LA Weekly’s Urban Nomad caught up with Little Dragon recently and had a nice chat about race, the pros and cons of signing a U.S. major label deal, and why the ‘others’ are going to take over the world! You’ll have to watch to see what I’m talking about……Don’t forget to check out the live footage from this same evening of Little Dragon’s new song “Little Man.”

Thanks to LA Weekly’s Urban Nomad for giving us the heads up on this new Little Dragon footage. In this live video they perform a new song “Little Man” at a recent show at LA’s Natural History Museum. We’ll have some interview footage shortly (hopefully).

Go shop for Little Dragon on iTunes, both albums are keepers:
Machine Dreams – Little Dragon
Little Dragon – Little Dragon

Hot damn. This track is like, whoa. Seriously though, 1-O.A.K. did a ridiculous job of turning Little Dragon’s “Blinking Pigs” into a beautiful, hip-hop n’ jazz inflected head-nodder. 1-O.A.K, is Oakland’s Brandon McFarland – a vocalist, musician and producer who is part of the Bay Area Collective the Honor Roll. He entered this remix, titled  the “God Made Me Funky Remix” in the FILTER remix contest  and it’s no surprise that he emerged the winner.

Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Little Dragon – Blinking Pigs – 1-O.A.K.’s God Made Me Funky Remix

In honor of Afta-1 & Nikko Gray’s soul-stirring performance at Strictly Social (the best event in LA to see live progressive soul music) last week, I decided to round-up some choice downloads from them, for you, my lovely readers. Hopefully both these artists will drop full-length projects on us before too long….
More info on Afta-1

Afta-1 remixes Jesse Boykins – “Amorous (AFTA-1 LOVE MIX)” – Sensuous, cosmic soul….
Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]
Download

Afta-1 remixes Esthero “Superheroes” – a magical combo
Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]
Download

Afta-1 “Light & Vibration” – feel your soul expand listening to this masterful soundscape
Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]
Download

Love In The Music prod. by Gustavo Alfonzo.
Listen:
[See post to listen to audio]
Download

More info on Nikko Gray

TheCouchSessions.com just released a free mixtape Tribute to Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Little Dragon fan so I’m lovin’ this concept. They’ve put together a retrospective of sorts including some of her work with Koop, guest spots with  Ge-ology, classic Little Dragon tracks and more. If you are new to Little Dragon, this mixtape will school you on Yukimi’s pedigree, and for those already in the know, this serves as a great compilation, saving you the trouble of doing all the hunting and gathering ;) Here’s the official word from the Couch Sessions folks, followed by the tracklist and download.

The Couch Sessions, the Internet’s leading Alternative Urban music portal, announces it’s first mixtape, A Tribute to Yukimi Nagano, focusing on the the trailblazing career of the Swedish vocalist and lead singer of the group Little Dragon. In addition to her work with the world-renowned group, Yukmi has a long track record of incredible music, mixing her loves of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Trip-Hop, and R&B. Her sultry voice has graced projects from all over the world, from Swedish Jazz duo Koop and Japan’s Shuya Okino, to Brooklyn’s Ge-ology. Coming on the heels of Little Dragon’s much anticipated return to Liv Nightclub in DC on November 22nd and their latest album Machine Dreams, A Tribute to Yukmi Nagano will introduce listeners to rare and unreleased tracks that will surprise and delight her true fans.

Behind the boards of the mix is no other than Washington, DC’s own DJ Supa Kool DJ Uncle Q, creator of underground hip-hop party Uncle Q’s Living Room and the man behind Internet sensations The Maxwell Mix and The Raphael Saadiq Mixtape. A majority of the tracks were hand picked by Winston “Stone” Ford, creator of The Couch Sessions, and Yvette Travillian, most notably of production company SheWorks Entertainment. The mixtape cover was designed by none other than rising DC graphic artist and photographer Neil MacLean.

