KLAUS LAYER - "Play Me Like An Old Melody"

German born Klaus Layer a.k.a. Captain Crook dropped one of the hottest instrumental records of 2013 when teaming up with Redefinition Records to drop his "The Adventures of Captain Crook". The album is still available in two different pressings on both CD, vinyl and cassette along with various EP:s and singles via Redef Records. And now Layer is releasing a brand new 7" single via the label featuring another one of his trademark boom bangers entitled "Play Me Like An Old Melody" which you can stream and download for free in full up top. Damn, a lot of hot new music coming out at the m.o.!

HUS KINGPIN x GUILTY SIMPSON - "Time is Runnin' Out"

Hus Kingpin and Guilty Simpson is by far among my favorite hardcore emcees doing it right now so a collaboration between the two is a boom bap dream come true. "Time is Runnin' Out" seems to have come out of nowhere, I'm not at all sure where this is from but the thumping jazz-infused backdrop and the agressive spitters' ruff vocals makes this one a rewind worthy moment without a doubt. The track is proudced by Scandianiava/Denmark producer M.W.P. Bang this out LOUD and be sure to peep Hus Kingpin's just released collaboration EP with producer Chuck Era "Hus Kingpin Meet Pro Era".

KILLAH PRIEST - "Monsters"

When a superb song writer and artist like Killah Priest is fresh off the release of a 40+ track opus like the impeccable "Psychic World Of Walter Reed" you would think that he'd slow down considerably. But Killah Priest is no regular artist, he's a true poet and extremely wise and he just don't run out of inspiration. Now he's back again with the DJ Woool produced "Monster"; a single from The Advocate and BallerStatus presented "Digital Dynasty #30" which will be able to download here once it drops. This installment is hosted by Kurupt and just today the second single of the mixtape dropped, and is a Kurupt joint entitled "Octopus" which you can stream below!

REKS & HAZARDIS SOUND - "Hold Your Applause"

Boston's currently hottest spitter, REKS, is churning out dope material at an extreme level that makes it hard to keep up with his many projects, yet the quality remains more or less constant. REKS and producer Hazardis Sound is preparing a collaborative full-length LP entitled "Eyes Watching Gold" (which is out soon) but "Hold Your Applause" is lifted from the free prequel tape "All Eyez On REKS" which is a very nice listen that features collaborations with Termanology, Styles P, N.O.R.E., Wais P, Ea$y Money, and more. Check it out, stream and/or download it @ DJBooth.

[Video] MIC LUNGZ - "Dedication"

DC spitter Mic Lungz recently released his impressive free fighting themed LP "Bully Beatdown", entirely produced by Judah. Now the album closer "Dedication", a tribute/salute to Floyd Mayweather, is given the visual treatment courtesy of a video directed by TK Other Realm. Press play above and be sure to check out the  "Bully Beatdown" project ASAP if you haven't already!

[Album] AYATOLLAH - "Be Real Black For Me"

Ever since I first heard him back in the Rawkus days I've had nothing but the highest admiration for Mr. Ayatollah. Now part of the Elementality family, the highly talented producer keeps churning out banging material - the latest being his new album "Be Real Black For Me". Filled with majestic strings, triumphant horns, soulful guitar licks, thick rhythm tracks and tight turntable work, there's no question that this is a perfect listen for the upcoming summer. While the majority of the LP is instrumental, 'Tollah also finds time to collaborate with the one and only Anthony Hamilton (on the beautiful "I Love Music"), EMP fam Silent Knight and Jered Sanders and even Inspectah Deck. The only downside is that as of now it's only available as a digital release (purchase it from iTunes) though a limited 7" single featuring the Anthony Hamilton joint on the A-side and the Rebel INS/Silent Knight track on the flip is also up for grabs @ Cotter Records. You can however stream the entire thing in all it's glory below, just don't forget to TURN IT UP!!

THE LEGION - "Stereo" [prod. BUCKWILD]

Legendary Bronx bombers The Legion enlists Buckwild for some rugged hardcore shit on "Stereo", and the results is slamming. This is the first single from the trio's upcoming full-length release "The Lost Tapes" (love the title) which is out on May 20 via Ill Adrenaline Records. The project consists of various rare and unreleased material along with three newly recorded songs (this being one of them). I really hope we'll get an album full of all new material soon because these guys still knows how to bring da ruckus for sure. Pre-order @ iTunes for the digital and cop the CD directly from Ill Adrenaline Records.

Also, in related news, it has been revealed that Legion producer/emcee Molecules is working on a n EP with Showbiz titled "A Bronx Tale". For anyone who remember their rugged collaboration "Revenge" you know this is gonna be something special!

