was interviewed by Toronto’s Exclaim Magazine. It’s a neat insight into this group following the release of their third album Ritual Union.
Check out the interview, and most definitely check out the new album. It’s refreshing. Particularly this:
With this record, there are no guest appearances from huge stars you’ve worked with in the past. Was there any temptation to do any of that?
No, There was no real temptation. There is always a wish from label people, “Why don’t you do this or this?” Plus, what if we make a really great song with someone else? We really see ourselves as a live band and we go on tour and that person’s not there, who’s going to be standing in? It’s kind of very practical, it may sound silly, but that’s the feeling. And plus it’s nice to know that it’s still just the band, ‘cos we’re kind of sentimental with the whole band thing and being a band and all that that means, being a family. Collaborations are great, but in a way it’s a kind of a business thing. On this record we wanted to do what we always did, experimenting in the studio, goofing around. It’s easier done with old friends.
I can only think that in the same situation I’d be damn tempted to get some big names on my album to help boost sales. But they’re willing to make music for the sake of making music. And I’m happy to support that.
Childish Gambino is Community‘s Donald Glover, who plays Troy, and also happens to be a rapper. His first album, Camp, is scheduled for release next month. This track is the second release from that album. It’s got a stirring, airy feel to it, the lyrics are clever and self-deprecating, and it benefits from a great hook.
Any day the Roots release new music is a good day in my books. This track, featuring some absolutely beautiful synths (listen closely for them at the end, especially), is from the band’s upcoming album, .
Here’s some more NC dopeness for you (see The Away Team’s newest track, below). The beat is nice, but where this track really shines are the first and third verses, which feature some ill wordplay: “The summer solstice, peep the shine on the track.” Hah! Check it out:
This beat is blowing my mind! The drums sound off-kilter, somehow, but they fit the sample perfectly, and Sean Boog flows nicely above them. From The Away Team’s new album Scares and Stripes.
At the top of my list of things I wish to have written about, this has to be at least #3.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince are getting together to make some new music.
According to , Jeff had told XXLMag that
“I just think more than anything there is no set pattern, no set plan, but we just wanna go into the studio and see what we come out with. If I can get it back to the way we used to make music, you know, it used to be just me and him in the room. You don’t need no entourages and cameras and all of that and see what happens. He hasn’t decided exactly what he wants to do.”
That’s right, Stephen Colbert hosted two of our favourite hip hop artists (especially when they form up as Black Star). Talib Kweli and Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey). You can watch the whole video online (Canadian readers, ).
If you just want to see them drop a new jam, then watch the video below.
I slept on this for a little longer than I was hoping, but better late than never! In these dying days of summer, I thought it’d be a good idea to give you a little fresh summer playlist to carry you as long as the days stay warm. We’re no stranger to summer mixes, though it’s been a minute since we posted one.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie have put out a killer summer mix consisting of 49 tracks of pure summer joy. Check out the playlist below, then head over to to :
1. Summertime Intro
2. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness (Live Version)
3. Kool & The Gang: Summer Madness
4. Quincy Jones: Summer In The City
5. Ahmad: Back In The Day
6. Ice Cube: It Was A Good Day
7. Roy Ayers f/ Mary J Blige: Everybody Loves The Sunshine
8. Pharcyde: Passin’ Me By (Ffej Remix)
9. Jay-Z f/ Babyface: Sunshine
10. Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess
11. A Tribe Called Quest: Find A Way (Ffej String Edit)
12: Bush Babies f/ Mos Def: The Love Song
13. Jodeci: Get On Up
14. The Commodores: High On Sunshine
15. J Dilla f/ Dwele : Think Twice
16. Erick Sermon f/ Marvin Gaye: Music (Mick’s Marvapella Edit)
17. Bernard Wright: Who Do You Love
18. LL Cool J: Loungin’
19. A Tribe Called Quest: Hot Sex
20. Main Source: Live At The BBQ
21. Nuyorican Soul: Nautilus
22. Pharcyde & Sublime: Summertime
23. Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Summertime Remix
24. Michael Jackson: I Can’t Help It
25. De La Soul: Breakdawn
26. Musiq: Just Friends
27. Carl Thomas: Summer Rain
28. Faze-O: Riding High
29. Dionne Warwick: Walk On By
30. Skee-Lo: I Wish
31. Black Moon: Who Got The Props
32. Frankie Beverly and Maze: Before I Let Go
33. Nu Shooz: I Can’t Wait
34. Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It
35: The Roots f/ George Benson: Breezin’
36: Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff: Time To Chill
37. Biggie: Can’t You See
38. James Brown: The Payback
39. En Vogue: My Lovin’
40. Bobby McFerrin: Sunshine Of My Life
41. Fifth Dimension: Let The Sun Shine In
42. Mos Def: Sunshine
43. Nine: Whatcha Want
44. Otis Redding: Sittin’ On The Dock
45. 2Pac: I Get Around (Mick’s String Edit)
46. Zapp: Computer Love (Terry’s Mirage On The Water Mix)
, as always, is a source of some interesting news. RJD2 has formed a new duo with Aaron Livingston. These two are no strangers to working together, having collaborated on RJD2`s previous album, The Colossus.
Icebird, the new super-duo, is set to release an album in the next few months.
The first single from Icebird’s upcoming album is called `Going and Going. And Going`. Check it below:
Check out Crumbs off the Table, from The Colossus.
