A Tribute To Dilla:

Yesterday the BBC aired an incredible show called “BBC Radio 1Xtra Stories: Gone Too Soon” about the legend known as J Dilla presented by Benji B. An amazing hour full of facts about Dilla, Slum Village and much much more with guest appearances from De La Soul, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Questlove, Common, Dwele, etc. You have got to see this!! Go and check it out right NOW, right HERE..

written by nilez \\ tags: bbc radio 1xtra, beats, benji b, common, d'angelo, de la soul, dilla, dwele, erykah badu, gone too soon, hip hop, interview, j dilla, mos def, questlove, slum village, soulquarians, tribute

I’m going to keep this short. The most groundbreaking hiphop group in the nineties, A Tribe Called Quest, has been the epitomy of what hiphop music is supposed to sound like for many. Tribe’s groundbreaking fusion of jazz, art and borough lifestyle was on a whole other level and equaly interesting is the story what happened to them as a collective. If Tribe is not in your top 3 of alltime hiphop, there’s probably something wrong with you and you should see a doctor. Anyways…actor Michael Rapaport has been working on a documentary entitled “Beats, Rhymes and Life: The History of A Tribe Called Quest” and I know I’m psyched as fuck to see this. Somewhere in 20110 this hits the streets, so keep your eyes open for it!

written by nilez \\ tags: a tribe called quest, ali shaheed muhammad, beats rhymes and life, de la soul, documentary, large professor, michael rapaport, monie love, phife dawg, preview, q-tip, queens, questlove, the story of a tribe called quest, trailer

It is my pleasure to introduce to you ?uestlove’s sis…Donn T. Her debut album “Kaleidoscopic” contains a broad spectrum of styles, that takes you from West London to the underground Chicago club scene. Mesmerizing and soothing melodies combined with uptempo beats made for the dancefloor is what this album is all about. So many gems on here like the uptempo “Luna Garden” or what about “Lookt At (what U startin’)” with serene vocals and that broken Jazz sound that Simbad can produce so well (which is available as a FREE download HERE). Perhaps it’s songs like “Beautiful Day” I can appreciate the most, cuz it really bring across that feel good feeling and brings a smile to my face whilst wiping the sleep out of my eyes. So if you’re looking for the perfect combination between pure, soothing music and ruff & raw dancefloor bangers…buy “Kaleidoscopic”! This album is available via and other stores worldwide.

Donn T – Look At (Original Mix)

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written by nilez \\ tags: ?uestlove, bandcamp, beautiful day, broken beat, debut album, donn t, free download, kaleidoscopic, look at, luna garden, nu-jazz, questlove, simbad, underground chigao, west london

This is truly one of the ones to watch! “To Have & To Hold” is a vinyl inspired documentary or musicmentory. Director Jony Lyle gives us a brief teaser of this upcoming film in celebration of the age of vinyl records.”

Loads of rooms filled with records, huge music collections, archive footage and even a peak in a pressing plant. The movie is scheduled to be released later this year so all you addicts better get those fingers dusty. It features interviews with notable vinyl aficionados as Questlove, Chuck D, Bobbito Garcia, DJ Amir, Bruce Lundvall, Christian Marclay, and Paul Mawhinney. Shout out to Cratekings for this one.

written by nilez \\ tags: blue note, bobbito garcia, bruce lundvall, christian marclay, chuck d, collecting, cratekings, diggin in the crates, dj amir, documentory, hip hop, jazz, jony lyle, musicmentory, paul mawhinney, philly, public enemy, questlove, records, teaser, the root, to have and to hold, vinyl, wax

After having heard the first leak of Erykah Badu‘s “Jump In The Air” with Lil Wayne, I wasn’t impressed at all. After having heard the second joint called “Window Seat” I was relieved as hell. Now here’s the Badu we’ve been feenin’ for. This one was produced by Badu and James Poyser and has Questlove on drums (who else?). Really looking forward to “New Amerykah Part 2″, which supposedly drops March 30th.

