I’ll tell you, my man Greg the Dude knows just about everyone. I was at Greg’s spot for a party and was talking to this one cat Dobrega about some music. He told me a little about a project he was working on and would keep me posted. I didn’t hear from him for a while and ran into him at the Hit+Run show. We had another great convo about art and some music. Later that week Dobrega shot me a link of his finished project, The Rebuild EP. Now I’m always trying to multitask, but when this crazy 8-bit sound hit the headphones I was like what’s going on. Sounded like Zelda, but then a nice  rhythm creeps in. It was so hypnotizing I totally forgot that the 8-bit sound was in there. Freedom Dance damn near made me forget I had other work to do. That first go-round of The Build EP got my full attention… so I played it again. I really dig the layering of sounds on this EP. If you are looking to be trippin off some music Dobrega will have you in a trance with The Rebuild EP. Check out  Dobrega – The Rebuild at Dobrega.com. BIG thanks Dobrega for the good tunes. Now I’m waiting to see some visuals man.

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Dobrega - Rainbows Abound

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Dobrega - Sunrise

Going through my emails as usual, I was looking for a video to write about and ran across Koncept and Tranzformer Day Dreaming. I started thinking about when I would day dream in class. I checked out the video and started nodding my head to the track. Below the video was a link for a free EP, so I downloaded it. I played the whole thing. If More Than Meets The Eye is an EP, I can’t wait to hear Koncept and Tranzformer’s LP. This is a must to check out. Download Koncept & Tranzformer – More Than Meets The Eye at DJ Booth.Net. Also check out Koncept on twitter. BIG Thanks Brown Bag All Stars for the heads up.

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Koncept & Tranzformer – High

You know those days you just want to chill out, but you don’t want to play your parent’s jazz. You need something with a little kick that speaks to you, right? Well look no farther, Trebles and Blues – The Blue Note is for you. Yes, I sound like an info commercial because Trebles and Blues needs to package it up and sell this. I got an email from the LA producer/beat maker the other day about checking out his debut project, The Blue Note. Really digging how he discribes the projects, “It consists of 11 tracks that are designed to take the listener through a variety of different emotions and locations, from enjoying an intimate setting in a small, hole-in-the-wall jazz club in NYC to embarking on a soothing evening stroll in the beautiful country of Japan…” From the intro to the outro I couldn’t help, but feel this was a soundtrack to whatever I was doing at the time. I rocked Peace in Everything rolling downtown to work and just put it on repeat like it was the greatest drive to work ever. When music kicks your day off right, you gotta share the wealth. Download Trebles and Blues – The Blue Note on Band Camp. I still think Trebles and Blues needs to be selling this. Also check out TreblesandBlues.com, really dope site. BIG thanks Trebles and Blues for the heads up.

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Trebles and Blues – 808s and Quintets

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Trebles and Blues – Win Against Them All

You really have to respect a cat for being on the grind all the time. Futuristic is always at shows, preforming, promoting, networking, tweeting, emailing, and just giving it his all. I would see this cat out and about back to back weekends making things happen. Earlier this year Futuristic released the EP Stairways. The production on it is heavy and he spits what he knows. After I watched the video (above), I got a better insight on who and what Futuristic is all about, positive hip hop. He’s confident in his skills, and understands that there’s more he needs to learn. I am sure you will be hearing more in the future from Futuristic. Download Futuristic – Stairways on Band Camp. BIG thanks brother for keeping me posted.

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Futuristic – Amazing ft T. Calmese aka illite

Words by: Jacqueline of The Mint Collective

When my friend Eric Boss first introduced me to Dan Aka Trailer Limon and I heard his music, I knew he would be on the shine soon.  Trailer has got some of the most diverse sounds packed into one project I have ever heard.

This latest EP, Special Dedication – The B-Sides consists of 5 tracks running the gamut of hip hop, soul, funk, chillwave and even uptempo danceable ish.  Makes sense because this dude is a multi-instrumentalist who delves into his creations using a mixture of analog instruments, synths, samplers, electronic drums and anything else he can get a noise out of.  From throwback disco and hip hop jams to afro-Slump and future funk, Trailer is a musical chameleon with his mind rooted in funk.  He is so sick he gots the funky flu.

His current projects include The Pendletons; a soul/slump outfit with E Da Boss, New Future; a future funk band with fellow funkster Stanely Vanagan, and Secret Service; a psychedelic tribal krunk duo with Oakland artist Sun Ru. Download Trailer Limon – Special Dedication: The B-Sides on Band Camp, and also check out Trailer Limon on Twitter.

