Archive for July 2008
In a quite fair, though surprisingly swift and wide-reaching manner, much has been made of Justin Vernon’s songwriting and of his band, Bon Iver. Their remarkable EP For Emma, Forever Ago, is an album so simple and subtle in its beauty that it could end up lost in the shuffle of your playlist. We are so fortunate that from this small voice has come one of 2008’s most beloved recordings. If your heart was ever broken and you knew it, Justin’s falsetto overtones and wrenchings of lost love spoke to you at a time when you needed to hear them. And like magic, Bon Iver has become the little band from Wisconsin who could.
Oblige the kind folks at Daytrotter, then, with a visit to their site to listen to Bon Iver’s particularly looming discontent that is all throughout their wonderful Daytrotter Session today.
Bon Iver – Flume (Daytrotter Session)
To get the rest of these wonderful tracks, head over to Daytrotter by clicking here.
I just haven’t been updating lately and I don’t know why. I am listless and bored with everything (not to mention being deep in the struggle), I found myself sleeping less and writing more. Just not here. It’s the mid-summer lull before the cool of autumn prevails. I’m an autumn baby, you see, so we suddenly bloom when the leaves are turning their cool oranges and muted browns and such.
Anyways, in my sullied state, I’ve found myself returning over and over to this song all week. Inspired by a request from I’m Waking Up To…” (asking what folks wake up to in the morning), I’ve decided to let the cat out of the bag about the one track that does it for me first thing in the morning. It feels empowering and essential, like the sun itself. Over time, I’ve tried the Rotary Connection’s original version, then that of the late Minnie Riperton. As lovely as each was, it did not hold the same power for me as this version, performed by Nuyorican Soul and deeply remixed by the unmistakable loving and powerful genius of London’s 4hero. At times, I find it so beautiful I’m brought to tears. The remix’s broken beat symphony is everything I need to start my day. Maybe you’ll think so, too.
Nuyorican Soul – I Am The Black Gold of the Sun (4hero Remix)
This track is available on 4hero’s very hard to find The Remix Album, Vol. 1 from Amazon.Com.
Before he became a BET & MTV superstar, Robin Thicke was a singer/songwriter from a famous family who, in spite of his connections in Hollywood, was struggling to make his soulful jams in relative obscurity. He was always funky & this track proves it for me. I remember the first time I heard this song, “I’m A Be Alright” was shown (billed only as Thicke) on a commercial for something in around 2002 or 2003 (was it Tommy Hilfiger?), and then it disappeared into the ether just as quickly. By the time his criminally-overlooked album A Beautiful World came out in 2003, I must’ve forgotten about the song and, unfortunately, it didn’t do for Robin Thicke what he deserved. Good thing people finally figured out what A Beautiful World proved — the man got so much soul. I put this song on when I need to be reminded that it’s not nearly as bad as I think it is. I’m a be alright. You will too.
(Robin) Thicke – I’m A Be Alright
You can pick up A Beautiful World at Amazon [cd or mp3] by clicking here.
REWIND: Chant Sweet Freedom with Michael McDonald | That Song from The Karate Kid about Young Hearts
I should have been angry when Cameron asked me to unearth (from anywhere I could find it) this forgotten gem of the 1980’s for him, but it put me on a mission to find a couple of other gems I’d been trying to dig up. I am now prepared to thank him for putting me on that mission because, after all, it worked out. Here, unfiltered, is the one he asked me to find for him: “Young Hearts” by Commuter is from the soundtrack to The Karate Kid and makes an excellent addition to your ’80s repertoire of great overlooked songs. (HT ThePunkGuy.com)
And while I’m at it, let me talk about how much I used to love the movie Running Scared (1986) starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines. Two rough-and-tumble Chicago cops under the supervision of a tough Lieutenant (played by the amazing Dan Hedaya) trying to crack down on a horrible, evil drug dealer (played by Jimmy Smits). The image of Gregory Hines wearing a thong riding a moped through the Florida Keys with a hot girl has destroyed me but is permanently emblazoned in my mind. It’s a funny 80’s buddy comedy, one of those movies you won’t shut off if it comes on cable but you will probably have never heard of it otherwise.
Anyways, the “hit song” from the movie, “Sweet Freedom” by Michael McDonald, is another great forgotten 80’s “feel-good” hit that I never seem to tire of. It may not be as punchy as Michael’s new material proves to be but it’s still one of my favorite singles of the 1980’s.
Michael McDonald – Sweet Freedom
You can purchase The Karate Kid: Original Soundtrack by clicking here.
