Weekly Tuesday Track: Little Dragon - Twice (2007)

A day late I know, but better lat than never. Little Dragon is a music group hailing from Sweden, fronted by singer Yukimi Nagano. Their music can best be described as a soul/trip-hop mashup, one that works out amazingly well. Think of a wonderful indie vocalist over some pretty dope hip-hop beats, and that's exactly what you get with Little Dragon.

Twice is one of their most famous songs, being one of their first singles released for their eponymous debut. The video is a little weird -- I'll admit -- but the music is beautiful and dope at the same time. Check out the video and link below. 

Plus, as an added bonus (since I felt bad for leaving y'all hanging yesterday), I'll include a remix by my favorite producer Freddie Joachim of the same song. Almost as dope as the original.

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Somobe - The Great Communication (2007)

Another forgotten gem, The Great Communication by Somobe is an unhailed classic. Hailing out of Las Vegas, Somobe is an MC/DJ duo who specialize in chill vibes and positive messages. Don't get it twisted though, they don't shy away from serious subjects...all while maintaining dope lyricism and impressive auditory landscapes.

If my pitch above doesn't work, check out the streams and link below. (FYI, "Long Days" is an amazing song). It's just one of those classics that slip by most people -- don't let yourself be the next victim.

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Viktor Vaughn (MF Doom) - Vaudeville Villain (2003)

"I'd rather masturbate than fuck with Vik Vaughn..."

Since I recently decided that MF Doom is the only artist in hip-hop history that's top 10 as an MC and as a producer, I decided to school y'all on some of his music. Instead of posting his popular Madvillain collaboration with Madlib, here's his lesser known Viktor Vaughn series. Taking his name from Victor Von Doom from the Fantastic Four series (Jessica Alba in spandex anyone?), he claims that Viktor is a younger, newer version of Doom from another timeline altogether. 

This is my second favorite Doom project, just behind the aforementioned Madvillainy. This album even features some dope ass glitchy beats, giving a sort of electronic feel to just a few tracks. There are several standout tracks, but I've highlighted a few with streams below. Enjoy after the jump.

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Flashback Friday: Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging (1974)

Seriously one of the funkiest, swankiest songs of all-time, Hollywood Swingin' is just one of those tracks that is timeless. Kool & The Gang are one of the pioneers of music, creating classic cut one after the other. I'm sure you can recognize this song from multiple outlets, more recently in GTA: San Andreas haha.

Stream and download link after jump.


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Upcoming Artist: Boho Fau & Elevated Soul: Coffee House Swinger: Brewing Sessions (2011)

I present to you another up and coming artist, Boho Fau & Elevated Soul. I've given you a sample of some of their songs on my previous jazz hop mixtapes. This pretty much the epitome of jazz hop: melodic samples, laid back lyrics, and great vibes. Check out after the jump a bandcamp link towards a free download of their newest release. I promise you won't be disappointed.


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Weekly Women Wednesday: Rashida Jones

If you don't know who this is, you're not doing your homework. She's the daughter of Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton, and her sister was 2Pac's fiancée before he died. She's been in I Love You, Man, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. Fun fact: LL Cool J helped her move into her dorm room at Harvard. I think I've said enough.

Did I mention I love freckles?

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YG'z - Street Nigga (1993)

It was either this picture or...this one. Yeah, I picked right.

Here comes more golden age rap, courtesy of the YG'z. To my knowledge this is their only release. Hailing from Mt. Vernon (as well as many other artists), they were taken under the wing of legendary producer Pete Rock, who produces most of the EP (including the title track). 

This is one of those forgotten gems from the golden age of rap, and certainly not one to be forgotten about. Pete Rock's at his best here, and the MC's are certainly on point. Stream and link below.

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The National - Exile Vilify [Watch this video!]

Not going to lie to you, but I am posting this to make you watch the video. So there, watch the video. It's a stop-motion animation I made for The National's latest single, Exile Vilify. The reason is such: I made the video for a music video contest they have. Please share this video with your friends.

On the other hand, to say something about the song: The song is a beautiful indie ballad, backed with nicely rhythmical piano and beautiful strings. The song is divided into two themes: Exile\Vilify. It was used (actually, made) for the Valve game Portal 2, which seems to be awesome, so try it.

That's really all I can say. Watch the video. Share the video.
I will love you for your support.

No download today, you're supposed to watch the video (+the song might come up in the next QQQ).

Did you like the video?
Why not?
Are stop-motion videos wack?
Did you post the video on facebook?
Should I win?
Are The National on some wack-ass shit, making a song for a game?
Are you sad there was no download link?

Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool (1957)

Bringing it back the roots with this one. You may recognize this man from the cover of the second jazz hop compilation I put together. Miles Davis was one of the legends of jazz, as this album would show you. I've enjoyed this album the past few years and decided to share it with all of you. Believe me, I know how hard it is to find old albums on the internet nowadays. 

