Can't believe dude is gone. Just can't believe it.
Here is a bit of soul/electronic/nu-jazz for you. I am trying to do my best while visiting family in Chicago but running a blog away from home just isn't that easy. But enough about me and lets talk a quick bit about 4hero.
4hero is a British duo made up of Marc Mac & Dego. According to their label site; "from Jungle to Hip Hop, Jazz to Broken Beats, Marc Mac and Dego are the nucleus of Reinforced Records, one of the godfather labels of Drum n' Bass." Their album Play with Changes is due out early 2007. Check out one of their most infectious songs.
Buy: Get 4hero stuff from iTunes here.
One of my definative sources of music knowledge. A must read every single month. Check out Fader Magazine's Listmania for 2006.
Read: Fader Magazine Listmania 2006 (2005)
On another note aside from the King of Soul passing away it was a good xmas. I see myself spending many a hour playing the new Wii I picked up. I'll be batting .300 and rolling 300 in no time!
Damn was just playing "Go Power at Christmas Time" this morning. Death of a legend. He will be so missed. When somebody of this calibar passes on it just leaves a empty sick feeling in your stomach.
"This was done by the god Salaam Remi in the 90s - there will never be a better James Brown mix than this." DJ Ayers. Also thanks to DJ Ayres for posting this. Much needed.
Rest in Peace Mr. James Brown the Godfather of Soul.
If you haven't heard yet, Jr. Gong Javaughn has a great Christmas song up on his myspace that is sure to get your head nodding for the holiday season. The track was produced by Damian and Stephen Marley. Check it out and thanks to Nick Catchdubs for the clarification on this track!
Mp3: Javaughn - "Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto?)"
Thanks to a kind AG reader for the mp3 version. I am back in Chicago til New Years! So more from me later. If there is any electronic/hip hop/dub type stuff for New Years going on let me know.
Have a good holiday if I don't get back to blogging then stay tuned. Remixes of the year are coming in early 2007! (say Jan. 4).
Its a couple of AG firsts. First time I have posted best tracks of 2006 and also the first time I have made a mix. Admittadly making a continuous mix kept me from including some of my favorite songs (where do you fit in Newsom's "Emily"?) hopefully the set flows pretty well while getting the point across. If you have mixtape tips DJ's please add them to comments.
Here is the tracklist:
1. Wax Tailor - "Stay Tuned"
2. DJ Mehdi - "Saharian Break"
3. Amerie - "Money Maker"
4. Nelly Furtado - "Do It"
5. Kelis - "80's Joint"
6. Ghostface - "The Champ"
7. Spank Rock feat. Amanda Blank - "Bump" (Best Friends Remix)
8. Justice v. Simian - "We Are Friends" (Original Pulse)
9. Hot Chip - "Boy From School"
10. Phoenix - "Long Distance Call"
11. Junior Boys - "Double Shadow"
12. Mavado - "Last Night"
13. The Roots feat. Peedi Peedi & Bunny Sigler - "Long Time Coming"
14. Lupe Fiasco feat. Jill Scott - "Daydreamin'"
15. Alice Smith - "Woodstock"
16. Mos Def - "Undeniable"
17. J-Dilla - "Nothing Like This"
18. M-1 feat. Ghostface and Raye - "Been Through"
19. John Legend - "Save Room"
20. Clipse feat. Bilal - "Nightmares"
21. Nino Moschella - "Are You For Real?"
22. Outkast feat. Sleepy Brown & Scar - "The Train"
23. The Roots - "Dillatastic Won(derful)"
Mp3: V/A - "Analog Giant's Best Cuts of 2006" (63:56 mins/87.8 mb)
Underrated
*Darc Mind - Symptomatic of a Greater Ill
*M-1 - The Confidential
*Shrift - Lost in a Moment
*Masta Killa - Made in Brooklyn
*Wax Tailor - Tales of Forgotten Melodies (US Release)
*A-Trak - Oh No You Didn't
*Nino Moschella - The Fix
*Alice Smith - For Lovers, Dreamers & Me
Overrated
*The Knife - Silent Shout
*Girl Talk - Night Ripper
*Danielson - Ships
I'd add more to the overrated list just can't think of any more that really stand out like the three listed. Don't get me wrong I don't think those records are complete garbage I just think they are getting more run than they deserve. Maybe it's me.
