While I continue my electro pop kick fresh off Annie and Mylo I am now into Kelley Polar. As Pitchfork highlights Mr. Polar has one hell of a musical background. He has classical training from Juilliard and arrangement work for Metro Area (whos label Eviron released the album). His older sister is Blevin Blectum which means something to Pitchfork but nothing to me given I have never heard of her.
Kelley was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia to parents in the US Diplomatic Corps. He began playing violin at age 3 and composing soon after. His first symphonic-disco composition (entitled "Get in the Love Bubble") was published a year later. Interestingly the record label website tells the story that Kelley was recently expelled from Juilliard for the "riot" during his Master's Recital. He now is retired and living in his farmhouse basement studio, and is the caretaker of a herd of Scottish Longhair cattle in New Hampshire.
Mp3: Kelley Polar - "Here in the night"
Mp3: Kelley Polar - "Ashamed of myself"
AMG states that the album "is synth-phonic space-age boogie pop made possible with high-caliber songwriting, innovative production, and a maverick way of glancing at varied points in the past in order to chart the future." Sounds more like a time travel machine to me but thats cool. Its a great record if you like it be sure to buy it.
Buy Love Songs of Hanging Gardens here.
The indy hip hop legend and crate digging deity has released Funky Skunk a limited-edition mixtape sold in exclusive packages with equally iconic Shepard Fairey's graffiti artwork. Pitchforkmedia calls the album "addictive and ferocious, and might horrify anyone who's only familiar with Shadow's more serene albums."
As could be expected this hour long mix tape is incredible and not to be missed. Shadow claims to hold around 90 million songs on "60,000 shelves" and this tape gives you just a taste of what he is capable of doing. A must have for DJ Shadow fans like myself and definately a must listen for anyone wanting to learn more about turntablism from one of the best. AMG says "Skunk ranks highly as one of DJ Shadow's best mix albums, acting as a brilliant party album but also as an introduction to prehistoric hip hop."
Mp3:DJ Shadow - "Funky Skunk" (104.31 mb)
I will only host the album for a couple days and then will take it down. Be sure to purchase the album here as the packaging and artwork is awesome.
Buy Funky Skunk here.
Also visit Shadow at his newly redesigned website featuring some great old school photos of his first mix tape and early years here.
Can't say that I disagree. Who are we to say who gets what when and how? Contrary to what Pat Robertson thinks we aren't God.
Sad the US has finished 2nd to the dirty Germans.
GERMANY 11 gold, 12 silver, 6 bronze = 29
UNITED STATES 9 gold, 9 silver, 7 bronze = 25
CANADA 7 gold, 10 silver, 7 bronze = 24
Well this is an obvious problem you know with the whole World War thing going on and our fight against the Nazis something is going to have to be done. The Canadians almost beat us. The most likely solution is that the U.S. invents more sports to increase its 2010 medals grab.
I am off to Chicago to visit the parents. I will be back on Sunday won't be posting till Monday. I look forward to checking out the Bulls versus the Pistons on Friday Night (thanks to my girlfriend's dad for scoring my mom and I tickets). If I am lucky I will also be able to see some jazz at the Green Mill on Saturday night. Viva Aurora home of Wayne's World!
Everyone have a great rest of the short week and a good weekend.
Mp3: Hieroglyphics - "Chicago"*
Mp3: Robert Johnson - "Sweet Home Chicago"*
Mp3: Phish - "Jesus Left Chicago"
Mp3: Spoon - "Chicago at Night"
Links:
Ben Gordon's Blog
A friend of mine recommended I check out a group called Goldfrapp the other day. So I did and really enjoyed what I heard. Goldfrapp is the acclaimed duo of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory.
Singer/composer/keyboardist Allison Goldfrapp began exploring music as a part of her studies as a Fine Art Painting major at Middlesex University, mixing sound, visuals, and performances in her installation pieces. While at University her vocals were featured in electro artitists like Tricky and Orbital. By the late 1990's Allison had begun to hone hear sound and passed along to composer William Gregory. Given their similiar tastes in music the two teamed up to form Goldfrapp.
Since their creation they have released 2 full length LPs Felt Mountain (2000) and Black Cherry (2003). Their album Supernature has already been relaesed in the UK but is still waiting a 2006 US release date. Their alternative pop electro sound is certainly a nice departure from my often times over focus on the hip hop, jazz and downtempo genres.
Supernature
Mp3: Goldfrapp - "Lovely to See You"*
Mp3: Goldfrapp - "No. 1"
Felt Mountain
Mp3: Goldfrapp - "Pilots"
Mp3: Goldfrapp - "Utopia"
Buy Goldfrapp records and other stuff here.
Is it me or does this movie look ridiculous cool. The subject matter is right on for times like these with government crossing the line in privacy and corporate corruption. Not to mention the 1984/Shepard Fairey style poster artwork is incredible. I love dystopia books, movies, and media with allegorical political themes and this looks like its going to be great.
Links:
Poster 2.
Poster 3.
Poster index.
Isiah is up to his GM shenanigans again. Ok, this is getting just about as ridiculous as the Bush Administration. Today Isiah Thomas has traded for Steve Francis. He didn't give up much in terms of talent (Trevor Ariza aka 2nd round scrub) and a geriatric Penny Hardaway. But he took on Steve Francis enormous ego, attitude and salary adding it to an already capped Knick team.
The other thing that seems so puzzling is now the Knicks have 3 ball hogs on the team in Marbury, Francis, and Rose and a dude that loves to chuck the ball up in Crawford and all of them don't play a lick of defense. He must think stockpiling selfish guards is the wave of the future.
Aside from sexually harassing women in the Knick front office what is on Isiah Thomas mind?! Its unfortunate that he couldn't include Anucha Brown-Sanders in the deal. The dude is crazy. I can't believe New Yorkers put up with this. The guy is single handily ruining the team. They traded for Quentin Richardson during the summer and now they have like 500 swingmen/shooting guards on the team. Sure they might win some games but they are going to have to put up about 300 shots in the game.
Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis are probably two of the most overrated guards in the league and now the Knicks can feel proud that they have both of them. I truly believe that Larry Brown is going to kill himself...Tomorrow if he hasn't already. Hey Isiah its time you stop worrying about getting in street fights with ESPN sports writer Bill Simmons and starting reading up on how to be a general manager.
Well I didn't want to move to South Dakota anyways but here is just one more reason. Today the South Dakota's state legislature approved a bill to ban most abortions. The move experts say takes aim to force the US Supreme Court to reconsider its key ruling on the issue. This is the nation's most far-reaching ban on abortion in the US to date.
