Sound Verite Favorite Records 2012

Sound Verite's Favorite Records of 2012.

1. Grizzly Bear –Shields
Grizzly Bear return with balls. The first singles “Sleeping Ute and “Yet Again” has more bang than one would expect from quite champions and still just as majestic.
"Yet Again"-video

2. The Weeknd -Trilogy
With the success of their drugged-out mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday & Echoes of Silence, Canadian singer Abel Tesfaye and the production craft of Minnesota native Doc Mckinney (Santigold/Muja Messiah/Drake) and Illlangelo take R&B on a stylistic detour.
"Rolling Stone-video

3. Beach House -Bloom
Beautiful melodies and classic dark & pretty guitars.
"Wild"-video

4. Kendrick Lamar –Good Kid, Madd City
Compton kid channels early Nas, brings Los Angeles back with a vengence along with his Black Hippy crew of Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul & Jay Rock and assist from Dr. Dre.
"Swimming Pools (Drank)"-video

5. Cat Power –Sun Chan Marshal big comeback was incredibly enjoyable, complete with big positive songs that make you think shes actually happy.
"Ruin"-mp3

6. Dean Blunt & Inga Copeland –Black Is Beautiful
If Massive Attack were bout it currenetly they'd be somewhere near Blunt and Copeland. Giving slowed down seduction a new meaning ”torched-in”?
"Baby"-mp3

7. Santigold –Master Of My Make Believe
“Disparate Youth”, “God From The Machine” and “The Riot's Gone” are worth the price of admission alone. Although not as fresh or surprising as her debut.
"Disparate Youth"-video

8. Flying Lotus -Until The Quiet Comes
The great-nephew of Alice Coltrane gets assist from artist like Thom Yorke, Erykah Badu and Thundercat to round out another opus of jazz inspired electronics soaked in modern beats and soul excursions buried in the mix.
"Tiny Tortures"-video

9. Nas –Life Is Good
While Life Is Good clearly doesn't have the hunger or direct vision of Nas' debut Illmatic, it may be Nas most complete record since 2002's God's Son. With standout tracks like “No Introduction”, “Daughters”, “The Don”, ”Loco-Motive”, “Back When” and ”Nasty” he prevails in capturing the spirit of that kid from Illmatic. Sound Verite and others review Life Is Good at Reviler.
"The Don"-video

10. Raveonetts -Observator
Gorgeous arrangements and lush guitars awash in careful measures.

10. Frank Ocean -Channel Orange
Frank Ocean has made a quite a powerful statement, colored in so many shades of pop music's kaleidoscope. Whether as keeper of the flame of a Wonder or Prince or as playful with the experimental cadences of Kayne West and Fiona Apple. It seems he was inspired to deliver a great record full of bold confessions, joy, personal tragedy, dark views of city life and beautiful conceptual narratives. Ocean's falsetto is rich, nuanced and full of drama. Channel Orange reviewed by Sound Verite and others at Reviler.
"Pyramids"-video

Mike The Martyr -"The Shield"-mp3

Minneapolis producer/MC Mike The Martyr goes in over a Joey Bada$$ track, "Daily Routine".

Frank Ocean -"Wise Man"-mp3

Breakout artist Frank Ocean ran 2012 like a dope dealer in the early 90's. Finishing the year with his contribution "Wise Man", originally recorded for the Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained. Although the track didn't make the soundtrack it's an elegant harrowing ballad that ironically seems perfect, no worries he says "Django was ill without it." Sound Verite reviewed Frank Ocean's debut Channel Orange at Reviler.

Sound Verite Local Favorites 2012

Sound Verite Favorite Local Records 2012

I Self Devine – The Sounds Of Low Class Amerikkka
Chaka Mkali, otherwise known as I Self Devine, is a steady, consistent MC with a strong desire to educate and inform his audience through his lyrics. He is often described as “conscious” MC; while that's true, I Self Devine is more of a realist, painting narratives that even in showcases the failures and how to work within and outside the system in today's society.

Polica – Give You The Ghost
Minneapolis goes down tempo, bringing the beats to indie rock.

