North Carolina producer L'Orange is one to keep and ear on. He draws strongly on jazz from the '30s and '40s to make up his sound, a mix of cool, soulful vocal samples and piano over drum breaks. Old Soul, a 10-track biographical album about and sampling the legendary Billie Holiday, is a good introduction.
On "Alone," the first single from L'Orange's forthcoming album The Mad Writer--out Nov. 20--the producer enlists California rapper Blu for three verses. Their styles meld into one another and create something solemn to nod your head with. Plus, Blu's range of collaboration is kind of cool given that he just appeared on a track with Pac Div and Kendrick Lamar. Below, you can listen to and download "Alone."