Fresh Selects » SA-RA Creative Partners

FRESH SELECTS RADIO #1

Kenny Fresh — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:01:25 +0000

Today marks the debut of my new podcast, simply titled Fresh Selects Radio. Even though this is the first episode, it feels like the second in a way, because its more or less a follow-up to the Loose Joints mixtape I put together last fall. Just like that, its a collection showcasing both new and unreleased tracks from some of my favorite artists, some projects I’ll be working on in the near future, artists you should be on the lookout for, and more. I’ve also thrown in a few tracks that have been previously been posted on the site that you might’ve missed. But unlike the Loose Joints .zip, this podcast is one single track, which freed me up and allowed me to include some super-exclusives that I know I couldn’t post as individual downloads.

Originally, I was going to host the podcast like a radio show – but instead I decided to let the music speak for itself. If you feel like it sounds unfinished, I left the instrumental interludes I was going to talk over in the mix, so feel free to fill in the blanks yourself. However, if people get on some bullshit and rip some of the exclusives from the mix and re-post them as downloads on other sites, then next time out I’ll have to talk all over all the good shit – so just behave yourselves & act right and I’ll be able to keep bringing you the latest & greatest without any problems.

I might still write up some liner notes to go along with the tracks, but it might be a while. We’ll see what the feedback & response is like first (*cough*leaveacomment!*cough) and then take it from there. So yeah, lemme know what you think. In the meantime, the tracklisting with the artists’ MySpace links is listed here and then you can download or stream the mix below.

1. DaveNotti – FSR Intro (Thrilla Music Group)
2. Blu – Say Say (CD-R)
3. Finale feat. Invincible – The Waiting Game (prod. Khrysis) (iM/Universal)
4. Waajeed – Fat Bottom Girls (Bling47)
5. Konphlict – Socialize (prod. TaRaach) (Lovelution)
6. M64 (Ragen Fykes & Ohmega Watts) - Helium (prod. Ohmega Watts) (TBA)
7. Hi-Res – Yahhhhh (Pt. 2) (Thrilla Music Group)
8. G&D feat. MED & Rapper Big Pooh – Endure (prod. Georgia Anne Muldrow) (Mello Music Group)
9. MAGr (DistantStarr & Al Mighty) – Butterfly (prod. Hudson Mohawke) (TBA)
10. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Been A Min… (Brainfeeder)
11. Cubic Zirconia (Tiombe, Nick & Todd) – I Wanna Freebase You (TBA)
12. PPP feat. Coultrain & Karma Stewart – Rocket Science (prod. Waajeed) (Ubiquity)
13. Hawthorne Headhunters (Black Spade, I, CED & Proh Mic) feat. JimiJames & Coultrain – She Wanna (HVW8)
14. Exile feat. Muhsinah – Stay Tuned (Stay Here) (Vocal Remix) (Plug Research)
15. TaRaach vs. Tiombe Lockhart – Kalifornia (Instrumental) (Lovelution)
16. DJ Cadik feat. Invincible & Finale – Don’t Look Back (All Soundz)
17. Devon - Shoes (Thrilla Music Group)
18. SA-RA Creative Partners - High Moon Lust (Rawkus)
19. Luck-One – The Coolax (prod. Dekk) (Architect Ent.)
20. Johnson&Jonson feat. Miguel (Jontel) - Stadium (CD-R)

Artwork courtesy of Lyle Owerko & Wuzz Magazine.

DOWNLOAD: Fresh Selects Radio #1

STREAM: Fresh Selects Radio #1

SUBSCRIBE: Through iTunes or Google

ALSO CHECK: Fresh Selects – Loose Joints mix .zip

FREE DOWNLOAD: PPP – The Official Abundance Mixtape

Kenny Fresh — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:45:22 +0000

As promised, PPP have released an exclusive free download mixtape to promote their brand new album, Abundace, dropping next week. PPP founder, Waajeed, originally put together this mixtape for PPP’s European tour last fall. Compromised of exclusive new remixes of PPP classics & Waajeed-approved blends by Seattle-based, DJ Topspin, along with exclusive outtakes from both Abundance and the group’s debut, Triple P – we knew this mixtape was too good to not get it out here in the States as well.

Personal highlights from the set include the original version of PPP’s infamous cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” sung by Grammy-nominated singer, Raheem DeVaughn; the infectious vocal version to the Loose Joints instrumental, “Can’t You Feel It;” Topspin’s perfect blend of the “Fever” vocals over the “Stay With Me” instrumental, and plenty others.

