Reflection Eternal & Statik Selektah // The RE:Union Mixtape

The official Reflection Eternal Mixtape, mixed by Statik Selektah.

Download:

Reflection Eternal & Statik Selektah // The RE:Union

Chester French - C'mon (Alan Wilkis Remix)

My dude Alan Wilkis never disappoints when he shoots me over one of his remix projects. I really like the original version of "C'mon", but Alan flips it up a bit and takes it to another level.

Download:

Chester French - C'mon (Alan Wilkis Remix)

DJ BRI-G Top 20 Albums of 2009

These days I don't exactly "live" with an album like I did 10/15 years ago. Gone are the days when The Chronic or Ready To Die would stay in my walkman for an entire year. For an album to stay in my IPod without getting replaced by a bit of 90's hip hop nostalgia for even a couple of days is nearly impossible (see Gucci Mane - The State vs. Radrick Davis or David Guetta - One Love).

So this is a list of albums that have withstood the "IPod Test". They managed to draw me back in time and time again over the course of weeks or months (see #1) regardless of the track. Yes, there was of course some skippage, but through and through, these albums were my soundtrack to 2009.

20) Eminem - Relapse

19) Joss Stone - Color Me Free

18) Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse

17) Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People - Lazers Do

16) The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa

15) Alicia Keys - Element of Freedom

14) Maxwell - Black Summer's Night

13) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz
12) Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

11) Lil Wayne - No Ceilings

10) Passion Pit - Manners
09) Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon
08) Miike Snow - Miike Snow
07) Norah Jones - The Fall
06) Clipse - Till The Casket Drops
05) Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
04) Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx 2
03) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

02) Jay Z - Blueprint 3
01) Drake - So Far Gone

Skillz - 2009 Rap-Up

Skillz' rap-ups are always a solid way to end the year.

Download:

Skillz - 2009 Rap-Up

Video: Michael Jackson – This Is It

Directed by Spike Lee

Video: Jay-Z ft. Mr. Hudson - Young Forever

Great record, great video.

This Week's Soundscan Top 10

1) SUSAN BOYLE - I DREAMED A DREAM - 659,382

2) ALICIA KEYS - ELEMENT OF FREEDOM - 405,762

3) ANDREA BOCELLI - MY CHRISTMAS - 384,928

4) TAYLOR SWIFT - FEARLESS - 230,045

5) CARRIE UNDERWOOD - PLAY ON - 159,423

6) MICHAEL BUBLE - CRAZY LOVE - 149,437

7) LADY GAGA - FAME - 135,045

8) JUSTIN BIEBER - MY WORLD - 130,012

9) ROBIN THICKE - SEX THERAPY - 120,018

10) MICHAEL JACKSON - THIS IS IT - 115,086

Video: Miike Snow – Silvia

Rakim ft. Styles P, Jadakiss & Busta Rhymes - Euphoria

Download:
Rakim ft. Styles P, Jadakiss & Busta Rhymes - Euphoria

Moneypenny - Christmas Time Is Here (Charlie Brown Cover)

I'm an avid hater of Christmas music. As a kid, my mom would start playing it all throughout the house pretty much right after Halloween. The constant inundation of Bing Crosby, The Boston Pops, or whatever pop star at the time felt the need to put out a Christmas album led to my pure abhorrence of all things Christmasy.

Except for A Charlie Brown Christmas. That is the only special/soundtrack that gets a pass. Therefore, when I heard Moneypenny's chill, housey cover of "Christmas Time Is Here", I felt the need to post it.

Download:

Moneypenny - Christmas Time Is Here

Video: Cory Gunz – HipHopBeef 5 Min Freestyle

My little dude Cory Gunz has never been short on skills.

