Batman Vs. Sun Ra

I got that Batman record with Sun Ra and The Blues Project playing on it for $1.00 at an Estate Sale.

dc

What does this song remind me of?

This whole album is pretty solid, by the way.  Prince Rupert's Drops, "Run Slow".

dc

waiting for sugarman

Anyone seen "Waiting for Sugarman?" I had heard a lot about it, and saw the 60 Minutes segment, but I saw the movie last night and it was incredible, great story. Been listening to his album "coming from reality" since seeing the movie, amazing that this record came out and no one heard it in the US.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5TffdOQ7g

R.I.P. Sugarfoot

Sugarfoot from The Ohio Players died last week.  Sad news.

Definitely a funky dude...

Worth noting that The Ohio Players "Honey" (this very copy with "Raynette Freitas" written on the chick's arm) was one of the first 5 records I ever owned.

R.I.P.

dc

Boduf Songs

Boduf Songs has a new LP out, "Burnt Up On Re-entry"


Mat Sweet, the guy behind Boduf, also made the video below.  Enjoy.

I've got so much love to give today

This song is totally awesome.  I don't know anything about it.

dc

Lucifer in Dub

I’m a big fan of Peaking Lights.  I think "936" may have gotten best of honors for 2011 from me?  Last years’ “Lucifer” was a really good one as well.

They made a dub album of Lucifer, called “Lucifer in Dub” (natch).  Aaron Coyes, the main music maker of the duo, takes tracks from the album (which are pretty dubbed out to begin with) and gives them the full King Tubby treatment.  Dope.

It’s on Spotify, or you can buy it or steal it.

Good day, gentlemen.

dc

Peter Hook

There's going to be a streaming Peter Hook interview tomorrow. I find him to be a bit of a douche, but New Order was/is one of my favorite bands... so I'll give a listen.

This is pretty bananas

Shout to Pete the Professor for the tip.

dc

The Good Times

Color Me Obsessed

Here's a fun documentary of fan recollections of the Replacements- an entire documentary about a band without any footage or music of that band. I caught it at the film forum here a year or two ago, and now VICE is hosting it.

Another Best of 2012

Various Artists: MOJO Magazine’s Power, Corruption & Lies Covered (+ Blue Monday 12″ Revisited, + Bonus Tracks)
Red Fang: Murder the Mountains
Bottomless Pit: Lottery 2005-2012
Tycho: Dive
Kindness: World, You Need a Change of Mind - This is Jesus Jones meets neo-R&B, and somehow that's good.
Matthew Dear: Beams 
Lotus Plaza: Spooky Action at a Distance - 2012 is the year when Deerhunter became the side project of two side projects.
Shabazz Palaces: Live at KEXP - I had no idea until recently this was Doodlebug Butterfly from Digable Planets. http://youtu.be/djFrCb03-OI
Errors: Have Some Faith in Magic
The British Expeditionary Force: Chapter Two: Constellation Neu
Jason Lytle: Dept. of Disappearance
Autopark: Autopakao
Metronomy: The English Riviera - A 2011 record, but I only listened to it last year.

BEST OF 2012 post

I'm sick at home with loads of time so here it is....my faves of 2012:

 Geti Beats by Odd Nosdam

Old-skool breakbeats meets bit-crushed freak out bliss.

 Luxury Problems by Andy Stott

Micro-house? Ambient techno? Whatever you call it, it's sparse, rhythmic and amazing.

 Lost In The Glare by Barn Owl

It's a 2011 album, but fuck it.  It's been on heavy rotation all 2012 for me.  Amazing desert drone rock.

 Home Again by Michael Kiwanuka

Groovy soulful sounds meets top quality songwriting.

 Psychic Love Damage by Black Moth Super Rainbow

Better than their LP....this EP is short, sweet, weird, and catchy as hell.

 Internal Memo by Boduf Songs

Dark brooding singer/songwriter with an affinity for weird sounds and weirder Victorian England imagery.  Perfect for late-night existential crises.

 Hallelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

The triumphant return.

 Until The Quiet Comes by Flying Lotus

DC already talked this one up.  Total beat-making mastery.

 Hello Skinny by Hello Skinny

Weird Residents covers meets electronic music meets jazz improv meets heavy drumming.

The Killer by Shed

Berlin-based electronic music producer...like Andy Stott or Vladislav Delay, best described as micro-house or ambient techno.  

Truant/Rough Sleeper EP by Burial

You know the deal with Burial...this is one of his best so far.

