Friday, July 27, 2007

Treebeats A To Z Posting Compilation Of Really Dope Things. The Letter F

What up!?!? As the end of summer creeps closer and closer I yearn for yesterday when school's last day was tomorrow and I had big plans to recreate my life in mine own image. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and all I did was read The Deathly Hallows and Check The Technique (both good reads but fairly different in subject matter.) On a positive note I just got my ingrown toenail removed. I've had that sinfully painful delight poking it's way into the deeper recess of my right big toe for about 15 years now. Good riddance. Also, instead of doing anything constructive or worthwhile, I've also spent some time deciding who my favorite Wiggles dancer is (you have a kid and see if you don't do the same inane type of shit). This is the F mix. I'm not doing Friday's cover this week but I'll do it next week. I'm also going to post a few things that I have found interesting recently and I hope you will too. I need to come up with a clever sign off like "You stay classy" or something sexier like "Keep it hot" but, alas, as you can see I am currently as inventive as something very uninventive (see!)

01. Fat Boys - Stick'em
With a combined weight of 750 pounds of fatness, the legendary Disco Three changed their name, made one good record, put beat boxing on the map (be honest, he wasn’t the best but he did have every kid in America loudly hyperventilating) and made the first movie starring rappers not as themselves (again, not that it was any good but it was groundbreaking). Also, another sad tidbit of this song is they did an ad campaign for the then totally chic and poorly made Swatch watches where, due to their creative dynamism, they replaced “Stick Em” with “Swatch Em” Pure genius that is. Regardless, this was one of the first hip-hop songs I knew in and out and truly loved in a way only a way only a 12 year old douche bag, white boy in an upper middle class neighborhood inRhode Island could.
02. Fatboy Slim - Give The Po' Man A Break
This was the first song that I really learned about builds in techno. I also love the idea of giving the poor man a break, for at times in my life I have enjoyed being financially ungifted, and this is something that I wish people had done. So the rent’s late…Give the poor man a break. My payment is past due? Give the poor man a break. I'm short 50 cents on that 40 of St Ides...You get the idea. This is also one of the first songs I tweaked the EQ on whilst DJing to great effect. If you don’t like techno or electronic dance music, this song could make you spontaneously combust and leave behind a pile of ashes and the smell of roses. I’ve seen it happen. It was kind of cool.
03. DJ Faust – If 9 Was 6
If you don’t know DJ Faust then you don’t know your DJ history. He made the first record, “Man Or Myth” completely by records on an 8-track I think. He used to be in a crew of DJ’s that included Shortee (she did the DJ 101 video), Klever (currently on tour with GZA), Craze (money has like 6 DMC titles), and Shotgun (from Goodie Mob days of old). He ended up marrying Shortee and now the 2 of them live in Cali teaching classes on DJing at the The Scratch DJ Academy founded by Jam Master Jay (R.I.P.). This track was a rethink of Jimi Hendrix’s track If 6 was 9 and, as far as I’m concerned, is about as good as it gets. The dude is fucking nasty! He’s probably the most influential person for me in the world of production. The things that kid got out of a SP were ridiculous. He’s spinning a lot more Drum & Bass now but still is a crate digger and is about as dope as they come!!!
04. Finesse & Synquis - Soul Sisters
I’ve always liked the idea of ladies rapping their asses off. Although I can only think of 3 that were good (Lyte, Bahamadia, and Lauryn) I always try to give them a chance. It’s like a chick playing bass. It’s hot if a female can rip the mic to shreds. Exceptionally rare, but hot. Finesse & Synquis wore leather Gucci suits and had asymmetric hair do’s and weren’t really that good but this song was pretty awesome when it came out.
05. The Flaming Lips - Waitin' For A Superman (Mokran Remix)
Peter Mokran started off by doing remixes for Aaliyah, Changing Faces, and the legendary musical God, Michael Bolton. Thankfully he left shitty R&B (Changing Faces) and shitty shit (Mr. Bolton) and did a remix of my favorite Flaming Lips song, "Waiting For A Superman." It’s not really an exciting remix but adds some thump in the beat and a few sounds but sometimes less is more.
06. DJ Food – Break
