Nothing's Changed: Tricky Returns and is in Fine Form on Free Download of His New Single

When you think of the famed Bristol scene of the 90's, Massive Attack, Portishead, Smith & Mighty, Roni Size and Tricky immediately come to mind. The latter has admittedly had a spotty solo discography since bursting onto the scene with Massive Attack on their classic debut album, "Blue Lines." But now Tricky Kid has returned with "Nothing's Changed," the first single from his comeback album and it should please fans of his landmark debut, "Maxinquaye."

Tricky's rough vocals have always worked best as an accompaniment to other vocalists, and here he makes great use of Francesca Belmonte, who does a fine job filling in the Martina Topley-Bird role.

Listen & Download "Nothing's Changed" Below:



Special Thanks: To Tricky for returning to his roots, K7! Records for the free download and The San Francisco 49ers for setting themselves up for a decade of Super Bowl contention by trading Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs

New Music Tuesdays: Alix Perez Previews Second Album & Offers Up Free Download of First Single "Feelings of Regret"

Wow, very special new music Tuesday today as one of the best up and coming bass music producers, Alix Perez, has made the first single from his forthcoming second album available as a free download. Featuring that signature deep Alix Perez drum & bass vibe, "Feelings of Regret" has us thinking that the new album from Mr. Perez is going to raise his profile significantly.

Listen for yourself and grab the free download of "Feelings of Regret" over at: www.alixperez.com

Special Thanks: Alix Perez, Shogun Audio, dark chocolate pretzels, deep drum & bass, Poolside playing the Santa Monica Pier and nori snacks

It's (Really) Coming! New Daft Punk Teaser Image Hits & Gets Internet Buzzing

While information about Daft Punk's highly anticipated new album has been slow to trickle out...their new label, Columbia Records, just released this cool teaser image...getting fanboys like us even more excited.

Check it:

Now bring on the album!!

Special Thanks: Daft Punk's inevitable return, San Francisco 49ers trading Alex Smith for a prime draft pick, Tensnake, Alix Perez new album and Wet Hot American Summer

Upperhands Featured Photographer: Satomi

Special Thanks To: Lomography store Los Angeles - Thanks for the Memories. Rest In Peace.

Vice Magazine : THe Fashion Issue 2013, featuring Snoop Dogg

 

Special Thanks To: My growing obsession with Vice Magazine, My growing Vice Magazine collection, Snoop Dogg, wishing Snoop still made music with Dr. Dre and didn't want to reinvent himself as Snoop Lion.

Mix of the Week: Download Tensnake's Summer Ready Essential Mix

One of the finest names in house music, Tensnake, recently dropped a gobsmackingly good Essential Mix on BBC Radio1. He's always had a keen ear for melody and a deft touch for taking listeners on a true journey. Give this mix a download and hear for yourself why everybody's talking about Tensnake.



Special Thanks: Tensnake, BBC Radio1, Essential Mix, Soundcloud, Melodic House and NBA Jam sessions.

Slow Jamz: Grab These Sexy Free Downloads From The Weeknd & Jessie Ware

Yes, Valentine's Day 2013 has come and gone. But when we heard these bedroom rockers, we simply had to keep the party going!

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last two years, you'll know that The Weeknd have changed the game for modern r&b music. They've also lent themselves to plenty of great bootleg remixes, including this excellent one from Ianborg & Bronze Whale, who take "Twenty Eight" to soaring new heights.

Free Download Below:



Next up, one of the best new female vocalists around, Jessie Ware, gets a proper bass-heavy rework from Distinction. Pair it with The Weeknd remix and it's an absolutely killer combination.

Free Download Below:



Special Thanks: The Weeknd, Jessie Ware, SoundCloud, Upperhands D&B mixes, edamame, goji berries and Buddha

I Had A Dream - Black History Month at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

 

Edward Biberman, "I Had A Dream"

 The art of Edward Biberman is currently on view in a special installation, and in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this Monday, I want to make sure our audiences know about his painting of Dr. King on display. Acquired last June thanks to the generosity of the American Art Council, I Had a Dream was Biberman’s response to Dr. King’s 1968 assassination. Prominently placed in the exhibition space, Dr. King’s eyes are unavoidable and draw you into his vision and the gallery.

Edward Biberman moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles in 1936 and is best known for later paintings such as The White Fire Escape, in LACMA’s collection. Such urban scenes reveal his affinity for the seemingly mundane details of midcentury modern architecture, which he illuminated through his attention to the light, shadow, and geometry of both subject matter and composition. But throughout his career he created important figurative paintings of labor, social struggle, and political tension, such as Conspiracy (1955), as well as significant portraiture. His portraits of African American cultural and political leaders are especially noteworthy: he created a monumental portrait of Paul Robeson, and his Lena Horne is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery where it has graced enormous banners on their façade.

