Lissie is one pretty young thing (love you MJ) that packs some power. In her live performance at the Great Escape this last May, Lissie performs “Pursuit of Happiness” by KiD CuDi, or I should say outperforms. They’re only a handful of covers that I like better than the original. Along with Lissie, the instrumentals – especially Eric Sullivan’s guitar solo – make this song addicting as hell… which may, ironically, be it’s one downfall – it’s been stuck in my head for the last couple of weeks.
Make sure to check out the video of her performance in the full article. It really captures the passion she has for singing.
[audio:PursuitofHappiness.mp3|titles=Pursuit of Happiness (KiD CuDi Cover)](Download Link in Full Article)
Mayday’s latest EP’s, Technology & The Thinnest Line, came out over a year ago, just a couple of months apart from each other. Although they may not stack up to their first album, each has at least one catchy single.
The Thinnest Line features a single titled “Evil” – although, I don’t have much to say about it, its lyrics are too true… no offense, ladies ;). “Technology”, on the other hand, reminds me of my past years in college. My roommates and I senior year had a running joke about how obsessed I was with technology. It reminded me of just a few of the stupid things we did back then. Good times. “Technology” may have some corny lines, “USB, you and me connect so desperately”, but the rest of it isn’t half bad. I mean how bad could it be, it’s about technology.
I still can’t decide which sound I like better of the two. What do y’all think I’m leaning more towards “Evil”, right now.
[audio:Evil.mp3,Technology.mp3|titles=Evil,Technology](Download Link in Full Article)
It’s been over ten years since the original Deltron 3030 release and we still don’t know much about Event II. I’ve gone through a many a blog posts & forum threads and still can’t come up with shit. But here are the (few) things I got..
On Deltron’s Wikipedia page, reports claimed “the album would be released [in 2008] or the next”. However, this is 2010, which you know.
As I mentioned before, Deltron has been around for just over ten years now. Going through a lot of forum threads, many believe that the album is set to release somewhere around its ten year anniversary (this year). I mean, I hope to Christ they’re right, but these aren’t the most reliable people. We have, however, come across a more reliable source, Del.
Recently, someone posted a link on here (see comment below) with a YouTube video of Del who talks a bit about Event II and features a few clips off it (check it out in the full article).
If I get any other updates, or you do, post it in the comments.
[audio:Mastermind.mp3,Turbulence.mp3|titles=Mastermind,Turbulence (Remix)](Download Link in Full Article)
I went to see Bob Schneider live a couple years back in college. I’m not the biggest fan of his, but when I first heard Ready Let’s Roll, I was hooked. I had no idea what the song was called at the time, so I searched the net to figure it out. Well, I finally came up with it, but it just didn’t sound like it did in concert. With some more research I found the one featured here. It’s not as good as when I heard it live, but I think it still does it justice. Check out the video in the full article, it’s the closest thing I could find to what I heard that night.
[audio:ReadyLetsRoll.mp3|titles=Ready Let’s Roll](Download Link in Full Article)
About this time last year I wanted to honor MJ’s life, but the site was in its infancy (I was probably still trying to think up a name at this point). So, I decided I would do it for the one-year anniversary of his death (or a little later).
First I wanna get serious before we get to the good stuff: Many people thought of MJ as a child molester because of the allegations in ’94 & ’05. I, however, did not. He may’ve had a completely warped view on what is socially acceptable, but it just didn’t seem in him to think on a sexual level, about anyone. Michael had a lot of shit happen to him growing up, as we all know, and as much as I sympathize for his children’s loss, I truly believe he is better off. Every time I saw him in the news, he seemed tortured by how some thought & treated him. I’m deeply sad to see him go, but he’s positively impacted so many lives with the music he created, including mine. I will be forever grateful to the King of Pop. R.I.P. MJ
I had too many songs to pick from, but I had to go with the original release of Pretty Young Thing. The reason is mainly because it isn’t that well known. Some of you may know of the more popular remake produced by Quincy Jones. But this one is, with out a doubt, the better of the two, as much as some of you may fight me on this one. The words couldn’t be more perfect. Oh, and the singing isn’t too bad either.
