I remember my good friend Chris talking about this album earlier this year but it wasn't until last week while reading Fader that I realized that the album was done by a bunch of high schoolers.

AW of Fader wrote one hell of a review of the record:

If you're fingers haven't been dustified in a while, then you don't know that KSB stands for "Kashmere Stage Band" and also "the baddest ass high schoolers in the history of high schools." Kashmere, as the band came to be known was a high school band from Houston Texas that somehow managed to breakaway from Glen Miller standards and come to master funk throwdowns with all the finesse of real-deal professionals. In a moment of unexpected brilliance, bandleader Conrad Johnson got KSB to record their songs on wax-the folks at Stones Throw/Now Again are releasing these gems as a double disc jamathon. When I was in high school, my friends did accappella performances of Boyz II Men. What the fuck?

AW is on point with this review. The record is sheer brilliance and if you haven't got it yet get it now. On another note, this year is going down as the soul comp reissue year of the millenium, so much crazy good stuff out there. Just add this one to the Soul Boulders, Eccentric Soul, and Soul Sides Vol. 1 pile.

Mp3: Kashmere Stage Band - "Ain't No Sunshine" (J.Rocc Remix)
Mp3: Kashmere Stage Band - "Kashmere"
Mp3: DJ Shadow - "Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II)"

Buy it: Be sure to support these guys and gals by picking up Texas Thunder Soul over at TurntableLab here.

Big Stereo, Palms Out Sounds and CallMeMickey have all lauded the man that is DJ Mehdi. This Ed Banger Records DJ pumps out that typical french-DJ-synth-sound (or Mehdi's myspace says he "gets so cosmic with the synths that it's as if you've woken up in an alternative 1983"). His sound is so infectious and impossible not to move to.

As those before me have pointed out, "I Am Somebody" the track where he teams up with the AG loved/favorite Chromeo stands out as the best on the record. I have included a couple others and you can track a couple more down at the links above.

Arcade Mode had this to say:

Cult French rap producer with no boundaries, Mehdi will release his second solo album Lucky Boy before the summer. In the meantime, please enjoy his comeback single I am somebody, a hybrid electro-hip-pop affair with the voice of fellow Canadian gangsta-poppers CHROMEO.

Mp3: DJ Mehdi feat. Chromeo - "I Am Somebody" (Paris Version)

Mp3: DJ Mehdi feat. Xanax - "Hot-o-momo"

Purchase this: You can grab the "I Am Somebody" EP here, which features among others a remix by Kenny Dope. ALSO visit his myspace here.

I have always been confused about the record industry, the world of music at large. What is the formula for a hit record? Especially in hip-hop where you see 50 cent and Diddy sell a gazillion records and choice discs by Darc Mind, People Under the Stairs, Murs and 9th Wonder, Aloe Blacc, Masta Killah and M-1 (I got more if you want) get no play and little talk.

Regretably I haven't gotten around to post about Roc C's debut record All Questions Answered. Mr. Roc is from Oxnard, CA which is notable because of all the other talent that has come from the neighborhood (notably Lootpack, Dudley Perkins and Oh No). This record has great production (thanks largely to Oh No who does 10 of the 16 cuts) and Roc C's delivery is fitting. Nothing sensational but roc solid and consistent which can't be said about many of the "hip-hop" albums released this year.

This is a great standard Westcoast hip hop album on what is largely an eccentric and off centered label. Thats not a rip in this case I find it refreshing. Check out some highlights if you have been neglecting this album like me.

Mp3: Roc C feat. Aloe Blacc and Bizzy Bone - "Watching U"

Mp3: Roc C - "Hear me now"

Support hip-hop: Go over and get this record here.

New Nick Catchdubs mini-mix to hype up his Aussie tour. Self-desrcibed as "weird melodies, fast drums, dancehall." Its a fantastic 25 minute mix and plays right into that dancehall theme AG had going on the dig this week.

Mp3: Catchdubs - "Oz Promo Quick Mix" (25 mins, 23 mbs)

Go on and get it.

Here is an AG first...a group straight out of Japan. Cacoy is "spawned from the heart of Japan's leftfield scene, Cacoy count members of Tenniscoats and Maher Shalal Hash Baz amongst their number; making the kind of wispy electronic music that demands a lazy comparison to cherry blossom."

