A Serious Source of Dope Sh*t

For All My Jazz Lovers

 

Alex Vessels x Jeff Howard - Replica

 

itp.jeffhoward.ca/​projects/​replica/​

alexvessels.com/​projects/​replica/​

New Music Mondays (Yesterday Edition) - 01.25

"It's Shuggie Otis Day!! All Shuggie, all day....you jive turkeys!! Shuggie is rightfully considered an artist who was ahead of his time. I got a hold of a rework of his record "Inspiration Information" on Late Night Sessions by Cinematic Orchestra (which is an amazing album, fyi) and I thought I'd share some of his works with you. I know it's only Tuesday but you should do a lil after-work get together and play this. Fix up some Caipirinha's or virgin Shirley Temples and forget about the snow."

 

Cinematic Orchestra - Aht Uh Mi Hed (Shuggie Otis)

 

Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23

 

Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23

 

Shuggie Otis - Freedom Flight

 

Shuggie Otis - Freedom Flight

 

Friday!!!

"Just because it's Friday I'm going to offer up a few selections from my iTunes library. I have pretty eclectic taste and I find that as a producer it helps to take in as much music as possible. Ideas are always flowing and inspiration is abound whenever I open iTunes. I'm very proud of my collection of records and it's constantly expanding as I explore new artists, new sounds and new experiences. Here are a couple recent additions. Enjoy! "

Siriusmo - Simple

 

Beth Gibbons - L'Annulaire

 

London Elektricity - Just One Second [Apex Remix] (As heard in the Gran Turismo 5 Trailer) 

 

Clint Mansell - Perfection (Black Swan Soundtrack)

 

 

New Music Mondays - 01.17

Billy Kraven - W.I.N.T.A.

My favourite artist right now. 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 01.10

2011 New York Winter Jazz Fest

"On Saturday I got treated to the 2011 New York Winter Jazz Fest and it was AMAZING. I'm a huge fan of jazz and this was quite a treat. 5 venues, 69 bands (if my count isn't wrong) with sets starting at 5:45pm and the very last set went on at 3:15am! (I didn't stick around for that one. That's a LOOOONG time to be on your feet. Standing room only!) You get a wristband and just go check out whoever you like on the schedule. Sweet! 

Most of the evening was spent at Sullivan Hall. My good friend John had already scoped out the schedule and decided Sullivan had the most solid lineup. That worked fine for me b/c it was less walking and of course he was spot on - the acts were amazing all througout the evening. I got introduced to a lot of new bands (new to me, anyway) and now I've got tons of homework to do on youtube haha. I'll list the acts that I saw and I've got some vids/pics as well. I briefly met Tia Fuller who was super sweet and that girl is BAD on the sax. WOW. But everyone was awesome and if you enjoy jazz you should look them up. 

Tia Fuller, Captain Black Big Band (conducted by Orrin Evans), Igmar Thomas and The Cypher, The Asphalt Orchestra, Curtis Brother Quartet, Derrick Hodge and lastly (but DEF not least) Maurice Brown Effect. Horn solo of the night goes to trumpeter Maurice Brown. That guy is FIERCE." 

 

 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 01.03

Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus Remix)

"I first heard Andreya Triana on Bonobo's latest album entitled Black Sands. That's an AWESOME album btw, definitiely worth picking up, er, downloading? How you get your music is your business. I actually didn't like the records that Andreya was on, haha. I know, so how did I get more of her music? Easy, I'm a music stalker. I lookup EVERYTHING related to EVERYTHING I listen to. There isn't too much music in my library where I don't have some interesting tidbit of information to share about the artist. Andreya has some decent music out there but this Flying Lotus remix (off her Bonobo produced album of the same name) is a real standout. Flylo can do no wrong."

 Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong (Flying Lotus Remix)

 

 

Flying Lotus - Untitled

"From a collection called Raw Cartoons. "

Flying Lotus - Untitled

 

 

Michael Jackson - Ain't No Sunshine (Benny Blanco Remix) 

"This is one of my favourite songs of all time. OF ALL TIME. Lil' MJ covered the Booker T. produced record on his debut album Got to Be There. Decades later it's gotten an electro/dub treatment by wunderkind producer Benny Blanco of Katy Perry/Ke$ha fame." 