It just is now up to an anti-abortion governor to sign. There are few exceptions to allowing an abortion. Exceptions will be made if a woman's life is at risk, but not for rape. Great, that makes alot of sense. If you are raped or a victim of incest how is that child going to be raised? I am sure they are going to feel alot of love from the father. Again, its not the women's fault but they are forced to live with the result of male violence against them. This makes absolutely no sense at all. Men do the crime and women suffer for it. Where is the logic there?
At least leave it up to the women to have the choice to decide if they want to have the child.
Links:
US State takes aim at abortion by BBC News
Ban on Most Abortions Advances in South Dakota by Ny Times
SD Senate bill to ban most abortions by Seattle PI
Totally spaced on posting my Tuesday crate dig (was actually thinking today was Tuesday) so instead its a Wednesday dig and a brief tour of some of my favorite music blogs. I have decided to highlight some new and old tracks from the great month of February.
Kevin did a great job of posting some cool B side tracks along with one my favorite hip hop acts among other things in Febuary. Ohh and I almost forgot get over there and check out Giant Panda a great emerging hip hop act. An awesome find by Kevin.
Mp3: Stars - "Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Mix)"
Mp3: Blackalicious - "Paragraph President"
Mp3: Blackalicious - "Your Move (Live on KEXP)"
Mp3: Giant Panda - "Diggin' in the Tapes"
My Ole Kentucky Blog
Dodge doesn't post much hip hop and really specializes in the indie stuff but when he does post some non-indie stuff it is usually top notch. Check out Breakestra from one of my favorite labels Ubiquity Records.
Mp3: Breakestra - "Family Rap"
Mp3: Breakestra - "Show & Prve"
Mp3: Breakestra - "Gotta Let Me Know"
Mocking Music
Awesome post about one of my all time favorite artists Nick Drake with the original tracks and then them covered by Beck, check them out here.
Tonight Lets Dance
A great Black Jazz records collection from 1971-1976 is offered up by Tonight Lets Dance. Definitely something to check out that hasn't gotten enough attention. A great collection. Check it out here.
Feed Me Good Tunes
Damnit these guys know good music. I love pretty much all their stuff and the month of February was no exception. Dropping a song by Deltron 3030, Ozomatli, Jimmy Smith and Baby Mamoth. I think they read my thoughts or something cause everything they put up I either have, want, or love. Keep up the great work fellas. No dig is complete without some tracks from Feed Me Good Tunes.
Mp3: Deltron 3030 - "Memory Lost"
Mp3: Ozomatli - "Nadie Te Tira"
Mp3: Baby Mamoth - "Tomoz Jazz"
Mp3: Jimmy Smith - "Burning Spear"
This is getting ubsurd. Bush carries the American flag and says freedom every other sentence and considers himself a patriot and defender of America but does crap like this?
"A company in the United Arab Emirates is poised to take over significant operations at six American ports as part of a corporate sale, leaving a country with ties to the Sept. 11, 2001 hijackers with influence over a maritime industry considered vulnerable to terrorism."
Are you joking? You all know I am convinced he is out of his mind but lets be serious here. He doesn't have enough faith in the American people that we can run our own ports? We have to have a middle eastern company do it for us? What kind of back room deal is this UAE company got going with the administration? We are seriously going to have our major ports in the hands of an Arab country where al Qaeda recruits, travels and wires money.
This story broke the 12th of Febuary the same day that news of Cheney shooting a dude in the face with a shotgun came out. The story has slowly been emerging. Somebody tell me this is a joke. Somebody tell me why this man and his administration is in power. Give me some good points please. Something I beg you.
Links:
Bush veto threat to save Dubai bid for US ports by SF Chronicle
Bush pledges to veto port protesters by Chicago Sun-Times
How does this happen? You know I try and stay optimistic that everyone is smart and given the right chances they can achieve greatness. But check out this boob. The British "historian" and Nazi apologist, David Irving was sentenced for 3 years for pleading guilty to the denial that the Holocaust happened. Ok, there a couple issues I have here.
1. How can you be called a historian if you can't figure out that the Holocaust an event in history that claimed the lives of 5.1-6.0 million Jews, 1.8-1.9 million Gentile Poles, 200,000-800,000 Roma and Sinti, 200,000-300,000 people with disabilities, 10,000-25,000 homosexual men and 2,000 Jehovah's Witnesses happened? Shit if you can't use your research skills to figure out that this happened then you don't get the historian title. I would love to see a list of his works cited on all his 24 books.
2. Ok this guy is obviously an insensitive a-hole. He's an idiot. He has contended that most of those who died at camps like Auschwitz were not executed, but instead succumbed to diseases like typhus. There is obviously no evidence for that. But 3 years in prison? I don't agree with this. He is stupid and foolish but you don't get 3 years for being stupid. You don't get 3 years for being racist, prejudice, or anti-Semitic.
If all of Europe is going to be up in arms about freedom of expression for the publication of insensitive Muslim cartoons then you gotta tote both lines. You cannot pick and choose were it applies. Freedom of expression is freedom of expression no matter what ridiculous anti-Semitic comments you might be making.
Links:
David Irving Profile by the Anti-Defamation League
Not-So-Free Speech in Europe by Emily Messner (Washington Post)
Three years is not enough say Irving's accusers by Guardian Unlimited
Austria Imposes 3-Year Sentence on Notorious Holocaust Denier by Ny Times
Freedom on Trial by Mark Oliver (Guardian Unlimited)
Sorry for slacking on the posting. Apologies to the loyal AG readers. From driving up to visit friends in Northeastern Vermont and locking myself out of my apartment I dropped the ball on the posting. Anyways you don't come here for the apologies and excuse making so lets get to the beatmakers.
Well its time I post some downtempo electro for the short week (I know you're saying "Dude you just posted some downtempo stuff!" but this is unreleased Tosca here). Tosca's stuff has best been described as "Not just music, but a state of mind" (Urb June 2005, p. 81).
Tosca is the project of Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Hubert on the esteemed G-Stoned label. Souvenirs is a remix album of their previous LP J.A.C. and you haven't heard K&D Sessions and you likey the downtempo its a must have.
This disc starts out strong with John Lee Huber Burn Friedman Mix feat. Theo Altenberg. Theo Altenburg's vocals are great on this track and accent this blues'ed out version of a great remix. The second hosted track is DJ DSL's version of Rondo Acapricio. DSL stays focused on his hip hop roots but reliably adds some extra flavours. The final hosted track is Haaksman & Haaksman Mix of Superrob. Its definatly a dancer and has a great reggae sound with Ras Donovan vocals to boot.
