Alpha_Noise-The_Forgotten-2008
(Hip-Hop)

Alpha Noise is 2 emcee's Jay Qwest and Kel with DJ/Producer Scizzahandz who hail from Atlanta. New Girl is the best example to give you guys a taste of what you can expect from these dudes. The song boasts a dope rhythm guitar with both emcees trading verses complimented by the soulful sample. Get the album via CDbaby HERE. For fans of People Under The Stairs, J-Live, Canto I


Alpha Noise - New Girl Download!

Sweet_And_Irie-Localize_It-2009
(Reggae/Roots/Dub)

New Zealand once again represents with some classic reggae from the debut album of newcomers Sweet & Irie. If your itching for some reggae/roots with that Marley rootsy feel then you need to get this album asap. Just from listening to these three songs I guarantee that whatever mood you were in before will change after a therapeutic listen through these songs! Click the cover art for their myspace to peep more songs. If you are in New Zealand hit up itunes for this album! I can't access the link for the album on itunes because its not on Canadian itunes but if your not from Canada just search for it! For fans of Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Half Pint.


Sweet & Irie - Reggae Music Download!

Sweet & Irie - Mama Don't Cry Download!

Sweet & Irie - Everyday (I Feel Like Irie) Download!

Dodger-Musth-2007
(Rock/Alternative/Reggae)

Dodger is a band with tons of potential from Toronto, Canada. I just got my digital hands on this album and the music is great but the recording is compressed so much that its brick walled. Other than the brutal compression on everything I dig what these guys have to offer. I would love to get these guys in the studio and re-record this! You can grab this album via itunes HERE. Good Times is a great song to introduce you guys to that is not brick walled!. For fans of Audiodub, Good Intentions, Staylefish.


Dodger - Good Times Download!

Rebelution-Bright_Side_Of_Life-2009
(Reggae/Rock)

One of reggae/rock's fastest rising groups is back with the follow up to 2007's successful debut, Courage To Grow, with 12 brand new tracks to fill out the rest of your summer with some reggae jams. Bright Side Of Life picks up where Courage To Grow left us with the up beat dubs and the signature guitar chord progressions that is easy to enjoy. So when you head to the beach this summer make sure to have this album within ears reach of you and the sun. Look for the album in stores and digital outlets August 4th. For fans of Iration, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, Passafire


Rebelution - More Than Ever

Rebelution - Bright Side Of Life

Chris_Velan-Solidago-2009
(Folk/Reggae/Pop)

Chris Velan is a singer/songwriter from Montreal, Quebec. His music is pretty laid back and its something that I could see being played on the radio. Never the less I do think its worthy of letting people know about his music so give the songs a listen! Grab the album from itunes HERE For fans of Finely Quaye, Ben Harper, Matt Costa.


Chris Velan - Out Of Range Download!

Chris Velan - Hard Way Learner Download!

Blue_Scholars-Coo?-CDS-2009
(Hip-Hop)

Great news from one of the best hip-hop acts in music right now is the news of the new EP 'OOF!' due August 25th and the full length due sometime in 2010. The guys recently left Rawkus to sign a better record deal with Duck Down Records and Cafe Vita, so a congrats goes out to them. They are giving 'Coo?' away for free download on their site just click HERE to sign up and get your copy of the track. This track will jump right up in my steady play of songs on the summer playlist as it is a pretty damn dope track! For fans of Common Market, One Be Lo, Macklemore.


Blue Scholars - Coo? Download!

The_Bredrin_Daddy's-Bag_O_Tricks-2008
(Hip-Hop/Reggae/Dub/Metal)

The Bredrin Daddy's will either dub you out with their infectious reggae or they will kick your face off with the intense metal. The album is pretty much spilt in half between the reggae and the hard metal, so if you got someone who is into the metal you could be pleasing yourself and someone else with different tastes at the same time. As you can tell from the songs I am posting I am a fan of the reggae/rock twist a bit more than the screaming. The Bredrin Daddy's hail from Long Beach, CA and contain 6 members. You can get this album on CDbaby HERE and itunes HERE. For fans of Chapter 11, Clear Conscience, The Holdup.


