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Why not be trendy for a change?
2007-11-07 19:14:00
For the most part I like the musical selections in this blog to be stuff you can't find on the other blogs, and I know I'm not the only person posting on this record... but damn if this isn't really catching my ear right now...... or more like taking over my brain. The mystery man known as Burial has just released his second album, Untrue, and it's a corker. You can read all about it in this fine interview, but I'll just say this. You know some next-level shit when you hear it, and this is some next level shit. I'm not saying that there isn't a lot of fantastic music being made these days because there most certainly is in abundance... but my pants always feel a little bit extra funny when something comes out that sounds unequivocally new... or, to say that less pretentiously, I kinda dig this Dubstep stuff the kids are listening to these days...Burial - Archangel (ysi)... kinda like "garridge" being mugged in a dark alley with a broken whisky bottle, no? It creeps me ...
More About: Change , Trendy

NOLA education
2007-11-06 18:53:00
Good morning class, and welcome to Funk 101. Please open your textbooks to page 23...Everybody knows that the definition of funk begins with James Brown, and the Godfather cannot be touched... but if he has any competition at all, it has to come from the pride of New Orleans, The Meters. They're probably the second most sampled band of all time... even if you haven't heard 'em, you've heard 'em, nawwhutimean? Led by Art Neville of the Neville Brothers, these guys were the masters of that NOLA sound, a more laid-back, jazz-influenced vibe than Brother James laid down, but still plenty hot and stanky... and if there's one thing that's better when it's hot and stanky, it's funk... I could make any number of nasty jokes there, but I'll spare you... this time... The Meters - Little Old Money Maker (ysi)I can't recommend this 2-disc anthology highly enough. More than essential... mandatory!And here's some YouTubes action for ya from 1974, a few years after today's song ...
More About: Education

In which I promise not to complain too much about current Hip-Hop...
2007-11-05 18:51:00
... because what's the point. I'm just gonna bring you some Old school, New York style... it don't get any better!To think there are kids out there these days who claim to like Hip-Hop who have never heard of the Native Tongues crew... for shame! And while Black Sheep may not have been the clean-up hitters on that roster, they certainly knocked it out of the park with their debut album. (Thus conclude the baseball metaphors). Of course the big hit was "The Choice Is Yours", but you don't need me to remind you of that. Nope, instead you get an album track, but one with a guest spot by Q-Tip... because of course there's a guest spot by Q-Tip! There's always a guest spot by Q-Tip! It's in the contract!Black Sheep - La Menage (ysi)They just don't do sex raps like they used to, do they? Peace!
More About: Current , Promise

Used to get high just to pass the time
2007-11-02 17:02:00
House Music Friday returns with one of the best tracks EVAR...Although they appear to be running on fumes these days, back just a few years ago, Naked Music was the single best Deep House label in the world. There is no disputing this, folks. Classic after classic after classic... eagerly anticipating and circling the date of when the next record dropped, and getting your ass to the record store that morning to buy it is what I'm talking about. And this is perhaps the best of the best. Label head Jay Denes recorded as Blue Six (still does, actually), and his first record for his own label was a stunner to say the least. I'm not sure who the vocalist is (fountain of information that I am), but it doesn't matter... this remix courtesy the mighty Miguel Migs from the 12" is the one I would whip out for peak time funkification... enjoy...Blue Six - Music & Wine (Migs Petalpusher Vocal) (ysi)Heavenly. Have a great weekend!
More About: Time , High , Pass , The Time

Don't call him Joe
2007-11-01 18:12:00
Time for some baby-makin' music...Keyboardist and singer Amp Fiddler is a true veteran of the music game... he's played with everyone from Prince to Primal Scream, George Clinton to J Dilla... but his name really only become known in the last few years - after he released his first solo album, Waltz of the Ghetto Fly, a little while back... one of the best albums ever in the Neo-Soul vibe. Now his second record has finally come out in the states after a lengthy delay, and it's just as good. Considering the guy's extensive steez, one should not be surprised... and check it out, I've used the word "steez" twice in one week. Is that good or bad? I guess it doesn't matter. What matters is that you get Amped right now...Amp Fiddler - Faith (ysi)I've caught this guy live on a couple occasions and he puts on a heck of a party... and I feel like I say this a lot (much like "steez"), but for crap's sake, why isn't this guy huge? (Shakes fist)
More About: Call