AFTA-1 x GAS’D – Love is Real Vol. 3 (2009) July 18, 2009
Posted by Silence in : Future Soul, Instrumental, Mixtape, Nu Soul, Progressive, Smooth Grooves, Soul , add a comment
This blend of smooth vibes and future soul sounds takes me to a place where true love reigns supreme and the only language left of the world is the groove.
the Silence
AFTA-1 – Love Suite 2 (Sit Still)
[Download]
AFTA-1 ::: 
GAS’D ::: 
Top Nine Albums of 2008 December 15, 2008
Posted by Shike in : Mixtapes, Mp3 Downloads , comments closedFirst, thank you for checking out Turntable Thoughts this year. It’s been a great first year full of trial, error, learning, and growth. Next season’s content is already in the works and I’m very excited about things to come. If you haven’t heard all of these records, you are encouraged to check them out. Many are now available as $5 downloads at Amazon Mp3, so there’s no excuse for sleeping. Reading and writing about good music can never substitute for the feeling that music provides. And in the words of Dead Prez… “If I feel it, I feel it, if I don’t, I don’t / If it ain’t really real then I probably won’t” Peace, Oneness, and have a Happy New Year!
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Turntable Thoughts Top Nine Albums of 2008
(in alphabetical order)
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7even:Thirty – “Star: The Seven Thirty Experience”
(hip-hop, rap, soul)
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7even:Thirty doesn’t disappoint on his first album, Star: The Seven Thirty Experience. While technically a late 2007 release, this record has stayed in heavy rotation well into 2008 and beyond. Throughout the Experience, 7even:Thirty weaves together science fiction tales, space age beats, and introspective lyrics to form a creative piece of celestial urban harmony. 7even takes listeners on an outer space journey through his futuristically witty rhyme style, honest thoughtful lyrics, and stand out soulful production. Seasoned listeners in search of emerging groundbreaking hip-hop music of substance won’t have to go any further. Star establishes 7even:Thirty as the next cosmic ingredient to add to your favorite play list.
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Erykah Badu – “New Amerykah Part 1 (4th World War)”
(hip-hop, soul)
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Erykah Badu’s 4th studio album and self proclaimed magnum opus, New Amerykah Part 1 (4th World War), stands to be her most ambitious, artistic, and amazing album yet. Far from her Baduizm days, a matured and focused Badu channels her creative energy in to an original sound that doesn’t quite fit any category she may have been labeled as in the past. New Amerykah depicts an uncanny picture of modern day life in America, through deliberately mindful words and well-implemented audio. The music is a masterful mixture of hip-hop and soul, featuring production by Mike ‘Chav’ Chavarria, James Poyser, Madlib, Sa-Ra, and more. While some may misunderstand Ms. Badu’s efforts, most agree that New Amerykah Part 1 is an essential and impressive work of art.
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Flying Lotus – “Los Angeles”
(experimental, hip-hop, instrumental)
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Experimental hip-hop producer Flying Lotus fearlessly treks new terrain on his newest album Los Angeles. Outer space samples and shadowy soundscapes set the tone for an instrumental journey through FlyLo’s abstract analogue atmosphere. Los Angeles maintains the familiar Flying Lotus feel while pushing experimental limits with fresh futuristic resonance. Infectious space aged beats flow seamlessly together creating a sound that subtly takes listeners to another universe. Los Angeles ideally intertwines the dusty with the digital in a way will captivate old and new audiences alike.
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Lalah Hathaway – “Self-Portrait”
(r&b, soul)
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Self Portrait is Lalah Hathaway’s fifth album and her first on the Stax label. Released in June, I’ve only recently embraced this soulful offering of smooth grooves & soothing ballads that reminds me of my of my Sade influenced youth. While not my genre of choice, I definitely appreciate this album’s contemporary R&B vibe that has come to be a rarity in music today. Self Portrait speaks of hope, wonder, melancholy, and self-discovery. Warm inviting sounds, and honest down-to-earth lyrics make Self Portrait one of the best records of 2008. Even is this isn’t your genre of choice, it will come as a breath of fresh air to any music lover.
