“Sucker MCs, you better watch out”. It’s that time of the year again, and AUIYE has got you covered. Now generally, I ain’t really feeling Xmas - but I gotta say it has given us some damn good, funky music. And if we all gotta hear it, we’d better step up our game when it comes to contributions (cause that frantic Barbara Streisand Jingle Bells business your family puts on is BUSTED!). So let’s get a little deeper than Run DMC and Kurtis Blow this year cause I got Xmas funk to give. Mixtape up people!

XXX-Mas Freestyle w/ Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane and T.J. Swan
OK, this ain’t crazy deep, but how come this never makes the Xmas mixes? Tis the season to get laid y’all.

Barry Gordon - Nuttin’ For Christmas (Unite Remix)
OH SNAP! Now THIS is what’s up. My homie Unite told me to check for this mix on his site, but I slept on it and didn’t get a chance to listen til he went and dropped it on me at the club. STOP SNITCHIN!!

James Brown’s - Soulful Christmas (DJ Catalist Remix)
Been big uppin the Soul Strut peeps a bit lately, and here’s another gem.

Luke - Chrismas Fuckin’ Day
While I have a hard time following up the 69 Boys from last years post (see link below) - this is a gem. From the Christmas At Luke’s Sex Shop album, which has some hard ass beats on it. I’m not even sure who’s on the mic for this one but it’ don’t matter. PS This is probably not so good for the family functions, but DAMN is makes my smile.

Bootsy Collins - Be With You
OH, you ain’t heard this? That’s OK, the album ain’t that good. Yeah, Bootsy got some funk and love for Xmas. So, this goes out to all your cuddly Xmas folks.

MCM - Chris Kringle Is a Black Man
I have no idea who this cat is but it’s a good cut.

Jim Jones - Ballin on XMas
YOOOOOOO! OK, this is the cheery on top of this post. Yo Jim, this is straight fucking terrible… BALLIN!!!

AUIYE dropped some shit for XMAS last hear too - dig it

UPDATE -  OH SNAP!!! I just got out scooped. Bust The Facts just killed it with this post. GAME OVER.

Alright, a big shout out to SoulStrut for the tip off here (yes, you can find me lurkin on them forums). Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is of the same ilk as YoungBlood Brass Band - the equation is a tight horn section with the backup of funky percussion (mostly instrumental). Not to sell them short with a comparison though, cause they are quite good. Real musicianship here, and from the looks of the live shows they do keep in jumpin. They have a few releases out apparently, though I’ve not seen a one. PS - sorry, this ain’t a Freeway post, but i’ll throw you a bone anyway.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Tarik (title may be wrong)

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Brass In Africa
This is Hypnotic Brass Ensemble doing their rendition of Shaft In Africa by Johnny Pate (see below). I seriously can’t get enough of those horns.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - War (Catchdubs Mix feat. Freeway & Jay-Z)
Nick Catchbuds hooked this one up, and GOD DAYAM. It’s a good look.

Recently they’ve done some reworks of Tony Allen songs as well. Check for em!

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble: HBE Blog - MySpace

SOUNDS GOOD WITH

Johnny Pate - Shaft In Africa (straight classic)

Lil Wayne - Show Em Whatcha Got (homie is killin the mixtapes)

Freeway - It’s Over (produced by Jake One, fellow Strutter)