The record was originally released over three years ago in their native Japan, in Febuary 2006 in Europe, but is still trying to break into the stateside market (guess no demand for a soft-centered electronic album with precision digitalis and soapy soundscapes...who would have guessed?). Check out some of the tracks on the record. The US is missing out I am digging this.

Mp3: Cacoy - "Piracle Pa"

Buy: Human is Music is available over at BoomKat.

Radio Citizen is the newest addition to the esteemed Ubiquity Records and has all the talent and promise needed to warrant such an addition. Radio Citizen is Niko Schabel and a talented collective of Berlin, Germany-based musicians. Berlin Serengheti strains of film noir-worthy dark jazz, chunky tropical dub, and snake-charming soul. Chanelling Mulatu and Coltrane in a dub shack studio a barrage of big horns blast blacksploitation flavors with an Eastern funk twist.

Both URB and Remix magazines are on board with Radio Citizen's talent as well.

The paper to the north (Montreal Mirror) described the album best:

"Germany’s Niko Schabel displays an exceptional grasp of everything from film noir soundtracks and out-there jazz to deep dub, neo-soul and Afro-beat punch"

Mp3: Radio Citizen feat. Bajka - "Everything"

Support music: Go over and get this fantastic album here or from eMusic here.

Here is the first leak off the new Hi-Tek album, Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip. The album features an impressive list of hip-hop talent from Nas, Talib Kweli, J Dilla, Common, and Mos Def to name a few. The album is the sequel to Hi-Tek's first album.

There are two versions of the album; one was recorded during Tek's record deal with MCA, but never released and the second (this album) is to be released on Babygrande Records on October 17th. It is produced entirely by Hi-Tek and, unlike the first album, will see Hi-Tek rapping on more of the tracks.

Mp3: Hi-Tek feat. Nas & Marsha - "Music for Life"

Watch: Hi-Tek feat. Dion, Jadakiss, Papoose, Talib Kweli & Raekwon - "Where it Started At"

Pre-order: Be sure to get yours here.

Here is a great cover of the Kaiser Chiefs song "Oh My God" never heard the original but this version is great (well the gunshots kinda detract from the cut, maybe purposefully since its a leak). The track is from a yet to be released album called Version.

The album is due out sometime mid-2006 and includes other covers of a diverse selection of rock & pop songs including: Coldplay's God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, Britney Spears' Toxic, and Ryan Adams' Amy among others.

Mp3: Lily Allen & Mark Ronson - "Oh My God" (Kaiser Chiefs Cover)

Support: Grab Ronson's debut record or some Rhymefest who is on Ronson's label, Allido records OR the essential Radio Radio Radio featuring NickCatchdubs.

Special thanks to Fredrik over at the Hollertronix board for this killer live set by Diplodocus and Scottie B. All the details are at The Rumble unfortunately if you don't know Swedish you have no idea what is going on. Anyways great set and some live pictures of the show here.

Here is what Fredrik had to say about the mp3 music file:

140 MB @ 160 kbps Diplo exlusives and new MIA tracks edited over. Brand new Unruly track voiced over.

The MIA tracks sound great, can't wait for that record. One of the better live sets I have heard in awhile. Check it out.

Mp3: Diplo & Scottie B - "Live Set Sept. 16th" (up again)

**The Rumble has a rapidshare link up now.

Support: Diplo here or Scottie B here.

Sorry for the lack of postings. I was at a friends' wedding for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Was pretty hectic. The trip included a 6 hour unintentional stay in Cincinnati, losing my debit card and not getting my bags when I got back to Vermont. Outside of that, the wedding was great and it was good to see friends.

I have some great new music for this week so be patient with me. Also the Bears beat Minnesota and the Hawks rallied the Giants so it was a good football weekend.

Here is a pretty great novelty track where Ludacris rhymes over the 80's He-Man cartoon theme song. Its on the pre-released promo tape to hype his new album Release Therapy (The Truth Will Set You Free). Check it out.

Mp3: Ludacris - "He Man" (YSI)

Stream: Release Therapy over at MTV’s The Leak.