Mp3: Tosca - "John Lee Huber (Burnt Friedman Mix feat. Theo Altenberg)"
Mp3: Tosca - "Rondo Acapricio (DSL Mix)"*
Mp3: Tosca - "Superrob (Haaksman & Haaksman Mix feat. Ras Donovan)"
Buy Tosca shwag here.
Two more "The Knife" songs have been added here. They are "Na Na Na" and "From Off to On" as requested by an AG reader. Enjoy and remember to buy "The Knife" stuff here.
Who watched the slam dunk contest? Well if you did you saw a robbery in progress. Sure Nate Robinson is a cute little guy standing a generous 5'9. He has serious ups but his dunks were not even close to as creative as Andre's. Sure, everyone was misty eyed when Nate brought out a past vertically challenged high flyer but jumping over somebody? Been done.
Off the back of the backboard bringing it around to the other side for the flush? Never been done and never been tried. It was true creativity. Even his dunk off of the bounce around the back was something of awe. Look I should be rooting for the former Washington Husky but Dre had some ridiculous dunks that were over looked because of his height. Hell he is a Kamaniac member I can't root against him.
Maybe Dre should have held the big guns until the end but his 2 dunks at 6'6 where better then any of Nate's at 5'9. I am just waiting for Isiah Thomas to some how screw up this Knicks' win. Not sure how he is going to do it but he will find a way.
Is it me or is Dwayne Wade the best player in the NBA?
Perhaps he didn't get an ample opportunity to play with firecrackers when he was a kid. Maybe he didn't get the chance to light ants on fire with a magnifine glass. He might have missed his chance to own a beebee gun. But what experiences he lacks he is making up for in a big way.
He missed out his chance to serve in the National Guard, some say he went AWOL but that is simply not true. He just had better things to be doing. Maybe he was thinking along the same lines as his paly-o Tommy DeLay who stated that "So many minority youths had volunteered...that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like myself."
The Administration Friday sought an additional 72 billion in addition to another $50 billion already set aside as a supplement to the regular defense budget for fiscal year 2006. Damn it must be nice to be the big dawg just borrow money whenever you feel like it. I guess there is one thing we can say about Bush, if it explodes add it to the list.
Isn't it just so typical American? Your way ahead of the competition in a sport that your country invented and you decide its time to do a little bit of showboating? Karma's a bitch and thats what'cha get. Sorry Lindsey you still might be cute as a button but this is laughably foolish and beyond cocky. Hope giving up gold was worth the method. She insists that she was not trying to show off at the end of her race.
I am not really interested in the whole Jay-Z versus Cam'ron dissfest. Cam'ron released "You Got It" ripping Jay-Z left and right. I am no Cam'ron fan in any sense of the word and this seems like a big publicity stunt just to push records. Cam seems like a material driven tough guy filled with anger and violence (his new release is called Killa Season). But, I could definitely be wrong as I am far from a rap expert.
Anyways the whole thing is pretty lame, but the song "F Jay-Z" is pretty entertaining. It takes the original song and then illustrates what lyrics Jay-Z took from MCs like BIG, Nas, Snoop among others. This song is pretty damning. If anything its a good sampling of some clips from some classics.
Mp3: Cam'ron - "F Jay-Z"
I still prefer Jay-Z but maybe I need to learn more about the nuances of Cam's music his Purple Haze LP was 9 overall by Pitchfork for 2005 don't forget.
Links:
Cam'ron Says Attack On 'Old Man' Jay-Z Wasn't Unprovoked by MTV News
Here are some random links for the past week that I thought I would pass along as I eat my lunch. Blogging on your lunch break probably shows some type of blog addiction or obsessive behavior but you can just tack it on to my already long list of obsessive compulsive habits. Anyways enough about me here are the links.
Larry David, king of the uncomfortably hilarious has written a great op-ed piece for the Ny Times about Brokeback Mountain, Cowboys Are My Weakness.
Rootdown Radio has a great tribute show to the late and great J Dilla [mp3]. The site is also ridiculous designed with some very cool graphics and layout. The site also has archived the previous 20 some odd shows all which are equally great to listen to if you enjoy hip-hop music.
The mac daddy of all J Dilla tribute posts with massive quantities of music to sample.
Don't miss AdBusters socially conscience ad spoofs [my favorite].
The new release of more prison abuse photos shows the horiffic and merciless nature of war and the lows human decency for other humans can go. (Warning: Not for the weak stomached). Also an article from the Times talking about how Abu Ghraib is only contributing to the proliferation of terrorists.
BBC reports that the UN has asked that the US close its torturing hell hole prison in Guantanamo Bay. Which the US refuses to do. What ever happened to freedom and the right to representation and due process? Read the full UN report (.pdf). And don't give me this enemy combatant and we are at war BS. We must treat people better.
Great article by Reihan Salam of Slate on the Winter Olympics and race. Something that I eluded to here about the whiteness (and I am not talking snow) of the Winter Olympics.
For some reason it just doesn't have the same ring as when Ghandi did it.
Maybe its the fact that Ghandi did it to protest British rule of India and then again in protest of autocratic rule in the newly independent India. And Saddam was a dictator who ruled his country with intimidation, violence and fear.
Or maybe its because Ghandi's resistance of tyranny through mass civil disobedience was strongly founded upon total non-violence. Saddam? He employed oppressive anti-Kurdish policies in his country and an al-Anfal Campaign which lead to the genocide of 182,000 civilian Iraqi kurds according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
The point is I have a hard time believing Saddam is going to get a fair trial given the circumstance and the "war on terror" and I don't think him staging a hunger strike is going to make anyone feel sorry for him.
Links:
Saddam's Masterful Courtroom Act by BBC International
Hussein Tells Court He's On a Hunger Strike
by Borzou Daragahi (La Times)
Saddam and co-defendants 'on hunger strike' by Guardian UK
"Don't let your kids go hunting with the Vice President. I don't care what kind of lucrative contracts they're trying to land or-energy regulations they're trying to get lifted. He'll shoot them in the face." - Jon Stewart
Well the old dude that Cheney capped on Saturday has suffered from a "mild heart attack" due to buckshot migrating near his heart. You know Cheney and the whole Administration for that matter are crapping their pants. If this guy dies because of this it is going to turn into a major sh*t storm.
The 78 year old lawyer which Cheney mistook for a small game bird has been moved back into intensive care after undergoing a procedure at about 10 a.m. EST that showed a BB-size pellet entered his heart. Whittington suffered birdshot wounds to his face, neck, chest and rib cage after being sprayed by the Vice President's shotgun fire from 30 yards away. Dick Cheney has yet to make a public apology and instead opted for an attempted cover up.