DJ Food started out as a side project from the Coldcut masters, Matt Black and Jonathan More. Later joined by Strictly Kev and Patrick Carpenter from Cinematic Orchestra, they were a collective of amazingly influential artists that released, I think, 5 volumes of Jazz Breaks, not including “Dub Plate” and “Refried.” Kaleidoscope was the last album they released and probably my favorite (that’s favourite if you are speaking the Queen’s English). "Break" is just a tripped out avant gardeish jazz track with some smooth ass dude making pool sound like the coolest thing in the world. Production wise, this track was ridiculous to me when it came out.
07. Foo Fighters – Everlong
David Grohl is one of my favorite drummers of all time. Technically, he’s no Stuart Copeland but he plays a really powerful drum. With work in side projects like Queens of the Stone Age and Tenacious D and being part of the little known trio that played as Nirvana, he’s been part of a great deal of the contemporary rock that I like a lot. Everlong was popular when it came out but was a really good song.
08. Foreign Legion - People Round Town
I heard this record from a friend of mine while I was lamenting about the state of hip-hop. Prozac and Peter Parker have a 1-2 flow that keeps them up with really good back and forth rhyme smiths. While they weren’t legendary they were really good and made me want to take Hip-Hop back into my heart, whisper secrets in her ear, and caress her hair til she fell asleep and then cop a feel when I thought she was out.
09. Fountains of Wayne - Bright Future In Sales
Another great indie rock group that released heir debut in 1996 and were then up for MTV’s best new band award in 2003 after their third release. hmmm…. Anyway, besides the fact that they had Rachel Hunter in a swimsuit for a video and “Stacy’s Mom” was #11 with a bullet, they were a pretty solid band even before MTV noticed. Any song about an alcoholic trying to get his “shit together” because he “can’t live like this forever” has got to be good. Although I never had the balls to go to a job drunk I highly respect anyone that has, does or will.
10. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
While the Scott’s have been the musical red headed (heh) step child of the UK, never since the Proclaimers, has a Scottish band made me want to sing along with such fervor. Franz Ferdinand wanted to create a sound that, as they put it, would be "music that girls can dance to." Who doesn’t?! Plus, I danced to it to. And I’m a boy. I’ve always like songs that morphed into another song and this one does it well.
11. Fred Wesley - Blow Your Head
Being the band leader of the J.B.’s makes you funky. It makes you uber-funky. Ever Since PE sampled this track for “Public Enemy #1” I’ve been a fan. It’s noisy and not quite jazz and not quite funk but dope nonetheless.
12. Free Speech - Everything Is Different Now
I’m not putting this under “Laffy Taffy Rots Your Teeth” because I feel like it. But the project was done by M.C. Freespeech (thus the “f” inclusion) and Ro Blvd on beats. This record was released for free at their site and was pretty good. The video for this is done in one take and that takes guts in any situation. Who doesn’t like a song that says how much better things were in the days of yore and how stupid and contrived things are now.
13. Freestyle Fellowship - Inner City Boundaries
I’ll admit I wasn’t as hip as this record when it came out. But, I’ve always dug scatting (not in the Pornographic, defecating on people sense of the word) and Hip Hop. This does both and makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside.
14. Fu-Schnickens - La Schmoove
Phife helped these cats make one good record and they made another one by themselves. For some reason in the early 90’s having a dude that spit lyrics really fast and had dreadlocks made you legit. I liked the video for this too because they were just on stage getting wicked.
15. Fugazi - Waiting Room
Minor Threat was my favorite hardcore punk band. They were short lived and highly influential (check for the “M” edition for a full write up) Ian MacKaye went on to Fugazi in 87. “Waiting Room” has one of those bass lines that freezes you in spot until the rest off the track comes in and makes you want to punch someone in the face (in a good and politically correct sort of way.)
16. Fugees - Ready Or Not (Clark Kent-Django Remix)
I had never even heard of this remix until a couple of years ago. It get’s it’s “Django” moniker from the Modern Jazz Quartet’s (Milt Jackson anyone?) song of the same name that was sampled. Oh Clark Kent, where are you now? This is up there with “Vocab” and “Nappy Heads” insofar as it is a really fucking good remix. Listen and be amazed that Lauryn Hill now demands all of her security to be black and not look at her or pass in front of her (she really is a lunatic).
17. Funkdoobiest - Bow Wow Wow
DJ Muggs loved him some Latin rappers that either were or dated porn stars. I was a big fan of this song when it came out and loved that vocoder “Bow wow, wow” That’s all I got.

