[Mixtape] A CAT CALLED FRITZ - "Nowadays"

Spectacular jazz and boom bap fanatic A Cat Called Fritz finally unveils his mixtape "Nowadays", something at least I've been eagerly anticipating. Fritz first came on my radar with his absolutely excellent production work with Soundsci / MassInfluence emcee Audessey on their collaborative LP "Rounds Per Minute" (one of last years ten best projects). His build up for this new mixtape has included some pretty mindblowing remixes, including Fritz' take on Bahamadia's "I Confess" which literally had me screaming for a Bahamadia/A Cat original full-length, or at least a remix project. Mainly made up of remixes (for the likes of Nas, Little Brother, Beatnuts, De La Soul, Mos Def, Show & A, etc.) but there's also some brand new Audessey joints and some dope instrumentals to enjoy! (If you can't see the embeded player up top, click here where you'll also find the tracklist).

a Cat Called FRITZ / BAHAMADIA - "I Confess Remix"

A Cat Called FRITZ was a completely new name to me when I was introduced to his impressive jazz licks and sample manipulation via the LP he did with the homie Audessey called "Beats Per Minute". That was one of my favorite projects of 2014 so I'm obviously checking for this Cat from now on. His next project is a collection of remixes and unreleased tracks called "Nowadays" that should be out soon. So far FRITZ have uploaded two songs from the upcoming mixtape, including an absolutely mindblowing remix of Bahamadia's classic "I Confess" that fits the dope Philly emcees voice like a glove. Those two could make a classic album together, and that's the double truth, Ruth.

AUDESSEY & A CAT CALLED FRITZ - "Beats Per Minute"

Audessey of Soundsci and (formerly) Mass Influence is a rapper I have loads of respect for, as he's constantly dropping quality material no matter who he is working on or with who. His most recent endevour is a project with French beat maestro A Cat Called Fritz whose love for funky jazz samples, hypnotic horns, deep bass grooves and boom bap drums makes for a perfect blend with Audessey's smooth voice, versatile flows and honest lyrics. "Beats Per Minute" is being released via Slice-Of-Spice, who continues their movement of releasing real hip-hop for the love of the culture, and is now finally available on 12" vinyl. Audessey was kind enough to shoot me over a copy of the digital version quite some time ago, and I immediatly fell in love with the sounds of Fritz and A's creativeness and the extraordinary sounds it resulted in. Needless to say I have been waiting for a physical copy to add to my collection since then, which is now finally available @ Slice-Of-Spice in various editions, including an instrumental LP, a limited picture disc, the regular 12" EP, and the collectors bundle which includes the album, the instrumental set, the picture disc and the "The Hop"/"By Design" 7". Without a doubt this is one of the absolute finest releases of the year, so HURRY UP AND BUY!

As if the news alone wasn't enough S-O-S has also put up the full album stream for both the regular and instrumental editions on their Soundcloud page, so peep them below. Only downside is that the vinyl omits the songs "By Design" and "Traveling Thoughts" which were the two album closers on the digital version A hooked me up with. Nontheless the eight tracks we are left with is enough to bop your head for 30 minutes straight, so I can't really front! Also check out the free prequel tape, "The Metronome Mixtape".

AUDESSEY + A CAT CALLED FRITZ - "The Metronome Mixtape"

One of my most played records at the moment is the collaboration between Soundsci emcee Audessey and parisian beatmaker a Cat Called FRITZ entitled "Beats Per Minute". Audessey is one of those emcees with a message to rely and even when it's just battle rhymes he's got a way with words that commands you to listen to every syllable. a Cat Called FRITZ is pure hip-hop, but is coming from the jazz perspective of things, and to me there's nothing like a beat built around a nice jazz groove; funky rhodes piano, a groovy stand up bass, blasting horns and so forth. Already from the first single ("Frequencies") dropped back in September you could tell this was going to be something special and indeed it was. Expect to hear more from this dynamic recording duo in a near future at The Lost Tapes as an interview is currently being set up.

The always impressive people of Slice-Of-Spice released "B.P.M." in several formats, and now the imprint together with the artist have uploaded a free HQ mixtape for further listening pleasure. Entitled "The Metronome Mixtape", this 68 minutes mix features Fritz getting his wheels of steel on creating a fascinating mix of tracks from the LP, fresh remixes of Mass Influence and Soundsci joints and a couple of bangers from FRITZ Parisian crew + his own personal instrumentals. As Audessey himself puts it "an interesting collage of old, new, remixes, and the rest...". Be sure to join the duo's "Beats Per Minute" page @ Facebook and if you still haven't got the wax - head over to Slice-Of-Spice to do some shopping.

[EP] AUDESSEY & A CAT CALLED FRITZ - "Beats Per Minute"

Audessey and producer A Cat Called Fritz kicked off 2014 with the release of the second video from their excellent EP "Beats Per Minute". Just like the previous single "Frequencies" it's another laid back, real kicking jazz infused cut with an A performance by Audessey. "B.P.M." is out soon on Slice-Of-Spice and will be available here, a long with the limited 45:s collector's editions which can be purchased now. But even better, the digital version of the entire 11 track album which is truly exceptional is already available for digital purchase through Bandcamp, and can be streamed in its entirety below, so check it out ASAP as this one comes highly recommended (just remember to rewind two tracks on the embeded player below, as it start on track #3 for some reason)!

AUDESSEY & A CAT CALLED FRITZ - "Frequencies"

The always on point Audessey (Soundsci, Mass Influence) has teamed up with producer ACatCalledFritz for the EP "Beats Per Minute" to be released through Slice-Of-Spice very soon. If the smooth knock of the jazzy lead single "Frequencies" is pointing the way, you'd better watch out for this one. I know I will!