DJ Premier x DRES - "Bars in the Booth" [Session #2]

DJ Premier got a lot of things going right now, one of them being his recently started Bars in the Booth series. The concept is that he invites various legendary emcees of all genres to HeadCQuarterz Studios, put on a Preemo beat and have them being filmed while they spazz out in the booth. First out was Papoose who went in over one of the instros from the "Beats Collected Dust" series that was also used by Bumpy Knuckles for "Fake" (click here if you missed that one). Now that was dope, but for Session 2 it's getting even sicker as Dres from Black Sheep (an emcee I always felt was criminally underrated emcee) really gets a chance to prove how extremely powerful he truly is with the wordplay. Shit what can I say, this is just... DAMN!

[EP/Album] PHONIKS - "Autumn in New York" / "The Instrumentals Vol. 1"

Just until about 30 minutes I was totally unfamiliar with the producer Phoniks, However,doing an unrelated Google search I stumbled across this EP of his entitled0 "Autumn in New York", pressed play and was immediatly hooked. The subtitle on the record cover is Jazz remixes of New York underground hip-hop and that is exactly what it is, and not some lame crossover attempt either but a record done with class and finesse. On the 9-track set Phoniks conjures up a moody atmosphere through the use of somber piano notes, acoustic guitar licks, low-key horns, double bass riffs and smacking drum programming,which he then juxtaposes against the acapellas of several classic underground hip-hop singles from the '90s (you got joints by The Artifacts, Street Smartz, Mos Def, Notorious BIG, Fugees,, AK Skills, and more). This is a damn fine front-to-back listen that demands you to sit down and chill out while soaking in the jazzy sounds and rugged lyricisms of times past. In other words "Autumn in New York" comes highly recommended, especially if you're a real jazz lover and a true hip-hop head like myself. 

I'm also including Phonik's latest release "The Instrumentals Vol. 1" which dropped earlier this month ("Autumn..." was apparantly released back in February). As the title suggests it's an entirely instrumental album and maybe even more than the aforementioned EP it exists in the grey zone between jazz and hip-hop but above anything else it's just beautiful music that'll get your head nodding so don't sleep. I'll definitely be continuing checking for this cat's music, so stay tuned and hope you like his stuff as much as I do. I don't seem to be able to find out any real info about him, but it seems that he operates out of Portland and you can check out more of his work @ PhoniksBeats.com.

D.I.T.C. - "We All" [ALCHEMIST Remix]

Damn, D.I.T.C. is definitely in the house this year as there's a whole slew of fat releases on the horizon on the camp, and now Slice-Of-Spice is teaming up with the original posse to bring fans "The Remix Project". Beside Showbiz, Diamond D, Lord Finesse and Buckwild the fourteen track project also includes new reimaginations of classic D.I. business by heavy names like Marco Polo, Bink!, 9th Wonder, Apollo Brown and Alchemist as well and long time associates DJ Premier and O.Gee. The set date is May 7 and the first single is Alchemist remix of "We All", a lesser known track featuring OC and AG that was originally produced by Showbiz for inclusion on his and E-Blaze's unreleased "Born Lords" album. I'm on my third rewind already 'cus this is too fucking HEAVY!

01. "We All" [Alchemist Remix] (Ft. OC & AG)

02. "Da Enemy" [Bink! Remix] (Ft. Big L & Fat Joe)

03. "All Love" [Apollo Brown Remix] (Ft. Fat Joe, Lord Finesse, Big L & AG)

04. "Thick" [Lord Finesse Remix] (Ft. Big L, OC & AG)

05. "Best Behavior" [Showbiz Remix #1] (Ft. Fat Joe & Big Pun)

06. "D.I.T.C." [DJ Premier Remix] (Ft. Diamond D, Showbiz, AG & Lord Finesse)

07. "Casualties Of A Dice Game" [Buckwild Remix] (Ft. Big L)

08. "Time To Get That Money" [9th Wonder Remix] (Ft. AG, Diamond D & OC)

09. "Internationally Known" [Diamond D Remix] (Ft. OC, Fat Joe & Big L)

10. "Way Of Life" [Marco Polo Remix] (Ft. Fat Joe, Big L, Party Arty & Showbiz)

11. "Drop it Heavy" [Buckwild Remix] (Ft. KRS-One, Big Pun & AG)

12. "Foundation" [O.Gee Remix] (Ft. Diamond D, OC, AG & Lord Finesse)

[*] 13. "Best Behavior" [Showbiz Remix #2] (Ft. Fat Joe & Big Pun)

[*] 14."Casualties Of A Dice Game" [9th Wonder Remix] (Ft. Big L)