Meta - Meta May
With a sprawling song a day during the month of May, MC Meta marked his space as an ace lyricist.

Brother Ali -Mourning in America And Dreaming In Color
Hip-Hop's everyman who's insights into family, religion, life, world views and treatment of indigenious people show his respected command and attention to detail.

Crimes -Good Hope
Beautiful melodies soaked mysterious in a Midwestern sincerity.

Mally – The Last Great
Rookie goes in becomes official.

Night Moves -Colored Emotions
Bringing the good old twangy psychedelic tunes like “Country Queen” and the sweeping beauty of their hit “Headlights” to the indie kids.

Mike The Matryr – Lake Street Store: Over The Counter
Stacked with heavy guest Slug, I Self Devine, A.G. (DITC), Triple Seis & Muja Messiah.

P.O.S. - We Don't Even Live Here
Musical innovator, good dude with creativity pouring through his veins and massive supporter of local artist, thank god he calls Minneapolis home.

Solid Gold – Eat Your Own
Hometown heroes make like Pet Shop Boys.

Mankwe -Science and Spirits
Atmosphere vocalist/artist make like India Irie.

Villa Rosa - Exotic Paraphenalia EP
Maria Isa and Muja Messiah'e summertime ep included the weed blazer “Rocketship” and their brilliant take on Eminem's “Renegade”

BdotCroc – Hear Forever
With an impressive mixtape, sharpening her skills as she gets assist from Brother Ali and Rocky Diamonds and is full of new school swagger check her track “Pressure”.

BNLX -BNLX
Polished Anglo-file goes new school techies.

A$AP Rocky -“Long Live A$AP” -mp3

A$AP Rocky gets all crunk with guest like gulp, Skrillex on “Wild For The Night”. From A$AP Rocky's debut Long.Live.A$AP, out January 15th. Updated new track LONG LIVE A$AP.

Mally -"I Am (Prod. by Medium Zach)"-mp3

Minneapolis gifted lyricist Mally released his "proper" debut The Last Great and murked everything in it's sight. He ends a fantastic year with a new track "I Am" produced by Medium Zach. IPR The Institute of Production & Recording in Downtown Minneapolis work together every quarter with the students to work with Rhymesayers artists and other indie artists to learn techniques, recording/studio processes and also witness songs getting created live in the class! “I AM” is a track that was done in our Spring 2012 Quarter.

Yo La Tango -"Ohm"-video

Indie rock grandparents return with "Ohm" from their Jan.15th release Fade.

Food Pyramid & Roy Orb D.MT. - "Windsong" -mp3

Food Pyramid collaborates with Roy Orb D.MT. for Arp Navigators a travel through daydreams and atmospherics and shuffling beats on Moon Glyph. Reviler has a nice review of Arp Navigators.

Reviler has a nice review.

Greg Grease ft. Lizzo -"I Still Love H.E.R."-mp3

Greg Grease celebrates his debut release Cornbread, Pearl & G tonight. With love from City Pages who calls his record "a dense masterpiece", the Star Tribunes' Grease is the word , Radio K and an interview with The Current 89.3 Local blog Greg Grease steps into the spotlight with new Cornbread, Pearl and G.

Greg Grease
Meta
Mike The Martyr
BdotCroc
DJ Just Nine
So Gold

Dec. 14th
7th Street Entry

Greg Grease ft. Lizzo -"I Still Love H.E.R."-mp3

Burial -"Truant "/ "Rough Sleeper"-mp3

Burial releases two brand new tracks "Truant" and "Rough Sleeper" from upcoming Hyperdub 12inch.

Burial -Truant-mp3
Burial -Rough Sleeper-mp3

Kat Dahlia – "Gangsta"-mp3

Rookie rapper/singer songwriter Kat Dahlia rocks a sexy new twist, and she's baby tight.

