It's Remixin' Time!

Just back from Orlando, kids. You'll be glad to know that the Magic Kingdom still stands, i'm sure. Enough of this catching up shit, though, let's jump into a couple of remixes, shall we?

i often decry DC's lack of a beat scene, but we've obviously got at least a few bastions of hope 'round these parts. At or near the top of that list has to be Fort Knox Five. To help celebrate Bob Marley's recent 66th birthday, they dropped this little gem.

mp3: Dubby Conqueror (Fort Knox Five Mix) (Bob Marley & the Wailers from the Fort Knox Five website)

By now, you've all heard the news about the White Stripes splitting up, i'm sure. While i thought they put out some pretty tight albums, based upon the two times i saw them live, they may well have been the most overrated live performers of all time. i've found myself involved in some recent debates wherein i essentially argue that the Black Keys are superior in every single way (except the low budget porn category, which Meg wins for the Stripes hands down), and because i'm me, i'm always correct. Anyway, the Glitch Mob did up a pretty nifty remix of one of the Stripes' classics to bid the band a fond farewell (until someone starts smelling reunion money, i suppose). Seems GM is getting ready to go bonkers with shows and new music in the near future, so you might want to head on over there and sign-up for their mailing list.

mp3: Seven Nation Army (The Glitch Mob Remix) (The White Stripes from the Glitch Mob website)

Beat Meet: The Grown Folks, Younger Sister, Local, Remixed, Kills Less Porpoises Edition

Even (especially?) if it's a shortened week, gotta have a Beat Meet, right? This week's installment, for the most part, features a number of winner albums. Plus, we've got a couple of extra treats, too. Let's be honest, for our U.S. readers, you're going to need a soundtrack for the self-induced coma you're going to put yourself into come Turkey Day. Fortunately for you, this can be it.

i'm constantly bemoaning (bragging about?) the fact that we get a LOT of submissions here at LET. And as good a job as we try to do listening to everything, well, things are going to fall through the cracks, plain and simple. Sometimes, though, the Fates realize this will not stand. Such is the case with Durojaiye Versatile's The Fermented Sessions. When DV sent a follow-up email earlier asking what we thought of the album, i had to scramble, but i'm glad i took the time to listen the second time around. The wine label CD art pretty much sums up the experience--grown folks' grooves just right for a dinner party mentality. Don't be fooled into thinking this is NPR-approved, light stuff, though--while i'm sure they'd dig it, too, this is for beat heads.

mp3: Bree (Durojaiye Versatile from The Fermented Sessions)

If the Powers-That-Be had their way, we wouldn't be talking about Caroline here at the Beat Meet. The Mice Parade member and younger sister of J-Pop sensation Olivia Lufkin originally was signed as the next J-Popper sensation, but walked away from a huge contract to make the music she wanted to make. What we've got here is ethereal vocals over dreamy beats and occasional, crisp percussion. i calls 'em likes i sees 'em, and this is one to keep an ear open for when it drops on January 25, 2011.

mp3: Swimmer (Caroline from Verdugo Hills)

Oddisee is blowing up the world over, but as a Prince George's County native, well, we DC-area bloggers take special pride in this hometown talent. Were you a fan of his work with Trek Life on Everything Changed Nothing? Were you more interested in the grooves than the raps? Well, are you in luck today then, kiddo, as we've got the instrumentals here for your listening pleasure.

mp3: Ready to Live Instro (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

mp3: Still Never Rains Instrumental (Oddisee from Everything Changed Nothing Instros)

Sure, that's all good and well, but where's your Glitch Mob fix? Well, i do happen to have the latest DJ Vadim remix of Fortune Days featuring Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz. So eat, eat, you jackals. When the album DownloadToDonate.org on January 12, 2011, all proceeds go towards Haiti relief programs, so enjoy this sample, and then do the right thing when the time comes.

mp3: Fortune Days (DJ Vadim RMX ft Yarah Bravo & Pugs Atomz) (The Glitch Mob from Drink The Sea - The Remixes Vol. 2)

And since it is a feast week for we fat assed Americans, what better way to close things out than with another Simple Recipe from our beloved Pro~Ef? Answer: there isn't one. Tell me i'm wrong when i tell you that all recipes are better when read over stellar beats. Can't do it, can you? Don't question your Uncle Terrible, kids. Just trust me on this one.

mp3: Dolphin Friendly Tuna Quesadilla (Pro~Ef from Simple Recipes Series)

Free Music Friday: The Kiddie, Exclamatory, Groovalicious, Remixed Once, Remixed Twice, Three Times a Charm, Van, Incorrect, Foul Language Edition

Much like my meals when the Missus is not cooking, we've got a hodge podge of good stuff that might well be bad for you this Friday, but you ain't got no job, and you ain't got shit to do, so what's the worry? Do a bunch of drugs during your listening experience, and you're bound to sweat off some lbs. on your way back down anyway, right? Or run around the block. Shit, people, i'm hear to talk tunes, not weight loss programs. Have you seen my gut?

