Johnny Cash. Not much else needs to be said. Except that this song is one that exemplified the musical career of the baddest country western rocker to ever grace the stage. I’m glad I’m Jared, and not “Sue”.
A lost Pete Rock production by Rob-O and featuring Meccalicious, this track was orginally recorded circa 1996 but shelved when Electra Records went through same roster/label restructuring. No doubt created in the center of Mount Vernon, the paramixed horns are a dead on characteristic of Pete Rock. This is a laid back gem that finally (and thankfully) saw release in 2007.
Last is the pseudo-punk melody makers that influenced countless others, The Pixies. They recently announced a reunion tour that will probably be the last you ever see of the band, so be sure to get a ticket if you already a fan. For those that are new, check out the staple “Debaser” off the seminal Doolittle.
Here’s a Chet Baker song that just gets me everytime. Aptly titled “Time After Time” the woozy jazz singer and trumpeter croons so sweet here that it just makes you want to lay back be lazy all day long. Good thing the week is nearly over.
One of my favorite hip hop albums of last year, Metaform is a producer descendant from the styles of RJD2 and DJ Shadow. For any fans of those two, I highly recommendStanding on the Shoulder of Giants. No lyrics, just sonic dopeness. Listen.
Last track is a recent remix of the band Metric by electro-vets MSTRKRFT. Starts out with the haunting “I fought the war but the war won’t stop for the love of God…” and then just breaks out into dance banger craziness. Give it a listen and tell me it’s not awesome.
This is Jack Peñate, an English singer-songwriter that Bobo of Eighty81 brought to my attention. His new album Everything is New came out in June in the UK, and i’m not even sure if its been released stateside yet. Either way, its a nice piece of work and “Tonight’s Today” is indicative of that. Check it.
A little different from normal offerings, this pick is a tribute to the late DJ AM. This mix is crazy. If you haven’t ever heard him I suggest you take a little tour on YouTube, or at least give his collaboration with Travis Barker a listen.
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Last is the demented blues rock super group The Dead Weather, comprised of White Stripes mastermind Jack White, The Kills singer Alison Mosshart, as well as Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence of Queens of the Stone Age and The Raconteurs, respectively. The album is dark and rough, but a great American rock record through and through. Believe the hype.
Little Dragon is a Swedish electronic group headed up by Japanese-Swedish singer Yukimi Nagano. Her unique melancholic voice compliments the sparse electro jams in a way that deserves to be heard. Think of them as a less haunting Portishead.
Back in 2001, Vast Aire and Vordul Mega linked up with producer El-P to create the 14th best hip hop album post 2000. This record is a spaced out banger, with complex street slang from start to finish, and a certified indie hip hop classic.
Feeling like a little smooth psychedelic rock R&B? Take a Voyage to Atlantis and look no further than the Isley Brothers. Though it hasn’t been sampled quite as much as their other material, this is easily one of my favorite tracks from the Isley’s.
This is a new release by Cleveland natives Poetic Republic and hosted by DJ K-Nyce. Its called The Blackest Man Alive and finds emcees Ahp Ques and Rembrandt backed by their full band, and this is also the first release since their relocation to Brooklyn. A very dope real hip hop mix straight from our city- I highly recommend supporting these dudes.
Next up is a old jazz song by Jimmy Smith, remixed by rapper/producer extraordinaire Lyrics Born. Its from one of the Verve Remix collections, vol. 3 specifically, and it picks up the pace quite a bit with a funky breakbeat providing steam to the keys and horns already in the track. Not to mention the “Stay Loose” hook that you can’t help but sing along to.
Surprised that these guys still have a Myspace, because they broke up a few years ago. With an awesome name like Bear Vs. Shark, how could you help but be an awesome band? You can’t, which is why Right Now You’re in the Best of Hands is an excellent album to get your hands on. A little too post-hardcore (heavy, if you will) for some, but this shit rocks- plain and simple.
Choice Cuts have been a bit sporadic lately, but fear not, here’s some new joints for you.
First up is a new track from Cleveland natives Keyel. The Key has been holding down the Cleveland Hts area for some time and have a new mixtape dropping in September. They linked up with European producer Flako for this super laid back track titled “Mary Jane”.
Keeping with the smooth vibes, here’s a joint off Roy Ayers Ubiquity. Flutes freely skip around the track as Roy proclaims “We ain’t got time to be tired, the war has just begun…”
Netherfriends are a 3-person indie rock band hailing from Chicago, IL that create good synth rock. They released an EP entitled Calling You Out (available here) that features unique sounds for the genre, like trumpets and pots n’ pans. This is the lead track “Friends with Lofts”, and it’s great.
