Holly Conlan: Ok From Bird EP (2006) Anjulie: Day Will Come Soon From Boom EP (Hear, 2008) I can't really explain my soft spot for folk-poppy singer/songwriter stuff. My wife's theory is that I listened to too much Sarah McLachlan in my 20s but I don't really hear that connection in either Conlin or Anjulie's songs. Both do, however, remind me a little of Feist (who I like) as well as S...
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AND FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
PLAYING CATCH-UP
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Artist:
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Album:808's and Heartbreak
1) The last covers-related mix I'll likely do for a while is now up as a podcast for Truth and Soul Records . Here's the tracklisting:1. Crowns of Glory: Ain't No Sunshine 2. Joe Bataan: Under the Street Lamp 3. Mark Holder: Mixed-Up Cup 4. Karkey and Woodward: Dirty Old Bossa Nova 5. Nancy Holloway: Hurts So Bad 6. Smith: Baby, It's You 7. Rhetta Hughes: Baby, I Need Your Loving 8. Eduardo A...
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OUT OF THIS WORLD
Mr. Chop: The Infinity Machine From Lightworlds EP (Now Again, 2008) Three years ago when you thought of Now Again, progressive wasn't the first word that came to mind. Sure, they have a different approach than the majors - sell what you would want to buy yourself, not what you think the consumer wants. That's the luxury of having a core audience who, at the very least, samples most of...
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EVOLVER: THE (R)EVOLUTION OF JOHN LEGEND
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John Legend: If You're Out There From Evolver (Columbia, 2008) John Legend: Pride (In The Name Of Love) (cover of U2) From Evolver (Wal-Mart Exclusive Version) (Columbia, 2008) Recently I had the opportunity to chat with John Legend about his new album Evolver as well as where he's been and where he's going. EL: It's great to see a superstar artist in this day and age who is ...
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Q-TIP: THE VIBE IS BACK
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Q-Tip: Won't Trade Believe (feat. D'Angelo) From The Renaissance (Motown, 2008) Ruby Andrews: You Made a Believer Out Of Me From 7" (Zodiac, 1969). Also on Casanova . Large Professor: For My People From The LP (Geffen, unreleased, 1995) Having sat with Q-Tip's new album for a few...I have to say, this is phenomenal. I know I may be biased - like many rap fans who grew up in the 1990s...
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GOODNIGHT, MS. MAKEBA
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Artist:
Miriam Makeba, dead at 76.
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JAMES BROWN AND JOE BATAAN: DOCUMENTED
I Got The Feelin': James Brown in the '60s (Shout Factory, 2008) Joe Bataan: Mr. New York Is Back (Vampisoul, 2008) Finally took some time recently to look at two music-related DVDs. The first is I Got the Feelin': James Brown In the '60s , a 3-DVD set comprised of two concerts (Boston Gardens, 4/5/68 & the Apollo Theater, 3/68), plus a documentary, The Night James Brown Saved Boston . ...
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SOUL SIDES SET SALE #3 - UPDATED
I'm really looking to clear stuff out so I've dropped prices on almost everything. Get at me! RECORDS LISTED AFTER THE JUMP (click on photos to see full-sized image) King Sporty: Mr. Rhythm (Konduko, stereo) Rare disco-funk out of Florida by Jamaica's rocksteady-turned-funkateer King Sporty. This was his first release on his own label, Konduko, distributed by TK Records. A...
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SOUL SIDES SET SALE #3 - UPDATED
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Track:Mannekind
I'm really looking to clear stuff out so I've dropped prices on almost everything. Get at me! RECORDS LISTED AFTER THE JUMP (click on photos to see full-sized image) King Sporty: Mr. Rhythm (Konduko, stereo) Rare disco-funk out of Florida by Jamaica's rocksteady-turned-funkateer King Sporty. This was his first release on his own label, Konduko, distributed by TK Records. Awe...
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SKYE REVISITED: THERE IS A NEED
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Track:Ain't No Need
Skye: Ain't No Need (Unity Mix) Original version from 7" (Ananda, 1976) I posted the "Dance mix" of Skye's rare disco 45 "Ain't No Need" back in September but more recently, I finally got my hands on an original copy (thanks Cool Chris!) and had a chance to hear the original version of the song. That's how I learned that the "Dance mix" is basically a long, five minute looping of the last ...
