New Music: Mystro - 'UK Rap Up 2011'

2011 is almost over. And it seems like a lot of people have had enough of this year already.

But before the Big Double One is consigned to the history books, there's still time for a little rap-up on the comings and goings of the year from the mighty Mystro.

Mys gives a distinctly British take on the year that was with 'UK Rap Up 2011', with rogue football commentators, The Ashes, Smiley Culture and Rastamouse all getting the nod.

There's only a radio rip for now, but this post will be updated as and when the official version drops. For now, on to the rip:

Mix Tape: Acrylick Presents - 'DJ J.Rocc's 90's Hip Hop Mix'

When it comes to hip hop, the crew* here at GOMWAB Towers are a little fixated on the 90s.

I'll pass on the 'it's not like it used to be' rhetoric, but as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to hippity hop 90s = good.

Another good thing is J.Rocc, all-round DJ man supreme.

Read the resume and weep: Founding member of legendary DJ crew the Beat Junkies; a producer of note (he's just released a new album, Some Cold Rock Stuff); and let's not forget the mixtapes, radio slots and live shows of which there are too many to mention.

So tip of the cap to the crew at Acrylick, the Los Angeles-based clothing label, who have put the two things together to create a rather smashing new mix tape (with lashings of ginger beer and strawberries).

What's it called? DJ J.Rocc's 90's Hip Hop Mix. It is, as the saying goes, exactly what's on the tin: a 90s Hip Hop mix by J.Rocc. Smangin'. Oh, and if R&B is your thing, there's also a 90s R&B mix by DJ Spinna on offer too.

All you need to do is sign up to the Acrylick mailing list and get your download on. Click here, fill in your details, click on the link and your away.

*Just so we're clear, there's only one person in the 'tower' of course... but that doesn't sound very new media and world domination-like does it? No. It doesn't. Embellishment is my tool.

Mix Tape: Frank Booker - Boogie Tape

Staying on the 'mysterious musician' theme that kicked off yesterday with The Weeknd's new release, here's a little somethin' somethin' in the boogie lane from the one called Frank Booker.

If you're not familiar with our man Frank, he's a DJ and producer based in my new home of Auckland City.

Frank's released a few tasty slabs of wax through labels such as Untracked Recordings from the UK and Wonderful Noise in Japan.

He's also got a few other projects in the oven currently, as well as playing the role of co-host on the most excellent 'Hit It & Quit It' radio show with Recloose.

So what does this impressive CV add up to? Basically, when it comes to making or playing music, Frank knows his shizz. So when I dropped ears on his latest mix, Boogie Tape, I was pretty damn sure it would be the business.

And the business it is. Just under an hour of classic boogie, soul, funk and disco which has been burning up my iPod this morning, and will most probably continue to do so over the Christmas season and beyond.

Herrrrrrrre's Frank: "I decided to put together a 'pause button tape' style mix together of some of my favourite Soul & Boogie tunes (CLASSICS!), like I used to do before owning turntables (the early 90s!)

"Obviously the technology has changed (thanks Ableton!), but the vibe is the same: Quick cuts, all killer, no filler!"

You can stream or download the Boogie Tape selected and mixed by Frank Booker below.

Frank Booker Boogie Tape by Frank Booker

New Music: The Weeknd - Echoes Of Silence

An early Christmas present today from everyones' favourite Canuck, The Weeknd, who returns with another dose of his modern twist of R&B with latest release Echoes Of Silence.

Ready-made details that will help me pad out this post seem to be thin on the ground, but I'm guessing if you've been a fan of previous Weeknd releases House Of Balloons and Thursday, you're probably just looking for the download link.

So here it is... you can download Echoes Of Silence by The Weeknd here.

Those of you who might need a bit more prompting can check out the opening cut, 'D.D.' -  a soaring remake of Michael Jackson's 'Dirty Diana' - below:

New Music: Lee Fields - 'You're The Kind Of Girl'

New Lee Fields! Boom!

Good news, folks... the man behind one of my albums of 2009 - My World - is back with some newness, 'You're The Kind Of Girl'.

If you're not familiar with Mr Fields, read a little more about him here (from back in the early days of this here blog).

