Mixtape Monday: DJ Rahdu's Bilal Mega Mix, Cookin Soul, DJ Sheep & Many More!
Summer isn't letting up and neither is Mixtape Monday. This week the greatest roundup of new DJ sets in the universe is kicking things off with a set of Bilal features, sit-ins and rarities all spun together by the brilliant minds at BamaLoveSoul. From there we travel back to jazz-tinged the 90s with the latest batch of grooves from Cookin Soul (lotta "Soul" in this week's roundup, and we're not complaining). Deeper into the folder you'll find the latest SOS Radio show from sofie, a smooth and comforting "Airplane Mode" set from one Sasha Marie, new tones from Turntable Lab and so, so much more. It's time to get started.
Leave it to BamaLoveSoul ringleader DJ Rahdu to put together a mix we never knew we always needed. Charting the long and wild career trajectory of the one and only Bilal, Rahdu's new mix is a tour of the vocalist's more obscure features and guest spots. From the songs released by Common, Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild to the R&B troubadour's own solo material, Rahdu has come up with a cross-section of the man's wild, invigorating style and made it possible for even the most die-hard of fans to fall in love all over again. In Rahdu's own words:
Bilal’s unique vocal style has made him a commodity within the musical community. The evidence is in the number of featured appearances he’s racked up on our favorite, notable artist’s tracks over the course of a decade and a half. It’s difficult to comprehend, though, why he’s not a mainstream, household name. His desire to maintain his artistic integrity plays a part of course, in addition to a fickle market that advocates popularity over originality. To further argue the point that more recognition is due, The Philly Phenom is more than he appears; not only is he a vocalist, he’s also a songwriter, musician and producer. Talented and instilled with a desire to create diverse music that transcends genres, Bilal is a force to be reckoned with.With 5 albums over 14 years, he’s at a one album almost every 3 year average, but the staggering number of features and productions he’s churned out is staggering. Press play and observe as Bilal blesses each track, like a chameleon, with the prefect hue to complement the soundscape provided. It’s been a true honor compiling and researching this mix as I have learned a tremendous amount about Bilal Oliver and have developed a healthy respect for him. I hope you will as well.
There's no more time to delay--listen below.
Spanish groove soothsayers Cookin' Soul have hears so keen, every mix they drop is like a graduate-level education in blended beats. For their newest set, CS kept things strictly 90s, firing off 46 minutes of material that skews toward the jazz-fueled fringes of hip-hop. Camp Lo, Dream Warriors, LL Cool J, Outkast and more are all on deck for this one, which was put together for the clothing company Reell. Dig it, Clinton years style.
Not much can touch a live vinyl mix of deeply-dug soul, and on his new "Summer Spliffz: Volume 1," DJ Sheep covers just about all the bases. From Lenny Williams to The Manhattans to just about every other gorgeous sample source material joint you never quite forgot, his mix is a thing of beauty. Funk, soul, lush jazz and weird worldly sounds abound in these 38 minutes, which were recorded live earlier this month. Those impressed by his work (and who wouldn't be?) can cop themselves USB sticks loaded up with mixes over at DJ Sheep's website, and we can all look forward to volume 2's appearance very soon. This one's for the patient, painstaking diggers among us.
The great minds at Manhattan's Turntable Lab have fired off a new installment of their semi-regular radio show, this time bringing in Whiskey Barons co-founder Bosq for a special mix session. Plenty of latin, afro-latin and afrobeat material is on deck with this one, as Bosq shares some of the most delicious percussion joints you're probably too proud to admit you've never heard.
It's once again time for a lesson in modern abstract funk and strange beats, courtesy of sofie. The Boiler Room honcho's latest SOS Radio show features the talents of Stone Throw's Jonwayne and veers forth and back between driving syncopation and loose, wafting moods. It's been way too long since we treated ourselves to Rated X's "Be Cool To Your Girl," and it's most definitely in the mix on this one. Put it on and dig in deep.
No frills or flair, just pure rhythm is what's in store with Chicago selector DJ Grumble's new "NanoStorm" mix. Smooth and elegant throughout, it treats us to 9th Wonder, FS Green, Keyshia Cole and plenty of Grumble's own flips. We recommend loading it into the car and making your commute a proper head-nod session.
Tracklist:
1. Carol Williams - Just Feel (Intro)
2. FS Green - The Riddle
3. Keyshia Cole - Give Me More
4. Shadow Mindset - Mellow
5. Sky - Love Is Forever And For All
6. DJ Grumble - AllTheWay x Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder
7. 9th Wonder - Love Thirst x Ludacris - Get Back
8. dXL - Breeze x The Pack - Vans
9. Hayzee - Y3ah x Black Rob - Woah
10. Sun - Slam Dunk The Funk
11. DJ Grumble & Croup - ClearSky
12. Johnny Juliano - Mile High Club
13. Des Brennan - Liberation (Prod. DJ Grumble)
14. Chingy - Fly Like Me x Gorilla Zoe - Hood N*gga
15. J-Lo - I'm Real (Croup Remix)
16. Superville - Dr. Dumb It Down x Gucci Mane - Pillz
17. DJ Grumble - Jada-Styles
18. Minako Yoshida - Rainy Day
19. DJ Grumble - Copscame
20. DJ Grumble - CatchDaBeat
One of our favorite regular Mixtape Monday fixtures, Lexis of Music is My Sanctuary has once again come through with an excellent set. Picking out some of the not-so-obvious cuts that have dropped as of late, things move smoothly in this new set thanks to Onra, Knxwledge and more. At two hours and twenty minutes, it's and extended trip through Lexis's mindstate.