You can purchase Michael McDonald’s The Ultimate Collection by clicking here.
The music community gives so much to all of us through their commitment to the arts. In celebration of Independence Day 2008, I urge you to participate in Independents Day 08, a charity drive raising money for the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and the charitable organization of the Recording Academy, my beloved MusiCares.
In addition to being able to purchase a special compilation filled with one-offs and unreleased recordings by great artists, a charity auction is being held on eBay with some phenomenal one-of-a-kind prizes (be a music CEO at Beggars US for a day sound interesting?). You can read further details on all the great things you can win after the jump, plus a listing of the tracks you can get on the Indepenents Day 08 compilation — but remember, the compilation is only available for a limited, 72-hour period of July 4-6 at a special price.
To celebrate the release of their latest CD, Last 2 Walk, Academy Award-winners and local rap impresarios Three 6 Mafia will be giving a free, all-ages show in Memphis on Saturday July 5th. The show will begin at 3pm at the Plush Club on Beale Street & you already know you’d better get there early to get in line (and don’t get upset and act a fool if you roll up at ten minutes to 3 and can’t get in, yo) — once it’s full, it’s full baby! According to Michael “Boogaloo” Boyer of radio station Hot 107.1, Saturday’s one hour extravaganza promises to be a lot of fun for everyone & Three 6 Mafia is thrilled to have this opportunity to give back something special to their many fans in Memphis.
Worried about bringing the kids? Nah, don’t worry. Three 6 promises to make it a CLEAN show. That’s right, totally clean, so don’t worry about bringing your little brothers & sisters or your kids with you. Three 6 Mafia and Hot 107.1 look forward to seeing you downtown on Saturday.
Saturday July 5th, 2008 3pm-?
Plush Club
380 Beale Street
Memphis, TN 38103
Way back in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s, there was another President of the United States in power who looked like (but certainly didn’t sound like) the one we’re about to get rid of. Back then, things were bad. We knew they were bad & getting worse. Something had to give. Fancy, then, how this sonic reminder of the past seems omnisciently fitting to the present. I suggest you listen carefully to this song — every person in America should be playing this song right about now.
Steinski – It’s Up To You (Television Mix)
You can purchase Steinski’s double-CD What Does It All Mean? Retrospective: 1983-2006 by clicking here.
I’ve already talked about how much I love Voxpop’s sound here and here. I’ve told you that their songs are delightful & how I can’t wait to hear them live. So, without being repetitive, here’s another track given to Loudersoft by the band entitled “The Boomerang Generation” for you to enjoy. You can hit those other links for previous downloads if you’re feeling them as much as we are.
Voxpop – The Boomerang Generation
Visit Voxpop on MySpace by clicking here.
Here’s another edition of the Loudersoft Muxtape for your ears. Lots of remixes and randoms this week, guaranteed to get your party going for your July 4th festivities. Want to listen? Visit http://loudersoft.muxtape.com to get your groove on.
Tracklisting:
01 Lil’ Wayne – A Milli (Produced By Bangladesh) 3:42
02 The Cool Kids – Box Of Rocks 3:18
03 Lord T & Eloise – Dance Move (feat. Al Kapone) 3:53
04 Thunderheist – Jerk It 3:54
05 Chrissy Murderbot – Yoshi Track 4:02
06 M.I.A. – Bamboo Banga (DJ Eli Remix) 6:25
07 45 King/Eli/Pase Rock – 900 Number Eli Escobar remix 6:09
08 Black Devil Disco Club & In Flagranti – On Just Foot Forever (In Flagranti Remix) 6:09
09 Chromeo – Bonafied Lovin (Yuksek remix) 4:26
10 MGMT – Electric Feel (Justice Remix) 5:27
11 Marlena Shaw – Rhythm Of Love 3:47
12 Kano – I’m Ready 7:08
(12 songs, 58:20 minutes)
I guess I don’t know enough about The Cool Kids other than I know that The Bake Sale is stupid tight, my boys in Lord T & Eloise stupid love them, the rhymes I hear them drop are stupid fresh and this mixtape entitled “That’s Stupid (The Mixtape)” is right banging.
Go grab this shit while you can. Somewhere in these six songs, you might just get silly, stupid dumb — just make sure that girl ain’t no bum.
01 Oscar the Grouch
02 That’ll Work
03 Dinner Time
04 Full & Paid
05 Box of Rocks
06 Don’t Trip (Bake Sale UK)
Get it here or here. (HT nialler9)
Get The Bake Sale from Amazon [cd or mp3] by clicking here.