There's a reason why Miles Davis is one of the fundamental jazz artists most people know-- his music is amazing. Just put this bad boy on, and let all your worries and stresses of the day melt away. I feel, if you're into jazz hop as much as any hip-hop head, shouldn't you listen to jazz too? Not to mention it makes you feel fucking classy. They call it cool jazz for a reason. Streams and link after the jump.

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Flashback Friday: Eagle-Eye Cherry - Save Tonight (1997)

Apparently I just like gimmicky ideas for this blog, but I came up with another one: Flashback Friday. I have a lot of songs that I've accumulated over the years as random hits from the 90's as well as even earlier. This is one of those hits. One of those alternative hits, that have the perfect amount of pop sprinkled in.

I honestly had thought Eagle-Eye Cherry was the name of this band, but apparently it's the artist's real name. Shame. But what's not a shame is the fact that this may be one of my favorite songs of all time. Sing in the car and/or sing it with your boo (they love that shit). Video and download link below.

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Justice System - Rooftop Soundcheck (1994)

Yeah, this was the best picture I could find.

Blast from the past! I decided to bump this album from my very first blog, as I posted it back in the good year 2008. Anyways, Justice System is one of my proudest discoveries of all-time. Hailing from New York, this is pure live, instrumental hip-hop. Kind of like a poor man's Roots, they definitely give them a run for their money.

Their material is really hard to come by, and they don't get the credit they deserve. Some of the best live instrumentals I've ever heard in my life, and the MC personifies that gritty and funky vibe that all rappers had in New York in the early 90's. Did I mention this dropped in 1994? As in the best year for hip-hop? Thought so.

I will disown you if you pass this up. One of the few albums I have with all 5 stars and at least 15 listens to each song. Dope certified hip-hop classic. Check out the streams and link below if you still ain't convinced.


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Upcoming Artist: Trebles And Blues - The Blue Note (2011)

Perhaps a new "segment" in this blog is featuring virtually undiscovered artists i've found around the internet...and almost always at Last.FM (if you haven't made a last.fm profile yet, slap yourself). Shown to me by my home girl from Finland, Trebles and Blues is a hip-hop producer out of Los Angeles who makes soulful and jazzy beats. 

It usually takes a lot for me to listen to a new artist (since I have a shitload of music already on my computer I haven't listened to still), but I can never turn down some good ol' jazz hop. And let me tell you -- this is PERFECT summer music. Official artist bio and link to their bandcamp below.

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Weekly Women Wednesday - Nadine Velazquez

Every post I do on Wednesdays makes me feel creepier, but I do this for y'all. Anyways, Nadine Velazquez is most famous for her role in My Name Is Earl and more recently on the FX show The League (which is hilarious, instant Netflix ftw). 

She's from the windy city and is of Puerto-Rican descent. More pictures below?

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Weekly Tuesday Track: MF Doom - Doomsday

On time with the post this week, here's one of my favorite MF Doom tracks (and that's saying something). Doom's such an oddball figure, but he's the only rapper of all-time that I would place in my top 10 of MCing and producing. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

But anyways, this is the title track off of his album Doomsday. This is also one of his best beats, as it's my personal favorite of his. Full of jazz samples, scratching, and a beautiful Sade sample (that I think should've been used more often in the song). Perfect song to showcase Daniel Dumile's trademarked abstract lyrics..stream and download link below.


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Lords Of The Underground - Here Come The Lords (1993)

Hey, it's me, and I'm here to bring you a short spotlight on one of my favorite rap crews. The Lords of the Underground are one of those underappreciated-but-legendary formations out there... They might not be what comes to mind when you think Golden Era legends, but they have got the sound, flow and songs to prove it.

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Weekly Tuesday Track: OutKast - SpottieOttieDopaliscious

I just realized that I totally missed the post this Tuesday, so here's something to make up for it. I'm sure almost everyone's heard an OutKast song in their life, but some never bothered to listen to anything other than "Hey Ya!". While a Southern based hip-hop duo, their music transcends all genre and locations. 

Exhibit A is this certified funky hip-hop classic. Quite possibly the funkiest 7 minutes of hip-hop ever, this is one of my all-time favorites. The horns in this song are simply amazing, as well as the spoken words. "Go on n' marinate on that fo' a second"... 

Stream and download link below.

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The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)

Here's a little backtrack on one of the most famous hip-hop groups, The Roots...their second album Do You Want More?!!!??!. I'm assuming most of you have at least heard of them, especially since they're now the in-house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, creating amazing backdrops for some of the musical guests. 

While their other albums, such as Things Fall Apart, Phrenology, and especially their latest great effort How I Got Over get most of the attention, I actually think this may be my favorite Roots album. And that's saying something. It has forever changed the one part of my life: whenever I hear the word "proceed", I always say "and continue...to rock the mic" in my head. The title track is one of my favorite all-time tracks, somehow utilizing a bagpipe to making of the hypest tracks I've ever personally heard.

This album also includes the vastly underrated Malik B, as well as the amazing beatboxing of Rahzel (track 10, FTW). It's alsoone of the jazzier efforts of the Legendary Roots Crew..and you know how I like my jazz. If you haven't heard the group (much less this album), get ta' steppin'. Check the streams and download below.