You know i take a perverse pride in making outlandish claims about how LET is the finest in _____ (fill-in-the-blank), such as "the number one source for Nigerian Speed Rap." Well, i'm working on adding another arrow to our quiver. From here on out, with this track from Gospel that samples the movie "Matilda" ("The Mrs. D, Mrs. I" song), i hereby proclaim LET as your number one source for "Beat Tunes That Make Liberal Use of Probably Highly Copyrighted Material Targeted Towards Children." Sure, it's a niche market, but some one's got to fill it.

mp3: Difficulty (Gospel from their SoundCloud)

i mentioned Pepper Rabbit a few Fridays ago, and now they're back with their latest single from Beauregard. This twee little rocker has ukes AND an accordion. If that's not enough for you, well, you gots to go out and buy your own.

mp3: Babette! (Pepper Rabbit from Beauregard)

i know, i know, it's Friday night, and you need some new soul music to get your groove on with your sweet thang. Well, before you go shelling out for the latest from Cee Lo Green, check out this whispery number by Levek. Awwwwwww Yeeeeeeeeeeeeah, as i believe the kids are saying these days.

mp3: Look on the Bright Side (Levek from Levek 7")

If it's a Nosaj Thing track, you know i'm going to post it. Make it a Glitch Mob remix, and, well, we're talking no brainer here.

mp3: Coat of Arms (Boreta Remix) (Nosaj Thing from Glitch Mob Website)

Speaking of remixes, longtime LET friend, the uber-talented Alan Wilkis, shot us a copy of his latest work tinkering with Film School's "Heartful of Pentagons." Personally, i'm digging the percussion on this one.

mp3: Heartful of Pentagons (Alan Wilkis Remix) (Film School from Alan's Website)

Hell, while we're on the remix tip, might as well share this added vocal mix of mirF's "Exits." You'll recall my gushing love for his work with Micah Smith on Kosmos recently. Or you won't, because you never listen to my feelings, and you're an asshole. Woah. Where did that come from? Yipes, already.

mp3: Exits (Vocal Bombs Mix) (mirf from his Band Camp)

i'll admit, i'm not too familiar with Fat Trel, but teaming up with Wale over a sample of Freelance Whale's "Hannah" is another pretty good way to catch my attention.

mp3: Freak a Melody (ft. Wale) (Fat Trel from No Secrets)

Another LET fave,"Get the" Shigeto "Outta Here," has dropped another single from his debut full-length, Full Circle. It's more of the same spacey goodness with added Asian flair for kung-fu creaminess! Or some shit like that. While we're on the topic, just so you know, this is NOT a Van Morrison cover, as awesome as that might have been. Guess we'll have to work on our alternate universe travel shuttle to hear that one.

mp3: Brown Eyed Girl (Shigeto from Full Circle)

Once again employing the production talents of Dan Auerbach, Jessica Lea Mayfield is getting ready to release her sophomore album, "Tell Me," in 2/11. To tide you over until then, here's the first single. As a complete aside, after giving it much consideration, i've decided JLM's new hair style is yummy. That is all.

mp3: Our Hearts are Wrong (Jessica Lea Mayfield from Tell Me)

And to send you on your merry way, a probably falsely advertised LET EXCLUSIVE of local talent Margot MacDonald's latest and greatest. The pretty girl with the pretty voice is going to be doing a NYC gig on 11/15 at the Bitter End. If you happen to find yourself in the Crappy Apple at that time, i highly suggest you attend. Mention you heard about the show at LET and receive one free sexual favor*! (*Those two statements aren't related, and by mentioning us, you'll probably be met with a blank stare. i'm just saying, if you go, i hope you get lucky, too. Just leave Margot out of it. At the very least, don't mention my name, for chrissakes.) Anyway, with vocals somewhere between Ani DiFranco and Sarah McLachlan, her way around a loop pedal more than covers the price of admission. Don't believe me? See for yourself. Here she is absolutely tearing up Massive Attack's "Teardrop." And because i said i'd keep this clean in case her parents' read this, i leave you with this thought for the weekend: fuckery is a good word, and buggery is not used in casual conversation nearly enough.

mp3: Colorblind (Margot MacDonald, a most likely falsely claimed LET EXCLUSIVE!!!)

Taco Thursday Mixtape Love

OK, today's mixtapes have absolutely nothing to do with tacos, but i've clearly got them on my mind, so make of that what you will. Me, i'm thinking dinner. i know what you were thinking, though. Sinner.

Rapidly becoming LET faves, the Glitch Mob just dropped a new mixtape, Drink the Sea Part II: The Mixtape. They teamed up with the folks at MiskhaNYC to produce it, so there's that. i seem to recall recently seeing some article decrying all this recent corporate sponsorship of music, but i've got to say, the stuff coming from the fashion industry camps (Levi's Pioneer Sessions, Converse) seems to be pretty money. Hell, Red Bull Academy's stuff alone is worth the price of admission, and you couldn't make me drink that horse piss. (Yes, i realize they're not fashion, but they are corporate, which was my ill made point.) Before i digress any further, though, this mix essentially is smooth groove sailing from start to finish.

mp3: Drink the Sea Part II: The Mixtape (The Glitch Mob from Drink the Sea Part II: The Mixtape)

Speaking of sponsored mixtapes, the folks over at Heart Music Group have put together a doozy for a warehouse party they held earlier this week in L.A. The mixtape has unreleased tracks by each of the acts that played. i snagged it based on the inclusion of LET man-crush Baths (no homo), but the entire thing is pretty dope. Blissed out beats and spacey jams here, kiddos.

mp3: Nordic Laurel (Baths from Heart Symbol (freaking blogspot won't let me do the actual symbol because it keeps trying to read it as source code; uf dah))

mp3: Magic Kingdoms Kick My Teeth In (Light Pollution from Heart Symbol)