I liked some of the Knife tracks but somebody moaning over spaced out techno instrumentation just doesn't equal best record of the year. Give me Deep Cuts any day. Danielson I completely don't understand. How does Daniel Smith's voice not drive you absolutely mad?
I also find Girl Talk highly overrated because there are so many people doing better mashups/blends out there with a quarter of the credit (The Rub crew & DJ B.Cause to name two).
Mp3: Marvin Gaye - "Sexual Healing" (B.Cause Give It Up Remix)
As always post overrated, underrated lists in comments or just tell me I have just got everything completely wrong.
So without further delay here are my top albums of the year. I can't really decide how to rank them but my criteria for selection is pretty simple. What albums did I play most? and what albums did I just not get sick of? Not too technical or really scientific, more qualitative than quantitative, but that's how I do things.
Check it out and tell me what I forgot, how stupid I am for missing your favorite album and how I just don't know what the hell I am talking about. I'll toss up some honorable mentions for good measure!
Spank Rock - Yoyoyoyoyo!
*Might just be the most innovative thing to happen to hip hop in the last couple years and it most certainly is the freshest. Their sound isn't really like anything else I've heard previously and they certainly are "ass-shaking competition champ(s)" with their vulgarity, straightforwardness and sex soaked lyrics. Their mix of old school and bass heavy beats is great. Just to show you can remix these kids for years the Spank Rock crew dropped the Bump EP late in 2006 which was incredible.
Ali Farka Toure - Savane
*Like Dilla Toure's final record is one of his best. A fantastic album to remember a legend by.
The Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
*For a reason I still can't figure out the Neptunes gave Pusha and Mal all their good beats and saved none of them for themselves. Maybe a selfless act or just a realization that Pusha and Mal have a delivery and song writing ability paralleled by few in hip hop today. No idea why Pharrell's album was so bad and production on the Clipse' album is so good. Pusha and Mal's haunting message about crack dealing paired with off-beat production makes for one of the best hip hop albums in recent memory.
Joanne Newsom - Ys
*I pretty much hate folk music. But, this album was something different. Its one of the few indie folk albums I actually enjoy listening to. Its unique and the level of intricacy of the sounds used is great. Alot of the tracks kind of remind me of some type of classical suite with an indie twist.
Jay Dee - Donuts
* If there had to be one album for the year this would be it. Instrumental hip hop has always been my favorite genre of music and Jay Dee aka J-Dilla was one of the best at his craft. Like Toure his final album just might have been his crowning achievement. Made in a home studio and on his hospital bed off of vinyl you will not find a better hip hop instrumental album outside of Entroducing than Dilla's Donuts. RIP.
The Roots - Game Theory
* Hip hop royalty and one of the best of all time. As usual the Roots have made a fantastic album. Its their best since The Next Movement and with tracks like "Don't feel right" and "Long Time" they remain firmly planted on top of the game. Two of the best tracks of the year...period.
Junior Boys - In The Morning
* Two insanely good electronic albums in the past two years. "Double Shadow" was one of my favorite tracks this year and between this and Last Exit few do indie electronic like these guys. I can't find a track on this album or the last that I hit "next" on. Guys are freakin fantastic.
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
*Another hip hop classic released in 2006. Ghost was all over the place in 2006 but saved his best stuff for his album. He returns to Supreme Clientele and Ironman form with this shoe in hip hop classic. "The Champ" just might be my favorite Ghost track with the exception of "Nutmeg."
Murs and 9th Wonder - Murray's Revenge
*Its difficult to make a great record that is only 10 tracks that doesn't leave the listener asking for more but this finely crafted underground gem does exactly that. Murs on the mic and 9th making the beats is a match made in heaven.
Herbert - Scale
*Synth-pop, electro-pop, tec-house whatever you want to call it Herbert made one of the best house records to come out in awhile. Using off the wall sounds like coffins closing and fuel pumps never sounded so good.
Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
* While some might argue that this was a down year for indie music you have to be happy with this album along with TVOTR's album. Both great records showing off just how great experimental rock has become. The production is fantastic.With few songs under 5 minutes the depth of these tracks make it stand up to repeated listens instead of your typical 2-3 minute indie ramble.
