… we are always outside ourselves, never quite ‘with’ ourselves, always divided and pulled in many directions … we find ourselves doing many things that we do not really want to do, saying things we do not really mean, needing things we do not really need, exhausting ourselves for what we secretly realize to be worthless and without meaning in our lives. – Thomas Merton

Shem McCauley aka DJ Streets Ahead aka Slacker quietly dropped Start A New Life (amazon) a few whiles ago, a through and through beautiful album of roomy wandering songs that are always housing around downtempo.

Fingerbanger 1: Slacker – Start A New Life (don lowed)

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Is it a return to the conscious lyricist? While many continue to speculate on the health of  the economy hip hop, Homecut (Testiment) bellys up and rips intelligent rhymes over jazzy beats on No Freedom Without Sacrifice like it was 1996 all over again. The poets are making dents. Join Homecut on Facebook.

Fingerbanger 2: Homecut – Time Difference ( Feat. J-live) (don lowed)

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Fingerbanger 3: Kula Shaker – Dr. Kitt (don lowed)

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I really can’t help myself when it comes to things like this. Unreal boom bap-ish burner that hangs heavy on the groove and spanks that Alton Ellis into a mouth mashing frenzy. Though, out of respect for these Bastard Jazz monkeys, I can’t give this one away (unless they tell me to…which they haven’t). You’re going to have to collect yet another prize possession and buy the 7″ Here. Or Here. Or go digital on itunes.

Fingerbanger 4: Beverley Road All-Stars – I’m Still In Love

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It’s all about getting a good fresh spring feeling this week. So ignore the first 15 seconds of this song, turn it up and have yourself a window opening party… eventually.

Fingerbanger 5: Social Disco Club & Maia – The Way You Move (Original) (don lowed)

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