Come on now. I think it’s time you folks need to be introduced to The Nice Guys. They have been cranking out singles, EP’s, videos, tweeting like crazy, and now The Show. From the emceeing to the production on the beats, The Nice Guys have a complete sound that will only get better and better. Jump on the bandwagon because they aren’t slowing down. From beginning to the end, I didn’t skip a track. Get to The Good Shepherd and break out your secret agent James Bond swag, because that track will put you in that mind set. Check out The Nice Guys on Audible Treats, and buy The Nice Guys – The Show on iTunes. Trust me, you will bump the hell outta your speakers! BIG thanks Audible Treats for the heads up.

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The Nice Guys – Toast

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The Nice Guys – Victory Lap

Jansport J is a dangerous man on the beats, and this time he’s bring the soul with Save My Soul. Rocking to it in my headphones at work, getting into the vibe, and before I knew it I had listened to the whole album. Just like Jansport J’s earlier release, MoveMeants, this is an all instrumental album that you can just press play. Last Saturday at Store XIII (13) Jansport J had a listening party for Save My Soul, and a few advanced copies for sale. Soul music is like soul food, you always feel at home no matter where you’re at. Save My Soul gave me that same feeling listening to it on Store XIII sound system. This album is worth picking up. Buy your copy of Jansport J – Save MySoul on Band Camp or a physical copy at Store XIII. On a side note this is one of many releases off the Cov Original Music label, so keep your eyes open for what’s next. BIG thanks to Abraham for the heads up, and Jansport J for making dope music to rock to.

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Jansport J – The Spirit Moves

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Jansport J – To Another

Quick note, my man Jon is working overtime to get good music out. If you see that cat in your neck of the woods, thank him. Alright, on to Crown Royale…now if you were digging that EP that dropped a little while ago, then get geared up for Crown Royale the LP. Before this album  when I thought about Crown Royal, it was about drinking. Now it’s about Partying with Buff1 and Rhettmatic with the volume past 10.  Both are very talented cats teaming up to bring you Crown Royale. Rhettmatic isn’t just dope on the 1’s and 2’s, but is also a monster on some beats. And if you haven’t heard about Buff1 you’ve been sleeping under a rock. Go grab a copy of Crown Royale on Amazon.com, or roll into your local music store and demand it. BIG thanks Jon for keeping me in the know.

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Crown Royale – World Go Crazy

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Crown Royale – Testing

Magestik Legend is making The Great Escape from the norm. This cat isn’t letting anyone slow him down, and has got his eyes on the prize…success. Let me get serious with you for a moment. I just got done listening to a couple of “big” name artists that recently dropped albums, and well I could have spent my time better. To me Magestik Legend should be out there like those “big” name artists because he would do a much better job giving people quality music. With some help from Mr. Jonathan Kim, Magestik Legend will be making his way to the top real soon. Long story short Magestik Legend’s The Great Escape is a great album. Support this man and his music. Buy a copy of Magestik Legend – The Great Escape. BIG thanks Jon for the heads up.

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Magestik Legend – Feel What I Feel ft. Fes Roc (prod by Astronote)

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Magestik Legend – The Closer (prod by Astronote )

A combination of Simple X from Chicago and Pimpernel Jones from the UK, Herma Puma brings a wide range of Hip Hop to your speakers. Herma Puma’s Synchromystic isn’t only a mix of some dope beats, but features emcees from both sides of the world. Chapel Perilous, Love Sweet Love, Sunday, Disposable, and Psyke Out are just a few that I have on repeat. Synchromystic is one of those albums you take to a party, push play, and wait for people to ask, “who is this?” and how can they get a copy. Well I know just the place you can get it. Download Herma Puma – Synchromystic from BandCamp. Well worth it! Also check out Herma Puma on Twitter. BIG thanks Simple X and Pimpernel Jones Jones. Keep making that good music.

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Herma Puma – Scud Turntable

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Herma Puma – Circle Of Destiny

Mello Music Group, in my opinion, has built up an impressive catalog of independent Hip-Hop in a relatively short period of time. You may already be familiar with their work with Diamond District (XO, yU, Oddisee), Apollo Brown & Trek Life; in which case, the odds are quite good that you agree with me.

Helpless Dreamer is a compilation album that releases Nov 23rd, and is a preview of their 2011 slate. With contributions from Black Milk, Magestik Legend & Roc Marciano, Helpless Dreamer checks in at a solid 13 tracks – from both the lyrical and sonic perspectives.