But the #1 of 2012 for has gotta be:

LONERISM by TAME IMPALA

Perfectly done psych-rock replete with fuzzed out guitars, weird sounds, vintage synths and keyboards, Beatles-esque singing and lanky white dudes with long hair. Check out the colorful trippy video!

Too Future

Not sure if y'all saw this....

Shadow got kicked off stage in Miami for playing this set:

http://pitchfork.com/news/48970-watch-dj-shadows-set-in-miami-cut-off-by-promoters-for-being-too-future/

They said it was "Too Future".

Yo, in the club's defense, it's some pretty crazy shit, but I dig it.  Here's the story:

http://pitchfork.com/news/49027-listen-dj-shadow-shares-the-too-future-mix-that-got-him-kicked-offstage-in-florida/

Shadow was like "I'll never compromise my art!!!"  But I feel like a true DJ plays to the room, kind of like a graphic artist does what's best for the client vs. what an "artist" does for himself.  Dig?

dc

Angel Olsen--Halfway Home

Been listening to this album a lot the past couple of days, very mellow, dark, kind of country. If you like Jana Hunter or Sun Kil Moon you'll probably be feeling this.

Flyin' the Flannel

As some of youse with whom I'm facebook friends know, I've relocated from DC's village of Maplewood to the village of Minneapolis. This is a return home for me (grew up here, but haven't lived here since the summer of 1985!!).

Been here about a month, starting to hunt around the music scene a bit. It seems to be quite happening, especially in the hip-hop vein (Brother Ali, Atmosphere, and on and surprisingly on). One band I've happened on that I kind of like is Story of the Sea (Story Of The Sea – Story of the Sea). Instrumentals, mogwai-ish... well played.

If anyone is hip to bands from here, please let me know.

Eric B And Rakim - Paid In Full (Seven Minutes Of Madness The Coldcut Re...

A great way to spend 7+ minutes of your time.

Capsula: In the Land of Silver Souls

This is one of two albums they released in 2012. The first one was rock en espanol, they started in Argentina, but are now out of Spain. They play Ziggy Stardust live, an obvious influence that is clear. I hear some Pixies and Sonic Youth influences. Album has 14 tracks, which is a little long. Some good riffs to rock out to!

electronic sonata for souls loved by nature

Those that know me know I'm notorious for selling shit to buy shit to sell to buy more shit.  Like, sell 100 records to buy a guitar, then sell the guitar a year later to get 100 records, then sell 100 records to get a moog, etc, etc...

I know I've had this record at least once... I feel like more than that.  George Russell's "Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature".  It was released on both the Strata East and Flying Dutchman labels.  I must have listened to it.  The problem with my approach to the fluid ownership of things is that I probably sell some stuff that I don't "get" at the time, whereas now that I am older and wiser with a more refined musical palate I could probably dig a lot of that stuff.

Luckily for me this is on Spotify... and YouTube, check the first "Event".  So dope:


Maybe the free jazz freak out breakdown was too much for me... Anywho, the first few minutes are solid gold dynamite.

dc

My top 10 from 2012 in no particular order

Tame Impala - Lonerism

Various - Never To Be Forgotten - The Flip Side of Stax 1968-1974

The Orb featuring Lee Scratch Perry - The Orbserver In The Star House

Classics of Love - S/T

Various Artists - Jahtarrian Dubbers Vol 3.

Mr. Williamz - Dancehall HobbyEP

Various Artists - Tann Up Solid EP

Macka B / Leanna - Never Played a 45 / Grapevine

Brother Culture / Manassah - Good Word / Dub the Word 7"

Soom T - We Want Out 7"

Guns N' Roses live at the Ritz, 1988

I had a long car ride yesterday and I was listening to some old school GNR and when I got home I finally checked on youtube to see if the live show from the Ritz was up there. Of course it is, gotta love youtube, the whole show is there.

The show is from early February, 1988, taped for MTV (which was kind of a first, I believe) right when they were blowing up. It totally rocked my 13 year old world. I recorded it and must have watched the VHS tape 100 times. That show and the album Appetite for Destruction had me start learning guitar and changed my life.

The moment they come out and start with "It's So Easy" is so intense the band can barely keep up with the energy. Can you watch this show and not agree that this was one of the baddest rock bands ever? Is Axl not one of the greatest rock stars ever? He can be a bit campy with his song intros and his high-leg kicks, but what a fucking badass.

A few highlights: Axl jumps into the mosh-pit during the end of "Paradise City" and the crowd literally tears at him; as security finally gets him back on stage they tear off his shirt and Axl has cuts on his hands and torso. During the encore of Rocket Queen Axl walks off the stage during the second chorus leaving his confused bandmates looking around. He resurfaces during the mid-section jam with a cigarette. Then at the end he sees something off-stage that infuriates him and he hurls the mike at it/him/her and walks off the stage again, leaving the final refrain unsung. That's how the show ends, hahaha.

