Shuffering + Shmiling

"Shuffering + Shmiling" from the 2002 compilation Red Hot + Riot: The Music and spirit of Fela Kuti may very well be the greatest hip-hop song ever recorded. Of course, that's just my opinion... you make the call yourself!

Regardless of where it ranks on the all-time list, its power is undeniable. I can listen to this song over and over again without growing weary of it. That is as much a testament to the original Fela Kuti track as it is to the reworking of the song by Dead Prez and Talib Kweli.

Not only is it some of the most addictive music you'll ever hear, but it also deals with heavy social/political issues in the black community. This song has been out for a while but is an absolute must for any serious music fan!

The War on Drugs!

I'm not talking about the Reagan 80s... this new record by The War on Drugs is fantastic! I don't often use the word fantastic, but I listened to this four times all the way through today and didn't once feel inclined to turn it off!

This record creates an easy vibe. The dream-like vocals play a large part. The record was released on the label Secretly Canadian, which is also the label of Damien Jurado... one of my favorites.

The album incites a range of emotions as it rolls through several different musical styles. At times this record is anthemic, atmospheric, Dylanesque, dreamy and even flirts with synth-pop. The Dylan comparison is no mistake as these guys are clearly devoted fans.

Pay particular attention to "Brothers", "Your Love is Calling My Name", "Come to the City" and "Black Water Falls". Very pleased I bought this! Incidentally... it was released on my birthday. I had to buy it!

Island Mood

I got a $50 iTunes gift card for my birthday and bought 8 new reggae and dub albums...

Justin Hinds & The Dominoes, Horace Andy, The Abyssinians, Max Romeo, The Mighty Diamonds, The Congos and Lucky Dube!

Deee-Lite!

"Groove is in the Heart" is as cool today as it was in 1990. Not simply because Tribe member Q-Tip is on the track, but because it's just plain badass! If you don't know it, listen now! I guarantee you'll bounce with it!

Shabazz Palaces

Sub-Pop just released its first hip-hop record in the history of the label. To say it's unique doesn't really paint the right picture. I haven't heard hip-hop this eclectic and daring since Kool Keith's Dr. Octagon days. The group is called Shabazz Palaces. This isn't their first record, but the group is new to me. However, the architect of this group is definitely NOT new to me or to music. Hip-hop hero Butterfly, former member of the ineffable Digable Planets, is responsible for this outfit. Their newest release is called Black Up and is a great collage of sounds, angles, instruments and vocals. Buy this, push play and try to follow along. It will take a couple listens to grasp it all, but only a few seconds to know you like it! This record is in the clouds, man!

Daughter

Yesterday I came across a free song on iTunes called "Landfill" by a woman calling herself Daughter. Elena Tonra sings of heartache and pain with an angelic, yet haunting voice. The recordings are somewhat sparse carried mainly by her voice. The songs are gentle and sweet until one really pays attention to the lyrics and realizes the pain in them! Poetic, gripping, haunting... brilliant!