Check the full tracklisting and get your free download below, then watch Waajeed’s self-made EPK after the jump, and most importantly – cop Abundance next Tuesday, the 20th.

1. Abundance Intro
2. Angel (feat. Coultrain) (Waajeed Remix)
3. Shotgun (feat. J Dilla) (Waajeed’s Plinky Remix)
4. Your Day Is Done (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix) **
5. Deep Inside (feat. SA-RA & Rozzi Daime) (Waajeed Remix) %
6. Stay With Me (feat. Tiombe Lockhart) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix)
7. Fever (feat. Zeno) (DJ Topspin vs. Waajeed Remix) **
8. Goodbye (feat. Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE) ++
9. Stand For Something (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)
10. Detroit Winter (feat. Invincible) (Waajeed Remix)
11. Act Like You Know (feat. J Dilla) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
12. 1 Luv 2 U (feat. Neco Redd) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
13. Can’t You Feel It (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)
14. Now Or Never (feat. Tiombe Lockhart) (Waajeed Remix)
15. No Worries (feat. Steve Spacek) (Waajeed Remix)
16. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (feat. Raheem DeVaughn) (EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL VERSION) @
17. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (feat. Rogiers) (Waajeed vs. DJ Topspin Remix)
18. Synchronicity (feat. Coultrain & Jamila Raegan) (PPP EXCLUSIVE)

All tracks produced & remixed by Waajeed for PPP/Bling47, plus:
** Co-produced by Saadiq for PPP/Cherry Ann Music
% Additional production by Selan
++ Additional production by Simon Katz
@ Additional production by Mark de Clive-Lowe

Interludes feature interviews by DJ Eko, Garth Trinidad, Gilles Peterson, & Benji B

DOWNLOAD: PPP - The Official Abundance Mixtape

SUPPORT: PPP’s Abundance CD/LP, available everywhere January 20th

AFTER THE JUMP: PPP - Abundance EPK video directed by Waajeed

BLING47 TV presents… PPP - Abundance EPK

Circulations & Jay Scarlett’s New Worldsw/ Guilty Simpson, SA-RA & more

Kenny Fresh — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:50:59 +0000

Cutting-edge Japanese label, Circulations, have joined forces with European tastemaker & host of Amp Soul Generation radio show, Jay Scarlett, for the brand new compilation, New Worlds. The project was put together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HMV Shibuya store – one of the leading retail supporters of quality music in Japan.

To mark the occasion, they’ve gathered new and exclusive tracks from some of the most promising artists of this new beat/future soul generation – including Loose Joints alumni SA-RA and Ras_G, as well as Super Smoky Soul & Guilty Simpson, Quadron (which features Robin Hannibal of Owusu & Hannibal/Boom Clap Bachelors fame), Take, Hudson Mohawke, The Big Payback (Onra & Byron The Aquarius) with Reggie B, and plenty more. And these all come packaged with fresh cover art & design courtesy of Philly-based artist, Joshua Mays, who has also blessed covers for Waajeed (The War LP), Mark de Clive-Lowe (The Politik) & Jneiro Jarel (Three Piece Puzzle US release).

To give you a taste of what to expect from New Worlds, Circulations has blessed us with a free download of the track, “Knockout Kings,” a heavyweight bout between Japanese production trio, Super Smoky Soul and one of Detroit’s finest, Guilty Simpson. The song features Guilty throwing his typical K.O.-blows over SSS’s fresh approach to a familiar sample. The song will be released as both a limited-edition 7″ single, and a remixed 12″ in the coming weeks – so stay tuned for more info on both releases.

But before that, you can also preview two full-length songs below – SA-RA’s kinky quiet storm bounce, “Talk Sex”, as well as selector Jay Scarlett’s “I Can’t Help It” – a club-friendly, broken thump which also features British singer, Leon King.

And as always, stay tuned after the jump for some bonus selections. This time around I’m highlighting some of Guilty Simpson’s more low-key collaborations and past mixtape tracks, including tracks from Mr. Porter’s Runyon Ave. crew.

UPDATE: Last minute addition, courtesty of Stones Throw – a free download of Oh No’s new remix of Guilty’s “The Future” featuring MED, originally from the Ode To The Ghetto album.

SA-RA Creative Partners “Talk Sex”

Jay Scarlett “I Can’t Help It” (feat. Leon King)

DOWNLOAD: Super Smoky Soul & Guilty Simpson “Knockout Kings”

BONUS DOWNLOAD: Guilty Simpson “Futuristic” (feat. MED) (prod. Oh No)

SUPPORT: The New Worlds compilation is out now in Japan and will be on iTunes worldwide soon.

