Mixtape Monday: Exclusive Trinidad Senolia Okaydeep House Premiere, Kaytranada, Large Professor x It's Overture + More!
House, hip-hop and funk--it's a killer combination and this week in Mixtape Monday we've got plenty of all three items. First up, the premiere of the latest installment in the Okaydeep series--a new house mix of fiery party jams from Trinidad Senolia. Second, an absolutely incredibleLarge Professor tribute mix from the good folks at Its Overture, a set that knocks so hard granite could take a few notes. Farther back are gems from Kaytranada, DJ Patience, AFROPUNK and more, so get on your headphones game and begin. We're bringing you nothing but the very best.
Opening with a series of clicks that seem to come from a far-off satellite, the latest Okaydeep mix from Trinidad Senolia is an excursion into interstellar house music. Entitled "Requiem For Yellow Pants," the mix turns up the heat to supernova levels, just in time for summer, with tracks from St. Etienne, Osunlade, Chuva Speaks Arab, Eli Escobar, Juliet Sikora, Glenn Astro, Mike Dunn, Sacha Robotti & ZDS, Art of Tones, Mateo Senolia, Louie Vega, SanXero, Mr. V, Fouk, Dana Weaver, Henry Wu, Max Graef, Trinidad-Senolia, Pezzner, HNNY and more. If anyone should be trusted with your steadybeat party selections this summer, it's Garth Trinidad and Mateo Senolia, so get to getting down to the exclusive Okayplayer premiere of the mixtape below.
While the world (us included) were losing their cool over Flying Lotus's latest BBC Radio 1 residency show, Kaytranada was moving in silence, killing it as usual. Kaytra threw down yet another excellent show last week, mixing up Madlib, Knxwledge, The Lox, J Dilla, and plenty of his own selections into his hour long set. Be sure to catch the producer's grade-A+ flip of "Nothing Like This," which comes after a bit of Daft Punk and Roy Ayers. Because he's just that kind of dude.
Tracklist:
DâM-FunK – From A G’s Perspective [White Label]
Uku Kuut – Soft Fashion [Peoples Potential Unlimited]
Madlib – Knickers Turned [Madlib Invazion]
Talib Kweli – The Blast [Rawkus]
Jon B. – Keep It Real (feat. Jay-Z & Coko) [Sony Urban Classics]
Craig Mack – Jockin My Style [Street Life Records]
Kenlo Craqnuques – Ce Simple Rap Beat [White Label]
The Miracles – Do It Baby [Tamla]
Super Cat – Dolly My Baby (Instrumental Mary Mix) [Colombia]
TEK.LUN – Early 90’s Nostalgia (All That) [White Label]
Shay Lia – One [White Label]
Kaytranada – Breezy [White Label]
Knxwledge – Nvrending [Stones Throw]
The Lox – Try Me [D-Block Records]
Tyler, the Creator – Find Your Wings [Odd Future Records]
Nil’s Jazz Ensemble – Reflexiones [Mag]
Erasmo Carlos – Não Me Diga Adeus [London Globe Records]
Haiti Twoubadou – Haiti Cherie [Soley Sounds]
Marvin Gaye – Heavy Love Affair [Motown]
Kendrick Lamar – Complexion (A Zulu Love) [Top Dawg Entertainment ]
J Dilla – H**s [White Label]
Drake – You Know You Know [White Label]
Action Bronson – City Boy Blues [White Label]
Kali Uchis – Speed [White Label]
The Internet – Special Affair [Odd Future]
Janet Jackson – Pleasure Principle [A&M Records]
Nick Straker Band – A Little Bit Of Jazz [Prelude Records]
Kashif – Stone Love [Arista]
Kaytranada – 195 [White Label]
Daft Punk – High Life [Virgin]
Sine – Chimi [CBS]
Roy Ayers – Coffy Is The Colour [Polydor]
Kaytranada – Haitian Cook Out [White Label]
J Dilla – Nothing Like This (Kaytranada Flip) [White Label]
Erykah Badu – Back In The Day (DJ A1 Remix) [White Label]
Beenie Man – Feel It Boy (feat. Janet Jackson) [Virgin]
Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody [Warner Bros]
Diana Ross – Upside Down [Motown]
Busy P – This Song (Breakbot Remix) [Ed Banger Records]
Myth Syzer – Untitled [White Label]
Groundbreaker, innovator, old-school legend, GOAT. These are just a few of the terms often used to describe Large Professor, one of the most important and musically skilled producers to ever pick up an MPC and set his hands upon records. Large recently celebrated the release of his Re:Living LP, and right on time with the occasion is DJ duo Its Overture, who just last week dropped an incredible tribute mix entitled "Mad Science: The Large Professor Story." Packing interview snippets from dozens of LargePro's associates and some of the producer's most important cuts (we're talking Rakim, Kool G Rap, Main Source, Nas--including that good old dope demo cut of "Nas Will Prevail," which fades into "It Ain't Hard to Tell"--Skillz, A Tribe Called Quest, Q-Tip and so, so many more). One of the most Okay mixes that Okayplayer has posted in a while, the set is true to Its Overture's description:Part Documentary, Part "Best Of," Part Insanity, All Love.
