S-Master of Disaster (aka Majic Sean) and James Esco are collaborators in hip-hop from Portland, Oregon. Their free and legal online release is titled Masters of Faser Fu and is the type of witty and creative rapping I’ve come to expect from the Random Flow net label. The topics are numerous and varied including, in their own words, “environmental issues, war and smoking big fat ones while playing high end video games.” The rhythms are crisp and the rhymes keep your attention even when talking about…God help us…”Puppies run over by Humvees”. This is an entertaining album of indie hip-hop.

The album is available in formats of MP3 or Ogg Vorbis.

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Metawon’s brand of instrumental hip-hop reminds me a bit of those great soundtracks from classic Blaxploitations films like Shaft and Foxy Brown. The free online Electric Dyslexic from new and promising Neferiu netlabel has that same urbane gritty feel. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the samples came from similar 70s soundtracks. However there is a definite turn to the 21th century with its hip-hop beats and deft sampling. The first track “Unite Them” grabbed me with the soulful vocal sample and soaring guitar while “Metasoul” blends pulsing percussion with teasing rap refrains. Throughout the 31 tracks Metawon creatively combines samples and beats to make each tune an unique musical environment. My only gripe is that the tracks are too short, usually under 2 minutes, As soon as I start to get into the groove the plot changes. Standout tracks include “Tear Shit Up”, “Psalm 23″, and a dreamy “The Ecstacy”. This album get a major fist bump from me…or is that a “terrorist fist jab”? Fox News gets me so confused sometimes…

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

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D3Zs is a group of hip-hop artists from Canada and Japan. Having met at a show in Kyoto, the artists worked on a number of projects, one being this free online album released by the exciting new hip-hop net label, Random Flow.

Doin’ The Raps (part 1) is a bit of a revelation. The beats are complex but riveting. The rap is just as enthralling. I especially like the Japanese rapping by Highsnow. I have no idea what he is saying but I love the way he says it. Canadian rapper Cheese is also quite capable at delivering the words along with the beat. I especially like the manic “Checked” and the more grooving “Childhood Memories”. In a slower vein, check out “Crazy From The Head” and “Imagination”. My favorite track is “The Nightflies” which combines sharp rapping with a acid jazz environment. This is hip-hop that is fresh and way above the unimaginative noise that passes for rap on commercial radio.

The album is available in either MP3 or Ogg Vorbis format.

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One of my favorite record labels is Anti. The label has an impeccable ability to pick high quality artists, new and old, and place them in the perfect environment. Anti has released a new Spring, 2008 sampler of their current stable of artists and it is a doozy.

Some of my favorite musicians are on this album and, in the meticulous Anti fashion, the tracks are not fillers or throws-aways but some of the best examples of the musicians’ artistry. The album starts with “Before The Money Came” a exhilarating auto-biographical song by hard-luck soul singer Bettye LaVette backed by Drive-By Truckers. It is followed by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds in a rude and wonderful “DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!”. Michael Franti & Spearhead’s socially conscious reggae rock is always a delight to listen to. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s Oscar winning “Falling Slowly” is peformed beautifully by Hansard’s band, The Frames. The mesmerizing Lyrics Born is his usual funky self on “I Like it, I Love it” and The Weakerthans give faltering Indie Rock new life in “Night Windows”.

Those are the artists I am familiar with but there are a number of fresh new voices in this collection. Galactic and Cadence Weapon play top-notch hip-hop. There’s plenty of nice singer-songwriter tracks by Billy Bragg, Joe Henry and Bob Mould. Ersi Arvizu makes some nice latin sounds. The tracks by Islands, Man Man, and DeVotchKa (who sounds like the reincarnation of It’s a Beautiful Day) don’t grab me like the others but they are certainly worth a listen. This is one of the better record label freebies you’re going to find.

The album is available in a full album zip of 128kbps MP3. I’m not sure if this will be permanently hosted so you should get it while you can, If you find an artist you like, and you will, support the artist by buying their CDs.