Pace.

01. Fat Boys - Stick'em
02. Fatboy Slim - Give The Po' Man A Break
03. DJ Faust – If 9 Was 6
04. Finesse & Synquis - Soul Sisters
05. The Flaming Lips - Waitin' For A Superman (Mokran Remix)
06. DJ Food - Break
07. Foo Fighters - Everlong
08. Foreign Legion - People Round Town
09. Fountains of Wayne - Bright Future In Sales
10. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
11. Fred Wesley - Blow Your Head
12. Free Speech - Everything Is Different Now
13. Freestyle Fellowship - Inner City Boundaries
14. Fu-Schnickens - La Schmoove
15. Fugazi - Waiting Room
16. Fugees - Ready Or Not (Clark Kent-Django Remix)
17. Funkdoobiest - Bow Wow Wow



18. Flight Of The Conchords
If you haven’t watched this New Zealand group’s deadpan sketch comedy on HBO you should and then tell all of your friends at the water cooler how hip you are and spread the word. It’s about two guys in a band that doesn’t really have any gigs and how pathetically worthless they are. Great fun!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Friday's Cover: Respect

I think I’m going to keep the Cover day as Friday because it’s easier for me. I had my birthday on Wednesday to little fanfare and no god dammed booze and nary a spliff to be found (wife was working, boy was asleep, I was stuck). Send all donations to my pay pal account and please send any drugs to my home through the US Mail.

Originally recorded By Otis in 1965, this song truly found it’s legs in 67 when Aretha redid it. Any song that sounds like it’s about being treated nicely but is really about getting your bone on must be respected (see that). It’s also practically impossible to not think this is Aretha’s song but I thought that would be too easy. Otis Redding is an R&B legend and was one of the big Kahunas of the Stax dopeocity. There is talk that the song is really about sex and respect is code, kind of like The Beatles, “I want to hold your hand” (“hold your hand” Wink-wink. Nudge-nudge. Say no more) Anyway, Otis’ version is blusier than the one we’re more familiar with less “socks” to him.


At the same time Aretha was making the song hers, a woman in Jamaica recorded “The First Cut Is The Deepest” on the legendary Studio One label. With label mates like, Marley, Tosh, Dawn Penn and Delroy Wilson, she was in good company. I can’t seem to find out when she actually covered “Respect” but she did it well. It’s not really ground breaking. It’s just a good pop R&B tune that became a pop Reggae tune. But you decide. Alright I’m out.
Pace.

Vote here for your fav.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Treebeats A To Z Posting Compilation Of Really Dope Things. The Letter E

