Paper Plane Project

Paper Plane Project supporting DJ Premier on Australian Tour

2010-06-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Its not everyday you get an opportunity to support one of hip hop's most influential figures. DJ Premier, arguably the best hip hop producer of all time, will be performing a one off show at Shape Nightclub in East Perth this Friday 18 June. I am fortunate enough, along with Perth DJ / Producer Taku and DJ Headayke, to be supporting DJ Premier. Tickets are sold out with a few available on the door.

Bonobo does it again

2010-05-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

An album I cannot get enough of lately is Bonobo's latest record "Black Sands". A range of different sounds creating different moods, this is a must have for any record collection. Check the song Kiara from the album, its amazing.

Mixing At The Studio

2010-05-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick video from a mixing session I did in Sydney at a studio fitted with classic 70's vintage gear. In the background is a snippet of our new track featuring Aloe Blacc on vocals.

Paper Plane Project @ Funk Club (Soulaverse 3)

2010-05-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

Friday May 7, Nick from Paper Plane Project will be spinning beats at the third installment of Soulaverse, a night dedicated to the finest in groove based music. Also performing on the night will be Accumulated Gestures who will be releasing their EP "Get Together" as well as Shameem with a live band alongside Nat from the Typhoons performing with MC Rae. This should be a great night so get down to the Funk Club upstairs at the Leederville Hotel, Perth WA.

Paper Plane Project @ The Jazz Rooms

2010-04-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

If you're in Sydney, make sure you come down and check out Jazz Rooms, featuring Mason on the decks alongside Mark Pritchard, Russ Dewbury and Deep Street Soul. It's gonna be a killer night of funk, soul, hip hop and latin beats. If you're not familair with Jazz Rooms, it's considered the longest running club night in the world! Head over to www.jazzrooms.com.au to buy a ticket.

Really looking forward to this one.

RIP Guru

2010-04-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Just heard the sad news of Guru's passing. The influence that Gangstarr had on the hip hop community cannot be explained in words. RIP Guru.

I Learned The Hard Way

2010-04-19T05:30:00.000-07:00

Now THIS is a filmclip! The guys over at Daptone have always kept it true to the funk, and this clip oozes with that 70's flavor. A perfect video to a perfect song.

Rolling Stone + Paper Plane Project!

2010-04-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of Rolling Stone Australia has named Paper Plane Project as one of their 'artists to watch'! Buy the mag and receive a free download link to our new track called "Daybreak".

Hocus Pocus - Beautiful Losers

2010-04-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hocus Pocus "Beautiful losers" feat. Alice Russell
Uploaded by hocuspocus. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Hip Hop is not dead...it just moved to France! The filmclip for this new track, featuring the unmistakable sounds of Alice Russell, is nothing short of amazing.

Erykah Badu & Notorious B.I.G.

2010-04-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

Erykah Badu - Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)

Well not quite, but this new version is dope! I've been bumping this all day in the apartment. Looks like Erykah's new album is going to be a classic. One of those rare artists that just keeps growing and getting better with age. New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) is out now on Universal Motown.

Bonobo - The Keeper

2010-03-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

Bonobo - The Keeper featuring Andreya Triana from Ninja Tune on Vimeo.

Loving the new album 'Black Sands' by Ninja Tune artist Bonobo. Here's a wicked video for the track ' The Keeper' with smooth vocals from Andreya Triana, which is available on a 12".

Gangsta Luv (Mayer Hawthorne G-Mix)

2010-03-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

All I can say is...YES!!!

Yosaku - Rehashed

2010-03-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yosaku - Valdez

Just found this new album by California producer Yosaku, released on DJ Tonk's Milkdipper label in late 2009. I hope this gets some awareness outside of Japan, because this album is fresh! The beats are mostly edits of 70's brazilian samba/funk/soul tunes, and are perfect for a summer afternoon. The album is available now on CD and for digital download through itunes.

Rockafella

2010-03-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

My man Fella Vaughn just sent over this crazy beat tape of re-edits and instrumentals, in collaboration with Tobrock, based on samples from the funk, boogie and italo disco era. This album is just as much suited to a car stereo as it is to a banging club sound system!

Click the link below and download the whole thing for free.

Rockafella play at the next HiHat Club gig in Berlin, Germany on April 2nd.
Watch out for more stuff to come from these guys...