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Pretty much everyone is aware of Radiohead’s In Rainbows and the ground-breaking pay-what-you-want marketing ploy. You probably also know that In Rainbow is now available on CD. I waited to buy the CD and my humble opinion is that the album is Radiohead’s best since OK Computer

Oakland DJ Amplive has produced a tribute to this album in the form of hip hop remixes. He enlisted the help of a number of exceptional musicians including Del The Funkee Homosapien, Too $hort, and Chali 2na of Jurassic 5. At first the powers-that-be (I’m hoping it wasn’t Radiohead but maybe I’m just naive) attempted to stop the release but now all parties involved are allowing the free distribution of this very interesting online album.

The album, titled Rainy Dayz Remixes, is “composed exclusively of source material pulled from In Rainbows“. It’s a mixed bag but the best tracks are those complimented by the guest rappers or vocalists. After a amateurish intro, “Video Tapes” gets things rolling with a great performance by Del. “Nudez”, featuring Too Short and MC Zumbi, is a nice atmospheric track with the two guest artists rapping over Thom Yorke vocal samples. “15 Stepz”, featuring Codany Holiday, is a soulful outing while “Reckonerz” with Charli2na has some of the best added lyrics of the collection. The other tracks do not fare as well but “All I Need” is somewhat interesting. Overall, this is an impressive tribute set recommended to Radiohead fans and people who appreciate exceptional hip hop productions.

Rainy Dayz Remixes is available in 192kbps MP3. If you like the music, support the artists…Amplive and the guest artists, that is. Radiohead is rich enough!

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Minneapolis hip hop artists Atmosphere have released a free on-line album titled Strictly Leakage. I have not listened to any of Atmosphere’s other CDs but some have told me this release is a bit different. The most prominent thing I noticed about Strictly Leakage is that it is more than good hip hop, it’s downright funky which is a emotion that is conspicuously absent in a lot of today’s rap music. The opening track “YGM” has a James Brown funk thing going and that retro 60s soul influence pretty much remains throughout the entire session. I can see Mr. Brown dancing in his grave during “Get it To Get Her”. Add Slug’s original and usually outrageous lyrics and you have a first rate party album. I also like “That Not Beef, That’s Pork”, “Little Math You” and Slug’s ode to junk food and pharmaceuticals “The Things That Hate Us”. But if you want a certified adrenaline rush, you have to hear the super cool “Road To Riches”. Atmosphere has a good chance to be one of the handful of rap groups I listen to on a regular basis.

Strictly Leakage is available in 192kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music, support the artists by buying their CDs. I plan to buy one or two.

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If Beltaine’s Fire is not the only Celtic hip hop group on the planet, I am sure it is a very short list. Their first album titled Weapon of The Future is available on Jamendo and it is a very entertaining mix of musical genres that, considering that both have a socio-political history, may have more in common than most people realize.

Rapper/lyricist Lynx is the primary voice behind Beltaine’s Fire. He is a veteran rapper whose beats and words effortlessly float over the music with clockwork precision. Yet the twist is that the branished “weapons” are traditional Celtic instruments such as clawhammer banjo, cello, and mandolin. The ever present rhythm is managed by bass and drums in a style that is respectable of both hip hop and Celtic music. The fourteen tracks are, in most cases, foot tapping revolutionary message songs. It is a strange but successful combination of the social anger of Rage Against The Machine and the traditional style of the Irish rebel band Wolfe Tones. Another comparison would be to the equally socially conscious Michael Franti who also turns to world music as his base. Beltaine’s Fire’s revolutionary zeal can be found on most tracks but best heard on songs like “Home”, “Thrive”, and the lively opening track “Carpe Diem” which is embellished by the mellow voice of bassist Laura. I also like it when the group slows down like on “A Month of Storms” and the moving “Be Myself”. I hear a little beat poetry seeping in on numbers like “A Months of Storms” which makes me wonder if there is a Celtic Tom Waits in Lynx as well. Immensely listenable and always thought provoking, Weapon of The Future is highly recommended.