Tracklist:
1. Pete Rock – I Wish
2. Knxwledge – 100bottles
3. Juju Rogers – Do It For (prod. Knowsum)
4. The Internet – Girl (feat. KAYTRANADA)
5. Onra ft. Mc Melodee – Love Tip
6. Knxwledge – Letuleave
7. TITLE – Memories
8. Dave B – The Way (Prod. Jake One)
9. Little Simz – Heart Said
10. Charlotte Dos Santos – Move On (I’ve Tried)
11. Letta Mbulu – Down by the river
12. Maitro – Fendi 86’
13. Rene & Angela – Wanna be close (Greymatter Edit)
14. DOOM vs Flamingosis
15. Benjamin – This Time (Shred One Edit)
16. Blowfly – Jimmy Can’t Dance (Patchworks Remix)
17. The Group NSI – Moin Epi Vou
16. Joe – Bobby McFerrin Edit
17. Busy Signal – Tamara (Swing Ting Smooth Mix)
18. Wizkid – Ojuelegba
19. E.L – Sista Araba
20. Jo Tongo – Piani
21. Unknown – Unknown
22. Niagara – Arruda
23. Nozinja – Vomaseve Hina
24. Jellphonic – Low Dancer (Inkswel Remix)
25. Scrimshire – Margie Moves Mountains
26. Liquideep – You, We, I (Karizma’s 4 Your Remix)
27. Louie Vega & Parliament – Ain’t That Funkin
28. Lafayette Afro Rock Band – Get Another Love The
29. The Unit – Through the Sky
30. Pittsburgh Track Authority – Unknown
31. MGun – Unknown (Triology Tapes Records)
32. Denzel Curry – Void
33. Dem Apples X Arbitrary Sax – Unknown
34. Spokes – Ritalin (E.M.M.A. remix)
35. Lil Silva – 606
36. Frisco – 123 (Produced by Swindle)
36. B-15 Project Featuring Lady Saw – Freak Break (Sovereign Vocal Remix)
37. Junior Delahaye – Love
38. Richard Dimples Fields – If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Another
39. Marva W. Taylor – Nothing I’d Rather Be (Than Your Weakness)
40. Alessia Cara – Here
41. Jean Grae – August 20th
Sasha Marie might not be the most famous or high profile member of the Soulection clique, but her work is in every way first-class. Her new "Airplane Mode" mixtape is a tribute to tuning out from the world and reconnecting with yourself, your surroundings and the music that feels best. Here's what she had to say about it:
Airplane Mode is what you want to listen to when you feel the need to disconnect and focus on self. Music inspires me; it gives me the ability to create, to dream, to focus and to relax. I like to get lost in the music I love without interruption from everything else that is going on. I've compiled a list of songs that do that for me and I've mixed them together. This mix is for the artist, the musician, the student, the traveler and anyone else who just wants to get away for a moment.
Tracklist:
Frank Ocean - "Memrise"
Nosaj Thing - "Don’t Mind Me (feat. Whoarei)"
Zuper - "The Thought of You"
James Blake - "Wilhelms Scream"
Louis Perpetual - "Secrets"
Tom Misch - "The Journey"
Flying Lotus - "beautifulaccidents"
Sango - "Smiles & Frowns"
Flying Lotus - "Tea Leaf Dancers"
Madlib - "Flowers (Instrumental)"
Jesse Boykins III - "From Time, With Time ft MoRuf"
PARTYNEXTDOOR - "Juss Know (feat. Travis Scott)"
Galimatias & Joppe feat. Goldlink (Gravez Remix) - "One Step Back"
El. Train - "Want You Back"
Workers - "Runnin’"
Jengi Beats - "Sun Sun"
J-Louis x Teddy Walton - "Hollywood Nights"
Jamie xx - "Sleep Sound"
The Internet (E.Doza Remix) - "Special Affair"
Krs x Masego - "Hey Mami"
Kayloo x Loowood - "Sunshine"
madbliss x rndysvge - "Finest Dope"
Whoarei - "She Lives in My Dreams LSD"
Flako - "Lonely Town feat. Dirg Gerner"
Haan808 - "Percebi O Quad"
Lately, I’ve Felt Unusual - "Origami"
Dabow - "1, 2, 3 (Swindail Edit)"
Chuck Sutton - "You’re"
Jarreau Vandal - "Your highness Ft. Monte Booker"
Cavalier - "Too Late"
Silo - "Space Message"
AzZi x Wilough - "Female Energy"
Radiohead - "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi"
Marina Abramovic - "Advice to the young" (Excerpt From Interview)
Crackling with the warmth of vinyl, Irn Mnky & DJ esSDee's new mixtape series is a treat for lovers of rare soul and funk. Picture the most hard-stepping dancefloor party of your dreams and you'll be right on target with this one. Put it on and make sure you've got room to move--this one is a hipshaking funky party straight off some wax.
Things kick off with "Feel Right" and only get better from there. DJ Spintelect took over Ice Cream Sundays and absolutely did the damn thing, dropping gems from all over the hip-hop map. Ja Rule, Cam'ron, Alicia Keys, The Lox, Usher and more. It's all scratched together and sewn up with the utmost care, so put it on and for the love of all that's good and groovy, keep moving to it.