Michael Jackson - Aint No Sunshine (Benny Blanco Remix)

 

 

Beth Gibbons - L'annulaire  

"Apparently Portishead's Beth Gibbons is ALWAYS cupping the microphone at her performances. Seriously, I couldn't find a decent photo where she wasn't choking the mic. That's cool though. If you're not a Portishead fan then you don't know who Beth Gibbons is (and I have no idea how you even found my blog) but just know that Portishead was music of a generation. Mostly a generation of stoners and emo kids, but that doesn't make it any less true. Beth was tapped to compose the soundtrack for a film titled "L'annulaire". Now, I don't know what the means but I know it's French.

I first heard this song on the FACT Mix by Ahu. That mixtape had a tracklist but I'm an idiot and I forgot about the tracklist so months later I used Shazam on my Blackberry to try and find the song. Since the soundtrack was unreleased, Shazam couldn't find a match. That's when I remember the playlist. Problem was, I could only find a crappy lo-fi mp3 version of the album. I was happy with this for about 2 hours, when my privileged ears could no longer take the pain of less than 320kbps. So I searched and searched and finally came across a 256kbps version, which I am more than satisfied with. Beautiful record. I've already listened to it 750 times. Make that 751."

Beth Gibbons - L'annulaire

Video of the Week Wednesdays 12.29

 

Video of the Week Wednesdays 12.22

Kings of Leon - Pyro

"Christmas is right around the corner and honestly as it gets closer and closer, I get more and more excited. Yeah, I'm a bit of a sucker for Christmastime. Which is exactly why I chose KOL's new "Pyro" video for VOTW. In the video you can clearly tell from the strung lights around the bar that it's Christmastime. And judging from the barfights and dancin' ladies, it's clear that the excitement has gotten a hold of the small-town folk in a most riveting holiday fashion. My guess is that they simply couldn't wait for Christmas day and things just got a bit tense while waiting for all those gifts! In the end, Santa employs a giant magnet to draw all the "naughty" people to the North Pole. Faaaantastic!."

 

 

Video of the Week Wednesdays 12.15

Dr. Dre - Kush (feat Snoop Dogg & Akon) 

"Only someone with as much money as Dr. Dre could make a video this visually impressive. Seriously, they stopped a jet in mid-air, opened it up and then stuffed it with inanimate groupies, hundred dollar bills, alcohol and Akon. It's like Blue Thunder, The Matrix and Friday all rolled into 4 minutes. (Catch that rolling pun?) Really though, the effects are top notch and of course, the record itself is everything you'd expect from Dre and then some. The drums kick like mules, the pianos were probably played by Burt Bacharach and there are more weed references than the Proposition 19 bill itself. When's the album dropping??"

 

Technologic Thursdays 12.09

North Point Community Church - iBand

"I'm a Mac guy. I love Apple products and I pretty much condemn the use of PC's the way I condemn the use of weapons of mass destruction. (And milk, for that matter.) However, I am not really a fan of the iPad. Not because it's not amazing (it is), but rather because it represents the lifestyle of excess that Americans somehow continue to live even in the face of economic difficulties of historic proportions. I think that is really crappy.  

That said, I saw these guys playing Feliz Navidad on some iPads and iPhones and I just placed an order for a iPad. Hopefully it gets here in time for me to go caroling. Don't judge me."

 

 

Video of the Week Wednesdays 12.08

Daft Punk - Derezzed

"If I had to make a list, I'd probably start with a piece of paper. Well, no, I don't use paper. I'd probably open up a new TextEdit file on my iMac. On that list would be the number "1". And next to the number "1" would be the most highly anticipated, epic film redux ever. That would of course be Disney's Tron. (If I included musical albums I could give a 1st runner up to Dr. Dre's "Detox" but we're not talking about that right now. Stay focused.)

Then I would BBM all my celebrity friends and poll them on who they might want to compose the soundtrack for the most highly anticipated, epic film redux ever. All but Khloe Kardashian would respond, Daft Punk. So it was written, so it shall be available on iTunes as you read this. Here is the official video for the single "Derezzed" from the soundtrack. Thanks to Margaux for sending me what seems to be the ONLY official version of the video so I could share with YOU! Can't wait to see the movie when it drops!"

