Cadenza Oliver Square
(Photo: Gray Brame)
This just keep getting better and better over here in Mixtape Monday. While you and your crew were out in the bright Coachella sun (or camping out in a long line of crate-diggers for Record Store Day 2k15), we were getting busy to the freshest sets of hip-hop, funk, freestyle soul. And unlike a 'chella sunburn or those rare 7" singles you copped, we're more than happy to make our hoard a sharing affair. First and foremost is the world premiere exclusive Okayplayer drop of Cadenza's "Foundations" mixtape, a progressive mix of hip-hop and future soul that's so damn listenable it oughtta be a crime. Also on deck is a brand new live mix from legend DJ Jazzy Jeff, and an interstellar throwdown from the illest astrophysicist to ever pen a playlist: Neil deGrasse Tyson. Really.
Farther back in the stash is an incredible all-45s vinyl mix of hip-hop cuts from Grown Kids Radio, an hour of nothing but flute funk courtesy of DJ Mentos, Okayafrica-approved dance tones and a whole lot more. If you missed out on your chance to catch some fleeting music this weekend, be it live or on wax, we feel you--but this week's mixtape grip is plenty strong, varied, and bountiful for all. Let's begin.
Cadenza, aka Oliver Rodigan, is a UK producer on the rise, and at the tender age of 25 he's already built connections with Kiko Bun and Loyle Carner. His work blends tones both vintage and global with a fierce approach to bass--think Afrobeat, Indian, and dancehall tones (Cadenza spent much of 2014 touring with Major Lazer), supported by a vicious grime backline. Cadenza makes music that's ideal for a steamy club, but is also well-suited to dedicated listening sessions; his ears are wide, and productions like "Poison Dart" and "How Many Times" are proof positive that Mr. Rodigan has done his crate-digging dirty work. Today, Okayplayer is very proud to present the world premiere of the "Foundations" mixtape, a seamless batch of tracks that have been major influences on Cadenza over the years. Opening with Rich Boy's Afro-Colombian sampling and cruising right through cuts from Timbaland, Dam Funk, Wajeed and many more, it's a perfect introduction to Rodigan's aesthetic. It travels through dance tracks organic and electrified, and at all times it keeps things moving. Listen to it below and enjoy its eclectic greatness. Cadenza, we're quite pleased to meet you.
Interested parties can (and should) purchase Cadenza's latest single "When Will I Stop Dreaming" on iTunes.
Tracklist:
1. Rich Boy ‐ "Get to Poppin (Instrumental)"
2. Timbaland ‐ "Indian Flute"
3. Joe Cain ‐ Uplifted"
4. Mosca ‐ "Tilt Shift"
5. Dam Funk ‐ "Hood Pass" ft. MC Eiht
6. Wajeed ‐ "Tron"
7. Bullion ‐ "Get Familiar"
8. Tekdotlun ‐ "Shush"
9. J£zus Million ‐ ???
10. Roots Manuva ‐ "It's On"
11. Arms & suites ‐ "925"
12. 2562 ‐ "Winamp Melodrama"
13. Pangaea ‐ "Inna Daze"
14. Fatly DL ‐ "Hip Love"
15. Hijak ‐ "Tears"
16. Pearson Sound ‐ "Blanked"
Damn. Just, damn. There's a reason why DJ Jazzy Jeff is renowned the world over as one of the best to ever lay hands on a mixer. Right away, there's this tracklist. In only an hour the Jazzy one manages to recontextualize D'Angelo, Toto, Q-Tip (twice), Steve Miller, Parliament, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Ronson (thrice), Stevie, and just about every other dope figure in hip-hop and R&B. The Beyond Wonderland mixtape bobs and weaves through its playlist like an underdog boxer, finding the perfect moments in each track before jabbing in for the knock-out. It's a mix so playful and expertly-done that it's got us reminiscing on Mr. Jeff's yearly Summertime sets--yes it's that excellent. It was put together for Insomniac's Beyond Wonderland festival, and word is 200 lucky attendees were given physical copies--lucky devils. The rest of us can thankfully listen below, so strap in and get to it. This one's correct in every respect.
Tracklist:
Pharrell Williams - “Happy” (Stromix)
Tropkillaz - “Badman”
The Procussions - “Track 10”
Toto - “Africa”
D’Angelo & The Vanguard - “Sugah Daddy”
Mayer Hawthorne ft. Kendrick Lamar - “Crime”
Q-Tip - “Gettin’ Up”
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - “Summertime” (Jazzy Jeff’s Mix)
Phil Collins - “In The Air Tonight”
Q-Tip - “Let’s Ride”
Stro Elliot - “Kamaal Coltrane”
Steve Miller - “Fly Like An Eagle” (Jorun Bombay “Fly Like A Dub” Edit)
MM - “Superstition” (Remix)
6th Sense - “Do You Go Back To Cali?”