Pre-order: Get this record over at Amazon here.

Jedi Mind Tricks released Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell on Tuesday and its one of their best records since The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, and Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human and in many aspects I like it better. I think their latest carries more passion and often times a deeper message (AMG says its the most overtly socially conscious and critical album that the group has ever made). Producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and MC Vinnie Paz (aka Ikon the Verbal Hologram) really show of their talents on this record.

AMG has nothing but acclaim for the disk saying:

"Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell is the collaboration of two talented musicians who can create a nearly flawless album in which each track can stand on its own, but is more powerful as a whole, as an exploration of pain and hatred, of those feelings that we often don't wish to address but that, thanks to Jedi Mind Tricks, will be addressed for us."

Be sure to check it out for yourselves.

Mp3: Jedi Mind Tricks - "Suicide"

Mp3: Jedi Mind Tricks - "When All Light Dies"

Buy it: If you like it support the underground by buying it here.

I am looking forward to the upcoming release of Beck's The Information. The record is three years in the making and you can't go wrong when you team up with Mr. Nigel Godrich (Beck's Sea Change, Mutations; Radiohead's OK Computer, Kid A).

But the hype gets better. The record is going to include a DVD featuring homemade videos for each of the 15 songs taken during the actual recording sessions. ALSO there the video for "Cell Phone's Dead" which is directed by Mr. Block Party Himself Michel Gondry. This thing should be a smash.

Enough of me check out some beats. An older remix (even though you don't like remixes) along with a live version of a part of a track off the upcoming record:

Mp3: Beck - "Horrible Fanfare/Landslide/Exoskeleton" (Live)
Mp3: Beck - "Devil's Haircut" (Mike Simpson Remix)

Pre-order: Go get the "Nausea" single over at iTunes or other Beck albums here.

Un Joli Mix Pour Toi is a fantastic album (yes it did come out in 2005, yes I am a year late). On this album the fellas P-Thug and Dave (aka A-Trak's bro) take a break from producing tracks to blend their favorite 12"s in sparkling clean chromeo fashion. The album is packed full of funky jams taken mostly from early 80's R&B.

Mp3: Michael Jonzun - "Burnin Up"
Mp3: Jellybean - "Who Found Who"
Real Stream: Love Club - "Hot Summer Nights"
Real Stream: The Jets - "Rock 2 U"

Buy it: Pick up Chromeo's Un Joli Mix Pour Toi from Turntable Lab here.

When the cat's away, the mice will play. While Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York City at least 14 tanks surrounded Government House, Thaksin's office. This coincided with Army television broadcasting images of the royal family and songs associated in the past with military coups.

Government officials said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in the middle of a political crisis fomented by a street campaign against him, planned to return from New York on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled. They gave no reason. Hmmm I wonder why?

Puts things in perspective. I think we are too militarized as it is, but at least we don't have Rummy rolling up surrounding the White House and demanding surrender.

Pope offends Muslims by siting some ancient text that called Islam “evil and inhuman.” As can be expected this angered people in the Muslim community. The Pope then refuses to apologize and gives the old, "I am sorry you misunderstood me" line which is probably more insulting than saying anything at all.

So to show that slanted speech and calling Muslims violent is wrong thousands of Muslims take to the streets burn effigies of the pope and fire bomb churches. In Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called the pope’s remarks “the latest link” in the “chain of conspiracy to set off a crusade.”

Am I the only one that sees a bit of hypocricy here? Pope gives an insensitive speech using some 14th century quote from Byzantine emperor Manuel II as some sort of current analogy to todays Islam (I think he missed the fact that that shit is over 600 years old, its 2006 son, not 1391, things have changed). By doing this the Pope has only further boosted Muslim fears of a new crusade. This fear and anger results in violent backlash by fundamentalist Muslims. The logic of the entire thing escapes me.

This is why I find relegion so puzzling. It always seems to be at the root of some type of anger, some type of unrest. Each side claims that their God is peaceloving and just, but so much hatred, violence and distrust hemoragies from both sides as they claim to be right. Its so unfortunate that fundamentalists from both sides drown out those who teach tolerance and actually look for constructive dialogue between the two religions.