DJ Matt Cali & Russell Fong Present: "The Little Xmas Tape"

Description: Russell Fong and Dj Matt Cali are back with a 30min Christmas Mixtape just in time for the Holiday Season. "The Little Xmas Tape" is a unofficial follow up and holiday tribute to there highly acclaimed "The Little Green Tape." Matt Cali explains, "Russell and I were on the phone together discussing some upcoming themes for new mixtapes and we both expressed are displeasure with corny holiday music. Russell mentioned he had some good old school jams and I had a couple of favorites my self so I fired up the turntables and there you have it." Russell adds "we just wanted to keep it short and sweet and play some good holiday jams."

(Featuring Music From: Snoop Dogg, Marvin Gaye, Run Dmc, Stevie Wonder, Alicia keys,Johnny Mathis and many more......)

Download:

The Little Xmas Tape

Video: Raekwon - Catalina ft. The Roots (Live on Jimmy Fallon)

Video: Raekwon - Catalina (Live on Jimmy Fallon) - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Jay Electronica - Exhibit C (prod. by Just Blaze

The radio rip of this record has been bouncing around the internet for the last month or so. In that time, it became my favorite "hip hop" record of '09. Everything about it, from the beat to the lyrics, to the sample are all incredible.

Here's to hoping Jay Electronica takes over in '10.

Download:

Jay Electronica - Exhibit C

Mixmag Presents: 2009 Rewind (Mixed By Diplo)

01 Major Lazer Feat VYBZ Kartel & Afrojack - Pon De Floor
02 Amanda Blank - Something Bigger, Something Bigger
03 LVIS 1990 - United Groove (MJ Cole Mix)
04 Boys Noize - Drummer
05 Diplo Feat Blaqstarr - Get Off (Jack Beats Remix)
06 The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (Liam H Re-Amped Version)
07 Chase & Status - Eastern Jam
08 Joker & Ginz - Re-Up
09 La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)
10 Bingo Players - Get Up (Diplo Remix)
11 Felix Da Housecat - Kickdrum
12 Erol Alkan & Boys Noize - Death Suite
13 Laidback Luke & Diplo - Hey! (foamo Remix)
14 MSTRKRFT Feat John Legend - Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Mix)
15 Fake Blood - Mars (Style Of Eye Remix)

Download:
Mixmag Presents: 2009 Rewind (Mixed By Diplo)

The Spy From Cairo - Secretly Famous (Album Sampler)

The Spy From Cairo is secretly Moreno Visini, the artist formerly known as Zeb, who's reimerged with a new album,Secretly Famous. An effort by The Spy From Cairo to consolidate as much Middle Eastern music as possible, every track focuses on a particular style of music from the Arab countries - all with his signature Oud playing & dubbed out electronic stylings - from the fierce sounds of the Mizmar and Nay in "Nayphony" (which is an adaptation of traditional Jordanian music) to "Ana Arabi," a song about being an Arab (not a terrorist) with beautifully sung lyrics by Ghalia Benali.

Download:

The Spy From Cairo - Secretly Famous (Album Sampler)

Nickodemus - Sun People Remixed (Sampler)

Although summer's long gone, Brooklyn's foremost outernational DJ Nickodemus is ready to heat up your soundsystem with Sun People Remixed. As the title suggests, this release brings together some of the world's finest and most eclectic remixers for brand new interpretations of original tracks culled from Nickodemus' critically acclaimed sophomore artist album Sun People. Earthrise Soundsystem's take on the title track is a tribal moment, packed with West African chants. The warehouse doors fly open with techno on Christian Prommer's driving and beautiful remix of "The Love Feeling," and the sun sets on this sampler with Pablo Sanchez's smooth hip hop flavored take on "Sun Children."

Download:
Nickodemus - Sun People Remixed (Sampler)

Video: Hot Chip - One Life Stand

Lil Wayne ft. Eminem - Drop The World

Damn, Eminem murdered Weezy again...this time on his own record.

