It seems like just yesterday that the 'net got flooded with dozens of "Black Album" remix tapes. It was not only a great move by Jay to increase the Black Album's replay value, but it also allowed everyone from bedroom DJs to super-producers the chance to showcase their creativity + skills using Hova's lyrics as both a backdrop & selling point. When all was said and done, there were tons of misses, but also some great mixes + concepts...many which actually sounded better than the originals. In fact, I still find myself playing mixes from DJ Kno, 9th Wonder, Skamm Goodiez + Danger Mouse more than the original Black Album.The remix frenzy also served as an opportunity for some unknown producers to get noticed and even established dude's like Danger Mouse as a legitimate forces in the game.

So here we are in 2007...and it's like deja vu all over again. I'm sure many of you have heard by now that Jay decided to release American Gangster as an acapella album, allowing a whole new crop of wannabe producers and DJs the opportunity to get heard...and perhaps become the next Danger Mouse. The album has only been out about a week, but there have already been quite a few remix albums released on the 'net and I'm sure there will be plenty more flooding the 'net well into the new year. So my plan is to try listen to most of these AG remix albums so I can filter out the horrible, keep the goodness, and share my results with y'all. Here's the first batch of mixes that I must say...are both very creative and ill.

First, we got "Beirut Gangster" which is mixed by Beirut, a west coast based producer who I've followed over at SOHH for many years now. He's got a great, professional sound and really put some work into these mixes. Next, we got an effort from another familiar name: Cookin' Soul. This three guy production team are based outta Spain, and have been putting out some amazing blend-tapes showcasing their soul-sample soaked production for a few years now. This tape is titled "Billboard Gangsters" which is a unique concept that blends Jay's rhymes over Elvis Presley sampled beats. The result is some funky sounding joints that you need to peep. Next up, we got "American Gangster Opera" which is self explanatory...it's Jigga with an opera sampled backdrop. I'm currently listenin' to this as I'm writing, and lemme just say...it's some EPIC sounding shit. It's composed by some dudes that go by Grinehouse and, from what I'm hearing, they definitely got skills! Finally, we got a web-rip of DJ Skee's concept tape, "American Godfather" which pits Jay's lyrics over beats sampled from "The Godfather" soundtrack. Skee, (best known as The Game's official DJ) came up with the idea and rounded up a bunch of producers to help develop the concept into a reality. Though I haven't heard anything from the tape yet, I'm hearing some great things...I mean how could you possibly go wrong with beats inspired by The Godfather??! It's not available as a high quality full download yet, but someone ripped the stream and posted it as an MP3, so you'll have to settle for now.

Beirut presents: Beirut & Jay-Z - Beirut Gangster

Click here for Beirut's MySpace page.