Blu "Soul Amazing" (Part 11, Mix)

Mixed by DJ Bless 1ne, this is Part 11 in Blu's feature mix-series, Soul Amazing. The latest installment showcases records Blu has been featured on alongside artists like Ras Kass, Exile, J57, Cashus King, Creestal, MED, Damu The Fudgemunk, Choosey, Jabee, Young RJ, Awon & Phoniks, D-Styles, Emanon, J Dilla, Johaz, J. Sands and a whole lot more! Man, I had that "Charlie's Christmas" beat from J57 for YEARS waiting for a moment when I could hear it with a talented MC like Blu over it. Glad that finally happened. Props to them for making that happen and this whole mix-series.

El Michels Affair & Black Thought "Glorious Game" (Album Stream)

When Leon Michels and El Michels Affair released their first record, Sounding Out The City, in 2005, it was hard to guess what was next for Michels and his then-introduced, now-patented “cinematic soul” sound. Now, four EMA studio albums and scores of tribute and remix projects later—all while producing for some of the biggest names in the industry—Michels has trademarked his sound, with each project taking audiences somewhere new and pushing the boundaries of what he is known for. This time he takes his golden touch into the realm of hip-hop laying down a musical bed for one of the greatest to ever rhyme into a microphone: Black Thought of The Roots crew. Releasing on Big Crown Records, the LP is called Glorious Game and it is a remarkable debut partnership in more ways than one. Michels provides his bottom-heavy, soul-tinged production for Black Thought who gives us some of the more personal and transparent verses we've ever heard from him. For Glorious Game, Michels would make wholly composed and recorded soul songs in his studio, sample himself, then chop and/or loop up his sounds and create instrumentals for Black Thought. On some tracks he took a more traditional hip-hop approach, starting from samples of other people’s music but then adding live instrumentation on top. But for the most part, it's him reinterpreting his own compositions into something new. The result is an organic feel of loop-based tracks that breathe and fluctuate enough for Black Thought to flex on. Black Thought rhymes through personal memories and distinctive perspectives, all dripping with visuals. "To me," Black Thought says about Glorious Game, "these songs are like scenes from a film that is my life. That's the way it evolved." And with his pure lyrical skill on full display and Michels' custom-made approach to making beats, this record is a bit of a rarity in today's hip-hop atmosphere: there are no flashy guest features and no attempts to be on trend. Now, listen to their phenomenal project below...

Don't Sleep Records "The Instrumentals Volume One"

This collection features a blend of our most popular records and personal favorites, including some slept-on beats that deserve a second chance to shine. These tracks represent the diverse range of sounds and styles that have shaped the unique sonic fingerprint of Don't Sleep Records over our ten-year history. From jazzy, soulful tunes to hard-hitting boom bap and soulful bangers, this compilation offers something for every discerning listener. We're excited to share this collection with our fans and we hope you'll enjoy it as much as we've enjoyed putting it together. - Don't Sleep Records. Props to Phoniks. Peep "Don't Sleep Records: The Instrumentals Volume One" below...

Larry June & The Alchemist "The Great Escape" (EP Stream)

The Great Escape is the debut collaborative album from San Francisco eMCee, Larry June and prolific super producer, The Alchemist. Through a process that felt very organic, the two churned out an extra healthy amount of music that resulted in what may be their magnum opus. The album includes tasteful features from some of Hip-Hop's most celebrated figures; Action Bronson, Big Sean, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Worthy, Curren$y and Joey Bada$$. Like a fine wine, sit back, let it breathe, and enjoy the neat yet exquisitely rich complexities of two of hip-hop’s smoothest figures on their collaboration, The Great Escape, streaming below...

Phoniks "Dreams" (Instrumental Album)

Phoniks' latest album "Dreams" is a smooth, 19 track instrumental LP that seamlessly blends live instrumentation and chopped samples. The beats are carefully crafted to create a unique atmosphere and mood, taking the listener on an immersive journey through lush soundscapes and jazzy hip-hop beats. Phoniks' skillful layering of sounds from a diverse range of sample sources results in richly textured compositions that capture the listener's attention. As the spiritual successor to Phoniks' 2018 instrumental album "Down To Earth," "Dreams" builds upon the groundwork laid by its predecessor and elevates it to new heights. From the soulful chops of "That's All" to the mellow groove of "Ghosts," each track invites the listener to sit back, relax, and get lost in the dreamy vibes. Stream Phoniks' Dreams project below, also available on cassette, vinyl and CD.

Che Noir & Big Ghost Ltd. "Noir or Never" (Album Stream)

Noir or Never is a collaborative album between Che Noir and producer Big Ghost Ltd. All instrumentation on the project is handled by Hector Puente Colon Jr and the Santiago Men's Basketball Philharmonic Orchestra. Big Ghost shares, "Che has been out here showin n' provin for more than a minute... leavin' mics torn on guest features to radio freestyles to full projects. Whether its pure lyricism or introspective thought provoking bars or that street shit… Che got all the bases covered. But that don’t mean she gotta go dolo…so she brought along some friends to take part. By “friends” I mean some the most elite pens in the business. No gimmicks, no smoke n' mirrors, no ghost writers… just that pure authentic rap shit." Friends like Flee Lord, Planet Asia, Skyzoo, Ransom, 38 Spesh and more. Don't sleep and celebrate Big Ghost's genius in the archives.

DJ Invasion "Plugs At The Apollo" (Blend Tape)

Plugs At The Apollo, the latest project by DJ Invasion, takes a verbal stroll through Buffalo, with Detroit as the musical back drop. Benny The Butcher's street infested gritty rhymes intertwined with Apollo Brown's vinyl crackling soulful beats, is a classic "What If?" combination, brought to life. Through years of manifesting this clash of styles, "Plugs At The Apollo" will take you on a musical journey through the everyday struggles, harsh realities, and making the almighty dollar, to come out on top.  This came out pretty fresh... Props to DJ Invasion, check out Plugs At The Apollo below...

Skyzoo & The Other Guys "The Mind Of A Saint" (Album Stream)

"When making this album, I wanted to do something that creatively pushed a button. Something that served a purpose while trying to understand both sides of the fence that it represents. The idea of a fictional character, Franklin Saint, and what his innermost thoughts could be when dealing with the fictional world he’s caught within. What makes it so intriguing is that his character and his world are mirrors of a time and era that really happened. The birth of one of the world’s most addictive drugs and how its ripple effect took on a life that may seemingly never die. The crack era was one of the worst chapters in black America’s story. Using the “Snowfall” series as a vehicle to delve into both sides was truly fascinating as an emcee. It’s a project that is layered beyond measure. If you’ve never seen Snowfall, you’ll think it’s a really great album, but if you’re an avid fan of Snowfall, you’ll truly feel as if Franklin, the conflicted boy genius turned millionaire and career criminal, truly did pick up a pen and pad to write his life story over a bed of beats. It was one of the most intense projects I’ve ever written. The idea of becoming a fictional character which represents actual real life events, making sure to hit every detail, be it from both the show and our real world, was a writing work out like no other. I’m honored to have been able to do so, and I’m honored that The Other Guys trusted me to step outside of a box and truly push the envelope with this. Enjoy, and remember, like they told us in the 80’s: just say no." - Skyzoo. Peep The Mind of a Saint below...