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Trailer Limon – Sweet Delight

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Trailer Limon – They Don’t Have to Know

I am here to tell you, this Richard Wright is that next cat. I’m not going to tell you what I know about Mary Jane, but you don’t have to be with MJ to know this is dope.  This joint was first featured on Richard Wright’s #Randommixtape1.0 and now has dropped a digital 12” and video. It comes with an A Capella version, but I can’t see how you would make this joint better. Bombay kills this track and director Alex G hits the visuals. Download Richard Wright – Marry Mary Jane on Band Camp. I do have to give a BIG thanks to my man Trek Life for introducing me to Richard’s music. Click here for the Vimeo link.

A while back I got an email from these cats called the Late Bloomers ( Ahh:Zel, Nonstop & DJ ReallyNathan). The name was catchy and the music was good. It was their Growth Series 2 album that made me want to keep a close eye on them. The production is dope and their lyrics about what’s going on with them. It’s more of a personal journey into the lives of the Late Bloomers. It was well worth it to see what else they would pop up with.The Late Bloomers have linked up with the LA label Tres Records to bring you Three Shades Brown. Right away you can hear the growth in their sound, and the subject matters they talk about are grown folks issues. Money Maker kicks off talking about working the graveyard shift to trying to hustle making money spitting lyrics. Three Shades Brown worth checking out. Buy the Late Bloomers – Three Shades Brown at Fat Beats. Also check out Growth Series 2. BIG thanks to the Late Bloomers for keeping me posted on their projects, and a BIG shout to Chikaramanga at Tres.

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Late Bloomers – Sandbox

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Late Bloomers – Outro

Just what you have all been waiting for… more Crown Royale! A video and an EP from Crown Royale, what more can you ask for?! From their self-titled LP, Crown Royale, We Gotcha takes you through some of the spots in sunny SoCal, and to our beloved Fat Beats. It also features Buff1 and Rhettmatic running around town getting into a little mischief and mayhem. Crown Royale is also making a little extra cash in Venice cutting it up. Nothing but good times with these two. Recently Crown Royale dropped their EP Crown Jewels: A (2)Dope EP. Featuring artists El Da Sensei, Kam Moye and a remix by Red Bull BIG Tune Champ 14KT. They are just giving you a little taste of what’s to come December 7^th. Yes, this is just a sneak peek on what’s to come! Enjoy the video and download Crown Royale – Crown Jewels: A (2)Dope EP here. BIG thanks to Mr. Rhettmatic and Jonathan Kim for the heads up. Keep your eyes and ears open for the Crown Royale LP 12/07.

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Crown Royale – After All f. Kam Moye

This is a very special post. Not just because it’s B+C’s 300th, but because I have written about K. Sparks and Ritchcraft in other posts. Don’t sleep on K. Sparks and Ritchcraft. These are a couple of very talented cats that are doing big things. It’s always a good feeling to know that great artists keep elevating their game.

K. Sparks is a dope emcee that has an incredible style. With Super Senior you can get the full impact of who K. Sparks is, or so I thought. I caught a couple of other tracks that he’s dropped, and each one has this kick to it like eating spicy noodles or something.  I’ve also noticed that K. Sparks is down to collaborate with new producers to come up with dope projects. When Ritchcraft shot me an email about The Art of Ritchmixing: A K. Sparks Adventure I was like, “WHAT? That’s dope!” Ritchcraft is linking up with some good folks and cranking out the projects. I think he has a sound that is complete and can stand alone, and with an emcee adds to the fire. These two make a great match, so I was more than excited to cop this project. The K. Sparks Intro had me cracking up. Stepping into Good Morning featuring Frank Ramz you know you’re going to get a solid EP. I really hope K. Sparks and Ritchcraft crank out another project. Download The Art of Ritchmixing: A K. Sparks Adventure on Band Camp. Also check out Intalek & Ritchcraft – Lives and Vibes and K. Sparks – Super Senior. Both are dope projects. BIG thanks Ritchcraft for the heads up. Keep doing what you do.

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K. Sparks & Ritchcraft – Another Day

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K. Sparks & Ritchcraft – Zone Out

I have been playing Are and Be Up So High for a while. They sent in a track previous to shooting over the EP Up So High and I wasn’t sure if they had something or if it was just another track.  Shortly after Are and Be sent in Up So High which gave me a lot more to think about.  I gave Up So High a few rounds of play and started grooving to it more.  I can see the potential that Are and Be are bring with Up So High and I’m looking forward to the LP.  Download Are and Be Up So High on Band Camp.  BIG thanks Are and Be for the heads up and keep going.

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Are and Be – Up So High! (prod. by Radio)

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Are and Be – Serious