Future Classic: Zap Francis “Zap Francis EP”
Just when you thought instrumental / experimental hip-hop and the so-called “beats” scene was dead and burried, an EP from a mysterious young artist from Detroit comes along and reminds me to not give up on this scene that used to inspire me so much. The 6 track EP from …
Future Classic: Reginald Omas Mamode IV “All Together” (Intimate Friends)
If this EP would have come out in the early 2000’s it would have found a place next to Jazzanova, Vikter Duplaix, Sa-Ra Creative Partners and other great releases of the Nu-Jazz / Broken Beat / Future Soul era. But there’s no use in looking back. It’s 2015 and there …
Future Classic: Title “Memories”
If I’m being totally honest, the so called “beats” movement doesn’t excite me as much as it once did. Maybe it’s a sign I’m getting up there in age, but I’m just not the biggest fan of the drastic turn the scene took since the rise of the trap influence. …
Flying Lotus “Lovers Melt #1-2-3” (Free Download) + 4 (Stream)
We’re always intrigued to know about the musical influences of some of our favorite artists. So when Flying Lotus started making his Lovers Melt mixes, we knew we were going to be big fans. These 4 mixes are perfect vibes for a lazy summer time, afternoon picnic or hanging out …
Exclusive Premiere: Paul Chin “Deep Jupiter” (from the upcoming Dancing Drums EP)
We’re happy to present an exclusive first peek at Paul Chin’s upcoming “Dancing Drums” EP set to be released on June 9th on NYC’s Bastard Jazz label. The Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist (designer and producer) has been on a steady progression in the past few months and it’s only a matter …
Future Classic: Flamingosis “Kahunastyle” (Keats Collective Records)
Versatility is a must in nowadays musical landscape, and producer extraordinaire, Flamingosis, has definitely live up to that statement. The New Jersey native has mastered the art of sampling to a level where he is praised both by Future Funk & Hip Hop heads. His latest project, Kahunastyle, via Keats …
Future Classic: Makaya McCraven “In the Moment” (International Anthem)
Guest post courtesy of CUERATORS (Chicago / Seattle) Over the course of one year, drummer Makaya McCraven played 28 improvisational shows at one venue with incredibly talented collaborators. He called this night, “Spontaneous Composition”. In The Moment, Makaya’s debut LP, is the result of that year. The concept was to …
Future Classic: Ol’ Burger Beats “High Rhodes”
Lately, I came to the realization that most of my favorite new hip hop/beats albums come from unexpected places around the world. The “beats” scene is clearly no longer limited to the US West Coast or Detroit & NYC. Another great example of this is the first official project by …
Future Classic: Swarvy “Scotch”
Suggestion to young producers of the “beats” variety (if that’s what we’re still calling it): focus on making original, ambitious music of your own instead of fighting for likes and plays with productions/remixes/edits that sound like copies of copies. Follow the example set by young American producer SWARVY and his …
Future Classic: IGB0 – Indigo, Green, Brown and Orange
Indigo, Green, Brown and Orange might just be the colors you’ll see as you delve into a dreamlike state whilst (IGBO) pulsates deep into your ear drum. How’d they do that you might ask? The frequency they tap into, while intrusive at first, becomes quite pleasing. IGBO is made up …
Guest Mix #37: KOEN (Outputs, Holland)
We love to balance out our guest mixes between all of the styles we cover: from old to new, electronic to organic. So here is one we’ve been waiting on for a few months now. KOEN is a producer from Holland we discovered from his great series called OUTPUTS started …
Future Classic: Photay “Photay” (Astro Nautico Records)
We’re going to go ahead and state the obvious: Photay‘s new EP on Astro Nautico is easily one of the best releases of 2014 when it comes to instrumental / “beat” music. (Whatever we’re calling it these days) A release like this is a very welcome thing at a time …