Small Circle of Friends - Riki Azuma EP (2009)

Download: (Small Circle of Friends - Riki Azuma EP)

Freaking nice Japanese Jazz Hip-Hop positive vibes. Be sure to grab the bonus tracks too!

Download: (Small Circle of Friends - Bonus Tracks)

Freddie Joachim - Nights Alone EP (2009)

Download: (Freddie Joachim - Nights Alone EP)

Freddie, just dropped this on his blog, so i've decided to share it with you as well. he is superb beatsmith outta San Diego, who is need of more shine. if soulful, jazzy intricate beats are your cup of tea, then freddie joachim is the kettle... support independent artists when they drop their albums, mixtapes, etc... especially those who give you free stuff... and support your local record store while you at it.

Quite Nyce and Radar Ellis - Champ vs. The Leauge (2009)

Download: (Quite Nyce and Radar Ellis - Champ vs. The Leauge)

From BC Magazine:

Rockin’ a chain blinged out with a gold-plated Legend of Zelda NES cartridge, you can tell that Raydar Ellis is different from your stereotypical emcee. Hailing from central Massachusetts along with new partner Quite Nyce, the two have embarked on a new direction in their underground hip hop careers with a project entitled Champs Vs. The League.

From the jump, this project has that good ol’ Native Tongues feel to it. Two skilled emcees not willing to scream, drown their lyrics in negativity, cursing, gun play, drug dealing, and misogyny are blending their sound to provide an uplifting direction to a self-destructive industry. As the LP begins, Raydar blends in the feel of jazz greats collaborating for the first time before flexing the first of 14 jazz influenced tracks that he produces. Appropriately entitled “Leading The Leaders”, Raydar and Quite Nyce position themselves as positive examples for aspiring emcees with a vibe that stresses pride and hard work while still coaxing a head bob. They realize that dropping knowledge has to come across in a form that is fun and their music is just that.

In the same way that Talib Kweli and Mos Def did years ago with their Black Star project, these two have an undeniable charisma on the mic. While Quite Nyce is the live wire of the two, Raydar brings the mellow out of his partner with his Madlib/Pete Rock/9th Wonder-esque beats that seem to pay homage to the likes of J Dilla, Blackalicious, Tribe, De La Soul, and any other group willing to liken hip hop to jazz. Raydar seems to take on a more melodic tone to his production allowing the samples and percussion to flow like a Pharcyde or Digable Planets jam and enable the duo to almost harmonize their flow to the beat rather than battle with an off-tempo style that some wordy emcees who are would-be lyricists would take on.

Though the smoothed out vibe is there, the beats are far from tranquilizing. Allowing a soulful scene to set the tone, Raydar brings his thought-provoking flow to accompany a constant desire to do the Running Man. Despite the clear desire to return people to the feeling that won so many heads over back in the early '90s and before, tracks like “LALALALA” and “Clap” have a unique upbeat style that goes back and breaks new ground at the same time. Never do the two fall into the trap of biting another’s style. Despite the similarities to other conscious emcees, they manage to have their own identity. They brilliantly use their chemistry to bore into listeners’ love nerve.

“I’m a success to me. Aight, bet, you free!”

Self-respect and reflection on the immense amount of dedication that has brought them to this world wide release on Brick Records spans the track “If I Never” which features Akil of Jurassic 5 and Solstice of Wade Waters. Chronicling struggle in the industry, the story these emcees paint shows a heartfelt scene of what ‘making it’ should be about. Hopefully, younger emcees take note and listen. This sets the stage for additional life reflection and classic storytelling on the track "Broken Pieces" where both emcees get a bit personal while trying to share life lessons.

An interesting track named “Hola Bout A Dolla”, which speaks of the ills of black business and black consumers supporting them, shows the spirit that these two emcees excel in. The lyricism is frank and eye-opening yet manages not to judge.

Sure to be favorites of fans of Little Brother or A Tribe Called Quest, songs "Love Is" and "Ms. September" are both as close to ballads as hip hop has ever gotten. Where "Ms. September" speaks of a love relationship lost with a woman, "Love Is" delves into the love of making music.

All in all, Champs Vs. The League is hip hop’s return to love. Quite Nyce and Raydar Ellis have delivered a classic that will probably be slept on but has the potential to open eyes to the beauty that positive hip hop has. Due to be released on March 24, this release is one to watch for!

Def 3 & Factor - Drumbo (2009)

Download: (Def 3 & Factor - Drumbo)

Now to satisfy even needs of hip hop fans, here’s one pretty good from rappers Def 3 and Factor. Drumbo is the name of their new collaborative album, which will hit shelves on April 15 under label Ship & Side Road Records - so you get it with almost a month in advance once again! If you are into hip hop, this Canadian performers will surely get you in the right mood.

