We featured Leeds UK via Toronto producer Bwana and his stunning mix for Arthur Beatrice just a few days ago. We’ve still got that on some serious rotation. Today, Mad Decent dropped Bwana’s latest the Erykah Badu-sampling “Can’t You Just”. Yes! Featuring a sharp kinetic glide and some really nicely layered synth flourishes, “Can’t You Just” is another winner from the Canadian. Ride out to this one.
Bwana 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Georgia rapper I-20 rounds up a pair of big name features in Ludacris and Twista for new track “Little Boy”. The star here is most definitely the beat and its southern soul/spiritual sample. That said, the verses aren’t bad as a whole and do get better as the song progresses; I-20 is OK, Luda is adequate, and Twista just wrecks it. There’s something about Twista’s rapid-fire flow and the laidback buttery beat that really works. On repeat.
I-20 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Tom Croose (not to be confused with Com Truise or Tom Cruise) is an LA based producer and a fave around b3sci. Here Mr. Croose hooks up with the Sandro Perri song “Love & Light” for a stunning, consciousness-bending, transportive edit. The mix is immediate and visceral but also sounds exotic & undiscovered too; the best sort of blend for music in this style. Make sure you check this one out.
Tom Croose 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Adam Smith, a 21-year old UK-based producer, releases his debut full length Islands. The entire 8-track release is great (we’ve had it on rotation at b3sci HQ much of the day) but our pick from the mix is the beautifully kinetic, neatly atmosphered title track. Listen.
Adam Smith 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
You won’t ever see b3sci riding in a limousine. “Limousine” is the first single of Harlem rapper Ro Ransom’s upcoming Ransomnia project. This is some serious heat right here. Brandun DeShay’s beat is one of the freshest we’ve heard yet in 2012. The rhymes are 100% on point. We’re stoked for Ransomnia.
Ro Ransom 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
IKONS rep 2012 Gothenburg, Sweden (along with bands like Little Dragon & Ace of Base & Volvo) but sound like something straight out 1991 Manchester. These Swedes would fit easily on a big Brit festival from that era with bands like The Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets & (yes) The Stone Roses. If you’re into any of those bands, British rock, 90’s rock, good songwriting, guitar music, anything like that you’ll want to give IKONS a spin. Get started with the track and vid for “Sister” below.
IKONS 
(Myspace)
Rating 8.1
330. Stalley gets a run on the R&B tip on latest track “Home to You”. Featuring the soulful tones of NY crooner Anthony Flammia, it’s a bit of a different look for the MMG lil’ bro than we’ve heard thusfar but we’re digging it. Wale’s also on the spaced out track turning in what amounts to a relatively forgettable feature; he does however make hip hop’s (probably) first Samardo Samuels reference. Samardo, you made it.
Stalley 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
By Bruce Rave
One of my top SXSW live discoveries was Gold Fields from near Melbourne, Australia. They are tight, energetic and danceable, with 2 sick percussionists. “Moves” is perfectly titled. It has a retro bottom-end topped with a modern vibe. I played this song on my show last Friday, and it got a super reaction.
Gold Fields 
(Facebook)
Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
Yeah like we could resist this one. UK producer Burns knocks this new “Primadonna” out the park and then some. Burns dials up some space/garage type tones in the mix but buoys it nicely with some good punch. You will like it. We promise.
Marina and the Diamonds (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Miguel dropped tonight the second volume in his Art Dealer Chic EP series (which has thusfar been his outlet for a more indie R&B-leaning sound. THE WEEKND.). That trend continues with the slightly more uneven Vol. 2. The definite clear standout among the EP’s three song is the pulsing lead track “Arch N Point”; which despite being more than a bit reminiscent of “Sure Thing” (like a spookier sounding “Sure Thing”), does still stand relatively well on its own and should keep you interested.
Miguel (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
MMG soldier Meek Mill lets loose “I’m Rollin'” the latest from the Philly rapper forthcoming Dreamchasers 2 mixtape. Produced by “Rack City” beatsmith DJ Mustard, “I’m Rollin'” isn’t “House Party” but it’s still no doubt solid enough to get some run on hip hop radio. Listen.
Meek Mill 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Ty Segall grabs fellow Californians White Fence for new collaborative album Hair (due Apr. 24). The cool garage & organ tune “I Am Not a Game”, the project’s first single, is nice (albeit small) change of pace for Ty’s sound, popping it up a bit and beefing it up. (eg. the aformentioned organ and bigger guitars) Look for a full tour from these weirdos all throughout the month of May, starting 5/2 in SF.
Ty Segall (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
