Raekwon, "Cuban Revolution" [Mixtape]
If Cuban Links II — if and when it's ever released — is nearly half as good as the grimy, gut-punching songs on this pre-release mixtape, it will have justified its seemingly interminable delays.
Feist & the Constantines, "Islands in the Stream" [Dolly Parton Cover]
Two leading lights of Canadian indie rock slow down and spookify this Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton classic. Additonally, the title is now a reference to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
The xx, "Shelter" [Them Jeans Drum Edit]
The xx maximize quiet on their debut, but this Them Jeans edit kicks the tempo up a notch, making "Shelter" sound like prime Everything But the Girl. And, yes, that's a good thing.
Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West and Common, "Make Her Say" [Afrojack Remix]
Kid, Kanye and Common get sped-up and streamlined in this wily, wiry Afrojack remix, which pares the vocals down to almost-nothing and emphasizes a stern, steady dance beat.
Various Artists, '80s Nigerian Hip-Hop [Mixtape]
Every bit as amazing as the name implies, this mixtape proves that there remain great stacks of Nigerian music just waiting to be rediscovered. And you thought hiplife was cool?