Seriously this is a great mix. I've been listening to it a lot. I know I made it, but every song on here is def, dumb, dope and completely phenomenal.
01 - Eagles of Death Metal - San Berdoo Sunburn
The Eagles of Death Metal are a side project of Carlo Von Sexron (A.K.A. Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age fame) and Jesse "The Devil" Hughes and are a lot closer to The Eagles than they are to death metal. They describe themselves as “bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." They've been used in a lot of commercials and nobody knows who they are. Now you do and you will spread the gospel. It’s just a good rough garage rocky record with a good vibe.
02 - Easy Star All-Stars - Money
The Dubbed out version of Pink Floyd’s, Dark Side Of The Moon could sound like a bad idea. It could be executed poorly with miserable and idiotic results. It could end up terrible. This record does none of this. Rather, it takes a tripped out psychedelic record and trips it out some more with less LSD and more THC. This is probably my favorite cover record of all time and is fucking brilliant. I heard this at a friend’s house watching the Boston Marathon six years ago and stayed inside for the whole thing while everyone went outside and drank and watched the race. I was absolutely enthralled. I then went outside and enjoyed a beer(s) and the rest of the race. Do yourself a favor and pick this record up. The Radiodread is not as good certainly, isn't awful. Look for another one of their songs appearing in a coming up edition of “Friday’s Cover.”
03 - Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - I'm Different
When I was in High School I believed that any hip hop made in New York was the best and anything made anywhere else was OK but not “real” hip-hop. I was at boarding school and over winter break I gave my man Almasi $40 to get me some new records that I couldn’t get at home. He brought back ED O.G’s “I Got To Have It” single. He, and The Black United Leaders Livin Directly On Groovin Sounds were dope and only a 45 minute drive from me (I was in Rhode Island at the time). I’m sure it was some hometown pride as well, but that record got played the hell out and their debut release faired the same. I don’t mean “played the hell out” in a “I’m bored of this now” kind of way, but rather a “I can’t get enough of this lyrical dope and these ill ass beats!” None of his releases ever moved me the same but this record gave him a permanent place in my “MC’s I respect” list.
04 - Eek A Mouse - Wa-Do-Dem
Da one don gorgon demma call Eek A Mouse is a Reggae giant (literally at 6’6” and metaphorically by being one of the more celebrated and recognizable voices.) Wa-Do-Dem,” which is patois for “What’s the matter with them” is probably his most famous song. Who doesn’t like a song about a hot virgin girl!? It’s a reggae standard and it’s dope. Perrrrfect! (I’m steeple-ing my fingers.)
05 - Eels - Woman Driving, Man Sleeping
Mark Oliver Everett A.K.A. the Man Called E is the force behind Eels. This track is from Souljacker which was released in 2001 and is a favorite of mine. “Woman Driving, Man Sleeping” is a song about just that. It paints a picture of a somewhat depressed relationship or maybe it’s just dark and quiet. Whatever. I don’t know what the hell the song is actually about but its mellow goodness with a steady riff and rim shots echoing into the black. It’s good to drive to as well.
06 - Elbow - Ribcage
My love for Elbow is a result of my love for Doves. Love not love love. They are another Manchester band from the 90’s that did the music I liked. If you like Doves (see the post I did here or check the “D” installment) you will love these guys. This song just builds into this aural typhoon of beats, choir, guitars and delayed beeps. It’s a big song and I love it and would marry it if not otherwise betrothed.
07 - Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, Lady Be Good [Scat Version]
It’s Ella Fitzgerald y’all! The First lady of song. I never understood why her scatting wasn’t sampled more. This is just one example of why she was a fucking amazing individual. Read up about her. Her story is pretty impressive.
08 - Elvis Costello - Alison
Was his aim true with a 9MM or with devotion? Who knows? It was early Elvis that still holds up today. The song was released 30 years ago! If you’ve never listened to Elvis Costello, then imagine a guy who has been Punk, New Wave, Rock, Folk and then anything else he wanted. The dude is prolific and gifted. This is a great song of his.
09 - Eminem - Drips
This is my wife’s favorite Em track. Say what you want about him but he will kill most anyone in a battle. I never saw him battle Canibus which is my personal battle fav, but I would like to see it. It would be like Kenobi Versus Anakin except without the first 2 movies.
10 - En Vogue - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
How do you pick a favorite? OK Cindy was the best. But Rhonda, Terry and Maxine were a close second. This was a making the band(®Bad Boy Films) group that was actually pretty good, looked dam good and had a career spanning more than a single or two. As I said earlier, I mixed this with D-Nice’s “Call Me D-Nice” ad nauseam. It was a good song. Don’t front. You go “ooooOOOO BOP” too!
11 – E.P.M.D. - Jane
The integrity and beauty of a serial misogynistic and homophobic themed tale has never been so deftly tackled as it was by Eric and Parrish in their quest of Making Dollars. Spanning 6 songs, 3 of which I guess I liked, the story of Jane was a great idea that was done by an average group. Don’t get me wrong I love those guys, they just aren’t that good. This was the best of the Jane songs to me. But I’m old and ornery.
12 - Eric B & Rakim - What's On Your Mind
First their was Mahogany. Then House Party 2 came out. Robin Harris? Sadly died. Martin Lawrence? Gone. George Clinton? Gone. Groove B Chill? Gone. Possibility of two more subsequent films? Gone. The phoenix of the ashes of Kid N' Play's career was Eric B & Rakim’s “What’s On Your Mind.” Both the tracks, this and Mahogany, were ill rap songs about some stupid shit and stuff. Rakim Allah made it alright to talk metaphysical shit to get your lady naked. Thanks buddy. I learned a lot from the R, but being a romantic warrior might have made the biggest difference.
13 - Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime
Ah, Neo-Soul. Gotta love the Soulquarians. Gotta love Erykah. Just to get my gripe out of the way, I heard in one interview that she had the balls to deny that she sounded like Billie Holiday and didn’t get her style from her. Seriously Erykah? We liked you. Why did you say that? Anyway, I still couldn’t front on this record. Along with D’Angelo’s debut this assisted my "Mack" considerably.
14 - Esthero - Song For Holly (Feat. Danny Saber)
Esthero, born Jen-Bea Englishman (good idea on the name change shnookums) released her first record with production by Doc in 98. During the mid to late 90’s there were a lot of douche bags that believed that any time a woman’s voice was singing over a fat beat it was good. I was one of those douche bags. I had always preferred R&B on blend tapes and Portishead made my panties moist. This song was from the movie "Go" during a strip scene that I have been desperately trying to persuade my wife to reenact without success. Esthero did it well and “Breath From Another” was a very solid debut. She essentially created the sound that Res and Nelly tried to emulate. It’s good and you will be a better person if you buy it.
15 - Everlast - Painkillers
I got the Rhyme Syndicate record when it came out and was so excited to see a white guy on it. Up until that point, the only white rappers were the Beastie Boys (Paul’s Boutique wasn’t out yet and the Surf MC’s which made me want to rip out the veins in my eyes and shove fiberglass in my ear holes.) You can hate him or love him but the cat has been down since day one, when it was a lot harder. I have this thing about artists that try different musical styles. Part of me immediately thinks they's a bunch of sell out punk bitches and another part of me appreciates the fact that they are brave enough to try different things. Over specialization breeds in weakness, and without change we would still be listening to “Lime to a lemon” rhymes. So pick that up and pack it in your pipe and smoke it.
16 - E-Z Rollers - Walk This Land
I don’t really know a lot about these guys. There a Drum & Bass outfit from Norfolk England. This song was featured in the scene in Lock Stock when everyone is getting fucked up at the pub and celebrating the heist. I’m sure part of it was the fact that I liked the movie so much but this is also a pretty solid track.