<a href="http://rockafella.bandcamp.com/track/breath-stop">Breath & Stop by R/O/C/K/A/F/E/L/L/A</a>

Daybreak

2010-03-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a demo of a new track by us called 'Daybreak'. An instrumental track that was made with the vision of relaxing on a tropical beach.

Hocus Pocus - 16 Pieces

2010-03-12T22:41:00.000-08:00

Both Nick and I agree that this is the most highly anticipated album we've come across in a long time. French hop hop/jazz/soul outfit 'Hocus Pocus' plan to release their new LP called '16 Pieces' very soon, and from what I've heard so far it looks to be incredible. Their sound is the perfect balance between laid back chords and knocking beats, and it doesn't bother me at all that 20Syl's rhymes are in French, because the music is just so melodic. I'm considering traveling to France just to see these guys perform live!!

Dam-Funk Advice @ RBMA

2010-03-10T00:23:00.000-08:00

This is probably the best advice i've heard from anyone in the music industry! Dam-Funk sets is straight for all those producers who make 'beats' instead of actual 'songs'.

Disco Brazil

2010-03-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

If you're in town, come check out 'Disco Brazil' Sat night the 6th March at deville's pad in Aberdeen st Perth. I'll be doing a 2hr DJ set of (mostly) vinyl Brazilian disco/groove. Entry is $10. More info at www.devillespad.com.

Expect to hear tracks like this...

Banda Black Rio - Zumbi

What You Want + Surf

2010-03-04T22:03:00.000-08:00

New song 'What You Want ft. Raashan Ahmad was recently used as the backdrop to a local junior surfing comp filmed at Trigg beach. Our music has always been made with the vision of playing it on a summer afternoon, and it's really cool to see it alongside images of Australian surf culture.

Go here to check it out: http://vimeo.com/9850340

Big ups to Daz from Spektrum for promoting our music to the surf community!

Julien Dyne

2010-02-23T22:48:00.000-08:00

Just stumbled upon this track by a new producer named Julien Dyne hailing from New Zealand. All I can say is WOW!!
This inspires me to go back to the studio and make more music.

Inside Vibe

2010-02-23T04:46:00.000-08:00

If you get the chance, check out Blair Stafford's awesome 'Inside Vibe' radio program, where he premiers a new track from us called 'Don't Hold Back'. His show is a mix of soulful, jazz filled underground beats and airs tuesday mornings on melbourne radio station PBS, but you can re-stream it here: http://www.straightup.com.au/page?n=1676

Tracklisting:
1. I.F.M. Yes We Are (Det-Riot Mix) [ Drumpoet Records ]
2. Marco Di Marco feat. Nathan Haines Brazilian Waltz [ Arision ]
3. The Souljazz Orchestra Lotus Flower [ Strut ]
4. Skeletons Gravel [ Tru Thoughts ]
5. Eru Dangerspiel The Hold Up [ Rhythm Method ]
6. Lewis McCallum Syntheology feat. Esther Stephens [ Rhythm Method ]
7. Lewis McCallum New Someone feat. Tama Waipara [ Rhythm Method ]
8. Erykah Badu Jump Up In The Air feat. Lil Wayne [ CDR ]
9. 3 Titans College [ Daptone Records ]
10. Paper Plane Project Don't Hold Back [ CDR ]
11. Gizelle Smith June (TM Juke Remix) [ Record Kicks ]
12. Freepoint Crew My Dedication [ Dopeness Group ]
13. Garrincha Chile [ Far Out Recordings ]
14. Garrincha Apito no Samba [ Far Out Recordings ]
15. Cobblestone Jazz Cromagnon Man [ !K7 ]
16. Georg Levin The Better Life [ BBE ]
17. Yolanda Afro Rat [ Amfibia ]
18. Kumar Acompananos [ Brownswood Recordings ]
19. Mayra Caridad Valdes Roforofo Fight [ Brownswood Recordings ]
20. Los Aldeanos Pasa El Borrador [ Brownswood Recordings ]
21. Antibalas Obanla'e [ Ropeadope ]
22. El Guincho Costa Paraiso [ Young Turks ]
23. Cobblestone Jazz Fiesta [ !K7]

3 Titans

2010-02-16T16:42:00.000-08:00

Daptone records have done it again! DOPE!