Parliament - “Flashlight” (Chopped Edit)
Steve Winwood - “Higher Love”
Kendrick Lamar ft. Anna Wise - “Real”
Oliver - “Night Is On My Mind”
The Jackson 5 - “It’s Great To Be Here” (Jorun Bombay Edit)
Survivor - “Eye of the Tiger”
LL Cool J - “Mama Said Knock You Out” (Jorun Bombay Remix)
Run-DMC - “Beats to the Rhyme” (Jorun Bombay Remix)
Bill Withers with Studio Rio - “Lovely Day” (Studio Rio Version)
Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams - “Change Clothes” (Latin Version)
Tropkillaz and Leo Justi - “Deixa Eu Dizer” (Desabafo)
DJ Day - “A Place to Go”
RJD2 - “All for You”
Jorun Bombay - “Jorun’s Way"
DJ Katch - “The Horns”
Stevie Wonder - “Sir Duke”
Cece Peniston - “Keep on Walkin’”
Soho - “Hot Music” (Hott Ffej Edit)
Soho - “Hot Music”
Mark Ronson ft. Keyone Starr - “I Can’t Lose”
Slave - “Just a Touch of Love” (Moplen Remix)
Usher - “Good Kisser” (Disclosure Remix)
Mark Ronson ft. Mystikal - “Feel Right”
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - “Uptown Funk”
The Rebirth - “Evil Vibrations”
De La Soul - “A Roller Skating Jam Named ‘Saturdays’”
The Young Punx - “Harlem Breakdown”
Bunji Garlin ft. Nigel Rojas - “Differentology”
Disclosure - “Latch” (Lido Remix)
Yes, you're reading this right. Astrophysicist, author, and champion of science and reason Neil deGrasse Tyson has composed a mixtape (it's truly an on-air DJ set, but we're bending the rules a bit for this one). Opening with Koko Taylor and closing with Louis Armstrong, the micro-set was thrown down at the KCRW radio studios in Los Angeles and spans some of Mr. Tyson's absolute favorite jams from his younger days as a physics student. It's a mix put together with deliberate intention--DJ Neil notes during the broadcast that "I'm a Woman" can truly help to empower anyone, regardless of gender, and he's quick to acknowledge the irony of his Van Morrison selection. You can download more of KCRW's Guest DJ Project mixes here, but there's no better place to start than Tyson's mix, which is directly below.
Tracklist:
Koko Taylor - "I'm A Woman"
Aretha Franklin - "Old Landmark"
Van Morrison - "Moondance"
Styx - "Come Sail Away"
Louis Armstrong - "What A Wonderful World"
This is about as proper and old school as they come. The fine folks over at Grown Kids Radio delivered an all-vinyl set of hip-hop 45s over the weekend in honor of record store day and the importance of owning great music. Made with the wise assistance of Jerry Nice, the mix is an old-outing first and foremost, with cuts from Smif-N-Wessun, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakin, and NWA all getting their turn atop the tables. Grown Kids, for those who don't know, is a collective of music-lovers and savvy DJs who have opted to collaborate in the name of tasteful sound. Their radio station has already logged over 50 episodes, and the group has just begun an entre into physical record releases as well, issuing Off The Beaten Tracks late last year. Steeped in choice hip-hop, funk, and soul, the station shows nothing but promise and we're more than happy to host their 45 throwdown mix below. Browse their selection via bandcamp and learn much more over at their main site.
Tracklist:
1) Kastaway - "My Life"
2) Smif-N-Wessun - "Home Sweet Home"
3) Jamal - "Fades 'Em All"
4) Positive K - "A Good Combination"
5) Public Enemy - "Shut 'Em Down (Pe-te Rock Mixx)"
6) A Tribe Called Quest - "Can I Kick It (Spirit Mix)"
7) Eric B. & Rakim - "Microphone Fiend"
8) Beastie Boys - "Hey Ladies"
9) Erick Sermon - "Hittin' Switches"
10) Heavy D - "Blue Funk"
11) NWA - "Gangsta Gangsta"
12) The Union - "The Union"
13) Sureshot - "Bust Shots (Instrumental)"
14) De La Soul - "En Focus"
(Artwork courtesy of Underdog)
Our favorite internet neighbor/partner-in-beats Okayafrica has published yet another hoe run. Selected and sewn up by NYC DJ and beatmaker Nickodemus, their latest Africa In Your Earbuds mixtape is without a doubt the highest-energy hour in this entire roundup. Loaded with the desert blues of Bombino and the fierce electro of DJ Khalab, the mix is a deft tour of modern African music from one of the hardest working DJs in live music. “Throughout the years I’ve followed & spun African music in many forms of funk, hip-hop, house,” Nickodemus told OKA. “In this mix I wanted capture a little of it all including artists who may not be from Africa, but clearly collaborated with musicians or samples from the continent. As we know in music, it all comes full circle and we have to give respect to the many who’ve paved the way over the years to get us on the good foot worldwide today.”
