First World Records: “The Soviet Tape is a new collaboration between Fulgeance & DJ Scientist. Their debut single ‘Moscow Nightlife’ is the perfect introduction to their sound: heavy instrumental hip hop culled exclusively from Scientist’s un-rivalled collection of vintage Soviet-era records. Scientist, one of Germany’s most prolific record collectors (check out his incredible ‘Soviet Grooves’ mix for Solid Steel) dug out a slew of samples from his archives, enlisting Fulgeance (MPC virtuoso and one half of Souleance) who transformed the source material into a truly unique and original album.

Taking forgotten records from Russia to Moldavia, The Ukraine, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia and beyond, the duo have interspersed the largely instrumental album with skits culled from 60s CIA documentaries as well as vocal cuts featuring Blu, Open Mike Eagle and DistantStarr. This all adds up to a release that is both a throwback to the uncertain times of the Cold War and a tribute to the great depth of music that the former Union was responsible for.

With high-concept artwork from Emile Sacre, taking it’s cue from original Soviet records, the album is in turns jazzy, psychedelic and soulful, but with hip hop at it’s core. A follow up is already in the works – keep ‘em peeled comrades!

This two track sampler includes the synth-heavy menace of ‘Vendetta’, and ‘From Lithuania With Love’ featuring Open Mike Eagle and Blu.”

Creating a bouncy, sinister rendition to Blu’s 2012 released single “Kiss the Sky,” originally produced by M-Phazes, Large Professor manages to transform Blu’s bars into a destructive force of nature. Whereas the original had the Australian beat smith providing a more inspirational and soulful vibe, Xtra P’s version flips the script entirely by showcasing just how deadly he is with an MPC, while DJ Revolution shreds a classic Method Man quotable into oblivion. Large Professor’s remix of “Kiss The Sky” will be featured on Coalmine Records’ forthcoming remix compilation, ‘Remineded: A Collection of Old & New Remixes, which is now available for pre-order via iTunes, for its official January 20th release date.

From CHURCH (of the Good Thief) available now via public axis recordings. Features include Blu, Yamin Semali, J. Nolan & Donel Smokes.

Taken from the upcoming album Theme Music out November 25th via Bang Ya Head Entertainment.

From Surock’s Fuck You Very Much EP. Blu sounds great over professionally mixed beats…

Words from Jonathan Kim: “Originally released on MED & Blu’s collaborative The Buzz EP entirely produced by Madlib, today delivers the Sirplus remix which features an exclusive verse from Mibbs of Pac Div, which is not featured on the original version. Both MED & Blu are in Japan for their “Bad Neighbor” Tour and this Sirplus remix is featured on the Blu/MED Tour Mix by DJ Romes of The Lootpack. The song will also be available on iTunes Oct 7th. Stay tuned for info on MED’s upcoming album produced by J. Rocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies for their collaborative group, Axel F.”

Director’s Note: “As a multi-media artist coming from a back ground in performance and video art, the first time I heard L’Orange’s “Need You” I was struck with the songs dichotomy of beauty and melancholy.I wanted to create a world, a universe where this song could live and breathe to reveal and tease out the tension of these themes . The gorgeous ebbs and flows of the song partnered with the rhymes of Blu push the boundaries for the possibilities for imagery. With the amazing space of Murphy’s Ranch practically in my back yard I was inspired to develop a post apocalyptic Adam and Eve story that again would play off of the themes of beauty and melancholy. Creating a more cinematic and filmic treatment allowed for collaboration with fellow artists to explore this post apocalyptic world where choosing life may mean choosing death.” – EmaLee Arroyo

Pronounced “Sky High”. Swerve tells us: “This is the new official single ‘Sk! H!’ featuring the LA Hip-Hop artist Blu. The new project will be titled “Mixed Aromas” which drops on August 1st, 2014. It will be available for free download via Bandcamp, but if you would like to support what we are doing over here, there will also be physical copies available for purchase. Digital copies will also be available to purchase through most major online retailers.”

Fresh off the release of “FTJFY” and the MOOVMNT premiered “One,” French beatmaker Astronote teams up with Blu for his latest offering of the Astroblacked album “Rhymes On Paper (Vivid)”.

Blu serves up a message for weak minded emcees confidently rhyming, “never let your pen get you in a situation, that your little gun gotta get your ass out of/ keep your tongue tame young man, keep your mouth shut, my niggas got prior convictions they not proud of.”

Astronote’s latest album Astroblacked dropped today on iTunes and it features Blu, Ayah, Stacy Epps, Illa J, Nick Walker and others.

Video shot & edited by The Epixx. From The Buzz EP available now on Bang Ya Head.

Stones Throw: “Homeboy Sandman’s “Atlantis” is a new track produced by Blu. This is one of a few dozen new tracks Sand’s been working on this year. Expect to hear the best of them in a new full length album set for Fall 2014 – title, producers and track list TBA. Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen the man’s live show, don’t miss out. He’s touring the midwest & east coast states all through June.”

HOMEBOY SANDMAN TOUR DATES
Wed, June 4: The High Watt, NASHVILLE
Thr, June 5: Blank Space, ST LOUIS
Fri, June 6: Subterranean, CHICAGO
Sat, June 7: Division Gallery, DETROIT
Sun, June 8: New Bohemian, PITTSBURGH
Mon, June 9: Dukes Bohemian, BUFFALO
Tue, June 10: Hollow Bar, ALBANY
Wed, June 11: Johnny Brenda’s, PHILADELPHIA
Thr, June 12: Santos Party House, NEW YORK CITY
Fri, June 13: Middle East, BOSTON
Sat, June 14: Metro Gallery, BALTIMORE
Sun, June 15: Liv, WASHINGTON CD
Mon, June 16: Snug Harbor, CHARLOTTE
Tue, June 17: 529, ATLANTA

Often under appreciated but never forgotten, Diamond D is easily one of the best producers on the mic. Whether you mess with his work from D.I.T.C or still bump Stunts, Blunts, & Hip Hop on the regular, D is just as ambitious today, even with his OG status. Going for a remix that’s reminiscent of The East Flatbush Project’s “Tried By 12,” his take on the Nitty Scott, MC featured “Boyz II Men” taken from Blu & Nottz’ 2013 released Gods In The Spirit EP, truly bears the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew stamp of approval. Where the original version relied on triumphant horns, courtesy of Nottz, D ventures into a completely different direction, going for a minimalistic instrumental that still packs enough punch to cause a dizzy spell for any true head. Diamond D’s remix of “Boyz II Men” is featured on the ‘iTunes Deluxe Edition’ of Coalmine Records’ ten year anniversary compilation, Unearthed, as well as the CD and vinyl edition of Gods In The Spirit, both of which are now available. Stay tuned for the complete full length of Blu & Nottz’ collaborative efforts, with their forthcoming anthology, Gods In The Spirit, Titans In The Flesh.

Blu’s Good To Be Home was released this week via Nature Sounds Records. Stream the entire two-disc project below, which features added support from Fashawn, MED, Thurz, Planet Asia, Alchemist, Oh No, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and more.

Blu unveils a new track off his upcoming double album Good To Be Home.

Blu releases an exclusive new remix to “Rap Dope”. Original version of “Rap Dope” taken from Blu’s upcoming album Good To Be Home, in stores May 20th, 2014.