DOWNLOAD A TRIBUTE TO YUKIMI NAGANO OF LITTLE DRAGON

If you haven’t yet bought Little Dragon’s albums, you must be out your dang mind, so here, go get them:
Purchase Little Dragon’s self-titled debut album at:
Purchase Little Dragon’s new album Machine Dreams at:

TRACK LISTING

1.) Koop – Whenever There Is You
2.) Ge-ology – Blues Alley
3.) Little Dragon – No Love
4.) Quartermaine – Mystic Qool Breeze
5.) Little Dragon – After The Rain
6.) Little Dragon – Feather
7.) Shuya Okino – Pieces of You
8.) Little Dragon – Forever
9.) Koop – Summer Sun
10.) Little Dragon – Thunder Love
11.) Hird – Love You My Hope (Do Right Remix)
12.) Swell Session – The Music in Her Eyes
13.) Koop – I See A Different You
14.) Jafrosax – Drawn 2 U
15.) Little Dragon – Never Never

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

I’ve been a major slacker as far as blogging goes lately. But that’s ‘cos I’ve been un-slacking in other areas. You know, work and such. So anyway forgive me for what could be a series of really late passes. But anyways, Little Dragon are near and dear to my heart so here’s the infos on their new album Machine Dreams along with a download (below) of “Blinking Pigs” which I first saw over at TreesForBreakfast. Press release via Dog Day Press. “Feather” is currently being played by various DJs on KCRW.

Little Dragon return with a spectacular second album offering in August, a pulsating electro pop epic that Prince would be proud of (only fronted by a beautiful Swedish lady with a sultry voice). A bold and surprising side/two step onwards from their acclaimed 2007 self titled debut. Machine Dreams, with its nagging hooks and gloriously infectious tunes, will see the band break out into the mainstream.

Having toured relentlessly since the last record, Little Dragon found themselves to be very popular in the US specifically on the west coast. After sessions on KCRW’s flagship ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ show, their album became the most played on the station after Radiohead. No mean feat for the little dragons from Sweden, especially when they didn’t have a US record label backing their forays. The track ‘Twice’ was even played on hit US show Grey’s Anatomy. The band’s US success brought them to the attention of the likes of notorious basement dweller DJ Shadow and David Sitek, the latter asking them to support TV On The Radio on their US tour in May 2009.

Recorded in their home city of Gothenburg, Machine Dreams is fresh and kinetic. Be it Yukimi’s warmly inviting vocals, Erik’s dextrous drumming, the vast array of synths and bleeps created by Hakan or Frederik’s bubbling bass lines, together they don’t sound like anything else around right now. The move towards a more electronic sound was a conscious one, as Yukimi explains; “These days, humans seem more and more like machines, and as technology evolves, machines feel more human and it becomes fuzzy and beautiful and science fiction-ish. We feel dependent on our machines to create and live, and their sounds reflect us”.

Album opener ‘A New’ breaks us in gently with a single whirring note on the synthesiser, an almost alien sound that gradually morphs into a slow, thumping bassline. Yukimi’s vocals flow alongside Hakan’s assortment of sound effects interspersed with militaristic drums breaks. A magical opener that sets the scene and seems to sink into itself, taking us with it, until the pace is swiftly ratcheted skywards with ‘Looking Glass’, the massive snare, crisp driving beat and spacey synths revealing the band’s current penchant for the 80s. This influence continues apace into stand out track ‘My Step’. Utilising a solid drumbeat that nestles next to jagged and playful synthlines, the track breaks down into motorik propulsion with a scuzzy techno bassline that Yukimi works with ease.

Upcoming single ‘Feather’ finds Yukimi’s voice at its most detached and seemingly nonchalant, yet magnificently seductive. Backed by Hakan’s keyboard atmospherics, the song creates a soundscape reminiscent of Tears For Fears’ more reflective moods. Gradually layering more vocals, synths, echoes and reverb, it builds to a quietly psychedelic, dreamy cosmic swirl. ‘Runabout’ brings forth a mini Airto style percussive breakdown at the tail end of yet another Little Dragon pop gem. ‘Swimming’ bursts into life with stabbing keys and reflective bass, while Yukimi sings of young love “and now so many years have past, my memories as clear as glass”. The song is over as quickly as it started, flowing into the next miniature masterpiece in the form of ‘Blinking Pigs’.

