Tuxedo - Number One

Mayer Hawthorne, "Designer Drug"

Mayer Hawthorne, "A Long Time"

A Long Time - Mayer Hawthorne from MayerHawthorne on Vimeo.

Mayer Hawthorne direct-to-disc

Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So/Gangsta Luv (Live at Direct to Disc #1) by stonesthrow

As an audiophile AND a Mayer Hawthorne/everything-Stones-Throw fan, I was ecstatic to stumble upon this project. Peanut Butter Wolf, Stones Throw founder and vinyl enthusiast, had a couple artists from the roster record tracks in front of a live audience direct-to-disc. As opposed to the analog sound being captured by microphones getting transferred to a digital sound and losing fidelity through multiple interconnects before finally getting cut on vinyl, the process allows for the best representation of the original sounds emanating from the performers.

You can purchase the final product here.

JGoods for Mayer Hawthorne

JGoods for Mayer Hawthorne from JGoods on Vimeo.

The local streetwear and shoe-customizers, JGoods, whipped up something classy for Mayer Hawthorne for his First Ave appearance last week. Mayer showed much love on Twitter and elsewhere. It's definitely been a good look for these talented local kids. For more dope stuff from this collective, be sure to peep their website--> JGoods

Mayer Hawthorne, "Your Easy Lovin'..." on Jimmy Kimmel

Mayer Hawthorne: Dusty Fingers

You already know that I'm a fan of Mayer Hawthorne. Everything from his music, talent, style, record label and to the way he carries himself is so real. Now we get a glimpse into his record-collecting side. I'm in love.

Real talk: "Getting addicted to record digging is just as bad as any other drug out there. It's a little healthier for you but... it's not healthy for your wallet, though!"

Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No

From one of the best albums of 2009, A Strange Arrangement:

What I'm Listening To

Besides tackling the stack of records I picked up from New York, here is what else I've been listening to lately.

Slap a "neo-soul" sticker on Mayer Hawthorne and you'd be missing out on genuinely heartfelt music that's is unlike everything else that falls under that current label and trend. You'd also be missing out on the rest of the story. Dude doesn't just have an uncanny ability to croon you back to the days of chivalry. He also plays every single instrument on the album with a funky demeanor that fits other Stones Throw label mates. Oh, and he's white. Go ahead and knock cats for riding everything that Stones Throw puts out. But you can't deny that Peanut Butter Wolf has crafted one of the most diverse and relevant labels of our time. Mayer Hawthorne is no exception. Want further proof? Check out Red's promo video below. Now tell me that you've heard something like this before that's HALF as dope! Cop this here.

Mayer Hawthorne, "I Wish It Would Rain" <----- my personal fave from his A Strange Arrangement LP

Did I mention that I picked up some vinyl recently? Well Ralph MacDonald's The Path blew my mind last night. I actually threw it in my satchel at the record store after listening to the first few smooth-ass bars of "Smoke Rings and Wine". Then I heard "The Path" last night and chalked it up to the beat gods shining down on me. I'm using this for sure. Don't bite!

Ralph MacDonald, "Smoke Rings and Wine"

Ralph MacDonald, "The Path"