The Major Lazer brand (Diplo & Switch) has created something eye-brow raising and brand new with this

super-charged and well-mixed “Lazerproof” production featuring the almighty La Roux.  The mix sounds off

with a brilliant remix to La Roux’s “Bulletproof” and never loses momentum from there — flooding eardrums

with rich dubplates, lounged-out riddims, and even a slick, club-pleasing remix to  Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade” (aptly titled “I’m not your Lemonade”)

that might you have you pressing rewind all day.  It’s rare that a mix is able to do this – but “Lazerproof” sells itself

with little need for journalistic pomp and promo.

Listen/Download here for free — and enjoy:

http://maddecent.bandcamp.com/album/lazerproof

Long Beach-bred LMNO has teamed up yet again with D.C.-based Kev Brown – to continue paying homage to the legendary James Brown – by creating

an exquisite hip-hop collaboration that is both intricate in its array of sound-factory powered hip-hop breaks – and eloquent in terms of the clarity of the lyrical purpose and exchange between the two wordsmiths.  There is a beautiful simplicity to this work that is nostalgic of early/classic hip-hop – with up-beat  upgrades woven into the boom-bap/head-nod soundscape.

LMNO’s visionary cadence and imagery-rich lyrical content combined with Kev Brown’s rhythmic fluency and unique terminology useage makes for a constantly stimulating auditory experience for hip-hop heads hungry for purposeful music that is both uplifting and aesthetically pleasing.

Listen to the stand-out “James Brown” track here:

http://www.moovmnt.com/2010/05/13/lmno-kev-brown-selective-hearing-part-2/

for more on LMNO:

for more on Kev Brown:

-D. Math

It is rare that an artist produces a multi-genre mash-up that both challenges and amazes audiences – but that’s exactly what Flying Lotus

has accomplished with his brilliant “Cosmogramma” release:

“Cosmogramma” is an incredible auditory journey through the universe and science of sound.  While some have dubbed the album a “glorious space opera” – others

have found it too intricate to stomach.  One thing is for sure — if you’re hungry for an album that pushes the envelope by leaping at light-speed through various genres (including dubstep, drum’n'bass, jazz, funk, electronic) – then you need to tune your ears to this anomalous effort from Flying Lotus that is sure to be like no other album you’ve heard before.

If there is one selection off of “Cosmogramma” that epitomizes the collision of sound that awaits listeners – it is the time/space continuum defying track properly titled “ComputerFace/PureBeing”:

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11806-computer-facepure-being/

for more info on Flying Lotus – visit his often-updated website here:

http://www.flying-lotus.com/

-d. math

As a pre-emptive promotional tool – Tobacco has released a fresh new single – “Fresh Hex” – featuring

Beck – in anticipation of Tobacco’s sophomore summer release “Maniac Meat” – inked to hit stores, blogs, and e-markets

on May 25th.  Always one to collaborate with unassuming guest features (see: The 2008 collaboration with Aesop Rock) – Tobacco

surprises fan this time with fusing an unpredictable yet intriguing collaboration together with Beck.

Free download/listen of “Fresh Hex” feat. Beck:

http://stereogum.com/342112/tobacco-fresh-hex-featu-beck-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/

This is the second track off of “Maniac Meat” that Tobacco has officially leaked – acknowledging the

importance of staying ahead of the competition in terms of breaking the new album.  The first leak

was the hard-hitting, aggressive, and bewildering electro-rock assortment found on “SweatMother”:

http://pitchfork.com/news/38328-download-tobaccos-sweatmother/

With only a few weeks away before “Maniac Meat” drops – Tobacco fans are showered with a couple

pre-album auditory gifts to keep them ringing prior to the full-length release.

-D. Math

Among the many branches comprising the super-electric fused ensemble known as Black Moth  Super Rainbow – includes

the bright, atmospheric instrumentation of Seven Fields of Aphelion – which bursted on the scene this year with a magnificently surrealist

album titled “Periphery”:

The stand-out tracks include the emotive and contemplative “Pale Prophecy” – along with

the whimsical “Michigan Icarus” which echoes euphemistic radiance and low-fi synth-sampling:

http://www.vimeo.com/9543745

Certainly a project fit for a hazy summer day – “Periphery” will find its home amongst

atmospheric-electro-pop fans seeking cross-genre experimentation.