Download:

Lil Wayne ft. Eminem - Drop The World

This Week's Soundscan Top 10

1) SUSAN BOYLE - I DREAMED A DREAM - 582,724

2) ANDREA BOCELLI - MY CHRISTMAS - 391,686

3) GLEE VOL. 2 - SOUNDTRACK - 171,580

4) TAYLOR SWIFT - FEARLESS - 165,311

5) CARRIE UNDERWOOD - PLAY ON - 110,352

6) CHRIS BROWN - GRAFFITI - 102,489

7) LADY GAGA - FAME - 102,108

8) JUSTIN BIEBER - MY WORLD - 101,256

9) MICHAEL BUBLE - CRAZY LOVE - 92,174

10) GLEE, VOL. 1 - SOUNDTRACK - 89,905

*Gucci Mane's The State vs. Radrick Davis sold 89,166 and came in #11. Thought you might wanna know.

DJ Dodge ft. Lil J - Live It Up

DJ Dodge sampled a baby crying. Lol. Awesome!!

Download:

DJ Dodge ft. Lil J - Live It Up

Rihanna's GQ Magazine Photoshoot

Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terell – Ain’t No Mountain (Mikey Mic Remix)

I normally hate electro remixes of classic soul records. However, I really like what Mikey Mic did with this...and the video is awesome.

Download:
Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terell – Ain’t No Mountain (Mikey Mic Remix)

Ke$ha - Tik Tok (Free School Remix)

The Free School boys are at it again. This time being the latest to put their remix spin on Ke$ha's smash hit "Tic Tok".

Download:

Ke$ha - Tik Tok (Free School Remix)

Weezer - I Want You To (Steve Aoki Remix)

Weezer seems to be going in a different lane with this album than the "geek rock" we've all been used to over the last decade or so and Aoki's remix of "I Want You To" falls right in line with it.

Download:

Weezer - I Want You To (Steve Aoki Remix)

Crookers ft. Soulwax & Mixhell - We Love Animals

Epic!!

Download:

Crookers ft. Soulwax & Mixhell - We Love Animals

DJ Class - Party Crackin'

My dude DJ Class just shot his newest project on over to me...and it's a certifiable club banger.

Download:

DJ Class - Party Crackin'

Via: Revokt.com

I’m always looking for something with a story (i’m a bookworm at heart). I love memorable characters and a plot that sends you in a total tailspin just when you think you’ve figured things out. The same can be said for jeans and my constant search for the perfect pair or at least a pair that sets me apart from the pack.

Nadel and Pen just might be the where the plot not only thickens, but also teaches us a little something too. Created by German designer Tilmann Wrobel, Nadel and Pen (nadel means “needle’ in German) is a line for fashion lovers that also strives to remind them about the true purpose of denim and raw materials. With six models of denim in several washes, the first collection of 15 garments from Nadel and Pen, with manufacturing by Monsieur – T, is affordable and carries something a little different for denim-philes everywhere. However, the most unique aspect of the denim line is the message that is printed inside the jeans. Each pair of jeans carries two messages that act as a guide for the consumer, the first message giving a little bit of unknown history about the manufacturing of jeans: history of rivets, myths about stretch material or the origin of washes. The second and probably most important message: DON’T WASH THEM! Wrobel is trying to remind us about the nature and history of denim, which includes not washing your jeans but just airing them out in order to get that genuine vintage look we so crave. In this age of stretching dollars and getting back to basics, Nadel and Pen is the collection that just might tell the story of denim being fashionable and purposeful. Make sure you check out www.nadelandpen.com and get a pair of jeans that are absolute page -ahem- head turners.

Vampire Weekend - California English Pt. 2

David Guetta ft. Akon - Sexy Bitch (DJ Slick B-More Remix)

Nice little b-more twist on David Guetta and Akon's hit single.

Download:

David Guetta ft. Akon - Sexy Bitch (DJ Slick B-More Remix)

Video: Portishead - Chase The Tear

Portishead - Chase The Tear from Mintonfilm on Vimeo.

Wu Massacre - Meth vs. Chef II

It's 30 degrees outside. This record feels so good for winter time.

