Move Da Beat – Uncut EP (2024)
Move Da Beat's Uncut EP is a reminder of the endless pursuit of that perfect vibe. It's easy to spend numerous hours looking through wax searching for something special. Back in the day at Waterloo Records, they had a good thing going. Campers could occupy their listening rooms perusing their...
Damu the Fudgemunk – Peace of Action (Def Pressé)
There are some things you just come to expect in life. Rivers flowing to the ocean. Sun rising in the east. Apple falling down out of the tree. Even if you come to accept the current theory that we are all living in a simulation, we still want to believe we can rely...
Natureboy Flako – From the Vaults
It was about 10 years ago that fLako crossed a threshold, sending us a breadcrumb to the source of his sound. At the time, he was already well on his way to an undeniable path of production when he decided to make the change. Was it something missing or a signal of...
Various Artists – Reliable Sauce Volume One: Stir Fried Jazz (Village Live)
It was something like 20 years ago that Christine Moritz first played her "Variety is the Spice of Life" sets in D.C. You would find her spinning those "electronic beats with organic elements" at her Eighteenth Street Lounge residency. It was just the right assortment...
KLIM beats – Planet SP1200
On Planet SP1200, we have to wonder if KLIM beats had a code name on the Stargate Project. Somehow he conveys a mix of feelings and emotions that only Ingo Swann could have sensed remote viewing the backside of the moon spying aliens on our celestial neighbor. Well,...
Various Artists – Low End Marauders (Legacy Echo)
Call it nostalgia. Call it respect. Call it anything but old, boring, or repetitive. This is a resurgence of the past, a remembrance for those days gone by but not forgotten. When artists like A Tribe Called Quest were first laying down their visionary hip hop, some...
Alcynoos – EXPEDITion 100 Vol. 34: Nineties (Vinyl Digital)
Earth Day was a good reminder that we shouldn't be slaves to the corporate world. We really need to try to do better. But, who doesn't love the latest and greatest even when we don't need more shit? I can remember throwing out my vinyl and tapes decades ago when...
Jointjay & DJ Shon – Strictly Dope Delivery (Kickit)
On the eve of the U.S. Congress finally getting off their asses and voting on a pathway to Ukraine military aide, a perfect opportunity exists for recognizing great minds. No, we aren't talking about those dysfunctional policy makers in D.C. What we should be focusing...
C Y G N – Cosmogony
C Y G N is back to his winning ways on the November 2023 LP, Cosmogony. Like those previous masterpieces of Quadrophonic or Goodbye Planet, Cosmogony is that warm blanket filled with his stylistic musical layering. It comes at a good time 'cause it is still cold as...
Emapea & Nu Vintage – The Bird’s Eye View
Back in the '90s on Congress Avenue we would search out the perfect blend of flavors. Enter that sleepy entrance and head upstairs if you dare. There you would find the Itamae serving up the best Nigiri, that perfect Japanese culinary treat. A few Sake later and you...
2023 in Review
"Don't get over the tips of your skis." "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched." These are very good reminders to not call out the best of the best in 2023 until the year is actually finished because you just may not know what you are going to get until it...
Kabuki & fat jon – Healing Through Sounds
It sucks being late to the party. Walking in to the gathering at an inappropriate time is awkward and uncomfortable. An instant questioning of relevancy pervades and there is a wonderment of what was missed. But maybe there is an opening of arms that makes your effort...
Pitch 92 – Delicacies (High Focus)
By way of Ireland to Germany to Switzerland to England, Pitch 92 has built a brand of hip hop layered with soul-filled, jazzy beats. This release from August of this year is no different. It is a roadmap from where he comes from, maybe to where he is headed next. Only...
Planet Ragtime – Back to the Junkyard (Not on Label)
Planet Ragtime is something of an enigma to me. He is everywhere and everywhere he is not. You would think with a name like that, it would be easy to track down some history on the man. Believe me, I have tried. From Soundcloud to Discogs, around and around we go....
Soii – Fragments (Not on Label)
After more than 20 years of living in Alaska, I still haven't done it. Mainly 'cause I can think of better ways to pass the time than spending hours squatting and spinning dirt in a pan. But, for many who travel to Alaska it is a right of passage. I get it. Everybody...
Kuartz – Seikan (Not on Label)
On Seikan, the musical terrain blurs like a visual from a bullet train. Kuartz moves down the rail line of instrumental hip hop with layers of synths and keys. No doubt, this Manchester native must be drawing from his memory riding through that underwater tunnel....