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
*Probably the most hyped release of the year, TV on the Radio didn't disappoint with their 2006 release. "I was a lover" with its hip hop beat base is one of my favorite tracks of the year and a real standout among indie songs of the past several years. They're sound distinct from their indie counterparts thanks largely to David Sitek's production which is truly fantastic. Awesome album and something I just can't seem to get tired of listening to.
Honor Roll (again in no type of order)
*Band of Horses - Everything All the Time
*Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
*Lily Allen - Alright, Still
*Cat Power - The Greatest
*Hot Chip - The Warning
*Five Deez - Kommunicator
*Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
*Fujiya & Miyagi - Transparent Things
*Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor
*Oh No - Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms
*DJ Mehdi - Lucky Boy
*Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe
Songs and Remixes of the Year are to follow. There will actually be downloadable Mp3s associated with these.
*Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSounds
*Fujiya & Miyagi - Transparent Things
*Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor
*Oh No - Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms
*DJ Mehdi - Lucky Boy
*Cadence Weapon - Breaking Kayfabe
Songs and Remixes of the Year are to follow. There will actually be downloadable Mp3s associated with these.
Don't Miss: Largehearted Boy's compiles Year End Lists here.
Probably shouldn't be rocking this at work but this skit is hilarious. Between the new album and this skit I am getting some new found respect for Mr. Timberlake. Hats off to Samberg as well, between this, Lazy Sunday and Taco Town the guy is in some seriously great skits.
I know I have been ripped for featuring too many remixes but for me there is no such thing as too many remixes so if you aren't down with checking out some alternate takes then you can just straight up skip this post.
Here are some certified bangers that I have had on heavy rotation as of late:
Mp3: Tami Chin v. MJ - "Hyperventilating" (DJ Kemo Remix)*
Mp3: Justin Timberlake - "My Love" (Dr. Darling Ross Hogg Remix)
Mp3: Q-Tip - "Breathe & Stop" (Max Romeo Disco Remix)
Mp3: Left Side & Esco - "Belly" (Diplo Remix)
Be sure you support these DJs over at there myspaces/webspots.
New mixtape out by Trackademicks. Check out this ace remix of Pharrell Williams' "That Girl" feature Snoop. You know you you have a great remix when its better than the original track. Don't miss this one.
Staying on that holiday theme here is "Deck the Halls" according to RZA. Its not Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" but its still a pretty great hip-hop holiday tune.
Video: RZA - "Deck the Halls"
Here is a couple more essential holiday listening tunes. Its a bit early still but these are definately to get playing given they don't really work any other time of the year. Check'em out.
*Photo of Mr. Rick thanks to the legendary Ricky Powell. Thanks to the Hollerheads as well for some of these tracks.
The Stones Throw Holiday Mix compiled by Peanut Butter Wolf. One solid XMAS set to get the Holiday party started. Don't miss this!
I am in Chicago for my fiance's sister's wedding till the 17th. Just fair warning that AG is going to be a bit hit or miss till then since I'll be running things from my parents' computer. Everything should be back to normal on the eve of Sunday the 17th once I get back to Vermont.
Mp3: Oscar Peterson - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"
As I try and compose those cliched year end lists that every blogger feels is her or his duty to compose I realize just how much good shit came out in 2006. The genre of Hip Hop alone was huge this year. After a pretty weak 2005 hip hop came back strong. I would argue it could have been even bigger if some of the heavy hitters actually made good records (I'm looking at you Outkast, Jay-Z and Nas).
I haven't completed my list yet, but am working on it. Also got some mixing software and have been trying to create a year end mix...we'll see how that works (don't hold your breath).
What are your favorite albums of the year??
Augusto Pinochet the brutal Chilean dictator died at 91 today. No love lost for a dude that ended democracy and led a regime characterized by torture and favouritism towards the rich. The Rettig Commission has listed that Pinochet is responsible for approximately 2,095 deaths.
He lived 91 years too long. He will not be given a state funeral and no official day of national mourning will be declared. The world is a better place.
Is it hip hop? Is it electronic? Is is experimental rock? What type of music is this? There is no genre that Subtle neatly fits into. They are a type of pre-Gnarls Barkley band. Creating Gnarls type music before Gnarls exploded in early 2006.
