Monday Mixtape, Vol. 58

Apologies for my absence, life has occurred in the memorable month of September. I proposed to my girlfriend (she said yes!), went to two weddings, worked my butt off for my real job for a deposition and other crazy fraudster shit, moved into my finance's apartment, saw my fiancĂ© get a killer job cuz she's a rock star. It's been one to remember. 

THAT BEING SAID, we still need to listen to music. Fortunately for you, I've got what you need. There are two human beings who are broadcasting over my entire musical bandwidth: Frank Ocean and Isaiah Rashad. 

I'll start with Frank. First off, I need to write a review for his album. There are gorgeous tracks amidst some other messy, less perfect ones. But the gorgeous tracks are symphonies to the ears, a treat of epic proportions. I' still debating what my favorite songs are - it's down to four - but I included two of the contenders. 

Isaiah Rashad, a rapper I've loved going back to Monday Mixtape, Vol. 5 (!)(in May 2015!!)(Can't believe I've been doing this so long!!!). I can't stop listening to what would either be called his major label debut or his second album. I call it his second album because his first - Cilvia Demo - was so well arranged and unique that it would be a disservice to call it a mixtape. Rashad is on the TDE label - along with luminary Kendrick Lamar and his disciples Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock - but the only one from the east coast.

His sound is like A Tribe Called Quest meets ATLiens-era Outkast with the serious separating factor of his own damn talent and vibe. I love this guy and his music only gets better and better. You may not like or love it the first time around, but it just grows and grows on you = the mark of an amazing album.

I imagine October may be a bit less wild than September, so I hope to be a bit more active on the blog. Enjoy!