Highlights include: Oddisee’s innate sense of space on the soulful Different Now, featuring Toine. The Detroit triumvirate of Finale, Invincible & Black Milk on Don’t Sleep. KC native son  Stik Figa‘s collaboration with Oddisee, co-produced by Dunc entitled,  From the Top, which is part of  Oddisee’s effort to promote regional Hip-Hop flavors.

Beats+Crates got the jump on your other favorite blogs with this one.

Download Stik Figa – From the Top prod. Oddisee

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The thing I love about what’s going on in music right now is there are no limits. Folks are mixing old music collections with new, collaborating with eachother, and not waiting for anyone to produce projects. E.Super are those cats. Kuest 1ndr,  Maestroe The MAd Monk, Alpha MC, Mac Digi and Alwaz Prolific are E.Super (Electro Super). A while back I got an email about E.Super dropping their album Side A urging me to check it out. I read the EPK and was like “Alpha MC?! That’s the homie. I gotta check this out.” I have to tell you I think I have been playing it a little too long without telling you all about it. It felt like I hit the lotto and didn’t want to share. Side A has an electro vibe right away, but mixed in with chill rhythms and the occasional vocals making it super. I’m looking forward to the next project E.Super drops. Buy E.Super – Side A at Turntable Lab and get updates about E.Super on Tiwtter. BIG thanks to Kuest 1ndr for the update.

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E.Super – Wavecatcher

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E.Super – We Super

DAM-FUNK is a keeper of West Coast tradition. His funk-electro-boogie sound is a fitted cap tip to the days when Uncle Jamm’s Army, the Fila Fresh Crew, Arabian Prince, Egyptian Lover and World Class Wreckin’ Cru reigned supreme in L.A..

Adolescent Funk is culled from a collection of cassette tape masters that DAM turned over to Peanut Butter Wolf. These tracks are from his teenage years, so fans can really get an idea of his artistic progression. You can buy it early from Stones Throw, before the wide release on the 26th.

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Dam-Funk – I Like Your Big Azz Girl (1992) Download

Before I begin, Drift has gone beyond heavy rotation on my iPod.  You ask,  “What can be beyond heavy rotation?”  Well  Nosaj Thing – Drift is on my iPod, computer, iPhone , and now on B+C. I  listen to Drift at least once a day and tweet about it when I can.  Enough about how much I love Drift and on with the music.

Nosaj Thing’s Drift has been out for a while but when you discover it won’t matter when it was made.  Quest starts it off with an easy build up and about 30 seconds into it, the claps kick in.  Building to get your heart pumping on Fog.  I could go track by track, but want to leave it to those who haven’t discovered Drift yet.  I will say IOIO had me hooked.  When I need to crank out work or get somewhere in a hurry, this is the track that gets played. Drift is an album that doesn’t over do increasing the tempo, and has a great balance of eclectic sounds.  Nosaj Thing does a great job on this album and I can’t wait to see what’s up next.  Go buy Nosaj Thing – Drift on Alpha Pup Records.  Google Nosaj Thing and discover some remixes.  Also check Nosaj Thing on Sound Cloud and Twitter.  BIG thanks Reth for the heads up.

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Nosaj Thing – IOIO

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Nosaj Thing – Caves

I don’t have to say much about this album… I really don’t.  The title and the music speaks loud enough for it.  I bought Album Of The Year at Fat Beats, dropped it in the CD player on the way home, and drove the long way home to hear it again.  When I got home, I copied it to my computer, iPod, and my iPhone so I wouldn’t be without it.  It drops today (September 14^th), so find the closest record shop and buy Black Milk – Album Of The Year.

All right, let me get to the music.  The Album Of The Year has that Black Milk sound, but bigger.  If that’s possible…guess it is.  Still having that big drum sound, funky samples, hypnotic rhythmic flow, and heavy hitting -with guests like Danny Brown, you can’t help but put it on repeat. The album overall has a complete sound, but each track can hold it’s own.  You just have to listen to it people.  It’s also worth getting a physical copy.  Very clean design with shiny red soil numbers on the cover making a bold statement.  Go to or order Black Milk – Album Of The Year from Fat Beats…now.  BIG thanks to House Shoes.  Black Milk keep making that music.

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Black Milk – 365

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Black Milk – Round of Applause