It also should be mentioned the Dick was hunting quail illegally, that is he did not have a license. Whittington was the first man since Alexander Hamilton in 1804 to be shot by a sitting VP. Jon Stewart last night on the Daily Show stated, "Hamilton, of course, shot in a duel with Aaron Burr over issues of honor, integrity and political maneuvering. Whittington? Mistaken for a bird."
All of this of course quickly becomes unfunny if Whittington dies. Ohh and of course in true administration style they don't blame Cheney they blamed Whittington.
Link:
Smoking Gun has the VP's official citation along with two drunk driving citations from years past.
This weeks Tuesday dig goes out in memory of James Yancey. His influence can be felt throughout hip hop. Check out some tracks.
Mp3: Daft Punk - "Aerodynamic (Slum Village remix)" *
Mp3: J Dilla - "Lightworks"
Mp3: Slum Village - "Fall in Love"
Mp3: Slum Village - "The Things You Do (Madlib Remix)"
Mp3: The Pharcyde - "Runnin' (Jay Dee Remix)"
Buy J Dilla's newest Donuts.
Visit here if you want to become more familiar with his work. A great post and a bunch of tracks he has done.
Also remember from Stones Throw Records:
Mrs. Yancey relocated to Los Angeles in order to care for her son J Dilla during his lengthy illness. On behalf of Mrs. Yancey we ask that in lieu of flowers, any heartfelt donations be made payable and sent to a fund which has been established in her name:
Made Payable to Mrs. Maureen Yancey
Donations can be mailed to:
Maureen Yancey
132 N. Sycamore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
This will be considered a gift of help.
DJ BC has done it again. His first release was the mashup of the Beastie Boys and The Beatles' White album. Now he has released Vol. 2. of the "Beastles" (Beatles/Beastie Boys) mashup called Let It Beast (obviously the Let it Be album). The entire CD was is available from DJ BC's website earlier today but it looks as if the site is no longer working...imagine that? Anyways I was able to grab a couple tracks for my loyal AG readers. Here is the track listing.
1. Ladies Do Love Me
2. Belly Movin
3. Buildin My Life
4. Electrified Kite*
5. Let it Beast
6. Lovely NYC
7. Anna's MCs
8. Love You To Check It Out
9. Looking Down The Barrel of a Warm Gun
10. A Day in The Life of A Beastie Boy
Buy Beatles' records here or Beastie Boys' records here.
Special thanks to Andy H. for the BIG tip.
I guess US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been sleeping the past couple weeks. Today she expressed concern that Muslim outrage over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad could “spin out of control”, particularly if fuelled by countries like Iran and Syria.
Could spin out of control? Could spin out of control? Where has Condi been? I think it already has spun well out of control. The attacks on the Danish and Norwegian missions in Damascus, Tehran and Beirut, four dead in Afghanistan, bombings, beatings and rioting I guess were in control?
As always read more.
Links:
Rice Warns Cartoon Protests Could 'Spin Out of Control' by Ny Times
Cartoon controversy could spin out of control: Rice by Daily Times
Does anyone actually care/watch the White Winter Olympics? I guess this thing about Michelle Kwan dropping out is big news. Yawn. Anything that has a "kiss and cry area" is not a sport.
For me the Winter Olympics are just more of a distraction from important time that should be spent researching College Basketball in prepartion for the construction of your March Madness brackets.
Want a Winter Olympics prediction?
Shaun White wins everything snowboarding and then decides he wants to dominate figure skating as well and does.
Links:
Where the Rich and Elite Meet to Compete
by Paul Farhi (Washington Post)
The AP is reporting that Vice President Dick Cheney has accidentally shot and injured a man during a hunting trip in Texas. The target? 78 year old lawyer Harry Whittington of South Texas. Whittington is reportedly fine after being sprayed by Cheney with shotgun pellets on Saturday at the Armstrong Ranch.
Supposedly Cheney was heard quoting some Fitty, saying "I be that yung'n with that gun-ness, tellin ya stop frontin. I be that yung'n on the run, after I pop some'n."
Ok, I am sorry I made that last part up. But the first part is true. Don't believe me? Check the link. Word to the wise, hunting for animals is for losers. Now hunting for people that's a whole other ballgame.
Links:
Cheney accidentally shoots fellow hunter by CNN.com
Update: Shoots, Hides and Leaves by The Washington Post
It was a great weekend for college hoops. The struggling Washington Huskies came up big with a much needed win over UCLA 70-67. The Dawgs had lost 3 of their last 4 and it was good to see them come up on top of a good UCLA team. UCLA's style is boring to watch and Ben Howland's slow it down grind it out style so aggravating for somebody who loves scoring. Also the late game last night if you didn't catch it was awesome. Stanford and Gonzaga went head to head in a great show of offensive prowess that went down to the final minutes.
It was the first time that I got to see Gonzaga live this season and man can Adam Morrison light it up. He was constantly being doubled and sometimes triple teamed and he was hitting everything. His face-up scoring is incredible. Morrison dropped 12 in final three minutes. I have a feeling he is going to will Gonzaga into some wins come tournament time (just like he did last night). Only down side is that Gonzaga doesn't know how to guard anybody.
Last game of note was the Duke vs. Maryland game were perhaps the greatest shooter of all time, JJ Redick again put on a clinic scoring 35 pts. Another storyline is the freshman McRoberts, while he was 0-6 in the game I have a feeling he is going to be special. Its probably too early to say that and his stats definitely don't jump out at you but watching him play I just get that feeling.
Only downside of the weekend was seeing the Illini get shot out of the gym by Ohio State. When a team goes 13-23 from 3 its pretty hard to counter. I think the Illini can make a run in the tournament but definitely not as deep as last year given they lost Williams and Head to the NBA. I am thinking sweet 16 maybe elite 8.
Last thing, college basketball is probably my most favorite sport to watch but if CBS is going to insist on playing that god damn awful John Mellencamp March Madness tourney promo I am going to have to cut my eyes and I guess my ear drums for that matter clean out.
Ohh also make sure you avoid CBS at all costs at 9:00 PM on Tuesday.
J Dilla aka Jay Dee has passed at the age of 32. He celebrated his birthday Tuesday with the amazing release of Donuts. A great loss to the musical world and especially hip hop. May he rest in peace.
