AFI - All Hallow's EP (1999)

I have to give this CD a spin every October 31st. Happy Halloween!

Dert Floyd - The West Side of the Moon (2008)

This digital only concept album uses samples taken from the vastness that is Pink Floyd. It's interesting to hear how he chops everything to bits, then drops huge beats on top, making it difficult to actually tell what song the cut came from. I believe this man is a true player in the future of hip-hop.

d/l

More full albums from Dert here and here.

Kid Loco - Jesus Life for Children Under 12 Inches (1999)

We're going back ten years now but it's hard to tell by listening. Kid Loco was an innovator in the early trip-hop days, strange considering his background playing punk rock. This is his own remixes of the '97 US debut A Grand Love Story. It's so dreamy.

kidloco

Boozoo Bajou - Dust My Broom (2005)

Boozoo Bajou is one of those artists I start playing and let it play on from album to album. Their music is, in one word, comforting. The scene here is a swamp, so the atmosphere is muggy and thick bass lines hang low in the air.

boozoobajou

Tosca - Suzuki (2000)

The clouds are beginning to move in, the temperature is dropping, and the rain falls throughout the night. Moving into darker territory with Tosca's most popular album. Usually I would post something a little less known, but it's too good to pass up. We have a classic here.

J.Viewz - Muse Breaks (2005)

Floating vocals and spacious auras carried by solid bass grooves and an arsenal of rhythms. It's rambunctious at times...but chill...

Nicolay - City Lights Volume 1.5 (2005)

I remembering hearing The Foreign Exchange for the first time and wondering where those tight beats were coming from. Tracks like "Raw Life" had me hooked. The answer is Nicolay from The Netherlands. Over the last few years he has taken the sound you have here and expanded it into new dimensions and genres, but it started with this.

Waxolutionists - We Paint Colors (2009)

This is a trio of producers out of Austria creating some of the freshest hip-hop I've heard this year. It's an eclectic selection of tracks that don't rely on convention. Feels like an extended summer, so vibe out.

Michna - Magic Monday (2008)

Adrian Michna, co-founder of the Secret Frequency Crew. This is his only full length solo release to date. It's a sweet blend of glitchy electronics with a smattering of acoustic trombone, proving to be a satisfying listen every time.

Blueprint - Sign Language (2009)

I am familiar with Blueprint from his MC duties as half of Soul Position, but I didn't know what to expect from his production. Well, expectations blown. It's deep, dirty, and warm, and you have no choice but to let it surround you.

Pete Rock - The Surviving Elements (2005)

Pete Rock is the definition! This album showcases how real his tracks are all by themselves. Too often his laid back vibe is disturbed by an up-front vocal track and it can't hypnotize you like when it's just him and the MPC.

Metaform - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (2008)

When I first got this album, I had to listen to it over and over just to catch all the little snippets of intrigue that are contained within the short songs. It doesn't give the feeling of flow so much as each track is a trip of it's own.

Nightmares On Wax - In A Space Outta Sound (2006)

As the longest serving artist on the Warp Records roster, this man has been releasing his own brand of chillout music for two decades. This album touches on a variety of styles and is a definite solid listen from start to finish.

Mr. Cooper - Amongst Strangers (2005)

This is the first full length outing by Brighton, England producer Mr. Cooper. A very solemn collection of beats with sharp drums splitting through hazy backgrounds. Save for a rainy night.

Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema (2008)

These guys seem to be getting plenty of respect in the hip-hop world, likely because of their diversity and depth as producers. Some of their latest material could be considered pop, but they've done tracks for even the grimiest of rappers. These aren't just instrumentals, they're compositions.

Jaga Jazzist - A Livingroom Hush (2002)

Yes, another Ninja Tune classic. This is a jazz supergroup from Norway that is comprised of up to 10 multi-instrumentalists. They were recently in Chicago recording a new album, so look out for that.

Skalpel - Skalpel (2004)

Skalpel is a production duo from Poland that creates a variable landscape of sound using classic jazz samples exclusive to their home country. This album drifts from full to sparse and straightforward to quirky but always remains engaging.

DJ Cam Quartet - Saint Germain des Prés Café 9 (2007)

It has been an amazing summer so far I have to say, so here's some chill summer tunes. This is off the ninth edition of a nu-jazz compilation released regularly in France. The second disc of this set is 10 songs from DJ Cam with a nice jazz influence. Enjoy the sunshine.

Bonobo - One Offs...Remixes & B-Sides (2002)

This is a b-sides album where nothing really sounds like b-sides. All quality and all smoked out, this little release from '02 is perfect for late night listening.

bonobomusic

Deceptikon - Lost Subject (2004)

I've only recently heard of Deceptikon and this album seems like a good introduction, considering it's his first LP. It is full of tight drums backing soft keys and floating samples, creating a nice contrast. May it bring you darkness.