 

  via MTV

Video of the Week Wednesdays 12.01

Chromeo - Hot Mess

"I promise this is not a cop out but I really don't know what to say about this video other that it's incredible JUST BECAUSE it's Chromeo. Yes, I am a big Chromeo fan. You should be too. I've been waiting for the new album to drop and yes, it's sick. If, for some crazy reason you have NO IDEA who Chromeo is, please, stop reading this blog, go to iTunes or youtube and download/watch everything that they've ever done. The "Hot Mess" video is probably the best video Chromeo has done (right behind "Night By Night" which was some crazy Dirty Dancing stuff). I guess what I'm trying to say is, watch the video, enjoy the hell out of it and then go enjoy the rest of their catalogue. Your ears will thank you later."

 

New Music Mondays - 11.29

I don't feel like speaking English today!!

Selda Bağcan - Yaz Gazeteci Yaz

"Listening to 70's Turkish music in the morning always makes me feel like a black market arms dealer. No better way to start my day. I particularly enjoy the super sultry voice of Selda Bagcan. Something about her records makes me want to move to Europe and open a bakery. I'd sell cheesecake. Turns out she was always being hassled by the military and government of communist-era Turkey. Guess that's what happens when you join the revolution and start making diss records about the government. If I had to be jailed a couple times for making records as good as Selda's...I'd think about it."

 

Selda Bağcan - Yaz Gazeteci Yaz

 

Jacques Dutronc - Hippie Hippie Hourrah

"I first heard this record on Diplo's Chasing the Dragon mixtape and since he hadn't released a playlist at the time I couldn't find the record. Thanks to Shazam on the Blackertheberry for sniffing this one out! Wish I had stuck with french in high school. Then I might know what this guy is talking about. But even without comprehending the lyrics it's almost impossible not to feel the intensity of the performance. Croissants for all!" 

Jacques Dutronc - Hippie Hippie Hourrah

 

 

(And for those of you who don't like subtitles):

Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow

"I was originally directed to this record because of the production. I was told that it sounds like something I might have come up with. I can hear that. The record was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian super-production duo responsible for some of the biggest pop hits of the past few years from artists like Ne-Yo, Rihanna and Beyonce. Turning their attention to Philly's Wiz Khalifa they deliver a straightforward hit that you can't really find any fault in. Those guys and their Nordic keyboard magic!! Oh, and I like the video too."

Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow

 

B.O.B. - F*ck the Money Remix (feat. Wiz Khalifa

"OK so while we've got Wiz Khalifa on deck might as well share this remix of B.O.B.'s "F*ck the Money" off his previously released May 25th mixtape. You'll immediately notice that Kayne laced the track and both rappers did a damn good job. This would have been pretty cool for one of Ye's Good Fridays records. "

 B.O.B. - F*ck The Money Remix (feat. Wiz Khalifa)

 

Video of the Week Wednesdays 11.24

Siriusmo - Wow

"Why do I love this video? It might be:

- The fact that I have NO idea what the point of it is.

- The girl climbing the fence in heels.

- A jacket that unzips to reveal...dunno..they cut to the girl in heels. 

- Those blue shorts. 

- The toner cartridge. 

There 's lots of reasons to love this video. What's yours?"

 

New Music Mondays - 11.22

Young MC - Bust A Move (Diplo Remix)

"Next days function high class luncheon 
Food they're serving, you're stone-cold munchin 
Music comes on people start to dance 
But then you ate so much you nearly split your pants 
A girl starts walking guys start gawking 
Sits down next to you and starts talking 
Says she wants to dance cause she likes to groove 
So come on fatso and just bust a move " 

- Young MC

Young MC - Bust A Move (Diplo Remix)

Bonobo - El Toro

"Bonobo makes the kind of music that you want playing as you drive one of these along some ridiculously picturesque coastline in some country you can't spell, where all the women have names you can't pronounce...all the while with tears in your eyes. (I don't know what you're crying about either. It just seems fitting.) His latest album "Black Sands" has one such record and it's called "El Toro". For me it all happens at 0:50 when those horns swell and the drums go ballistic. But that's just a taste. As the record progresses the intensity crests somewhere in the Heavens and troughs in the bowels of Hell and...I'm crying now."

