DJ K.O. & the Elementality family return with the 4th installment in a year long series of EP’s that will be released on a monthly basis. Living Out A State of Mind Vol. 4 finds the usual suspects on the mic with production predominantly handled by Analogic this go round. Vol. 4 also introduces SeeMore, a production duo from the UK and the newest members of the Elementality family, with a select mix from their production catalog. Back on November 10, 2009, DJ K.O. embarked on a year long campaign to release 12 EP’s in 12 months. Living Out A State of Mind Vol. 4 is certain to pick up right where Vol. 1 through 3 left off. If you happened to miss any of the LOASOM releases, please feel free to head on over to Elementality Productions right now to check it out. Can’t forget to shout out the homie Objektiv One on the artwork.

Download: DJ K.O. Living Out A State Of Mind Vol. 4

Album Review: José James – BlackMagic (2010)

Rating: 4 out of 5 Potholes

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Album Review: The Caesarz – All Hail (2010)

Rating: 4 out of 5 Potholes

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Album Review: Various Artists – Delusional Records 7-inch (2010)

Rating: 3 out of 5 Potholes

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Album Review: Dex – Delux Music EP (2010)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

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Black Spade is back with a new joint. “New U” is produced by the always funky J*Davey. The homie Kenny posted this earlier today on his twitter. I’m always happy to hear some new Black Spade. I still go back and listen to To Serve With Love LP from time to time. Please give it a spin and let us know what you think.

Download: Black Spade – “New U” prod. J*Davey [Right Click Save-As]

In anticipation of their upcoming 4th album together in 5 years, Murs & 9th Wonder decided to give the fans a freebie that won’t be on Fornever dropping March 30th. Every time I hear Murs & 9th wonder I feel like right back in that Justus League era circa (2002-2006). Creatively these two always bring it. Really looking forward to the new LP, enjoy! [via Nahright]

Download: Murs – “3:16 Pt. 2″ prod. 9th Wonder [Right Click Save-As]

Look, I’m not much of a dancer. Unless I’ve had a shitload of alcohol and good (great, really) hip-hop is playing, I’m usually just talking nonsense at parties or bars. But there is just something about Pretty Lights’ music that makes me want to get all sweaty with a crowd of goofballs. It’s more than just the thumping beats and ridiculous bass. It’s his intricate blending of samples from every genre imaginable that really does it for me. And I’m not talking the kind of shit Girl Talk does, because, quite frankly, I can’t stand his stuff. This just resonates with me more than most dance-oriented music. Anyway, take a listen to “I Can See It In Your Face”, the first leak off Making Up A Changing Mind, which will be the first in a trio of EPs from Pretty Lights in 2010.

Download: Pretty Lights – “I Can See It In Your Face” [Right Click Save-As]

I have to admit, I’m loving this new breed of producers utilizing the crunchy grooves of Dilla to make some of the most spaced-out, hazy beats on this side of the galaxy. The latest producer to enter this foray is BUG, who offers up his double-single of “Cosmic Lab” and “20 Winks” for free. You have to download the tracks through his Bandcamp, but you can stream them below to get a feel before you decide to take up some hard-drive space. I can’t wait to hear what’s to come from BUG and hopefully we get some more sooner rather than later.

Joey Beats has been one of my favorite producers ever since I first heard his music many moons ago. Like many other local acts, I hit him up to take part in the Ocean State Sampler, which he obviously agreed to do. And lately he’s been hard at work with Blak, also known as Blak Lungz, on a follow-up to their debut EP, Strategery, which dropped in June 2007. Hell, they even shot a video for one of the tracks you can preview here, “I Want Free”, that features a cameo from yours truly. Yeah, yeah, I’m shameless. Anyway, be sure to check out these three streaming cuts from this duo’s upcoming full-length that should (hopefully) drop this year. *crosses fingers*. Looks like you can stream parts of the whole damn record at the Joey Beats and Blak site. YES.