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BLAZE IT UP: FUNK HEATERS
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James Brown: The Chicken From 7" (King, 1969). Also on Popcorn . Sugar Pie DeSanto: A Little Taste of Soul From 7" (Gedinson's 100 Wax, 1962). John Ellison: You've Got to Have Rhythm From 7" (Phil L.A. of Soul, 1970). Also on Funky, Funky Way of Making Love . Lou Courtney: Hey Joyce From 7" (Pop-Side, 1967) Toussaint McCall: Shimmy From 7" (Ronn, 196?). Also on Nothing Takes the...
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CAN WE ROCK IT? YES, WE CAN
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Whatever you may think of Barack Obama as a potential president, it's undeniable that his candidacy has spurred a reaction from the hip-hop community the likes that I haven't seen in a generation. I don't want to go off on the typical "rap these days is so apolitical, blah blah" routine but let's be honest about this - for the last eight years, in one of the most divisive political climates we'...
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BACK TO THE BAY: SUNDAY 10/26
I'm headed back up to the Bay this weekend to visit friends and family. As it so happens, my old DJ partner Vinnie Esparza, along with Oliver Bills, are launching a new monthly this Sunday evening at Koko Cocktails on Geary (across the street from J-Town) and I'll be joining them on their inaugural voyage. Get Lifted w/ DJs Vinnie Esparza and Oliver Bills Special guest: DJ O-Dub Sunday nig...
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JOHN LEGEND SEAL: AND NOW WE RETURN TO THE CLASSICS
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Artist:
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Album:Soul Men
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Track:I'm Your Puppet
John Legend: I'm Your Puppet From Soul Men Soundtrack (Stax, 2008) Seal: Change Gonna Come From Soul (Warner Bros, 2008) Soul Men has a dubious history behind it considering that it stars both Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. Plus, judging from the trailer, it looks like the Black version of Blues Brothers ...but not necessarily destined to be a classic. For the film, Stax commissioned a ...
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JOHN LEGEND SEAL: AND NOW WE RETURN TO THE CLASSICS
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Artist:
John Legend: I'm Your Puppet From Soul Men Soundtrack (Stax, 2008) Seal: Change Gonna Come From Soul (Warner Bros, 2008) Soul Men has a dubious history behind it considering that it stars both Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. Plus, judging from the trailer, it looks like the Black version of Blues Brothers ...but not necessarily destined to be a classic. For the film, Stax commissioned a ...
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MENAHAN STREET BAND: THE JAZZ OF SOUL
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Artist:
Menahan Street Band: Montego Sunset Going The Distance From Make The Road By Walking (Dunham/Daptone, 2008) While instrumental soul isn't typically my favorite sub-genre of soul, MSB's 35-minute album Make The Road By Walking is a consistent effort, with Daptone continuing to pump out solid full lengths to extend their reign on the retrosoul scene. Jay-Z and his musical team found the s...
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THE DONAYS: DEVILISHLY GOOD
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Artist:The Donays
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Album:Rare Singles From The Golden Age of Rock and Roll
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Track:Devil In His Heart
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MUSIC AND FILMS
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I was watching Almost Famous on HBO the other night (again) and it has two of the best "use of songs in a movie" examples I can think of and that got me to thinking about other moments like that. I threw together a list of what immediately popped into mind though there were some stuff I left off for just being too obvious (basically, any Scorsese film and Pulp Fiction too). End scene, Almos...
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NEVER TOO MUCH
Lancelot Layne : Yo Tink It Sorf? Biosis Now : Independent Bahamasboth taken from the compilation Calypsoul 70 on Strut (2008)Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo de Cotonou : Iya Me Dji Ki Bi Ni& Mi Homlan Dadaletaken from the compilation The Vodoun Effect on Analog Africa (2008)Here's a few picks from recent compilations that I've had in heavy rotation. I figure we must be approaching the tipping point wh...
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ALTON ELLIS: RIP
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Artist:
1944 - 2008 Sad news : rocksteady great (and one of the finest crafters of reggae soul) Alton Ellis passed away recently. I was a late-comer to his magic but I've been beguiled by it ever since. His catalog is massive but I've always had an ear for his stuff from the late '60s and early '70s. Here's three of my favorite. Jah bless. Alton Ellis: I'm Still In Love With You From I'm Still In...
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