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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Tres Records is making moves and DJ Alibi is next up to bat. If you missed it, Tres was the label to drop the last albums by Giant Panda, Lightheaded and People Under The Stairs. It’s been a good couple years for them, and it’s wise to take notice.

21 year old DJ Alibi was apparently “discovered” by Thes One (PUTS). The first hints of DJ Alibi’s skills first hit with the Tres Presents: Shipping And Handling compilation. He dropped a Chops remix on there that was quite nice. Production is the key here. Alibi’s new release is a nice way to lead off; uplifting production with attention to detail, upbeat tracks, and fresh MCs. I’m not making any predictions, but I’m anxious to hear the new album. Not sure when it drops.

Giant Panda – Chops (DJ Alibi Remix)

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DJ Alibi – Let’s Ride (Feat Insight)

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DJ Alibi – Don’t Look Down (Feat Bamboombox)

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PS Give a shout out!

Yes, it exists. I’m not going to go on a State Of Hip Hop rant, but I’ve been meaning to do a Tres Records post ever since I launched this site. Tres (not actually run by Thes of PUTS as everyone seems to think) is putting out some great stuff! This is a label to watch. These two 12″s in particular have never left my crates since I got them. So, I figure this will help me rotate them out to keep myself from playing them to death.

The first record is by Giant Panda. Initially when I heard these guys I really thought they were too much on the modern throwback tip – the same tone set earlier by Ugly Duckling (not a dis, just an observation and a weak grab at a classification). The more I listened to them, the more I really started to dig them. This cut, 90′s, is only one of quite a few play worthy cuts – and an homage to Tribe. The album itself is crazy solid and even has a few tracks produced by Thes One. Grab it y’all!

The next is by Lightheaded. This is the group Ohmega Watts is from. I have to say his solo album (out on Ubiquity in 05) really set the bar highfor me, but this 12″ really impressed me with the B-side. What’s this, another homage to a Tribe cut? Regardless, this track is still a banger even though it does indeed re-flips a classic.

All in all, a big shout out to Tres! And if y’all are listening, send some promos! There are some DJs out there hearing, AND playing your records!

Giant Panda – 90′s

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Lightheaded – Sunrise Cypher (Timeless 12″ b-Side)

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