what can i say? i couldn't let another show go by without being in the mix. been dying to do another uptempo blends session. hopefully, this one delivers the goods in your opinion.

we start off with a cut out of glasgow from the marcia blaine school for girls (love that name). lots of bleeps and bloops riding this dark bassline threatening to tear subwoofers apart. audiofinger follows that up with a quick offering before we dive headfirst into some deep house. gam is something special, soulful house outta the boogie down bronx - respect. "being touched" is courtesy of his grand and masterful imprint. jersey city's own dennis ferrer follows that up with his anthem from last year, "church lady." i can't even count the number of different mixes there are of this song available through ioda promonet, but rocco's late night mix is the one i'm feelin' the most. ananda project keeps us within this smooth vein with "stay as you are," the rurals providing remix duty. jay-j & miguel migs wrap up the house portion with a bouncy joint called "rock the spot."

it's back to the techno after that, and nico diorio's "original eyes" kicks so much ass it's ridiculous. when that fades out, greenbaum & leon fade in with the aptly titled "cartoon life." it's quirky, fun techno tailor made for the dancefloor and possibly one of the best netlabel cuts i've heard in quite some time (don't sleep on creative commons joints, y'all). i was able to represent for some hip-hop as well, and panacea makes for a great addition with "starlite." edmonton's own cadence weapon is responsible for one of my favorite tracks in the mix, "in search of the youth crew." there's nowhere else to go but up from here, and groove armada provides the song to beat with "get down." seriously, how can you be a wallflower when this joint is on?

the mix wraps up with an updated club classic. the original of armand van helden's "witch doktor" is legendary, but i think the bsod remix is rather tasty, in my opinion. it brings the song from its tribal past into a dark tech future and i think it's tastefully done. the closer is the bomb joint: underground resistance turns in a killer track and its message is timeless and absolutely necessary for these uncertain times. here's hoping it hits you where it needs to and that this blends session is to your liking. enjoy, my people. make your transition...

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go here to stream shows

like this episode? check out BSOTS episodes 047 and 062 for more blends sessions...

opening promo produced and performed by jonny sonic. station IDs provided by darrenkeith, ej flavors, and hired gun. background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides" by mr. fitz aka techniken defunkus.

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
tools of war's myspace page
central park summerstage
groove armada's video on youtube

1. the marcia blaine school for girls - "the ratio" {buy via pmn}
2. audiofinger - "learning to fly from the 2nd floor window"
3. gam - "being touched" [buylink information below]
4. dennis ferrer feat. danil wright - "church lady (rocco's late night mix)" [buylink information below]
5. ananda project - "stay as you are (rurals remix)" [buylink information below]
6. jay-j & miguel migs - "rock the spot" [buylink information below]
7. nico diorio - "only eyes (original mix)" [buylink information below]
8. greenbaum & leon - "cartoon life"
9. panacea - "starlite" [buylink information below]
10. cadence weapon - "in search of the youth crew" {buy via amazon}
11. groove armada - "get down" {buy via amazon}
12. armand van helden - "witch doktor (bsod remix)" {buy via emusic}
13. underground resistance - "transitions" [buylink information below]

promonet links:

Gam
"Being Touched" (mp3)
from "Being Touched EP"
(Grand And Masterful Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Dennis Ferrer feat. Danil Wright
"Church Lady" (mp3)
from "King Street Sounds & Nite Grooves presents Best of 2007"
(King Street Sounds)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Ananda Project
"Stay As You Are" (mp3)
from "Night Blossom (Disc 2 Unmixed)"
(Nite Grooves)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Jay-J & Miguel Migs
"Rock The Spot" (mp3)
from "Jay-J & Friends Vol. 3"
(Shifted Music)

Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Nico Diorio
"Only Eyes" (mp3)
from "Only Eyes"
(DLA Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Panacea
"Starlite" (mp3)
from "Ink Is My Drink"
(Rawkus Records LLC)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Galaxy 2 Galaxy
"Transition" (mp3)
from "Galaxy 2 Galaxy: A High Tech Jazz Compilation"
(Submerge Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
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Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Techno, house, Hip-Hop/a>, Electronic, Radio, mp3

“List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.”