You can read more in-depth notes on Nickodemus's AIYE mixtape over at Okayafrica, and check out their entire Africa In Your Earbuds series if you haven't already done so. Your ears, hips, and feet will thank you.
Tracklist:
Romare - “Nina”
The Sumo Brothers - “I Love Music” (Umoja Edit) (Ivory Coast)
Umoja 0 “Fiya” (Ghana)
Yacouba Diarra - “Ginako (dj Smash Funky recall mix) (Burkina Faso/ USA)
Acid Arab feat. Avril & Shadi Khries - “Samira”
Clap Clap - “Barbuka”
Zed Bias & Mark Pritchard - “Trouble in the Streets” (Kidkanevil Remix) (UK)
Owiny Sigoma Band - “Nyiduonge Drums”
Novalima - “Santero” (Peru)
Rocky Marsiano - “Semba Assim”
DJ Khalab - “Malala” (Italy)
Machine Drum - “Listen to Me”
Bombino - “Tar Hani” (Niger/ Kel Air Tuareg)
Alsarah and the Nubatones - “Bilal Al Dahab” (Isaac Aesili Remix) (Sudan/ USA)
Nickodemus & Solani feat The Earthchild Project - “Beauty is Your Name” (South Africa/ USA)
Let's get the Ron Burgandy references out of the way right now. DJ Mentos (yes he's a certified fresh-maker) has compiled for Wax Poetics a sizzling mixtape of nothing but funk that features the flute and it positively bangs. From Herbie Hancock to Herbie Mann, it's a staggering display of hard work on Mentos's part to find and intersperse these choice woodwind jams. Breakbeats abound, and on every track we're treated to either blistering solos or gorgeous background lines all from the instrument you thought you were too cool to play in pep band. The next time someone claims the flute can't go hard, you can put this on. Read more about its creation over at WaxPo.
Tracklist:
DJ Mentos - "Intro Skit"
The Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle - "Ape Shuffle"
Ebony Godfather - "Electric Godfather"
Harold Alexander - "Mama Soul"
Focus - "Anonymous"
Moe Koffman - "Harvest"
The Blues Project - "Flute Thing"
Black Heat - "Baby You’ll See (juggle)"
Frank Pourcel - "L’ete Indien (Africa)"
Herbie Hancock - "Death Wish OST (snippet)"
Mandrill - "Stop and Go"
Herbie Mann - "Do It Again"
Black Heat - "Zimba Ku"
Soulful Strings - "Burning Spear"
Jesse Anderson - "Mighty Mighty"
Moe Koffman - "Spring (interlude)"
Joe Thomas - "Coco"
Lighthouse - "You and Me"
Horacee Arnold - "Benzele Windows"
Herbie Mann - "Chain of Fools"
Harold Alexander - "Country Soul"
Yusef Lateef - "Psychecemotus"
Moe Koffman - "Overture to Summer"
We're only days away from the New Orleans Jazz Fest, and if you're lucky enough to be in or around the Big Easy, we envy you to say the least. Luckily, some of the vibrant and brassy jazz stylings of that city's scene were put to tape in an extensive mix by Frank Forreal and Derrick Ah Sam of neworleansbrassmix. It's been labeled "Let's Go Get 'Em" and it's dynamite; about damn time we give some more shine to the Big Easy sound. The mix comes loaded with more modern grooves from the likes of Rebirth Brass Band and Trombone Shorty, along with funk outlaws Galactic and The Tremé Brass band. We understand if you can't make it to jazz fest--not every dope festival can fit the wallet. But to skip out on this cost-free set of hot horn funk would just be wrong.