RIP
James Yancey
1974-2006
Links:
Hip-hop producer Jay Dee dead at 32 by The Detroit Free Press
Blogs:
Soul Sides
Freemotion
So Much Silence
The Broke B-Boys
Los Amigos de Durutti
The Bush Administration racked up a a record trade deficit in 2005 to the tune of $725.8 billion total a 17.5% increase over '04. How are we going to curb this crazy spending of the Bush Administration? I got an idea lets sell our precious US Forest service lands to the highest bidder. The Administration is proposing to sell of 300,000 acres of forestland in California seeking a revenue boost of $1 billion dollars.
This is probably the most amazing idea I have ever come across! Unsustainable spending, borrowing, trading, dumping trillions into an unnecessary war and then to pay for stuff we can't afford (schools and roads) we cut up our most precious resource.
This guy is seriously off his rocker and I swear he is hell bent on pissing everyone off in the country. Happened to me along time ago...should be happening to more soon. Shouldn't education be a priority? We have enough money to spend on bizillion dollar bombs but not enough for schools the basic building block of every child.
Trade.
Borrow.
Spend.
Destroy.
Repeat.
DJ's Jonathan More and Matt Black, aka Coldcut are veterans of the electro scene, label heads of the respected Ninja Tune records and owners of their own mix show on Radio 1. The duo rose to acclaim in the mid-80's through production and remix work. Coldcut is certainly a force in the urban breakbeat styles of hip-hop, ambient dub, and jungle.
Coldcut has a new release in Sound Mirrors due 21 February 2006. Many are calling it the best stuff that Coldcut has done. One listen through and I am loving it. It's definitely one slick LP.
Mp3: Coldcut - "Man in a Garage"
Mp3: Coldcut - "True Skool"*
'Man in Garage' is mellowed out track thats might best be labeled as a folk performance with a baseline. It is Beta Band-esque and features a great performance by John Matthias.
'True Skool' features Roots Manuva rhymes over some old Bangles track. Heavy baseline and my personal favorite on the record. Your head will definately be bobbing up and down with this beat.
'Mr. Nichols' is also another great track of note featuring the legendary Saul Williams and his always great spoken poetry.
Some Reviews:
"Wildly varied, endlessly enjoyable and breaks every rule in the book steers a course between sonic innovation and commercial appeal." Guardian 4/5 Album of the Week
"A classy album, jam packed with ideas and variety bursting from the seams with quality sounds." Sun 5/5
Grab this record from Ninja Tune or Amazon.
Looks like the notorious broken 17th Street Canal levee in New Orleans that the Bush administration originally claimed they did not know about is a crock of crap. In an article out today by the NY Times the Bush Administration lied about being surprised. They were told on Tuesday, Aug. 30, that a levee had broken, allowing floodwaters to engulf New Orleans.
Congressional investigators have learned that an eyewitness account of the flooding from a federal emergency official reached the Homeland Security Department's headquarters starting at 9:27 p.m. the day before, and the White House itself at midnight. Well, before when the Bush administration claimed to know about the broken levee.
I guess Bush administration lying should be par for the course by now but this type of mistake, this type of blunder cost lives and to try and pass it off and lie about it? Disgusting.
Source:
Ny Times and Huffington Post.
Wayne Gretzky is allegedly on tape talking to some dude running an illegal gambling ring. The sports world is up in arms as the man that is probably the best player in hockey history could be a gambler. My question is, "Who cares?" Michael Jordan did it, Pete Rose did it, it didn't change the fact that they, are some of the best if not the best to play their respective sports.
Your counter argument maybe that their betting could affect the games they played in. Again, does it matter? It's a sport not international trade negotiations. If the Kings, Reds or Bulls lost a game because of it the world will continue to spin. I find it funny that things that occur in the sporting world are always blown way out of proportion.
Go ahead and tell me you are not illegally betting in a March Madness bracket and then maybe you can take the moral high ground with this argument. Until then people need to chill out cause gambling is a very big part of sports and to think differently you are fooling yourself. Sports betting should be legal in this country like it is in Europe. I also think the use of illegal drugs is much more pressing given the regularity of it and the health implications.
...is Dr. Phil. I know that all 2 of my readers were thinking it was going to be GW, but no. There is nobody that seems to thwart me at every turn, to drive me to such irrational anger. He's my Lex Luthor, my Riddler, my Dr. Doom, my Magneto, ok I probably have just shattered my sense of "cool" by naming so many comic book villains but I continue...
Phil McGraw is the hottest new self-helper on confessional TV. A Texan (only increases my disgust) and litigation consultant (yes, people pay for his services for courtroom advice to the tune of $29,500 a day) who brings about memories of such gurus as John Bradshaw, Deepak Chopra, and Steven Covey, is making a killing. An absolute killing on stating the obvious. The most recent Dr. Phil sighting is in Match.com commercials. I swear this guy acts like he is all knowing (perhaps that is his notable super villain power?).
Go no further than his notable catch phrases...
"Let's do it."
"I want you to get excited about your life."
"If you're gonna talk to me, you're gonna have to be honest."
"This is gonna be a changing day in your life!"
"How's that workin' for you?"
"Are you stupid?!?"
Wow sounds like a great Doctor to me. I need to use "Are you stupid?" more in my relationship. It's really great for therapy purposes I bet. If you are going to talk to me you are going to have to be honest? Are you serious? Isn't this just an assumed thing...maybe like kryptonite Dr. Phil's weakness is stating the obvious.
Like most archnemisis Dr. Phil is a towering figure. At 6'4, 230 pounds he is Dr. Laura with a mustache (it should be noted that "Dr." Laura isn't a real doctor). Dr. Phil has even gone so far as writing a book and having a program on dieting. Who the hell does he think he is? Has he looked in the mirror? He is definitely no John Bastow that's for damn sure.
I just find Dr. Phil self help a bunch of garbage. He is exploitive in that his show, his books, and his rhetoric are all driven by money and not by trying to make people better or solving problems. Like the typical villain he cares for nothing but himself. Call me Tom Cruise, but this guy is a joke and I don't find anyone on the planet more annoying than this "pychologist."
The latest ridiculous money making scheme my super villain has concocted is some type of Valentines show with Paula Abdul.
Video: Dr. Phil and Larry King get prank called on the Larry King show.
Bush is getting hammered on his secret spying program...
...Suddenly there was a terrorist plotted attack in 2002 stopped because of this spying program. The details released just now? 4 years after the fact...sure maybe it existed but this timing is just too good. So good that I don't buy it.
Does anyone else sense this is a big pile of steaming crap? Either one they never happened or two the thwarting of them had nothing to do with the President's spying program.