Aloe Blacc

2010-02-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

This track is a modern day classic. After seeing Aloe Blacc perform this song last year at the Lee Fields album launch in Brooklyn, i've been waiting patiently to hear it in its entirety. Then I just found out it has been used for the intro theme song for HBO's new series 'How To Make It In America'!

It feels good that people are finally recognizing Aloe's immense talent as a singer/songwriter/MC, and this track proves all that. Recorded at the Truth and Soul studios - a few blocks away from my old apartment in Williamsburg - it definitely has that 70's New York feel, but with a modern touch. Check it out below.

Pela Manha

2010-02-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

A long time between posts! In Tokyo at the moment soaking up the culture and of course diggin for some Japanese vinyl.
We've been busily working on a new album of songs and they are FINISHED! You can hear our new track with Raashan Ahmad called 'What You Want' on our myspace.
Here's a short video we did in Brasil for a new track called 'Pela Manha' - which in English roughly translates to 'in the morning'.
It features percussion done in Rio by Thiago Martins, son of legendary Azymuth drummer 'Mamao'. Also on the track are the lush harp sounds recorded live back in Perth, AUS by local jazz harpist Michelle Smith. Other instruments like horns and guitar were recorded in our apartment in Brooklyn.

Block Party - Rose Live Music

2009-06-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

I was coming home from work, and stumbled on this block party one street away from my place. DJ Concerned was playing an incredible set of classic soul and instrumental hip hop that created the perfect backdrop to the afternoon. Later on, a band named 'The Sweet Divines' - who backed Lee Fields a few months ago - played a set of original 60's inspired soul, complete with 4 back-up singers.

Here's a quick video that I thought captured the vibe of the afternoon. Man I love Brooklyn!

Brooklyn House Party

2009-05-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to a house party down the road from my place, put on by some of the guys from Truth & Soul records. I saw the flyer that said producer Damu The Fudgemunk and hip hop legend dj Rockin' Rob were playing live sets, and thought it sounded too good to be true.

For a suggested donation of $7, it was free drinks and bbq, with Damu banging on the MPC 2000 for over an hour!
Sunshine + dope beats + a relaxed small backyard vibe...does it get any better than that?!

Below are some photos and video footage of Damu playing his sample jazz records mixed with live MPC drumming, and dj Rockin' Rob flexing his famous 45 beat juggling skills...

Here's a new track by Damu, available for free download.

<a href="http://damuthefudgemunk.bandcamp.com/track/same-beat-damu-vocal-version">Same Beat (Damu Vocal Version) by Damu The Fudgemunk</a>

Dark Was The Night - Radio City NYC

2009-05-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

WHOA!!!!! Go Sharon...

Lee Fields Live In Brooklyn

2009-04-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I saw the incredible Mr. Lee Fields perform live at the Five Spot Soul Food Supper Club as part of the monthly 'Dig Deeper' series of performances. As you can see in the videos, his voice is one of a kind. Definitely one of the best concerts i've seen since i've been here.

Maybe So, Maybe No

2009-04-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

So far, the best song of 09.

Freddie Joachim Making A Beat

2009-04-01T17:43:00.000-07:00

Freddie Joachim making a beat from Freddie Joachim on Vimeo.

Chin Chin - Go There With You

2009-03-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

Chin Chin - "Go There With You" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Gimme Some More Radio - France

2009-03-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

The guys from 'Gimme Some More' Radio in France were kind enough to do a feature of our EP on their show. I wish I understood french...loving their taste in music!
Playlist and link to the podcast below.

http://www.prun.net/gimme-some-more/podcast-funk-18-02/

Playlist du 18/02/2009

PAPER PLANE PROJECT : sometimes
[12", 2008, cardboard city records]

PAPER PLANE PROJECT : the road
[12", 2008, cardboard city records]

UNA MAS TRIO : clear as water (hidden jazz quartett remix)
[12" "clear as water", 2009, agogo records]

SHAWN LEE & CLUTCHY HOPKINS : bill blows it
["clutch of the tiger", 2009, ubiquity]

SYLK 130 : gettin' into it
[12”, "gettin' into it", 1997, ovum recordings]

PAPER PLANE PROJECT : let it bang (feat Raashan Ahmad)
[12", 2008, cardboard city records]

KING CURTIS : ridin thumb
[“everybody’s talkin”, 1972, atlantic]

SOOPASOUL : hustlin'
[7", 2009, jalapeno records]

KARL HECTOR & THE MALCOUNS : j.b. rip
[7", 2008, now again records]

JIMI TENOR & KABU KABU : me I say yes
["4th dimension", 2009, sahko recordings]

Suite For Ma Dukes

2009-02-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

WOW!