01 - Eagles of Death Metal - San Berdoo Sunburn
02 - Easy Star All-Stars - Money
03 - Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - I'm Different
04 - Eek A Mouse - Wa-Do-Dem
05 - Eels - Woman Driving, Man Sleeping
06 - Elbow - Ribcage
07 - Ella Fitzgerald - Oh, Lady Be Good [Scat Version]
08 - Elvis Costello - Alison
09 - Eminem - Drips
10 - En Vogue - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
11 - EPMD - Jane
12 - Eric B & Rakim - What's On Your Mind
13 - Erykah Badu - Next Lifetime
14 - Esthero - Song For Holly (Feat. Danny Saber)
15 - Everlast - Painkillers
16 - E-Z Rollers - Walk This Land



I've got no words for this.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

I'm Over Here Now.

Dayum. I’ve been gone for a week and the only comments I got were a dude selling t-shirts (you have now been deleted) and a, literally, 52 page diatribe about some shit. Mostly how black people are bad. Gay people are bad, and that there was symbolism in the movie ‘Logan’s Run” My favorite quote from this gorgeous piece of prose was, “Blacks be looking up at white trash too::::They'd be wise to improve their lives by upgrading from hip hop to raggae .” Honestly, if you don’t find the joyous ironic humor in that, you take yourself too seriously and that douche bag too seriously. So I am going to up a couple of mixes since you all have been so patient and anxiously (read that as ambivalent and absent) anticipating my return. There are 3 different styles, reggae (DJ Bosi), 80’s (DJ Yoda), and a sample lesson mix from brother ?uestion and you should like them. These are all mixes that I have listened to a lot and like a great deal. DJ Bosi I don’t really know a lot about but he’s from Budapest and this is some dancehall and reggae well selected and mixed. The DJ Yoda mix has everything from A-Ha to Kurtis Blow to Betty Boo to Europe so it’s eclectic and very cleverly put together. Anyway. Enjoy. Florida was cool. Lot’s of beach and pool time and my boy has an ill Farmers tan. Hope everyone is good and not listening to that Sean Kingston “Beautiful Girls” track. If you are listening to that song I hate you and I hope you fall down.

