Because Coachella is just about one month away, it’s about time that we start showing some love to the artists who are going to be making this year’s event something special. Fittingly, our good friends The Kickdrums have come through just in time with a special Coachella mixtape. With songs from artists who will be performing at this  year’s event such as Jay-Z, Wale, Passion Pit, and La Roux, as well as some original material from The Kickdrums themselves, you really can’t go wrong. A full tracklist is available at The Kickdrums website. Mixtapes for day two and day three are also on their way, so keep your ears open.

Download: The Kickdrums – Coachella: The Indio Sessions: Day One

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Once again Madness2012 is back at it, throwing some of the wildest hip-hop parties/concerts in all of New England. This time around, the Unit 11 stage introduced heads to many up-and-coming acts, both local and national. By the time I arrived, there was already a line out the door, and apparently people had to be turned away due to overcrowding (who says Boston doesn’t love hip-hop?).

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I’m a little bit late on posting this one, but we’ve got a real treat today from Uncommon Records. Agartha Audio is the moniker of left-field producer Dig Dug, who gives us the first leak of his newest album, The Hollow Earth. The album is a fascinating concept album centered around the reptilian agenda. For those not familiar with the reptilian agenda, read up or listen to this track and you’ll get a better idea of where this album is heading. Keep your ears open for more to come from this deliciously odd album soon.

Download: Agartha Audio – “The Butterfly Effect” feat. Cam

D’Angelo. Erykah Badu. Brown Sugar. Baduizm.

I know, I know. If you’re anything like me, you can probably feel your insides melting right about now, sending a euphoric wave of soul sweeping through your body all the way to your fingertips. After all, this is neo-soul at its finest. The impossibly smooth blend of jazz and soul. The kiss of hip-hop sensibilities that grace the raw – yet rich – production. These albums made even the hardest hip-hop heads drops their b-boy posturing, if only for a moment. These albums have also yet to be duplicated in terms of overall sound and composition.

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Album Review: The Last Electro-Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble – Miles Away (2010)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Potholes

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Album Review: Freeway & Jake One - The Stimulus Package (2010)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

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Freddie Joachim hit us with some superb free music on Thursday. The California-based DJ and producer goes to work on Dust, employing his usual range of genres with an emphasis on jazzy hip-hop. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll leave you with this: if you enjoy smooth instrumental hip-hop check out these five tracks and leave us your thoughts.

Download: Freddie Joachim – Dust

Album Review: José James – BlackMagic (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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Here’s a little something for all you lovebirds out there. Nefarious! took the time to rework Murs’ “Me And This Jawn.” As a classic song for couples (they met on Valentine’s Day!), Murs does a nice job of detailing his relationship in this song, in case you were not familiar. So take a break from the flowers and chocolates, and check out some fine music instead. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Download: Murs – “Me And This Jawn (Nefarious! Remix)”