Instrumental Hip Hop
[album stream] Mecca:83 – Life Sketches Vols 1 & 2
I dig this (mostly) instrumental collection! What it’s all about exactly?
“Manchester based producer Mecca:83 (aka Futuristica Music’s “Rise”) has been quietly building a reputation for some time now. His production for artists such as Deborah Jordan and Replife have earned him respect from numerous DJs and tastemakers, including Gilles Peterson, Simon Harrison, Kev Beadle and Dom Servini to name a few.
FreeForm Records are now pleased to present Mecca’s debut full length record in the shape of Life Sketches Vols 1 & 2. Spanning 15 tracks, the release explores the spaces between jazz-infused Hip Hop, live instrumentation and more electronic beat leanings.
Featured guests on the album include Grand Ear, Knwldg Highs, Spinnerty, Replife, Emanative and Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble to name a few.”
Hit the jump for a Rise / Mecca:83 video EPK….
[album stream] Tensei – ONE EP
Another nice one for your Sunday listening. Official plug (pun not intended) details follow…
Simple X and Midas Wells were both born and raised in the city of wind. Chris grew up in the suburbs while Midas spent many of his formative years in the south side of Chicago. X recalls his teenage years when MCing was his expression of choice but the day he touched a beat machine that all changed and production became the priority. Midas was drawn to music through summers he would spend in Arkansas visiting his grandmother and her antique piano. Though his parents were religious, he got introduced to secular music through records played by uncles and brothers. He began dabbling in production with pause tapes and a Casio SK-1.
On separate paths, Midas and Simple X finally met at Southern Illinois University in the late 90’s where they shared a dorm. They were part of a collective of friends who all had hip-hop in common, among them Serengeti of Anticon and Open Mike Eagle. At the time X and Midas met while cyphering, though neither was ever a serious MC, but nonetheless the two built a natural rapport and friendship. It was in that dorm room that Midas and X would become musical lab partners, experimenting with sound and working within the limited capacity that their resources afforded them in 1998. Once college ended however, the collective went their own ways and pursued more individual paths, many still involved in music, but X and Midas lost touch for a bit. X got a “regular job” but still devoted his energy to production on from time to time. Midas continued making music and though he had several projects there were a few experiences that turned him off and Midas left music all-together for a bit.
A few years ago, Simple X and Midas serendipitously ran into each other at a friend’s gig in Chicago and mutual curiosity led to the seed for Tensei being planted. Soon, they decided to try and make music together. After spending some time honing their production chops, X and Midas developed a sublime synergy between the two. “We can speak with the music without much hassle,” explains Midas. They hail from the musical mecca of Chicago, so the two have a vast wealth of influence and history to inform their production. As a result, Tensei is not heavily reliant on samples. They play musical parts themselves with both real and digital instruments, along with working with session musicians and vocalists. Simple X used his knowledge of Japanese language and culture to choose the name Tensei, meaning ‘heaven star’, for the duo.
[via Plug Research]
[album stream] Rasson Arigato – New World E.P.
6-track instrumental EP recently submitted to my inbox. I kinda digs…
Rasson Arigato online – website | twitter
Listen to the Marc Mac (of 4hero) – Extend The Knowledge in FULL (album stream)
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Following on from “It’s Right To Be Civil” Marc Mac takes another journey through the 1960’s Civil Rights Campaign with “Extend The Knowledge”. A 25 track continuous mix of beats and education. Pass on the information… Extend The Knowledge.
Follow Marc Mac/4hero: twitter | facebook
4hero out of London is one of my favorite groups of all time so you know I had to ‘Pass on the information and Extend the Knowledge’ by posting this. Check it:
[Instrumental Hip-Hop] GreenSteez – Music for Muffs (Semi-NSFW Artwork?)
Music for Muffs by GreenSteez | Alt. download link: mediafire
So smooth, so soulful. This is a breath of fresh air. I shoulda waited ’til Sunday to post this but I just couldn’t wait. Enjoy (and MC’s: have at it….)