“A Boy Named Sue” – Click Here to Listen/Download

–

A lost Pete Rock production by Rob-O and featuring Meccalicious, this track was orginally recorded circa 1996 but shelved when Electra Records went through same roster/label restructuring. No doubt created in the center of Mount Vernon, the paramixed horns are a dead on characteristic of Pete Rock. This is a laid back gem that finally (and thankfully) saw release in 2007.

“Mention Me” prod. Pete Rock - Click here to Download/Listen

–

Last is the pseudo-punk melody makers that influenced countless others, The Pixies. They recently announced a reunion tour that will probably be the last you ever see of the band, so be sure to get a ticket if you already a fan. For those that are new, check out the staple “Debaser” off the seminal Doolittle.

“Debaser” – Click Here to Listen/Download

–

” Time After Time” – Click Here to Listen/Download

–

One of my favorite hip hop albums of last year, Metaform is a producer descendant from the styles of RJD2 and DJ Shadow. For any fans of those two, I highly recommend Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. No lyrics, just sonic dopeness. Listen.

“Urban Velvet” – Click to Listen/Download

–

Last track is a recent remix of the band Metric by electro-vets MSTRKRFT. Starts out with the haunting “I fought the war but the war won’t stop for the love of God…” and then just breaks out into dance banger craziness. Give it a listen and tell me it’s not awesome.

“Monster Hospital” (MSTRKRFT Remix) – Click Here to Listen/Download

–

This is Jack Peñate, an English singer-songwriter that Bobo of Eighty81 brought to my attention. His new album Everything is New came out in June in the UK, and i’m not even sure if its been released stateside yet. Either way, its a nice piece of work and “Tonight’s Today” is indicative of that. Check it.

“Tonight’s Today” – Click Here to listen/Download

–

A little different from normal offerings, this pick is a tribute to the late DJ AM. This mix is crazy. If you haven’t ever heard him I suggest you take a little tour on YouTube, or at least give his collaboration with Travis Barker a listen.

–

Last is the demented blues rock super group The Dead Weather, comprised of White Stripes mastermind Jack White, The Kills singer Alison Mosshart, as well as Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence of Queens of the Stone Age and The Raconteurs, respectively. The album is dark and rough, but a great American rock record through and through. Believe the hype.

“I Cut Like a Buffalo” – Click Here to Listen/ Download

–

“Place to Belong” – Click here to listen/download

–

Back in 2001, Vast Aire and Vordul Mega linked up with producer El-P to create the 14th best hip hop album post 2000. This record is a spaced out banger, with complex street slang from start to finish, and a certified indie hip hop classic.

“Stress Rap” – Click here to Listen/Download

–

Feeling like a little smooth psychedelic rock R&B? Take a Voyage to Atlantis and look no further than the Isley Brothers. Though it hasn’t been sampled quite as much as their other material, this is easily one of my favorite tracks from the Isley’s.

“Voyage to Atlantis” – Click here to listen/Download

–

This is a new release by Cleveland natives Poetic Republic and hosted by DJ K-Nyce. Its called The Blackest Man Alive and finds emcees Ahp Ques and Rembrandt backed by their full band, and this is also the first release since their relocation to Brooklyn. A very dope real hip hop mix straight from our city- I highly recommend supporting these dudes.

Poetic Republic and DJ Knyce – The Blackest Man Alive – Click here to Download

–

Next up is a old jazz song by Jimmy Smith, remixed by rapper/producer extraordinaire Lyrics Born. Its from one of the Verve Remix collections, vol. 3 specifically, and it picks up the pace quite a bit with a funky breakbeat providing steam to the keys and horns already in the track. Not to mention the “Stay Loose” hook that you can’t help but sing along to.

“Stay Loose” (Lyrics Born Remix) – Click here to Listen/Download

–

Surprised that these guys still have a Myspace, because they broke up a few years ago. With an awesome name like Bear Vs. Shark, how could you help but be an awesome band? You can’t, which is why Right Now You’re in the Best of Hands is an excellent album to get your hands on. A little too post-hardcore (heavy, if you will) for some, but this shit rocks- plain and simple.

“Ma Jolie” – Click Here to Listen/Download

First up is a new track from Cleveland natives Keyel. The Key has been holding down the Cleveland Hts area for some time and have a new mixtape dropping in September. They linked up with European producer Flako for this super laid back track titled “Mary Jane”.

“Mary Jane” – Click here to Listen/Download

—

Keeping with the smooth vibes, here’s a joint off Roy Ayers Ubiquity. Flutes freely skip around the track as Roy proclaims “We ain’t got time to be tired, the war has just begun…”

“Ain’t Got Time (In The House)” – Click here to Listen/Download

—

Netherfriends are a 3-person indie rock band hailing from Chicago, IL that create good synth rock. They released an EP entitled Calling You Out (available here) that features unique sounds for the genre, like trumpets and pots n’ pans. This is the lead track “Friends with Lofts”, and it’s great.

“Friends with Lofts” – Click here to Listen/Download

—

“Good Arms vs. Bad Arms” – Click here to Listen/Download

—

One of my favorite singers- not just of soul music, but of all time- is Sam Cooke. There’s something about the simplicity of soul and gospel oldies like this that is soothing and relaxing, and Mr. Cooke was unparalleled in his day.

“You Send Me” – Click Here to Listen/Download

—

OK, so this song I have no idea where it came from, what it was supposed to be on, or when it came out. I literally just found it on my hard drive one day and realized it was good. It’s Nas, produced by Kanye, and it just consists of a simple loop crescendo and profound story. I can’t even tell you why I think it’s so dope– it just is. Anyone know where this came from? Clue me in please.