?uestlove interview

2009-02-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

I got to check out this interview with ?uesto last night, where he spoke on his childhood, the formation of the roots, and of course Dilla. Best $15 i've ever spent!

Lucinda Slim & The Lone Stars

2009-02-08T04:32:00.000-08:00

This song is pure gold. Produced by Krewcial and velvet vocals from Lucinda Slim. More Melting Pot goodness. 7" available from 20 February.

Raashan Ahmad - Give Thanks

2009-02-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

New vid from Raashan off his solo record 'The Push'

Morning Noon & Night

2009-02-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

Just picked this record up for $2 from the 'Brooklyn Junk' store down the road. I know that Alchemist sampled the start, but had never heard the whole thing. What a crazy song!

Donuts Are Forever

2009-02-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

Right around the corner from my place...I could not be more excited!

Pete Rock

2009-01-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

Shouts to Nick for telling me about these video sessions. Crazy.

Emskee

2009-01-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

I hit the studio a few days ago with NY native 'Emskee', most know as the mc for a group called the 'Good People'. We met a while ago after seeing him DJ at the local bar, Black Betty's down the street from my apartment in Brooklyn. After realizing our similar tastes in music, it seemed only natural to start making music together.

For a quick intro, check the video below for 'These Times' that he recorded as the 'Good People' back in 07.

Pete Philly & Perquisite

2009-01-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

I know it's an old track, but these guys were way ahead of their time. How many hip hop producers do you know that can play the cello?! They have a wicked new album called 'Mystery Repeats', which seems to be doing really well in Europe, judging from their packed live shows.

Nujabes

2009-01-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

reflection eternal

Seeing this video makes me feel good about music again. It's so simple and it acts like a soundtrack to thoughts. It seems like all Japanese beat-makers have an impeccable taste for jazzy instrumental hip hop.

The Rare Radio Show

2008-12-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the pleasure of coming into the studio and checking out the live sets played on WBAI 99.5fm's Rare Radio Show. It was 10 hours of soulful dance music, hosted by G-man and Jay Smooth. These guys have been spinning rare disco/boogie/funk beats on the show since 1999, and are real serious about records. Here are a couple of photos:

Dj Emskee

Dj Monk One (Waxpoetics)

To top the night off, on the way home I stumbled across this act playing at Union Square station. From deep disco records at the radio, to the muppets doing their rendition of 'Sexyback' on a train platform. Only in NYC...

Assembly Line EP Launch

2008-12-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Just found this footage from the Assembly Line EP launch party and it looked like an awesome night. From what I have heard of the EP so far it sounds incredible. Man I wish I was there to see the show, but i'm happy there's some footage. Make sure you grab a copy of the wax via their myspace. Cardboard City Records bringing the freshest beats around!

Doesn't look like i'm leaving the apartment today...heavy snow storm in NY.

Merry Xmas From Chin Chin

2008-12-14T16:34:00.000-08:00

A very chin chin christmas

I came across Brooklyn band 'Chin Chin' a few months ago on the net, and went to see them play live at the Studio at Webster Hall. Their live show is full of energy, and unlike many bands they sound just as good on stage as they do on their recordings.
I met their trombone player after the show waiting for a subway on the L line, and he came around later that week and did some recording over a song I'm working on. I'm really happy with how it came out, and his playing fit perfectly to the track.
I would describe their sound as similar to the Dap-Kings, but with more of a late 70's modern soul/boogie feel.

They're offering a free download of some of their new songs as a 'christmas gift', and you can download them here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/joi7ki

Here's a preview of one of their new ones:

Chin Chin - Go There With You

Johnson & Jonson

2008-12-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

Blu rhyming over straight loops = dope!

Johnson & Jonson - Wow

Johnson & Jonson - Long Time Gone

Q-Tip

2008-12-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

MTV Shows

I know it's been out for a while now, but I can't stop listening to the new Q-tip album titled 'The Renaissance'. He really ticked all the boxes on this one, making it sounding new and contemporary but still maintaining that jazz/funk element that dates back to tribe's first album. For any old-school rapper wanting to know how to stay relevant in today's age, this is the best example out there.
The formula is simple: vintage keys with electric guitar and live bass playing. Definitely one of my top 5 albums of 08.

