Gil Scott Heron lives on thru the music...

photo by Ron Paz

Man, I'm pretty sad right now just hearing of the passing of one of my all time favorite artist. The raw and honest voice and musicianship of Mr. Gil Scott Heron has passed. I can't think of another artist who has had such a rugged existence and still shined so brilliantly thru all the trials and tribulations. His catalog which easily stretches some four decades is full of poignant moments that have symbolized movements in black America and beyond.

Here is just one of his very many contributions that has always been a favorite of mine.

Africa HiTech "93 Million Miles"

Been waiting for this album for awhile and its was well worth the wait. Africa HiTech(Mark Pritchard and Steve Spacek)'s "93 Million Miles" on Warp is a nice mix of electronic and the emotive. The production is really on point as these two are seasoned veterans in the studio. I really love what they did with Sun Ra's "When There Is No Sun" on "Light the Way".

Stream the album below:

Africa Hitech - 93 Million Miles by Warp Records

Thundercat "For Love I Come"

Thundercat, a basist collaborator with Erykah Badu, J Davey, Bilal, Sa Ra and Flying Lotus is coming out with an album of his own this fall. Pitchfork is streaming the new single, a cover of George Duke, and its smoooooooth.

"For Love I Come"
Check it out

and as a bonus, here is another track from the album entitled "Daylight".....

Egyptrixx "Bible Eyes"

This new album "Bible Eyes" from Egpytrixx has been on heavy rotation pon my iPod. Its a synth rollercoaster of sorts with some epic tracks and other rather mellow ones with a few vocal tracks thrown in for good measure. All around excellent production and arrangement and it comes highly recommended.

Check out a track from it below: "Chrysalis Records" ft. Trust

Here is a really mellow and slick remix of Little Dragon's "Looking Glass" via the Bay Area's very own Trackademicks.

Little Dragon - Looking Glass (Trackademicks' Quasar Gazer Remix) by The Honor Roll

Downloadable (press down arrow on right column of the music player). Enjoy.

James Blake "Love What Happened Here"

Meant to post this one earlier... While James Blake is taking the world by storm with his stellar debut album, some equally if not more dope B-sides are floating about the interwebs. Here I present "Love What Happened Here," a stunning example of unreleased heat from Mr. Blake. This is working so nicely....

Nate

Nate Dogg was the lynchpin to a lot of West Coast G funk classics. His soulful crooning, at times reciting vulgar lyrics, made so much sense and really pulled songs together for the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Warren G. He will be greatly missed...

Distant Relatives "Patience"

Why come I am just now seeing this video. Distant Relatives, dope new collab between Damian Marley and Nas, here featuring Amadou and Mariam! Let's gooooooo!

DISTANT RELATIVES "Patience" from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

The Bullitts feat. Lucy Liu & Jay Electronica

CLOSE YOUR EYES - THE BULLITTS starring JAY ELECTRONICA & LUCY LIU from THE BULLITTS on Vimeo.

Eh, OKSG, you know anything about this bunch? Digging the track...