Download:

Wu Massacre - Meth vs. Chef II

Entertainment Weekly's Top 10 Albums of the Decade

1. The College Dropout, Kanye West (2004)

2. The Blueprint, Jay-Z (2001)

3. Kid A, Radiohead (2000)

4. Stankonia, OutKast (2000)

5. Love And Theft, Bob Dylan (2001)

6. Home, The Dixie Chicks (2002)

7. Funeral, The Arcade Fire (2004)

8. I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé (2008)

9. FutureSex/LoveSounds, Justin Timberlake, (2006)

10. You Are Free, Cat Power (2003)

First off, I'm happy to say I own 8/10 of these albums. Sorry Dixie Chicks and Cat Power, I just don't have room for you in my life.

On the whole, I really can't be too mad at this list. With that said, I definitely would not have put I Am...Sasha Fierce on there, as there are several better female R&B albums that were released in the last decade such as Alicia Keys' Songs in A-Minor and Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun.

The Arcade Fire and Cat Power albums, although not commercial successes received major critical acclaim at the time of their releases. I do have a bit of a problem with You Are Free however. It may have slid in there due to the infuence of the Eddie Vedder and Dave Grohl guest appearances (we all know how the media loves them some 90's grunge nostalgia). Apparently Pitchfork also agrees with me because they listed it as #98 in their Top 200 of the decade.

To me, any one of the Top 4 can be interchangeable. Each album contributed to the overall musical and cultural landscapes far above and beyond any releases of the decade. Should The College Dropout be #1? You get no argument from me, however like I said, I wouldn't argue with any of the Top 4.

As far as the rest of the list goes. This being a media publication's list, there obviously could be no Top 10 without an appearance from Bob Dylan. I do love the album though, as well as FutureSex/LoveSounds. I have to admit that I have never heard the Dixie Chicks album so therefore I really can't have an opinion one way or another.

Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne -

In the words of the street slang I've come to know and love "This shit go hard".

Download:

Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne - Scared Money

Video: Chromeo - Night By Night

Video: Joy Orbison - BRKLN CLLN

Robin Thicke ft. Kid Cudi - Elevatas

"Elevatas" is one of my favorite tracks of Robin Thicke's (pause) new album. Check for it in stores Dec. 15th.

Download:

Robin Thicke ft. Kid Cudi - Elevatas

Video: Timbaland ft. Drake - Say Something

This Week's Soundscan Top 10

1) SUSAN BOYLE - I DREAMED A DREAM - 509,610

2) ANDREA BOCELLI - MY CHRISTMAS - 437,435

3) TAYLOR SWIFT - FEARLESS - 129,825

4) R. KELLY - UNTITLED - 115,923

5) CASTING CROWNS - PEACE ON EARTH - 79,711

6) NORAH JONES - THE FALL - 79,117

7) LADY GAGA - FAME - 78,891

8) MICHAEL BUBLE - CRAZY LOVE - 77,634

9) CARRIE UNDERWOOD - PLAY ON - 75,679

10) NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC - NOW 32 - 69,929

Sade - Soldier of Love

It's new Sade, need I say more?

Download:

Sade - Soldier of Love

Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway (Free School Remix)

Download:

Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway (Free School Remix)

The Depreciation Guild - Because (Beatles Cover)

The Brooklyn-based Depreciation Guild (http://myspace.com/thedepreciationguild) put together an amazing rendition of The Beatles classic for the 8-Bit Operators' recent project.

Almost 2 full years in the making, the 8-Bit Operators’ “Wanna Hld Yr Handheld, Vol. 1” Beatles tribute focuses on the glorious avant-garde and electronic side of the Fab 4 with over 20 of the biggest international names in 8-bit chip music, all utilizing the hardware of re-tooled, classic Game Boys, Ataris, Nintendo Entertainment Systems, circuit-bent toys, Commodore 64s and Apple II computers.

Snatch up the entire project here: http://8bitoperators.bandcamp.com/

Download:

The Depreciation Guild - Because (Beatles Cover)

Video: KiD CuDi feat. MGMT & RATATAT - Pursuit of Happiness

Word on the street is that Josh Hartnett produced this. Nice job.