The Bredrin Daddy's - Cool And Calm Download!

The Bredrin Daddy's - The Sign Download!

Chubb_Rock_Wordsmith-Bridging_The_Gap-2009
(Hip-Hop)

Bridging the gap is an collaboration album between the golden era raps of Chubb Rock and the new school raps of Baltimore's Wordsmith. The beat on Back In boasts cadence on the keys with a melodic sample that will keep you listening untill the end. Get this album on itunes HERE. For fans of Scarface, Oddisee, EMC.


Chubb Rock & Wordsmith - Back In Download!

Audible_Mainframe-Transients-2009
(Hip-Hop/Rock)

It has been a long 4 years between albums for Audible Mainframe who have made their way out to L.A via Boston a year ago. Transients is a refreshing upgrade to the memory that reminds me why I was so stoked on them back when I first heard Exposition's classic album 'The Metro'. Highlight tracks include the reggae influenced 'Ice Cold' that picks up during the chorus with the sweet guitar skanks that will get your neck bobbing and the smooth moving 'Anybody Else' that lets you know you are listening to some original music. Another standout that I don't have posted here is the up-lifiting track called 'Subi Alto' (Climb High) that boasts a choir of kids on chorus. The album tackles relevant topics from financial problems to the sad ways of the music industry, so don't worry about being bombarded with annoying rap ego's. Audible Mainframe is lead by the lead raps of MC Exposition and backed by the live instrumentation of Johnny (Drums), Lethal D (Guitar), Miller (Keys, Trumpet, MPC), Walt (Bass), and Special Blend on the 1's and 2's. Look for the album to hit digital outlets August 25th! For fans of Exposition, The Roots, Heiruspecs.


Audible Mainframe - Ice Cold

Audible Mainframe - Anybody Else

Ratatat-Mirando-VLS-2009
(Electronic/Indie)

Yea I know I am a tad bit late on this but I can't help but vibe out to this epic ride of a song. This track is best described as a composition of sounds that will blow your mind. This 12' was released awhile back but if you have not heard it then get to it! On the A side is the original and the Yacht Remix and on the B-side is the Animal Collective remix. You can get Ratatat's newest album LP3 from 2008 HERE. For fans of MGMT, INF, MSTRKRFT.


Ratatat - Mirando Download!

Inf-The_Go_Round-2009
(Hip-hop/Electronic/Dub)

Inf is a crate digger/beat maker/emcee from Utrecht, Netherlands. You can get this album via itunes HERE. The Go Round is entirely just a instrumental album that can hold its own with out any vocals. Click the cover art for his myspace to listen to more tracks. For fans of Hermitude, Countbounce, Aim.


INF - Rubber Dubby Download!

INF - Yes My Dear Download!

INF - Wasting Time Download!

Lupe_Fiasco-Shining_Down-CDS-2009
(Hip-Hop)

Lupe will be releasing his new album 'We Are Lasers' sometime this year and this is the first single from the very promising album. This is the final mix version of the track and its the version that the Lupe camp want people to hear. So make sure you get rid of that leaked version with the pissy reverb on the chorus. Get this single on itunes right HERE. For fans of Kanye West, Common, K'Naan.


Lupe Fiasco - Shining Down Ft Matthew Santos Download!

Echo_Movement-In_The_Ocean-2009
(Reggae/Rock/Roots/Dub/Acoustic)

Echo Movement, repping the Jersey Shore is one band you need to pay attention to in 2009. In The Ocean is the type of album you enjoy from front to back that is consistent throughout with well written catchy tune-age. Its easy to come away from listening to this album with 7 or 8 tracks that you like, so its your job to get the album and figure out your favorites. As you can see my two favorites are represented with the feel good vibes of Keep My Head High and the dubbed out Daydreamer. Echo Movement was started by two brothers, Stephen and Dave back in 2004. Click the cover art to head over to their myspace and peep some more tracks off of In The Ocean and you can also download the exclusive free mp3 of In The Begininng by just clicking the widget below!. You can get this must have album on itunes HERE. For fans of John Brown's Body, Rebelution, Passafire