Bonobo - El Toro

 

 

Kanye West samples: Mike Oldfield - In High Places (feat Jon Anderson) 

"As a record producer I'm always looking for inspiration. I typically look in my own music library. I just like to sample stuff I listen to anyway. I'm always blown away when I hear a record that I already own that another producer samples and turns into a great record. It takes a certain ear and mind to find inspiration in what others may find to be completely obscure material. Such is the case with Kanye West and this 80's Mike Oldfield record. I know my mp3 lists the song artist as Jon Anderson (frontman of legendary prog rock band YES)  but the record is actually from Oldfield's 1983 album Crises (hence the album artwork above). The sample you're listening for is at 0:45. Check out "Dark Fantasy" from Kanye's new album below as well. Enjoy."

Mike Oldfield - In High Places (feat. Jon Anderson)

Kanye West - Dark Fantasy

I Need to Getaway Fridays (uh, Saturdays) 11.20

Anoraak - Nightdrive With You EP

"OK so I had a wild day yesterday. Started at 5:45AM with a trip to JFK and ended sometimes early this morning at a diner with 2 bacon & egg sandwiches and a very unhealthy mountain of homefries. Somewhere in between there were burritos (lots of burritos), Cirque Du Soleil dancers dressed like Snake Eyes from G.I. JOE, 11 foot tall skeletons dressed like pimps, and oh yeah, sea bass tacos. 

All that to say that it is now Saturday and  I'm relaxing before a meeting with some very cool 80's inspired music from French producer Anoraak. Like all young French producers he makes the kind of electro pop that makes you want to dress like Marty McFly (or John Travolta), hop into a Testarossa and cruise down the streets of Miami. I'm gonna go see how many flyer miles I have available right now. Enjoy the rest of the weekend."

Click here to download. 

Video of the Week Wednesday 11.17

John Skiiz Valour - Live For The 1-0

"I had to post this video today because I have to support my family. JSV is my brother and it'd be easy to write-off my opinion of his music as bias but I challenge anyone to listen to his records and say that he is not an extremely talented emcee! Simple as that. You be the judge! Please comment!!"

 

 

Video courtesy of Bluntface Records

Trendy Tuesdays 11.16

Jay-Z x Gucci - Decoded Jacket

"Today marks the global release of Jay-Z's highly anticipated first book entitled "Decoded". Already receiving high praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Decoded is set to be a best seller for sure. The promotional campaign launched by Jay-Z was nothing short of EPIC. It's actually just a scavenger hunt (hosted by Microsoft search engine Bing) where fans search for pages of the book that have been placed in physical locations around the world and can win signed copies of the book. It's the fact that it's a global scavenger hunt for the first book written by one of music's greatest talents that makes it epic. 

In keeping with that epic theme, Jay-Z called the good folks at Gucci to create a one of a kind Decoded leather bomber. Designed by Jay-Z and Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini, the bomber features a lining with a print of a page from Decoded. This page reveals Jay's analysis of his record "Blue Magic", from his hit album American Gangster. (Wow, I totally feel like watching that movie right now, haha.) The jacket is so epic that you can't even buy the damn thing. If you stop by the Gucci store on 5th Ave you can check it out though. Hmm, I was at Rockefeller Center yesterday, I totally could've swung by. Eh, next time."

 

 

Bonus - Check out the unveiling of Decoded at the Delano Hotel in Miami. 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 11.15

Joe x Cassie x Ryan Leslie - Kiss Me On The Claptrap (Brey Edit) 

 

"UK producer Brey actually thought it would be worthwhile to spend time on a Cassie mashup??Well, turns out he was right. Here he blends Cassie's "Kiss Me" with "Claptrap" from Joe (these Brits are killing it right now). This mashup is basically my idea of what all R&B should sound like. Pure madness. You can check out more of Brey here." 

