Recommended music: 'Midnight Versions' by Roosevelt

Having seen Roosevelt as a support band (I can't remember who for) I was keen to give this EP a try when I saw it. It really hits the spot, sounding like a long-lost collection of remixes from the 80s (which I'm all for). Each track is allowed to extend and get its groove on, and I particularly like all the percussion sounds which sound exactly like a lot of my favourite 80s tracks. From the starting funky bass of 'Close' (a track which reminds me of a slowed-down version of George Benson's 'Gimme The Night') through the electro-pop of 'Night Moves' and the congas and house-piano of 'Colours' and finishing with synth and guitar-led 'Wait Up', it's a glorious ride through the sunshine of the past.

You can stream the whole EP and get it on a 'pay what you want' deal below.

Remix of the Day: 'Your Maker (Daddy G Remix)' by Gonjasufi

Having called Massive Attack 'one of the most influential groups of all time'. Gonjasufi was honoured to have Daddy G remix the opening track from his recent album 'Callus'. It's a great job too, making the track both more tuneful and more insistent, amping up the threat. You can listen to it below or click here for a free download.

Mash-up of the Day: 'Shadow The Jewels' (DJ Shadow vs Run The Jewels) by DJ Skarface

DJ Shadow and Run The Jewels are two of my favourite acts in the world. So what could be better than a mash-up of 'Endtroducing', a snatch or two of 'The Private Press' and 'RTJ1'? Pretty much nothing, this is fucking perfect apart from the fact that it's only 20 minutes long - I could happily listen to this all day. To top it off you can download it for free so grab it while it's hot AF.

Recommended music: 'RTJ3' by Run The Jewels

Like a present you never dared hope for, 'RTJ3' dropped unexpectedly on Christmas Day to fill your stocking with beats and rhymes. Following their usual distribution model Killer Mike and El-P gave it away for free, but you'll also be able to buy it from iTunes, Amazon etc., and there's a host of physical products and merch you can pre-order from here if you want to support them financially.

A lot's happened since the release of 'RTJ2' a couple of years ago, not least Killer Mike becoming some sort of unofficial spokesman on black issues in America, and you can feel the weight of what's passed on this record. Overall there's a sense that they're taking things seriously and this is no longer just two guys fucking about, getting high on weed and mushrooms and making music to please themselves. the music and lyrics are both more powerful and there's a higher proportion of proper melodies in place. Having someone like Tunde Adebimpe feature on 'Thieves! (Screamed The Ghost)'' no doubt helps but overall El-P seems to have upped his production game by a few notches, and there's not a single duff track in this bunch. 

From the acknowledgement of their own stardom (on 'Call Ticketron'), through the politically charged 'Thieves!' and the nightmare view of the future on '2100' this is the sound of a duo on the top of their game.

If you're one of those people bemoaning the lack of protest music in these turbulent times then you need look no further. This is the sound of a black man and a white man uniting their voices against racism, fascism and all of the other shit in the world today. 'A Report To The Shareholders: Kill Your Masters' might take things to the extreme with its "kill your masters" refrain but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.

In summary, and because the official release date is 13th January, this is the first essential album purchase of 2017.

Christmas Rave of the Day: 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Airhorn' by Slugabed

What's better than an old-style Christmas carol? An old-style Christmas carol with beats and airhorn - that's what. Available as a free download, this is guaranteed to put the wind up your grandma over Christmas dinner.

Track of the Day: 'Transient Program For Drums And Machinery' by Soulwax

A brilliant return to form from the Belgian brothers, this track sounds like everything from Kraftwerk to LCD Soundsystem. Heralding their new album, it's 8 minutes of electronic wonderment. And you can download it for free by clicking here.

Track of the Day: 'Digging For Windows' by Zack de la Rocha

What do you expect from a track by the ex Rage Against The Machine frontman and produced by El-P from Run The Jewels - teddy bears and flowers? Of course you don't. What you expect is exactly what you get - a pounding beat, electronic crunches, angry lyrics (the first word is 'fuck' and it's not the only use of it) and attitude by the bucketload.

We need more angry records like this in the world, especially if they're given away for free via BitTorrent like this one is - you can get it here.

Snow storm song of the day: 'In-Between' by Chet Faker

For a song made in the middle of the biggest blizzard in living memory this is a remarkably upbeat, almost tropical-sounding track. Kicking off with some great drums, it mixes some Balearic-type guitar and bass with the voice of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio giving his speech about the emergency situation in New York. You can grab the track for free below.

Surprising cover version of the day - The Hackney Colliery Band do David Bowie

There'll probably be a lot of Bowie cover versions over the coming months. This week alone Greg Dulli has released his version of 'Modern Love' (you can get that here) and rumours have emerged of a certain Mr K West planning an album's worth of covers (which could be genius). But you'll have to go a long way to find one that celebrates the life of the former David Jones with as much fun and enjoyment as this. Ironically they were planning to put this out to celebrate the release of 'Blackstar', but instead it's become a way to celebrate his whole life. This would've sounded great at that street parade Arcade Fire arranged in New York for Bowie this week.