[audio:PYT.mp3|titles=Pretty Young Thing (Demo)](Download Link in Full Article)
Thought this would be a good time to bring up the November ballot for the legalization of marijuana in Cali (CuDi seems to be a big pothead). As a pothead myself (well, former), I’ve struggled with justifying the legalization, but I figure what it comes down to is education before illegalization (not the other way around). America needs to start leading by example, as we once did – except for that whole prohibition thing… and slavery… and health-care… but other than that we kill… I don’t mean literally; fuck, I’m digging myself a hole. You know what I mean!
The reason I chose Up Up & Away wasn’t just because I wanted to talk about marijuana, it’s also because of why CuDi seems to be doing hip-hop right. I’m not into most mainstream hip-hop, but CuDi has one sick flow. It reminds me of a drumline: quick, snappy and on key. I don’t have as much appreciation for the rest of Man on the Moon: The End of Day, but some of his latest singles are equally as impressive as this.
If you’re looking for more stoner music then check out my article on beats to blaze.
[audio:UpUpandAway.mp3|titles=Up Up & Away](Download Link in Full Article)
It was interesting to hear Bob Marley sit down and talk for once. Before this documentary I had only seen him in videos from his concerts, which he barely spoke what he didn’t sing. Rebel Music: The Bob Marley Story does a good job at presenting him as a struggling man trying to overcome the oppression of his people. The film takes you through the political turmoils throughout his life and the battles he waged through words. His story reminds me of Ghandi’s, both struggling for individual freedom in one form or another.
I chose No Woman No Cry because of the memories I’ve shared with it. Bob Marley and the Wailers have contributed many songs that seem to have popped up in some point in my life, as I’m sure some have for yours.
[audio:NoWomanNoCry.mp3|titles=No Woman No Cry (Live)](Download Link in Full Article)
What first got me into underground hip hop was its eclectic use of instrumentals. Nothing but Silence is an interesting example of this, with a beat that I can best describe as gothic or horror-like… horror hip hop Anyone want to help me out on this one Anyways, the beat is tight and drops on key several times (e.g., check out 1:24). Ethic & Sapient, as well as the featured Grayskul members, lay down some rhymes that were made for this beat (makes sense ;)). I wish I knew a little more about Debaser’s style, but their new album just dropped this last May, so maybe that’ll give me a better understanding of ’em. Check the song, love it, do whatever with it.
You know, after listening to Crown Control another time ’round, I’m starting to like some other songs off it, so I thought I’d include another track – Less Human – just because… and the sick beat.
[audio:NothingbutSilence.mp3,LessHuman.mp3|titles=Nothing but Silence, Less Human](Download Link in Full Article)
A friend suggested I check out Emancipator’s Soon It Will Be Cold Enough a few months back, but I put it on the back-burner until recently. While browsing my feeds, I came across a song from the album that really hit the spot. Emancipator or Douglas Appling’s chilled-back, trip hop beats are steadily growing on me. I may not be an expert on the trip hop scene, but producers like this are moving me in the right direction.
The song that I mentioned above, as you probably figured out, is First Snow. Like a lot of the music I listen to, this song isn’t just for listening fun but seems to have a deeper meaning (yes, even without words). Another aspect I like about Appling’s music is how he switches up the tone in the middle of the track – a good example is at 3:00 in First Snow – similar to what DJ Frane does. I also found out, when researching the album, that it was mastered by Nujabes, a music legend for his jazzy/hip hop instrumentals. (R.I.P. Nujabes)
Alright, I’m off to listen to his latest album – Safe in the Steep Cliffs. Look this over and give me some input. What do you think the future for trip hop is
[audio:FirstSnow.mp3|titles=First Snow](Download Link in Full Article)
Back in ’08 I started to get into Japanese hip hop pretty heavily. I cycled through most of the popular DJ’s out there and was impressed by their use of soul and jazz samples. One thing in particular attracted me to some artists over others – the use of MC’s. Nujabes is no doubt my favorite for this very reason, but a few others have also done this with much success, notably DJ Krush. Although, I’ve checked out a couple of his albums and really enjoyed it, I think I need to take another look at this talented DJ.
Only the Strong Survive is one of only a handful I listen to of his on a regular basis. CL Smooth’s, featured MC on the track low-toned, voice glides soulfully over Krush’s jazz instrumentals. What does me in on this track is the kick drum along with the brass instrumentals, really hits the ear right. Give it a listen and give a shout out to your favorite DJ from Japan (I want more!).
[audio:OnlytheStrongSurvive.mp3|titles=Only the Strong Survive](Download Link in Full Article)