1. james reese & the progressions - "let's go (it's summertime)"
from the carolina funk compilation. it's the first song i thought of, and it really has become the defining instrumental for me relating to hot fun in the summertime. the percussion and organ lay down the foundation, but it's the horns that really carry the song. just some let your hair down type stuff. it's what you play on your way to the bbq or your alternate summertime jump-off... {amazon}

2. n*e*r*d - "everybody nose"
i liked the song from the moment i heard it on gilles peterson's show a few months back. i was at work and my ass couldn't stop switching back and forth in the chair. it was straight up involuntary. the bassline and sax squeal are just ridiculous. all together, everybody: "all the girls standing in the line for the bathroom..." {amazon}

3. james pants - "ka$h"
unquestionable funkiness from spokane, wa. this guy's kind of the man of the hour right now and the talk of the stones throw roster, and with good reason. this is the song you point to in order to justify the buzz behind him. it's a combination of a number of things: the waterdrop sound accenting the repeated chords, the joyous tambourine shaking around ecstatically, the soulful vocals singing lines like "how the hell else am i gon' get weeded?" it's neptunes for people who don't like the neptunes. imho, two minutes plus of warmth-infused perfection. and james is just getting started... {stones throw}

4. flying lotus - "robertaflack (feat. dolly)"
static-filled like the vinyl of yesteryear, but futuristic in harmonics and production, stephen ellison has made THE album to beat with los angeles, a brilliant fusion of hip-hop and experimental electronics. nephew to the late, great alice coltrane, best believe he has done auntie proud. "robertaflack" has been that never-ending head nodder in my mp3 player, the constant rewind joint co-signing every introspective moment i've had during the spring and continuing into the summer. as the beat cradles you in its arms, singer dolly poses a few questions: "are we allowed to make brand new beginnings? do we need to know where the journey starts?" and even though i know the answers won't come soon enough for me, the pastpresentfuture sounds of flying lotus continue to ease my mind and shape my summer. {amazon}

5. cadence weapon - "in search of the youth crew"
he's an mc outta edmonton, and this cut reminds me of how much i miss going out dancing, especially the outdoor parties during the day in and around new york city. if you can hear in your head someone spitting rhymes over the filtered house of daft punk or cassius, then you're more than halfway there. "the youth crew's BACK!!!" {amazon}

6. soul messengers - "our lord and savior"
from the recently released soul messages from dimona compilation on the numero group label. picture a group of brothers and sisters from detroit and chicago making the trek to dimona, israel and immersing themselves in black hebrew culture, then singing praises through a soul/funk/jazz/psychedelic musical construct. if the picture's hazy in your mind, sampling this cut will make it plain. uptempo, fierce, and sho' nuff funky, borrowing the vocal melody from "na na hey hey hey (kiss him goodbye)," this is unbridled disco dancing its way out of the sanctuary onto a grassy hillside, giving itself all the room in the world to get on the good foot in the name of the Lord. if i were still spinning live, i'd use any excuse to drop this cut in every dj set. i live to dance on top of bassbin speakers to stuff like this. quoth his honor james brown: GOOD GOD! {numero group}

7. jackson conti - "papaya"
from the sujinho record, a collaboration between otis jackson jr. a.k.a. madlib and drummer ivan "mamão" conti of azymuth. this is a proper latin jazz record that dropped just in time for summer road trips and days at the beach. "papaya" is ten minutes of breezy sunshine, walking on sand that doesn't burn your feet while drinking your favorite chilled beverage. fyi: this album proves once and for all that madlib is so much more than a beatmaker, but a producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire... {turntable lab}

tagged:
chyll will
dj drilla
core rhythm
christina
bazooka joe
hired gun
jeff hinz

VARIOUS ARTISTS
Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing
[BBE]
Release Date:  February 11, 2008

Just when you think that the crate diggers of the universe have uncovered every lost gem on earth, up pops another compilation giving you more reasons to get your fingers dusty.  Respect must be given to Mr. Thing, DJ/producer and rare breaks enthusiast.  This is an ocean floor deep collection brimming with soul, funk, and jazz pearls from beginning to end.  Most of what's here will be unfamiliar to most listeners, even the covers of popular tunes.  Standouts include The Discoettes putting their humble spin on a Pointer Sisters classic ("Yes We Can Can") and Lloyd Charmers adding a lovers rock lean to Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More."  The self-titled cut from Soulful Illusion boasts harmonies reminiscent of The Temptations or The Miracles over a tough tempo and brass section.  Mr. Thing reaches into another crate and pulls out Original Tropicana Steel Band's "Calypso Rock," a funky instrumental with sweet steel drum solos.  You probably don't want to know what price some of these titles would fetch online, so consider this compilation a steal.  God bless Mr. Thing for sharing his knowledge of rarities with the masses.   -JRS