Links:
Bush Offers Details of 2002 Plot in Defense of Terror Strategy
by David Stout (Ny Times)
I am sure you all watched the Super Bowl and saw the ad for the Gillette Fusion a five bladed stubb killing monster of a razor. Well, the Onion has an article by Gillette CEO and President James M. Kilts. The writing on it is genius.
F-Everything, We're Doing Five Blades by The Onion
Warning: As you can imagine if you are not a fan of the F-Bomb this article is not for you as the word is used liberally throughout.
Thanks for the tip on this one Goose.
A new album by A Tribe Called Quest production team member Jay Dee aka J Dilla came out yesterday called Donuts. Some haven't heard of Jay Dee, but he has scored hits for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Pharcyde. Most notable is Jay Dee's work on Common's Like Water for Chocolate and Q Tip's Amplified along with the debut of his own group Slum Village.
Donuts was produced mostly from J's home studio and at his hospital bed - from a portable sound system including turntable, samplers, and small boxes of vinyl brought in and out by friends when we was suffering from an illness. The result of all this hard work is a 31 track record of some great no-frills hip hop beats.
Mp3: J Dilla - "Mash"
Mp3: J Dilla - "Two Can Win"*
Mp3: J Dilla - "Waves"
Mp3: J Dilla - "Workinonit"
Buy the album from Insound.
Boomkat had this to say about the record, "made up of brief sample-heavy vignettes, 'Donuts' origins as a production beat-tape are clear; but rather than flounder without lexical structure, the thirty-one pieces represent such a broad spectrum of sound and vision that any extra ingredients could well have destroyed its distinctive flavour." Wow I have no idea what lexical even means.
Update Mp3: DJ Cam - "Love Junkee" (J Dilla Remix)
via Music for Robots
"But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds." - Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery
The good President of the United States of America got a tongue lashing at Corretta Scott King's funeral. You know you would think that verbal abuse would be off limits at a funeral. Well, if you're one of the biggest jerks around I guess its not. In front of10,000 mourners at yesterday's funeral the Reverend Joseph Lowery ripped the Bush administration's economic priorities. "For war billions more," he said, "but no more for the poor" (he received a standing ovation from the crowd).
I cannot believe the hypocrisy. Bush has systematically cut taxes for the rich and done nothing for the poor since his arrival in office. He left the poor and the desperate to die in New Orleans and he has nominated a Judge who actively tried to keep women and minorities from enrolling at Princeton. Thats not justice. Thats not what the Kings believed in.
Video: Reverend Lowery lets Bush have it (quicktime)
Gonna twist up the Tuesday dig a bit. The theme of the week is songs sung by a woman. You know like the opposite sex? The people that should be running the country. We got a some remixes, a little rawk, some electro, even some punk, they have it all covered. Hope you enjoy cause this Tuesday is for the ladies...
Mp3: The Gossip - "Standing In The Way Of Control"
Mp3: Sleater Kinney - "Jumpers"*
Mp3: Feist - "Mushaboom" (Mocky Remix)
Mp3: Rose Polenzani - "When Soul Meets Body" (Death Cab Cover)
Mp3: Imogen Heap & Urban Species - "Blanket" (Four Tet Remix)
Mp3: Caroline - "Where's My Love"
Mp3: M.I.A. - "Sunshowers" (Diplo Mix)
Mp3: Dissent - "Fight or Flight"
Mp3: Beth Orton - "Daybreaker" (Four Tet Remix)
None of this stuff is new in terms of date wise but hopefully it is new listening wise for some of you out there. As I try to digest the latest NFL conspiracy and ridiculous play calling of last nights Spurious Bowl XL I love to plug in some socially conscious hip hop.
Updated Mp3: Blue Scholars - "Blink"*
Mp3: Dead Prez - "Know Your Enemy"
Mp3: Hieroglyphics - "Soweto"
And if you checked this before your eyes are not tricking you. When I went to update blogger ate the rest of my post. If you hadn't seen this consider yourself unlucky because you probably missed the greatest post of all time where I discussed these tracks like no person ever could and after I was done I provided the solution to stop the violence in the middle east. Well at least the music is still there. Go buy the albums you cheap skates if you like it.
Tough game last night. I felt like the Seahawks played the better game but the Steelers definitely busted off some big plays with Parker and the Randel El pass. The Jackson offensive pass interference was a joke. Hats off to the Steelers on their 5th Super Bowl win. Its too bad that the guy talking the biggest mess had such a crap game. Stevens did catch the touchdown but dropped pretty much everything else. Hopefully next year I will have better luck with either the Bears or the Hawks and that the NFL officiating won't suck.
Congratulations to:
Cannot Be Trusted (Kiss and Ride), Erik (Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?), Goose (Veritas Lux Mea) and JDS (Lat 44.2 North).
Some choice fan comments on the King 5 Seahawks Blog page.
"Pittsburgh has the 12th Man on the field today. It's the refs."
"Was that a terrible towel I saw in the refs' back pocket?"
"It was the worst officiated game in the history of the NFL."
"I have to wonder how much play this (bad officiating) is going to get in the national media. Or will we be watching the Bettis "fairy tale story" for the next few days?"
Updated Links:
How the referees handed Pittsburgh the Super Bowl
by Robert Weintraub (Slate)
Seahawks Lose Chances, Catches, Points
by Gregg Bell (AP)
After further review some folks are pissed
by Deadspin
Forgot to hype this up in my Chappelle on Oprah post but everyone needs to check out the trailer for the new Dave Chappelle block party movie. Its coming out March 3rd. Not sure if it is going to be playing in Montpelier, Vermont but it looks awesome. Its a mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.
The party is features:
Kanye West, Common, Erykah Badu, The Fugees, The Roots, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Bilal, Freeway, and Central State University Marching Band.
The movie is directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind).
Links:
The Block Party Official Movie Site
Standard Deviance Recap of the Show
NY Times Review of the Concert
Its go time. Super Bowl XL kicking off at 6:30 EST. Be sure to check it out. I know I will. I haven't heard anyone giving the Seahawks a chance in this one.
Collinsworth: Steelers
Sharpe: Seahawks
Esiason: Steelers
Mortensen: Steelers
Smith: Steelers
ESPN's Picks
If the Seahawks get off to a fast start (which they will) I think they will win. I don't think that the Steelers have the ability to put up points late. However, if the Steelers go up and can play the running game it will be tough for the Seahawks. Here is the breakdown of those bloggers who are rooting for who. Lets go Seahawks!
Seahawks
Chad (Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands)
K
Peen (Emerald Life)
Kevin (So Much Silence)
JT (Feed Me Good Tunes)
Colbs (Bendermenz)
Nico (Eccentric Southern Gent)
Matt B. (Don't Need Anything)
Steelers
Cannot Be Trusted (Kiss and Ride)
Erik (Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?)