Frightened Rabbit is a rock group from Scotland that I’ve been digging for quite some time now. Their album Midnight Organ Fight is a emotional, alcohol-soaked record of folk rock that strikes a cord with me. Check out “Good Arms vs. Bad Arms” for a taste.
One of my favorite singers- not just of soul music, but of all time- is Sam Cooke. There’s something about the simplicity of soul and gospel oldies like this that is soothing and relaxing, and Mr. Cooke was unparalleled in his day.
OK, so this song I have no idea where it came from, what it was supposed to be on, or when it came out. I literally just found it on my hard drive one day and realized it was good. It’s Nas, produced by Kanye, and it just consists of a simple loop crescendo and profound story. I can’t even tell you why I think it’s so dope– it just is. Anyone know where this came from? Clue me in please.
This is a track by Stones Throw artist Aloe Blacc. Aloe used to rap with producer Exile (of Blu & Exile fame) as a part of the group Emanon. He decided to take up singing, or at least focus more on it, and this gem of an R&B/Neo-Soul album Shine Through was the result. Full of dope songs, try “Bailar” for starters.
Switching over into the indie rock world, I’ve recently seen a lot of bands popping up using “Japan-” puns. It’s weird I know, but Japandroids make it work. I’m seeing this melodic punk duo at Pitchfork Fest this Sunday– I’ll be wyling out when this track “Young Hearts Spark Fire” hits.
Finally is Amadou and Miriam, a middle aged couple from Mali. They play genre-defying, grooved out, African jazz rock. They play instruments I’ve never even heard of. They were recently named MTV.com’s Best of 2009 (So Far) list. Oh yeah, and they’re blind. Here’s the first track off their album Welcome to Mali.
Since we buried the King of Pop this week, I thought it only fitting to recommend some of my favorite, lesser-known Michael Jackson tracks. Everyone knows “Billie Jean”, “Thriller”, and “Smooth Criminal”, but here are some gems that I feel often get overlooked.
This is probably my favorite Jacko song, created in between his Jackson 5 years and his solo career. This track is so funky and danceable that it easily stands the test of time.
Next is from Mike’s reinvention and arguably best album (purely based on the music), “Off the Wall”. Debuting when Mike was only 21, all the tracks are incredible but this one was a special diamond that you don’t hear much about.
Then I figured I’d throw a modern day remix in here for good measure. This remix is off the Motown Remixed album that came out a few years back. There’s two Jackson 5 remixes on it, but I prefer the Z-Trip rework of “I want you back”. Check it out.
Skipped out on Choice Cuts last week do to all of the hullabaloo over the new opening. Here’s a few gems for you.
I was tweeting about this song the other day, and since I made a fuss about it I might as well share it. This is Empire of The Sun, an Australian band similar to MGMT but even more David Bowie-ish in dress and style (I mean look at that picture). Throw in Treasure Fingers for the remix and you’ve got one hell of a funky dance tune.
Next up is a track from space-funk hip hop group Sa-Ra Creative Partners. One of the most creative and vibed out crews out there, they dropped an album Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love on Tuesday. Get that sh*t. This track clocks in at over 7 minutes, but doesn’t get boring for a second.
“Love Czars” – Click here to listen/download
Last track this week is from Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach’s solo effort Keep It Hid. The local musician put out a solid album earlier this year and the drums that open this song just demand your attention. Give “The Prowl” a listen.
“The Prowl” – Click to listen/download
Here’s a killer band I’ll be working with in the future as part of AEMMP Records, a class thats actually record label at my graduate school. I just met the dudes and they are super cool. Look for a video in the future for this song “Roman Holiday”.
This is an album and a song that I just can’t get out of my head. French pop rock band Phoenix has released their fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and this song is tops in my book. It’s just so catchy.
Next up is the first single off Mos Def’s new album The Ecstatic, which I also blogged about here, that came out this past Tuesday. I’m feeling this track and most of the album so it makes the grade for a choice cut this week.
In lieu of the traditional choice cuts today, I wanted to dedicate a special post to my homies The Kickdrums.
The Cleveland production duo most famous for producing and remixing tracks for 50 cent, MOP, Kid Cudi, and Adele have truly shown their versatility and prowess with the new rock release “Just A Game”. This is a very solid indie rock album with subtle hip hop vibes. The greatest part about this whole thing? It’s free. Right here. Or you can buy it, like a good music supporter, right here.
For a look at their some former work, such as Smash the System, check here.
