Bang the Box

Another one taken too soon. RIP to the great GM Roc Raida.

Taken from the Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa collaborative album Jazz Samba Encore! this gem features Maria Helena Toledo on vocals and might be recognizable to some of you as the samples flipped on the JayDee-produced Pharcyde classic Runnin'.DOWNLOAD: Stan Getz & Luiz Bonfa - Saudade Vem CorrendoEnjoy...

Never ceasing to amaze, Truth & Soul Records bring forth their latest offering, a single from long-time T&S trumpet player Michael Leonhart & The Avramina 7. Absurdly funky and absolutely quality as you can expect from T&S...

The East Side label-boss, A-Sides, offers us a little tribute to the late great Michael Jackson...

Kicking off the debut long-player series Toeachizown from Dam-Funk is LAtrik, the first of five volumes showcasing Dam's signature spaced-out electric funk. Look out for the remaining volumes in stores this Fall.DOWNLOAD: Dam-Funk - ToeachizownLINK: Purchase Dam-Funk Toeachizown Vol...

I gave you a little heads up about this album with a download of Ladies in April. Today, the debut album from Lee Fields & The Expressions, My World sees release on Truth & Soul Records. This album is straight-up soul. I can't put it any simpler than that -- it's just a beautiful thing...

The Isolationist is the phenomenal debut LP from Alaska & Paradox now available on Paradox Music. If this says anything, the entire album has been in my playlist all week -- and listened to beginning to end...

From the masterful beatsmith Madlib comes a cut off the second part of his tribute to the late, great J Dilla, Beat Konducta Vol 6 The Dil Withers Suite. If you haven't had a chance to give Vol 5 a good listen, I strongly suggest and recommend that one as well...

Off the forthcoming Mos Def album out June 9th. Truthfully, I've never been a fan of Mos' singing so I kind of just tune out when he starts to harmonize. It's not that dude is out of tune usually, or that he's bad per se -- but I'm just not in it, he loses me in the process...

Truth & Soul Records was generous enough to sort out some ridiculously dope forthcoming material from the imprint...

Fania Records was a staple in my musical diet as I was growing up. I recall many Sunday afternoons when the sounds of Pedro Navaja could be heard emanating from the hi-fi in the living room...

Hands down one of the best, if not the best part of the entire conference this year. Great music all around, packed all night, and an absolutely slammin' vibe. Below is a link to all the sets from that night...

Setting the pace on the new Bucktown USA imprint is General Steele of Smif-N-Wessun fame with his solo album Welcome to Bucktown, in stores May 5th...