Lots of Bilal goodness for you today via ArtDontSleep:

Finally, the video everyone has been waiting for…..Bilal’s “Levels,” directed by super producer Flying Lotus a.k.a. Steve Ellison . Lotus is making his directorial debut and this marks as sort of a Plug Research reunion, where his debut 1983 was released. The visually, stunning video was inspired by the Bilal track and also features cameo appearances by Erykah Badu and Shafiq Husayn (who produced the track).

Lotus recently discussed the concept of the video saying, “I originally wanted to keep visual themes with another video from my last LP called ‘mmhmm’ off of my last album. It featured Thundercat as an intergalactic bass player in a super strange world created by ‘Special Problems’. Since Thundercat was part of this song, I thought it could be fun to continue the visual style and feel of this space opera. In the end you have this crazy video made of so much mixed media, geek dreams and lots of love.” This is the third video off of Bilal’s latest album Airtight’s Revenge .

Purchase Levels – EP – Bilal at iTunes

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Bilal Levels

Brand new mix for the New Year from Mr. A/V featuring some of his “favorite record gems that I rarely get to play out but sit in my record bag.” As you’d expect, musical goodness abounds on this mix.

Download Stay Connected Vol 3

Red– I Should Tell Your Mama on You
Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark (King Britt Remix)
Miles Bonny – Lumberjack Soul
King Coya – Villa Donde
Tricky – Over Come
Bonobo feat. Adriana Triana – The Keeper
Dwele – Eve
Electric Wire Hustle – Waters/?Perception
Gretchen Parlato w/ Self Scientific – Love bird
Quadron – Unpatience
Emanative – We Travel The Space Beats
Kan kick – Untitled / Tribe Chant
La Melodia – Keep It On (Instrumental)
Boom Clap Bachelors – Kommer Aldrig
Nite Funk (Dam Funk w/ Nite Jewel – Am I Gonna Make It?
Sebastien Tellier – La Ritournelle
Consequence w/ John Legend + Kanye West – What Ever U Want
Fertile Ground – Light Shed
Black Joy – Golden 1
Mathew Hebert – Gans of Boys
Linkwood – Fudge Brownie
The Emperor Machine – You Clapper
Robert Glasper w/ Bilal – All Matter
Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong
Al Kent – Come Back Home
Beirut – Nantes
Michael Jackson – Shake Your Body (78 Demo)

Courtesy of ArtDontSleep, check out Bilal’s live performance of “Levels” from CMJ. He recently signed with Plug Research and is schedule to release a full-length album with them next year.

The Sounds of VTech / Bilal: LEVELS

AFTA-1′s latest mix is simply beautiful. His description below really says it all, suffice to say that this mix is a must-have – beautifully crafted and a real inspiration.

The months following the release of Love is Real Vol. 3 have again affirmed everything that GAS’D, myself and everyone else in the universe living for Love, truly believe in. We are all vessels,  placed on this planet to create.  Blessed with the freedom to choose our medium, true fulfillment lies in carrying out our calling to its fullest extent. Which is ultimately done, one moment at a time. One Now at a time.

We must choose to act in the present without  limiting ourselves by the thought of tomorrow. Give our today our everything. Create at our peak for the only time that matters, NOW. Fulfilling our divine calling while fulfilling our life through love.

This is a collection of moments. Every one of these tracks has been the soundtrack to my life in many key moments throughout my journey. Including very recent ones. As this mix itself was created in a moment. One sleep-free night, three days ago while simultaneously finalizing it’s closing track. “7^th Sun,” a rough draft of the most recent work for my upcoming album. So it’s only right that we also drop this mix at a moment’s notice.

Without further a do, Enjoy this collection of  Love sounds old, new, and in-between from some past LIR favorites, some good friends, & hopefully some artists you may not have heard before. And of course,  you know how we set the vibe…Dim the lights, light one up and  float.

Download Love Is Real Vol 4 – Vessels Behind A Moment

Tracklist:

1. Imani Waddy & AFTA-1 – Light & Vibration
2. Robert Glasper ft. Bilal – All Matter
3. Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark (King Britt remix)
4. Boom Clap Bachelors – Combineur
5. Little Dragon – Thunder Love
6. AFTA-1 ft. Nikko Gray – ESP (A Four Page Suite)
7. Herbie Hancock – Butterfly
8. Alpha – Reprise
9. Mos Def – Boogie Man Song
10. AFTA-1 & Cazeaux O.S.L.O. – M.M.J.S. (A Sweaterless Suite)
11. A Race Of Angels – Present Love
12. Cazeaux O.S.L.O – Wortha’s Greens
13. Deadbeat – Port Au Prince
14. Musinah – Lose My Fuse (Prod. By Flying Lotus)
15. Murcof – Mapa
16. Dam Funk – Angel Reflections (excerpt)
17. LAL Forrest – Pale
18. AFTA-1 – Fortune Remix
19. Alice Coltrane – Prema (excerpt)
20. AFTA-1 – 7th Sun