[Album] DILATED PEOPLES - "Directors Of Photography"

Oh shit, here is one that I've been eagerly anticipating! I'm talking about the new Dilated Peoples album, "Directors of Photography", the LA trio's first project as a unit since 2006:s "20/20". Released to stores next Tuesday via Rhymesayers, but already now you can stream the LP in its entirety via Pandora - if you live in the US that is. With both lead singles being crazy ill, a tracklist with guest features from Defari, Gangrene, Sick Jacken, Vince Staples, Aloe Blacc, etc. and Dilated being Dilated this should be a great listen. Be sure to pre-order the 2xLP or CD @ UGHH.

01. "Intro"

02. "Directors"

03. "Cut My Teeth"

04. "Defari Interlude"

05. "The Dark Room" (Ft. Vince Staples)

06. "Good as Gone" [prod. DJ Premier]

07. "Show Me The Way" (Ft. Aloe Blacc) [prod. Jake One]

08. "Figure it Out (Melvin's Theme)"

09. "Let Your Thoughts Fly Away"

10. "Century Of The Self" (Ft. Catero)

11. "Mr. Evidence Interlude"

12. "The Reversal"

13. "Opinions May Vary" (Ft. Gangrene)

14. "Trouble"

15. "LA River Drive" (Ft. Sick Jacken)

16. "The Bigger Picture"

STREAM "DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY" @ PANDORA (US)

[Video] FREDDIE GIBBS - "Harolds"

One of the many standout tracks from Freddie Gibb's Madlib produced "(Cocaine) Pinata" album, directed by Gregory Buissereth. The LP is of course out now and available on CD, wax and cassette - grab the format of your choice @ UGHH.

MARLEY MARL Presents LORDS OF THE UNDERGROUND - "The 20th Anniversary Collection, Volume One"

Had it not been for my man ANT I would have completely missed out on this as it seems a lot of peeps have. I'm talking about the new Lords of the Underground shit, released in celebration of the trio's 20 year anniversary as recording artists. The seven track EP which is available from iTunes now is the first of a three volume set entirely produced by Marley Marl which of course is making this reunion even more interesting (where's K-Def at though?). Up top you can check out the single "Bumpin' Loud" while you'll find "Magic" embeded below - NICE! Support The Lords by picking up "The 20th Anniversary Collection, Vol. 1" @ iTunes now.

BAHAMADIA - "Paper Thin" [1996]

I've always been fascinated by the phenomenon known as the B-side, the non-album track that on occassion has outshined the A-side as more non-traditional tracks would be allowed. One such track is "Paper Thin", coming right off the heels of Bahamadia's excellent '96 solo debut "Kollage". There Philadelphia's "anti-gangster bitch" hooked up with her home team The Roots for the slamming "Da Jawn", one of the few released cuts not on that project to sport the "Illadelph Halflife" vibe. It's possible that the same session also gave birth to the MC Lyte cover "Paper Thin" which musical backdrop is produced and performed by The Roots and grooves on some real slow-moving head banger funk that's a perfect fit for Bahamadia's unmistakable voice. It's an excellent track that I bet quite a few people might have slept on so let's rewind to 1996 and the B-side of the "Biggest Part Of Me" 12". The song was also made available to DJ:s and radio stations on a limited 12" promo including the instrumental on the flip - grab it below.

01. "Paper Thin"

02. "Paper Thin" [Instrumental]

BAHAMADIA - "Paper Thin"

CORMEGA Interview @ NPR Microphone Check

Having dropped perhaps the best album of the year so far, Cormega sits down with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley for an interview from NPR's Microphone Check. Here 'Mega discusses his growth as an artist, his relationship to Nas, the industry, family life, and of course his new album "Mega Philosophy". Enjoy!

[Mixtape] DJ PETE ROCK - "James Brown Tribute Mix"

DJ Pete Rock has been holding it down on the crossfader heavy this past year, dropping inspired high quality mixes in tribute of J Dilla, and Roy Ayers as well as the Delicious Vinyl 25:th Anniversary mix. This time The Soul Brother #1 pays his dues to the late, great Godfather of Soul with a BLAZING 40 minutes mix of funky breaks and hip-hop masterpieces. The focus is on classic hip-hop joints  including music both from Brown himself and classic hip-hop built around Brown's catalouge. Artists featured include Gang Starr, Nas, 50 Cent, Grand Puba, to mention a few, plus of course James Brown himself. Stream and/or download the project for free below and be sure to not sleep bc this is fat as hell!

Up top you'll find a video of Pete Rock and DJ Scratch discussing James Brown and his influence on their own  music. In case you've missed the 2014 James Brown biopic "Get On Up" has been released to American theaters and stars Chadwick Bossman as Mr. Brown. Can't wait to see this one, read more about it @ IMDB.

CHUCK D - "Give We The Pride" (Ft. Mavis Staples)

The legendary Chuck D just dropped his new solo album "The Black in Man" on August 1, and the lead single and video can now be heard above. Over a knocking track that literally oozes soul provided by the talented team of Divided Souls and DJ Pain 1, Mr. Chuck D's commanding voice and powerhouse flow reminds listener that he's every bit as relevant in today's hip-hop field as he was in 1988. "Give We The Pride" also features a guest apperance from none other than the truly great, Soul legend Mavis Staples who help take this joint to another level... All in all, I'm blown away! The digital EP single includes an additional remix in addition to the B-side "Get it Right or Be Gone" and is available @ RapCentralStation.com. I haven't listened to the actual album yet but if it's in the vein of this cut right here it will likely well end up on the best of 2014 round off. Support @ iTunes.

On a sidenote I also want to remind y'all about Chuck D's 1996 solo debut "The Autobiography of Mistachuck" which is a very overlooked LP so why not take an hour and rewind that. Also available @ iTunes.

[DJ Set] The 45 KING w. The Boiler Room

Check out this amazing one hour DJ set from Mark The 45 King, mixing down nothing but banger after banger. Recorded by The Boiler Room crew in The King's New Jersey home - much props for this... NOW TURN IT UP!!

M.O.P. - "187"

M.O.P. finally drops a new single and as to be expected its certified heat. "187" is produced by Fizzy Womack and features DJ Premier on the turntables (as it should be!), and will appear on the upcoming LP "Street Certified". Stay tuned for more info...

CORMEGA Ft. JUICE CREW - "Industry Remix"

Cormega has proven himself in the past to be an amazing assembler of posse cuts and the new remix to his latest single "Industry" is one of the most impressive yet. Letting Masta Ace, Kool G Rap, Craig G and Mega release lyrical fury on this Large Professor produced banger results in what is unquestionably one of the most interesting tracks of 2014. Support "Mega Philosophy"!