Meeting of the Minds: Top Releases of 2010 (Part 1)

For those who are unaware, me and Q here at The Mad Bloggers are fans of surprises, and always hitting you with great analysis as well as musical surprises. Well, this day is no different, as Q and I team up to offer up a collaborative writing effort on the best things to our ears to hit us in 2010. Here's how we worked it out, ground-rules wise: each of us got to pick five releases individually, then we agreed on five. After that, we also each picked five different ones as honorable mentions, so we could cover the musical gamut with some of our favorite releases this year. This is part one of three. Read more after the jump.

What EMS Is Watching ... A Tribute to Nina Simone: Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott, Ledisi - "Four Women"

I didn't actually get a chance to watch the Black Girls Rock award ceremony, however, there was buzz all over the internets about this performance. I meant to post this earlier, but better later than never. Aunt Sarah, Safronia, Sweet Thing and Peaches definitely rocked this. Enjoy.

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What I'm Watching ... SonReal "Clap For Me"

I'm definitely becoming a fan of SonReal. Dude is dope. Check his newest video, "Clap for Me." Filmed and edited by Dane Collison, with additional filming by Byron Wilson and Aaron Hoffman. Enjoy. Chea!

www.twitter.com/therealsonreal

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Download ... The Iomega Years

Nasa over at Uncommon dropped this project yesterday. There was no way I was reading my email or posting yesterday. I have to take a day off. Ha! So, I'm posting it up today. Check the back story and the bandcamp link below.

The Iomega Years is an album that was truly 10 years in the making because it collects an entire decade of lost beats from Nasa. All previously unreleased and unheard, The Iomega Years collects one beat from each year of the first decade of beat making from Nasa (1999-2009).

Nasa recently moved on from saving all his beats on an Iomega Zip Drive after 10 plus years of reliable service. Nasa's Iomega heard every kick and every snare and saved every sample played, this album is dedicated to the device that is now seeing it's semi-retirement. You can hear Nasa's rough around the edges beginnings on the MPC 2000xl all the way through the progressive sound that he's known for today. It's like watching a time lapse photograph, as you witness his style evolve in a way that no other producer has ever let you see.

The project is accompanied by snippets of historical events that happened in the years that each beat was made so that you are transported back to the time, place and mindset of Nasa at that very moment!

Sit back, get comfotable and take this trip with with Nasa, you'll have a lot of "I remember where I was when" moments on this journey and hear an artist grow at the same time.

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Download ... Ricky Shabazz and the Boom Bap Boys Present: Free Shabazz

Check the Ricky Shabazz and the Boom Bap Boys Present: Free Shabazz. It's a pretty fresh project featuring a gang of cool production and dope artists. Enjoy.

1. Antiquarian (prod: J57 /cuts: DJ Emoh Betta)
2. The Bullshit (prod: Jinesis) – P.So
3. Shouts to Common (prod: Reality) – Homeboy Sandman
4. Probability Bandits (prod: Falside) – Noah23
5. Don’t Stop (prod: Khrysis) - Chaundon
6. Cold Sores (prod: Dynamo414 /cuts: DJ Emoh Betta) - Ceschi
7. Herb Lunchauer – Soul Khan
8. Datura Stramonium - Kalae Allday & YC the Cynic
9. The Colors (prod: Maticulous /cuts: DJ Brace) – Audible Doctor
10. Give up the Ghost (prod: Time Crisis /cuts: DJ Emoh Betta) – Time Crisis
11. Guns N Roses (prod: Introspective Minds /cuts: Rain) – Moe Pope
12. Devil’s Bandit (prod: Falside) - Slaine
13. Destroy (prod: Jaz Infinite) - C-Rayz Walz
14. Make ‘Em Move (prod: Jinesis) – Fresh Daily
15. Eagle Eye (prod: Karniege) - Karniege
16. Kidnap Your Boyfriend (prod: Aaron Cormack) – George Watsky
17. Mr. Brown (prod: 2 Hungry Bros) – YC the Cynic
18. Sgt. Salty (prod: Hannibal King) - Sene
19. 3 Magic W’s (prod: Factor) – LMNO & Awol One
20. All Alone (prod: Jinesis) - Quesfire
21. City Life (prod: Zee Imports) – Kooley High

