Recent posts: Breaking Bits

As the clock continues to tick down on a strange but musically productive year, the producers who placed a lasting impression on critical projects in 2016 def deserve year-end props. Terrace Martin, one such artist/producer, garners such recognition, with undeniably dope contributions, releasing his 2017 “Best R&B Album” Grammy-nominated solo project ‘Velvet Portraits’ as well as producing for several artists like Rapsody, Schoolboy Q, YG, Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington to name a few. Already a two-time Grammy winner for his work on Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, it’s probably safe to assume 2017 will be just as hectic. Starting his career, working for Diddy in high school, set Terrace on his accolade-filled musical path.

Continuing to highlight the artists that left their mark as we wind down a very busy and strange 2016, Mello Music Group (MMG) artist Mr. Lif def comes to mind. A well respected Boston repping MC, his trademark flow and memorable collabos with other legendary statesmen within the indie hip-hop scene precede him. Dropping a dope pensive solo album ‘Don’t Look Down’ as well as ‘The Life and Death of Scenery’ project with MMG mate L’Orange, Mr. Lif’s toured internationally for a loyal fanbase worldwide during a fruitful, productive year.

As the clock runs down on 2016, we continue taking a look at the live artists who made an impression during this busy year. The ones that delivered memorable performances you couldn’t forget. One such artist making #CarlitasCut is Rhode Island’s own raucous rebel B. Dolan. Getting his start on spoken word and poetry scenes in the late 90’s, he later found a home and a fruitful, productive partner in crime in Sage Francis and Strange Famous Records. If you’ve been checking for him online, you’ll notice his sense of humor and his activist passion for causes like knowmore.org, a corporate crime database users can use to search on key corporations they support.

Heading towards the end of 2016 and the myriad of concerts and fests held throughout the year, it’s time to reflect back on the musical acts that delivered stand-out performances. The ones where months later, you are STILL talking about them. One such performance making #CarlitasCut came from Oakland based GENRE-banding cumbia band La Misa Negra at Boise, Idaho’s Treefort Fest. After viewing a clip of the octet performing on YouTube, they were a must-see act, whipping the jumping crowd into a frenzy after midnight, causing the floor to shake and move with every note. Later in the year, the group would eventually take their energy to Napa Valley’s Bottle Rock Fest which also featured the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

Now that’s 2016’s winding down, it’s naturally time to begin thinking about “Best Of” live acts of the year. With thousands of international and local fests and shows to pick from, the competition’s fierce. One of this year’s best live artists making #CarlitasCut is Phoenix’s Mega Ran. Seeing him perform live at Boise’s Treefort Fest earlier this year, he commanded the attention of the whole room as everyone crowded in the middle to watch him expertly freestyle about the oddest items taken from audience members’ pockets. Between appearing at Comic-Cons, consistently hitting the road with artists like MC Lars and Sadistik, Mega Ran’s also found the time to release multiple podcasts and projects including ‘Mat Mania: The Album’ which features a collabo with Murs.

As we head deeper into the last quarter of 2016, the “Best/Top Album” lists naturally begin forming. Although I wait until the shiny ball drops in Times Square to officially lock in my picks (#CarlitasCuts), one album in that convo will be Statik Selektah and KXNG Krooked’s ‘Statik KXNG’. One half of the duo, East Coast jack of many trades Statik Selektah’s stacked discography includes other legendary collabos with artists like DJ Khaled, Action Bronson, Talib Kweli, KRS-One and Large Professor, to name a few. Being an on-air host on Eminem’s Shade 45 show on Sirius XM for well over a decade, adds to an already impressive storied career.

As the summer becomes a distant memory and fall hastiness begins, I find myself gravitating towards music that transports me away. A temporary sonic place where there are no stresses or cares and you find inner peace as an imaginary ocean breeze blows in the distance. Hirie’s recently release ‘Wandering Soul’ is the perfect vehicle to take me there. Her blend of reggae, pop and a little R&B move you spiritually as you get swept up in the island grooves.

If you call yourself a true fan of soul and jazz, you’ve been checking for Derrick Hodge for a while. Producer, arranger, composer, musician, Derrick’s putting an exclamation point on an eventful year by releasing his sophomore solo album on esteemed label Blue Note Records, appropriately titled ‘The Second’ today. Throwing his hat into the impressive arena of August music releases, the album mixes late-night smoky club smooth vivid imagery with modern-day genre hybridization, reflecting growth and deservingly racks up rave reviews.