Justo - It's Our Year (Video)

Spotted on my twitter timeline courtesy of one of my favorite producers, Pete Rock - I'm thankful for getting put on to another dope emcee out of my hometown, Brooklyn, NY. Justo definitely knows what this rap game is all about and he breaks it down quite ill on his boom bap single, "It's Our Year". Produced by Vic Black of The Gang Starr Foundation, the track is reminiscent of that late 80's style of hip hop with lyrics to back. Kind of reminds me of Special Ed's - "Think About it." Deeming this to be a great start for the young Brooklynite emcee, I expect to hear nothing but heat coming from Justo. 

Daru Jones - Rusic Soul-Hop Records Vol. (Remixes)...

Since the early nineties, remixes of records specifically in hip hop and R&B has become a very popular task. Some of the best producers would work their magic - most times on a joint that's already pretty funky only to make it even funkier. Well, a lot has changed within the music, but the tradition continues on and my dude, drummer/producer, Daru Jones does a pretty good job remixing some of my favorite joints on his Rusic Soul-Hop Records Vol. 1 "A Spirit & Soul​-​Hop Sampler '11 Prelude." Daru takes on artists such as Dwele, Sa-Ra, Bilal, Beyonce, Usher, Ameri and others, placing his creative live production to their vocals creating a sound so very different from the original. This project serves as a prelude to where Daru left of in 09' with Spirit & Soul Hop Sampler, so if you don't have that, you already know what to do. Check out two gems from the project below. I can't even front on how he reworked that Faith joint. Crazy! Sounds like something James Brown would've got up on. You killed it sun! 

Faith Evans - You Gets no Love (Sonny mix)

Beyonce - Broken Hearted Girl (Paradise mix)

Torae - Do The Math

I'm sure just as I have, you've sat and pondered the what ifs and the where woulds about different situations and persons we've come to know. And in doing so, we usually come to an inconclusive answer. Well, Coney Island, emcee Torae puts his what ifs and where woulds to paper on "Do The Math" and comes up with some pretty interesting outcomes. Produced by the Large Professor, this is the first single from his official debut "For The Record" dropping on 11-1-11. The track list features  production from the likes of DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Marco Polo, !llmind, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Buckwild, Nottz, Large Professor, Fatin (and Torae as well). Wheeew! Sounds like this joint is gonna be bananas! Enjoy!

Torae - Do The Math

ClassicBeatz - In The Currency of Love ft. Lisa Preston

Laid Back Radio is set to drop a 15 track compilation from various artists they've been working with since 2002. Due out June 10th, "In The Currency of Love" is the second track featured from the project, and it's a soothing reggae influeced jam produced by ClassicBeatz out of Brooklyn, NY and sung by Wellington, New Zealand vocalist, Lisa Preston. I love how Lisa's angelic voice carress the tone of Classic's beatifully arrange composition. This is the type of joint you just unwind to. The digital edition will be available mid-June on laidback.bandcamp.com. Pre-orders (until the 15th of May) on Indiegogo.com.

 

Phony Ppl - If This is How Love Feels

The problem with good music is that there's so much of it out in the universe that it's virtually impossible to keep up with it all. I do my best to stay on top, but there comes many of times where I miss out on some incredible joints. Hence, I'm damn near 2 years late finding out about Brooklyn bred Phony Ppl. Consisting of 8 band members - ages ranging from 18-20 (maybe a year younger) come together to compose great songs, with a mixture of melodies and a hip hop flair that's NYC all the way. Hearing them today for the first time, I'm pleased to welcome their sound to my collection. Peep "If This is How Love Feels" below from their 09 free project WTF is Phonyland.

Phony Ppl - If This Is How Love Feels