This is a 2-for-1 FRESHclusive and Fresh Kept Secrets combo: The premier of the new collaboration from two of Portland, Oregon’s finest – one of my favorite singers right now, Ragen Fykes, and prominent Northwest producer/MC, Ohmega Watts. With their powers combined (Captain Planet style), they form M64 – a name inspired by the Black Eye Galaxy for how their planets combined on this collaborative effort. Before their collision, Ohmega had already released two solo albums on Ubiquity Records, as well as two albums as 1/3 of the group, Lightheaded (also including Braille & Othello). And besides his own releases, he’s also collaborated with everyone from multi-faceted producer Quantic, to live funk band Connie Price & The Keystones, to hip-hop peers Giant Panda and numerous others, and has also been holding down a DJ residency at Portland’s premier hip-hop night, The Fix. Ragen on the other hand, has been making a name for herself by performing around town with artists like Barry Hampton’s Triple Grip, Braille, Ohmega, for years now and has collaborated with a slew of artists, including Living Legends, Pigeon John, J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science and most recently, Tanya Morgan.

Although their M64 project is still in its early recording stages, I’m so amped about what I’ve heard so far that I was able to twist some arms and convince them to let me post two of my favorites so far. First up we have a stream of the Brazilian-influenced, “last call at the dancehall” anthem “The Rhythm Of The Drum” – which was put up as a snippet on Ragen’s MySpace a few months ago and has been stirring up a buzz ever since (so you know I had to scoop up the exclusive full-length premiere! LOL). After that, I’ve also got a full-length stream of one of a song that I’m almost embaressed to admit how many times I’ve put this on repeat already – the spacey and soulful breath of fresh air, “Helium”. Both tracks are still just rough mixes, but leave a comment and give them some feedback about what they’ve got so far.

After the jump, be sure to check the bonus tracks for Ragen’s acappella cover of an NY hip-hop classic(!!!), plus two of her other collaborations with Ohmega.