DProsper ft. Jay Electronica -"Atom Anthem"-mp3

Sun Ra & John Coltrane enthusiast /A&R dude DProsper recruits a posse of affiliates among them Jay Electronica who comes out of nowhere. Atom 12 12 12 also features collaborations with producers and artists like DJ Khalil, Rashad "Tumblin Dice" Smith, Floyd the Locsmif, Flying Lotus, Shafiq Husayn, Malik Abdul Rahman, Knx, Chris Keys, Shroom, The Push LLC, Daniel Drums, Point Guard, Sebb Bash Media, Renee Neufville, Jay Electronica, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Bobby DeBarge Jr. In 2012 A.D., DProsper is determined to spread light, creating enlightened hip-hop music with a message to raise the consciousness.

Stars -"Backlines (Eight and a Half Remix)"-mp3

Canadians Stars get remixed by Canadians Eight and a Half (members of Broken Social Scene & The Stills).

Raekwon -"Who Shot Ya"-mp3

Wu-Tang's Raekwon preps new joints in advance of his Lost Jewelry ep.

Raekwon -"Who Shot Ya?"-mp3

Ab-Soul -"Only 1"-mp3

As West Coast MC's Kendrick Lamar & Schoolboy Q owned the rookie class of 2012 , their fellow homeboy in Black Hippy Ab-Soul is on deck. "Only 1" is produced by TDE in-house beat maker Willie B. With a string of dark and psychedelic-leaning singles and remixes Ab-Soul's light will shine brighter in 2013.

Twin Shadow -"The One"-video

George Lewis Jr better known as Twin Shadow sets visuals to "The One" from his 80's fascinated latest jump Confess.

Santigold -"Girls"-mp3

My homegirl Santigold has a new track on the soundtrack to HBO's white-girl/big city drama Girls.

The xx - "Reconsider (Jamie xx Remix)"-mp3

The xx remix themselves here as Jamie xx handles the boards. From his mix for the Boiler Room x Young Turks w/ SBTRKT, Jamie XX, Short Stories LIVE, Nautic LIVE & Bullion show. Broadcast on 5th December 2012]. Complete track listing at Boileroom. The album version of "Reconsider" is a bonus track from their new record Co-Exist. You can grab the radio-rip of "Reconsider "(Jamie xx Remix)" from Mu-Sique.

mu-sique

Big Boi ft. Little Dragon -"Mama Told Me"-mp3

Outkast Big Boi drops his colorful new record Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors next Tues. Dec.11th. Here he leaks the original studio version of "Mama Told Me" produced by The Flush Music with Little Dragon, the album version features former Destiny's Child vocalist Kelly Rowland.

Kendrick Lamar -“Swimming Pools” (Mano 93 Nostalgia Remix)

Compton's Kendrick Lamar, the years hottest rookie gets a good look from Chicago's Mano on his hit “Swimming Pools” (Mano 93 Nostalgia Remix), nice touch with thew Isley Brothers sample.

Andy Stott -"Leaving (The Recycle Culture Uplift)"-mp3

Manchester-based producer Andy Stott takes a detour away from his ,slow & dark sound which gets tweaked out by The Recycle Culture. Original version taken from Stott's new opus Luxury Problems. via GvB.

Andy Stott -Leaving (The Recycle Culture Uplift)-mp3

Pusha-T -"Blocka"-mp3

Pusha-T unloads another heat seeking missile from his upcoming solo jump produced by Chicago’s Young Chop, set to appear on Pusha’s imminent Wrath of Caine mixtape. A Pusha-T full-length is expected to follow early next year.

M.I.A. -"Attention"-mp3

M.I.A. out the shadows with another new leak ""Attention", which sounds characteristically M.I.A., word is new record Mathangi, is scheduled for March 2013. Speaking last month at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the singer and rapper explained that the title of her next album refers to her own birth name, Mathangi, and also a Hindu wisdom goddess.

M.I.A.-"Attention"-mp3

Ducktails -"Letter Of Intent"-mp3

Ducktails bring the dream pop with the swanky "Letter Of Intent" with Jessa Farkas on vocals from their upcoming The Flower Lane out Jan. 29th 2013 on Domino.

How to Dress Well -“& It Was U (Doss Remix)” -mp3

Soulful indie crooner How to Dress Well gets the remix treatment from Doss who gives it a nice new lightweight garage lift from it's original. How to Dress Well's sophomore release Total Loss is out now and highly recommended for fans of James Blake.