Pitchfork is reporting that RJD2's new record is going to be self created live instrumentation. He has signed with XL recordings after making his last two records with the vaunted Def Jux. This from Pitchfork:

"I've gone rap free in 2006," claimed RJD2. The Columbus-by-way-of-Philadelphia producer spoke to Pitchfork earlier this week about his currently-untitled third album, which will be released on the indie- and electronic-centric label XL, rather than RJ's longtime home of Def Jux. And instead of the sampledelic hip-hop/electronica of previous albums Deadringer and Since We Last Spoke, the new album was recorded with live instrumentation played entirely by RJ himself.

[Keep reading here]. Hmm...this sounds intriguing while one part of me wants a new hip-hip/electronic RJ album the other part is interested on what he will cook up on a live instrumental record. RJ said the record would be out, "hopefully next year sometime, February/March/April-ish. If we're looking at May, I think that's kind of late."

To push my non-remix mp3 streak to two posts (even though I have a remix of this song) I have just finally gotten around to listening to Monsieur Sebastian Tellier. Originally dismissed as another singer/songwriter in the vein of Bonnie Prince Billy or Mr. Stevens and then commonly confused with the disco/electronic/dance outfit named SebastiAn I unduly slept on Mr. Tellier's album Sessions. Finally getting the opportunity I listened to "La Ritournelle" and was floored.

Mp3: Sebastian Tellier - "La Ritournelle"

Admittedly its not a great piece of songwriting and falls short of the aforementioned cult indie icons, but this chamber pop anthem has a fantastic big piano sound and is simply beautiful to listen to. If you haven't checked out this multi-faceted instrumentalist/singer from Paris, France's 17th Arrondissement, you need to, his work is awesome.

Buy: Tellier has a record called Universe coming out September 18th and also has the album Sessions which features the track above, head over here to get them. Ohh and on a side note the guy rocks an amazing look on the 12".

**Update: Thanks to AG reader Dan for giving me the heads up on this fantastic live version check it out and give your thanks to Dan!

Mp3: Sebastian Tellier - "La Ritournelle" (Blue Room Live Session 2006-05-20)

34-7 beatdown of the Lions. Bears threw up 50 unanswered points till the Lions scored a TD late. Rex passes for 4 touchdowns. If the Bears keep any type of offensive momentum and give the best defense in the league a chance to catch their breath you can kiss any other teams chance at winning the big one good by. I smell championship people.

Maybe not for everyone, but for me the "new" Tortoise album has been floating under the radar and it took an anonymous poster (is it that hard to hit the "other" button?) to point out that I have been going bananas over the remixes (and its true I like remixes and have been in fact going bananas). So here is non-remixed stuff that I have been listening to and really enjoying.

Mp3: Tortoise - "Gamera" (11:53 mins)

A Lazarus Taxon is a three-CD/one-DVD set which "functions as an addendum to the band's standard discography, grabbing rare tracks from a wealth of sources, including compilations, benefit albums, tour singles, remix singles, and the continually fan-frustrating import editions." I admittedly didn't know much about Tortoise until I heard the collaboration with Bonnie "Prince" Billy (which I actually didn't like that much). But, I grabbed this collection off of eMusic and have been very pleased with it. I need to grab their highest acclaimed album, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, when I get the chance.

Buy: A Lazarus Taxon either at inSound or eMusic.

If you haven't yet I would recommend that you head over to eMusic and grab yourself the stellar Hefty Sampler its free, all 11 tracks of it. The record features tracks by Savath + Savalas, Telefon Tel Aviv and Eliot Lipp. Might be a bit too clicky and bleepy for some indie/hip hop diehards but ahh well.

Download: Get the Hefty Sampler here.

Dabrye from the fantastic Ghostly International label has a new remix out there. He has remixed a track off the new Zero 7 record The Garden**. Check it out. Its your typically low-fi trip hop stuff, but good nonetheless.

Mp3: Zero 7 - You're My Flame (Dabrye Remix)

Snatch it up: Dabrye's Two/Three record here or Zero 7's record here. I would argue that neither of these records are the artists best work. Simple Things is superior to The Garden and I enjoy One/Three by Dabrye more.