The album is available in VBR MP3. If you enjoy the music, support the artists by buying the CD.

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Ghostown is a Anglo-French hip-hop project headed by rapper/lyricist/keyboardist Rael. It is a hip hop style that borrows strongly from both trip hop and euro electro-pop. Rael’s influences include such diverse artists as Brian Eno, Talking Heads, and Tom Waits. His songs exhibit these influences in their almost anti-pop stance. This is music on the artist’s own terms complete with dark moods and rough beats.

Phantomatics (V1.02) is the best of his two good online albums, both available on Jamendo. Rael’s rapping is tight throughout, easily inviting comparison to the work of Tricky. Electronics are always accenting the words and beat, never drowning it out. One of Ghostown’s signature sounds is the use of gypsy music and traditional instruments that can be heard on “Traditionz”, “Red Dog” and “Moy Moy Moy”. The song “Big Moustache” shows off a little of that Tom Waits influence. Perhaps the best track is “Johnny Marr”. Rael states Phantomaticsis not “a real album” but a taste of what is to come. If this is so, we are in for a treat when the “real album” is released.

“Johnny Marr” also shows up on Culture Vulture but the rest of the songs are different. While not as tight and focused as Phantomatics, it is still a good album with some nice surprises. Standout tracks include the moody “Raingods” and “Pecking Your Eyes” which recalls the past Bowie/Eno collaborations. But my favorite is the closing track, “Wild is the Wind” an imaginative, if loose, cover of Nina Simone’s beautiful song which was also covered by David Bowie.

Both albums are available in VBR MP3.

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Phantomatics(V1.02)
Culture Vulture

Earlier in the year I featured the first volume of a continuing series from the BlocSonic blog called NetBloc. Its purpose is to present on a regular basis a showcase of music from netlabels and independent artists. Since then there have been 10 volumes, all of high quality with a well written booklet of liner notes. It is fitting that I would feature the latest of this series at the end of this year if only to remind you that if you haven’t been regularly checking these volumes out, you are missing a awfully large amount of great music.

netBloc Volume 10: Postmodernism is dead. Postmillennialism killed it… sorry Andy :( may be the best of the lot. As usual, it is an eclectic blend of mainly hip-hop, electronica, and indie pop served by an international cast. Ghostown starts the album with a very tasty rap offering. More hip hop is imported from Spain by El Klan Delos Dedete. Singer-Songwriter DavidBowman offers a classy hybrid of folk and electro-pop. If I had to pick a favorite I would go with the great techno-pop track “Munchen” by Garmish Partenkirchen. The best music to get totally lost in is the dreamy and jazzy “Valletta 1:27 a.m.” by The Incognito Traveller. Joijoijoi is minimalist pop while Shorthand Phonetic is Emo like you won’t believe. Most regulars of Free Album Galore will already know the joys of My First Trumpet and Surbuhar (You’re welcome, Mike!). As mentioned before, if you are missing out on this series you are missing some of the best of independent and netlabel music.

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You will probably find something you like on the online album No Flu Do Mundo by the Brazilian music artist Flu. Want a samba? You’ll find more than one. Like rock guitar? It’s there. Hip-hop? Try the title track. There a little psychedelica and jazz. In fact, it’s hard to pinpoint what style this eclectic artist is working in. What can be agreed on is that this is very likable music with a lot of wit and style. Each listening brings out something you missed before. It’s fun, snappy, but more complex than it sounds. In other words…it’s good.

No Flu do Mundo is available from the Bump Foot netlabel as separate files or album zip in 192kbps MP3.