BONUS TRACKS: More Guilty Simpson rarities after the jump

Guilty Simpson “Pause Freestyle” (w/ Busta Rhymes intro)
from Runyon Ave. Mixtape Vol. 1 (Runyon Ave.)

Kon Artis (Denaun Porter) “Dog” (feat. Guilty Simpson & Big Dame)
from The Po’ Folks Mixtape (Runyon Ave.)

Paradime “RUUUDE” (feat. Marv Won & Guilty Simpson)
from Spill At Will (Beats At Will, 2007)

FRESH SELECTS: LOOSE JOINTS

Kenny Fresh — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:48:18 +0000

As promised, here’s the first-ever Fresh Selects mixtape. No, it’s not really mixed – its just a .zip full of tracks that I’ve been feeling lately, and/or been meaning to post about. I’m gonna be gone for the next couple of days so I wanted to put this up to hold you guys over until I come back. But if all goes well, I should be coming back with a bang. We’ll see…. but until then, bump this.

Tracklisting & download links below. Oh, and I also did some quick liner notes for each track after the jump, for those of you who are into that sort of thing.

Also, I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks to everyone who’s been spreading the word about the site whether it be through linking me on your own blogs, posting the link on your MySpace or Facebook, whatever it may be – thank you. This one’s for you.

1. Hi-Res – This World (Thrilla Music Group)
2. Black Spade vs. 88-Keys & Kanye West – Stay Up! (Viagra) (Stoney Rock Remix) (CD-R)
3. Mike Slott feat. DistantStarr – Boxed In (All City)
4. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins – Shine On (prod. Black Milk) (Mello Music Group)
5. Devon – Hold Up Zelda (Thrilla Music Group)
6. SA-RA Creative Partners – All In The Kitchen (CD-R)
7. Black Spade feat. Coultrain – A Lil Taste (CD-R)
8. Finale – Ice (prod. DJ Final) (CD-R)
9. Dill Clinton (TaRaach vs. The G.O.A.T.) – LiveWire (Lovelution Prosper)
10. Knowledge – Relief (CD-R)
11. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Clair Huxtable (Brainfeeder)
12. Waajeed – Can’t You Feel It (Instrumental) (Bling47)
13. TaRaach feat. Mia Simone – Benjamins (prod. AmDex) (CD-R)
14. Noni Limar – Monogamy (prod. Black L.A.) (CD-R)
15. Finale – Run It Back (prod. Rashid Hadee) (CD-R)
16. DaveNotti – Get Real (prod. DaiN) (Thrilla Music Group)
17. Kissey Asplund & DistantStarr – Car Ride (To The Future) (prod. Jay Scarlett) (CD-R)
18. Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Waajeed’s Flash Gordon Remix) (Bling47)
19. Fatima – Wildchild (prod. VeeBeeO) (CD-R)
20. Donel Smokes – Got Me High (Bridgetown Steel)
21. Devon – Sleep Tight (Thrilla Music Group)

All tracks selected & compiled by Kenny Fresh for Fresh Selects.

DOWNLOAD: Fresh Selects – Loose Joints

LINER NOTES: Track-by-track commentary after the jump

1. Hi-Res – This World (Thrilla Music Group)
Hi-Res is an up-and-coming producer from Portland, down with the Thrilla crew. I wanted this mixtape to have a kind of spacey, futuristic feel to it – so I thought this would would make the perfect intro. This is off Hi-Res’ free instrumental album, Sittin’ Up In My Room. Highly recommended.

2. Black Spade vs. 88-Keys & Kanye West – Stay Up! (Viagra) (Stoney Rock Remix) (CD-R)
Exclusive white label remix from Black Spade AKA Stoney Rock. Bigs up to the homie Ced of Hawthorne Headhunters for this one. I haaaate that corny Borat line at the end of the first verse – makes me cringe every time. LOL!

3. Mike Slott feat. DistantStarr – Boxed In (All City)
This is a track the homie Distant from MAGr did with Mike Slott of Heralds Of Change. Great late night driving music.

4. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Dudley Perkins – Shine On (prod. Black Milk) (Mello Music Group)
Big ups to Mello for sending this through. This one’s actually for sale so if you dig it, support it. I dig this – no comment on its subject matter though….

5. Devon – Hold Up Zelda (Thrilla Music Group)
As far as this new era of beat shit goes, Devon’s definitely a name to remember. Actually, my very first post was about Devon. Be sure to check that if you haven’t already.