 

Kanye West - All of the Lights  

 

"I was going to just post the interlude but I thought that would make me a jerk. While the interlude is nice, the full song is even better. If you don't have Kanye's album already, well, you should talk to more people in the industry or something. I dunno. Anyway, I have it and it's pretty awesome. I'm in love with the drums on this track. They SLAY!! Add some killer horns and this record is instantly more awesome than the time I thought I saw Lou Diamond Phillips working the KFC drive-thru window."

 Kanye West - All Of The Lights

 

 

Girl Unit - Wut

"I actually just stumbled across this record today while looking for new music. It was on a mixtape for Resident Advisor's Label of the Month - Night Slugs. This mixtape is a look into the sounds of the label's roster and there's some really good stuff on there. "Wut" by Girl Unit was one of the standouts. Enjoy!"

 

Girl Unit - Wut

 

I Need to Getaway Fridays 11.12

Bullion - Mixed Up In Love II

"Been fond of UK producer Bullion for some time now and every now and again I like to throw on this 2nd installation of his Mixed Up In Love series. It's basically a collection of love songs from all different kinds of genres. Lot of older stuff from the 60's and 70's. Might hear some stuff you haven't heard since you were a kid. Definitely a great way to start the weekend. Enjoy."

You can check out some more of his work on his myspace page www.myspace.com/bullionness.

 Bullion - Mixed Up In Love II

 

Video of the Week Wednesday 11.10

Pogo - Toyz Noize

"OK so on Monday I shared with you a record from a very unique remixer named Pogo www.pogomix.net. (You can check that post out here.) He uses samples from Disney movies to create some really awesome music. I was a huge fan of Toy Story and so I was really impressed by this song that uses the characters' voices and sounds from the movie. It's all synced to video clips from the film in this incredible video. Check it out."

  

New Music Mondays - 11.08

Whoa! Long day in the studio today with @muziqmann2020 but we're done and I'm here to hold you down with a few good songs for the day. Hope they fit into your evening! 

 

Pogo - Wishery

"OK, I REALLLLLLLLLY did NOT want to post this song without the video because you really need to see the video the 1st time you hear it to truly appreciate the genius of the record. I try to reserve videos for Wednesdays but I'll make an exception. Pogo is a remixer who specializes in using music and voices from movies (typically Disney films) and turning them into super groovy productions. He's amazing and you can check out his work on his site www.pogomix.net. Enjoy his take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves below. "

 

 

Pogo - Wishery

 

Siriusmo - Girlsrock

"I am making a conscious effort to offer content that my female viewers can really appreciate, enjoy and share. I don't think this really fits into that category BUT it's still cool because it's called "Girlsrock" and girls digg girl-related stuff right? At very worst you can at least dance to it while doing all kinds of girlie stuff around the house. No, no...thank me later."

Siriusmo -- Girlsrock

 

 Boys Noize - Trooper 

"When the aliens invade planet Earth this is the song that will be booming from their open cargo bay doors. Prepare yourself for intergalactic battle by putting this one on repeat and dusting off your Krav Maga. Don't say I didn't warn you." 

 

Boys Noize - Trooper

 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 11.01

N.E.R.D. - God Bless Us All

 

 

"I think on every N.E.R.D. album there is that ONE song that I can listen to for days and days and days. On "Seeing Sounds" that record was unquestionably "Yeah You". This time around hands down it's "God Bless Us All". Pharell isn't an amazing singer but no one said you had to be one to make a great record (Britney??). He stays right in his comfort zone and delivers a solid, earnest performance with some silky smooth harmonies  to boot. He does have backup singers but you can hear his own voice on the verse harmonies and I'm not mad at him at all. The b-section is both soulful and campy, which gives the otherwise poignant record a nice lift. I'm not really a fan of N.E.R.D.'s composition skills but when they get it right they really score and I think this is one of those records."

 

 

N.E.R.D. - God Bless Us All

 

 

Kanye West - The Joy (Feat. Pete Rock, Jay-Z, Charlie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield & Kid Cudi) 

 

 

"If you can get past the image of Pam for just a moment...thank you. 