Echo Movement - Keep My Head High

Echo Movement - Daydreamer

Aimee_Allen-A_Little_Happiness-2009
(Reggae/Acoustic/Soul/Pop)

The female representation in the reggae area is pretty scarce and its only a matter of time before lady musicians get in the act. I would love to hear Aimee collaborate with lots of reggae/rock bands, her voice is smooth and sultry and would light up any song with a verse or chorus. A Little Happiness will be released on July 21st, you can pre-order it HERE and you can get the lead single 'On Vacation' from itunes HERE. For fans of Esthero, Lily Allen, Barbie Hatch.


Aimee Allen - Save Me Download!

Aimee Allen - Silence Is Violence Download!

Can't_Hang-Just_For_You-Promo_CDS-2009
(Reggae/Rock)

Here is a first taste of whats to come from the very dope new Can't Hang album 'Ride The Lightrail' ! The guys were nice enough to send over the advance of the album and I will say that your going to need to dig in the pockets for this one when it drops in August. The album will make my list for albums of the month easily. Click the pic to head over to their myspace and check out 2 more songs from the album. Look for a special pre-release on ThePier soon! For fans of Iration, The B Foundation, Passafire.


Can't Hang - Just For You

Grynch-Chemisty-EP-2009
(Hip-Hop)

You are about to listen to 2 very dope hip-hop tracks from an mc who will make your list for must listen in 2009. Because I must say these days even downloading new rapper albums is getting pretty brutal. So its good for the hip-hop heads to hear a dude like this. His rhymes come out clear and precise with relateable content that is not overblown with ego. The production on Smoke and Mirrors hits you with an captivating beat that instantly touches on your soul with its brilliance. Featured on the Chemistry EP is RA Scion of Common Market, Geologic of Blue Scholars, One Be Lo and Tunji. The best news of all is that you can download the whole thing for free HERE. Grych also has a full album you can get on itunes HERE. For fans of Blue Scholars, Common Market, One Be Lo.


Grynch - Smoke And Mirrors Ft Geologic, Tunji Download!

Grynch - My Volvo Download!

Josh_Heinrichs-Things_Change-EP-2009
(Reggae/Roots/Acoustic/Soul)

Josh Heinrichs is the former lead singer of the recently disbanded JahRoots band and this is his first solo venture. In Josh's case change is a good thing as this EP really shows up the soulness of his music allowing the listener to chill out to the irie vibes that Josh's voice exudes. You can get this EP exclusively on ThePier right now just click HERE. Keep on the lookout for the 'Reggae Favorites' album that Josh is doing with Cas Haley. Peep some of the studio bedtrack/overdub video's HERE. Reggae Favorites is slated for a late summer release so check back for a review and more info later! Also you can download some unreleased tracks from Josh HERE. For fans of Elan, Martin Jondo, Natty.


Josh Heinrichs - Joy

Josh Heinrichs - Never Be

Cyne-Water_For_Mars-2009
(Hip-Hop)

We can finally order the stellar new CYNE album with its special North American release with 3 new tracks that are not featured on the Japan retail. Usually its the other way around, so take that Japan! The album is being released on the Hometapes label and they are offering a special deal giving you the album + a t-shirt + a sticker for 25 bucks (includes postage). And its to be noted that you will get a link to download the album for those that can't wait. I can't stress enough about the quality of this album so please support! Take a listen to my favorite track off the album. Click HERE to order! For fans of Panacea, Nujabes, Cunninlynguists.


Cyne - Pretty Apollo Download!

Three_Legged_Fox-Higher_Love_2.0-CDS-2009
(Reggae/Rock/Alternative)

3LF are back with a new song to sustain the momentum of their latest album "Not As Far". You can grab this digital only single via itunes HERE. For fans of Iration, SOJA, State Radio.


