I’ve got some new shit from Honor Rollee & Fresh Kept Secret alumni, Mike Baker The Bike Maker, for you guys today. First up we have the exclusive premiere of the viral video for “The Chase,” which was produced by 1o.A.k. and appeared on Mike’s Now Or Never EP which I leaked a few months back. The video was conceived, directed & edited by Whiz Ward, completely out of scenes from the movie, The Professional – Golgo 13, directed by Osamu Dezaki (think Ghostface’s “Daytona 500″ video).

To go along with the video, Mike has also laced me two un-used joints that were recorded for Now Or Never, back when it was originally going to be a mixtape, instead of an EP with all original production. First we have MBtheBM & 1oAK rocking over a dub of Gnarls Barkley‘s “Online,” called “Exquisite.” Along with that, there’s also the short-but-sweet “Wanting Things,” which finds Mike rhyming over a loop from the Astrud Gilberto classic of the same name.

Check the video and then download both tracks below. If you like what you hear, be sure to vote for Mike Baker on URB’s Next 1000 list. And if you’re gonna be in the L.A. area this week, check him rocking live at The Dakota Lounge this Sunday.

As the latest installment in the Fresh Kept Secrets series, allow me to introduce you to Mike Baker The Bike Maker – a fresh new voice coming out The Bay, and a founding member of the mighty Honor Roll. No, Mike Baker does not make bikes – but he does make fresh music. And that’s exactly what I’ve got some more of for you guys today.

As an appetizer of sorts what Mr. Baker will be serving in the future, I’ve got an exclusive deluxe edition of his Sampler EP. Included in the EP are the 5 original sampler tracks (if you were able to get your hands on that), plus 4 bonus mixtape tracks which feature Mike rhyming over dubs by everyone from Metro Area to Madlib, and Mos Def to Hot Chip. That kind of range of traditional, fun hip-hop blended with next level rock and electronic sounds is a good example of the breath of fresh air that the whole Honor Roll crew is bringing to the game right now. And with the EP featuring production from Honor Roll resident beatsmiths, Trackademicks & 1o.a.k., as well guest spots from all the HR MC’s (Josie Stingray, Spank Pops & Moxmore) – the whole Roll is definitely represented on here. With Mike Baker The Bike Maker already working on his debut solo album, as well as an Honor Roll crew project and numerous collaborations, take my word for it now – this crew is going to be doing great things in ’09 and beyond.

You can preview full-length strengths of three personal highlights from the EP plus the clip for Mike Baker-featured remix of Kenna‘s “Say Goodbye To Love” by Trackademicks below. And then at the bottom, make sure to get your free download of the full Sampler EP: Deluxe Edition.

If it isn’t already – the name Trackademicks is definitely one that you should get familiar with. Track is a Bay Area-based producer/MC whose recently been making a lot of noise with his unique sound – a certain 808-laden, slaphappy knock that blurs the line between hyphy and hipster without falling into the stereotypes of either. His white label remixes and work with his crew, the Honor Roll, plus work with local Bay Area pillars like Mistah FAB (Thizz Entertainment) and Lyrics Born (Quannum) have laid a strong foundation for his more recent, out-of-town placements. Highlights from those collaborations include innovators J*DaVeY, indie-rock favorites Editors, ’80s revisiters Zo! & Tigallo, my not-so-unbiased favorite, DJ Tap.10.

And like we always do about this time – stay tuned after the jump for some more background info & extra freshness. This time the focus is on the solo artist/rapper side of Trackademicks’ work, along with that of his fellow Honor Roll members, plus his latest remix video for his reworkings of Kenna and Janelle Monae.