Pete Rock, Kanye and Jay-Z. Why did they never think of this before?? I'm almost annoyed by the fact that I had to wait till 2010 for this collaboration. All of you young squirts out there who have no idea who Pete Rock is I want you to turn off the Soulja Boy for a moment and head on over to youtube. Anyway, Pete Rock takes us waaaaay back with a sample of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You" and touches of Syl Johnson's "Different Strokes". (If you check out the Syl record you'll notice the Wu-Tang sample also.) Ye and Jay both destroy their verses and Kanye should get a Nobel Prize for collaborating with Charlie Wilson. He's been awesome on everything so far. Enjoy. "

 

 

Kanye West - The Joy (feat. Pete Rock, Jay-Z, Charlie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield & Kid Cudi)

 

Armando Trovajoli - L'amore Dice Ciao (Bossa Version)

 

"This 1969 Italian comedy allegedly features many naked Italian women. Thus the title, which translates to "I See Naked". I've never seen the film so I couldn't tell you. However, the soundtrack from prolific composer Armando Trovajoli is a great example of the superbly creative music from that era. I personally can't stop listening to the stuff. Something about bossa nova just makes me want to move to Florida and have parties where all the girls dress like this and put lime in every cocktail. Yeah. That would be real nice."

 

Armando Trovaioli - L'amore Dice Ciao ( Bossa Version )

I Need to Getaway Fridays 10.29

 

Ahu - Fact Mix

"Here is a mixtape from Turkish singer Ahu Kelesoglu. I don't remember how I got a hold of her record "To:Love." (click here to listen) but it was back in September and I remember not being able to get her haunting vocals out of my head. I really fell in love with her voice and unfortunately have not spent enough time seeking out more of her catalogue. What I HAVE found, however, was this amazingly eclectic mixtape she did for FACT Magazine. (www.factmag.com) Ahu has very broad influences and you can see that in her collaborative efforts with other artists (including Flying Lotus). There's jazz, bossa nova, dialogue from random foreign film soundtracks (awesome) and even some Erykah Badu. This mixtape is an interesting look into what inspires an artist, something I always love to see and hear. It's MELLOW and you should probably be prepared to do absolutely NOTHING while listening to it. At most you can clean your place to it. Enjoy the weekend."

 

Ahu- FACT Mix

 

Tracklist:
1. Beth Gibbons – from L’Annulaire (Soundtrack) – Unreleased
2. Beth Gibbons – from L’Annulaire (Soundtrack) – Unreleased
3. Georges Delerue – Aveux D’Anne A Muriel – Universal
4. Serge Gainsbourg -L’hotel Particulier – Philips
5. Brigitte Bardot – Rose D’eau – Philips 1963
6. Piero Umiliani – Crystal – Cinevox
7. Luis Bacalov – Paraguana – EMG
8. Joao Donato – Me Deixa – Odeon
9. Vladimir Cosma – Les Vacances D’Alexandre – Pomme
10. Armando Trovaioli – Please Be Nice – United Artists Records
11. Piero Piccioni – End Title – Easy Tempo
12. Daedelus – Fin De Siecle – Brainfeeder
13. From American Dad // Roger // The Sad story of Oscar Gold
14. Matthew Herbert – Leipzig – Accidental
15. Flying Lotus – German Haircut – Warp
16. Gonjasufi – Change – Warp
17. Jamie Lidell – I Can Love Again – Warp
18. From American Dad // Roger & Stan //
19. Amy Winehouse – Trilby – Unreleased
20. Erykah Badu – Gone Baby , Don’t Be Long
21. Oddisee ft. Olivier Daysoul – In The Now – Cdr
22. Eric Lau – Always Will (Inst.) – Kilawatt
23. Jarvis Cocker – Discosong – (Pilooski mix ) – Cdr

Video of the Week Wednesdays 10.27

Kanye West - Runaway

"Love him or hate him Kanye is unquestionably one of the most creative minds of our generation. With unlimited resources on tap he is free to bring all that exists in his wild imagination to reality...and God bless him for being able to do so because he makes pop culture so much more interesting as a result. PERIOD. 

Case in point: his 35 minute film Runaway. It's not necessary to try and understand what he is trying to say with this piece. It's not necessary to try to decode whatever cryptic messages there may or may not be embedded in the film. It IS necessary however, to enjoy and appreciate unbridled passion and creativity that is so rare these days. 