Goose (Veritas Lux Mea)
JDS (Lat 44.2 North)
I am all set to throw down some brews and feed my face with chips and vegan chili.
Prefuse 73 aka Scott Heren is a experimental hip hop producer. Heren began his career working on commercials but has quickly evolved helping to gain recognition to little known MCs. His most popular and acclaimed records are Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives released in 2001 and One Word Extinguisher in 2003.
It should also be noted that Heren has worked under the name Savath & Savalas releasing Folk Songs for Trains, Trees and Honey. Prefuse strives on giving progressive, yet retrospective electronic beats that give props to R& B, soul and hip hop in a simple and smooth groove.
In 2006 Heren is set to release Security Screenings under Prefuse 73 moniker on Feb 07. This prolific multi-instranmentalist is surely one to check out if you have yet to. His newest record is a sure combination of tough, underground hip-hop and fractured electronic beats.
Mp3: "With Dirt And Two Texts-Afternoon Version"
Mp3: "With Dirt and Two Texts Later Version with Love"
Pitchfork had this to say about the newest Prefuse 73 record:
"...legendary Warp Records will unveil Security Screenings, Scott Herren's latest opus under the Prefuse 73 moniker. Described by its progenitor as "merelya transition" rather than a follow-up to this year's Surrounded By Silence, Security will be Herren's paean to airport security and the "immense amount of respect and care" they've shown him in the post-9/11 era. Tricorder reading: acerbic sarcasm."Buy Prefuse 73's Security Screenings from BoomKat.
Links:
Pitchfork interview w/Prefuse 73 by Jamin Warren.
Not sure if you have caught the Mike and Bill lounge act yet. I am hoping for "Young at heart" or maybe some "I've Got the World on A String." Not sure what Casino in Detroit these two are working. Actually they are probably in Canada since gambling isn't legal in Detroit. Loving that Pulp Fiction look Homgren is rocking.
Those rooting for Mike:
Chad (Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands), K (me), Peen (Emerald Life), Kevin (So Much Silence), JT (Feed Me Good Tunes), Colbs (Bendermenz) and Matt B. (Don't Need Anything).
Those rooting for Bill:
Cannot Be Trusted (Kiss and Ride), Erik (Can You See the Sunset from the Southside?), Goose (Veritas Lux Mea), and JDS (Lat 44.2 North).
If you are a Seahawks fan be sure to let these Steeler fans have it. Lets go Seahawks!
Links:
XL Blog on Page 2 by Chuck Klosterman
Did any of you see this? I love Dave and I was able to catch a bit of this interview of him on Oprah. It was extremely (and I don't use that word lightly) awkward. Dave was acting so strange. I wrote about the theory behind the end of season 3 at the beginning of this blog and maybe the conspiracy is crap but this interview didn't exactly show that. Oprah was leading him with questions and coaxing him along and at time scolding him almost. Chappelle often times would avoid eye contact.
Chappelle added that he might finish the third season if he and the network could create the proper work environment and added that he'd like to direct a portion of the shows lucrative DVD revenues to charity.
Video: Chappelle and Oprah (Part 1)
Video: Chappelle and Oprah (Part 2)
Video: Chappelle and Oprah (Part 3)
Update: Full Interview with Chappelle on Oprah (40 mins)
I am also hoping that Dave comes back to TV his comedy is edgy and it puts the issue of race front and center. Race is often a difficult subject for America to deal with but pretending its not an issue or that you are color blind is naive and frankly silly. Come back Dave Chappelle, come back. I can't handle any more drama taking place between a bunch of white people in the suburbs or some damn apartment anymore.
Video: Old School Chappelle - Killing Me Softly Stand Up (24 minutes)
Links:
Dave Chappelle says he may return to TV show by Reuters
Dave Chappelle, Comedy Central by Chicago Tribune
What is the point of having the IAEA?
No seriously. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, came out today stating that the Iran situation "is critical - not a crisis - and there is no imminent threat from Iran." He added that Iran has until March 6 to fully suspend its enrichment activities. It was also made clear that Iran already has a lifetime supply of material for their one nuclear reactor and does not have the need to enrich.
But the fear machine of the West is in full swing. A US-backed resolution sponsored by Britain, France and Germany could open the door to possible Security Council action against Iran. Probably most Americans are already convinced that Iran has nuclear weapons. The IAEA is set to vote today on whether it will report Iran to the UN Security council. If they vote in favor of reporting Iran, Iran will cease working with IAEA.
I am not a hater of freedom nor am I for the terrorists, but I do not understand this situation. The IAEA has stated that Iran is not threat. Iran has stated that they are not making nuclear weapons so why does the UN security council even need to be involved? When your country is reported to the UN security council it is because others think you are a security risk, logical right? Yet so far Iran has cooperated as asked. This is combined with South Africa being confident of a negotiated settlement to the Iran nuclear standoff and its hope of the solution being within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agreement with the Russians was on its way to taking place until this US backed stuff came into play. Looks like a bullying move.
A UN Security recommendation may state that there is no damning evidence but the fact you are even recommended to them puts doubt in Iran's honesty. I can imagine the difficulty for Iran to hear threats from countries like the US who has an estimated 10,656 deployed warheads, France with 350, and Britain with 200 demanding disclosure. Also don't forget that Iran is part of NPT and hasn't withdrawn from that.
Look, I can't argue with the logic that if you are a small country with little money to spend you aren't trying to get a nuclear weapon for security purposes. It’s like saying if you are fighting a guy who is 100 pounds heavier then you and you have a knife you decide to pass up the knife and just fight fist to fist. It’s not logical. When in a violent conflict you do whatever you can to try and even the playing field. Nuclear weapons do this.
Now that being said, by using violence and intimidation as a way to get people to do what you want you are just asking to be pushed back. Harder you push harder your opponent will push back. This is why fighting makes no sense to me. If somebody is not doing what you want and you punch them don't you expect for them to punch back? If somebody is not doing what you want and you listen, talk and reason with them you are much more likely to get a non-violent result. Its this power of persuasion, a tool that is often forgotten in international politics.
All I can do is hope that IAEA makes the right decision and the United States and other European countries respect that decision. Because if they don't? Then what is the point of establishing an international watchdog group that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for military purposes. I think the best solution to this whole thing, is what one senior Egyptian diplomat was advocating for and that was the creation of a nuclear-free Middle East zone (which of course would mean that Israel disarm its nuclear warheads, estimated at over 100).