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Prince Ali is an Indian rapper from Toronto, Canada. His music and rapping tends to be of an autobiographical nature.Surrounding the smooth down-tempo beat is a poetic litany of longing, anger, and urban angst. His EP I Miss 1994 is a nice online listening experience from a genre that has few free and legal album offerings on the internet. Thanks to Prince Ali for putting his music and emotions on the line.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3.

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Steve bc’s two free online albums are a curious mixture of techno beats, industrial electronics and hip-hop. It is somewhat dark but loaded with clever rapping and dry wit.

Minihurdles is a somewhat uneven 15 tracks but when the wit and music comes together, Steve nails it. “Something Rumbles” and “Metal Man HB”are two of the tracks that shows him at his best. His vocalizations are mindful of MC 900 Ft. Jesus (especially on “Smooth”) and Tim Fite. Unrelenting beats and quick rapping makes this album a fun listen.

The Kind Killer is an album of hip hop / industrial instrumentals. While I prefer Minihurdles, this collection of sounds has its moments too. I find “Rubber Ducky” especially clever. The album ends with an atypically mellow track “Ask Me” giving the listener a chance to ease out of all the infectious beats.

Both albums are available in 128kbps MP3. If you enjoy the music support the artist by buying his CDs.

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Minihurdles
The Kind Killer

If I understand the mysterious liner notes correctly, Fleur Earth, & Forsch is one woman with three distinct voices. Instead of letting this information send confusing visions to my head, I would rather concentrate on the music. This is Euro hip-hop with a lipstick coated bite, a refreshing feminine addition to a music that is overly dominated by male testosterone. While I do not understand German, the mood and attitude comes across distinctly. Favorite tracks include “Was Will Ich”, “Schicksalskreis”, and a sweet soul “Schone Zeit”. Part salute, part satire and a lot of fun, the Zirkular EP is a worthy addition to the European hip-hop scene.

The album is available in 192kbps MP3 from the Ideology netlabel.

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I love The Beastie Boys. Not just because they play great music but also because they always seem to have respect for their fans and a real understanding in how those fans desire to celebrate and participate in their music.

The Beastie Boys have provided a collection of accapella tracks on their website for the sole purpose of allowing others to distribute and remix to their heart’s content. This has spawned a slew of remixes from all over the globe. Some of the best are made by Leo Nevilo and have been collected in a free Creative Common licensed album titled Beastie Boys Revisited.

The ten tracks are classic Beastie Boy vocals and Nevilo’s accompaniments keeps them rocking. Nevilo’s manipulations are supportive and do not intrude unnecessarily on the vocals. If anything, the remixes add a little industrial touch to the hip-hop and rock. These remixes should thrill the Beastie Boys fans and others will like them just because they are so damn good!

The tracks are available as separate tracks or album zip. The file format is MP3 (64kbps, 192kbps, or VBR) or Ogg Vorbis.

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Tim Fite’s Over The Counter Culture is so far the best free online album of the year. It’s a brash, rude social protest album that slaps you in the face but wins you over with its wit, infectious beats and perverse charm. Fite skewers pretty much everything but concentratea on the ravages of consumerism whether it’s associated with prescribed addictions (the title track), war (”Camoflage”) or hip-hop culture itself (”I’ve Been Shot”). Fite’s vocals rarely go beyond snarling and droning but his lyrics bear the power and precision of a sniper. Other favorite tracks include the consumer’s anthem “It’s Allright” and “Soup of the Day”, a liturgy of brand names carrying the same form of irony you find in Warhol’s Campbell Soup can paintings. Any album that moves my feet, makes me laugh, and forces me to think all at the same time is going to be a winner in my book!

The album is available in 160kbps MP3.

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Logenplatz im Pantheon is an interesting excursion into European hip hop. It is an engrossing style that, due to its foreign languages, is totally ignored in the English speaking markets. The trio called Raflesia consists of DJ Freezen, Amigo, and Cachefa who mix and rap quality hip hop as good as anything you may hear on the commercial radio stations. This is best described as being of the “Old School”, harking back to the sounds of the 80s and 90s. It is irrevelant on whether you understand the words. The attitude is real and the beat is unfaltering. The must-listen track is easily “Nada P. Flojos”, a relentless barrage of verse and turntables.

