[EP] DJ SHADOW - "The Mountain Has Fallen" (Ft. Nas & Danny Brown)

With a release like this EP, that brings back traditional hip-hop values, and invites some of the illest lyricists of the both past and present some haters might say that the legendary DJ/producer behind '96 stone cold classic "Endtroducing" is somewhat on a return. His new EP "The Mountain has Fallen" is no doubt a hardcore back-to-basics four-track project but the truth of the matter is that Shadow has been dropping gems for years; it's hardly like "Endtroducing" is his only worthwhile album and his legacy rest on what a fucking classic that was. That album broke a lot of ground as far as being 100% concocted from samples while being instrumental and sounded like totally new musical compositions. But beside "Pre-Emptive Strike" (which was recorded before '96) he kind of switched up his style and yes there's been some duds along the way; but that's what happens when you're an artist and experiment. But don't forget that he in 2011 released the super-slept on album "The Less You Will Fall" that sported a new era but borrowed heavily from what made Shadow fans first take notice, and also featured guest spots from Posdnous, Talib Kweli and even Little Dragon for good measure. If you haven't heard that album be sure to check it out ASAP.

Now Mr. Davis is teaming up with Mass Appeal, gearing up for another album, and just dropped an EP to whet our appetites and the four track project sure as hell does not dissapoint. A mixture of vintage samples, live instrument, breaks for headnodding hip-hop and some imrpessive turntable work this genre defying project will be getting a lot of play. Especially the first song that features no less than the first meeting between NAS and Shadow on the throwback banger "Systematic". Steven Price does a great job of closing out the project with the hectic "Corridors". Check it out for free below stay tuned for a new full-length by this one-of-a-kind DJ/producer.

[EP] DJ SHADOW - "The Liquid Amber EP"

I'm real ecited to announce that DJ Shadow has just released a free three track EP that's as experimental as his more recent music. A lot of hip-hop nerds claims that Shadow completely lost it after his masterpiecces "Entroducing" and its spiritual successor "Pre-Emptive Strike". While those might of course be his best work, Shadow still can make extremely interesting music - his last solo album "The Less You Know, The Better" was one of the strongest albums of 2010 and had incredible replay value. This new EP, "The Liquid Amber", is filled with live instrumentation, obscure samples, chaotic arrangements and powerful drums with a production that evokes the old Rick Rubin records where he prefered to be credited as "reduced by" or "remix ruined by....". I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece but it gives a good taste of what's to come from a full-length DJ Shadow album in 2014. The ten track EP is made up of two new songs ("Ghost Down"; "Mob") a long with a noisey to ambient power remix of Machinedrum's Six Drums.

          Also I haave a strong feeling that this is a grower. with each listen so keep hitting that rewind button..'Nuff talk, check it out for youself below, but be sure to bang this MF LOUD!

[Throwback] DJ SHADOW - "DARK DAYS" CDS

Yesterday I saw Marc Singer's brilliant 2000 documentary film "Dark Days" which follows a group of people living as homeless in a set of underground tunnels in NYC. It's a great portrait, beautifully shot in black and white, and an important document of those who live on the outskirts of society. I remember hearing about DJ Shadow scoring the music for the film around the time it came out, but I never saw the actual film before. Most of the music comes from "Entroducing", with additional cues from "Pre-Emptive Strike" and "Psyence Fiction", and although the music was lifted from existing sources works absolutely perfectly with the gritty images. 

However, Shadow also composed one original piece for the soundtrack, which is the "Dark Days Theme". This was his first released studio recording following the often underrated UNKLE album, and both mixes of the song has that dreamlike, epical quality that made Shadow's earlier stuff stand out so much and made him such a loved character on the underground scene. The single was pressed up on limited edition CD:s and 7" singles, but are of course out of print these days, but you can check out this fantastic soundtrack to a strongly recommended movie below.

A. "Dark Days" (Main Theme)

B. "Dark Days" (Spoken For Mix)

DJ SHADOW - "DARK DAYS" CDS

[Unreleased] Blackalious / DJ Shadow - "Changes"

Since DJ Shadow's unbelivable debut album "Entroducing", the rare and unreleased compilation "Pre-Emptive Strike" and his work with UNKLE on "Psyence Fiction", Joan Davis has strived heavily from his original formula, only occassionally showing glimpses of the sample based mastermind's genius. His latest album "The Less You Know...", however, is an exceptional ride that sadly way too many people are sleeping on. Because original fans missing his original sound, people should rejoice that Davis has dug into the archives of his old MPC and created his own "Lost Tapes" made up of previously unreleased material recorded between 1992 and 1996. You can pre-order "Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions From the MPC Era" on either CD or vinyl so grab it while you can!

Early in 1993, Shadow was part of the underground label Solesides, together with Blackalicious and Lyrics Born. In 1994 Blackalicious released their debut EP "Melodica" on the label; a record long out of print. About half of the EP was produced by Shadow, but one of their collaborations failed to make the cut; the time capsule "Changes", which you can hear above, and will be included on the re-release of the "Melodica" EP, so be on the lookout for that while you enjoy the banger below.   

DJ Shadow unveils lost tapes '92-'96

Turntablist/producer extraordinaire, DJ Shadow, has announced his next project as "Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions from the MPC Era". Rather than a album of brand new songs, Mr. Davis has dug into the archives to dig up a collection of never before heard bangers originally recorded between 1992 and 1996. In other words these songs are from around and before "Entroducing", and should be a great companion piece to the similair (and incredible) "Preemptive Strike". All the songs were made by Shadow on his original trusted Akai MPC, of course meaning this is filled with nothing but sample based music. No release date set yet but you can check out two of the tracks right away. Oh, and if you haven't yet, make sure to peep Shadow's latest album "The Less You Know the Better" cuz it's crazy!

DJ SHADOW - "DREAMS OF A PIECE" 

DJ SHADOW - "The Less You Know The Better" [Stream]

DJ Shadow's first album in over five years has been in the work for quite some time, and now "The Less You Know The Better" is finally ready for the world to be heard. Although "Entroducing" is one of the finest sample-based instrumental albums ever laid to wax, and "Pre-emptive Strike" and "Psyence Fiction" were both strong efforts, Shadow's music hasn't really grabbed me in a long time. I'm hoping this will be satisfactory because we all know how talented this guy truly are. The only joint I've listened to so far is the collaboration with Posdnous and Talib Kweli which I've been wanting to hear for a long time. Shit does not dissapoint in my opinion. I always wanted to hear more quality emcees over Shadow's instrumental so this is right on the mark.

The new LP will be available on October 4 and can be pre-ordered in all formats @ Amazon.com.Head over to NPR below and check out as much of the album you want by streaming it.

DJ SHADOW - "THE LESS YOU KNOW, THE BETTER"