-D. Math

If you’re into heavy synth sampling mixed with electronic/hip-hop/and spaced out drum sequencing – nobody does it quite like Black Moth Super Rainbow – the acclaimed Super Gymnastics ensemble from rural Pennsylvania.  Headed by frontman “Tobacco” – they have flooded audiences with ethereal soundscapes that feel like a bright summer day dancing atop rainbows – while under hallucinogenic auditory influence.

“Tooth Decay” off of Black Moth Super Rainbow’s 2009 release – Eating Us:

After the well-received Fucked Up Friends (2009) which featured the likes of Aesop Rock and Anti-Pop Consortium – Tobacco is set to release its new album – “Maniac Meat” – on May 25th.

The first single has been released on the web (temporarily) – and you can hear it here – entitled “Sweatmother”:

http://pitchfork.com/news/38328-download-tobaccos-sweatmother/

We will certainly keep you abreast of new developments from the Black Moth Super Rainbow contingent as May 25th approaches.

-D. Math

Mick Boogie will officially comprise a high-powered mixtape powered by the Nike “Changemakers” campaign.  In anticpation for Mick’s upcoming Nike tour in Asia – he has charged a plethora of lyricists and word-slingers to accentuate the mix – enlisting the services of artists like U-N-I, Curtains, Big Pooh of Little Brother – and many more. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking for the auditory embodiment of colorful soundscapes — check out the Pretty Lights Music ensemble.  With a synth-heavy fusion of funk, soul, and hip-hop, Pretty Lights creates a crowded yet dynamic listening experience.

After bursting on the scene in 2006 with “Taking Up Your Precious Time” – Pretty Lights has continued to prefect its sound with the 2010 release “Making Up a Changing Mind” that promises to stimulate live-crowds hungry for a genre-transcending ruckus.

Known for electric live-shows – check out a clip from Pretty Lights live in New Orleans:

Pretty Lights at work:

For more on Pretty Lights – check out their website:

http://www.prettylightsmusic.com

-D. Math

The album cover for MGMT’s upcoming release – “Congratulations” (due to release on 4/13/10) – has been unveiled:

http://www.hypebeast.com/image/2010/02/anthony-ausgang-mgmt-congratulations-album-cover.jpg

The hyper-colored checkered-board aesthetic was conceived and produced by surrealist cartoonist Anthony Ausgang:

http://www.ausgangart.com/

“Congratulations” is MGMT’s much-anticipated follow-up album to 2007’s “Oracular Spectacular” – which featured

ambient-electric anthems such as “Kids” -

-and “Electric Feel” -

We’ll be waiting with great anticipation for more home-baked goods from these shape-shifting psychedelic pop-stars.

-D. Math

After viewing Spec Boogie’s new video for “Bed-Stuy” (prod. by Von Pea) – I felt a tremor that reminded me of how sharp-hitting

hip-hop can be — Watch here: http://www.vimeo.com/9492004

Recognition is extended to Ali Santana – who did an excellent job with the production value on this video.

——-

A long standing under-the-radar favorite of mine is the Lessondary Crew – which includes the likes of Che Grand,  Tanya Morgan, Spec Boogie, and Elucid.  This combustible combination of word-throwers excel over a wide-range of beat-aesthetic — ranging from Spec Boogie’s whimsical presence on Peter, Bjorn & John’s remix to “Amerstdam”:

(http://www.thefader.com/2007/03/26/audio-peter-bjorn-john-and-spec-boogie/)

— to Che Grand’s air-tight acrobatics over the “Usain Bolt Rap Sh#t” (prod. Suhburb) that is featured on the stand-out “Breakfast At Wimbledon” project found here:

http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2008/10/28/2dopeboyz-presents-che-grand-breakfast-wimbledon-zftp-7/

Grand & Boogie have collaborated a number of times – creating a texture-rich contrast of style – as was displayed on “Walking Under Ladders” which was

featured on Che Grand’s debut album  -  2009’s slept-on “Everything’s Good Ugly” (which will be officially re-released on April 20th).

“Walking Under Ladders” – http://www.vimeo.com/6192779

We will certainly be keeping an eye on what 2010 has in store for the aforementioned — as we expect a dynamic year from Lessondary Crew.