How To Dress Well
Dec. 13th
7th Street Entry

How To Dress Well -“& It Was U (Doss Remix)”

Thom Yorke's Atoms for Peace

Atoms for Peace the latest from Radiohead's Thom Yorke, who's new project features producer Nigel Godrich, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea, Joey Waronker, and percussionist Mauro Refosco. They started as Yorke live band and became one themselves. Describing the recording process, Yorke said, "We were at Flea's house. We got wasted, played pool and listened to Fela Kuti all night." Their debut record is titled Amok. The release date is Feb. 25th in the UK and Feb. 26th in the U.S. via XL Recordings.

Atoms For Peace Amok
01 Before Your Very Eyes
02 Default
03 Ingenue
04 Dropped
05 Unless
06 Stuck Together Pieces
07 Judge Jury and Executioner
08 Reverse Running
09 Amok

Atoms for Peace -"Default"-mp3

Laurel Halo -"Sunlight On The Faded"-mp3

Following her debut full-length album Quarantine, Hyperdub's Laurel Halo preps her new track "Sunlight On The Faded". "Sunlight On The Faded" debuted on Belgian’s Radio Scorpio show Sterrenplaten.

Julia Holter -“Goddess Eyes II”-video

Julia Holter offers up a fresh take on “Goddess Eyes II”, a new version from upcoming re-up Ekstatis Expanded (out December 12th on RVNG.

Flying Lotus - "Tiny Tortures"-video

Flying Lotus visuals for "Tiny Tortures" from his excellent new jump Until The Quiet Comes, out now.

The Weeknd -"Wicked Games (BBC Radio)"-mp3

Toronto's The Weeknd record a few tracks for BBC Radio. Here Abel Tesfaye slows things down on "Wicked Games", he also performed "The Zone", "The Knowing", and "Montreal" off his remasterd and re-released Trilogy.

Greg Grease - "C.R.E.A.M. Dreams"-mp3

Minneapolis Greg Grease follows up the critically praised J Dilla inspired mixtape The Giving Tree with "Dangerous displays of spectacular arrangements" from the first single "C.R.E.A.M. Dreams" from his highly anticipated debut Cornbread, Pearl & G. available Dec. 11th via River Life Media/Black Corners.

Of "C.R.E.A.M. Dreams" Greg Grease says “C.R.E.A.M. Dreams” is based on internal conflicts, which the album is kinda based on so I thought it would be a good representation of Cornbread, Pearl & G to start out with. Throughout my life I’ve always been taught the importance of money but always hated it, always wanted things but didn’t appreciate the money value system. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized its importance but still despise it. Its definitely a love hate relationship that, an ongoing battle for me. I actually wrote this song while falling asleep, when I fell asleep I would wake up and bars would be written, it pretty much wrote itself. It was pretty bizarre haha!”

Greg Grease's Cornbread, Pearl & G record release show.
Greg Grease
Mike The Martyr
BdotCroc
DJ Just Nine
Sgld 7th Street Entry
Dec. 14th

Massive Attack - 6 Mix (BBC 6Music)

Massive Attack's celebrate the re-issue of their classic debut Blue Lines on deluxe vinyl with a new BBC mix.

Pink Floyd - On The Run Kraftwerk - Musique Non-Stop Massive Attack & Mos Def - I Against I Addison Groove - Savage Henry Burial - South London Boroughs Massive Attack - Angel (Remix) Gang of Four - At Home He's A Tourist The Phenomenal Handclap Band - Baby Massive Attack - Karmacoma (Remix) The Bug vs. The Rootsman - Killer (feat. He-Man) Khan - Tehran [Punch Drunk] Man Parrish - Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't Stop) Flying Lotus - Unknown Kanye West & Booka Shade - Monster Vs In White Rooms Jallanzo - Rockin' Reggae Omar Perry - Boom Town Hempolics - Serious Mr. Vegas - Mus Come A Road DUB TERMINATOR - Give Praise (feat. Ras Stone) Jumpshot - Headstrong (Lion Dub Hood Refix) (feat. Jahda Rico Tubbs - Trap Muzik Sounds Better With You Björk - Venus As A Boy (Parker Refix) B. Dub - Kingdom Isaac Hayes - Bumpy's Lament Eddie Harris - It's Alright Now [unknown] - McKay Glen Brown - No More Slavery (Atomic Edit)