In case you needed a little extra reminder that it's summer mixtape season (c'mon now, you should be with it already), Southern Hospitality honcho DJ Superix has made it official with his new Twelve 12s Live mixtape. The concept is pretty simple: a dozen 12" vinyl records mixed into one buttery smooth set, one which in this instance focuses on West Coast hip-hop. Joints from Domino, Warren G, Blackjack and Seagram seem like the perfect way to shake off your sweat, so put on some more SPF and enjoy.
Tracklist:
Twinz - Eastside LB (LP Version)
DFC - Things in The Club
Warren G - So Many Ways (Remix)
Domino - Sweet Potato Pie
Mad CJ Mac - Come And Take A Ride (LP Version)
The Conscious Daughters - Something To Ride To (Fonky Expedition) (Clean Remix)
KAM - Pull Ya Hoe Card (Remix)
Seagram - If The World Was Mine
Coz - Keep My Soul (LP Version)
Blackjack - Whatever It Takes (Clean Version)
Jayo Felony - Sherm Stick (LP Version)
Ahmad - Back In The Day (Dividends Remix)
(Photo by Siyaka Taylor-Lewis)
The gang over at Bedford Box Office have build a consistent record of amazing events around New York City, and one of their most effective promotional tools has been their DOPE mixtape series. But this isn't some native advertising, mega-marketed boondoggle--the Bedford crew have an uncanny ability to select and sew up some of the best new(ish) R&B on the planet, and on their latest mixtape they do just that. Just push play on Camille Safiya's ethereal "Amnesia" and you'll be immediately swept into the current.
Tracklist:
Camille Safiya - “Amnesia” (produced by Pagez)
Ari Lennox & DJ Grumble - "“Backseat”
Jypsy Jeyfree - “Bangles” (produced by Denitia)
Von Luciano - “Money Talk”
Maxine Ashley - “Glory Box”
Ginette Claudette - “The Most” (produced by Rice N Peas & The Egos)
The great minds over at SoulBounce have put together a summer-ready mixtape of their own, and oh is it a sweet one. Compiled and constructed by DJ Harvey Dent, this set blends past and present, putting Kendrick Lamar back-to-back with Bob Marley and Tuxedo, Snoop Dogg and William DeVaughn all in a row. If you've been slacking on your modern funky hip-hop, consider this your emergency catch-up session. But then, there's no real reason to fret--this one is made for feet up and drinks in hand. Act accordingly.
Read more about the mixtape (and find a download link) over at Soulbounce.
Tracklist:
Lianne La Havas - Unstoppable (FKJ Remix)
Born Jamericans - Send My Love
Mack Wilds - Remember the Time
MNEK - In Your Clouds
Kendrick Lamar - You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said)
Bob Marley - Soul Rebel (Deejay Theory 70th Bday edit)
DJ Clue feat. Mary J. Blige & Jadakiss - Back 2 Life 2001
PM Dawn - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
Jade - Don't Walk Away
Chris Brown - Fine China (Sat-One's Philly Funk Remix)
Lucy Pearl - Don't Mess With My Man
Choklate - Wide Open
The System - You Are in My System
Tuxedo - Number One
Snoop Dogg feat. Charlie Wilson - Peaches N Cream
William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (FKJ Remix)
Chaka Khan - I Know You, I Live You
Arrested Development - People Everyday (Altered Tapes Rework)
Jay Z - Change Clothes (Darryl Reeves Remix)
Erykah Badu - Cleva (Captain Planet Remix)
D.R.A.M. - Cha Cha
Blackstreet - No Diggity (DJ Jaycee’s 125th & St. Nicholas Ave mix)
The-Dream - Black Magic
Eric Roberson - I’m Not Trying To Keep Score No More
Miguel - Sure Thing (Brook D'Leau RMX)
Miguel - Do You (ReFix Kingz Reggae Refix)
Warm weather and sunset vibes persist through this Mixtape Monday--and there's not a damn thing we'd ever change about that. With DJ Patience's new "Strictly Rockers" mix, we're getting heavy into the sort of island vibes that LargeUp is known for purveying. Enjoy joints from U Roy & Hopeton Lewis, Marcia Griffits, Jimmy Lindsay, Max Romeo, Inner Circle and many more (this is a plenty funky-sole mix, in addition to its reggae tendencies)--and as with all our favorite mixtapes, this one was made from nothing but the genuine vinyl article.