The album is available in a zip of 192kbps MP3.

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The Rhode Island rapper Sun Zoo checks in with his second online album titled Can’t See The Forest. Like his first effort, it’s an engaging blend of beat and verse. Sun Zoo’s lyrics are poetic sagas about reality, a little pessimistic but not without hope. The title track is a good example of his ability to mix social comment into his own personal dramas. If anyone tells you hip hop is simplistic, direct them to the heady “Aldous Huxley”. “Jane’s Story” paints a devastating portrait of the ravages of Alzheimer’s. The hard driving “Pirate” is a right-on indictment of both the major music corporations and the listening public that doesn’t support independent music. In fact, this second album has a stronger social consciousness without losing the steady beats and mellow melodies that makes it so enjoyable. Other favorite tracks of mine include “Victims”, “Not For Sale”, and a nice hip hop instrumental called “Do You Mean It”. The last track “Peace” brings it all together in a longing for meaning in tribulation with wistful lyrics like “Think of trees, Can I be where the leaves go?” I don’t know why big record labels aren’t breaking down Sun Zoo’s doors. But for now we can be grateful that he is telling us as he sees it with these honest and riveting indie hip hop gems.

The album is available as separate tracks or full album zip in 320kbps MP3.

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Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth is an exercise in hip-hop far away from the ego-tripping and boasting so prevalent in most commercial rap. Free Speech and Ro Blvd. does not shy away from frank talk and political messages. Between the poetry of Free Speech and Ro Blvd’s studio manipulations, they not only send a message but creates an entertaining example of conceptual hip-hop.

From the track info, this appears to be more of a various artists’ collection than a single artist album. Other artists that are involved include Plat, Stereo Type, and Lupe Fiasco. All benefit from Ro Blvd’s chilled vibes and Free Speech lays down some of the more verbally crowded rhymes in hip hop. Urban, smooth, and relevant, this is a good indie hip hop effort

The album is available in a full album zip of 192kbps MP3.

Download: Click on “Download”.

My recent complaint on the lack of good free and legal hip-hop brought responses from the readers of this humble blog. A couple of readers recommended Hope Flies from Providence rapper Sun Zoo and it truly is a find.

Hope Flies is a fine album of serious indie hip-hop. Sun Zoo has a gift with lyrics and a straight ahead method of delivery over the well placed samples and down-tempo beat. He is not afraid to tackle serious issues such as addiction (”Escaping”) and the insincerity of the media (”Get Free”). Other tracks like “November Alone” and “The Sip” reveals his personal struggles with a sincerity that goes way beyond the ego tripping of most commerical rap. One of my favorites is “Take A Rest ” in which Sun Zoo urges us to reconsider our workaholic culture over the strains of a Steve Miller riff. Hope Flies is competitive with, or even better than, a lot of the hip-hop you hear on the major labels.

The album is available as separate tracks in 192kbps MP3.

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The netlabel Protest Records has been around for a while and fairly well publicized. In the current global environment it has become appropriate to take a look at it again.

As its statement says, Protest Records “”exists for musicians, poets and artists to express LOVE + LIBERTY in the face of greed, sexism, racism, hate-crime and war”. The stances taken are best expressed as liberal, against the current American administrative, and in some cases, radical or anarchic.You don’t have to agree with their political viewpoints in order to appreciate the both the courage and the artistry of the musical statements by these diverse and talented musicians.