J Dilla - "The Diff'rence"-mp3

New J Dilla box set of Donuts. This is J Dilla's classic album reshaped as Donuts 45 Box set on seven 7-inch singles, plus a bonus 45 with "Signs" b/w "Sniper Elite & Murder Goons" with Doom & Ghostface. Just announced this morning for early Jan. release. Available now via pre-order.

Tara King th-"Long Time No See"-mp3

Tara King th new artful psychedelic stylings from Paris courtesy of Moon Glyph. Released in conjunction as two companion EPs, Uncolored Past crafts a wide swath of Parisian psychedelic pop held together by Beatrice's spell-inducing vocals.

Nicolas Jaar -"The Ego"-mp3

Downtempo golden boy Nicolas Jaar collaborates with Theatre Roosevelt for a new track "The Ego". From Jaar’s Clown & Sunset on soundcloud.

Wu-Block ft. Erykah Badu –"Drivin Around"-mp3

Wu-Block the Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch (The Lox) project, and we get an Erykah Badu, GZA & Masta Killah feature on the laid back track "Drivin Around".

Hype Williams -"Galice"-mp3

Hype Williams the lo-fi beat duo of Dean Blunt & Inga Copeland give up a nice treat, this time starring the dream-like vocals of Copeland on with "Galice". Blunt reissues The Narcissist II on Hippos in Tanks next week. To honor the occasion, they've put together the London 2012 tour CD.

Mike The Martyr -Lake Street Store: Over The Counter (Mixtape)- download

Producer/MC Mike The Martyr has been grinding and it shows with the new mixtape Lake Street Store: Over The Counter. Lake Street Store: Over The Counter with a host of Minneapolis artist, among them Slug of Atmosphere, A.G., Muja Messiah, I Self Devine, Meta, Triple Seis, Long Doe, Gene Poole, Prof and more.

Mike The Martyr -Lake Street Store: Over The Counter (Mixtape)-download
Mike The Martyr ft. Muja Messiah-"Gettin Saved"-mp3
Mike The Martyr ft. Slug, Mally & Haph Duzn-"Shameless"-mp3

Sean Price -"Haraam"-video

The God Sean Price is better than most of these clowns. Off his new hard as nails record Mic Tyson.

Night Moves -"Country Queen"-video

Minneapolis soft rock strummers Night Moves unveil new clip for "Country Queen" off their debut Colored Emotions. The band will soon hit the road for a a Midwest run.

Beach House -"Wild"-video

Beach House showcase their classic elegance of lost youth for the "Wild" visuals off their still stunning Bloom.

Bjork -bastards / "Mutual Core"-video

Bjork's Biophillia gets the treatment on bastards (Biophilia Remix Album) available digitally Nov. 19th. She also collaborates with the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles, California, and she also releases the video for "Mutual Core".
bastards Track List:
1. "Crystalline" (Omar Souleyman Remix)
2. "Virus" (Hudson Mohawke "Peaches and Guacamol" Rework)
3. "Sacrifice" (Death Grips Remix)
4. "Sacrifice" (Matthew Herbert's Pins and Needles Mix) (edit)
5. "Mutual Core" (These New Puritans Remix) [ft. Soloman Is. Song]
6. "Hollow" (16-bit Remix)
7. "Mutual Core" (Matthew Herbert’s "Teutonic Plates" Mix)
8. "Thunderbolt" (Death Grips Remix)
9. "Dark Matter" (Alva Noto Remodel)
10. "Thunderbolt" (Omar Souleyman Remix)
11. "Solstice" (Current Value Remix)
12. "Moon" (The Slips Remix)
13. "Crystalline" (Matthew Herbert Remix)

Bjork -Sacrifice [Death Grips Remix]-mp3