So I get these requests ALL the time; you know the kind. The kind that I figured a Premo or a Madlib or 9th Wonder would get: “…where you do you get your samples from? Can you hook me up with some dope samples…” I feel like sometimes, much of the art form of making beats is not even in the sample. It’s in the pursuit of something else. You ultimately end up either spending a few dollars on vinyl or you download something just to experience it at face value. You end up with something special. Well that’s the fairy tale take of it. Of course you could always (before you ask) try to find something that you can make totally yours. It has no influence, no bias point of views, and won’t make you feel obligated to do anything other than enjoy the experience of real, soulful music. And even with a point of view as strong as that, I also feel that somethings are so good… they are worth sharing. Some people are going to hear what I hear; other will dismiss the mix as something used to fill up blog space. I feel like what you are about to embark on is beautiful; simply put. Whether you just listen to it while cleaning the crib, or try to use it in place of a very old and very scratched “baby making music” CD, or whether you rip the sound waves into seventy-five samples chopped… you will enjoy what Fly is Made. Check for it at the jump.
Finally, here is EPonym & Esta‘s album, UpFromHere. They are new editions to the Cosmic Souls Collective and have been working really hard to make this album happen. I’ve been working with this emcee-producer duo for almost a year now and it is crazy watching them grow as artists. If you want more reasons to peep this album check out the previously postedinterview and Esta beat making video. Stream their favorite song from the album below and hit more for the track listing.
EPonym & Esta – Don’t Know feat. Melissa Bitanga
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Here is a dope EP Indy Sparks dropped the other day. He also did the artwork on my More Than Music album. Real cool dude. Make sure you check Indy Sparks out on Twitter, Myspace, & IndySparks.com and peep my favorite track from it below!
Indy Sparks – Expensive Taste
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This is the last instrumental album I released called More Than Music. Check it out and leave a comment or hit me on twitter (@NefTheDamaja) and let me know what you think. Thanks to everyone who posted this up or interviewed me and fellow CSC member Mick Digi for doing the artwork. Stream it below via bandcamp player and hit the image on the left to download it.
We bring the site back on the positive tip with a new album from the homie SLik d. Summer Vibes, which dropped today on his 18th birthday. This is probably one of the few times you guys will ever get to here me rap (Sick Of Love), but I also produced a song that was previously posted.
Just check his album out and tell him Nef said what’s up!
Originally this was only supposed to be a couple of songs. When I say a couple, I mean like, two. I’ve been calling back and forth talking with Grip H all day, as some more of our old stuff may (or may not) be hitting the Kevin Nottingham site soon. I will let time tell that story. What I present to you right now though, is the latest effort from Grip H and me as The Perfect Median, the group from which most of my body of work comes to date. Go to the jump for the download link.
The first release from Cosmic Souls Collective’s own, emcee/producer know:juander. His first effort, a lot of work has went into this project and the feedback so far has been exemplary. The brilliance in the album lies not only in the complexity of the lyricism, but also in the fact that the whole project was handled by know:juander himself; quality control in its rawest form. If you have not checked out the album check the link below.
