Metal Lungies

Dude got jokes. They need to do this with a bigger name next time though.

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Ben just dropped this into the ol’ e-mail box.

This should hold you ever till a proper Murs album – Murs for President on 9/30.

Tracklisitng:

1. The intro
2. Are you ready?
3. Nina Ross
4. Free
5. And I Love It
6. Pusshhhhhh
7. It’s For Real
8. Marry Me
9. Love the Way
10. Murs Inatra

Download.

Welcome to the third instalment of D’Angelo Remix Month at ML. For those who slept, check out the previous two posts in the series covering remixes of “Brown Sugar” and “Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine”. “Lady” was released in 1996,  the 2nd single off Brown Sugar.

“Lady” is produced by Raphael Saadiq and this album marked the start of his second career as the go-to producer for neo-soul. “Lady” is smooth yet subtly funky, starting with thick snare drums and claps. Gradually jazzy guitar figures and delicate piano chords enter the mix. It’s a fantastic slice of modern soul and D’Angelo sings beautifully over it.

DJ Premier remixed the song for the promotional 12′ release of “Lady”, turning in a version called the “Just Tha Beat Mix.”

The “Just Tha Beat Mix” strips the song down to heavy drums and a thumping 4-bar horn loop. AZ adds a decent verse that actually manages to stay on topic (unlike Redman and Kool G Rap), but his usually effortless flow sounds thrown off by the chunky Premier beat. A video was made for the remix, with cameos from Joi, Erykah Badu, and Faith Evans (thanks to reader DANJ! for correcting me). Oh, and AZ shows up at one point too.

My personal favorite is the original, without a doubt. Much as I love AZ, D and Premo individually, the Premier remix of “Lady” sounds a bit off. For a better AZ/Premo collab, I’d recommend seeking out “The Come Up”. And D’Angelo and Premier did great work together on “Devil’s Pie.” The remix of “Lady” is fine, it’s not awful, I just think the OG is a better listen. As always, tell me which version you like better in the comments.

Download: D’Angelo – Lady (Brown Sugar, 1995)

D’Angelo – Lady (Just Tha Beat Mix ft.AZ) (Lady promo 12′, 1996)

It’s rare to get a word from Dr. Dre. We usually hear from him indirectly through Bishop Lamont, some of the Aftermath staff producers like Hi-Tek, DJ Khalil and Focus and lately Snoop Dogg. So maybe this interview is a sign that his long-awaited album Detox will actually see release soon. Or maybe he just answered a few questions while pimping his new headphones. Says the good doctor,

I’m just now — over the last couple of months — starting to feel that it’s going to be right and it’s something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it.

Dre also says that if all goes according to plan, the album should come out by November or December. Nas, Jay-Z and Weezy will appear be on it and the beats will be driven by live drums. Come to think of it, there was something particularly dope about the drums on the new Dr. Dre-produced Bishop Lamont track (via OnSMASH).

Other than that, he talks a little about his plans after Detox. I’m glad he’s not following the trend in hip-hop of phony retirements. Not going to name anybody, you guys know who are.

via illRoots / USA TODAY

I don’t know how I feel about this live band, The Roots these dudes are not though. Recorded @ The Roxy on July 19th. Thanks to Ben from AlwaysHustle

Nas speaking real brief on his past albums after the jump.

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A dope single from Portland and Oregon based group Animal Farm, featuring KRS-One. Off their album The Unknown. Between these cats and Blue Scholars, I’m definitely checking for more cats from the Northwest.

These guys kinda remind me a bit of The Camp but more socially conscious. Go support quality hip-hop and cop that.

Download: Animal Farm – Peace ft.KRS-One

Also watch this great live performance of “Ragtime Girl”. On some 1920s shit, I really dig the concept and beat.

Animal Farm’s MySpace

Panama is a rapper in Baltimore. Aside from that he is also the head of a successful clothing line, and an actor. You might have seen him on Season 4 of The Wire. Dude also happens to be a friend of mine from UMBC. This is a video of him on BET’s Spit Ya Game.

I never got a chance to see this when it ran the first time so I’m glad it got uploaded. He recently released a great new song with Skyzoo called Play Your Position. Look out for this dude.

{Note: I just found this in my e-mail box. Apparently eskay has had it for a while, but Panama actually sent this to me way before that. My e-mail box has been too cluttered [See: Life The Great] to see the diamonds in the coal.}

After the jump is a video of Panama wrecking Bubbles in Season 4 of the Wire.

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More Murs. Comic Con Edition Freestyle.  Bonus: last weeks Supernatural from E3 after the jump

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Look who we dug out in France, making music while having the most redic label apprenticeship ever? It’s ML’s in-house DJ/virgin airlines frequent flier/electro expert/etc, Burntpiano. Dude found the time to slip us a little blend he did while recovering from the hardships of partying every night with the A-list hipsters of France.
Download (Mp3) : Burntpiano: Estelle X Lenny Kravitz – American WomenBoy

The Internets Mix Coup D’etat Vol.2 coming REAL soon.

The first single off Free Agent. Produced by Salaam Remi. Shouts to the homey Mike Heron.

Also: Did I mention I write for Joell’s new blog?

DOWNLOAD : Joell Ortiz – Memories