Download: Free Shabazz

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Check It ... Lauryn Hill at Toad's Place (Pics and Vids)

Soon as I found out that Lauryn Hill was coming through to perform around my area, I had to be on it for several reasons. I didn't know what to expect from the show and from Ms. Hill but was down to see for myself. Having to wait 3 hours for her to get on stage from what supposed to be a 9pm show start and dropping $50 on a ticket, I wasn't feeling too good about what I thought was to come. After hours of waiting in a packed spot, antsy, agitated, cramped, her band members started filling the stage. I figured then she had to show up and that she was late. Her DJ even had stated earlier in the night that she was running late due to a fire in a hotel or something. Don't take my word for it because it was hard to hear when he gave the explanation.

Finally, after about another half hour of her band setting up she was spotted. Crowd went bananas. Song after song she performed her hits with minimal stops and maximum energy. It was hard to hear some of her singing and therefore hard to figure out what songs she was performing, but overall it was a decent show. But, I think that's enough about me trying to describe it with my words. Check out the videos by clicking READ MORE to view them and see for yourself. Enjoy.

Download ... @CarlittaDurand "Nostalgic Nights"

Carlitta Durand can sing. And on Christmas Eve she delivers Nostalgic Nights, a mellow EP that may require you to grab a few glasses of wine, dim the lights and chill out by the fire place. Throw this joint on after the kids have gone to bed and relax. Or throw it on now. Enjoy.

  Nostalgic Nights by ThroatChopU

Download: Nostalgic Nights

twitter.com/CarlittaDurand

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The Mad Bloggers Show Ep 21

It's been a while since we put out a podcast. I think we dropped the last one back in October. Crazy. Anyway, we're back to wrap up the year with episode 21. This might be perfect for a ride on the way to exchange gifts or just hanging out in the house before being bombarded with family this weekend. Either way, enjoy the latest episode of The Mad Bloggers Show! Oh and on behalf of the team, have a happy holiday! Chea!

01. Bring It - Kaine Karrera
02. Get On Point - BIC
03. What Matters - SigNif
04. 1,000 Deaths of Wackness Feat. Likwuid and Fresh Daily - P.So
05. I Believe Feat. Raashan Ahmad - KingHellBastard
06. Ups Turn Down - Chuuwee
07. Dumb Out Now - Malicious
08. Panic - Roc Marciano
09. No Comp Feat. STS - ¡MAYDAY!
10. Jack & Ginger - John Public
11. In Tha Park Feat. Black Thought - Ghostface
12. I Ain't Shit - Big K.R.I.T.
13. Shot Glass Magnified Feat. Sene - Soul Khan



Download: Ep 21 | Backup

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Check It ... RAtheMC "Sky's The Limit" Feat. ABthePro

Here's another track off of RAtheMC's upcoming mixtape, Victory Lap, dropping 1.1.11. Enjoy.



RAtheMC ft. AB the Pro - Sky's The Limit.mp3

www.twitter.com/RAtheMC

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What EMS Is Listening To... Joseph Robert - "Make U Moan"

Joseph Robert ladies and gentlemen. It's always really hard for us as a team to find R&B music. OK... let me rephrase that. QUALITY R&B music. So when we find some, we're really excited. Believe me, we are. OC sent me an email about this guy and let me tell you, as soon as I heard "Make U Moan" I knew it had to be on the blog ASAP. I don't know a lot about Joseph Robert, but what I do know is that I can't wait to see more of his music pop up on these here interwebs. You can go to his Myspace page and check out a few more tracks: www.myspace.com/jstauh, but for right now, you can check out "Make U Moan" right here. Enjoy and leave a comment!





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Check It ... Maria Isa "Santa Papi"

Some folks will frown at this remake but I'm digging it. Enjoy. Chea!



Santa Papi.mp3

Shouts to rockthedub.com

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EVENT: Soul Khan & Friends New Years Eve

"Let's kick in the New Year together in Manhattan! It's a Party/Show - going to be a great time AND this is one of the only spots in NYC where the drinks will NOT be over-priced on New Year's Eve!" - J57

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