Today I’ve got an unreleased collaboration from two of my favorite artists right now – Bay Area producer/MC, Trackademicks, remixing Swedish genre-benders, Little Dragon‘s song, “After The Rain.”

Coincidentally, the first time I had met Trackademicks was at a Little Dragon in San Francisco last year (which they KILLED, by the way). He actually told me then that he had been commissioned by the group to remix the track and I already knew it was gonna be crazy. So since the song was never officially released, Track decided to put it out through his Trackademia blog yesterday, since LD had their next SF show last night.

The remix lives up to the expectations with Track putting his own upbeat synth freak to the melancholy feel of the original. You can stream and download the track in the link below. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

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.

Three years after the release of her debut album, Havana, is back with her sophomore offering, Entervention. Where her first LP, L.I.F.E., featured production from the likes of Waajeed, Zo!, Nicolay, and Symbolyc One providing a mellow, soulful backdrop – Entervention has a decidedly west coast house party sound. Providing that sound are some of Cali’s most forward thinking producers, including Brook d’Leau (of J*DaVeY fame), GB, Trackademicks and BeatStreetS. Lyrically, Havana goes even further introverted and autobiographical this time out, but she still manages to keep it balanced with plenty of future house party and club favorites still sprinkled throughout the album.

Entervention is currently scheduled for a February 17th release date through the Detroit-founded and San Diego-based label, Skoolcraft Music Group. To preview the album, I have an exclusive first listen to four tracks from the LP. In downloadable form I have the first single, “Nitelife,” which is produced by and also features Honor Roll member, Trackademicks, and “It Ain’t New,” co-produced by Bay Area collaborators, BeatStreetS & 1O.A.K. To go along with it, I’ve also got streams of the 80′s throwback, “In Touch” produced by GB, and a track from Havana’s new group, Match’d Frantic with MC, Bennie Herron, “Not Affected,” produced by Brook d’Leau. All four songs are still rough, unmastered versions – so be sure to check the album when it drops next month for all of the final versions.

Stream or download the songs below, and then, stay tuned after the jump to three of my favorite tracks from her first album, LIFE: Living In Fearless Emotions.

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.