Tracklist:
The Soul Rebels - "Sweet Dreams"
Stooges Brass Band - "Come and Dance With Me"
Rebirth Brass Band - "The Dilemma"
Rebirth Brass Band - "Tornado"
Rebirth Brass Band - "AP Touro"
Stooges Brass Band - "Stooges Party"
The Soul Rebels - "Rebel Rock (Live at the Blue Nile)"
Galactic feat. Cyril Neville - "Heart of Steel (Live at Tipitina's)"
Trombone Shorty - "Shortyville"
Trombone Shorty - "Backatown"
Trombone Shorty - "In The 6th"
Trombone Shorty - "Buckjump"
The Hot 8 Brass Band - "Ghost Town"
Kermit Ruffins - "Tremé Mardi Gras"
Hot 8 Brass Band - "We Are The One (Natural Self Remix)"
Hot 8 Brass Band - "Get Up/Get Up (Diesler Remix)"
Galactic (feat. Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry) - "Cineramascope"
Galactic (feat. Glen David Andrews and the Rebirth Brass Band) - "You Don't Know"
Galactic (feat. the Rebirth Brass Band) - "Boe Money"
The Tremé Brass Band - "Grazing In the Grass"
The Wild Magnolias - "All On a Mardi Gras Day"
Bo Dollis and Monk Boudreaux with the Rebirth Brass Band - "Shoo-Fly"
Rebirth Brass Band - "Let's Go Get 'Em"
There's something decidedly rebellious about Wicked's newest mix of hip-hop. Whether it be the take-no-shit wordplay of Your Old Droog or the bravado of Action Bronson. Or is it slyness of Dilated Peoples, matched with the no-nonsense production of Large Professor? Whatever it is, it works: Wicked's 2011-2015 hip-hop mix is proof that the last four years have in fact been a boon time for left-of-center artists that rep their personal vision over mainstream expectations.
Originally scripted and laid down in 2004, Monk One's "Lawn Chair Vibes" mixtape was recently resurrected by Wax Poetics and we're all fortunate souls for the fact. An eclectic blend of grooves old and new, the mix blends Grace Jones, Antibalas, D'Angelo, Prefuse 73, Dwele and many more leaders in their respective fields. A bit of disco, a lot of R&B, and a fair sprinkling of electro is what you'll hear once you push play--which you should definitely do, because it's a lovely set from front to back. See you outside in the backyard.
Tracklist:
1. Main Ingredient - “Intro”
2. Tosca - “Rolf Royce”
3. Richy Pitch - “The Lyricist (Instr.)”
4. Bob Belden Project - “Kiss”
5. Pole - “Slow Motion”
6. Grace Jones - “JA Guy”
7. Presto - “Pianoscape”
8. N’dea Davenport & Mos Def - ““Bullshittin’”
9. Nicknack - “Mustard Seed “
10. Prefuse 73 - “Got No Time For Rearviews”
11. Sonic Generation - “Unky Solution”
12. [Uncredited Track]
13. The Collectables - “Levy Jive”
14. Izit - “Make Way For The Originals”
15. Styles Of Beyond - “Live Enough (Remix Inst)”
16. Karen Pree - “You Stepped Into My Life”
17. Jocelyn Brown - “Somebody Else’s Guy”
18. Patrice Rushen - “You Remind Me”
19. Dwele - “Find A Way Inst”
20. Maxwell - “Urban Suite Theme”
21. D’Angelo - “Up & Down (Red Astaire Mix)”
22. A Forest Mighty Black - “Tides”
23. Time Machine (2) - “Wasting Time (Inst)”
24. Freddie Fresh - “It’s About the Groove (Remix)”
25. RSL - “Beanflicker” “
26. Antibalas - “Che Che Colé (Inst.)”
27. Gil Scott-Heron - “It’s Your World”
28. Ludovic Navarre - “Dub Experience”
29. Pepe Braddock - “Life”
30. Morgan Geist - “Epoch”
31. Lavish Habits - “Pocket Calculator”
32. Audiomontage - “Flyin’ High”
33. Fatjack - “Everybody’s Stylin’ (Inst.)”
34. Lil’ Louis & The World - “6am”
We'll close things out on a proper midwestern note Dope Folks Records put together a compilation of nothing but Milwaukee talent last week, and with it comes a (re)education in just how hard Wisconsinites can go. It's a great blend of lesser-known acts that should do wonders in bringing you up to speed on what's happening over in the flyover country (spoiler alert: nothing but dopeness). Everything herein was taken from either a 12" or 45 vinyl, so the sound quality is of course excellent. Until next week, mixtape-lovers: keep moving to it.
Tracklist:
Rock La Flow - "RWD/Wreckamic"
Stranj Child - "Split Personality"
Kali Tribe - "Kalism Remix"
Slim - "Can U Get It?"
Bruthaman - "All My Peepz"
Rusty Pelicans - "Like I Do"
Minus After - "Yellow Corvettes"
Def Harmonic - "Spaced Out"
Kid Millions (ft Rusty P's) - "Tuff Wit My Stuff"
Rusty P's - "Is it Live (Rob Smith Remix)"
Hundred Strong ft J Todd - Hardcore Poetry"
Automatic ft Logic - "The Back Up"
Dana Coppafeel - "Invincible"
King Hell Bastard - "Ma'Waukee"
Innerstance Beatbox ft. Kerse One - "Tekniques"
Rhetoric (Top Floor Fam) - "Love Or the Loot"
Innerstance Beatbox ft. Lunaversol 9 - "Angel Bomb"
KHB & Stricklin of EMC - "North Coast"
Mind Pimp (Top Floor Fam) - "She Never Loved Me"
J-Slim outro
