It’s been a little while since we’ve provided you weblanders with some televisual delights. So, I thought I’d rectify that by bringing you a few bits of footage that have been doing the rounds at Blunt HQ that we think are worth a watch….

So, put your feet up, get a drink, light up and enjoy.

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This week saw the debut release of the new hiphop production DVD magazine Behind Closed Doors (BCD). It’s a collaboration between a good friend of the Blunt Beats crew, AB0181 (AKA Prolifik) and West Midlands producer/MC, Kosyne.

Taking you behind the scenes of some of Britain’s underground hiphop producers; each volume brings you exclusive interviews and features from some of the most talented beat makers and producers in the country. The trailer below gives you a little taster of what to expect…

When the dust had settled, and the guys had caught up on some sleep, we grabbed Andy B to find out more about the magazine and what’s gone into this volume and the bonus beat CD that’s bundled with it.

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Unlike the 3rd in line to the British throne (left), we here at Blunt Beats pride ourselves on our good taste. Especially in our music. Before we even get to our radio shows, or gigs, or whatever, we’re always on the lookout for artists, labels, and radio shows that give us quality output.

So, we thought it’d be a good idea to give you an insight into what we’re listening to, and to show some appreciation to the crews that we’re liking, and give them a bit of support. Spread the love, so to speak. (Unlike Mr Harry Windsor)

In order to do this, we’re launching a new themed radio show entitled “Taste“, whereby we’ll introduce you to some on-point podcasts, radio shows, and DJ mixes. Essentailly, stuff that we’re liking, and is shaking the floorboards at Blunt HQ. The first episode will be introduced by our own Agent M, and will include music from Focuz, Baron Sound, Bastard Jazz Radio, Riot Control, and Mixtapeshow.net. Expect to be introduced to some fresh styles, in this case encompassing hip hop, funk, soul and reggae, from US and European providers.

Blunt Beats Radio presents Taste, with Agent M, live from 8pm UK time, Wednesday 4th February. www.bluntbeats.com/radio

Well…we’ve finally staggered into 2009 here at Blunt HQ (Alka-Seltzer at the ready!), and what better way to start off the new year than by hooking you up with some top tunes?

Our Brooklyn based friend Burt Fox has been busy with the wax once more, and has just released the latest episode of his Riot Control podcast. For those who don’t know, simply, get to know! We’ve been following this crews work for a couple of years now, and it just keeps getting better.

This mix includes tunes by John Holt, Flying Lotus, Eazy E, and Hudson Mohawke, all blended together in a typical Riot Control fashion. We love it.

Get on the download and grab this. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Get it here.

As I’m a nice chap (sometimes), I thought I’d give you lucky people a quick heads-up on a tune (and a record label) that I’ve just stumbled across.

The track is called “Commercialism“, by German producer Misanthrop, and is on Berlin-based Equinox Records. Personally, I think it’s a quality release. Something a bit different, that you just cant help to bounce your head to. Big, bass-heavy, dubstep-influenced hip hop beats, I’d kind of describe it as. A “top quality tune“, is probably a more useful summary! (I was never famous for my descriptive talents) I’ll be sure to be playing this.

From taking a quick look at some of the other releases on Equinox, it looks like the quality control is working well. Equinox is certainly one to check out.

As I say, I’ve only just come across both this artist and label, but I will investigate both further on behalf of you, the Blunt Public. I’ll keep you posted with some more music and details in the near future.

For now, listen to Commercialism here. Nice.

Here’s your chance to get in on the ground floor with a quality new radio show…
Super-slick Brooklyn based record label Bastard Jazz have just launched their brand new internet radio show. Now, I’ve only recently hooked up with these guys, but expect to hear a lot more about them here on Bluntbeats in the next little while. They produce, play, and release top-notch material, of that there is no doubt. Be sure to check out what they are up to. And, as I say, you’ll be hearing more about them soon here on Bluntbeats in the not-too-distant future. We’re liking their work, and think you will too.

Anyway, the radio show has just gone live, with two episodes now under it’s belt. Bastard Jazz founder DJ DRM is joined by labelmates Sema4, and Paul Digs, to bring you a quality selection of beats from across the genres, each and every fortnight.

“Expect the unexpected…expect the eclectic“. Their words, not mine, though I agree. You’ve just got to check the tracklisting for the first two shows to see music from Edit, The Fatback Band, Flying Lotus and Red Snapper all in the mix (to name but a few)

You can get straight to the shows and the tracklistings here.

This is one that’s gonna run and run. Catch up quick, and get some good music courtesy of the Bastard Jazz crew!

Hip Hop…it’s a funny old concept…Something that started life 30 years ago in New York’s South Bronx is now by far one of the most common (and most commercially successful) music genres worldwide.

It’s also one of the vaguest.

In everyday speak, the term “hip hop” is used to describe everything from the most underground Wu-Tang freestyle, to the latest nondescript, instantly forgettable release from this weeks favourite label-hyped, money-led, soulful boy band. “Hip hop” is everywhere. You can buy a hip hop CD in Tesco’s these days, for God’s sake! (I wouldn’t bother though, if I were you). But, those with any knowledge of the subject would argue this isn’t the real deal, not by a long way.

Digging a little further, hip hop is a lot of things to a lot of people. More specifically here in the UK, it’s often thought of as some sort of “American import“, that’s all about guns, ho’s, and drive-by shootings. Doesn’t sit well with your cup o’ tea and bacon sandwich during Countdown, does it?

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The power of t’interweb, eh? – Every now and then, some stranger drops you a line, and it turns out not to be a Nigerian money scam, but something worth reading. It doesn’t happen all that often, but every now and again it does, and thats a good thing. Otherwise we’d turn into a bunch of technology-hating cynics (I’m nearly there on that one, personally!)

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a chap called General Fuzz, who writes tunes, and is based in the U.S. He figured we might like some of his stuff, so dropped us a line here at Blunt HQ.

He was right.
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We’re always up for new music here at Blunt HQ so long as it’s good, and, if it’s put together by one of our own, then we know it’s gonna be good.

So. No problems there, then. Which leads me nicely on to the point of this post.

What I’m talking about is the Focuz series of podcasts, put together by our own Blunt resident beatmeister, Doug. Essentially, Doug has lauched a regular series of podcasts, taking in music from across the board, in his own unique style, reflecting his personal musical influences and taste. Continue reading…

A quick eye-candy post today. I received a YouTube subscription update from our good buddy ab0181 (who loyal readers will know as DJ Prolifik) and peeped this stop-motion clip as the latest vid to hit his channel.

There will be more to come from ab0181 in the near future, as we intend to pin him down for an interview about his filmmaking hijinks, but until then check out more from his YouTube channel.