So here’s the completed project I’ve been working on a bunch over the past month with my Beatards crew. We’re not angry people, anyone who knows us will agree, but what limited dealings we’ve had with record label A&R’s has been highly frustrating & discouraging. If you read the blog regularly, you know I quit my dayjob a while back and am just living off my music now (which basically has turned me to dumpster diving for meals), but damn do I look forward to the day when I can actually be comfortable doing this- with or without help from a label. Until then, I’m gonna keep cranking out music and doing what I love because I can’t really do anything else. Also, here’s a little video we just made for our friend Fiona Bloom which may give you a glimpse at our creative process.

The Beatards : F#¢K A LABEL (zip file contains separated tracks and artwork)

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)

Wow. I don’t know whose wedding this picture was taken at… but I sure wish I was there… (Um, is that really Tina Turner!?!?!)

In lieu of that epickness, however, I’ll take a few square of that selfsame parquet dancefloor, a balmy summer night and a couple of these new-disco magic gems and call it a throwdown.

Aeroplane:       We Can't Fly (from a forthcoming LP…)

Flying Lotus:       Do the Astral Plane (taken from the LP Cosmogramma)

Having trouble with the uploader… Will post a couple more tracks later. For now, enjoy.

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.