Top 5: 11 21 2011

Another edition of Top 5: beats and pieces from the past week.

5.

Swarvy – Shadows Remixes

Obscured beatmaker Swarvy gets the remix treatment from friends and fam resulting in a comprehensive complilation of beats from an interesting cast of characters.

4.

The Foodchain – Brunch

Denver rap coalition The Foodchain unleashes a monster 20-track manifesto. It listens like a new blueprint for striving, conscious party rap with a variety of lyrical concepts and styles and booming, ethereal production.

3.

prime.cut – Raspberry

Minneapolis unknown prime.cut combines some old, lofi 8-bit sounds with some new school sensibility. Great melodies and groove throughout.

2.

Subp Yao – 1000

Saturate Records continues it’s run towards net label of the year with it’s 10th EP release and another strange experimental journey in bass music. 1000 blurs the lines between woofer-friendly rave and crackling glitch.

1.

Muta – Runner

What can I say about Runner that I didn’t already say in this glowing review from last week. Not the most accessible record you’ll hear this week, but those who are up for the challenge will agree it’s an instant classic.

Top 5: 08 08 2011

Another edition of Top 5: my favorite beats and pieces from this last week.

5:

Knxwledge - Hexual.Sealings.LP

 

Remix LP. Dilapidated funk and unique technique. Knx is proving to be one of the most original cats in the game.

 

4:

Small Professor – Elderly Jawns

Second of the Jawns series to make the Top 5. Expertly crafted hip hop beats.

 

 

3:

Hudson Mohawke - Satin Panthers EP (Stream)

Hud Mo follows up his seminal Butter LP with an EP focused on huge sounds and theatrical dance floor eruptions.

 

 

2:

Prison Garde – Systeme Hermes LP

Free debut LP from Prison Garde. Movers and shakers of every shape, size, and tempo. Quick review here.

 

 

1:

AstroLogical - Far Far Away

I’m very happy to have been tipped to this one. An impressive selection of beats that incorporate live instruments and vocals, synths, and samples to fantastic effects. Easily one of the best instrumental records released out of Vancity this year.

Top 5: 07 07 2011

My mind has been wandering a fair amount as of recent and while I have been listening to a lot of hot shit, I don’t know if I have the focus to review anything too in-depth. Here’s a quick top 5 for the week instead:

5:

Apollo Brown and Hassaan Mackey – Daily Bread Mixtape

Some free bits and pieces acting as a prelude to the highly anticipated LP, Daily Bread.

 

 

4:

Stilz – The Bachelor From Venus

Interesting little collection that hops back and forth between jazz-heavy sample-based hip hop and jittery bass music.

 

 

3:

Mike Decline – Umbrellatons

Posted this earlier in the week. If you haven’t peeped it yet you’re probably still living in your mom’s basement.

 

 

2:

MndSgn – NoMaps

Easily MndSgn‘s best outing to date (which says a lot) and an album conducive to summer activities.

 

 

1:

Small Professor - Beats and Rhymes Jawns

Rarely do you hear some nice, good-old-fashioned boom bap this refined. Listen to this very loudly please.