[Out Now] AYATOLLAH & DRASAR MONUMENTAL are THE BOX CUTTER BROTHERS

As I often say when I realized that I had completely forgot to post a gem, its always better late than never, and especially when it's a relative new release from Drasar Monumental and Vendetta Vinyl who has supported The Lost Tapes for years now and the love is definitely 100% monumental. The labels main producer Drasar Monumental of course proved with his album/EP trilogy with MF Grimm that he's one of the most forward thinking producers doing it at the moment, while never losing his ear for true Golden Age boom bap. He's been putting out some excellent mixtapes a long the way, featuring illy remixes and such, but  now we are finally getting a brand new release from the man on Vendetta Vinyl.

Entitled "The Boxcutters Brothers" the twelve track album is a joint effort between Drasar and equally incredible legendary producer Ayatollah who provides six instrumentals each (one side of an LP), featuring nothing but "heavy chops, ill compositions, and 12 sliced up instrumentals for you to rock out with". The full title of the album is "Ayatollah & Drasar Monumental are The Box Cutter Brothers - Heavy chops, ill compositions, and Sliced Up Instrumentals" and is available for order via VendettaVinylVietnam.com now while they are still available. Peep the back cover with tracklist below.

[Album] ODDISEE - "The Good Fight"

The other big release from the Mello Music Group camp this summer is the new joint by Oddisee called "The Good Fight". Odd's double release of 2013, "Tangible Dream" and "The Beauty in All", both landed on my best of the year countdown and got countless plays so I've been really looking forward to this project. The album is set to be released on vinyl and CD on May 5, but already now heads can cop the digital version via Odd's Bandcamp or iTunes. In usual order you can preview the entire joint below so TURN IT UP!!

[Video]] PETE ROCK - "Cosmic Slop"

Pete Rock hits us with the second single from his much anticipated sequel to "PeteStrumentals" and it's fucking slamming. Titled "Cosmic Slop", the album hits stores via Mello Music Group on June 23. Clearly one of the definite purchases of 2015!

[EP] J DILLA / FLOYD THE LOCSMIF - "Dilla Remixes Prt. 1"

Leon Douglas II a.k.a. Floyd The Locsmif is a producer from ATL who first caught my ears as one of three main producers on OC's excellent "Starchild" advance CD. Here he pays homage to the great J Dilla by remixing three of the late emcee/producer's slamming "Ruff Draft" EP. Check it out below, also includes instrumentals...

PHAROAHE MONCH - "Clap" (In Studio Performance)"

Here's a little blast from the past that I felt a strong urge to share with y'all; Pharoahe Monch at a London radio show KISS FM back in 2011 in preparation for his then upcoming "W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)" LP. Together with singer Showtyme Monch performs my personal favorite track from the album, "Clap", a track that is even more relevant today than when it first dropped. Both times I've seen Monch live this track was a definite highlight!

DE LA SOUL Ft. NAS - "God It"

As  I'm sure you know De La Soul is finally wrapping up their first album since 2004:s excellent, but quite overlooked "The Grind Date". No title has been given yet but the Kickstarter founded project should definitely be out this summer. For a taste of what to come check out this amazing throwback single featuring Nasty Nas on the hook... I for one can't wait for this baby!

CANIBUS / BRONZE NAZARETH - "Bronze Horses"

Canibus is back with another single from his upcoming album produced by Bronze Nazareth. Following the banger that was "Seismoluminescence" the duo is now back with a new track called "Bronze Horses". This also sees half a reunion of the Four Horsemen as Killah Priest stops by to drop a guest verse. Check it out below, I know it's been out a while, but I really haven't fel tlike updating the blog for some time, hopefully this will change now - song link provided by MacMedriaPromo, so peace to them.

CANIBUS - "Seismoluminescence"

Canibus has hooked up with Wu-Elementz producer Bronze Nazareth for his new album which is entitled "Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise" and is slated for a May 12 release. Judging by the production talents of Bronze and the guest lists which packs features from the likes of Raekwon, Pete Rock, Kurupt, Killah Priest, Craig G and more, this should be the most interesting Canibus project in a good while. Check out the first single "Seismolumniescence" below, which packs a sick hardcore closer in the vein of the first "MMLP" single. 

[Album] ALCHEMIST x OH NO - "Welcome To Los Santos"

The Grand Theft Auto series has always prouded themeselves on excellent soundtracks to accompany the gaming experience. For GTA V, which drops tomorrow for PC, they are taking it one step further as the Gangrene brothers Oh No and Alchemist has been left fully in charge to produce the original soundtrack. The game has been out on various consoles since 2013 which has allowed ALC and Oh to really soak in the atmosphere of the adventure that is "GTA V - Welcome to Los Santos". The fourteen tracks deep album features new music by Freddie Gibbs, Action Bronson, MC Eiht, Danny Brown, Killer Mike, AB-Soul, Curren$y, Kokane, and many more. But don't expect a straight up hip-hop album, as the two Ayahuasca loving producers draws inspiration from a wide range of different styles and sounds to create something totally unique. It's definitely a dope listen though, so don't sleep on this one! You can stream the entire album via the YouTube playlist up top and NPR or purchase the digital download from iTunes if you want to pay your dues.

PURCHASE "WELCOME TO LOS SANTOS" @ iTUNES

[Album] DJ JAZZY JEFF x DAYNE JORDAN - "In Progress"

DJ Jazzy Jeff has a lot of classics under his belt both as a recording artist and as a superior DJ, whether he's dabbling in soul music or pure hip-hop the result is nothing but pure as evident as his two BBE albums. His latest protogé is young singer/rapper Dayne Jordan who Jeff has an evident chemistry with which I found evident the first time I heard them together on songs like "Room Test" and "All About The Art". Despite how much I liked the singles I've heard from this duo, I had totally missed out on the fact that the pair released a free nine track album around Christmas time this year called "In Progress". If you want to spend forty minutes of some real chill, jazz infused hip-hop with strong Soul overtones this is for you so whatever you do.... Don't sleep!