Fantastic. Just fantastic. The third installment in the ongoing Popular Bass series – curated and envisioned by the maestro Emeka, aka the man behind Gold Coast Trading Company – is possibly the strongest yet. Clocking in at a cozy fifteen minutes, Vol.3 features Danish producer CHLLNGR selecting tunes and setting a spare and intent tone.

The Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind. It blows south from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March. On its passage over the desert it picks up fine dust particles which color the sky and distort the sun.

Follow CHLLNGR as he narates the journey from dessert to city to sea.

Get it while the getting’s good!

This is rad. Two of Seattle’s finest – #based super-producer Keyboard Kid and cumbia king Darwin – recently got off the road from a joint mini-tour. One of their stops was New York’s New Museum – a Bowery landmark and all around amazing space to play a show.

Smart guys that they are, Keyboard Kid and big Darwin recorded their set, and now we have it to enjoy in the confines of our own homes. It’s good selections, good original productions, and good mixing. More than good, actually – it’s a total set, and it makes me very excited at the possibility of future collaborations in the future.

Yee!

DJ Bobcatt x 2 AM Crew x Gainsbourg

What the hell. This weekend was on some grown business. Maybe it was something cosmic and universe-balancing (what with SXSW going through its final spasms and Thursday’s Soundsystem still ringing in our ears), or maybe it was the fact that our neck of the woods is still dealing with snow (sun and mid-70′s everywhere else, we see you).

Regardless, this weekend was one for appreciating the finer things in life, and in that spirit, here’s some of the sounds that guided me through it, from London’s ARP 101, to Detroit’s Tall Black Guy, to Seattle’s own Keyboard Kid and Kingdom Crumbs.

Had a crazy weekend of bbq, Shiner Bock and long lines? So be it. Let this be your unwinding. Welcome.

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Last Night’s Mixtape X Soundsystem X Moe Bar X You

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Cumbia // Dancehall // Hip Hop // Booty Persuasion // Moombahzilla // Family

In the immortal words of Walshy Fire, “it’s maaaaaaad.” See ya’ll at Moe Bar on Thursday.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – keep checking for NYC’s Old Money Massive if you want to experience a complete aesthetic approach to music, arts and culture. Scheme and Dre don’t do half measures – they weave audio, visual and thematic strings together into a total art.

More, gentlemen, more.

Central Sounds x It’s Complicated x Hollow Earth

HELL YEAH. I’ve been waiting for this one. Official LxNxM homegirl Zuzuka Poderosa just dropped a mixtape/collaboration with Bay Area bass/dancehall producer Kush Arora, and it scratches every dancefloor music itch that I was hoping it would.

It’s a preview of their upcoming combined full-length release, and mixes together Zuzuka tracks (both new and old) with complementary dancefloor sounds, from Spoek Mathambo, Los Rakas, Poirier and more. This is what we call quality music.

Listen and download, and get yer appetite whetted for the full release!

There are few things better than when good homies make good music. That is precisely the case with the latest offering from WD4D and Suttikeeree. Following up on their After School EP 1, the second installment provides a healthy serving of meaty synths, crisp drums, and – yes – bass for your face.

WD4D is a man of impeccable taste, and the sounds here reflect that, bopping along the line between clubby and the post-hyphy romanticrunk sound that is Dub D’s signature. It’s a mix that’s been raising eyebrows and whetting appetites, leading to an upcoming throwdown at LA’s legendary Low End Theory from WD4D, Suttikeeree, and other members of the Fourthcity crew.

In the meantime, check the After School EP 2, and head to Seattle institution Stop Biting on March 6th for the release. Oh, and here’s a freebie hint: you’re going to get a three day window (March 6th – 9th) for a free download. Eyes on the prize!