NORMAN BROWN - "Angel" [prod. by DILLA]

As big a Dilla head that I am, every now and then there still pops up a previously unknown production from the man that was neglected for inclusion on the Official Discography that Stones Throw compiled. And while I did like the new Slum Village LP I'd much rather listen to obscure tracks that Mr. Yancey actually had a hand in during his lifetime than any of these posthumously put together shit (post-"Jay Stay Paid" there really haven't been anything worthwhile released if you ask me). One such cut is "Angel", a mesmerizingly beautiful collaboration between smooth jazz guitarist and singer Norman Brown and producers J Dilla, James Poyser and Malik Pendelton. The song appeared on Brown's 2004 album "West Coast Coolin'". Another great track to add to the list of Jay Dee's many brilliant soul compositions and probably one of the last collaborations between Poyser and himself.

 NORMAN BROWN - "ANGEL"

J DILLA - "Bangin' Like A DILLA Instrumental"

OkayPayer premiered this really, really solid mixtape put together by Chocolate Sunday's resident DJ:s Manuvers, Sharpsound and Louie Arson. Titled "Bangin' Like a Dilla Instrumental" this expertly crafted mix blends some of the most legendary Jay Dee instrumentals for other people, to classic solo work and group settings, and rare beats "straight from the fucking cassette". It's amazing how fresh these beats still sound today and one thing that's pretty amazing with DiLLA beats is that they are usually just as interesting with or without vocals on top. Enjoy this shit but be sure to TURN IT UP!!! A LITTLE LOUDER!!

Also released via OkayPlayer is this rare studio footage of The Soulquarians in action (with Dilla on the drum set), jamming out a track that would eventually transform into "Aquarius" on Common's underrated "Electric Circus". Read more about the session @ OKP. Last but not least in this selection of DiLLA news, FatBeats and Ne'Astra Music Group are reissuing both the original Slum Village albums with JayDee on wax and cassette, so if you don't have those gems you better grab them both. Read more over @ FatBeats.com.

COMMON Ft. Vince Staples & Jay Electronica - "Kingdom Remix"

Without a doubt one of the hottest tracks of the year gets a new lyrical touch up as Common invites the always anticipated Jay Electronica to join him and Vince Staples in "The Kingdom". Sicccccck!

[Soul] DAYNE JORDAN x JAZZY JEFF - "Abour the Art"

It's been quite some time since I've updated, life got in the way (and just got back from an excellent Mobb Deep concert with my man Big Rob; review coming), so I thought I'd start a little easy with some updates of joints I've missed posting and tomorrow I'll start posting regularily again. First out is three Lost Tapes favorites (DJ Jazzy Jeff - production, ?uestlove - drums, James Poyser - keys) who together form like voltron to deliver one of this year's strongest R&B/soul cuts with quriky singer Dane Jordan (p/k/a Dosage) who delivers a stunning performance on some '70s oozing downbeat blues soul, yet with a definite hip-hop angel with the cuts, the rhymes, the beat and pretty much overall the insttrumental track. The cat is from Philly which explains his close relationship with Jeff, and hopefully we see more from this young singer (and especially with more legendary producers and instrumentalists holding it down behind him) so stay tuned. Until then, press play above, and if you're with a girl you got a great soundtrack for your home date, and if you're alone this is one of them joints that you put on and zoom out on.

MAIMOUNA YOUSSEF - "We Could Be" [prod. Jay Dee & James Poyser]

Maimouna Youssef is a highly talented soul singer whose beautiful voice you might recognize from her work with artists like Common, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Dead Prez. Sometime around the early 2000's Youssef recorded a potential solo single produced by the dynamic Soulquarian's duo of J Dilla and James Poyser. That beat and that voice - damn what a nice groove! On a side note, be sure to check out Maimouna @ Bandcamp for more music, including her debut album "The Blooming".

[Album] MACK WILDS - "New York: A Love Story"

A couple of nights I ago I posted the Method Man assisted "Land of the Wild Things" from The Wire actor Tristan "Mack" Wilds turned R&B singer. As the first signee to Salaam Remi's production company Re Mi Fa / Louder Than Life, Wilds and the Award winning producer have been hard at work on the singer's debut album "New York: A Love Story". Not to be confused with the super sugar coated R&B of today, this is often more reminiscent of the street-edged crooners of the '90s that often used hip-hop beats and didn't exclusively sing about love.In that vein, Salaam and Mack have rounded up additional beats from hip-hop legends like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Havoc, Bink!, and James Poyser which was then given additional touches and production by Remi, meaning that he in some shape or form have had a hand in producing every single song on the LP. 

Unfortunately there's no production credits around for most of this yet, though I know that "Land of the Wild Things" was solely produced by Salaam Remi, while "My Crib" and "Henny" was produced by Bink! and Havoc, respectively, (both with co-production from Remi). An educated guest is that Premier co-produced and put the scratches on "Keepin' It Real", while Pete Rock might have done the same for the strictly hip-hop oriented "Duck Sauce". Guest features are kept to a minimum but the ones who appear are all terrific writers and long-time greats -  Meth, Raekwon and Doug E. Fresh... TheUrban Daily has been given the get-go to premier the LP in its entirety, before it officially drops September 30. Be sure to give this one a spin unless you absolutely hate R&B (and even then check out "Duck Sauce", "Keepin' It Real" and the feature cuts).

01. "Land of the Wild Things" (Ft. Method Man)
02. "My Crib"
03. "Henny"
04. "Own It"
05. "MaGic!"
06. "Keepin' It Real"
07. "U Can Try To Me" (Ft. Raekwon & Doug E. Fresh)
08. "Don't Turn Me Down"
09. "The Sober Up"
10. "A New York Love Story"
11. "Art Of Fallin'"
12. "Remember The Time"
13. "Duck Sauce"

 STREAM "NY: A LOVE STORY" @ U.B.D.

Moonchild - "Free" [Jazzy Jeff / James Poyser Remix]

Producer and DJ Jazzy Jeff, and pianist and beatsmith James Poyser are two of the greats, yet somewhat underrated when it comes to both hip-hop and soul productions. Moonchild is a relatively new soul trio who's releasing their debut album "Be Free" (stream @ their Bandcamp). What's really interesting however, is that the title track has been remixed in collaboration by no lesser musical giants than DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser to create a soulful, piano driven and rhythm progressive take that should be heard by any fans of these Philadelphia musical maestros. Click here if you can't see the player below.