THA 4ORCE
Mind The Gap Anthems Version 2
[BBE Records]
Release Date:  February 25, 2008

Remember the DJ from Da Ali G Show?  Antics with Sacha Baron Cohen aside, Steve Ellington a.k.a. Tha 4orce is the real deal, boasting a remix and production resume that others would kill to have.  Working with everyone from LL Cool J and Oleta Adams to Busta Rhymes and Amy Winehouse, his latest album on BBE exposes his prowess as an MC and producer.   While Ellington's skills behind the boards are superior to his lyrical abilities, he still gets an honorable mention for effort.  His best moments are when he's in DJ mode, as featured on "The Musician."  Rap snippets are cut, scratched, and arranged to interact with the dazzling piano of Tim Baxter.  "Drums Vs. Drums" is even more impressive as Tha 4orce goes head to head with drummer Dom Bannister, matching breaks from the crates with a live session on the skins.  For verbal fury, check for guest appearances from Poynt Blak on "Magnificent" and Phoebe on "Stay Strong & Feel Me."  Ellington's production is six-figure income solid and will have you hunching your shoulders for days on end.  -JRS

yet another reason to support the indie musician.  gotta feel for 'em after watching this one...

considering that i recently got down with facebook and friendfeed, this is actually pretty amusing.  the things that fight for your attention within the world of social media can feel like this sometimes...

there's a lot that i wanted to say about this show, but it's currently too hot and too late to write anything coherent. i will say this, though: i honestly don't think i realized just how much of a hip-hop fan i was until i started this podcast. this blends session is proof of that. it includes tracks from the u.s., the u.k., germany, and france. it contains a little bit of everything: fierce lyricism, some socially aware verbal fare, some silliness, some rhymin' for the sake of mic rippin', and turntablists catching wreck on the wheels of steel. there's even one dj piece all about the joys of graffiti (the oldest cut in the mix, going back to 1997). and there's at least one guilty pleasure in here, at least from a lyrical standpoint.

okay, i'm falling asleep at the computer. time to go to bed. hope you dig this one. peace...

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

camp lo-fi promo produced by bazooka joe of solipsistic nation. background music is the instrumental version of "somethin' real" by touch and nato (see track #11 in the playlist for the full vocal version and artist information).

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
tools of war's myspace page
breakdown fm with davey d
daveyd.com

1. edan - "beautiful food" [buylink information below]
2. 6th sense - "i wanna tell ya" [buylink information below]
3. jean grae & 9th wonder - "the 8th"
4. dabrye - "encoded flow (feat. kadence)" [buylink information below]
5. birdy nam nam - "violons (part 2)" [buylink information below]
6. lovespirals - "walk away (dminor remix)"
7. mishoo the drumkit - "one person (remix prod. by stevo)"
8. tommy tee - "aerosoul" [buylink information below]
9. overnite & nv - "nu breed"
10. big la vs. todd - "hello san francisco"
11. touch and nato - "somethin' real (feat. wordsworth)" {buy via cdbaby}
12. dynas - "figure it out" [buylink information below]
13. edreys - "no joke"
14. m.f. doom - "doomsday (remix)" [buylink information below]
15. cy tru - "yo (part one)"
16. pete rock - "we roll (feat. jim jones and max b)"{buy via emusic or amazon.com}
17. 45 king vs. wale - "roof" {buy via amazon.com
18. animate objects - "the weight" {buy via cdbaby}

promonet links:

Edan
"Beautiful Food" (mp3)
from "Sprain Your Tapedeck"
(Lewis Recordings)

Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

6th Sense
"I Wanna Tell Ya" (mp3)
from "Rawkus 50 Presents It's Coming Soon"
(Rawkus 50)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Dabrye, Kadence
"Encoded Flow (feat. Kadence)" (mp3)
from "Two/Three"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Birdy Nam Nam
"Violons (Part 2)" (mp3)
from "Birdy Nam Nam Live"
(UWe SARL)

Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Tommy Tee
"Aerosoul" (mp3)
from "Return of the DJ Vol. II"
(Bomb Hip Hop)

Buy at Bomb Hip-Hop
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Dynas
"Figure It Out prod. by Nicolay" (mp3)
from "Rawkus 50 Presents Me, Myself & Rhymes"
(Rawkus 50)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

M.F. Doom
"Doomsday" (mp3)
from "Monster Mixes Vol. 1"
(MINDBENDA RECORDINGS)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, Hip-Hop, Electronic, Radio, mp3

ah, another freeform show. i was just thinking to myself that i really enjoy and look forward to the challenge of covering a wide array of genres within one episode and sequencing the tracks in a way that makes some harmonic sense to the listener. lots of great selections that i've been dying to play in this one. i also get a chance to read some listener emails. topics include family and podcaster fatigue.