**Which I still think is some odd mainstream ploy to sell records given that they were exposed to the masses on the Garden State soundtrack. Don't get me wrong I love Zero 7 and its a bit conspiracy theorist but just seems so obvious.

My boys over at Palms Out Sounds have one of the best blogs around...seriously....if not the best. Anyways, the only downside of them being so fresh is that they put out too much great stuff. So much great stuff that I can't keep up or keep track of it all and it commonly takes me up to a week before I can get to all the great stuff...between the sample Wednesdays and the remix Sundays its about 20 mp3s a week.

One of their gems that I just got around to checking out is this Nadiya remix by SebastiAn (which if you haven't heard "Ross Ross Ross" you need to notify somebody).

Mp3: Nadiya - "Tous Ces Mots" (SebastiAn Remix)

I have to admit I have never even heard of Nadiya and still don't know much about her or really care to, but this track is great (maybe the original is too, just never head it). Check it out if you are like me and missed it and be sure to stop by every Sunday or everyday for that matter so you don't miss out.

Buy: Get yourself some SebastiAn 12"s over at TTL. Ohh and get your hands on that SebastiAn remix of Kelis' "Bossy" its a great one as well.

While I get the Tuesday-Wednesday-might be Thursday-dig sorted out here is a pretty cool remix of Asobi Seksu. Hope it tides you over till later.

MP3 - Asobi Seksu - "Strawberries" (Cassettes Won't Listen remix)

This remix comes after a full month of the Cassettes Won't Listen remixing artists like Morcheeba, Midlake, Dr. Octagon, and Cassettes Won't Listen is currently in the studio working on his follow up to the Nobody's Moving EP released in late 2005.

Listen: Cassettes Won't Listen will be performing and then interviewed on the greatest radio station in the world, KEXP on the John in the Morning show Thursday-9/14 aka tomorrow at 11am EST.

As much as I wanted to dedicate the Tuesday dig to the new Barenaked Ladies record or the always dreamy John Mayer and his new release I decided to focus on Playgroup. Playgroup is a collective masterminded by Trevor Jackson, a graphic designer (sleeves by Eric B. & Rakim, Stereo MCs, and the Jungle Brothers), producer, and remixer.

Mr. Jackson also runs his own Output label. Which AMG calls "a melting pot of disco, funk, hip-hop, dub, new wave, and electronica." After setting up his independant hip hop label Bite It! Recordings in 1991, he ventured into record production and remixing, using the Underdog name. In 1996 he formed a new label Output Recordings featuring Four Tet, LCD Soundsystem and The Rapture, as well as his own acclaimed Playgroup project.

Mp3: Chromeo - "You're So Gangsta" (Playgroup_Remix)
Mp3: Franz Ferdinand - "This fffire" (Playgroup Remix)
Mp3: The Rapture - "House of Jealous Lovers" (Playgroup Remix)
Mp3: Soft Cell - "Monoculture" (Playgroup Remix)

Buy Playgroup Albums: His 2002 released DJ KICKS album can be purchased here and many of his latest remixes are on his 2005 Reproduction album, which can be purchased here.

Annie's Anniemal is one of my favorite records from 2005. A certified pop masterpiece. There is a new mix out there by the Teddybears which features re-recorded vocals by the Norwegian pop "annimal," herself. Check it out its a pretty fresh take.

Mp3: Teddybears - "Your To Keep" (Annie Mix)

Note: The Tuesday dig will be on Wednesday this week so stay tuned for that should be some more pop/dance type electronic stuff. Did I mention that Annie is from Bergen Norway? If you ever get a chance to go there do it because its amazing went there 4 summers ago and its one of the coolest cities I have ever visited.

First Paris, now Disneyland. BBC news reported Monday that "guerrilla artist" Banksy honored Rodentville with one of his creations.

The creation was a life size replica of a Guantanamo bay detainee placed behind the iron fence at big thunder railroad. Interesting that he chose to install it on 9-11 and the day of Bush's latest lets-scare-the-crap-out-of-everyone speeches.