Danny Fernandez aka DEF 3 is a Regina Saskatchewan Based emcee whose work has paved the way for the provinces Hip Hop scene. His humble and honest approach stands out amongst today’s watered down commercial music scene yet still maintains an appeal to all genres. His music represents exactly who he is and where he is from. He is the recipient of several arts boards grants both personal and for his involvement in the community. He’s toured canada extensively and had the oppurtunity to tour Japan and the United States Including Hawaii. In 2008 his album with fellow rapper Moka Only was nominated for WCMA. He’s performed all types of crowds from award ceremonies,pubs,clubs,festivals to coffee shops and continues with his latest release Drumbo.

Divine Minds and Soulkap - Presents the Quan (2009)

Download: (Divine Minds and Soulkap - Presents the Quan)

Soulklap and Black J from Divine Minds, in smoothed out hip hop beats with soul samples. Real f****** good too! This album is also released for free.

1773 - Return of the New (2009)

Download: (1773 - Return of the New)

Chicago Hip-Hop group 1773 a collective of two MCs from Chicago, Illinois: Wisdm One and Just J the duo that became a trio when officially adding DJ Moral One to the line up since their tour together in 2006, is back again with their new LP Return of the New. Set to drop in early ‘09, they’ve recently released the single “It’s On Again,” produced by no one less than Ubiquity recording artist Ohmega Watts. If you heard 1773’s last album, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their new sound. Along with Ohmega, fellow Lightheaded crew member Othello produced a lion’s share of the cuts. I love the album straight trough, it is nothing to sleep on for sure!

Kooley High - Kooley is High (Hosted By K-Salaam) (2009)

Download: (Kooley High - Kooley is High Mixtape)

Kooley High just released their new mixtape, Kooley Is High, hosted by K-Salaam and presented by Illroots Kooley Is High is more of a love letter to old-school hip-hop—in particular, the jazz-influenced sounds and witty lyricism. Though the nostalgic rhymes of Charlie Smarts, Tab-One, and Rapsody offer ample opportunity to play with witty, thoughtful lyrics, the group’s hit upon a surefire recipe for hip-hop magic. Shout to the whole Kooley fam - Charlie Smarts, Rapsody, Foolery, Tab-One, Sinopsis, & Digitz… If you did not know already I feel I have to tell you that except from the Kooley High, Kev Brown, 88 Keys, 9th Wonder, Nicolay, People under the Stairs, K-Salaam, Dela, J-Rawls along with some other genuine fellows stands behind the production!

Dialect Music - Chaque Second feat. Roy Ayers (2009) ("12) and La Spéciale (Réedition) (2009)

Download: (Dialect Music - Chaque Second feat. Roy Ayers)

Deep dugged stuff here, Ace jazz rap from France, featuring a jazz legend and new school heroes on the mix! Yep, Dialect Music come with some killer french jazz rap here, with smooth vibes supplied by mr Roy Ayers. If that aint quite enough, Patchworks add their usual jazz-funk heavyness on their mix. Chuck in instrumentals, a bonus track and a remix by Atom of Parano Star, and you have one seriously good 12" for jazz cats, hip-hop heads and all round cool dudes who fancy some french insouciance in the mix! This is actually the best french hip-hop I've ever heard!



Download: (Dialect Music - La Spéciale (Réedition))

And here's 7 more tracks from the same fellows.

J Rawls John Robinson presents Jay Are - 1960's Jazz Revolution Again 2009

Download: (J Rawls John Robinson presents Jay Are - 1960's Jazz Revolution Again)

J. Rawls and John Robinson (together known as "Jay Are") and this is their forthcoming collaborative LP entitled "It's Jay Are". The LP as you can see is called "The 1960's Jazz Revolution Again" and is slated to be released later this year. John Robinson aka Lil Sci of the Scienz of life crew. He's been in the game for 10 yeras working with fellows like MF DOOM, Madlib, Talib Kweli and J Rawls ofcourse, otherwise I Dont't know very much about this guys but the music is brilliant with open-minded lyrics. Smooth classic jazz, just wonderful uplifting hiphop.

Skryptcha - Left to Write EP 2009

Download: (Skryptcha - Left to Write EP)

Bred from the city lights of Sydney, 22-year-old MC Skryptcha took the lessons of global travel as the spark that ignited his passion for writing. The result, culled from the soul-lifting nature of crossing borders, is the versatile Chasm-produced debut EP Left to Write. Open-eyed to the tribulations of breaking from youth, Skryptcha’s soulful outlook on growing up is the thematic bond behind Left to Write. In unison with Chasm’s incredible musical knowledge and understanding, this introduction is about discovery.

Jr & Ph7 - Presents The Standard (2009)

Download: (Jr & Ph7 - Presents The Standard)

Supercity is back with a brandnew release on the 20th of march 2009! Just ready for springtime, this will blow your ears hopefully!Included in this package you´ll find the debut album of two german HipHop producers, who go by the names of JR&PH7, entitled The Standard. Features appearances artists such as: Supastition, Pumpkinhead, Edgar Allen Floe, The Good People, Median of Justus League, Kev Brown, Soulstice and many more...