Formed in 2001 SF's Subtle certainly has a sound that might take a couple listens to warm up given just how different it is. AMG had this to say about their latest record, "Subtle's For Hero: For Fool is a complex, innovative, sometimes bizarre, and usually utterly confusing journey into the minds of lyricist Doseone and his five bandmates." Here a couple track highlights off the album.
Mp3: Subtle - "Middleclass Stomp"
Mp3: Subtle - "Mercury Craze"
Buy: Pick up For Hero: For Fool here.
"Black Republican" and "Hip Hop is Dead" have already leaked from the new Nas album Hip Hop is Dead. Nas is firmly entrenched in Hip Hop's legacy for releasing possibly the best hip hop album ever in Illmatic back in '94 this is Nas' first release in two years and first solo disc for Def Jam . Hip Hop is Dead is due out Dec. 16th. Here is a track produced by will.i.am and featuring Chrisette Michele. The track contains a sample of sample of "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.
Mp3: Nas feat. Chrisette Michele - "Can't Forget About You"
Bonus Mp3: Nas - "Where Y'all At" (from Prefix MaG)
I still can't get over the fact that track 11 on this upcoming record is produced by Chris Webber. Yeah like this Chris Webber. Hell maybe the track is incredible...but just seems like somebody with the status of Nas wouldn't have Chris Webber doing production on anything. But I've never heard a Webber production so maybe I have no clue what I'm talking about. It's often the case.
Buy: Get the record right here.
Tel Aviv, Crakow...now France? Perhaps I've lost my damn mind but I'm finding some solid hip hop tracks in different parts of the globe right now. The FluoKids were kind enough to drop these gems on the Grindin' mail list. It's the latest heaters from TTC those crazy French cats.
For those that don't know TTC is Tido, Teki and Cuizinier plus DJ Orgasmic. Teki describes them as: "Tido has a funny haircut and likes spending his days re-inventing the French syntax, Cuizinier is all thugged out and I'm that old funny dude obsessed with lesbianism!"
This track is produced by the steller Para One and actually features Para mixing it up on the mix for his first MC session. The beat on this one is undeniable. Check it out.
Mp3: TTC - "Quand je claque des doigts"
Mp3: TTC - "Les Matins de Paris" (Surkin Remix)
Track is on the new TTC album 3615TTC. Other tracks are produced by DJ Orgasmic, Tacteel, Modeselektor and Tido. Make sure you pick up the album here.
Now that we have touched on Tel Aviv its time to take a trip to Crakow. Daniel Drumz aka DJ Tasmy makes some fantastic mixtapes/remixes/blends. His latest is a mixtape called Electric Relaxation. His track "Michael McDonald" is 15 minutes of bliss. Starting out with none other than Michael McDonald himself then developing into the fantastic "Get By" by Talib Kweli and continues. Check it out:
Mp3: Daniel Drumz - "Michael McDonald" (15 minute blend)
That track really turned my day around from what was a rough morning. Here is another pretty dope Drumz remix of Erykah Badu's classic "On and on."
Buy: Head over to Drumz official page and buy some stuff. Not sure if you can get anything given that dude is in Cracow Poland but at least swing by his myspace and tell him he makes great rhythms.
One of the best things about having a music blog is the connections you make. I have met some awesome awesome people through the hollerboard, our hip hop mp3 grindin' mail list and of course through Analog Giant.
The friend is a cool as hell cat named Ido Saar aka Wido of the the Tel Aviv based Soulico Crew. Soulico crew is set to drop a DJ set with Cos Baker in Tel Aviv on Dec. 8th (which unfortunately I will not be able to make). Ido Wido is a talented dude. He's got some really really great beats on his myspace page. Very impressive stuff to be sure. So make sure you check him out. Here is an original blend and remix for you to sample.
Mp3: Soulico feat. Axum - "Pitom Banu" (Kalbata Remix)
Mp3: DJ Wido - "Bad Man Jump" (Ido Blend)
The first is a dancehallish tune in Hebrew that Soulico Crew produced and features the voices of Axum. The other is Ido's bad man jump blend.