Best of 2012

What’s up ya’ll. Below is my best of list for 2012. Ever since the spotify revolution I’ve kept a file about what I check out on there, and this list is mainly pulled from that. There is a lot more that I have been feeling big time this year. I’ve listened to a lot more classical this year, continuing to learn about the music of Charles Ives, for instance. Read this biography and rode up to Vermont listening to “The Concord Sonatas” recently, that was all a big part of my 2012. But below is mainly what I got hip to this year and I was feeling in particular, with a couple notes here and there.

Sun Kil Moon, “Among the Leaves”

Mongold, “The Softest Glow”: Actually this is from 2011, but I saw them on a rooftop in Bushwick Memorial Day weekend and they killed it. I’ve seen them at Pianos since then, and just generally been following what’s up with them.

Beach House, “Bloom”

Frank Ocean, “Orange”

Mac Demarco, “Rock and Roll Night Club”: not feeling his new album “2” all that much, but really got into his EP released earlier.

Ducktails: this is one of the guy’s from Real Estate, only started listening to them this year. Not all of it is 100% solid gold, but enough of it is, and “surf’s up” is one of my favorite songs I heard this year.

Jana Hunter, “Carrion”: This is from 2007 but I heard it this year, such a great mellow feel, can’t get tired of it.

Holy Other, “Held”

Steve Hauschildt, “sequitur”: Another album I could listen to on repeat forever. Anything by Emeralds (actually they had a pretty killer album this year too) or any of those dude’s side projects I’m all over. 

Spotify...

... is so deep.  Everything from the Blood and Fire reggae label is up there.

Bla Blazo, I know you have all that on vinyl, but for me i'm going "add to playlist" crazy.

Also, I'd like to take a minute to shout out "Personal Space: Electronic Soul 1974-1984", I've never given this the proper attention until tonight.  It's fuggin' great.  That shit is up on the 'fy as well.

Really looking forward to the weekend, you guys.

dc

Best Of 2012.....

My vote for best of, or favorite of, 2012 is hands down Flying Lotus’ “Until The Quiet Comes”.  Here's why:

1) It’s great.  The music is enjoyable, interesting, appeals to intellectual side but still a head-nodder, not too bugged out but still pretty bugged out.  Just a fantastic record.

2) After 1,000 listens, I still hear new stuff going on every time.  Little sounds, little movements, changes. 

3) I like that it fits within a genre – which is, I guess, what we called back in my day, “electronica”, or “IDM” aka intelligent dance music, hahahaha, worst genre name ever.  Let’s call it laptop music?  Whatever.  It is definitely of that music, but pushes the boundaries and within the parameters of that scene and that music has made something incredibly unique and envelope pushing.  I dig that.

4) It’s an inspiring LP that definitely was a shot in the arm and a kick in the ass to be more creative and make more sounds. 

5) It’s the kind of record that establishes a mood and certain vibe and headspace from the first note. 

6) He’s a cool bro.  He did tons of promotion for this thing, and it never came off as “selling out”.  However, it was the antithesis of being like too cool or too much of an “artist” to spend time and energy on promoting your product.  His promotion towards the album never took away from the artistic credibility of what he created or his integrity, but rather came off as legitimately being proud of something and wanting it heard, which was refreshing.  Maybe I’m tripping, but the way this was promoted stood out for me.

7) Apparently he had a really killer live show, wish I saw it.  Check link below.

8) The cover is awesome, killer image by B+ that captures the feel and vibe of the music perfectly.  The deluxe vinyl edition is beautiful.

9) Here’s a bunch of cool links to related stuff:

            

Putty Boy Strut Video

Tiny Tortures Video with dude from Lord of the Rings

dazed interview

Documentary about his live show

He did a live play-by-play while listening to his album on twitter that was interesting if you dig the album.  Someone must have ripped it to one spot, but i can't find it, so if you are interested go to his twitter feed on October 2nd and check it out.

Austin Peralta, jazz keyboard virtuoso and son of Stacy Peralta, died this year.  I knew he was down with Flying Lotus and all those guys, but only after checking out the liner notes did I realize he was really all over this thing and really made a mark, so that’s definitely sad.  Never really heard of him prior to his passing.

Anywho, that's it for me. Best of 2012, slam dunk, Flying Lotus!

Happy holidays.

dc

Kindness

It's been forever.  I don't know whether I've posted about this guy in the past, but he's all I've been listening to for the past week or so.  On repeat.  Hope all's well.

