Kidulthood is a cult classic movie in the UK, detailing in gritty fashion the lives of London’s teenaged yoof. Drugs, sex, violence and paryting are the order of the day, delivered in a stylized and powerful way by BIFA Award winning director, Menhaj Huda.The movie just got its Stateside release on DVD and in celebration, producer/composer The Angel, who scored the film has made available a remix to the movie’s grime-inspired opening theme.
Download Kidulthood ‘08 Remix

The Angel recently posted some insight about her creative process for this track on her blog.  Follow her on Twitter.

The film score itself is worthy of note. In tandem with the movie, it brilliantly underlines the guts and drama of the storyline, heightening the atmosphere as any good score should. But as an album in itself there are plenty of great tracks - tough, grimey breaks alongside edgy hip-hop, touches of drum n bass, and plenty of moody soundscapes.
The Angel is currently working on a new artist album, so stay tuned for more news on that.
Buy the Kidulthood score at iTunes
Buy the Kidulthood movie at iTunes

What Would You Do?

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Strictly Social brings you LA’s only night of truly eclectic and progressive live soul music. In case you happen not to live in LA, the Strictly Social mix series brings you a little taste of what the night offers. Volume 2 comes courtesy of DJ Myxzlplix. Check the tracklist below, then stream or download.

Track Listing
1. Dial 7-Digable Planets
2. If I Fall-Naked Music
3. Pray Together-Amp Fiddler
4. Actioneer (Wajeed Remix)-Black Spade
5. Massage Situation-Flying Lotus
6. Could It Be-Noel Zancarella f. Baatin
7. My First Love (K2wizzle Rmx)-DJ Syren
8. We All Want The Same Thing-Kevin Michael F. Lupe Fiasco
9. Sweet-The Politik F. Replife
10. Me And Armini-Emiliana Torrini
11. The Duck-Belleruche
12. Crucify-Milez Benjiman
13. Inhale Exhale-J Rawls, Venus Malone & Wordsworth
14. What Do You Know-Beatphreak
15. Northern Girls-Belleruche
About DJ Myxzlplix
myspace.com/djmyxzlplix
myxmanifest.blogspot.com
djmyx.com

About Strictly Social

Strictly Social is fast becoming one of Los Angeles’ most unique monthly events incorporating listening parties for major releases, guest DJs, visual artist exhibitions and intimate performances from rising stars in the soul community. Organized by DJ Destroyer of Soul Union, Norman Mayers of Nu-Soul Magazine, and Lucy Beer of Elemental Consulting, this night if “Eclectic Soul Fusion” aims to provide a non-traditional perspective on soul by fusing genres and styles. With recent events in New York City and Atlanta, the brand has begun to spread beyond its original home. Artists that have performed at Strictly Social include Sy Smith, Anthony David, Lina, Peter Hadar, Jimi James, Maya Azucena, and Kissey Asplund.

www.myspace.com/lastrictlysocial

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The wonderful Jazzanova are set to release a new album on October 21st - Of All The Things on Verve. It’s set to be a hot one, featuring collaborations with Phonte, Ben Westbeech and more. Check the tracklist below. Props to Soulbounce’s Butta who was amongst the first to get the word about this on Twitter.  No props whatsoever to Verve for their absolute lack of promotion on this release.

01. Look What You’re Doin’ To Me (feat. Phonte)
02. Let Me Show Ya (feat. Paul Randolph)
03. I Can See (feat. Ben Westbeech)
04. Lie (feat. Thief)
05. Little Bird (feat. José James)
06. Rockin’ You Eternally (feat. Leon Ware & Dwele)
07. So Far From Home (feat. Phonte)
08. What Do You Want? (feat. Joe Dukie)
09. Lucky Girl (feat. Paul Randolph)
10. Gafiera (feat. Azymuth & Pedro Martins)
11. Morning Scapes (feat. Bembe Segue)
12. Dial A Cliché (feat. Paul Randolph)

Get a taste of what’s in store in this EPK:
JAZZANOVA “Of All The Things” EPK 2008

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Radiohead have been running a user-generated-remixathon over at radioheadremix.com. Some top-notch folks have been getting on board so I wanted to share a couple of the good ‘uns with you.

First up, Flying Lotus‘ ethereal workin’ over:

Download HERE

Diplo also tossed his hat in the ring with a couple versions:

This is the first one he did….
Download HERE

Then he kept on working on it and came up with this one:

Download HERE

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So I think this autotune thingamabob madness that’s going on is for the birds and am sad that Kanye has jumped on that bandwagon with such gusto. Producers just need to stop with it already. Please. And why is Kanye “singing” like his jaw is still wired shut? Young man needs to enunciate.

But having said that, I AM enjoying this LMFAO remix of Love Lockdown. I think it’s way better than the original. They took the lyrical concept and ran with it, adding some way better vocals and a bangin’ beat.I will give Kanye props for making the tracks available on his blog for folks to mess with though. That’s cool.

