names like MURS, Black Spade, Melo-X, Mike Baker the Bike Maker and Om’mas Keith, among others.

Excellent sample based, synth heavy, and bouncy production provides the backdrop for his well crafted, precise, down to earth, cocky, and confident rhymes. Stand out tracks include the Sam Champ produced, “Don’t You Agree,” featuring Om’mas Keith; “Cool Thoughts” produced by Russian beatsmith, BMB Space Kid also featuring Om’mas Keith, and the bouncy, hard to keep still to “Laced Up” produced by fellow New Yorker, Jinesis.

On vocoder laced, “Cool Thoughts,” Fresh Daily gives advice on how to maintain “positive thoughts in a negative world….” On the chorus, Om’mas Keith lends his patent harmonies making this one of the album’s standout tracks.

“Laced Up” sees Fresh at his most braggadocios, reminding us on the DJ Screw-esque chorus, that we can find him “rolling through laced up, everything fitted…” . He sounds mature and self aware without sounded dated. Jinesis‘ production matches the rhymes perfectly making this either a zone out, lay back, chill track…or something one could put on to get their swag back.

Check out a couple of tunes below then head over to LiveMixtapes.com for this free download.

“Cool Thoughts”

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“Laced Up”

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