Erykah Badu – Window Seat

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written by nilez \\ tags: erykah badu, james poyser, jump in the air, lil wayne, new amerykah part 2, questlove, window seat

Questlove just dropped a shitload of music via Twitter and man is this beautiful! The Roots did a bunch of Dilla tribute joints and it’s simply amazing how beautiful this sounds. Please enjoy these and may Dilla rest in power.

The Roots – Eve

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The Roots – Antiquity Ft. The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Dillchestra

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written by nilez \\ tags: dilla, j dilla, jay dee, questlove, the roots, tribute

Past Monday marked the 10th anniversary of D’Angelo‘s classic “Voodoo” album. After 10 years of silence, apart from an occasional featuring here and there, one can only wonder if we’ll ever hear a full length D’Angelo album again. And while various sources reported that a lot of new material had been recorded, we hadn’t heard anything other than ?uestlove’s leak of “Really Love” a few years back. However, an unmastered version of a track called “1000 Deaths” popped up a couple of days ago. This track has been referred to as a “psychedelic-soul head trip” by ?uestlove in interviews throughout the years. Engineer & producer Russ Elevado, who worked with D’Angelo on a lot of his new material, also spoke briefly about the track in his classic Q&A’s on the Gearslutz.com forums:

the song you’re speaking of is actually called “1000 deaths”. and i don’t hear the earth, wind, fire influence. it’s more like a heavy rock/funk vibe. it would be hard for me to rate as it’s every bit of a good D’angelo song than any of his others but it’s also different. there’s some really nice guitar work from him on that song also.

D’Angelo – 1000 Deaths

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written by Deluge \\ tags: 1000 deaths, ?uestlove, d'angelo, download, free download, leak, mp3, neo soul, nu-soul, questlove, russ elevado, soulquarians, voodoo

Bilal interpreted Led Zeppelin‘s “Baby since I’ve been loving you” and Radiohead‘s ” Everything is in the right place on Okayplayer‘s Happy Chakakhan Celebration. Thanks to Questlove for hooking us up with this on Christmas. Bilal’s upcoming project will be released on Plug Research in 2010.

Band (The Witness Protection Program) :

Cap’n Kirk Guitar / Tuba Gooding Jr Sousaphone/ Owen Biddle Bass/ James Poyser Organ/ Robert Glasper Keys/ ?uestlove Drums

Bilal And The Witness Protection Program – Baby Since I’ve Been Loving You/ Everything In It’s Right Place / Sometimes (Live)

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written by nevill \\ tags: bilal, james poyser, led zeppelin, owen biddle, questlove, radiohead, robert glasper, sometimes, witness protection program

There is nothing better than gettin a goodie from one of your favorite artists in your mailbox..For all the people who didnt subscribe to the Foreign Exchange mailinglist, here is what they had to say..

This is the first in a series of random goodies that we will be periodically dropping off in your mailboxes. (Who loves ya, baby?)

We recorded this over a month ago specifically for a ?uestlove tribute party dedicated to The Purple One himself. Other than passing it off to a few DJ friends who vowed to keep it on some secret squirrel, “bet you aint up on THIS!” status, no one has ever heard it. In the wake of the incredible loss we suffered on June 25 however, this joint took on somewhat of a deeper meaning.

We decided to share it with our fans not only as a token of appreciation, but also as a way of paying respect to one of our last living musical geniuses.

Let’s not wait until tragedy strikes before we show love and gratitude to our heroes, people. Give them their flowers while they live.

This one’s for you, Mr. Nelson. You are loved and appreciated.

Enjoy!

One Love,
‘Tay and Nic

?uestlove/ Foreign Exchange/ ZO!/ Carlitta Durand – Purple Flip

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written by nevill \\ tags: carlitta durand, foreign exchange, nicolay, phonte, purple flip, questlove, zo!

I recently got two dope Tee’s in the mail thanks Matt from Finale Design and let me tell you they’re ill! The design consists out of twelve hiphop icons each with their unique hair-style. For example we see Questlove, Craig Mack, Busta Rhymes, Mc Shan and Big Daddy Kane in full splendour. Had to inform ya’ll know about this hiphop-minded brand from Canada, cuz we think they have some mighty fresh design.

written by nilez \\ tags: big daddy kane, busta rhymes, canada, craig mack, finale design, mc shan, questlove, t-shirts