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Lil Wayne – “Tha Carter III”
(hip-hop, rap)
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Lil Wayne invites us to walk the halls of his mind once more on Tha Carter III. A mostly free styled album, TC3 is the most sincere presentation from Lil Wayne yet. While many rappers tell tales of fictitious riches, Wayne speaks of a way of life he knows all too well. The truth and emotion of Weezy’s million dollar lifestyle are expressed passionately on this mix of profane and profound pieces. The real gems are not songs in regular radio rotation, but tracks such as ‘Shoot Me Down’, ‘Tie My Hands’, and ‘DontGetIt’ that bring balance to TC3 while exposing Wayne’s internal conflicts and external turmoil. While Tha Carter III may not satisfy those in search of substance, it serves well as an insidiously sweet piece of poison that promises head nodding pleasure.
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Q-Tip – “The Renaissance”
(hip-hop, soul)
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In his first solo album in nine years (not including the unreleased avant-garde jewel Kamaal The Abstract), Q-Tip aims to rearrange the hearts and minds of the listeners with this “humble seed” that is truly nothing short of a masterpiece. The Renaissance paints a soulful, intelligent, and insightful portrait of our life and times from the perspective of an artist with an innate understanding of everyday realities. This album has a cool, laid-back, and cohesive feel with the majority production done by Q-tip. Along with two tracks by J Dilla and one form Mark Ronson, the lack of producers give The Renaissance a classic “album” feel that allows you to let it ride from start to finish on every listen. An immediate must have for true heads and listeners.
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Santogold – “Santogold”
(art rock,indie rock)
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Santogold’s (Santi White) debut self titled album shines with vibrant vocals and colorful electro pop tunes. Drawing heavily from dancehall and 80’s synth influences, Santogold’s sound is as varied as her musical career. Santi made her way through the industry as an A&R for Epic Records, singer in the punk band Stiffed, as well as working with GZA on his solo records, and writing and producing the Res album How I Do. Santi boldly bridges her vast musical experience together on Santolgold to create a signature retro electro sound that will have your ears anticipating more.
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Thievery Corporation – “Radio Retaliation”
(downtempo, dub)
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Thievery Corporation once again blesses the masses with their unique stew of downtempo tracks and world fusion sounds. Their fifth album, Radio Retaliation, is an instant classic delivered in true Thievery Corporation fashion, as they continue their musical march against administrative agendas and the present political environment. Musically they collaborate with favorites Sleepy Wonder, Verny Varela, and Notch, as well as first timers Femi Kuti, Jana Andevska, and Chuck Brown. Radio Retaliation offers multi-layered musical landscapes and artsy urban space sounds that have come to be fundamental to Thievery’s “outerrnationalist” sound. Whether a new fan or old, Radio Retaliation paints a rich aural picture that any audio aficionado will admire.
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Wale – “The Mixtape About Nothing”
(hip-hop, rap)
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‘Nothing’ never sounded so good. DC rapper Wale’s The Mixtape About Nothing is by far the best concept mix ever released. Unrelated yet interconnected songs blend random subject matter easily and effortlessly on this Seinfeld style project. Wale voices his perspective on American race relations, music industry changes, the perplexing male-female dynamic, and more. Music on The Mixtape is just as random and uniquely laced with old school soul, new school hip-hop, DC Go-Go, and Baltimore Club. Never heard of Wale or watched an episode of Seinfeld? It doesn’t matter; The Mixtape About Noting is a conceptually artistic and cohesive piece of hip-hop genius!
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Honorable Mentions:
J*Davey – “The Beauty In Distortion / The Land Of The Lost”
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N.E.R.D. – “Seeing Sounds” [ ]
The Orb – “The Dream” [ ]
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