Pace.

yoda http://sharebee.com/136ed313

bosi http://sharebee.com/1368d17c

?uestlove http://sharebee.com/dea9b324

Friday, July 6, 2007

Friday's Cover: What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Alright, I missed Wednesday. I was celebrating the birth of our nation by drinking beer. Nothing says patriotism like a bottle of Negra Modelo. Cool thing is I now have polls for the covers, so vote a away bitches!
Oh Janet, thou art verily difficult to give an accurate weight. In 1986 I was 14 and I thought Janet Jackson was the shit. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were solidifying their careers, Paula was making the switch from half time to videos and Janet was waiting another year to release Pleasure Principle and film the video that made big, fat, booty look delicious. This was a single off of Control and although it sounds horrifically dated now it was def and fresh at the time it came out. It’s still structurally a great pop song. There’s also a cow bell and nothing says “Funky-ass Jam” like a cow bell. That little bridge about “you think you’re God’s gift to the world” was slammin. The piano at the end of the song. The fact that she says, “This is wild. I swear.” Alright that was stupid, but it was a tight song that catapulted her into stardom and led to her topless album cover and nipplegate. The video made shoulder pads still look stupid and proved that you still don’t look skinny in a sports jacket if you not skinny to begin with. Sharon Jones originally recorded a few tracks on Desco Records and began to make a name for herself and released “Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings” to little fanfare and from what I remember, no publicity in 2002. It was the first release on the Dap-Tones label. She waited 50 years unfortunately and isn’t pretty to look at but Gotdam! That woman blows. The daptones recordings are designed to sound like 50’s and 60’s funk recordings and sound compressed and noisy and authentic and really great. The Horns section worked with Ronson for his Just cover (thus the correlation. Look for no other clever segues on later editions of Wednesdays cover. I can only do so much) Ronson also used them for work with Amy Winehouse. The drummer is a funky ass dude and it sounds like this is actually the original rather than a cover. I wish there was more of a market for this lady because she’s so fucking good. Anyway, that’s it.
I’m off to Florida for a week, so don’t mistake lack of activity for lack of work. Actually you can do that. But I will be back in a week. I got an “E” and “F” already in the works.
Pace.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Treebeats A To Z Posting Compilation Of Really Dope Things. The Letter D

Dana Dane – Tales From The Dane Side
I upped his first record a while ago here. This was from his second release.

D'Angelo – Lady
Some say Voodoo was when D’Angelo really came into his groove, but if you were sexually active and not monogamous, Brown Sugar made many a panty drop from moisture. Plus you got to say, “Yeah, I listen to neo-soul.” while you put your scented oils on and shared a glass of Boones wit yo date. The dude’s voice is dope. This production, while brother ?uest-less, was pretty spot on. Thank you Michael Eugene Archer for changing your name and for helping us hit skins. Also check “Brown Sugar” and “Voodoo” in their entirety.

The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Rocking out of Portland Oregon, the Dandy’s are a tight little set of indie rocking goodness. With 5 records or 7 if you are a Dandy nerd, they have a lot to listen to. Monkey House probably being the easiest to listen to if you don’t listen to a lot of rock. Bohemian Like You is probably the song they are most known for and it fucking rocks. Good, fun Rock & Roll for the masses to consume and rub their proverbial tummies in delight.

Dane Cook - Struck By A Vehicle
Granted he’s not music but to be fair it’s a list of “really dope things” and Dane Cook’s Retaliation cd is funny as heck, darn it. His references are creative and just because every movie he’s made has been such an utter and total pile of hot, violent garbage, it doesn’t mean the dude didn’t have a special moment, where he truly moved people and made a difference in the lives of some sick children.

