Real talk, I don’t think I gave Nocando’s stuff a good listen before Prometheus. The times I’ve been to Low End Theory I didn’t really get the full Nocando sound. Now if you’re like me or getting an introduction to Nocando, Zero Hour is perfect. From the production, guests, and Nocando’s flow, I got this in heavy rotation. Time for me to go back and pick up what I’ve been missing. Thavius Beck, Nosajthing, Busdriver, Mexicans With Guns, and a handful of other cats.  You would think they’re shooting for the rap album of the year award or something. I wouldn’t be surprised if the instrumental version of this album dropped shortly. Zero Hour has turned me into a Nocando fan for sure. Download Nocando – Zero Hour from Hellfyre Club on tumblr. BIG thanks Nocando for killing this one.

Nocando – Bernie prod. by Busdriver

Nocando - Westside Rentals

LMNO - Surround Trip

LMNO - Aquaduct

Jonti’s Sine & Moon is a FREE album curtesy of Stones Throw records for a limited time. If you missed it …. I don’t know what to say, but it’s a good one.

Jonti’s Sine & Moon is one of the happiest beat albums I’ve heard. I was checking out the artwork and wasn’t sure what I was going to get. I had my headphones on, volume cranked up, hit play and Saturday Night Song started. At first I was like,  ”Folk music, what’s this?!? Did Stones Throw let me down?” I let it play and thought that was one of the happiest tunes I’ve heard in a while. Red On Green kicked in and I knew. Head started nodding, fingers typing. By Flesh Of Morning I had a smile on my face and was happy as can be. Jonti bring a lot of familiar sounds and some that aren’t, and arranging them in an upbeat melody. I can see why PB Wolf put Jonti in the starting lineup for the year. If you still can, download Jonti – Sine & Moon on Stones Throw. BIG thanks to Stones Throw for tweeting about this one. Also check out Jonti’s Twirligig in stores now.

Jonti - Nagoya Train Station 3AM

Jonti - Sugar High

This is another one that I’ve been rocking and needed to write about a while back. Sometimes I get way into it. Keyel was another J-1 connect that I’m blessed to have. Keyel cats are bringing that head nodding hip hop with CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS. I’m not going to cram Keyel into a box by trying to classify the type of music that Keyel is making. What I dig about this album is it’s not a throwback where you have to dust it off, and it’s not light years ahead where no one gets it. It’s now music, you’re good to play this anywhere and anytime. The rhythm of the lyrics feels like each track is telling a story. The ill beats you can get lost in, so just put it on repeat. I’m really digging the flow of CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS, and I’m sure you’ll agree. Download Keyel – CLVLND.CTY.CNQRS on Band Camp. BIG thanks Keyel for making good music. wonder if I could roll into one of those bars that plays junk and switch it with this? Might have to give it a try. BIG shout to aLive.

Keyel - Beats+Raps

Keyel - Christmas Special ft. RIO the Mechanic

Teebs is a very creative guy- with beats and with paint. So you would expect nothing less than an equally creative video to match. Paul Trillo put together just that for Teebs’ Moments. The beat is hypnotic and easy on the ears. The video ties in well with the title Moments. Watching the reversed smoke going off with bits of Moments transitioning into the next is crazy. I liked that they came up with a good concept and didn’t try to over do it, making this video worth watching again and again.  Check out Teebs – Ardour on Brainfeeder Records. 

After you buy this album hit play and close your eyes. Now imagine you are floating through space. Feel the galaxy around you, and see the stars as they jet by turning into  different colors. Now open your eyes and feel how calm and relaxed you are from listening to Mecca:83 (aka Rise) - Life Sketches Vols. 1 & 2. That’s how I felt after my train ride home the other day. It was a long day and I put on Life Sketches Vols. 1 & 2, closed my eyes, and shortly after I was in another zone. Life Sketches Vols. 1 & 2 is one of those albums you put on when you’re really stressed, and it melts away after the first track. They should make a prescription for this stuff. Go buy Mecca:83 – Life Sketches Vols. 1 & 2 on FreeForm Records. It’s worth it!  BIG thanks Mecca:83 for making my new go-to album for stress. Keep making that good stuff.