If you can't be bothered clicking on a link, here's the condensed version: been releasing music since at least 1969; funk/R&B dude with serious chops; made some cheese before Truth & Soul producers and co-owners Jeff Silverman and Leon Michels gave his career a shot in the arm. 

If you are familiar, chances are you'll just want to hit play and/or download. The man has talent. But enough of the babble. Here's Lee:

You're The Kind Of Girl by truthandsoulrecords

'You're The Kind Of Girl' is the first single from Fields' upcoming LP on Truth & Soul, entitled Faithful Man, which will be available worldwide from March 13 2012 (my, that sounds so futuristic).

New Music: Wiley - 'Cheer Up, It's Christmas'

I wouldn't have picked grime godfather Wiley to be the first man to be out on his roof erecting an illuminated Santa or hanging some tinsel from a tree in his lounge as soon as December hits.

But as it turns out, our man Eski-Boy is a bit of a fan of yuletide festivities. He's even gone so far as to record his own carol.

Okay, so it's not really a carol in the traditional sense. Rather, Wiley has cooked up 'Cheer Up, It's Christmas', a shuffling ode to let the moaners to be a little thankful about what's good about this time of year.

Big Dada - Wiley's label, who are showing a bit of festive spirit themselves by giving this tune away for free. Go on and get it:

Wiley - Cheer Up, It's Christmas by Big Dada Sound

'Cheer Up, It's Christmas' will feature on Wiley's upcoming album, the cheerily named Evolve Or Be Extinct, out 19 January next year.

New Music: Homeboy Sandman - 'New York Nights'

Stones Throw is back at it again, signing one of underground hip hop's firm favourites of the last wee while, Homeboy Sandman.

Homeboy has release records off his own back up until this point, with previous albums Nourishment, Actual Factual Pterodactyl and The Good Sun earning him a nice little buzz.

As a resident of NYC, Homeboy's first single for his new home is, rather fittingly, a bit of a Big Apple tale.

'New York Nights' is an uptempo, jazz-heavy workout which sees HBSM displaying a bit of verbal dexterity. You can check out 'New York Nights' below, or download here:

Homeboy Sandman - New York Nights by stonesthrow

'New York Nights' will lead off a forthcoming Stones Throw/Serato collaboration. Also look out for Homeboy's debut Stones Throw EP, which will be released in late January 2012. 

New Music: The Roots - Undun

The Roots are back with their bajillionth (read: 13th) album, Undun, which is apparently out in a few days.

But if you're like me and are struggling to track down said release for whatever reason (mine being that there seems to be very few chain stores selling CDs left in New Zealand), fear not. You can listen to the whole damn thing here.

NPR have been streaming Undun in its entirety for the last week or so, so it's going to have to do for me for now. Thoughts? I don't have any... I haven't listened yet, aside of first single 'Make My'.

All I can tell you is that it's a 'concept album' which follows the story of Redford Stephens, a fictional drug dealer from Philadelphia. (I can feel people closing down browsers like wild fire as I type this sentence).

You can make your own mind up by heading over to the NPR site where Undun is streaming from go to whoa.

Mix Tape: Yungun - Jack The World (Mixed by DJ Mr Thing)

I've been waiting for this mix tape for a minute... but thanks to my less than eagle eye, it looks like it dropped a few weeks back. But there's nothing wrong with a bit of catch up, especially when there's quality involved.

So here it is, ladies and gentlemen: Jack The World, the latest offering from the crown prince of Camden, Yungun (a.k.a Essa).

Deftly mixed by regular partner in crime DJ Mr Thing, Jack The World features collaborations with Guru, I.G. Culture, The Nextmen, and Waajeed of Platinum Pied Pipers.

There's also appearances by Resin Dogs, Doc Brown, Tony D, Aaron Jerome and more. Here's the blurb for a bit more background: "Yungun a.k.a. Essa reunites with DJ Mr Thing for the Jack The World mixtape, weaving the common thread through hip-hop, disco, soul, house, afro-beat, jazz and electronica. 

"A treasure trove of new, exclusive and unreleased Yungun material, it reminds us how good a mix tape sounds when it's actually mixed... by a real DJ... with real records!"

You can stream or download Jack The World by Yungun below.


For all you radio-type DJs out there, or for those of you who are averse to a bit of cussing, you can get the curse-free version here.