6. SA-RA Creative Partners – All In The Kitchen (CD-R)
This is another exclusive Shafiq from SA-RA hooked up last week. Goofy, off-the-wall shit.. but still dope.

7. Black Spade feat. Coultrain – A Lil Taste (CD-R)
This starts the Dilla dedication section of the mix. All of the next 4 tracks sample or reference Dilla in someway. But yeah, this is an old Black Spade track I got off his MySpace about a year or two ago.

8. Finale – Ice (prod. DJ Final) (CD-R)
Finale is one of my favorite MC’s right now – his album is gonna be crazy. More on that soon… in the meantime, this is a track he did with Norway producer, Final, that references the Jaylib track, “Ice.”

9. Dill Clinton (TaRaach vs. The G.O.A.T.) – LiveWire (Lovelution Prosper)
This is from Runnin 4 Precedent, a top-secret TaRaach project thats been in the work for years now. Word is the election campaign is coming soon… stay tuned for more on that.

10. Knowledge – Relief (CD-R)
Knowledge is another name to remember, he’s been putting in a lot of work lately. I first heard him on Invincible’s track, “Ropes” off of ShapeShifters but he’s done so much since then it’s hard to keep up. Look out for more from him & Devon on Fresh Selects coming soon.

11. Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program – Clair Huxtable (Brainfeeder)
Dope new track Ras just hooked me up with the other day to close out the Dilla set. On this, Ras flips the sample to one of my favorite Slum Village tracks, in tribute to everyone’s MILF crush, Clair Huxtable. Ras explained to me this is for “the Clair after the kids left, the Clair Cliff saw before Rudy knocked on the door.” LOL

12. Waajeed – Can’t You Feel It (Instrumental) (Bling47)
This beat seems a little random on here – but it’s one of my favorites right now, so fuck it. Coultrain actually recorded a song to this for the forthcoming PPP Mixtape – so look out for that. As far as the beat goes – all my indie rock heads should be able to spot what Waajeed chopped up on this. Don’t get it twisted (hint) – there are samples galore in indie rock music.

13. TaRaach feat. Mia Simone – Benjamins (prod. AmDex) (CD-R)
Man… I almost have too many TaRaach exclusives – I might need to do a mixtape with all of these someday. In the meantime, here’s an oldie-but-goodie from 2003 that he recorded in Germany with AmDex of the Vinyl Junkies.

14. Noni Limar – Monogamy (prod. Black L.A.) (CD-R)
Noni is someone I’m really looking forward to hearing more from. You may remember her from C.R.A.C.’s “Buy Me Lunch” (which she also directed the video for). I got this off of her MySpace, hopefully she doesn’t get mad at me for using it :)

15. Finale – Run It Back (prod. Rashid Hadee) (CD-R)
Another one from Finale. He raps with such intensity on this one – you can’t help but feel it.

16. DaveNotti – Get Real (prod. DaiN) (Thrilla Music Group)
Notti & Dain were 2 of the first artists signed to the Thrilla crew – and this track is a good example why. Dave’s really beasting on this one – 5,000+ bars (I’m rounding up) and no hook. DaiN killed this beat too. Both of them have a lot more heat still in store.

17. Kissey Asplund & DistantStarr – Car Ride (To The Future) (prod. Jay Scarlett) (CD-R)
Another exclusive that Distant hooked up. This is off his upcoming project w/ Swedish singer, Kissey Asplund. Can’t wait till that one comes out.

18. Troubleman feat. Steve Spacek – Without You (Waajeed’s Flash Gordon Remix) (Bling47)
Long story behind this one – but basically Troubleman’s label put out this remix without paying Waajeed. Not a good move. But it’s a dope track and it fit the feel of the mix, so fuck it – don’t buy it, get it right here instead.

19. Fatima – Wildchild (prod. VeeBeeO) (CD-R)
Fatima’s another singer I’m expecting big things from. You might remember her from the Hygher Baby post I did. I really like how she came off on this one – her voice is definitely that of an old soul, despite her age. I dig the sparseness and simplicity in the beat too.

20. Donel Smokes – Got Me High (Bridgetown Steel)
I’ll be an honest – I don’t know much about Donel Smokes – except that he’s in Bridgetown Steel, rapped on Exile’s Dirty Science album and a track that got left off of Blu’s Below The Heavens. I love this beat though – I don’t even smoke, but when this shit comes on?? Pass some of that over here.

21. Devon – Sleep Tight (Thrilla Music Group)
Damn… all that smoking made me tired. A nice sleepy beat from Devon to close things out.