Mecca:83 - Vibrate

Mecca:83 - Godbless & Goodnight

Dobrega - Rainbows Abound

Dobrega - Sunrise

If you are not familiar with Stateless, this is a great introduction. They  have been around for sometime since 2002, and I heard about them shortly after they put out their self-titled record Stateless. Fast forward a few years to 2011, and I get an email about Stateless. I was so stoked that Stateless came out with a second album Matilda and their friend wanted me to check it out. Let me just tell you it’s been on heavy heavy rotation since. I discovered one of my favorite tracks from Matilda has a video. Ariel is  crazy. It shows a dancer with red and blue light streaks on a grayed out almost black background. The dancer moves in very fluid motions.  It’s a very poetic and ill video. Go buy Stateless – Matilda and check out the Ballad of a NGB (Tensei Remix). BIG thanks to Chris for the heads up.

Stateless – Ballad of a NGB (Tensei Remix)

This has taken me a while to write, but I realized it’s a way to keep his memory live. I am blessed for knowing you brother. Please donate to the Coleman Family for our brother Jovan Coleman aka J-1 aka THE DEER at MugPush.com.

I’m a big fan of the HVW8′s artwork and would check their site from time to time. One day I noticed there was a beat tape they sponsored called Attack of THE DEER. I played it over and over and had to meet the cat that put it together. I went to the Jay Stayed Paid event and asked my friend Kyla about J-1 and if he was there. She pointed him out. Clean pumas, fitted hat to match, star tatts on his elbows, and a cobra tattoo on the side of his neck vibing out on a House Shoes DJ set. I introduced myself, and right away we talked about music for hours like we were some old friends catching up. I thought it would be a great idea to have him do a top ten list for B+C. He was down but then flips it with a mix. J was on fire cranking out a mix right after the next. I was trying to keep up because I was doing the artwork for each one. It was always “GO” mode with that dude. A few mixes into it, he called me up and was like lets make this bigger. “Beats+Crates Radio podcast, with guest DJs.” I was like wow, and before I knew it, he had Teeko and Max Kane ready to go. B+C wouldn’t be what it is without J-1.

Our working relationship was a great combo, and he had the projects coming. It was the in between time when Weyez, J, and I would kick it, and that made our bond what it is… family. You can see folks that talked to J-1; he gave them that same attention, and respect. J was always building and growing every time he met someone professionally and personally.  J-1 aka THE DEER grew the Animal Kingdom family worldwide, and touched many, many lives. J-1, you will be truly be missed. Thank you for the music, the laughs, the creativity, and the time. I salute you my brother.

Feel free to leave a comment and please head to MugPush.com to donate to the Coleman family. Thank you.

J-1′s Music: The Yellow EP on Record Breakin & Starship 27 vol. 1 & 2 on iNsect Records 

ALso visit Soundwaves Episode 157: Tribute to Jovan “J-1″ Coleman

A shot of Hornitos for J. 

1st Things First has got head nodding bass,  jazzy melodies to hold your lady’s to, and hypnotic rhythms to get your feet moving. If making beats this smooth was criminal, they would have had to lock Garfield Adams up a long time ago. From having Tomorrow, Yesterday rapping on a track to J. Maka El dropping lovely vocals, 1st Things First had me relaxed and carefree in minutes. Airspace sounds just like the title when you play it. The bass hits hard and the keys with a little delay make you feel like you’re floating. I’d classify this as zen music. The whole album is worth the buy. Buy Garfield Adams – 1st Things First on Band Camp. BIG thanks to Garfield Adams for making music that takes stress away.

Garfield Adams – For The Love featuring E Reece, Basicali, Yep!