Author Archives: Ash El Gamal

[Future R&B] Snakehips – Gone (feat. Syd)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 15, 2015

SNAKEHIPS
Gone (Feat. Syd)

UK production duo Snakehips were easily one of our favorite acts of 2014 putting out consistently smooth remixes infused with their electronic, R&B-leaning stylings. As they prepare to release a much-anticipated EP, they dropped a new single this morning featuring silky smooth vocals from Odd Future-affiliate Syd of post-soul band The Internet. As its name suggest, “Gone” is a ballad about consumption and love set to a perfectly wavy instrumental that, when combined with Syd’s hypnotic vocals, evokes feelings of intoxication. Give this one a spin above–Snakehips’s Forever (Pt. II) drops March 9th on Hoffman West.

[via Fader]

[House] Durante – Full Moon

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 14, 2015

Durante
Full Moon

Download

Any time I find myself in a writing rut, there’s always a track that, after about 100 listens, compels me to emerge and share. This existential cycle around, the latest release from Durante was the one. On “Full Moon,” the LA-based producer focuses on the details, a necessity for quality house music, without overcomplicating things. Providing ample time to build a groove at the front-end, Durante introduces a vocal sample around the 1 minute mark before unleashing a heavy, undeniably addicting synth. Occasional horns and xylophone make for a jazzy feel resulting in a sound equal parts smooth, funky and dance-floor ready. Give this anthemic cut a listen and, if you’re digging it, grab a free download above.

[Hip-Hop] Heems – Sometimes

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 12, 2015

Heems
Sometimes

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When Das Racist split up a few years back, it was unclear what kind of musical output we could expect from its members and, for a brief moment, it appeared that we’d be losing some of the freshest talent in hip-hop. Luckily, since that time, frontman Himanshu Suri aka Heems has remained active with his record label, Greedhead Music, putting out impressive solo mixtapes and making feature appearances on several top-notch projects. Last week, Heems shared a new track along with an official release date for his debut studio album, Eat. Pray. Thug.

“Sometimes” sees Heems in top form spitting over evolving, dynamic production from Gordon Voidwell that allows his stream-of-conscious flow to truly shine as he adjusts his cadence in a way that perfectly matches the motif of the song. In Suri’s own words, this track focuses on “dualities, identity and the space between spaces” using the title as a starting point to portray a unique, important and insightful racial perspective not commonly found in rap music. Eat. Pray. Thug. is out March 10th and can be pre-ordered on iTunes now. In the meantime, enjoy this phenomenal piece of musical commentary above.

Hip/Hop

[Hip-Hop] Action Bronson – Actin Crazy (Prod. by 40)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 7, 2015

Action Bronson
Actin Crazy (Prod. By 40)

Soundcloud

It’s hard to believe that Action Bronson is yet to release a major label debut album given the amount of quality content he’s put out over the last few years. With a due date of March 24th now slated for his debut, Mr. Wonderful, the Queens emcee dropped a glimpse into the project just a few minutes ago. “Actin Crazy” features production from Drake‘s in-house beat-master, Noah “40” Shebib, which complements Bronson’s lyrical acrobatics surprisingly well. The instrumental, unsurprisingly, proves ethereal and airy with Bronson’s chorus matches his current career position, “Opportunity be knocking, it got a let a mofucka in.” Of course, the song wouldn’t be complete without lines like “All I do is eat oysters/And speak 6 languages in 3 voices.” Give this one a listen above–we’re certainly excited to give Bronson’s Mr. Wonderful a spin in a few months.

Hip/Hop

Daft Punk – One More Time (Luca Lush Remix) [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 7, 2015

Daft Punk
One More Time (LUCA LUSH Remix)

Download

Soundcloud, even with its quirks, bugs and uncertainties, remains an amazing tool for music discovery from both a fan and artist perspective. Over the last couple years, a number of collectives have done a particularly good job curating like-minded artists via SC allowing listeners further opportunity to find producers similar to ones they already know and love. The alaya collective is a perfect example of one such taste-maker introducing us to some of our favorite new artists in the future R&B and chill-bass realm over the last year.

Today, we’re excited to be premiering a new track from New York-based, alaya-affiliated producer Luca Lush, who has been killing the Soundcloud game recently. Before you jump to conclusions about his decision to take on Daft Punk, keep in mind that Luca has already remixed classics like “Let’s Get It On” and “In Da Club” recently with marvelously creative results. His take on “One More Time” is no different as he allows the original vocals to progress over a radiant backdrop before bridging into a glitchy break and finally breaking down completely into an addicting piano melody. By the 2-minute mark Luca has taken full control injecting his unique feels for a truly dynamic, triumphant closing. Grab a free download here and, if you like what you hear, make sure to follow Luca Lush and alaya, who’ve got a new compilation on the way, on Soundcloud at those links.

P.S. If you haven’t heard it already, make sure to check out Luca Lush’s addicting collaboration with Feki, “Club Love,” one of my personal favorites.

[Hip-Hop] Rome Fortune & OG Maco – Yep (EP)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 7, 2015

Atlanta emcee Rome Fortune has not slowed down one bit since the release of his debut project, Small VVorld. OG Maco, who was featured heavily on that project, has been equally prolific, most recently putting out a powerful EP, Breathe, in response to social injustices around the country. To kick off 2015, the two are back at it again with a new collaborative EP, appropriately titled Yep. The project expands on the bouncy, progressive production typical of both rappers creating a unique juxtaposition with lyrics that range from introspection to comical to romance. The addicting opening track, “Jungle,” draws you in immediately with its dynamic production and delivery from both artists and the project never really looks back. Other standouts for us included “Pearls,” “Make It Loud,” “Pay Rent” and the Chris McClenney-produced bonus track “Moving On,” but the EP is worth a listen from start to finish as it truly keeps you on your toes with its variety. Stream the whole project below and grab a free download here.

’Rome Fortune X OG Maco – Jungle (Prod. Cubby)’