
Nearly 100 years ago (99 to be exact), the man we all knew as Sun Ra was born. And even though he passed away in May 1993, his legacy lives on through the music of some of our favorites. Like Ras G , for example, who is paying homage to the musician he said changed his life. On "Happy Arrival Day Mister Ra", you hear some Moog work and vocals from Sun Ra while the remaining effects, percussion, and keys are handled by Ras G. It's an absolute trip and we wouldn't have it any other way.

According to his Soundcloud, Ta-ku 's been keen on remixing the track "Love" by Daughter, a singer-songwriter hailing from the U.K., for some time now. And finally, late last night, he liberated his take on the ethereal cut to the masses and the time couldn't have been more perfect. Should you have woken up in the wee hours of the night, perhaps putting on this edit, entitled "Love Lost", helped you drift back to sleep. Or maybe you were up anyway, waiting on the right time to hit the hay. You can stream/download the track below.
![Brian Fresco – Mafioso [Mixtape]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4964174_lg.jpg)
Chicago's Save Money crew, aka Chance The Rapper 's posse, just released a new free project from member Brian Fresco, and it's definitely something to put on your radar. Fresco really holds his own on Mafioso , strutting his variations of flows and beat selection effortlessly, regardless of having Chance on three of the tracks, who, side note, does a great job as always. This mixtape has riding around tracks like "I Mean It" and "Cannot Go", and it has very descriptive ballads about his sexcapades (re: "Shooter"), both great in their own way, but some [...]

French Montana - Excuse My French Bad Boy Records: 2013 French Montana is the perfect example of where mainstream hip-hop is at right now. He is signed to Bad Boy Records, schmoozes with Maybach Music Group, and boasts a radio-rap by-the-numbers approach. He knows how to make a hit record that will glue itself to your brain through repetition, grating-turned-catchy ad libs, and a drunken sing-song flow. He's infectious partially because he's inescapable, and he proudly admits that he's not trying to be lyrical . So, tell me, why would we listen to him? [...]

Most of us having been rocking out to the 13-track version of Daft Punk's Random Access Memories , but today surfaces a Japan-only bonus track called "Horizon". Sporting no vocals, this soothing, introspective instrumental is driven by synthesizers right out of a vintage country western album. And just like the rest of Random Access Memories , it is slick, expansive, and extra sleazy. Give it a spin below. [ via ]

Sometimes, the wav image on a Soundcloud stream can completely ruin the surprise within the track. But that's not always the case, as made evident on this latest joint from Guelph, Ontario producer Elaquent . "The Journey" transitions from a crawling, thumping pace right into something made for rapid-fire headnods and you wouldn't even realize it without, you know, hitting play . It's off his upcoming album, Believing , which is due out soon. Listen below.

We most recently highlighted the production talents of Jacques Greene when we posted his collaboration with rising singer Tinashe, " Painted Faces ". That tune arrived with the news that the Montreal producer was working on a new project with several vocalists. Well, it turns out that one of those was Tom Krell aka How to Dress Well . He's prominently featured on Greene's new single, "On Your Side", which will appear on an EP due out June 3. It's equal parts dance-floor bounce and day-dream swoon, so listen accordingly. You can stream the track [...]
![Natural Self – Neon Hertz: A Mixtape [Potholes Premiere]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4963071_lg.jpg)
Today we are excited to premiere Natural Self's new mixtape, Neon Hertz , which is complementary to his recently released album Neon Hurts My Eyes . The UK artist made sure that each and every inclusion on this new tape relates to the full-length. Which means you can expect a load of added insight into a release that can be deemed rather complex. This is not your run-of-the-mill mix, either, as each and every topic of discussion and vocal sample has something to do with Neon Hurts My Eyes . Give the mixtape a spin [...]
It was just yesterday that Cee-Lo revealed the Aug. 27 release date of Goodie Mob 's new album, Age Against the Machine . And, sure enough, we're now hearing the latest cut off the full-length. It's the Janelle Monae -assisted "Special Education" and it sounds a lot like how they all described the album: Public Enemy on acid . Seriously, this is equally aggressive and psychedelic, thanks in part to the video game-y production and each rapper's in-your-face delivery. Listen below and crank up the volume.

With the release of Overgrown behind us, James Blake has embarked on a rather lengthy set of tour dates. One of his recent stops was the KEXP studios, where he set up shop to perform a number of songs both new and old. With his band, Blake ran through “To The Last”, “The Wilhelm Scream” and “Overgrown”, all of which sound absolutely captivating in the studio. Watch all three song performances below.

