When you think of Maine, you think of forests… you think of lakes… you think of beaches… you think of the Atlantic… you think of lobstah… you think of “vacationland”. You probably don’t think of its music scene. Our musical exports to the rest of the country and the world are few and far between. Perhaps because of that… or in spite of it… the scene is quite diverse… country, folk, hip-hop, jazz, punk, rock, metal… you name it… someone’s creating it.

This new release by Portland’s own Flex Vector is a tour de force of Breakbeat, Drum N Bass, Hip-Hop, Dubstep, IDM, Glitch and Ambient sounds that collide, merge and meld into a big and sometimes thunderous treat for the ears. That’s right… ELECTRONIC’s made here. Time to download and listen.

Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it!

Download your free copy of “Spellbound”.

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder/Curator blocSonic.com

Are you ready to rock? I hope you are because today I’m excited to release the powerful debut EP, “Gryaznyj albom”/“The Dirty Album”, by the Russian band Vpopolam. They call their sound “anti-glamorous chanson-core”, a blend of funk, rock & grooves. At times the sound is reminiscent of Red Hot Chili Peppers and at other times, the sound’s hard to pin down. There’s one thing about it that’s very easy to pin down… these guys know how to make absolutely infectious music. I forewarn you, get ready to add “Gryaznyj albom” to heavy rotation!

With this release, I’m fulfilling one of the goals that I set for blocSonic when I first committed to releasing original music. I never envisioned blocSonic as only a "hip-hop" label or even a strictly English language label; I’ve long wanted to release music of many genres regardless of where the artists hale from and what language they perform in. I feel that the American mainstream goes out of its way to restrict the majority of it’s music to English language acts which helps mold American mainstream music listeners into a rather narrow-minded audience. While listeners in the rest of the world somehow manage to enjoy music with lyrics they don’t understand, Americans continue to live in their bubble, only listening to Jay-Z, Rihanna, Coldplay and whatever other English act is being spoon-fed to them. At least that’s the way it’s long been and how it would continue if the mainstream music industry had its way. Though, the internet exists and some of us are adventurous listeners and we explore. Good music is good music, regardless of where it was created. If you’re visiting blocSonic to listen to new music, then I know you are an adventurous listener. Go ahead, download now. Thanks again for listening.

Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it!

Download your free copy of “Gryaznyj albom”.

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder/Curator blocSonic.com

Back in ‘99-2000, I began frequenting Public Enemy’s Enemyboard, a forum that PE fans have long hit to shoot the breeze about anything under the sun… whether it be the latest Public Enemy release, the current political climate or merely to flame each other about how wack their musical tastes are (I kid). It’s a diverse group of people with strong opinions and one in which its members have formed strong bonds. It was on that same forum that I connected with Chuck D and subsequently began designing for his label SLAMjamz and Public Enemy. Also on that forum is where a group of guys came to know each other and eventually form the world’s first virtual rap squad… The Impossebulls (If you want to join the conversation, the Enemyboard discussions have moved to Facebook). Among the group’s members are long time friends Tirade and Public Enemy producer/Film Maker C-Doc (The Warhammer), who make up the core of LOWdown. Also in that group you’ll find DJ President Ike, whose turntable wizardry you’ll find laced throughout dumpTRUCK and Marcus J Gilligan, who makes a resonating appearance on “Ten Years Coming (Ninety-Four Drums of Death)”.

Over the years, as I’ve built blocSonic, the two worlds haven’t crossed much. I haven’t promoted blocSonic all that much over at the Enemyboard and the Enemyboard hasn’t entered into the equation at blocSonic. I was lucky enough to get Chuck D to make an appearance on Just Plain Ant’s album “Rumble, Young Man, Rumble” and ILLUS (also an Enemyboard alumnus) has been featured on a couple netBlocs, though that’s been it… until 2011 when C-Doc expressed interest in releasing music here! He first made an appearance on Garmisch’ “The EPs XE”, with his “No Shine Remixx” of their track “Glimmer”. Now that connection grows with this XE re-release of LOWdown’s “dumpTRUCK EP”.

LOWdown is unapologetically early 90s boom bap Hip-Hop, through and through. LOWdown is THUMPIN’ beats, it’s EMCEEING, it’s humor, it’s big THUMPIN’ beats… oh wait, did I already say that? This Xtended Edition contains the complete original EP along with a host of bonus gems from the LOWdown archives!

Join me in welcoming Tirade, C-Doc, DJ President Ike and Marcus J to the blocSonic fam! STACHPYLE!

Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it!

Download your free copy of “dumpTRUCK XE”.

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder/Curator blocSonic.com

I hope you enjoyed Tab’s “AfterThought” which we dropped last week. If that and the first single weren’t enough for you we’ve got another single for you containing an additional 4 bonus joints from the Vo0Do0 Child Studios archives. One of the most talented artists in hip-hop… underground, independent or otherwise and he’s releasing the music for free. All you have to do is download, listen and spread the word. Do so, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you again for not sleeping. Remember… everything we release is cool to share! Always keep the music moving… share it… blog it… podcast it! If you’re in radio… support independent music and broadcast it!

Download your free copy of “American Dream”.

Peace
Mike Gregoire
Founder/Curator blocSonic.com