Nirvana - Can We Do Better Than a Living Legend?

As a sometimes poster on the site and someone who respects the opinions of those on this blog, I wanted to toss the following out at you all...

For some reason I felt compelled to watch the 12-12-12 concert last night.  I knew it would suck and be mostly annoying, and I have the excuse that I was 'watching for work purposes,' but it was worse than I could imagine.  However we're not here to discuss the fact that no rock star should ever wear a turtleneck on stage (your rocker card has been revoked, Jon Bon Jovi.)  I'm sure if any of you watched, it was for the same reason I ultimately did...to see Paul McCartney play with Nirvana.   While it wasn't horrifically awful as I imagined it would be and while my love for the Beatles is well-chronicled, I couldn't help but wonder the following:

If Nirvana was going to re-unite for one night, who SHOULD front the band in Kurt's place?  The rules are simple.  You can pick anyone currently alive, but you have to use them in their current state (ie., no taking 1992 Eddie Vedder or 1971 Mick Jagger.  You pick Eddie, you're getting short haired-bearded dude, etc.)  I started this conversation with a buddy of mine and came up with the following possibilities:

1.  Dave Grohl moves to front man and the drummer from Foo Fighters or QOTSA or something takes over on drums.  It keeps the front man in-house, but we've seen what happens when Dave Grohl fronts a band and I don't think anyone wants that.
2.  Trent Reznor - I like this idea, but he's an old dad now and I think the style is just a bit off.
3.  The dude from Cold War Kids.  No one knows who he is, he's got the desperation and anger, but at the end of the day, net-net, it is what it is (copyright DC,) I think his voice is a little to big and high-pitched.

Ultimately, I realized there's really just one answer:  Courtney Love.  I know, I know...she and Dave Grohl hate each other...she's a giant drug whore, etc.  But let's all admit that the first Hole record was awesome and she has the voice, the vibe and the history to pull it off.  Put it this way, if I call you up and say, I have 2 tickets to the Nirvana show and Courtney Love is fronting the band, you're going to beg me for the extra ticket.

Or maybe I'm wrong.  If I am, prove it.  Post your thoughts below.  The bar is set at Courtney Love.  Usually, that's not a very good thing...
Peter

Scoob Redux

In case you missed it... EGMALIOUS SCOOB.



dc

It's been a while since I've rapped at you...

DISCLAIMER: I am not a paid spokesperson for the microfiber cloth industry just someone who was impressed with how well they clean records. 

The flea market guy was at his stall Saturday - normally he has someone run it for him - and he told me how he cleans almost all of his records (not for 78rpms or shellac).  He has a spray bottle filled about an 1" or so with alcohol and the rest with distilled water.  He sprays the record and uses a microfiber cloth to clean.  Across the street was an auto parts store so I bought a dozen small cloths and tried it.  I was amazed at how much dirt that cloth pulled out. It was a lot.

I was also the first person to dig through two new crates of 45s.  I pulled out a lot of small Southern labels from Nashville, Texas, Alabama along with the usual Stax, Chess, etc.  There were a lot of gospel 45s in the crates too.  Good haul - picked up just shy of 100 - but no discount this time due to me popping the crates' cherries so they were a straight $0.50 a piece.  He did throw in a mint picture sleeve for a Creedence 7" I have so that was cool.  Here are few that I got.

What's up, dudes.  Like all of you, I haven't had the time or inclination to post recently, but yo, PLEASE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER FOR A 2012 BEST OF POST. 

Here's where I'm at right now:

I'm feeling the new Soundgarden record.  No shame in that.  The track "Blood on the Valley Floor" is fucking bad ass.



I'm feeling the new (?) Dirty Projectors joint "Swing Lo Magellan".



There is this record by Howard Tate "Get it While You Can" on Spotify that is awesome and I've listened to it 1,000 times.  Old soul, bluesy funky R&B tracks.  Really good stuff.  "Look At Granny Run" is the #1 hit.



Manassas "Pieces" is a good LP of 60's/70's classic rock type stuff.  It's a Stephen Stills side project, I think.



Karriem Riggins is a jazz drummer who also is a producer/beat maker.  He has an LP out on Stones Throw that is very Dilla "Donuts-esque", definitely worth checking out.

Lastly, I just stumbled across a soundtrack on Spotify called "Cruise Across America" that has a bunch of tracks from low desert stoner rock types (Brant Bjork, Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man, etc.)  It's a good collection of tunes.

GET THOSE BEST OF 2012 POSTS TOGETHER Y'ALL!  PRETTY PLEASE!

dc