Three Legged Fox - Higher Love 2.0

Natty_Nation-Reincarnation-2008
(Reggae/Roots/Rock/Hip-Hop)

Natty Nation dropped a gem of a album back in 2008 that switches from roots/reggae to hard hitting hip-hop influenced tracks all throughout the album. Natty Nation currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin. You can grab this album HERE for 5 bucks! For fans of Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Stephen Marley.


Natty Nation - Reincarnation Download!

Natty Nation - Cease Fire Download!

Natty Nation - Hurt Me Download!

The_B_Foundation-Sovenirs_Novelties_And_Party_Tricks-2009
(Reggae/Rock)

Souvenirs, Novelties and Party Tricks is The B Foundation's highly anticipated 3rd album that will hit stores and digital outlets July 7th! The steady hype built up over this album was not exaggerated to say the least. From a fan of the reggae/rock scene I am very pleased with what I can say is B Foundation's best work to date! You can order a hard copy from CDbaby HERE and you can get this album via itunes HERE. For fans of Audiodub, Diego Roots, Tomorrow's Bad Seeds.


The B Foundation - Go Away Ft Josh Fischel, Dirty J

The B Foundation - Looking High

The B Foundation - Too Damn Tough Download!

Atmosphere-Leak_At_Will-2009
(Hip-Hop)

You gotta love a group like Atmosphere who just drop a free EP with no warning at all that is better than most MC's albums. The music has been flowing effortlessly from Ant and Slug and from a fans point of view, it couldn't get any better. To get yourself a copy of this EP just simply click HERE and the EP to your cart and checkout! For fans of Brother Ali, P.O.S, Heiruspecs.


Atmosphere - They Always Know Download!

Atmosphere - The Ropes Download!

Orange_Grove-Genuine_Origins-2007
(Reggae/Roots/Acoustic)

Orange Grove is an reggae/roots band that first started out in 2001 in Sint Maarten (West Indies) but now are based out of Holland. Members include Micheal Maidwell (vox), Roel Calister (drums), Touche' (bass), Danny Fuljhari (guitar) and Bruce Harms (guitar). Their music evokes positive vibes and carribean breezes. This is their debut album that you can get HERE and they just released the new album 'Fingerprint' that you can get HERE. Look for a review on Fingerprint soon! For fans of Toko Tasi, Micheal Franti & Spearhead, Natty.


Orange Grove - Young Girl Download!

Orange Grove - So Afraid Download!

Mojoe-Classic_Ghetto_Soul-2007
(Hip-Hop/Soul/Jazz)

Hailing from San Antonio is the duo of Easy Lee and Tre that form up Mo'Joe. According to their website they took 7 years to craft this album! This album oozes with soul, dope raps and great instrumentation that lays a backdrop for these guys to get their unique brand of music out to the masses. You can get the album HERE and be on the lookout for the new album. For fans of Nappy Roots, Strange Fruit Project, The Tones


Mo'Joe - Gold Tooth Diva Download!

Mo'Joe - True Jewels Download!

Nelly_Furtado-Manos_Al_Aire-CDS-2009
(Pop/Español)

This is Nelly's first single from her Spanish album Mi Plan that is due to hit stores Sept 29th. I have always been a fan of Nelly Furtado and I will be looking forward to this album even if is in Spanish. Hablo Espanol? For fans of Lily Allen, Ladyhawke, Barbie Hatch.


Nelly Furtado - Manos Al Aire Download!

Redrama-The_Getaway-2009
(Hip-Hop)

The Finnish MC Redrama is back with his follow up of Street Music after a 4 year hiatus. Everytime he drops an album it always catches me off guard so its always a pleasent surprise. On this new album you will hear more synthy beats, singy hooks and a tad bit of autotune. If you are familar with his past (really good) albums you can expect your expectations to be filled because this album will fit nicely with his previous work. Redrama also re-recorded 'Slow Down'. Get the album HERE. For fans of Looptroop Rockers, Conscious Youths, Paperboys.


Redrama - For A Day Download!

Redrama - The Getaway Download!

Redrama - Better Man Download!