For Madlib 's latest endeavor, it appears that he's going the rock route. At least, that's what I'm assuming based off his latest single, "The Mad March", and the title of his upcoming 45 release, Rock Konducta . Could this be a new phase for the genre-jumping everything-man? If so, I'm down with him flipping samples from like the one we're hearing on this track. Still, I think the world really needs his full-length album with Freddie Gibbs, like, immediately. You can stream "The Mad March" below. [ via ]
Despicable Me kicked ass for many reasons, one of which being Pharrell 's awesome music. A sequel is on the horizon, which also features musical contributions from Williams. With the soundtrack dropping June 18, we are blessed with one of the single cuts, "Happy". And if this song doesn't make you, well, happy, then I don't know what will. Give it a spin below and share your thoughts in the comments section.

According to a press release, the White Mandingos ' latest single, "Warn a Brotha", centers on what it's like to turn into a rock star over night and see everyone and everything change around you. The narrative is driven by Murs' frustration-induced rhymes as the character Tyrone White, who apparently is the protagonist on the group's debut album. Everything about said project, The Ghetto Is Tryna Kill Me , is starting to make a lot more sense. You can stream the track below. [ via ]

Next Tuesday (May 28) is the release date for a number of notable albums, including Tricky's False Idols and Mount Kimbie's Cold Spring Fault Less Youth . Also due out that day is Baths' much anticipated sophomore full-length, Obsidian . Fans of his left-field approach to pop should be happy with this one, as should damn near anyone who enjoys catchy, well-written music with an experimental bent. You can stream the album at Pitchfork .

Two of Canada's finest MCs, Shad and Cadence Weapon , team up for "Homie", the first single off Shad's upcoming EP with producer/DJ Skratch Bastid. They're calling the project The Spring Up and apparently it's due out this month. Damn, way to sneak this one up on us, Shad! I ain't mad, though, especially considering he also has a new full-length, Flying Colours , dropping later this year. You can stream the Biggie-sampling "Homie" below. [ via ]

Like " Graves " before it, "Hero's Theme" stems from the self-titled debut of hip-hop trio Ugly Heroes. And with the album out today, they're sharing this stirring standout track as a free download for folks looking to get properly introduced to their sound. With Apollo Brown's piano-laced beat behind them, rappers Verbal Kent and Red Pill bare their souls with highly relatable bars on this mission statement of sorts. Check it out below and cop the album here . Download: Ugly Heroes - "Hero's Theme" [Bandcamp] Hero's Theme by Ugly [...]

The latest bit of goodness from Shigeto arrives by way of a 42-minute mix that he performed during a recent Boiler Room party. I haven't gotten the chance to see him live, either as a DJ or behind his drum-kit, so this will definitely do for now. He's not simply hitting play on a laptop and grooving back and forth as the music plays, as he manipulates the dance floor-oriented jams with his MPC triggers throughout. You can stream/download the mix below.

"We Movin'" serves as the lead single off AZ 's long-awaited Doe Or Die 2 , which serves as the sequel to his 1995 debut. The album doesn't have a release date just yet, but it will be his first since 20092s Legendary . We don't know much else about it at the moment, except for the fact that "We Movin'" is a strong start. The Statik Selektah instrumental is a little busy at times and the lack of a hook is somewhat frustrating, but we'll take it. Listen below. [ via ]
![Adjaman – Dogonism [Album]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/4962390_lg.jpg)
Look, I love beat tapes and instrumental albums as much as you probably do, but sometimes you need a little variety to make you remember why you enjoyed these types of projects in the first place. That's where Dogonism comes in. It's the latest release from Parisian producer Adjaman , who's offering it at a pay-what-you-want price. He's also bringing a healthy dose of blunted goodness, particularly on the hilariously titled "Don't Whiz on the Electric Fence". Elsewhere, he'll make you chuckle with choice samples (Powdered Toast Man!) and maybe even break you neck with his drums. Enjoy. [...]

Earlier this year, photos and videos hit the web of Kanye West and Will Smith hanging out with some musicians in a Brazilian studio. Even though they were just jamming and having a good time, it turns out that the two have done more than that together. The Fresh Prince revealed that they have indeed been in the studio working on some stuff, though it's unclear when and if it will ever be released. Smith made it clear he won't put it out unless he's 100 percent confident with what he's created, but he also said that Yeezy's [...]