Correspondance – Parental & Figub Brazlevic (Krekpek)
Remember running home from the playground because mom is up to something good? She would mix up a few savory items that you know now were always meant to be together. You slide up a chair in anticipation, mouth watering as your taste buds explode from her culinary...
Various Artists – SP 12 DAYS OF XMAS 3 (We Stay True)
It is that time of year when old Nick visits kids in the middle of the night, magically producing those items only dreamt about throughout the year. For some, it brings back fond memories of those holiday seasons gone by. But for other peeps, we can laugh thinking...
El Jazzy Chavo – S950 Funk (Funkypseli Cave)
The title and imagery on this latest Chavo release keep it straight and simple. No need to get confused here. At the start, it slaps you straight and senseless with classic S950 instrumental boom bap. This master is filled with funk and "Jazzy" undertones so typical...
Bloodmasta Cut – Subcortex (kick a dope verse!)
On Bloodmasta Cut's newest release, Subcortex, we are reminded of what it is like to be kids again. At first, we are easily distracted. With so many new experiences flowing inward, it is difficult to focus. We have an insatiable appetite to push boundaries. But at...
JOE CAIN – BIORHYTHMS (WE STAY TRUE)
Wrapping my brain around the science of sound sometimes feels like a lesson in futility. I mean, is 12-bit really worse than 16-bit? Shit, the SoundGuys say, “Surprisingly, 12 bits is probably enough for a decent sounding music master and to cater to the dynamic range...
Figub Brazlevič – 4 x 4 Ghetto Skate Beats (Krekpek)
For them, it was all about getting downtown. Before skateboarding turned mainstream and the police knew what they were up to, you'd find the likes of Bones Brigade filming on the one-way streets of San Fran to catch a grind on those artistic stair handrails and...
Natse – Beats Archives Vol.II
Don't fill your life with meaningless stuff, they say. It's the memories and experiences which are more rich and fulfilling. Research shows experiential purchases bring more satisfaction than material ones. So, it begs the question, is spending money on music less...
Ohmonstre – Freeware 01 (lo-factory)
It is a new day for Slackline Radio as we wake back up after nearly a 10 year hiatus. And as we stretch out our arms, the sun is getting higher with each passing day here in Alaska. Seriously, we are gaining like 5 minutes a day. It proves to be a time of renewed...
Various Artists – Comfy Dub (Tricorn Music)
Negghead – Scrambled Negg (Wax On)
Question & Freddie Joachim – Study Guide (Milkdipper)
Electric Wire Hustle – Electric Wire Hustle (Organik Muzik Workz)
Jon Kennedy – 14 (Organik Recordings)
Comfort Fit – Polyshufflez (Tokyo Dawn)
Various Artists – Om 15 (Om)
Om Records are 15 years old and they are celebrating their birthday with the release of a 2 disc compilation. Over the last 15 years, Om Records have built a reputation of delivering solid artists across a spectrum of musical styles. From house to chillout, they...
Various Artists – Nightmares on Wax Presents Wax On Records Vol. 2 (Wax On)
Wax On may sound like a prescriptive method for honing your karate skills. But, really, it should ring the sound of that Nightmares on Wax label delivering all the “honest music” of so many great talents. In case you are unfamiliar, the sounds of Wax On are now...
Tosca – No Hassle (G-Stone)
Blackfish – Remember 1997-2001 (Blackfish)
It is somewhat pleasing to find that missing piece of jewelry or maybe even just your keys after searching for hours or sometimes even days. It can make you feel at peace knowing that you have your life back in order or just returning a feeling of balance. A similar...
Various – Downtempo Garden (Om Records)
Om Records have already placed their mark on the genres of lounge and chillout with their compilation series Om Lounge and Om:Chilled. Each volume has lent credibility to their interpretation of what defines these types of music. Now this time, Om have brought...
M-Seven – Stimulus (Edit Corp)
M-Seven is where the mind meets the soul. It is where the land meets the sea and it is where music meets the influences of the world. On M-Seven's new release, Stimulus, he delivers an injection under your skin that is sure to bring on a high of wanderlust. M-Seven...