Iran remains defiant. In a last-minute warning, Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator told IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei that his country would severely curtail U.N. inspections and resume uranium enrichment if reported to the council. Iran had suspended enrichment, needed to produce both electricity and nuclear weapons, as a confidence-building measure. This is not shaping up to be a good situation.
Links:
NTI: Nuclear Threat Inititiave
Iran Closer to Security Council Referral
by George Jahn (Washington Post)
The Bush administration said Thursday that it would seek about $120 billion in additional financing to pay for continuing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through 2006. Most of the new money is to go to the war in Iraq, which already has cost an estimated $250 billion since the invasion in March 2003.
The additional spending, along with other war funds the administration will seek separately in its regular budget next week, would push the price tag for combat and nation-building since Sept. 11, 2001, to nearly half a trillion dollars ($585 billion)— approaching the cost of the 13-year-long Vietnam War. Its funny when spending is directed at social services and education its liberal crap, but when you go on a spending spree for weapons and war its conservative, odd.
Links:
$120 Billion More Is Sought For Military in War Zones
by David S. Cloud (Ny Times)
Bush's Bill for War is Rising
by Mark Mazzetti and Joel Havemann (LA Times)
Bush Request Would Push War Total to $440B
by Andrew Taylor (Washington Post)
The War could cost up to 2 Trillion old AG article
Since I have been pushing the modern classical and in fear of Joey Porter accusing me of being "soft." I pass along a great source of some classic hip hop. Its called Rootdown radio. Rootdown hosts some great hip hop shows which are downloadable. Be sure to check it out. Here is the lineup of the current show being hosted.
Show 20 line up
1. Rasco ---The Unassisted
2. A Tribe Called Quest ---Jam
3. The Coup ---Phat Cats and Bigga Fish
4. KRS-One ---It's all a Struggle
5. BlendCrafters feat. MF Doom ---Melody (Remix)
6. KMD feat. MF Grimm ---What a niggy know (Remix)
7. The Jugganuats ---Sex Type Thing
8. PMD ---I'm a B-boy
Mp3: Download Rootdown's show 20 (30 mins).
Rootdown radio is also hosting a free download of 30 minutes of handpicked music from the Godfather himself. Be sure to check out the one and only JB.
I have to admit the names of these two bands are ridiculous. They are some of the crappiest names I have come across in a long time. Guess you can give credit to Clogs that they aren't called "The Clogs." But they both definitely make some good music. Not to mention Clogs boosting my Danish hit count.
I am not sure why I have been dwelling on the downtempo piano stuff as of late (I guess you could call this modern classical if that is possible?). Maybe, its the process of applying for jobs and finishing up a masters thesis that makes you just want to relax and be a passive listener. I am sure I will bring it (more hip hop etc.) later just give me time.
Mp3: The Boats - "Sarah Alice"
Mp3: The Boats - "Jumble"
As for these groups, The Boats make probably what is best described as delicate music, soft and seemingly fragile. The the piano provides the central theme to all the tunes on We made it for you (and maybe the first album for that matter, I missed that one). The Boats aren't going to light your hair on fire but they provide excellent background, conversation, relaxation music. Stylus Magazine summed it up nicely, "What results is uniformly enjoyable, and hard to dislike; the sound is so winsome that hating We Made It For You is the musical equivalent of kicking a puppy just because you wanted a cat instead."
Mp3: Clogs - "2:3:5"
Mp3: Clogs - "Kapsburger"
These songs are off the Lantern record. Clogs are made up of four improvising classical musicians from Australia and the US. Their music revolves around a blend of classical music traditions with maybe some folk variations thrown in. Clogs are more driven by subtle guitars then the piano. That's all I got. But I can say this. I won't probably ever mention the word Clogs again in this blog.
Buy The Boats We Made it For You
Buy Clogs Lantern
I also should mention that I am currently crafting up an article about the warlike landscapes that many in America call home. Some of the highlights include East St. Louis and the Super Bowl's very own Detroit.
Ambient pioneer, studio master, and omnipresent dance remixer William Orbit aka William Wainwright, is set to release his follow up to Pieces in Modern style on Febuary 7th. The record is called Hello Waveforms.
Orbit is most likely known for his work on the Madonna comeback album Ray of Light, in which he not only produced the entire LP, but co-wrote many of the cuts. The album won Best Pop Album and Best Dance Recording.
Hello Waveforms has a similiar spaciness and floating quality as Pieces, however not being based on classical pieces gives it a much more electro sound. The record maintains Orbit's ambient, subtle and distinctive style by fusing strong melodies with electronic synths. The record is a strong 11 songs and a worthy follow up to his 2000 album. If you enjoy Brian Eno, Aphex Twin or Sigur Ros you should check out William Orbit if you haven't heard him.
Mp3: William Orbit - "Who Owns the Octopus"
Mp3: William Orbit - "Spiral"
Buy William Orbit Hello Waveforms here.
More time was spent clapping then talking about the rebuilding effort in New Orleans or the disregard of helping the people in desperation. Bush offered no new ideas for rebuilding New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and no apologies.
"America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world," Bush said. America's dependence on foreign oil has increased since this Administration took office. In 2000, 58.2 percent of the oil consumed in the United States was imported. That has increased to 61.7 percent today. (EIA, "Overview of US Petroleum Trade"). Bush did call for increased investment in solar and wind-power research, although the dollar amounts in his 2007 budget, less than $200 million together are small (ExxonMobil sells five times that much every day).
Bush Invaded the One "Axis of Evil" Country without WMD. Out of all three of the 'Axis of Evil' countries Iran, Iraq, and North Korea Bush attacked the one that didn't have a weapon of mass destruction. But four years, 2,300 American lives, and more than $250 billion dollars later, we have found that Iraq had no nuclear weapons and no established links with Al Qaeda. (Comprehensive Report of the Special Advisor to the DCI on Iraq's WMD 9/30/04).
Bush claimed the state of the economy was strong. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real wages fell 0.9 percent last year, while workers' overall compensation (including benefits) was essentially flat. Hourly and weekly wages for working families when adjusted for inflation were $46,058 in 2000 and have declined to $44,389 today.
Bush spent no time on any proposals to curb lobbying abuses in Congress that have led to the investigation of Jack Abramoff, a once powerful lobbyist and a major fundraiser for Bush.
The subjects that got the greatest amount of time in the president's 53-minute speech were surprise, surprise Iraq and terrorism. There was nothing about how to finish the military mission in Iraq so the Orwellian war machine continues spending that tax payer money with a vengenance.
Sources: Huffington Post and NPR.