The "new" TV on the Radio record Return to Cookie Mountain drops tomorrow...well drops in the United States because its already out in the UK...even though the band is from Brooklyn...not quite sure how that works. But they seem to be trying to make it up to us by throwing on some new exclusive US only tracks so all us Americans don't feel slighted.

I have my pre-ordered and ready to grab down at the local record spot. One of the tracks I am especially looking forward to is this remix by Mr. Def Jux, El-P.

Mp3: TV on the Radio - "Hours" (El-P Remix)

Purchase it: Go get Return to Cookie Mountain from here or here. Shit is going to be classic...but then again you already knew that.

Here is a great remix from Baltimore DJ Dave Nada. He has a great knack for creating killer blends and AG featured some of his past tracks awhile back. Well here is another certified banger. Check it out for yourself.

Mp3: Christina Aguilera feat. Rhythm Roots All-Stars - "Aint No Other Man" (Nada Afro Mix)

Here is what Philidelphia Weekly said about Mr. Nada:

The second wave of superstars includes DJ K-Swift, Spank Rock and turntable partners Dave Nada and DJ Tittsworth... What can attendees expect at the Nada/Tittsworth soiree?A lot of sweating, fist pumping and curse words... a lot of curse words.

Support him: Get a bunch of cool crap over at his myspace area. He also has some records coming out get over there and check it out.

The NFL season is off and my Bears and Seahawks both got wins. Albeit the Bears win was much more impressive then the field goal shootout between the Lions and Hawks but wins are wins. Bears looked impressive in their 26 point route of the Packers. Rex had a decent game but the offense did only score one touchdown so I am not going to get all excited about the offense just yet.

Fantasy football
In terms of fantasy football I'm 1-2 this week. 2 of my teams took a loss (High School/College Buddies League and the Hollertronix Board League (still hope if Moss and Cooley come up huge) while one of my teams got a victory (Canadian Bloggers League). On two of my fantasy teams I drafted Frank Gore and thank god, he looks like he is going to be an absolute beast this year (even though it was against Zona's suspect run defense). With fantasy monsters like LJ and Alexander having down weeks the leagues are surely to shift in the weeks to come. How bummed am I that I didn't get Stallworth, the dude looked impressive this week.

There are few labels I like more than the UK based Ninja Tune. Ninja Tune has some of the best artists around (Bonobo, Blockhead, Coldcut, Kid Koala, Daedulus, Daedelus, Antibalas, Mr. Scruff the list goes on and on). There are two releases that I'm especially anticipating.

Kid Koala's Your Mom's Favorite DJ is set to be released on October 3rd. The other is a dude that can do no wrong in my book and thats Bonobo. His release, Days to Come is due out a day before on Oct. 2nd. Bonobo like Radiohead, like Thievery Corporation, like Blackalicious, like the Roots is an artist that I have a hard time being critical of their records. I just find myself liking every single one. I guess everyone has artists that they feel that way towards. Check out a couple tracks from his upcoming record:

Mp3: Bonobo - "Recurring"
Mp3: Bonobo feat. Bajka - "Days to Come"

Alot of the Bonobo tracks employ the sultry vocals of Bajka somebody I am not all familiar with but of course whos voice works with that down tempo/trip hop sound perfectly.

Pre-order it: Get Kid's record here OR Bonobo's record here, or the single "Nightlite" here.

The new record Public Warning doesn't hit stateside till October 17th but Lady Sov's grip on being one of the better contemporary MCs is only tightening as the new tracks leak. Here is the title track off the upcoming record:

Mp3: Lady Sovereign - "Public Warning"

The energy is definitely there paired with some great production, not to mention the verses that are delivered at breakneck pace. There are other tracks kicking around there that are not hard to track down. Here is a remix along with a pretty great mashup for you to rock this weekend:

Mp3: Ordinary Boys vs Lady Sovereign - "Nine2five"**
Mp3: Lady Sovereign - "Random" (Solid Groove Mix)

You can head over to the blog of the Best Radio Station on the Planet and get another Lady Sov remix. There is also a couple other remixes on this blog.

Buy it: Be sure to pre-order Public Warning and get your grubby hands on some of the young lady's past albums here. The Ordinary Boys vs. Lady Sov record can be purchased here.

