January 2010: More Winter Warmth
DJ Ian Head

As the year turns over, I figured I'd start things off with a little mix from the past - a blend of beats and underground joints, plus some extra flavor near the end. In December 2007, I made a mix called "Winter December Warmth," which is still one of my favorite monthly mixes I've done. (Update: Apologies to DJ Center, my former roommate, who made the original "Winter Warmth" mix. I made a similar mix called "December Warmth.") I thought I'd continue that vibe a little bit this year, with something I made even earlier (2006) but in a similar vein. Cuz it's cold out there, as we manuever into a whole new decade, dealin with the economy, health care, the "justice" system and all kinds of ways society is pullin us apart while the weather makes us hide under blankets. So this is a chill little mix to just vibe out to, hand wash some dishes in hot water, and zone out to the kick drum.

Keep tuning in this year, I got some surprises, bonus mixes and special heat I've dug up recently to drop in the coming months. For now, here's the tracklisting for the January mix:

Me and my dude Chris Lark are back with our little wrap-up lists for 2009. My lists are first, then his below. Check it!

Hip-hop Albums:

Mos Def “Ecstatic” LP

Malcolm X quotes, a vintage verse from Slick Rick, old school b-boy adlibs (“Fresh!”), parts Afrobeat, parts electronic, and songs without hooks or structures fitting the radio airplay mold – this is one of my favorite albums in recent years. What I love here is that there's literally no “rules” to this album, Mos just flows off a wild assortment of beats (some classics from the Stones Throw camp) with songs that can last under two minutes, or twice that. It's pure newness and creativity, something missing from not just hip-hop but a lot of veteran artists, in my opinion, who are too scared – or just don't want to – take risks. Great cover art too.

The Physics “High Society” EP

More Seattle multimedia - peep my dude Khingz video for his title track off the Cloud City EP. Don't sleep.

Diggin this new video by Macklemore, talkin bout Seattle hip-hop. While I grew up in a different scene three hours south, there was still a strong link between the cities of the Roses and Emeralds. Classic Seattle groups from the 90s like Source of Labor and Black Anger used to roll down for shows - in fact, I bought my first 12inch off Jonathan of SoL back in '95. And now in '09 I feel like I know half the heads in their scene, which is just keeps bubblin. Love seein the homies Khazm, Rahwa and Hollis here, as well as many others. You just get a sense from the song and the video of how deep and historic the Seattle scene is and continues to be, and how other parts of the globe need to stop fronting and check for these folks.

DJ Center ft. Oddisee - "Leave the City Outside" 

Recently I've been working hard to help my dude Center get his music out there. The upcoming album "Everything in Time" is gonna be a classic - beautiful tracks, blending samples and live musicians, and featuring a great group of soulful voices. Oddisee is the one emcee featured on the release, and he really killed this cut. It's been cool to see it come together though - I have about 10 different versions of the song, slowly building as Center wrapped and textured and mixed it into what it is now.

I did the cover art - shot that picture of the city a couple weeks ago at sunset after a nice digging trip in Brooklyn. There'll be more dope music and art soon as well. Keep checking for DJ Center at http://pushthefader.com.

As we finish up 2009, I wanted to run through the free releases from Everydaybeats over the past year in case anyone missed something.

• Styles You Can't Afford LP - Dollabin
• How to be a Villain EP - Khingz & DJ Ian Head
• Gone (single) - DJ Ian Head & Peach Howard
• Vagrant Story LP - Omega Jackson
• Rockin' It (single) - Dollabin
• July 4th EP - DJ Ian Head

Don't slip and forget about Cleveland. Things are definitely happening. Here's an ill project my dude hipped me too, "Big Brother Almightee" by San Goodee, along with the Muamin folks, who always keep it extra raw and creative. Real dope little project, only $5 at bandcamp and worth the price. Make sure to keep hitting clevelandtapes.com for the fresh flavors.

A nice summer video for the winter, Damu on the jazzy beats, with a short appearance from an infamous DITC member at the end. Shout out to Jnota for sliding me that Y Society wax - essential. Please support these cats, doing it original and humble.