I Had a Dream is unique for Biberman in that it zooms in on the civil rights leader’s face. Though we see only Dr. King’s eyes, nose, and mustache, his iconic features are instantly recognizable. The searing intensity of his gaze is not confrontational but steadfast and visionary.  This is a portrait with which all can connect. A large and powerful painting like I Had a Dream not only represents one of the most important figures of the twentieth century but demonstrates the devastating impact of Dr. King’s death on all Americans and can remind us of the significance of his legacy today.

Shopping List - Ill Threads and Kicks

Winter is almost over and you are looking for those threads that your homey's are going to trip out on.

I've been doing some research and here are my top 5 items on the internet now:

 

City Balloon T-Shirt

Karmaloop.com

 

Walkman Cassette Tape Flask

Karmaloop.com

 

Lebron James, Miami Heat "Miami Floridians" Retro Jersey

Ebay.com

 

Beach Trash Flip Flops

SkateBoardSupply.com

 

Nike Skateboarding Shoes

Nike.com

Special Thanks To: Internet Shopping.

Motor Coty Drum Ensemble : Send A Prayer EP ... The Moment I've Been Waiting For

 

Yup... It's here. The long awaited Motor City Drum Ensemble EP entitled, "Send A Prayer", is here.

There's no need to say anything more other than... 

listen and enjoy.

 

Send A Prayer Part 1

 

Send A Prayer Part 2

 

 SP11

 

The Stranger

Special Thanks To: Michael Jordan turning 50 years old on the same day as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James go at it in the 2013 NBA All Star Game, Miami Hurricanes NCAA Basketball team having one of the biggest jumps from out of the top 25 to 2nd place in history, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Being able to share music this instantly with the world.

UPPERHANDS - The DNB Mix 2.0

Welcome to the first Installment of the UPPERHANDS Mix Series.

I have recently picked up mixing old and new Drum and Bass, Hip Hop and House music. 

Each month I will be posting a new mix which can be listened to and downloaded from

Upperhands' Soundcloud page . 

Be sure to download the mix because the Soundcloud page 

will refresh itself each month to make room for new mixes. 

Peace and Chicken Grease.

Tracklist:
Fly Abrod - Physicalz
Moth To the Light (feat. J.Robinson & Jett) -DBR UK
King Champion (Original Mix) -Thing
Crooklyn (Original Mix) - Alix Perez
Get Loose - Mr Joseph
Thank You - Flowrian
From Me to You - Mr Joseph
Closure (Original Mix) - BrokenDrum
What I See - Stress Level & TC1
Missing (Original Mix) - The Upbeats
Find A Away (Original Mix) - Redeyes
Song of a Bird - Paul SG
All That Heaven Allows (Digital Exclusive) - Command Strange
Bomb Jack - Heist
Don't Stop the Rock - Mr Joseph
Distant Lover - DJ Marky & XRS
Moments of Lust (Featuring Vikter Duplaix) - DJ Marky, Vikter Duplaix & XRS
Moments of Lust feat. Vikter Duplaix (Makoto Remix)- DJ Marky & XRS
Butterfly (Craggz & Parallel Forces Remix) -DJ Marky & XRS
Cosmic Expression (Original Mix) - Soultec
Outer Forces - Kubiks & Lomax
Oh Yeah - Jonny L
San Francisco Cable Car - MsDos
Strings Track - Bachelors of Science

Space Invader on LAWEEKLY Building

French Street Artist "Space Invader", has made his mark all over the world, including once on our beloved HOLLYWOOD sign. 

 

Always having a knack to find the coolest little corners and spots to put up his work,

Space Invader uses a medium unlike any other graffiti / street artists in the world: Ceramic Tile.

He pre-makes his pieces in his studio, joining various colorful ceramic squares together in an ancient video game style. Using inspiration form images of characters featured in the ancient video game of Space Invader, Space Invader brings us a playful and always happy work of art that has never ceased to put a smile on my face. 

This one seen here is actually installed on the side of the LAWEEKLY building on the corner of Sepulveda and Venice Blvd. Although it looks illegal, there is something that leads me to believe it might have been commissioned by LAWEEKLY to go next to the larger mural you see below made by world famous graffiti artists HOW and NOSM. 

In any way shape or form, Space Invader is one of my favorites artists and I can't wait to find another one of his inconspicuous pieces here in Los Angeles soon.

 

 Special Thanks To: Michael Jordan turning 50 this week, kids who actually still sing and dance the Gangnam Style song, People who think they are amazingly creative because they solely use Facebook and Instagram as a valid means of being expressive, 14.8% alcohol wine, Imagining how sick cameras will be in 5 years, HOW NOSM, Space Invader, Anyone who still gets up in the streets.... If you don't know what that means, chances are you don't get up in the streets.

New Music Tuesdays: Ulrich Schnauss Releases "A Long Way to Fall" and Offers Free Download of XLR8R Podcast

The music of Ulrich Schnauss is unlike any other. Over the last decade, his emotive and meticulously layered productions have become the stuff of legend, but a lot of people forget that Mr. Schanuss actually started out making atmospheric drum and bass tunes in the mid-90's as Ethereal 77 on esteemed labels like LTJ Bukem's Good Looking Records. Now to celebrate the release of Schnauss' new album, "A Long Way to Fall," his first in 6 years, the German genius has gone back to his roots and put together a properly chilled out classic drum and bass mix for the latest XLR8R podcast! Works best for early hours and late night sessions, but no matter what, you're really going to love this one...