David Holmes – Rip
With opening dialog from Don Cheadle the badass boxer with a big prejudice against goldfish and a badass Rhodes riff this song is your typical David Holmes movie soundtrack splendor. It’s really just a big beat with said piano, a LFO and some dialog over it but as usual it works. I posted another mix cd of his here, which is one of my top mix cd’s of all time.

Dead Kennedys - Nazi Punks Fuck Off
Before hip-hop there was punk and hardcore. I’ve always felt that the two, punk and Hip-Hop were essentially the same thing executed by two separate and different groups of disenchanted youth. The Dead Kennedy’s were headed by Jello Biafra and were the Dead Prez of the hardcore scene. Very political and unlike DP, they were quite funny a lot of the time. (Did anyone else find that scene when “ya basta” is being “explained” on Dave Chapelle’s Block Party painful to watch?) Anyway, DK were a good example of the “it’s loud, it’s a fad, and it’s destroying the youth” argument that tried to minimize rock, punk, and rap being contradicted. I just realized how ironically similar Dead Kennedys and Dead Presidents are.

De La Soul – Breakadawn
Why Breakadawn? Why not Breakadawn!? Buhloone Mindstate was De La’s 3rd release and blew me the fuck away when I heard it. Let’s look at guests, Biz, Dres, Shorty No Mass, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, some Japanese dudes rhyming. Let’s look at singles, this and Ego Trippin’! For the love of God man. I love those guys. I’ve always thought that “Quiet Storm” sample is about as smooth as it gets and the track itself is just bangin. My man Trav at WYDU posted the Ego Trippin’ single a while ago. Go look for it. His archives are splendid

The Decemberists - The Sporting Life
The classic tale of a boy trying to please his dad, hurting himself at the game, disappointing his dad disappointing his coach, and then watching his girlfriend leave with the captain of the other team. The Decemberist are a 5 person set out of Portland and make really good indie pop music. I'll see if I can find a link of Colin Meloy (the singer) on the Colbert Report. Also check out "We Both Go Down Together" and "The Mariner's Revenge Song."

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - Catch A Bad One
I was feeling My Brother George so, the fact that this came out around the same time the Soul’s first record I had a hard on for anything Hiero. The Bowed bass line. The beat. "People having memory loss..." You are a funky homosapien indeed.

Dilated Peoples – Give it To Them

Another Dilated banger. Rhyming over an Alchemist produced beat, Rakaa and Evidence lick lyrical shots from their respective metaphysical mags. Originally realeased in 2003 as a one off, it was later released as "Right And Exact" on the Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2 comp.

Digable Planets - Jettin'
I was a big fan of this second release. I was a big fan of most Jazz heavy Hip-Hop excluding the Jazzmatazz debacle. And the second Jazzmatazz debacle. And the third Jazzmatazz debacle. And now the fourth Jazzmatazz debacle. Blowout Comb was a record you could put on for just about anyone. Just because it's a crossover hit, doesn't mean it's bad. Look at The Fat Boys doing "The Twist."

Digital Underground - Freaks of the Industry
I can't say I loved this when it came out. I was very East coast orientated and this production was a bit too mature for my boom bap tastes. In retrospect this was a pretty great record however, and thankfully this indirectly brought us the entire 57 disc collection of 2 pac's work.

Diplo - Big Lost
This is what The Outsider should have been. Sorry Mr. Shadow. Diplo's other big project is Hollertronix with Low Budget, which is a mash up project. He's out of Philadelphia and makes great music. He also boned and produced some of M.I.A.'s first record. I like him because he does a lot of different things and they typically turn out pretty good.

D-Nice - Call Me D-Nice
The TR-808 sampled that nasty ass riff from Buzz Saw and made "Call Me D-Nice" a song that I used to mix with En Vogue for hours on end (I was lonely sometimes.) Apparently his big thing is photography now but I am either not clever enough or it isn't good and it is very yawn-ish. Anyway, this was his track. I loved this song and it made me buy his album, which wasn't as good as the single, but he beat boxed for BDP's Breath Control part 2 and that made up for it as far as I'm concerned.

