In my opinion there’s almost nothing better than some classic hip-hop and Pretty Lights aka Derek Vincent Smith’s latest work is absolutely bang on the money.

We Must Go On, released this week, is actually part of a really interesting project alongside his girlfriend who is a very talented visual designer.

In 2011 they travelled around the world touching down in cities in almost every continent and returned with some great footage which has just been released as an accompaniment to the song.

Speaking about the goal/mission of the video, their aim was explained.

1 – Create a visual accompaniment for the music that added depth and complexity to the emotions being channeled by the music and lyrics… Rather than tell a story, communicate a range of feelings and open ended ideas.

2 – Create a piece of art that speaks to the name “Pretty Lights” The name was originally intended to capture the essence of inspiration and speak to the nature of the artistic eye, so this video combines captivating imagery with beautiful lights in an organic and creative manner.

3- To accomplish the first two things in a way that captures the attention of the viewer and does not let go. The element of precise synchronicity combined with quickly and creatively edited shots brings the video and music together in a way that unites the two like never before. It truly is one piece of art.

Back in December XO Man was joined by Mikill Pane, Master Shortie and Sincere for a simple but very effective video – acoustic guitar and vocals provided by Ed Sheeren.

Good bars, good video although a bit of movement on the cam would have been lovely.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqbbwOMz4fA

Bet you’ve never heard the late Notorious in the way that San Franciscan producer Viceroy wants you to, well we haven’t, and it’s so different that we instantly fell in love with it.

Think the caribbean, think tropicana, think palm trees and white sandy beaches and so on, which may be where the larger than life rap supremo would have chosen to have spent his maturer years if we were still around today.

Check it out…

via Manalogue.com

The recent passing of Etta James got us thinking about all the other musical legends we have lost over the years. One of the greatest losses to Hip Hop was the death in 2006 of James Yancey aka J Dilla. Then that thought train reminded us of this excellent mix of Dilla productions and remixes pulled together by TomE. Featuring joints by The Roots, The Pharcyde, and Faith Evans plus lots of tracks from the man himself, its a fitting tribute to one of the most talented producers Hip Hop ever called its own. Turn it up and reminisce…

1. The Roots – Can’t Stop This

2. J Dilla – Fly

3. J Dilla – Dreamy

4. Jaylib – The Official

5. J Dilla – Don’t Nobody Care About Us

6. J Dilla – Fuck The Police

7. Steve Spacek – Dollar

8. The Pharcyde – Y Be Like That (Jay Dee Remix)

9. Tribe Called Quest feat Faith Evans - Stressed Out (Jay Dee Remix)

10. J Dilla feat Guilty Simpson – Take Notice

11. J88 – Stupid Lies

12. J Dilla – You Can’t Hold A Torch (Busta Instrumental)

13. J Dilla – Crushin’

14. Maxwell – Ascension (Jay Dee Remix)

15. Faith Evans – You Used To Love Me (Ummah Remix)

16. The Roots – Make Em Nv

17. Jay Dee feat Frank N Dank – Take Dem Clothes Off (Instrumental)

TomE – Reminiscing over J Dilla by Laid Back on Mixcloud

So Bonobo’s about to release the Black Sands Remixed LP and he’s been trickling out some of tracks which are set to feature – many of which are reworkings as expected but this particular one stood out for me massively as UK rapper and label-mate DELS has laid down some bars over Eyes Down and it’s added a dimension I didn’t even know existed.

The LP is due out in early February and you can find out more information here - but that’s not all, Simon Green aka Bonobo has also just put out a gorgeous mix  on Ninjatune extension Solid Steel as a free download.

Bonobo – Mix for Solid Steel

Seams _ Hung Markets _ Pictures Music
Nufrequency _ Fallen Hero (Motor City Drum Ensemble remix) _ Rebirth
Jamie Woon _ Night Air (Ramadanman Refix) _ Candent Songs
DJ Medhi _ Pocket Piano _ Ed Banger
Bullion _ You Drive me to Plastic _ Young Turks
Bonobo _ We Could Forever (Bonobo 808 mix) _ Ninja Tune
Sect _ Man of Wisdom _ Culprit
Nickodemus _ Conmigo (Es E remix) _ Wonderwheel
Floating Points _ ARP3 _ Eglo
Dauwd Ikopol _ Pictures Music
Teebs _ Jahara _ Brainfeeder
Juk Juk _ Winter Turn Spring _ Text
FourTet _ Locked _ Text
Eliphino _ L.F. (i know) _ Somethinksounds
Falty DL _ The Sale Ends _ Ninja tune
Blawan _ Potchla Vee _ Hessle Audio
Jack Dixon _ Coconuts _ Hot Biscuits
Mosca _ Bax _ Numbers
Koreless _ 4D _ Pictures Music
Ifan Dafydd _ Miranda _ Push & Run
Sepalcure _ Pencil Pimp _ Hotflush

Canadian Studio Q (or Qtv) is best known for their honest and forthcoming interviews with everyone from David Cronenberg to Kermit the Frog actors but there’s also a strong focus on music and through their hugely popular YouTube channel, they capture some great studio sessions from time to time and rapper K-OS was the latest act in the spotlight.

He performed one of his most popular tracks Man I Used To Be with his band and it’s delightful.

So since the Christmas song (download here) and now it seems Wiley is fully back in the music game and fully involved, including actually featuring in his music videos and everything!

Boom Blast is the new track out this week ahead of the release of his new album, ‘Evolve or Be Extinct’ due out on the 19th of January on Big Dada Records and the video is intended to get us all back in the gym after the holiday food binge.

Alex D provides the remix and we’ve got it below as a free download

Wiley – Boom Blast (Alex D Remix) - right click, save as to download

Download audio file (Wiley – Boom Blast (Alex D Remix).mp3)

Good to see Wiley back in the game and looking like he’s enjoying it.

Larry Achiampong, or Black Ph03nix as he is also known, has an experimental sample heavy sound. Larry came on to our radar via a friend and we’ve been curiously listening to his instrumental music ever since.

Featuring spoken word samples, strains of Ghanaian traditional music, hip hop, broken beat and trip hop – he weaves a rich tapestry of sounds in his short tracks much in the vein of DJ Shadow or RJD2. His debut release, Meh Mogya (Sample of Me) is a project that mixes elements of his UK and African heritage through sampling and electronic programming and its a culture clash that works to produce some exciting sonics.

Black Ph03nix – Despair

Black Ph03nix – Song For My (Bokoor) Father

Black Ph03nix – All Game, No Substance

‘Meh Mogya’ is available for download from Larry’s bandcamp.

Mystro released his annual report last night, something that since 2009, has become a much enjoyed tradition for his fans and beyond.

Focusing on current affairs, big news stories, the music industry and more, alongside news reporter style visuals – it’s laugh out loud vibe and the guy needs a massive pat on the back for delivering again.

Big up!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkOqWmJCZQE

Boom P ft Eamon – Invitation (Prod. Guy Furious)