With the quantity of good music coming through these days it’s extremely easy to miss some of the best tunes that have been put out there. We’d like to maintain the habit of doing a little round up at the end of each month just to try and prevent this from happening, so let’s appreciate May together with another ByBase selection of hot new releases, fresh mixtapes and special treats.
MAY RELEASES
May, the month of love & good vibrations was extremely overwhelming music–wise and had a lot going on. Once again, we’ve highlighted some of the must-hear tracks in our May Discoveries playlist on Spotify.
Some of the crowning moments of May were definitely the release of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s M3 album, the final installment of his Magnificent series with contributions by Maségo, James Poyser, Stro Elliott, Rhymefest and many more. Then there’s the melodic adventure that Leon Bridges’s seminal Good Thing album will take you on. First joyfully beautiful single ‘Questions’ by the Midnight Hour, the new project by Ali Shaheed Muhammad of ATCQ and Adrian Younge, has arrived in full, two years after it appeared as a sample on Kendrick Lamar‘s ‘untitled 06 | 06.30.2014.’ off his 2016 LP, untitled unmastered before it was even released. A$AP Rocky’s long awaited Testing album has now finally arrived, Pusha T dropped his Daytona album on G.O.O.D. Music label, with feats by Rick Ross and Kanye West, who is the album also entirely produced by.
Go ahead, have a listen and enjoy. In no particular order.)
MAY IN THE MIX
It’s only fair to say that well-put-together DJ sets play a critical role in making sense of the music that’s available out there. Finding connections between the present and the past, taking us on a journey through the known & unknown, often offering a brand new perspective and inspiration. This month there have been a couple of new ones that stuck with us.
Eric Lau – Tsubaki FM Live
Eric Lau, our beloved British producer and one of the illest beatmakers in the game right now has graced us with a beautiful set full of soulful vibes, performed at Tsubaki FM (Japanese alternative radio station) during his recent trip to Tokyo. Sunshine & light all the way through.
The Happy Show
Here’s a dope afrobeat treasure filled set by Xander Ferreira, South African singer-songwriter & DJ. Recorded live at The Happy Show party in New York. Very easy to keep on repeat.
Danny Akalepse – Stop The World
Danny Akalepse, highly respected radio/battle/live DJ in soul, funk, and hip hop circles all around the planet, treating us to a smooth journey through some released, some unreleased and some never to be released gems from the circles of Big Crown Records and Plane Jane Records. Just turn this one all the way up(!)
Silk City – Essential Mix
Check this out: Mark Ronson & Diplo formed a new duo called Silk City as an homage to some of the greatest dance music cities like Chicago, London, Paris, Detroit. This month they’ve released a first track: Only Can Get Better and have a number of live performances coming up this summer. Here’s a delicious set of essential house grooves by these two. Enjoy.
Soulection Radio Show #359
Joe Kay, co-founder of L.A. based label/collective/radio-show Soulection brings another solid selection of future beats and classy grooves on 359th episode of Soulection Radio. 2 hours of great music, aint nothin else to say.
Feel free to share the love & hit us up with what’s been catching your ears these days, we’re always on the look-out for new music and we’d love to hear from you.