Most celebrities are a complete waste of space. They don't do anything of value, they don't give back to society and they spend their ridiculous fortunes on handbags and shoes that cost more money than most peoples annual salaries.

My favorite guerrilla artist is feeling my pain as he strikes at one of the largest, if not THE largest waste of space around, Paris Hilton. The Independent Online Edition had this to say:

Banksy has taken aim at the cult of empty celebrity and its current poster child, Paris Hilton. The secretive artist has smuggled 500 doctored copies of Paris Hilton's debut album into music stores throughout the UK, where they have sold without the shops' knowledge.In place of Ms Hilton's bubble-gum pop songs, the CDs feature Banksy's own rudimentary compositions. On the cover of the doctored CD, Ms Hilton's dress has been digitally repositioned to reveal her bare breasts; on an inside photo, her head has been replaced with that of her dog.

Flicker set of the Banksy artwork.
You tube video of the whole thing here.

Buy it: Get the guerrilla copies over here on ebay.
Visit: The official Banksy website.

90% of success is just showing up...

Some don't like Mike, some hate on Mike, but I love him (well the old Mike, have to admit that the new one is off the wall). His music is classic and the haters be damned! Square dropped the Not Guilty: The Mike We Like Remixes this year and its amazing. Flat out one of the best remix collections of the year.

True you might have to like Mike, but who deep down doesn't like Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad? thats R&B gold right there. This Square album is fantastic, check it out this track and then go grab it at TTL for 12 bucks.

From TTL:

Michael Jackson acapellas have been floating around in spotty batches, but Counterflow producer Square has managed to collect a solid group of them to create this MJ remix album. This ain't no slack, amateurish job either. Check the convincing studio feel of "Rock With You."complete with vibes play and booty bass influenced beat. This shit is hot!!! A breakbeat version of "Billie Jean?" Check. You could definitely kill the clubs with this.

Mp3: Michael Jackson - "Rock With You" (Square Remix)**
Stream in Real: Michael Jackson - "Billy Jean" (Square Remix)

Buy: Go on and get Square's The Mike We Like Remixes I know you like MJ you just don't want to admit it. Get it here.

Recently saw that Pharrell is trying to get 10 No. 1 hits in a year. I don't think this latest single by Cassius is going to get him one of those 10 coveted number ones, but its a pretty good track regardless.

Should also mention that I'm a big N.E.R.D fan, but was unimpressed with Pharrell's solo album In My Mind, which I found to be a disaster. Thought it was impossible for a Kanye/Pharrell teamup to sound bad but the track "Number One" proved me wrong.

The track is from the forthcoming 15 Again album by Cassius out Sept. 11th. The song is a post apocalyptic view of Earth after it has been destroyed and overrun by robots.

Mp3: Cassius feat. Pharrell - "Eye Water"

Pre-order: Cassius's 15 Again here.

Here is a little flavor of my roots music I guess...sort of. Lindstrom was born and raised on the outskirts of the Norwegian oil town Stavanger, he now lives in Oslo where he is making contemporary disco and running his Feedelity label. Some have compared Hans-Peter Lindstrosm to Henrik Ibsen and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as being Norway's poster boy of choice.

This particular Lindstrom reworking is one of note. This is a Brennan Green remix of the 2006 release Feedelity Remixed Vol. 1 12". The title of the remix alone is enough to make you want to check it out. Get the full Pitchfork media summary of the track here.

Mp3: Lindstrom - "Pesto og Kolera" (Brennan Green Saucey Version)
Mp3: Franz Ferdinand - "I'm Your Villian" (Lindstrom Remix)
Mp3: LCD Soundsystem - "Tribulations" (Lindstrom Remix)**

Buy: Go out and grab the 12" over here and get the Franz Ferdinand's Remixes (Justice, Lindstrom & Erol Alkan) EP here.

Just received a great email from a guy named Chuck Anderson. He's the mastermind behind Lupe Fiasco's new cover and the guy does some amazing graphic design and photography and probably a bunch of other great stuff I don't even know goes into his art work.

Make sure you swing by NoPattern.com and see what he has in store. Super cool work.