Download the Ulrich Schnauss XLR8R podcast HERE

Tracklisting:

01 Photek "T-Raenon" (Op-ART)
02 David Holmes "Gone (PFM Remix)" (Go! Discs)
03 Mental Power "Unknown Intelligence" (Formation)
04 Saint Etienne "The Sea (PFM Mix)" (Heavenly)
05 Lee & Gwange "2 Deep" (Legend)
06 Motive One "Life" (Certificate 18)
07 Neil Trix & Danny Mills "Pearls" (Bang-In Tunes)
08 MI5 "Experience" (Lucky Spin)
09 Odyssey "Expressions" (720 Degrees)
10 Source Direct "Secret Liaison" (Good Looking)
11 Seba "Planetary Funk Alert" (Looking Good)
12 Ethereal 77 "Somnambulism" (Dubplate)
13 DJ Crystl "Sweet Dreamz" (Dee Jay)

Special Thanks: Ulrich Schnauss, XLR8R, Tycho, atmospheric drum and bass, spectrasoul, Cafe 50 and birthday roasts

Music Mondays: UK Producer Kutmah Drops Dope All J Dilla Mix Free Download

Last week we celebrated the late J Dilla's birthday with some special free downloads from Shigeto. But we overlooked this masterfully put together "All Dilla Mix" from UK producer, Kutmah! Digging deep into Dilla's vast production archive, he emerges with a mix that will entice newcomers and impress even the biggest Dilla aficionado.

Download the mix below and feast your eyes on that tracklist:




1. *the Pharcyde – Bullshit (Labcabincalifornia)

2. We Come Too Far (Unreleased – Last Batch)
3. Don’t Say Word (Unreleased)
4. Dedication (Jon Wayne Bootleg – Unreleased)
5. the Skip Inst (Unreleased- Vintage Unreleased)
6. Shish Shish (Unreleased – Hiccuped Classix)
7. Dynas Instro
8. You and Your Smile (Unreleased – Another Batch)
9. *busta Rhymes – Spark on It (Inst) (Unreleased – Hiccuped Classix 7)
10. *slum Village – How We Bullshit (Fan-tas-tic Vol.1)
11. Hard Days Night (Hiccuped Classix)
12. Brazil Shit’ (Unreleased)
13. Hey Kids (Unreleased)
14. Can’t You Seeee (Unreleased)
15. St Down – (Front Street Instro) (A Day Wit the Homiez)
16. *slum Village – Untitled/Fantastic (Fantastic Vol.2)
17. *slum Village – Fan-tas-tic (Fantastic Vol.2)
18. *slum Village – Fan-tas-tic Vol.1
19. *slum Village – Look of Love- Fan-tas-tic Vol.1
20. *a Tribe Called Quest-”find a Way (Jay Dee Remix)
21. *j-88 – Things You Do (Madlib Remix)
22. Little Indian – (One Little Indian) (Jay Dee Remix)
23. Still Shining (Raow Raow!) (1996 What Up De Sessions)
24. Go It Up (Unreleased – 1996 What Up Doe Sessions)
25. Miroslav Vitous (Unreleased – 2002 Jaylib Beats Vol 4)
26. *roy Ayers – Love from the Sun
27. *slum Village – World Full of Sadness
28. Fly Girl (Unreleased – No Knows Dope)
29. Every Time (Unreleased -new Incense)
30. *bahamadia – One 4 Teen (Inst.)
31. *bahamadia – One 4 Teen (Feat. Slum Village)
32. *bahamadia – Funky 4 U (Jay Dee Remix)
33. Misdemeanor – (Unreleased – Jaylib Beats Vol. 4)

All tracks by J Dilla aka Jay Dee unless stated [*]

Special Thanks: The legendary J Dilla, Kutmah, Silver Linings Playbook, XLR8R, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Tosca and Argo

Shigeto Celebrates J Dilla's Birthday By Offering Up Free Download Package "Beats 4 Dilla"

February 7th marks the birthday of the late, iconic hip-hop producer, J Dilla. Every year since his passing there's always been an outpouring of love and support from fellow music producers whose work Dilla inspired. Ghostly International artist, Shigeto, has paid the ultimate respect by putting up a free download package on his SoundCloud entitled, "Beats 4 Dilla." The producer/drummer displays some serious diversity throughout each cut, just like the genre-hopping Dilla would do.

Grab these fresh free downloads and then be sure to break out some old Slum Village, A Tribe Called Quest, Frank & Dank & JayLib to bask in the greatness that is J Dilla!

Special Thanks: J Dilla for changing the game, Shigeto, Ghostly International, Psychemagik at The Lift, Spectrasoul's deep drum & bass, the word "scoofy" and peanut butter filled pretzels