Magic Bullets – Lying Around

Typhoon – Starting Over (Bad Habits)

Theophilus works this to his advantage. Click over to his MySpace and you’ll see that he’s performing all over the world. Last October He teamed up with Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro to create Chauffeur, releasing a track to promote Ronson’s Gucci boat-sneaker. Mountain Dew’s Green Label Sound put out “Humdrum Town” with a music video in January. I Want You is his 3rd mixtape, hyped to the max and stuffed with uncleared samples. That’s another cool thing, when you take money off of the table artists can express themselves without limits. Yes, this is still illegal, but would Whitney Houston really sue him over a track that didn’t have a proper release?

What can aspiring artists learn from him? Make music that’s different (and awesome, of course), give it away for free, wait for the right opportunities, and don’t stop making music.

Theophilus London – Accept The New

Diamond K & Al Ripken Jr – Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Remix)

Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley (Kamei Remix)

RJD2 – The Shining Path (Alan Wilkis Remix)

I’m a big fan of ambient music and visual imagery. Artists like Sytnaks and others from Ghostly records are daze-inducing in such a relaxing way. Hammock created something equally as beautiful with “Mono No Aware,” the single from Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow, out on Darla Records.

Hammock – Mono No Aware

Oddisee – Hip Hop’s Cool Again

Oddisee – Cold For That (Instrumental)

The Black Seeds are easily my favorite modern reggae act, with dub and rock elements to keep things progressive. They recently released a compilation of live tracks in December (Live: Vol 1), and we have a fresh cut from that, plus another infectious tune from their 2008 release Solid Ground. This 9-piece band is always on the road, and you lucky New Zealand dwellers can catch them live in the upcoming weeks.

The Black Seeds – The Answer (Live At the Melkweg, Amsterdam 2007)

The Black Seeds – Love Is A Radiation

Bossasaurus strikes again, this time with a 17-track mixtape, STFUYMCA, and it’s 100% free. My choice cut off of this compilation of remixes and original pieces is “Moonlit Trees,” a laidback jam with an ominous vibe.

Bossasaurus – Moonlit Trees

“Deep Down Below” is a reggae-turned-dubstep tune created by Liquid Stranger, an Arizona based producer currently signed to Interchill Records. This release comes from his Steel Trap EP, a definite grab.

Liquid Stranger – Deep Down Below

For underground hip hop producer Dan The Automator and prominent house DJ/producer Scott Hardkiss, it couldn’t have been easy to flip Duke Ellington’s (jazz legend) and Dean Martin’s (croon-master) version of “Jingle Bells.” The result is pleasing, though, presenting the 1857 classic with head-bobbing hip-hop vibes.

Dean Martin – Jingle Bells (Dan The Automator Remix)

Duke Ellington – Jingle Bells (Robbie Hardkiss Remix)

Vas Floyd is the resident DJ at 360°, a swanky club in Dubai that boasts awesome views of the city and the Arabian Ocean. Below you can grab one of his older tracks, “Space Discus,” a nine-minute space disco influenced tune with hypnotic minimalism.

Vas Floyd – Space Discus

Shh… This Is A Library recently dropped their second LP, Dream Big, an eleven-track satiation of rich and experimental soundscapes led by Brent Wolczynski’s veering vocals and acoustic guitar. Limited to 200 hand-crafted copies by Alison Rose, I suggest you purchase a CD before it’s too late. Below you can download my favorite track, “Okay With Okay,” a taste of the album’s charm and splendor with Wavves-like distortion.

Shh… This Is A Library – Okay With Okay

Classically trained pianist, Fuzjko Hemming, brings us her exalted rendition of Frédéric Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor.” This sedative piece is ideal for your lazy Sunday spent in warmth, preparing us for the encroachment of Winter.

Fuzjko Hemming – Nocturne No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor

The incandescent NightWaves crafted two highly polished, highly awesome space disco remixes of Flashmen‘s “As The Night Rolls On” and Noah and the Whale‘s “Love Of An Orchestra.” Get your ambient on.

Flashmen – As The Night Rolls On (NightWaves Remix)

Noah and the Whale – Love Of An Orchestra (NightWaves Remix)

Todd Terry, a crossover house producer famous for “I’ll House You,” released a four track EP in August that bangs in true 80′s style. “King Acid” is a percussive jam with a semitone riding bass-line and customary house synth licks. Hit Beatport for more Todd Terry.

Todd Terry – King Acid

Hailing from the ever awesome Denver, CO, The Apples In Stereo deliver a revived and zesty sound that today’s pop music longs for. “The Bird That You Can’t See” leads off with a p-funk flavored strut (think Parliament’s “Flash Light“) and transitions into a ripped-jeans-rock of a chorus that beckons for crowd participation.

The Apples In Stereo – The Bird That You Can’t See

I feel like this was overlooked, but RJD2 gave a new track away on his blog today. It’s a definite jam, packing thick brass licks, hot hot percussion, and ascending dueling guitars. Where did he get the ride sample from?

RJD2 – The Perfect Occasion

Photo: Ania Cywinska

Heartfelt lyrics woven over plush instrumentals are a signature element of CunninLynguists‘ music, and “To Be For Real” exemplifies where hip-hip should be today.

CunninLynguists – To Be For Real

City Rain – Have Them Come Wait

Stricken City – Small Things

Congorock & Crookers – Sbombers

Source: http://www.congorock.com/uncategorized/jamz/sbombers/