“The World” (prod. Kanye West) – Click Here to Listen/Download

—

This is a track by Stones Throw artist Aloe Blacc. Aloe used to rap with producer Exile (of Blu & Exile fame) as a part of the group Emanon. He decided to take up singing, or at least focus more on it, and this gem of an R&B/Neo-Soul album Shine Through was the result. Full of dope songs, try “Bailar” for starters.

“Bailar (Scene 1)” – Click here to Listen/Download

—

Switching over into the indie rock world, I’ve recently seen a lot of bands popping up using “Japan-” puns. It’s weird I know, but Japandroids make it work. I’m seeing this melodic punk duo at Pitchfork Fest this Sunday– I’ll be wyling out when this track “Young Hearts Spark Fire” hits.

“Young Hearts Spark Fire” – Click Here to Listen/Download

—

Finally is Amadou and Miriam, a middle aged couple from Mali. They play genre-defying, grooved out, African jazz rock. They play instruments I’ve never even heard of. They were recently named MTV.com’s Best of 2009 (So Far) list. Oh yeah, and they’re blind. Here’s the first track off their album Welcome to Mali.

“Sabali” – Click Here to Listen/Download

This is probably my favorite Jacko song, created in between his Jackson 5 years and his solo career. This track is so funky and danceable that it easily stands the test of time.

“Blame it on the Boogie” – Click here to Listen/Download

Next is from Mike’s reinvention and arguably best album (purely based on the music), “Off the Wall”. Debuting when Mike was only 21, all the tracks are incredible but this one was a special diamond that you don’t hear much about.

“Burn this Disco Out” – Click here to Listen/Download

Then I figured I’d throw a modern day remix in here for good measure. This remix is off the Motown Remixed album that came out a few years back. There’s two Jackson 5 remixes on it, but I prefer the Z-Trip rework of “I want you back”. Check it out.

“I Want You Back” (DJ Z-Trip Remix) – Click here to Listen/Download

Enjoy, and RIP to one of the greatest artists of all time.

I was tweeting about this song the other day, and since I made a fuss about it I might as well share it. This is Empire of The Sun, an Australian band similar to MGMT but even more David Bowie-ish in dress and style (I mean look at that picture). Throw in Treasure Fingers for the remix and you’ve got one hell of a funky dance tune.

“Walking on a Dream” (Treasure Fingers Remix) – Click here to listen/download

Next up is a track from space-funk hip hop group Sa-Ra Creative Partners. One of the most creative and vibed out crews out there, they dropped an album Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love on Tuesday. Get that sh*t. This track clocks in at over 7 minutes, but doesn’t get boring for a second.

“Love Czars” – Click here to listen/download

Last track this week is from Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach’s solo effort Keep It Hid. The local musician put out a solid album earlier this year and the drums that open this song just demand your attention. Give “The Prowl” a listen.

“The Prowl” – Click to listen/download

Here’s a killer band I’ll be working with in the future as part of AEMMP Records, a class thats actually record label at my graduate school. I just met the dudes and they are super cool. Look for a video in the future for this song “Roman Holiday”.

“Roman Holiday” – Click to Listen/Download

This is an album and a song that I just can’t get out of my head. French pop rock band Phoenix has released their fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and this song is tops in my book. It’s just so catchy.

“1901″ – Click here to listen/download

Next up is the first single off Mos Def’s new album The Ecstatic, which I also blogged about here, that came out this past Tuesday. I’m feeling this track and most of the album so it makes the grade for a choice cut this week.

“Casa Bey” – Click here to listen/download

The Cleveland production duo most famous for producing and remixing tracks for 50 cent, MOP, Kid Cudi, and Adele have truly shown their versatility and prowess with the new rock release “Just A Game”. This is a very solid indie rock album with subtle hip hop vibes. The greatest part about this whole thing? It’s free. Right here. Or you can buy it, like a good music supporter, right here.

For a look at their some former work, such as Smash the System, check here.

Shouts to Onsmash and 2DB for the linkage.

First I have a great jam by psychedelic garage soul frontman King Khan, and his Shrines. They have a new album titled What is?! that finally arrived in the States on Vice Records. This track is from their earlier release Mr. Supernatural.

“Pickin’ Up The Trash” – Click Here to Listen/Download

Next I have an excellent, and probably my favorite, cut off of Dom Kennedy‘s Future Street Drug Sounds. The piano loop just never gets old on this, and the rhymes compliment the song perfectly.

“It Was Beautiful” – Click Here to Listen/Download

Easily one of my favorite Stevie songs, this track catches Mr. Wonder in his youth crooning in peak condition. Classic.

“Hey Love” – Click to Listen/Download

First up is a real gem from the New Orleans Hot Spitta, Curren$y. This joint dropped along with his album This Ain’t No Mixtape and is probably the best song off it. Trippy synths set the pace to float away into the clouds.

“Blown Away” – Click here to Listen/Download

Remember, these are about classics as much as it is new hot sh*t. To that I present you with Etta James’ “Sunday Kind of Love”. You may remember Beyoncé played her in Cadillac Records… anyway, there ain’t nothing like the real thing. This song has a great relaxed and slow vibe that puts anyone at ease.

“Sunday Kind of Love” - Click here to Listen/Download

Finally is an +8 minute electronic/hip-hop opus by Born Ruffians remixed by Four Tet. The song builds from a simple chopped key riff and some vocal melodies and evolves into sonic awesomeness. And, the remix sounds nothing like the original. Give it a listen.

“I Need a Life (Four Tet Remix)” – Click here to Listen/Download