There are five albums available. The site states ten but volumes 6-10 are either incomplete or non-existant. As would be expected. it is a mixed bag. Some tracks really makes you take notice while others are as effective as hanging chads. Of course, I’m going to concentrate on the good stuff. There are a number of known names involved, including The Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, DJ Spooky, and Cat Power. While their contributions are worthy of their status it is the lesser known musicians that appears to take bigger risks. on the first volume, Steven Taylor parodies the Iraq War in the style of 60s folksingers. Avant-garde guitarist Eugene Chadbourne offered a witty departure from his usual thing on “New New New War War War”. The second volume starts with a poignant “Pictures of Adolf” by Jim O’Rourke and Glenn Kotche. It was recorded in 1971 but fits well into our current era. ” Soylent Gringo’s “Let’s Start a War” is one of my favorite tracks and is as clever as the band’s name. MC Frontalot offers just one of many good hip-hop numbers on the series. With a total of 50 tracks, it is probably best to let you find your own favorite but I sure there will be something for everyone.

The five albums are available as separate tracks in MP3 at varying bitrates.

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The web site Culturalliure has two very different online albums available for free downloading. Both albums showcase Catalan artists. The first album focuses on popular music of the region (not folk or traditional), while the second album is devoted to jazz.

The first album, Musica Lliure, includes 19 tracks with a wide ranges of genres from rock to popular regional to hip-hop. Of the rock tracks, Answer and Revolta 21 are punk influenced bands. At Versaris”s “Hem de Millorar” is a very nice rap number and there is a funky remix from Lamundial.net. I also like the electronic dance track by Guillamani. However, the popular music with Catalan influences is what held my attention. My favorites include tasty tunes by Cheb Balowski, Conxita, Plouen Claximbes, and Safanoria. There should be something for everyone on this pleasant compilation.

Musica Lliure II changes tactics altogether. This is a compilation of Catalan jazz artists. It is mainly instrumental and is loaded with great jazz grooves including neo-bop, smooth, and acid. Elisabeth Raspal gets the ball rolling with a mellow neo-bop piece titled “Oasi”. The acid-jazz styled “Kadar” by EIP! is funkier while In-Fusion is steeped in more urbanized smooth jazz. Joan Diaz’s cool soprano saxophone playing on “Embranco” could teach Kenny G a few things about jazz. La Orquestra de la Muerta is the wildest cut on the album with its bow to Fela Kuti. This is an excellent compilation that will be prized by any jazz fan.

It should be mentioned that both albums have a ringer. Gilberto Gil has a “Bonus Track” on both compilations. I’m not sure about the logic of this but any tracks by the great Brazilian songwriter and musician is cause for celebration.

Both albums are in VBR MP3.

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Musica Lliure
Musica Lliure II

K-Oscillate is a five person electronic band out of Melbourne, Australia. Calling them a electronic band is a little bit of a misnomer. Their music has elements of hip-hop, jazz, reggae, and rock. They put it all together with dynamic vocals and an infectious beat

Their EP is titled Life Cycles and is over 20 minutes of high energy fun. Three of the four tracks are studio productions. “Home” is my favorite. It mixes a nice reggae influenced vocal with breakbeat drums and a chilled out keyboard. The Last track, “Titanium” proves K-Oscillate can keep the action going in a live setting.

The EP is available in 192kbps. You will also find some other free sample tracks available from their full album. (Hint: “Clear Lights” is smokin’!) If you like the EP, support the artists and buy their new album.

No longer available

In case you’ve been in a coma for the last year, Danger Doom is a collaboration between DJ Danger Mouse and Rapper MF Doom. Between The Mouse’s work with The Gorillaz and Doom’s own hectic schedule they managed to release last years’ The Mouse and The Mask, receiving critical acclaim as the best hip-hop album for 2005.

Danger Doom follows it up with a free (!!!) EP from Adult Swim web site. Available “until they make us take it down”, it continues their vision of a cartoonish apocalypse. The 20 minutes EP is a combination of remixes of the first album’s tracks and original material. This is fresh music with excellent rapping from MF Doom. The man in the mask has plenty of room for his talent on tracks like “El Chupa Nibre Remix” and “Sofa King Remix”. The mouse’s catchy sampling is best heard in “Corn Dogz” and the hilarious “Skit 2″. If you into hip-hop, The music of Danger Doom is essential. If you believe you don’t like hip-hop, this little EP may change your mind.

