For some reason Ho Tep releases always seem to elude us. Almost missed out on Dirg Gerner‘s brand new “Preface” EP that just came out. I’ve always suspected 1 particular fella to be this mysterious Dirg Gerner, but now I’m sure it’s him. The lovely miss Fatima blesses the downtempo soul joint called “Rubies & Diamonds” while Dirg himself sings on the incredible “My Queen”. The EP contains 5 breathtaking songs including a remix from fLako and this nice latin-influenced song featuring Rahel. A real must have for you vinyl heads so make sure you cop this one over at Boomkat!

Dirg Gerner – Rubies & Diamonds Ft. Fatima [128kbps]

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Dirg Gerner – My Queen [128kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: boomkat, brock davis, dirg gerner, fatima, flako, ho tep records, my queen, olmino, preface ep, rahel, remix, rubies & diamonds, vinyl

As of today Mecca:83‘s “Life Sketches” Vols 1 & 2 is available for pre-order. Now we already posted about “Love Story” earlier this year, but this time around Mecca’s back with a little help from for instance Emanative & Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble on “Detroit Twilight”. Get the full length CD over at HHV.de or get some of that digital stuff via the FreeForm Records Bandcamp page.

Mecca:83 – Detroit Twilight Ft. Emanative & Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble

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written by nilez \\ tags: bandcamp, beats, buscrates 16-bit ensemble, cd, detroit twilight, digital, electronica, emanative, free download, freeform records, hhv, hip hop, instrumental, life sketches vols 1 & 2, love story, manchester, mecca:83, rise

Our inbox was blessed by some soulful music from Diggs Duke who released his debut “Gravity” EP last week via bandcamp. My first thought was ‘where the heck has this guy been hiding’, but I soon realized it was in Maine. I’m sure we’re gonna be posting a lot more of his music in 2012! Good news…the first 200 downloaders can download this one for free by filling in a $0 price or you can also put down any other price you seem fit to support future projects. Diggs will be releasing another EP in a few months and is hoping to get a full-length album out there as well in the future (which I am sure he will be doing on some fortunate independent label). This is the perfect way to start you Monday..and a free download on our Soundcloud page especially for the people who missed out on Bandcamp!

Diggs Duke – The Epic Lie [left click]

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Diggs Duke – Funky Overdose

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written by nilez \\ tags: bandcamp, diggs duke, free download, funk, funky overdose, gravity, neo soul, nu-soul, the epic lie

Today is officially #blackstarfriday as Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) decided to drop their first single “Fix Up” off their upcoming reunion album. Produced by Madlib, both Talib and Yasiin sound like they never left which promises a lot for the new album. Little is known about it at the moment, but supposedly Madlib is handling a large part of the production! Visit Black Star‘s website to purchase the track and stay up to date.

*EDIT*

Shortly after posting the original post #blackstarfriday continued as Black Star put up the Oh No produced “You Already Knew” for free download. They also announced there’s an Aretha Franklin tribute mixtape coming up fittingly titled “Black Star Aretha”. Get the track at Black Star Hub.

Black Star – Fix Up (Produced by Madlib) [112kbps]

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Black Star – You Already Knew (Produced by Oh No)

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written by Deluge \\ tags: black star, blacksmith, blackstar, dilla, hiphop, madlib, mos def, rawkus, Rawkus Records, talib kweli, yasiin bey

We last heard from Tanya Morgan on 2010′s “The Sandwich Shop”, which featured them over the infamous The Roots’ “Sandwiches”. In the meantime Ilyas has officially left the group in order to pursue other things, so Von Pea & Donwill decided it was time for a re-introduction. The new EP “You & What Army” features 9 tracks with the bulk of the production handled by Von Pea alongside fellow Lessondary member Aeon, Astronote and Exile. Guest appearances come from Lessondary members Che Grand and Jermiside as well as a special appearance by Exile on the aforementioned Exile-produced track “Together”. You can grab the EP for FREE or choose to support the guys by getting it in combination with a limited edition t-shirt at Tanya Morgan‘s Bandcamp. Either way, don’t pass on reading Von Pea’s in depth liner notes for the project.

Tanya Morgan – Together (featuring Exile)

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written by Deluge \\ tags: aeon, astronote, betamax, brooklyn, che grand, danny!, donwill, exile, ilyas, jermiside, lessondary, napoleon, spec boogie, tanya morgan, tiffany paige, von pea

Yesterday Mellow Orange shot us this brand new EP from Freddie Joachim entitled “Patiently”. Freddie has been delivering bangin’ beats for many years now and is becoming one those casts that always comes with that quality. His latest EP contains some grade A instrumentals once more and we picked out the most melodic “Hours” for you to enjoy! All profits will be donated to a charity organization during the holiday season so better donate some money guys and buy this via their Bandcamp page.

Freddie Joachim – Hours [128kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: bandcamp, beats, charity, donation, freddie joachim, hip hop, hours, instrumentals, mellow orange, patienly ep

It feels like years ago, but lil’ Frans aka FS Green is back with a very nice production for Toronto’s rapper ELMNT. Now Toronto wouldn’t be representing without some smooth vocals from Slakah The Beatchild on this motherfucker…right!? Enjoy this soulful hip hop joint and buy this for just $1 at ELMNT’s Bandcamp page.

ELMNT – 4A Way Ft. Slakah The Beatchild (prod. FS Green)

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written by nilez \\ tags: 4a way, bbe, elmnt, fs green, hip hop, slakah the beatchild, soul, toronto

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib released their “Thuggin’ EP” today on the Madlib Invazion label. There’s an entire album in the works, but for now take a listen to “Deep”. More info about this release can be found on here and vinyl/digital music can be purchased over at the Stones Throw store.

Freddie Gibbs &  Madlib – Deep [112kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: deep, digital, freddie gibbs, hip hop, invazion, los angeles, madlib, stones throw, thuggin' ep, vinyl

Robert Glasper Experiment’s bassist, Derrick Hodge, from Philly recruits Chi-Town native Common for this new song “We Live Today” off of Hodge’s album “Live Today”. Common’s upcoming album “The Dreamer, The Believer” album will be dropping just before Christmas.

Derrick Hodge – We Live Today Ft. Common [left click]

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written by nevill \\ tags: chris dave, common, deriick hodge, derrick hodge, free download, gilles peterson, hip hop, jazz, robert glasper, robert glasper experiment, soul, the dreamer the believer, we live today

Excited to come off a tour to a new MPC, Hassaan Mackey made this Herbie Hancock inspired track and linked up with iSHE’ through the world of social networking to create this brand new tune entitled “Genesis”. Definitely sounds like a good combination to me, would love to hear them do more material together. Grab the track over at Hassaan’s Bandcamp, and if you haven’t already check out iSHE’s project together with Hezekiah too.

iSHE’ – Genesis (Produced by Hassaan Mackey)

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written by Deluge \\ tags: Hassaan Mackey, hezekiah, ishe, kev brown