LABEL COMP - "We Are World Around Vol. 2" from World Around Records [Honest Hip Hop]

Anyone staying up on this blog knows I am a big supporter of what the fine folks at World Around Records are doing. For the past few years they have consistently put out great work, following their commitment to music that is honest, creative and positive. If you are not familiar I highly recommend perusing their catalog of awesome albums and singles, many of which are available for free or a moderate fee. When they drop their annual sampler its well worth it to get a copy because it gives a glimpse of what's to come in the year ahead. This one is a heavyweight with new joints from some of my favorite artists on the label, Including Man Mantis, Hump Jones, the reclusive Adam Kadmon, and this dude Castle I've never heard before but am seriously enjoying lyrically.

GET IT ON BANDCAMP

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ALBUM - Owlright "Cool Shoos Dood" [Blipstep]

The homie Man Mantis tipped me off to this group from Boise, Idaho. Owlright is Richard Palisades and Benny Diskobal, and they have been collaborating on this project since 2008. According to their Bandcamp bio, "their production techniques include sound design, midi data dumping, and synthesizer programming of all kinds. They take great pride in providing their fans with rich, handcrafted sounds and catchy melodies." With the dance groove of house, the bass of heavy EDM and a playful chip-tune sensibility they are all over the place, but to sum it all up they call it "Blip-Step". Its fitting, whereas many new EDM artists are rocking the heavy grimyness these guys are bringing the fun back to the club. Also notable is their use of actual synthesizers and midi devices, which adds a live element and some classic tones to the overall sound. They have a new EP due soon, so hit them up via Facebook and don't sleep. LISTEN

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SINGLE - Man Mantis "Gonna Die Here" [Honest Hip Hop]

The homie Man Mantis is back with this single that veers into the EDM big bass territory while retaining the soulfull hip-hop groove that made his recent works Cities Without Houses and Sea Ambulance so engaging. Alot of the new bass music coming out now loses that groove in pursuit of ever more broken rhythms and fatter frequencies, so its refreshing to hear someone really merge the sounds in a cohesive jam. I also love that this single has a B-side; "Sand Candy" seems like the midday answer to late-night atmosphere of "Gonna Die Here". More great music from the fine team of World Around Records. LISTEN

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New Podcast from World Around Records

The homies over at World Around Records have dropped a new podcast via Mixcloud and its a doozy. Hosted by the ever interesting Philly emcee Zilla Rocca, this mix features new joints from the label roster, including Man Mantis, who's latest album never leaves my car stereo, and few choice cuts from outside the park. 

World Around Podcast Episode 1 by Worldaroundrecords on Mixcloud