The album is available in a album zip or separate track as 128kbps MP3s. If you enjoy the music, support the artists by buying their CDs.

No longer available

Since I’ve taken over Free Albums Galore in January, I’ve probably featured more albums from WM Recordings than any other netlabel. No, I’m not on the payroll! It’s just that their policy of presenting a wide variety of music and artists pays off with some of the best freely available music on the web.

Their new compilation, which is a joint effort with Rallehound Records, bares this out. We’re Not In It For The Money offers artists from both labels ranging from electronic dance to folk-pop renderings to ambient soundscapes. Three musicans (Sid Peacock, Phil Reavis, and Century of Aeroplanes) have had albums featured on this site and their offerings on this collection are excellent examples of their work. The other artists contributed tracks that range from “huh?” to “wow!”.

Of my favorite tracks, CobSon has a odd quirky voice that barely breathes out her intimate lyrics over a folksy guitar. “Leren Lopen” by DIT is what might happen if Clannad and The Residents ever met in an opium den. Of the electronic tracks, Anton Oosterwijk fares well with a mellow but upbeat dance number while Lee Rosevere”s “Red Smoke” emits hypnotic wave after wave of ambient goodness. For those who like their electronica on the hip-hop side, NAMAVAN serves it up Russian style. “De Reis” by Troy is a beautiful tune remniscent of modern chamber sounds a la Wydham Hill. The album ends with a whistling “huh?” but by then you will have heard enough good music that you won’t mind it.

All tracks are available in VBR MP3. If you like an artist, support them by either downloading their free online albums at WM Recordings or by purchasing their music at Rallehound Records. Heck! Do both!

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I’m a little late in finding a best of 2005 compilation, but better late than miss dinner altogether…or something like that. The electronic music blog Knobtweaker has put together a fine collection of free electronic and indie pop tracks off of netlabels throughout the web. There are 36 tracks in all, more than enough to sate that hunger for the hippest bleeps and blips.

Knobtweaker managed to find some pretty tasty tracks. Most of the artists are obscure. Of the 36, I’ve only heard of DJ Spooky and Imogen Heap. I don’t expect any one to like everything here. I didn’t. But there is a lot to get excited over. Most of this music is quite poppish and would fit comfortably on top 40 radio or MTV. No, actually most of it is better than what passes as popular music now.

How can I possibly mention some of the songs I like in this small space without doing a diservice to others? I can’t, so here a few highlights anyways. The trip-hop styled Bliss is enchanting with “Rain Slows The Time” followed by Ainestead and Kilowatts’ equally trippy “Ideal Chameleon”. DJ Spooky and Saul Williams contributes a powerful rap track that reminds us that social activism through music is not dead. Listening to Cause and Effect’s “Into The Light” is like reliving 80s Disco without polyester. Transient’s “Direct” has a simple melody made interesting by a gamelan influenced electronic backing. Japanese Seizure Robots’ “Alone in a Crowded Room” is the most ambient track of the bunch and arguably the most beautiful composition in this compilation. Almost as accomplished is Pelp’s rhythmically mesmerizing mini-epic, “Snow”. Reggae and hip-hop is nicely resonated in “Clear Light” by K-oscillate who wins my “I-want-to-hear-more” award. Throttler pushes a few envelopes with an industrial track titled “Obey” while The Marbles “Out of Zone” is charming malt-shop indie pop Weezer style.

Aside from serving up a lot of nice music, this compilation is a good answer to those who say netlabels do not produce music that can be competitive with corporate music companies. Check it out then go support the artist and netlabels you like by buying their CDs. Take that, RIAA!

The music files are in MP3s from VBR 192kbps and up. You can download track by track or go for the full album Zip.

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