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

1. jd73 - "distorted dreams" [buylink information below]
2. troublemakers - "no room for growth" [buylink information below]
3. serengeti - "dennehy" [buylink information below]
4. matthew dear - "deserter" [buylink information below]
5. animate objects - "this dance" {buy via CDBaby}
6. jackie mittoo - "soul bird" [buylink information below]
7. jaro cossiga - "time travelling 4.3 (feat. 3rd party)"
8. a.r. kane - "honey be (for stella)" [buylink information below]
9. d*note featuring beth hirsch - "everybody loves the sunshine" {buy via newworldmusic.com}
10. j-live - "the upgrade (feat. posplugwon and oddisee)" {buy via itunes}

opening theme co-produced by macedonia and techniken defunkus. background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides," another tech def tune. special guest id drops courtesy of ej flavors and fave nite.

featured promo: indie radio chattanooga

promonet links:

JD73
"Distorted Dreams" (mp3)
from "Zeros and Ones"
(Ropeadope Digital)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch
"No Room 4 Growth" (mp3)
from "Troublemakers"
(Little Ax, LLC.)

Buy at Sandbox Automatic (Retail CDs)
Buy at UGHH (Retail CDs)
Buy at CD Baby (Retail CDs)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Serengeti
"Dennehy" (mp3)
from "Dennehy"
(Audio 8 Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Matthew Dear
"Deserter" (mp3)
from "Asa Breed Black Edition"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Jackie Mittoo
"Soul Bird" (mp3)
from "Wishbone"
(Light In The Attic)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Insound
More On This Album

A.R. Kane
"Honey Be (For Stella)" (mp3)
from "New Clear Child"
(Luaka Bop)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

other key info:
BSOTS episode 60: a valentine's day blends session
BSOTS episode 65: afrobeatdowns and all that jazz...
hear more serengeti on BSOTS episode #55
john henry radio
indiefeed: hip-hop/rap
a.r. kane's wikipedia page
ariel publicity & cyber pr
us & us (may 2008): an extension of yesterday

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Hip-Hop/a>, Electronic, Radio, mp3

this show was recorded the week of podcamp nyc 2.0, about two or three days before the "unconference." admittedly, it's a departure from the usual vibe at camp lo-fi, but one that i think is necessary.

been wanting to play "reason to be" for quite some time - same with "jealousy." the pieces of peace album has to be at least 30-35 years old at this point, thereby making "pollution" quite timely in these environmentally delicate days we live in. very happy to see "jiggy jiggy" up in the podsafe music network: when you have a chance to represent for an unquestionably talented brother like steve reid as a podcaster, YOU TAKE IT. zozo afrobeat was another pmn find, pretty hot.

however, it's the goddess that really brings the heat and that's why miss nina simone is the closer for this episode. she consistently spoke truth to power and i will always love her for that. the new protest anthology album finally brings all her fiery recordings onto one release. this is the type of music i'll be listening to when i'm an old man.

some different flavor this go 'round, but i hope you enjoy this one. and make sure that you check out switch's remix for radiohead at the top of the page...

total playing time: 56:00

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

1. anam owili-eger - "reason to be" {buy via CDBaby}
2. tony allen - "jealousy" [buylink information below]
3. pieces of peace - "pollution" [buylink information below]
4. steve reid ensemble - "jiggy jiggy" {buy via other music}
5. zozo afrobeat - "shake your nyansh"
6. nina simone - "revolution" {buy via amazon}

background music: "pre-calc" by mista mayday. id drops courtesy of darrenkeith of my love for music and james taylor of the james taylor quartet.

promonet links:

Tony Allen
"Jealousy" (mp3)
from "Afro Disco Beat"
(Vampi Soul / Light In The Attic)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

Pieces of Peace
"Pollution" (mp3)
from "Pieces of Peace"
(Quannum Projects)

Buy at Other Music
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

other key info:
macedonia on twitter
a muxtape from mr. fitz

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Jazz, Radio, mp3