Above is some footage of him in Big City Records, where they have the best $1 bins in NYC! I doubt he ever goes record shopping nowadays though.

I wanted to post a song but I couldn't choose one - they're all good!

Brazilian Tribute

2008-12-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

I found out about this event the day before in the Village Voice, and so glad I stumbled upon it. The title of the show was Red Hot + Rio 2, and it was an all-star tribute to 70's brazilian funk music, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For $25 I had the worst seat in the house way up the back, but that didn't matter because the energy of the performers radiated throughout the whole Opera House. Bebel Gilberto, Jose Gonzalez, Otto, Joao Parahyba (Brazilintime DVD), Money Mark & Mario Coldato Jr. (worked with Beastie Boys), Curumin (Quannum Records) and so many more performed a crazy 2 hour live set that summed up why I love Brazilian music. They played tribute to legends such as Tim Maia and Jorge Ben Jor by doing covers, backed by some crazy drum and rhythm sections. I filmed some of it but then unfortunately lost my camera later that night.

I've never seen blow-up beach balls being kicked around a dancing crowd in an Opera House before!

Here is a well-known song they covered, which is one of my favourites of the genre:

Jorge Ben Jor - Take It Easy My Brother Charlie

Nice N Smooth

2008-11-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

Notice how everyone in the crowd is feeling the music so much...wish it was the same energy nowadays!

Goto www.themeaningofdope.com for more hip hop video nostalgia.

Alice Smith

2008-11-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

Alice Smith - Dream

It's so good to see live music while sitting a few feet away at a table, rather than standing squashed between drunk people in a big crowd like most gigs I go to. This more relaxed setting catered perfect to Alice Smith, who performed an acoustic set at the Blue Note Jazz Bar in the West Village last night. Her refreshingly unique singing style is what makes Alice so intriguing. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it's almost as if she sounds 'lazy' when blending notes and words together. Whatever it is, it works.

Up Yo Spine Remix

2008-11-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick little remix I did of 'Up Yo Spine', taken from the new album 'Fun DMC' by People Under The Stairs.

Stones Throw CMJ Party 08

2008-11-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

When it was announced that this Stones Throw party was going to be free, I couldn't believe it. I actually went to the venue, which was a tiny bar in the lowest east side, an hour early to be safe. It turned out to be one of the best parties i've ever been to. Highlights were new Stones Throw artist Mayer Hawthorne's set, James Pants on the drum machine, and Madlib's unconventional yet effective CD-R scratching and mixing.

The Get Down Mellow Sound

2008-11-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

I've been getting into late 70's & early 80's boogie/disco more and more lately, and this 45 is one of my favorites. A short-lived group from NY, The Players Association formed in 1976 and disbanded in 81'. Not a rare record, this track comes off their 'We Got The Groove' LP.

The combination of a funky bassline, simple rhodes-like jazzy keys and basic guitar strumming is a winning formula.

Leroy Williams - God's Children

2008-11-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

I found this 7" after two solid days of digging at the WFMU Record Fair in NY. Out of all the 45's I bought, this one stands out as the perfect summertime-vibe instrumental. It brings to mind images of kids playing on the street with broken fire hydrants and big skipping ropes. Mid 70's soul bliss.

Raashan Ahmad - Peace

2008-11-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

New video with some crazy graphics from the song 'Peace' off his new solo album. I met with Raashan at the Crown City Rockers gig not long ago in Brooklyn. Hopefully another collab might happen in the future...

Stakes Is High

2008-11-16T13:23:00.000-08:00

A nice instrumental take on the Dilla-produced classic by French beatmaker Dela.

The Foreign Exchange

2008-11-16T12:49:00.001-08:00

2008-11-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

I saw The Foreign Exchange live last night at NYC's Highland Ballroom, and it was one of the most incredible shows i've been to. They recreated both albums with a live band - with producer Nicolay and insanely dope keyboard player Zo! both getting busy on the keys. Phonte is a hilarious dude, and his charisma kept everyone smiling during his comic interludes between songs. There aren't many other mc's out there that can go between straight rapping and singing church choir-type high notes in the same song. Their new album has been on repeat in my headphones for weeks. This is my favorite one off the album

Welcome

2008-11-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

Hell, everyone else has one so why not us?! The purpose of this blog is simple: we want to share independent music/culture that we find inspirational.