Zero 7 - Simple Things (2001)

Zero 7 is a band hailing from the UK, that focuses on making beautifully arranged music to simply chillout to. Their genre can best be described as downtempo (a new favorite of mine), but also has electronic and trip-hop influences. Simple Things features beautiful vocals from the likes of Sia Furler and Sophie Barker, making the album a real gem.

If you're into electronic, trip-hop, or instrumental hip-hop tapes, this is a great pickup. Give it a chance. Streams and link after the jump.

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Weekly Women Wednesday...

Is going to be cutback a little. Aside from feeling increasingly creepy every time I do one, it kind of detracts from me posting music (which I will admit I have been a little light on lately, but that gives y'all more time to listen to previous posts). I'll probably do it once or twice a month from now on. Now to work on my next post...

Weekly Tuesday Track: Masta Ace - Take A Walk

One of my favorite tracks from my second favorite Masta Ace album, this may be my favorite track of his. I just love how he flipped the sample (Spanky & Our Gang – Lazy Day for your sample freaks) into a darker beat. If you don't know who Masta Ace is, he's one of the most consistent MC's of all-time, who apparently has retired as a solo act. He continues to make music as part of the eMC crew, composed of him, Punchline & Wordsworth, and Stricklin. 

Give one of the all-time greats a listen, and you'll see why he's cemented his place in hip-hop history. Stream and link after the jump.

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