The album closes with the stunning ‘Fortune’, which has already caught the attention of none other than DJ Shadow, who wrote to the band personally to say how much he loved the track. It’s no wonder really, as the textured melodies blend with the drifting percussion, creating a blissful sonic mood. With a smattering of drums and bass and the magic of Yukimi’s voice and Hakan’s electronic dynamics floating on top, it’s the perfect song to end this fascinating journey through Little Dragon’s brave new world.

With disparate influences from Depeche Mode to Prince, LCD Soundsystem to James Holden, Dancehall to R&B, Jazz and Soul, Little Dragon take their place among artists who straddle many genres, yet somehow create their own and in doing so create “sounds that make time stop” (Yukimi). Futuristic yet somehow retro, Machine Dreams sees Little Dragon achieve something timeless; that elusive pop classic.

Needless to say, I cannot wait.

Listen to “Blinking Pigs”:
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Little Dragon – Blinking Pigs

As I wait patiently for a new Little Dragon album, I’ll basically take what I can get in the meantime. Garth Trinidad just threw us this none-too-shabby bone – a badass remix of “After The Rain” by Floating Points. Floating Points has got dopeness a-plenty goin’ on for himself – http://www.myspace.com/floatingpoints

Listen to “After The Rain (Floating Points Remix”:
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Little Dragon – After The Rain (Floating Points Remix)

Credit to Illmami @ Soulbounce for posting this.
I was huge fan of GB’s Soundtrack For Sunrise album waaay back in 2004 but hadn’t heard much from GB since. Not sure if that’s because he wasn’t up to much, or I just wasn’t up on it. Either way I was excited to see that this free EP is available. It features GB’s interpretations of other dope artists like Little Dragon, Flying Lotus, Muhsinah, Exile, A Race of Angels in addition to….The Beach Boys.

DOWNLOAD

1. GB Interprets Little Dragon – After the Rain
2. GB Interprets Exile – Radio Medley
3. GB Interprets Flying Lotus – Riot
4. GB Interprets Muhsinah – Always
5. GB Interprets A Race of Angels – The Main Attraction
6. GB Interprets the Beach Boys – I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times

http://www.giftedandblessed.com/

I don’t usually do year-end lists, but this year I decided to go full force and not only do my own, but gather a few from some esteemed musical colleagues which will be posted separately.

Beatlife Top 8 of 2008 (in no particular order)

Little Dragon – Little Dragon
I said no particular order, but if I had to pick, this would probably come out on top due to the fact that it was simply the freshest sounding album I’d heard in aaaaages, and easily traversed any labels or genres you could try and pin it down with. Read more here and here

Carlos Nino & Lil Sci – Elevation
This album was criminally slept-on but features, in my opinion, some of the best and most progressive hip-hop you’ll hear.

Buff 1 – There’s Only One
It’s no secret that I loved this album- it’s what got me re-inspired by hip-hop. Read more.

14KT – The Golden Hour
Dope production in a somewhat Flying Lotus-esque vein. The A-Side camp were on fire this year!

Wayna – Higher Ground
Wayna definitely turned some heads with this excellent indie soul album. Compelling listening from start to finish. More info.

Replife – The Unclosed Mind
This is one of the most inventive hip-hop albums you’ll ever hear, as Replife easily brings nu-jazz and soul into the fold. More info

Eric Lau – New Territories
I don’t know where this guy came from but he sneakily dropped a brilliant progressive soul album! Thanks!

Sy Smith - Conflict
Well Sy is always a favorite when it comes to good soul music. Conflict is possibly her best album yet, can’t wait to see what she does next. More info

other contenders: Peter Hadar, Zach Lipkins, The Foreign Exchange, Afta 1, Slakah The Beatchild