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Weekly Women Wednesday - Mary Elizabeth Winstead

In an unanimous vote, you guys voted to keep Weekly Women Wednesdays...so here I am. Mary Elizabeth Winstead who started out doing that cheesy asss Passions show, but has been in such movie roles as the hot cheerleader in Grind House, John McClain's hot daughter in Live Free or Die Hard, and the hot girl in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (you see a trend here?). Look for her in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter next year.

If that doesn't convince you to click "after the jump", then how about this--she's from North Carolina. I don't actually know what that's supposed to mean, but I rest my case. And yes, I do have a thing for white women. Glad you noticed.


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Cradle Orchestra - Velvet Ballads (2009)

Don't let the group name mislead you, this group makes great hip-hop music. I put their song "All I Want In This World feat. CL Smooth" in the last Jazz Hop mixtape and a reader asked more about them. Well here you go. Originally just the producing duo that went by the name Cradle, the eventually formed another (more expansive) group, adding an entire orchestra behind their music. This in turn created what is now known as Cradle Orchestra. 

As most Japanese hip-hop artists do (at least from what I've heard), Cradle Orchestra focuses on jazz influences. And it's very heavy in this album, with the help of the aforementioned orchestra. Beautiful landscape after beautiful landscape is created on this album, aided by some of the best MC's in the game. Black Thought, Talib Kweli, and O.C. lend their vocals...just to name a few. Check the streams and download below. You won't regret it.

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Jazz Hop Mixtape (Volume 2)

Here's another playlist I put together for your audio pleasure. The second volume in the Jazz Hop series, this compilation features 10 songs, from the likes of Substantial, Nujabes, Lady Gaga (just checking if you were reading). Again, if you dig any one song enough, drop me a comment below and I'll help you out with an introduction to that artist. Streams and link below.


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Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and A Sound (2008)

I figured it was time to switch things up a bit in here once again, and focus on another indie band. Blind Pilot hails from Portland, Oregon (a place I lived for 5 very rainy years). This band would be included in the folk-pop genre, but even I think that is too confining. If you're not up to date, Portland has a rich variety of great indie musicans from the town, leading a west-coast resurgence...although this time it's not hip-hop.

Take it from me, their frontman and vocalist Israel Nebeker has one of the best voices I've heard in awhile. If this ain't your thing...well I feel sorry for you. The title track has cemented itself as the number one contender for my future wedding song (a girl can dream, can't she?). If you're open minded, see what's in store after the jump.

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QQQ1 - Quido's Quintessential Quarterly

Hey, it's your man Quido again. I've decided to kick off a new series here. [By the way, I think we're just playing around with weeklies and stuff like that, we'll see what stays.] I realize it has a gimmicky name, but I'm Quido, I consider the music Quintessential, and I'll try to make it a weekly business, meaning it's a quarter of a month - Quarterly.

Now that we've got that out of the way, I think it'll work something like this: I pick five tracks I'm currently  really into and write little descriptions to give you an idea of what you're getting into. Of course, I add the tracks in a handy downloadable bundle.
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U-N-I - A Love Supreme (2009)

U-N-I is an MC duo hailing out of Los Angeles, leading the hip-hop revival out of the resurgent west. Composed of rappers Y-O and Thurzday, they bring energy, positivity, and just plain fun to rap. In the same vein as XV, they have their own style, composed of electo-bounce, groovy strings, and boom-bap.

They are fairly hipster, but their music is undeniably fresh. Don't be mistaken, their no Rakim or Nas with lyricism, but their energy is amazing. They can sing too, bringing a refreshing vibe to the seemingly once one-dimensional west coast scene (being gangsta rap). Below I present to you their mixtape A Love Supreme, one of the best releases of the calendar year -- mixtape or album. As an added bonus, I will also present to you a remix and favorite song of theirs from an earlier mixtape, "Beautiful Day". The song features one of my favorite all-time beats.

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Weekly Women Wednesday - Lyndsy Fonseca

Oh shit, third post of the day! This post deals with my crush of the week: Lyndsy Fonseca. Not only does she spell her name rather sexy, she also looks the part. You might've seen her in Hot Tub Machine, Kick Ass, or the actually decent show Nikita. I first noticed her in "that scene" from Kick-ass, where I nearly fainted as I watched in awe/horror as I was surrounded by family. She's also half Portuguese and has blue eyes. 

I rest my case. More pictures after the jump.

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Underground Hip-Hop Mixtape (Volume 2)

Here's the second installation of the Underground Hip-Hop series. More dope beats, rhymes, and thoughts. Like I said before, this allows me to (hopefully) introduce you to 10 different artists at once. If you find a song you really vibe with, drop a comment below and I'll give you great starting album for that artist. Check out streams, videos, and a download link below.

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Frank Ocean // The Weeknd

Weeknd playing hide and seek

Hey, guys, it's the other guy. I'm here to give you a short but meaningful post on what are two, seemingly connected rising stars in today's R&B.

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