Support art: Buy some of his work here he is obviously a class act as he donates a portion of his artbook sales to South Suburban Humane Society. Great to see conscious talented people out there. Keep up all the great work Mr. Anderson.

Next Tuesday is probably the most crazy day in record releases that I can remember in a long time. New releases are set for Album Leaf, Mouse on Mars, DJ Shadow, Junior Boys, The Rapture, Justin Timberlake and TV on the Radio (and you know I can't wait the new John Mayer to drop...errr just kidding). One of the records I didn't mention that I am incredibly excited for is the masters of house, Basement Jaxx's Crazy Itch Radio.

In preperation for the release I have dug a bit for some Basement Jaxx remixes and have also thrown in my favorite track off the upcoming new record in the form of a blog link.

Mp3: Lady Sovereign - "Hoodie" (Basement Jaxx Remix)*
Mp3: Basement Jaxx - "Where's Your Head At" (Stanton Warriors Remix)
Mp3: Missy Elliot - "For My People" (Basement Jaxx Remix)
Mp3: Basement Jaxx - "Hush Boy" (Les Visiteurs Remix)
Mp3 link: Basement Jaxx feat. Robyn - "You Don't Know Me"

Pre-order: Make sure you are the first on your block with that crazy house sound by pre-ordering it over at insound here.

If you don't feel like typing blogspot you can now get here by typing:

http://www.analoggiant.com

Just FYI. Link it up, tell your friends and neighboors. The analoggiant.blogspot.com works too I just figured out the glory that is domain forwarding (yeah I know I am a bit slow). Anyways thanks for passing on the word. Got a good remix Tuesday planned so stay tuned.

While he might believe in Xenu an alien ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy" who, 75 million years ago, brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft resembling Douglas DC-8 airliners (can you get more advanced?), stacked them around volcanoes and blew them up with hydrogen bombs and that their souls then clustered together and stuck to the bodies of the living. And that these alien souls continue to harm us today, causing a variety of physical ill-effects in modern-day humans. Makes perfect sense to me.

Anyways, my favorite Scientologist, Beck Hansen has a new album due out called The Information on Oct. 3rd. There have been a couple leaks (perhaps caused by Body Thetans?) and all of them have been great. My personal favorite is of course "We Dance Alone" for its hip hop influenced style but the new single is certainly fantastic as well (more on that below).

Mp3: Beck - "We Dance Alone"

Mp3: Beck - "Sexx Laws" (Wizeguys Remix)*

Buy it: Go get the "Nausea" single over at iTunes or other Beck albums here.

*not on the new cd its an old remix from...yes you guessed it the Sexx Laws EP.

I am always on the hunt for good studying/background music. The past two years have been actually very good for this between The Boats, Clogs, Sigur Ros, Boards of Canada and Chihei Hatakeyama all releasing good acoustic/downbeat electronic records. There is another great addition for those looking for minimalist tunes in the new Portland based Grails record Black Tar Prophecies 1, 2, 3.

Grails also have a bit of mystery associated with them given that they "came into being after one of their founding members, Timothy Horner (the violinist) disappeared. Literally. After returning from a long European tour, Horner vanished, never to be seen again by the band. They have heard rumours that he sold his violin and is living on the streets, but as for being a member of Grails, that's over for good. Reeling from this loss, the band set about writing as a four-piece and have since constructed this, their deepest, darkest and finest record yet."

Mp3: Grails - "Erosion Blues"
Mp3: Grails - "Bad Bhang Recipe"

Buy it: Don't forget to purchase the record here.

There have been a couple features about Montreal DJ Ghislain Poirier (can a name get more French?) who is "obsessed with big dirty beats, which is why he creates ragga style riddims and deconstructed abstract hip-hop." The dude also knows how to make a great remix. Here are a couple samples of some old and new stuff from Mr. Poirier.

Mp3: Jay-Z - "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" (Ghislain Poirier Remix)

Mp3: Bonde Do Role - "Melo Do Tabaco" (Ghislain Poirier Remix)

Mp3: Lady Sovereign - "Fiddle with the Volume" (Ghislain Poirier Remix)

Buy: Support a Canadian by grabbing a couple records. I recommend this one and this one and especially that last one. Grab the Lady Sov remix disc at TTL here.