Tracklist:
1. U Roy & Hopeton Lewis - "Tom Drunk"
2. Willie Williams - "Armagideon Time"
3. Horace Andy - "I Found Someone of My Own"
4. Marcia Griffiths - "Here I am Baby"
5. Jimmy Lindsay - "Ain't No Sunshine"
6. Johnny Osbourne - "We Need Love"
7. Cedric IM Brooks - "Give Rasta Glory"
8. The Pioneers - "Pony Express"
9. Max Romeo - "Wet Dream"
10. The Chosen Few - "Candy, I'm So Doggone Mixed Up"
11. Ali Stephens - "Rockin' Reggae Groove"
12. Ali Stephens - "35 Years From Alpha"
13. Jackie Mittoo - "Too Late To Turn Back Now"
14. Inner Circle - "Jah Music"
15. The Night Train - "Making Tracks"
16. The Upsetters - "Jungle Lion"
17. Don Drummond - "Man In The Street"
18. The Vulcans - "Star Trek"
19. The Aggrovators - "Crabbit Version" (10" Dub)
20. Horace Andy & John Holt - "A Quiet Place" (10" Dub)
21. The Roots Radics Band - "Mission Impossible"
22. Alton Ellis - "It's a Shame"
AFROPUNK has once again brought it with a new curated mixtape, and as usual it's a politically-charged, multi-genre affair. Here's what they themselves had to say about it:
People Get Ready! The Afropunk Fest 2015 is on its way, and will be the biggest we've unleashed yet. Our latest Mixtape features past performers and attendees Jada Pinkett Smith, Jeffrey Wright, and Gordon Voidwell, and the latest tracks from Bells Atlas, Sam Dew, and Bhi Bhiman, as well as contributions from Battle of the Bands semi-finalists Samurai Shotgun, The VeeVees, and theSAGAS.
Tracklist:
01. Intro: Jada Pinkett Smith / Jeffrey Wright (August 2013)
02. Samurai Shotgun - Ginsu
03. Interlude: The Oxymorrons (August 2013)
04. PS the Rebels - The Great Migration
05. Arlene Gould - Rollin
06. Bells Atlas - Bling
07. In Your Memory - Breaking Habits
08. theSAGAS - Michael
09. Interlude: Drea Smith (August 2013)
10. The VeeVees - Gold Blooded
11. Sam Dew - Air
12. Sola Rosa (feat Tawiah) - Right On Time
13. Greg Grease - Work Song
14. Bhi Bhiman - Up In Arms
15. Interlude: Gordon Voidwell (August 2014)
16. Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions - People Get Ready
Hip-hop legend DJ Smash pulled through the Dubspot Radio encampment late last week, sitting in for a in-depth interview (which you can listen to here) and throwing down a grade-A mix. What did Smash, well, smash? A little boom-bap, a little jazz-bap and basically everything else that baps. Seriously, this is some of the most relentlessly proper chopping we've heard in quite some time, delivered by a pioneer of everything funky and sacred today. Most of the mix comes from DJ Smash's own original productions, remixes and edits--all the more reason to enjoy it.
Because one cannot live on hip-hop along (we must admit, it's true) and this week's Mixtape Monday has thus far been especially heavy on head-knocking beats, we figure we'd end things on a very left-field note and include a mix of ambient, experimental, electronic and folk material from the good folks at Fractured Air. The set flows from one end of a misty valley to the next, deploying tracks from Heather Woods Broderick, Steve Reich, Nils Frahm, Julia Holter and many more. So collect your thoughts, cool off a bit, and get set for next week, when we'll start moving to it all over again.
Tracklist:
01. Steve Reich ‘It’s Gonna Rain, Part I’ (excerpt) [Nonesuch]
02. Colin Stetson And Sarah Neufeld ‘Won’t be a thing to become’ [Constellation]
03. So Percussion ‘Music for Wood and Strings: Section 1’ [Brassland]
04. Nils Frahm ‘Wall’ [Erased Tapes]
05. Dawn of Midi ‘Nix’ [Erased Tapes]
06. Craig Leon ‘She Wears A Hemispherical Skullcap’ [RVNG Intl]
07. Holly Herndon ‘Morning Sun’ [4AD]
08. Severed Heads ‘Dead Eyes Opened’ [Dark Entries]
09. Lower Dens ‘Your Heart Still Beating’ [Ribbon Music]
10. Heather Woods Broderick ‘A Call For Distance’ [Western Vinyl]
11. Chris Isaac ‘Wicked Game’ [Reprise]
12. Julia Holter ‘My Love My Love’ [Tompkins Square]
13. John Bence ‘Disquiet, Pt. 1’ [Other People]
14. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis ‘Far from Men 2’ [Goliath Entertainment]
15. Edan ‘Beauty’ [Lewis Recordings]
16. Richard Strauss ‘Vier letzte Lieder: IV. Im Abendrot’ (excerpt) [CBS]
17. Tom Waits ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’ [Anti-]
18. The Beach Boys ‘Look (Stereo Mix Of Take 20)’ [Capitol]
19. The Books ‘“Ah…, I See”’ [Temporary Residence Limited]
20. Glen Campbell ‘Guess I’m Dumb’ [Ace]