Usually Wednesday means reviewing a free compilation, but this week has been a busy one and I haven’t had much in the inbox other than Dilla tribute songs. So why don’t we make our own compilation? Here’s a collection of free soundcloud downloads from the past week or so.
Been waiting for minute now for a new Fancy Mike release. While Sigma Chi Primavera pushed my wig back, it felt more like a remix compilation than it did a true successor to his phenomenal Madison Square Gardner. He’s recently developed a flair for minimalism and has bombed his soundcloud with a bunch of free downloads, all which are quite dope, none of which sound like his previous work. In a good way.
Christmas comes late this year and for all of those who have had just about enough of the hokey holiday medleys and caustic caroling, the lovely folks over at Mad-Hop offer relief. Vol. 4 continues in Mad-Hop’s tradition of offering top-tier compilations of experimental hip hop permutations that inhabit those little places just outside the box. Recruiting an international cast of innovative beat enthusiasts, the compilation has a broad scope that boasts everything from dubstep to rave to rap. Bursting with big sounds and bigger beats, this will appeal to those who like their tunes hard as nails and eroding at the seams.
Highlights:
kidkanevil ft Oddisee – ZoOoOoOp (Minoo remix) - Imagine my surprise when I find one of my favorite tracks of the year remixed so competently. Minoo turns the original, more straight forward kidkanevil beat into something off balance and brimming with glitch.
Squeaky Lobster – Poline - I’d never heard of Squeaky Lobster until now, but believe me when I say I will be checking him out. The atmosphere, the groove, the sounds, all stunning. Wow.
Fancy Mike – Kafka - Gotta show some love to the one and only Fancy Mike. This is probably one of the more minimal things I’ve ever heard from dude, and less is more. Just a dirty little piece of beat that needs an equally grimy MC.
There’s a lot of sharing going on nowadays. Beat tapes and instrumental LPs are becoming exceedingly easy to find and often turn you on to people, labels and other things you never knew existed. These are 15 (16, actually) of my favorite digital releases that are either free or “name your price”. Shout outs to the people who work hard on their art and give it away. Please support them by buying a record, spreading the word or attending their show. Click the album art for download links.