Various Artists – Manoeuvres 2 – A Collection of Vancouver Electronica (So Called Recordings)
Various Artists – Future Memories (Interchill)
Keston & Westdal – One Day to Save All Life (Unearthed)
Various Artists – Upstairs Recordings Remixed (Upstairs)
Supreme Beings of Leisure – 11i (Rykodisc)
Do you ever sense the same nostalgia when listening to new music that you might about your own family history? Do you ever find yourself mapping out a musical family tree to get an understanding of the relationships between artists? Well, maybe not, but maybe you...
Govinda – Sound Sutras (Intent City)
Sometimes artists release new material that strays from their past. Perhaps it's because these artists feel compelled to push across other styles and genres in an effort to help grow musically. For others, a sound may be so unique that there is no need to move away...
Gaudi + Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Dub Qawwali (Six Degrees)
Gel-Sol – Unifactor (Upstairs)
The Dining Rooms – Ink (Schema)
Ashtech – Walkin’ Target (Interchill)
Living Room – Liquid Jazz (Good Mood Music)
Lounge seems to define a mood, a lifestyle told from the pages of relaxation. Somewhere on the shelf between pure ambient and electronic dance, this story often involves a martini with friends as you find yourself uplifted from today’s world of negativity. It is a...
Jens Buchert – Intersphere (JeBu)
Jens Buchert is one of those prolific artists whose style has helped shape a whole genre of music. Chances are you are already familiar with his music. If not, then there’s a good possibility that you have heard his productions before and you may just not know it yet....
Ten72 – Flavour Country
Evidently, Nils Westdal wears several hats in his musical career. He pulls out his Fedora when he becomes the partner behind the jazz-infused world of Keston & Westdal. He has contributed his work on two full-length releases for KestWest that include Super...
Lemongrass – Filmotheque (Lemongrass Music)
If you haven’t been following the musical journey of Lemongrass, then now is the time to come up to speed. Their catalog includes the wondrous sounds of gems such as Windows, Fleur Solaire, and Time Tunnel from the back catalog of Mole Listening Pearls nearly 10 years...
Chris W. Paine – Weird Conversations (Not on Label)
Keston & Westdal – Truth Is Stranger (Unearthed Music)
2Tall & Lamont – Senses Overload EP (Realtablist), Dirty Drummer – Dirty’s Mobile Beat Shack (Funk Rhythm)
Many believe that the world of downtempo is created by select artists who contribute their musical talents exclusively to this genre. But, what some fail to realize is that downtempo music can be found everywhere and it is often found in places where you least expect...
Mindtrap – Northern Rooms (Elektrikal)
Evolve – Happy Hour in the Gene Pool
Red Broad has developed his theories for music production. Is it "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny?" I don't think so. Is it "survival of the fittest?" Probably not. These descriptions have been created to illustrate the theory behind Darwin's "natural selection."...
Rodney Lee – The Satellite Orchestra
Music has the ability of bringing back memories. Smells and even tastes can be remembered as a song triggers an event from the past. Pulling out something from the catalog of Jimmy Smith instantly takes me back to the scent of cigars and the visual surroundings of a...
Nightmares on Wax – African Pirates EP (Wax On)
Only four tracks here on the African Pirates EP but it is well worth the listen. It includes two remixes of the title track and two new songs. All the songs carry the same overal flow with ubiquitous use of bongos and danceable rhythms. The JD73 Remix is...
Audio Lotion – The Finer Essence (Mole Listening Pearls)
Quantic – An Announcement to Answer (Tru Thoughts)
Bonobo – Nightlite EP (Ninja Tune)
Joey Fehrenbach – Mellowdrama
Joey Fehrenbach has brought his history to the present with a new release. On Mellowdrama, he creates a fresh, new sound with the insight and influence of a completely opposite style of electronic music. How does one take over 10 years of experience in a different...
Tosca – Natural High (G-Stone)
Once 11 – Smile Hunter (The Agriculture)
In Brooklyn, DJ Olive with the help of others began The Agriculture back in 1999. Characterized by a rooftop music theme, the artists on this label span the spectrum in downtempo. The vision was to bring the old and the new together in a way that’s constructive. Once...
Boards of Canada – Trans Canada Highway (Warp)
Alif Tree – French Cuisine (Compost)
Zero 7 – The Garden (Atlantic)
Thievery Corporation – Versions (Eighteenth Street Lounge Music)
Gotan Project – Lunatico (Ya Basta)
Fila Brazillia – Retrospective (Twentythree)
