LORD IN A BOX...

Kid Robot and Stones Throw team up to deliver the new Quasimoto toy. Lord Quas stands 8-inches tall and comes equipped with his trademark brick and cigarette.

Available in two colors (yellow & blue), Quas will be released on February 19th. Pre-order yours now at the Stones Throw online store.

UPGRADE U...

It's official. My wallet game has reached a new level thanks to this fine piece of craftsmanship from CdG.

R.I.P. CHARLIE COOPER (TELEFON TEL AVIV)

Sad news: Charlie Cooper, one half of Telefon Tel Aviv, has passed away at the young age of 31, a mere four days prior to the release of TTA's latest album Immolate Yourself. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. I've posted one of my favorite TTA tracks below in remembrance. Rest in peace.

PENNIES...

CHI-town duo The Cool Kids redefine "make it rain" in their new video for "Pennies", the first single from their forthcoming When Fish Ride Bicycles LP. Check it.

IMMOLATE YOURSELF...

The flood of new releases continues. Nearly 5 years removed from their previous release, Telefon Tel Aviv FINALLY delivers their new album this week entitled Immolate Yourself, their first on Ellen Alien's BPitch Control.



The new album has sparked a bit of controversy with longtime TTA fans as it marks a departure from their signature glitchy sound showcased on albums such as Fahrenheit Fair Enough. Despite this, Immolate retains the ambient electronic soulfulness that has served as the foundation of all of their releases. Listen below and decide for yourself.

LOUIS VUITTON SNEAKERS BY YEEZY...

Here's the shoe that's blowing up the internet right now. It's the LV sneaker designed by KanYe West. Inspired by the film Dune, the shoe features an oversized heal collar that Yeezy claims is perfect for tucking jeans into. Available at LV stores in June. Start saving up!

THE RE-ROUTE...

Rounding out the new releases for this week is The Re-Route from Panacea, the long awaited remix album to 2K7's slept on The Scenic Route.



Remix duties are handled by a slew of hot producers including Dj Spinna, Nicolay, Dj Nu-Mark, Joe Beats, Cool Calm Pete, Damu the Fudgemunk, and more. Check out Nicolay's version of "Pops Said" below. It just might be on par with the original (which is dope).

OF CITIES...

This week also marks the return of Dj Signify who delivers Of Cities, his first album in nearly 4 years. For the unfamiliar, Signify specializes in moody instrumental hip-hop backdrops in the vein of El-Producto and Blockhead. Grab a nice set of headphones and zone out to this one.

RADIO...

Also out this week is Radio from LA based beatmaker Exile. I've been giving this dude a lot of love in these virtual pages over the past couple of weeks and it's well deserved.



What Exile has accomplished with Radio is truly impressive. Rather than build a record from sampled vinyl Exile decided to produce the ENTIRE album using samples culled from over-the-air radio broadcasts (hence the title). The result is a mash of (mostly) instrumental beats that would make Dj Shadow proud. Get to know this one, it's the hotness.

ABUNDANCE...

As I mentioned in a previous post, January is typically pretty slow for new music. Well, not this year. Several very exciting new records hit the shelves this week including Abundance, the new album from PPP {Platinum Pied Pipers}.



For those just catching up, PPP is production duo Waajeed & Saadiq alongside a crew of vocal collaborators including Coultrain, Karma Stewart, Jamila Raegan, & Neco Redd.

Their music is firmly rooted in R&B but not the kind you hear on your FM radio dial. They make meticulously crafted, energetic soul music that bounces between genres from track to track. Bottom line, they make music with substance that is fun to listen to. What more can you ask for?

MANWOMANBOOGIE...

New video from The Abstract {Q-Tip}, this is "Manwomanboogie" featuring Amanda Diva from one of last year's finest releases, The Renaissance. Directed once again by the prolific Rik Cordero.

PIANO LESSONS...

Brand new video from singer/songwriter Colin Munroe. This is "Piano Lessons" featuring Joell Ortiz with production from Black Milk. The video splices footage of kids during piano lessons with Colin singing and reading children's books. Cool concept.

WERE ALL IN POWER...

SoCal resident and beat maker extraordinaire, Exile, directs his first ever video for "Were All In Power" from the forthcoming Radio. The video is a stop-motion affair that tells the story of spiteful speakers who team up with a used TV set to get revenge on Exile for blowing their cones. It's nutty.

$FREE.99: ABUNDANCE OFFICIAL MIXTAPE

Waajeed, Saadiq and the rest of the PPP (Platinum Pied Pipers) clan are set deliver their sophomore release, Abundance, on January 20th via Ubiquity Records.



As a preview of the new record, Waajeed has put together a FREE mixtape that contains a slew of exclusive remixes from Triple P, blends from Dj Topspin, and unreleased material. Click here to download the mixtape.

Be sure to go out and cop Abundance when it drops next week. It has the potential to be one the years best.

BEYOND 2MORROW...

Jneiro Jarel is back as Dr. Who Dat? and he's ready to take us on another beat journey with his new record entitled Beyond 2morrow on Lex Records.



This is the first release of 2009 that I'm really excited about. JJ set aside the blunted beats and jazzy loops that dominated his last Who Dat? record replacing them with spacey backdrops and crunchy percussion. Fans of Dilla and Flying Lotus take notice.

LOVE LOCKDOWN (FLYING LOTUS REMIX)...

Electronic beat sensation Flying Lotus gives the remix treatment to Yeezy's "Love Lockdown". Check it.

DREAM STREETS...

AML vet Buff1 speaks on the issue of homelessness in America in "Dream Streets". Taken from last year's underrated There's Only One.

HORSE...

This one is a little old by now, but it gives you another look at the forthcoming Air Yeezy's.

POOPSICLE...

The OriginalFake team delivers a new poo inspired toy called The Warm Regards Bar. Love the name. Haha.

STAY TUNED (STAY HERE)...

The first quarter of the year is notoriously slow for new music, but Jan/Feb of 2009 has some quality releases scheduled. Among those is Radio, the new record from MPC wizard Exile (of Blu & Exile fame). The album won't land until January 20th but here's a little taste that hit the web a few weeks back. This is "Stay Tuned (Stay Here)" featuring Muhsinah.