Download Love Lockdown - LMFAO remix (right click, save as)

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So it’s not unusual that I get emails from artists wanting some shine on the blog. It is considerably more unusual that they turn out to be really, really good! But this is the case with one Zach Lipkins who hit me up recently. He describes his music as Electroacoustic / Trip Hop which does sum it up quite nicely. Based on what I’ve heard on his myspace, there’s elements of the glitchiness of a Dabrye, the folksy acoustic-ness of Savath+Savalas, and some traces of Telefon Tel Aviv. But somehow he’s meshed all these influences together into his own syle that maintains his own, um, Zach-ness, without sounding derivative or unoriginal. In fact his tracks stand up very well to repeated listening and become more unique each time. His captivating soundscapes blend the electronic and acoustic elements into a natural, effortless harmony - melodic acoustic guitars outline bleepy breaks on “The Descent” while his prominent percussion lends an exotic air to the powerful “Fine Tea.” It’s times like this, when fine new artists are exposed that you remember to give thanks for the wonders of MySpace and the rare, but rewarding gems it sometimes reveals.

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Adult-oriented animated programming from Adult Swim can be found late night on the Cartoon Network. They have teamed up with Chicago’s Chocolate Industries to provide a pretty dope free digital album featuring hip-hop and electronic beats provided by the likes of Cool Kids, Diverse, Via Tania, Proton, Push Button Objects and more. You can find all the info, download link etc here.

Listen to the tracks in the player below.

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So finally J. Davey fans will have something tangible to look forward to from this mystical duo. Apparently they are still signed to Warner Bros and are working on their debut release for them, but let’s face it…it’s been uncomfortably toooo long since they got signed, and still nothing. So don’t hold your breath for that. But in the meantime they are releasing a double EP: The Beauty In Distortion EP, alongside full-length pop-culture/ American-media satire-filled limited edition The Land of the Lost EP (born from a mixtape collaboration with Fader magazine), on July 1st via indie label Interdependent Media.

The duo clarified via their MySpace blog that this release differs from the aforementioned Fader mixtape as it contains the full-length versions of those songs in addition to new stuff. So all around it seems like it will be worth the wait.

Download “Mr. Mister”

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Life Notes Music’s Joel Matthew has just released another excellent podcast.

Check the tracklist and then go download here (bottom of the page)

Little Dragon - “Fortune” (Peacefrog 2008)
Jose James - “Desire” (Brownswood 2008)
Paul White - “A Silent Cry” (One Handed 2007)
Hudson Mo - “OoOoooOOps Oh MY” (bootleg 2007)
Kissey Asplund - “You&I” (R2 2008)
Erykah Badu - “Soldier” (Universal Mowtown 2008)
Fulgeance - “Tribute to Masekela” (Musique Large 2007)
Yam Who? ft. Erik Rico - “Shine” (Papa 2008)
Coultrain - “Green” (Jujudust 2007)
Atjazz ft. Sarah Jane Morris - “Fantasy” (Mantis 2008)
Kathy Diamond - “All Woman” (Permanent Vacation 2007)
The Rebirth - “Love Issue” (Walktalkin 2008)
Simbad ft. Melo - “After the Dance” (Bugz in the Attic) (Raw Fusion 2007)
Jazztronik - “Beeping” (Domu) (Tokuma Japan 2006)
Ayro - “Bounce” (Groovia Sound Project 2008)
Taylor McFerrin - “Broken Vibes” (Bonzai Sound Exchange 2008)
Two Banks of Four - “Three Street Worlds” (Red Egyptian 2003)

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NextAid is a Los Angeles based organisation that provides support to children in Africa who have been orphaned to the AIDS epidemic. Support the cause be bidding on some cool ‘ish in their online auction:

Starting May 5th through June 1st, NextAid invites you to participate in our online auction! www.nextaid.cmarket.com

Bid NOW on products from Ableton, Dubspot, Cakewalk, SF Yoga School, Seventh Generation, iZO Force Energy Products, Zip Car, Glaceau, Rane, Natural High Lifestyle, Nomadic Wax, DJ Dan, Positive Energy Clothing, M-Audio, IKY Clothing, OM Records, Traxsource, Putumayo, and Yeah Yeah! Block Printed Clothing.

With Restaurant and club offers from AfroFunke’, Cielo, Temple SF, Nook, Bodega Wine Bar and Supperclub SF and Paintings from Freddi C, Carol Ann Blanding, and Crystal Clarity

Accepting items through May 17th! Contact info@nextaid.org to ask for more info about making a contribution.

Help spread the word about the auction, banners are available for download at www.nextaid.org/banners.htm

About NextAid

NextAid is a Los Angeles based nonprofit organization committed to developing and implementing innovative sustainable solutions to the challenges facing African children. NextAid’s mission is to promote community-driven environmentally, economically and socially empowering responses to the AIDS orphan pandemic. NextAid collaborates with individuals, businesses and nonprofits to produce culturally-rich, awareness-raising projects and music events involving technology, the arts, public education projects, and volunteer opportunities. Through grass-roots efforts, NextAid provides opportunities for concerned individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of African children in need.

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