I hope you take some time to watch what I consider to be a very significant contribution to pop culture in these creatively austere times." 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 10.25

Glass Candy - Rolling Down The Hills

 

"I dunno why but I've been on a feel good trip lately. Any music I listen to has to have a beat and has to induce some kind of jerky physical response. This record does exactly that. I'm not a good dancer so the jerky response thing works really well for me. I don't know much about Glass Candy other than that they formed in 1996 in Portland, Oregon and they really dig disco. I'll be checking out their catalogue though and if they have some fun stuff you can bet I'll be posting it." 

Glass Candy - Rolling Down The Hills

 

Gossip - Standing In the Way of Control

 

"I am not going to use this forum to comment on Gossip lead singer Beth Ditto's appearance. If I choose to do so it will be via Twitter, thank you very much. Besides, as a musician I appreciate good effort by my peers regardless of their person. Beth has an AWESOME voice and kind of reminds me of a Janis Joplin with much less grit [and talent, ultimately]. I use that comparison loosely, there will never be another Janis. I'm just trying to point you in the right direction here. So now that I've thoroughly bashed the Gossip and their lead singer feel free to enjoy their truly amazing record LOL."

 

Gossip - Standing In The Way Of Control

 

 

Spank Rock - What It Look Like (Todd Edwards Remix)

 

"I can't lie: if you remix a Spank Rock record I will listen to it. Doesn't that just make me a loyal fan though? Nothing wrong with that. This mix gets right into it with the drums setting the tone up front and it's all uphill from there. There is some impressive stuff going on in here especially on the hook! And just when you think the record is over you 'Apple+Tab' it over to iTunes only to see that there's another 2:19 to go! POW!"

 

Spank Rock - What It Look Like (Todd Edwards Remix)

 

 

 

I Need to Getaway Fridays 10.22

The Twelves - The Twelfth Hour

"It's Friday and it's COLD in New York!!! But I've got just the thing to keep everyone warm. This amazing mixtape from the dj/production duo phenomenon known as The Twelves. They have been heralded as "Brazil's answer to Daft Punk." I have no interest in contesting that statement and neither should you. These guys are the truth and consistently rock sets around the world. Plus their remixes are smashes that make waves all over the internet. So while it's oh so cold outside why don't you invite a few peeps over tonight and let The Twelves to heat up your living room. Enjoy."

 

The Twelves - The Twelfth Hour

 

Video of the Week Wednesday

La Roux - In For The Kill

"The record is old, the video is new. You may or may not know that La Roux already released a video for their 2nd single back in 2009. Actually Ms. Jackson looks a lot better in the older video in my opinion. She's almost as androgynous as David Bowie in this one. She's like, half Bowie half vampire. Of course for all I know David Bowie IS a vampire. 

Anyway, La Roux has a bigger budget now so heck yeah I'd be remaking videos too. It's shot very differently from their other videos. This time they went for a more high quality, suggestive and dark look that's fitting of their elevated pop status. Replete with snakes, hot women in high heels, cheesy sponsor plugs (L'oreal, Belvedere), and La Roux doing her own version of the Diddy Bop, it's really no wonder why I chose this as the video of the week. Enjoy." 

 

 

New Music Mondays - 10.18

The Ting Tings - Hands ( Passion Pit Remix)

British phenoms The Ting Tings dropped a multi-platinum album in 2008 and it's highly unlikely that their new album will disappoint. Their new single "Hands" has already been remixed by Passion Pit (Sleepyhead, The Reeling) and it's definitely a party starter. I'm listening to it right now. Really.

 

The Ting Tings - Hands (Passion Pit Remix)

 

Far East Movement - Like A G6

While these guys ultimately have less swagger than a stick of Old Spice deodorant, but I'd be lying if I said this weren't a good club record. 

 

Far East Movement - Like A G6 (ft. The Cataracs and DEV)

 

 Brandon Flowers - Jacksonville

There's been plenty of frontmen who've gone onto lead successful solo careers (Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Nicole Scherzinger...) I'm pretty sure that Brandon Flowers (of The Killers fame) will have a solid run as a solo artist. Speaking of MJ, this record definitely has a Michael feel to it. It's the bassline in the B-section. Totally reminds me of Thriller. I'm just sayin'. 

 

Brandon Flowers - Jacksonville