This is going to sound ridiculous, but I actually wrote this post a few weeks ago. For some reason I thought I posted it. Apparently I didn’t. Yeah, that’s how these last few weeks have been for me! On with with it… here’s some new ish.

Dwele - Open Your Eyes
OK, this is kinda of a strange. Dwele covering Bobby Caldwell’s Open Your Eyes, which people bug out on due to Common’s The Light. Funny how things come full circle like that. Anyway, Dwele is the dude so I’m not mad. His new album (dropping very soon - or likely by now) is pretty solid if you got love for neo-soul and the Detroit bump. There’s also a strange Dilla homage on there.

Giant Panda - Cinemax
The boys Giant Panda are back with a new album on Tres. I’ve given it a few listens and haven’t yet really absorbed it, but Cinemax is definitely a jam. Now I’m not going to go as far as to say the album ain’t hitting me right just yet, but let’s just say I ain’t warmed up to it yet. Their last effort was a new classic in my humble opinion.

Atmosphere - Shoulda Known
OK this isn’t THAT new but I wasn’t really checking for it. What the fuck is up with this beat? Ant done flipped his shit up. After the last album they gave away a little while back - I fully expected to hear more Atmosphere to be on the throwback style. I gotta say, this beat is kinda hot and not what I expected from them. Slug, those lyrics about drugs and girls are gettin a little old homie - but I’ll let it slide for this one.

Vast Aire - The Crush
I played the shit out of the Cannibal Ox album when it came out. There were a few things I learn from all that listening; one - El-P is actually a pretty dope producer and two, Vast Aire is a crazy nice MC. That album made me respect El-P. Anyway, I’m feelin this cut - though heard it possibly didn’t make the album.

Hustle Simmons - The Rundown ft. 84 & Fel Sweetenberg
A lot of buzz about these cats right now. Seriously, they had me at the horn stabs. Been playing this a lot lately though, and am excited to hear the album. Dig it.

EDITOR NOTE: Yo, if you can’t figure out how to download these file, click the titles.

EDITOR NOTE 2: Dwele’s Open Your Eyes was actually first released on the Detroit Soul compilation a while back. Thanks to my discriminating readers. I did however discover it was pruduced by the The Platinum Pied Pipers.

Man I can’t believe I haven’t done a Black Milk post yet! Producer and MC Black Milk recently he released his first proper album Popular Demand after a few mixtape, EPs and one offs (did Sound of the City even get distribution?). I’ve been giving it a lot of spins lately, and it’s worth the listen. The production alone is refreshing. This cat chops up shit like crazy and keeps it soulful (a hem… see here and here). You gotta love that.

One half of the production team BR Gunna, Black Milk stepped out on his own and is picking up speed. Hailing from Detroit, his sound definitely has the knock of the D (see: Dwele, Dilla, PPP), matter of fact we start of making beats for Slum Village. People have been taking notice too, so don’t sleep (see: Monch below)!

Black Milk - U (feat. Ty & Kory)

Black Milk - So Gone

Black Milk - U’s A Freak Bitch

BONUS CUT

Pharoahe Monch - Let’s Go (feat Mela Machinko)

there’s loads of cuts from what may be the next Common album flying around (titled Finding Forever). includes production by Premier, Will.I.Am, Kanye West, Dilla and more. i’m only going to post a few i’m feelin, but if this is any indication of what’s going to make the cut then i predict the new album will be a highlight of 07. no idea if these are official or mastered, but check for it cause there’s some damn nice cuts. you go Comm!
Common - Black Maybe (feat. Bilal)

Common - The People (feat. Dwele)

Common - Southside (feat. Kanye West)

Let’s start this podacst off with a bang. While I may still be digesting Donuts (pun intended), I’m definately feelin J Dilla’s The Shining immediately upon arrival. I’ve always been a fan of Dilla’s production, since I first time I heard Fantastic Vol. 2 and this album doesn’t disapoint. It actually seems to showcase how he’s come of age as a producer and gotten more comfotable with experimentation (check the cut Jungle Love). Regardsless, this album bangs on many levels.

E=MC2 is the cut that stood out to me. It’s some classic Detroit Dilla bounce.

J Dilla - E=MC2 ft. Common

BONUS CUT
Steve Spacek - Dollar (produced by J Dilla)