Double Dee & Steinski - Lesson 2 (James Brown Megamix)
If you don't know about these guys then you don't know the history of hip hop music. Doug DiFranco and Steve Stein were not DJ's but Double D worked in a studio at the time and they worked together to produce a remix for "Play That Beat" by the Soul Sonic Force and came up with the original series of lessons. These were done essentially like a pause tape mix and sounded like a lot of what came after in the late 80's. This one is fun because although Mr. Brown (RIP) has been sampled to disgusting proportions, there are reasons for that. The music was great. This came out before it was played out. Enjoy this lesson.


Doug E Fresh - Risin' To The Top
I wanted to post "Play This Only At Night" which I think holds up pretty well today.
vc xv x g b nhyb u7bh8ju9ij9o0p0l;l.p-[;/[P:l=\.,-l99k8i[u[kj\](That's what my son thinks.)
I wore Obsession cologne in copious, some might say nauseating amounts when this song came out and while I didn't have a Cherokee or an Audi, I felt like I was on my way to hip hop stardom. Unfortunately, besides beat boxing quite well and having a couple good songs, Doug was not that great. I love him and I'm glad he helped the foundation but Aaaaayyyyyoooooo I-ight Makes me want to squirt in his gob and wire it shut. Risin' to the top was a good one though.

Double X Posse - Not Gonna Be Able To Do It
Another killer base line. Again, this wasn't the best group by any means and remember their second release? No? Neither do I, but this song was definitely a banger.

Doves – Pounding
I already posted the b-sides compilation earlier here. This is my favorite song of theirs.

Down South - Southern Comfort
I think this was Shawn J Periods first production gig. Along with the Beatnuts this album is pretty solidly produced and was good lyrically. Not great but certainly not bad either. It's one of those slept on gems that you can't understand why [people didn't push this record more. It's another one of those records that almost every person that hears it is like, "Oh this is dope. What's this?" And you're like, "It's Down South bitches!"" And they're like, "word?" And you're like, "word!" And they're like, "that's what's up." And you're like "youknowwhatimsayin!"

Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride
I love this beat and the Jamaican chick in the beginning is my baby's mama. Also, she'll shoot you.


01. D'Angelo - Lady.mp3
02. The Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You.mp3
03. Dane Cook - Struck By A Vehicle.mp3
04. David Holmes - Rip.mp3
05. Dead Kennedys - Nazi Punks Fuck Off.mp3
06. De La Soul - Breakadawn.mp3
07. The Decemberists - The Sporting Life.mp3
08. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - Catch A Bad One.mp3
09. Digable Planets - Jettin'.mp3
10. Digital Underground - Freaks of the Industry.mp3
11. Diplo - Big Lost.mp3
12. D-Nice - Call Me D-Nice.mp3
13. Double Dee & Steinski - Lesson 2 (James Brown Megamix).mp3
14. Doug E Fresh - Risin To The Top.mp3
15. Double X Posse - Not Gonna Be Able To Do It.mp3
16. Doves - Pounding.mp3
17. Down South - Southern Comfort.mp3
18. Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride.mp3


** The Dane and Dilated People's tracks need to be downloaded separately**



Michel Gondry directing Daft Punk's "Around the World" video.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Alright I'm a douche...

Just got back from watching the Red Sox with my wife and my homeboy Dale. Tomorrow I'm going to a 4th of July party and won't be able to post. I got the letter "D" all set and am just finishing reviews and the next installment of Wednesday's Cover is conceptually prepared it will just be "Thursday's Cover". I'll leave you with this video because it's funny if you haven't seen it. If you are part of the Liberated Group Against the Abuse of Indian Midgets that Breakdance, please don't watch and also, find another movement.
Pace.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

BTW,

I fucking hate people that talk on their cell phone with the speaker on. I hate it even more when they hold it to their ear and do it. I hate the word "celebutant" I hate people that are richer and dummer than me. And I hate t-shirts that go past your ass. It's a dress at that point playah.
If you fall into none of these categories, I hope you do not swallow a shard of glass and then have to shit it out. Too much?
Pace
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