Anyway, play it & download it - it's free in return for a donation to Cancer Research UK or Macmillan Cancer Support.

Track of the Day: 'Everything' by Chalk

Recorded for Converse Rubber Tracks, this new song from the London-based duo mixes gentle bleeps and acoustic drums with some pretty soulful vocals. They've clearly got an ear for an 80s-style melody (say what you like about the shoulder pads & Yuppies, but the 80s had some killer hooks) but have brought things up to date by listening to the likes of James Blake and Chet Faker.

You can download the track for free via Soundcloud below.

Recommended music: 'Sketchy EP' by Star Slinger

Ahead of two further EPs due later in 2016 the man like Star Slinger has dropped this new EP on us, and it's far from as sketchy as the title would have you believe. Unlike his previous releases this one actually features him singing on some of the tracks, and his voice turns out to be a great accompaniment to his music.

While the rest of his releases are set to come out with proper label support this one is self-released. You can buy it from iTunes or download it fro free from Bandcamp, the choice is yours.

Track of the Day: 'Susan' by LNDN DRGS

From the forthcoming album on Stones Throw comes this track from the duo of Jay Worthy and Sean House. The music is 80s all the way, with that classic synth bass and a bi of a Nu Shooz vibe. The lyrics though are pure 21st century, so if you're the sort of person who's not down with the 'bitches, hoes & niggas' school of rap I'd steer clear. The rest of you will probably lap this up though.

Grab the free download below.

Track of the Day: 'Level Up VIP' by Kidkanevil feat. Orifice Vulgatron & Sean Play

This new version of a track from Kidkanevil's 'Rap Biscuits EP1' comes straight out of the blocks at 100 miles per hour and keeps up the pace throughout. It's the kind of track that makes you wish you had some sort of souped-up, lowered car with an unnecessarily loud soundsystem so that you could cruise by with the windows open while playing this song as loud as fuck.

Grab it for free below.

Track of the Day: 'Humanize' by Lizzo

A change of pace and style for Lizzo on this track, the first to be released from her new album 'Big Grrrl Small World', which is out on December 11th. Here she gets to show of her impressive vocals on a song that manages to sound both classic and contemporary at the same time. Give it a couple of listens and the chorus will be swimming through your brain for days.

If the rest of the album's as good as this then we're in for an early Christmas present, especially as you can get the whole thing for free by signing up here.

Track of the Day: 'Winter Sun' by Sarah Williams White

A beautiful tribute to the awesome eternity of the sun, and in some ways a direct descendant of 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' by Roy Ayers, this trippy, soulful little number is a taster for the forthcoming mini-album 'Of The New World'. Sit back and let its rays wash over you.

Recommended movie: 'Rubble Kings' (and free mixtape)

A fantastic documentary about gang wars and gang culture in New York in the early 1970s, and how the eventual peace that settled over the streets saw the subsequent rise of hip-hop. Dance battles and rap battles replaced armed warfare (at least for the most part) as the gangs chose peace over war. Directed by Shan Nicholson, it really gets under the skin of the socio-economic conditions of the time and pulls together the story of how their circumstances shaped the lives of the kids in the gangs ad how they overcame the struggle. If you're a fan of hip-hop or 'The Warriors', or want to understand how modern-day New York was formed then this is a movie you'll want to see.

As well as the movie there's a brilliant mixtape that's been put together evoking the different musical styles and tribes of the time. It's brilliantly put together in 4 parts, include some dialogue from the film (as well as a snatch of 'The Warriors') - just click on the cover below to download it.

New music: 'Twenty Fifty Three' by L'Orange & Kool Keith

Taken from the album 'Time? Astonishing', which came out in July and is apparently a concept album about time travel and insanity, which certainly makes a change from lame-ass rappers spitting about bitches and hoes all day long. The backing reminds me of that old track 'You Showed Me', and the whole thing is a great example of how diverse hip-hop can be if it tries.

Listen & download for free via the link below.

New music: 'Wilkes Booth' by Verbal Kent feat. Skyzoo

A free cut from Kent's recent Anesthesia album, which is out via Mello Music Group. Over a great backing which sounds like a 60s movie soundtrack he spits rhymes at speed, producing an upbeat & positive vibe.

Listen & download for free below.

New music: 'The Revival' by Finale feat. Invincible & Pierre Anthony

From the new album 'Odds & Ends', which came out in August. The quality of Oddisee's production shines through on this track, from the jazzy drum break at the start to the catchy guitar melody. With great guest verses as well this is quality hip-hop of the highest order.

Listen & download for free below.

New music: 'Who's That' by Apollo Brown feat. Maffew Ragazino & Freddie Gibbs

Taken from Brown's new album 'Grandeur', which came out last week on Mello Music Group, this is a proper hard as nails slice of hip-hop. Over a backing Jay-Z would kill for the trio trade verses about how good they are, in the process proving, well, how good they are.

Listen & grab it for free below.