Strange Trip

So I recently got back from a trip and had the pleasure of having Oddisee's newest release, Traveling Man, in my iPod. All I can say is this is one of the most creative and audibly stunning instrumental projects I have ever listened to or even heard about.

Here are some details:

As a musician, life is often lived on the road. Each city leaves its imprint on the artist as they develop their craft. For Oddisee, the producer and MC brainchild behind 2009's critically acclaimed Diamond District, the life and travels of the artist is no mystery. Touring, recording, and keeping up with friends and family took Oddisee beyond his hometown of Washington DC to Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Rather than keep these experiences to himself, Oddisee is instead releasing a new 24-track instrumental album, sharing his worldly experiences – through music, directly with his fans; a 24 city sonic tour of the world. With this new release, Oddisee is the Traveling Man...Each track was produced while Oddisee stayed in the city it was titled after...No need for a passport because Oddisee sees the world, so that you can hear it. Listen up.

Peep 3 of the gems on this amazing project:

"San Fran"

"Chicago"

"Khartoum"

The album is available now on iTunes and you should do everything in your power to go purchase it immediately.

Dj Cam Quartet is my shit

So I was given this compilation titled Saint-Germain-Des-Pres Cafe Vol.9 by a fellow music nerd and it contains some absolutely amazing work by one of my favorite producers DJ Cam. He goes the route of another favorite of mine, Quantic, and takes his musical production skills to the stage with a full band. The outcome is some seriously high caliber hip hop infused jazz jams including So Sweet, Rebirth of Cool and a retarded dope cover of Nas' World is Yours that is goosebump worthy.

Cam has been one of my go to downtempo producers for a while. His Mad Blunted Jazz album is one of my all timers and sets the mood for any chill occasion. I grew up with lots of jazz in my household. Both of my parents are huge jazz listeners and gave me a pretty good collection of vinyl to thumb through since I left the house for college back in '01. I can apreciate some quality jazz musicianship and the chops Cam use on Blunted are flipped so flawlessly that I knew at the time he could pull off the band leader role with ease. Boy did he prove me right.

If you are a fan of hiphop and/or jazz, I beg you to peep these two tracks below, go find yourself some DJ Cam on a store shelf somewhere and support musical excellence such as this with your hard earned greenbacks.

Dj Cam - Rebirth of Cool

Dj Cam - It's Yours