I've gotten a heap of complaints about me using you send it links. I understand that the songs go fast (100 downloads) and many of them are vultured by people that just scan hype machine and don't even visit this page. I think there is merit in not leaving songs up forever because as we need to remind ourselves its about promoting good music and support artists we think are great.
SO long story short I have moved to XDrive and will be hosting songs for 7 days. I don't believe there is a download limit (we will see!) so that shouldn't be an issue. AFTER 7 days are up you can email me and if I have time and know that you are an AG regular I'd be happy to make exceptions outside the 7 days.
Ok...back to talking about music and other non-related topics. Ohh and be sure to let me know if XDrive is not all that its cracked up to be.
"Honey, honey, see me – behind my Gameboy I got game girl, it comes easy."
New Spank Rock single out on Big Dada. Has all the great Spank characteristics; vulgar lyrics, great beat, clever rhymes and that hook is awesome!
Mp3: Spank Rock - "Bump"
Buy: Get yourself the EP with the instramental 2 remixes and of course this original cut.
If you have been reading AG for awhile (and I mean who hasn't?) you know I am a big Busdriver fan. On top of that one of my favorite all time hip hop tracks is "Unemployed Black Astronaut." So as you can imagine I was happy to learn that Nobody has a new remix album out in which he remixes this great track. Check it out.
Mp3: Busdriver - "Unemployed Black Astronaut"
Mp3: Busdriver - "Unemployed Black Astronaut" (Nobody Remix)
Bonus Mp3: Postal Service - "Be Still My Heart" (Nobody Remix)
Buy: Make sure you support Nobody by getting his Revisions Revisions record here and get Busdriver's Fear of a Black Tangent here.
Just wanted to give everyone the heads up on what is in store for December. I will be doing my obligatory blogger duties by making some cliche best-of-lists. They will be published the week of Dec. 18th to the 22nd. There should be a best albums, best songs and best remixes lists for 2006.
ALSO in the near future there is going to be a big ol' set of best of songs as decided by bloggers. Each blog is set to pick 7 tracks and then they will all be put together into one HUGE mix. Blogs that are going to be featured in this (to name a few) are; Pound for Pound , DiscoBelle, Fluo Kids, Palms Out Sounds, ME of course!, and Still Listen. Should be a great little mix there. Keep your ear to the ground.
Ross Hogg a SF DJ makes some delightful Reggae/Dub/Dancehall infused sets. His Return to DUB Mission is something you should have downloaded like yesterday head over to his myspace ASAP and endulge yourself in 75 minutes of hand selected DUB.
Mp3: Ross Hogg aka Duppy Ranks - "Return to Dub Mission"
Bonus Mp3: T.I. "What You Know..." (Ross Hogg Hard Times Remix)
It's a fantastic sense. Give thanks to Ross Hogg for putting together some top notch stuff. Make sure you stop by his label as well.
Couple leaks out there of the new Mos Def album Tru3 Magic. Both are equally impressive.
I am partial to this one however. Looking forward to the album drop on December 16th.
Mp3: Mos Def - "The Undeniable"
Buy: Be sure to get your Tru3 Magic here.
Mr. Kaman has been destroying my fantasy basketball championship aspirations. Following the draft I thought I had assembled quite the squad and that "The Kamaniacs" would be in the thick of the hunt for the top spot. No such luck. Kaman has been seriously sucking, Brandon Roy has some type of heel injury that has kept him down most of the season and David West has another mystery type problem with his arm. I also felt like I didn't have enough injured talent so I picked up Charlie Villanueva to add to the bunch.
What does this all equal? Being dead last by a long shot.There is a very comfortable lead between me and the second-to-last place guy. I was hoping Chris Bosh, Tracy McGrady and Michael Redd could carry me through and make me respectable given the injuries...but no.
Ghostface's More Fish is the follow up to one of my favorite records of the year Fishscale. The record is set for release on December 12th. You may have already heard the stand out track I posted earlier called "You Know I'm No Good" that Ghost did with Amy Winehouse which is also on the upcoming album.
Here is another track off the record featuring Kanye and Ne-Yo on the "Back Like That" remix. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Mp3: Ghostface feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo - "Back Like That" (Remix)
Pre-order: Be sure to get More Fish here.
