“Hip Hop” (Used 34 times)

Hello, so I have not written in here in ages although I've been listening to tracks in the down-tempo, glitch, electronic, avant garde styles for the winter. Today I need to bake bread and was scanning through ITunes through the hip hop genre. I saw some playlist I downloaded awhile ago from here with a track by The Insider.

Click for a listen. This. This is what I want to listen to. It's a bit glitchy, dancey, rhythmic. Some songs feel like you're on a beach at sunset and it's still 28 degrees outside, perfect. Other songs remind me of dancing on drugs in a dark cave surrounded by sweaty bodies writihing on a dance floor sparkled with neon lights across what seems like void space.

Instead of dancing, writhing, and feeling like it's July I'm going to spend some quality time in my kitchen baking bread while this Pacific Northwest storm passes over the city. Cold, dreary days, time to heat up with these tracks.

Java Starr's Bio:

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa Java moved to Minneapolis, MN in the 4th grade. He played college football until 2004 when his life took an unexpected turn. He was convicted of robbery and spent two years in prison. A blessing in disguise, Java used that time to write lyrics expressing himself and putting his life experiences into music. He began recording in 2006 with local Minneapolis producers Sinister Grinch, Pquan and Future along with local rap artists Drissola and Metasota. Through them he met the founder of the northern division of Devin the Dudes Houston based record label, The Coughee Brothaz, Jesse Zaske aka Dream. Music is in his blood; it is his life, his passion, and purpose for existence. He works hard at his craft and has a deep seeded drive to succeed. He comes with a professional attitude ready to do whatever it takes to further his career. Java wants people to feel the depth of who he is and what he is about through his music, from his darkest moments to his richest joys. Java wants to reach through the headphones and speakers with music that everyday people can party too, make love too, smoke too, even fight too, but most importantly, music that they can relate to because we are all connected in one way or another. Java’s story will be told but even more, he offers a fresh perspective on the story of the streets and all who have lived the struggle to be heard by millions. Java has performed for 5,000 + crowds-opened up for Lil Wayne, Twista, Young buck, Yukmouth, and Tre songs. He has worked with talents such as Chicago producer "The Legendary Traxter", the Gramhis winning rap artist “Yukmouth", rapper “Smit D” of the group Facemob, Johnny P of the group Do or Die, and Houston’s “Devin the Dude” and "The Coughee Brothaz.”

Main Website: http://www.java420.com

I'll admit that the majority of the time I tend to lurk in the electronic corner of the Free Music Archive but every now and then when things are slow I'll see what new things have landed in some of the other genres.  In doing just that I have discovered some really good hip-hop releases that have surfaced here in the last few weeks.  My favorite release of the moment is Dead Herring from Mild Maynyrd (Dan Black).  Dead Herring is Dan's second full length release with an EP and a few Notorious B.I.G. remix records under his belt as well.

All of the tracks are dark instrumental numbers with tons of great rock samples (some very recognizable and some not) and experimentation peppered throughout.  The majority of the album has a dark brooding feeling that is akin to some of DJ Shadow's early work.  There is also a very organic live instrument feel to the tracks as well.  You definitely get the sense that these songs are not simply a cut and paste job that is being done by someone on a laptop.  I cherry picked a few of my favorite tracks from the album but like most of the albums that I pick for these blog posts I recommend that you give the whole thing a listen.  Enjoy!

Composer, musician, engineer, and producer Jonah Dempcy has arrived at the Free Music Archive, and his body of work here runs the gamut from jazz, nu-jazz, hip hop, to house. Most of Mr. Dempcy's work is instrumental and very well suited to repurposing as soundtracks in video projects.

He made a splash in the world of copyleft licensing and free online music with his project Revolution Void several years ago. In Revolution Void, Dempcy combined electronic music with live modern jazz improvisation by both Dempcy and noteable jazz performers, such as Seamus Blake (Mingus Big Band), Matthew Garrison (Herbie Hancock), Lucas Pickford (Brian Blade), Dave Hill, Jr. (Jettatura), and James "Roto" Rotondi (The Grassy Knoll, Air). Four releases from that project are now on the FMA.

Other Jonah Dempcy projects have also been added. Dempcy's solo jazz piano album SYNCRETIC BELIEFS features his original modern jazz compositions. ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE OF WAX is a fun, beat packed album by The Insider, a hip hop project led by Dempcy. He is also half of the Seattle house duo UltraCat alongside Yuriko Miyamoto. Two UltraCat EPs can be found on the FMA now, as well.

I have long since given up on any ambitions to become a WFMU DJ.  Time and logic continue to be enemies in that regard.  However, I can console myself through this resource by letting others know about music that excites me with every blog post and mix that I create.  For that, I want to take this moment to thank the people at WFMU who have worked so hard to make this archive a reality and for allowing the rest of us out there a space to talk about and champion the sounds that make life on earth bearable.

This mix is dedicated to all those who have a need to offset their reality.  Thank you for listening.