It’s independence weekend and, appropriately enough, a mega heatwave is quickly approaching NYC. I’ve been getting stupid amounts of new music in the past few weeks, but I feel most compelled to share these downtempo Jamaica-fied songs- help people take it easy while posting up in front of the fan all weekend.

Tupolev Soundcrash :       Chase The Cumbia Devil
(nice cumbia remix of a Max Romeo classic)

Fat Freddy’s Drop :       The Raft (7-inch Radio Edit)
some of the finest Kiwi’s in the game

Sean Bones :       Death Can Jam
hurray for whiteboy reggae! Taken from the soundtrack to a dope movie that my friend made CHECK IT OUT

Little Stevie Wonder & Jay “Dusty” Smith :       Uptight
Michael Jackson & Olly Buck :       Never Can Say Goodbye (R.I.P. MJ!!!)
both taken from the compilation Motown Flies Jamaica

The Beatards :       Get Lite (Reggae Remix)
from our brand new summer mixtape F#¢K A LABEL (download it here)

Watching the World Cup has given me the perfect excuse to share something I’ve been meaning to for a LONG time… Soweto Stompers. These are the feel good, upbeat, and very funky sounds of vintage South Africa that have been co-opted by the likes of Paul Simon, Vampire Weekend, and the somewhat lesser-known Lizzy Mercier Descloux. Whatever your opinion of those artists is (mine is positive on all counts), it’s hard to deny a smile while listening to these tunes, especially if you happen to also be watching a good soccer match with some friends and a cold brew. Most of these I’ve recorded from my poor neglected vinyl stash- digitizing just takes so damn long I hardly do it anymore- but there’s a couple here I’ve culled from other compilations. Stay tuned for a Part 2 that will bring you some more blatantly funk sounding cuts, and possibly even a part 3 to share some recent Kwaito joints that are working in the clubs right now. I also got inspired by a recent Strut compilation and busted out a couple simple remixes that I’ve included here, basically just beefing up the drums and adding a few synths for greater dancefloor usability. So if the official world cup anthems ain’t helping you feel the spirit, you know you can always count on MTR!

The Cockerel Boys :       Njalo Ngolwesihlanu &       Singo Ganda Ganda

Mahotella Queens :       Asambe Mntakamama

Soul Brothers :       Phuma Layikhaya

Soul Ryders :       Dali Mayi Fo Hloza

The Mgababa Queens :       Maphuti (Captain Planet Remix)

Intombi Zephepha :       Ingoina Le Nayathi (Captain Planet Remix)

I’m on a mission to release at least one new track a week all Summer long. This week’s installment is a rework of my favorite track off Hudson Mohawke’s last album. The song already had a dark late night feel, so I just beefed up the drums and let myself get loose on the vampire juice. The Beatards and I are working on a Summer mixtape to drop before our album comes out (why must I wait so long?!?). Stay tuned for that real soon…

Hudson Mohawke :

DJ DRM & Captain Planet – Beers & Bikes Summer 2010 Mix by bastardjazz

Brand new mix I made with my boy DRM to promote a party we did upstate this past weekend. Reggae, Cumbia, NOLA Brass, Afrobeat, House & a lot of sunshine. You can download it & see the full tracklisting on his soundcloud page in the link above.

Feels like a lot of hard work is starting to pay off, although I’m still not getting PAID. All good though, today a track I produced for my homegirl Jasmine Solano is the FEATURED MP3 of the DAY over at a little site called Myspace.com!!! Yup, no lie. And tomorrow it’s going up on the very reputable RCRDLBL.com blog as feature of the day as well. All props due to this NYC badass- she’s a sick DJ, Rapper, Freestyler, Radio Personality and a fellow veggie head (yeah, we have lengthy conversations about which meat substitutes are better).

In other news, remember how I mentioned being excited about the possibility of doing a remix of that DJ Center track a little while back? Well it happened. I stepped back into my Captain Planet suit and busted out a funky, Brazilified, take on his track which will be coming out as a 7″ on Bastard Jazz within the month. I’m giving you a somewhat low quality MP3 version in the hopes that you’ll support and purchase the high quality download or 7″ when they’re available (I’ll let you know).

Finally, while the debut full-length album I finished with The Beatards is being shopped around, stalling the expected Summer release, we’re going to be pumping out a steady stream of tunes and dropping a mixtape very soon. With NYC temperatures finally reaching into the high 80’s, I figured it was appropriate to start with a remix of what very well might be THE reggae tune of the season. We dont want anyone to get the idea that we’re sleeping. On the contrary, it’s music all day everyday. More coming soon…

Jasmine Solano :       Poetic Justice (produced by yours truly)

DJ Center :       Center's Groove (Captain Planet Remix)

Gyptian :       Hold Yuh (Beatards Remix)

Hopefully you’re reading this before heading out to whatever sunsoaked BBQ awaits the rest of your day. If so, let these mixes provide the soundtrack while the shish kebabs sizzle. Berlin’s DJ Zhao has put together a whole series of mellow globetrotting mixes that sound around 98 degrees F, if not hotter. As you can see from the cover, he really fits in a lot of different styles here, but the consistency comes from the slow hip swaying all these songs induce. To get the full tracklist and more mixes from Zhao, check his website.

As the sun sets and things start winding down, I can’t think of a better accompaniment to packing up the beer cans and paper plates then this new imaginary soundtrack recently put together by DJ / rapper / producer / designer – Cool Calm Pete. Among other notable accomplishments, this dude just designed the superfly new labels for my man DJO‘s unfukwitable gourmet kimchi products. On “Over You”, he pulls out a plethora of dusty breaks, serious soulful crooning, and enough cool trippy shit to satisfy any listener coming down off shrooms. Check this site for more info.

DJ Zhao :       Ngoma 5 (or click here to download the mix separated into tracks)

Cool Calm Pete :       Over You (soundtrack to a make believe film)