Run The Jewels, A-Trak, The Left Coast & 9th Wonder Drop Solid Sets For The Mixtape Monday Roundup on 01.09.17
We are back at it again, Okayplayers, as this week's Mixtape Monday features a powerful collection of sets. LeFtO, tHE Left Coast, Plann.B, Alex Sandwich and Suol Radio are just a few of the choice selectors and crews that put in work on this go-round. As we dive into those familiar sounds of New Jack Swing, hip-hop, deep house, jazz, dancehall and experimental — there are plenty of future sounds to make for a pretty magical listening experience to begin your week with. The unanimous winner for this week's Mixtape Monday extravaganza, however, has got to be North Carolina's own, 9th Wonder. The super-producer and JAMLA Records founder has spent the past several days taking audiophiles on a wonderful (pun intended) journey in his super-cold way-back machine with a series of mixes for Apple Music that are primed to raise your musical IG and induce a body roll or twelve.
Without any further ado, get into this week's Mixtape Monday roundup after the jump.
Ally Al - Wild is the Wind : The Music of David Bowie
Ally Al pays tribute to rocker David Bowie with the nearly two-hour Wild Is The Wind mix, which landed just ahead of what would have been the singer's 70th birthday on January 8th. The 50-year retrospective combines fan favorites with melancholy slow burners to provide a well-rounded taste of his versatility and chameleonic aesthetic, which extended well past his characters and their sartorial decisions into his celebrated catalog. Billed as a mix for the connoisseur, the set is not inaccessible to the casual listener or toddling fan. Take a listen.
Joe Kay - Joe Kay's Slowed Edits Vol. 1
Soulection's Joe Kay treats his listeners to a compilation of his most favorite tracks. This mix is the perfect score for the workday commute, cleaning the crib, or a long walk to clear the mind. Joe Kay took the liberty of slowing the tempo to set the mood, leaving more than a few tracks slightly screwed. The result is a set that serves up a serious dose of electric relaxation. Zone out and listen to the tape below.
The Left Coast - Left Coast Radio Ep. 3
Dash Radio's XXL station drops the third installment of Left Coast Radio. Collectively known as The Left Coast, DJ's Spintelect, Meka (of 2DOPEBOYZ), Cory Townes and Where's Nasty serve up two hours of dancehall, New Jack Swing, and West Coast rap classics with their first mix of 2017.
LeFtO - LeFtOoO Mix #685
LeFtO returns with LeFtOoO Mix #685, his first offering of the new year. Paying tribute to fallen musical titans before launching into a formidable set that includes new tracks from Lunice, J. Cole, Quelle Chris, Run The Jewels, Joy Orbison, Earl Sweatshirt and Arthur Verocai. If you know of LeFtO, you do not need to be sold on the musical talent. I suggest you just dig in and enjoy the ride.
DJ DMAN - B4RTJ (Before Run The Jewels) Mix
Calgary's own DJ DMAN pays tribute to Run The Jewels with a 47-minute trip through the respective solo catalogs of rage rap titans Killer Mike and El-P. The mix follows the December 2016 release of the duo's Run The Jewels 3 LP. This set is essentially archival gold for anyone interested in the making of the celebrated underground MC's that would ultimately join forces and reemerge as Run The Jewels.
DJ Plann.B - XLARGE Presents: A Little Extra Mix
One third of the team behind the SHiFt parties, DJ Plann.B steps to the plate with a thumping set for West Coast clothing brand XLARGE, which features gems and reworks from Kaytranada, Vic Mensa, Simbad, Tek.Lun, Flume and D'Angelo. From the first note to the last, the infectious rhythm and abiding bass carry this uptempo mix. You want to dance your way through this week? Plann.B has got you covered.
Soul Clap Records x Midnight Magic - Cosmic Thump Mix
Soul Clap celebrates the November release of Brooklyn disco funk collective Midnight Magic's Free From Your Spell LP with a 55-minute mix full of disco, jazz funk, fusion, soul and more. Reflective of the sounds that have likely informed and sustained the band, the 55-minute selection of joints features tunes from Manu Dibango, LJ Waiter, Lonnie Liston Smith and more. Take a listen.
Chopstick & JohnJon - Lovebirds B2B at Suol's Break Room Mix
Kreuzberg's Suol Radio presents a great selection of dance and deep house with the arrival of Lovebirds B2B at Suol's Break Room, the bi-weekly Facebook Live spinoff of the mix channel from Berlin's Suol Crew. DJ's Chopstick and JohnJon team up to deliver the goods this go-round. Dig into the mix.
Alex Sandwich - Soul Cool Records: The Alex Sandwich Guest Mix
Al from The Alex Sandwich steps to the plate for the Soul Cool Records mix series The Soul Cool Guest List. Clocking in at just over the 1.5 hour mark, the mix features tracks from The Seventh, Mndsgn, Benny Sings, Mr. Carmack, Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life, Damu The Fudgemunk, Homeboy Sandman, Mo Kolours and more.
9th Wonder x Apple Music - 10 Exclusive Mixes
9th Wonder has spent the past eight days dropping successive mixes. Each captures the sound of an era and references a cult classic. Beloved film and sitcom characters anchor the nostalgia themed time sets, which take us from 9th's aunt and uncle's house in the '80s to the 41st side of things, where we cruise through rap classics in a Maxima. No embeds, so follow the links below to dig into the collection. Ten sets deep to date, this series is responsible for all sorts of late-night Twitter debates about musical GOATS and who son'd who in which genre way back when.
Click through and keep an eye on 9th's timeline for more goodies.
The Running Man: The You & Your Friends Dance Routine Mixtape 1980-1995
The Marcus Graham Experience: The Men Of 90's R&B
Totally 80's: The Downtown Julie Brown Mixtape 1980-1989
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: "I Hate The Radio"
My Aunt & Uncle's House: The 1980's Ebony Fashion Fair Mix
Timbs & ChewSticks: The 90s Boom Bap Extravaganza
1988 DopeBoys: '88 Maxima Music
Dwayne & Whitley: The Young, Gifted & Black Soundtrack 1988-1993
