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Scolla – Even & Odds (Ft. Quest // D. Julien

Don’t write off Detroit and more importantly one wouldn’t be wise to take its native son Scolla lightly. There is an old mantra, “Work hard. Play Harder.” But in the case of Scolla and what he has accomplished it would seem as if he has changed the mantra into, “Work Hard. Work Harder!” No question Scolla is on a come up and he’s bringing cats with him. On the J. Parker produced Even & Odds track we have more than able-bodied riders in Floridian emcee, Quest and Brooklyn’s own D. Julien to lace this one up with raw truth and beauty galore. And check the Swag bag for your free Even & Odds download via HulkShare or Mediafire. Scolla is finishing up his currently untitled R&B EP so stay tuned I’ll keep you posted. Peace. Continue reading “Scolla – Even & Odds (Ft. Quest // D. Julien”

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Gardens & Villa – Spacetime (Video)

Do you want something funky and whimsical in your life to turn up the corners of your mouth? I hope you’re like me, because I can always use any and every excuse to smile my most infectious smile. Santa Barbara’s futuristic hippie-ish band Gardens & Villa have what it takes to plaster a permanent grin all over your good looking mug. Their sound is a complex mix of clam bakes, wooded forest trails and interstellar space travel all wrapped up with the glowing psychedelic rainbow bow of Chris Lynch‘s voice. It’s a party for sure, albeit a laid back and dreamy soiree. I just visited their bandcamp and grabbed a bit of their magic for myself. And I must say, thus far it’s the most satisfying purchase of the day. Peace. Continue reading “Gardens & Villa – Spacetime (Video)”

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Air Tycoon – Los Angeles

/ Waves of pliant experience lap flesh like seasoned shifts of heat // & it is all of nothing /// or something & all /// & it is the sweetest taste multiplied by lust //// /& when she arches her back skyward ////// her ecstasy vibrating whetted frequencies in dual triplicate /////// i know upon her soft descent my gratification will catch her with thankfulness & awe.

And so the sounds keeps palpitating and sensually shifting as I experience the lustness and lushness of Air Tycoon and the washed and ready fruit of the track “Los Angeles.” So much heaven it’s hell to hold. Peace. Continue reading “Air Tycoon – Los Angeles”

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The Weeknd – Same Old Song (Paper Diamond Remix)

Let the bass creep curiously into her ears. Around her throat it will kiss reckless beats down in-between her … Yes, this remix is a bit X-rated and as funky as it can get. Paper Diamond is skillful with cutting open a song and inserting nuclear powered artificial hearts like a surgeon at the top of his game. Watch it nah! Don’t get to close to the speakers they’re possessed with the P to the D and his beats will cut cha. Here, Alex B has taken The Weeknd‘s already bangin’ track and poured rocket fuel all over it and the song ignites; like Hendricks taunting flames over his Strat. But we ain’t roasting marshmallows around here (or guitars). No, we’re bringing bodies together like puzzle pieces. Paper diamond + The Weeknd = Vicious!  Like I said, “Watch it nah!” Peace. Continue reading “The Weeknd – Same Old Song (Paper Diamond Remix)”

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Superhumanoids – Parasite Paradise

You kind of know you’re in for a good time when a band describes their music as, “Music to help kiss the doldrums away.” And that it does, in spades. It doesn’t take long to be impressed by the L.A.-based band Superhumanoids. Nope. After the first listen you’ll be all ears. And although I’m a bit late in finding this wonderful band, I’m making up for lost time by having a major marathon listening party with a nice Bourgogne. Peace. Continue reading “Superhumanoids – Parasite Paradise”

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Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) – Niggas In Poorest

Life as we know it comes down to one thing, and one thing only. Evolution. Those species whom have failed to adapt, change or mutant have fallen by the way side. It’s a fact. And so it continues today, especially in the mercurial world of music. In the world of entertainment, you either continue to be relevant or perish. Those who continue to generate their own personal phoenix steadily apply this fundamental truism, and continue to rise from the proverbial flames. Dante Terrell Smith knows a thing or two about evolution. In fact, he has embraced it. Throughout his career, first as half of the duo Black Star, as the ying to Talib Kweli’s yang. Then as a solo Rap artist par excellence and successful screen actor. As Mos Def, he continuously advanced a considerable stake in our collective consciousness. And now in 2012 we behold Yasiin Bey. Call it what you will, but this isn’t some media-grabbing ploy which will cultivate in yet another insignificant name change in 12-months. No, I suspect it’s something much deeper and meaningful than just une chose sans valeur. Yasiin Bey translates into the word ‘rich’ and in this case you shouldn’t take it as something which symbolizes material or monetary worth. No, Yasiin Bey is flush with the currency of true knowledge, understanding, self-awareness, but also vision. Yasiin Bey, fka Mos Def, has not rested on his laurels. By most standards his career has been a successful one. Embodying his various persona’s as rapper/poet and actor and through it all, he has stayed hungry. Indeed, Yasiin Bey is inhaling rarefied air, but yet still not content to let up now. With is latest track “Niggas In Poorest” he continues to further expand his legacy. Here he has taken “Niggas In Paris” ala Jay-Z and Kanye West and flipped it supremely. And in the process made it raw and grittier. By taking something overly flamboyant and by some accounts dull, and sharpening into a subtle social weapon. And in the process Yasiin thus lays a solid foundation for what’s to come next. “Don’t get caught up in no throne…” Teach! Peace. Continue reading “Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) – Niggas In Poorest”

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Princeton – Remembrance of Things to Come

Originally I reviewed the guys from L.A. back in September and I was thoroughly impressed with their vibrant sound and musical wit. Well, a bit has changed since their album To The Alps (2011). It’s a new year and Princeton has learned and grown a lot since last we spun them round our ear space. The new LP Remembrance of Things to Come finds the band building on an already great sound, but stretching out in new and less restrained directions. Don’t worry it’s still all good, and you can reassure yourself below with a listen of their first single “Remembrance Of Things To Come.” See, I told you not to worry. And just because the band Princeton is cool like that, they’ve got a free download for you at the band’s webpage Princeton. Remembrance Of Things To Come will be released February 21, 2012, on Hit City U.S.A./Easter Everywhere. Peace. Continue reading “Princeton – Remembrance of Things to Come”

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cold specks // holland // lay me down

23-year-old Al Spx from Etobicoke, Canada is Cold Specks. Recently, she and her songs have done a bit of traveling, as she spreads her river baptismal sound into ears and hearts the world over. Listen to her touching fare, “Holland” and “Old Stepstone.” Cold Specks’ sound is recognizable, they’re heavily steeped in the American deep south/folk gospel tradition, and they touch you the way a fire and brimstone sermon would. They make you both nervous and contrite, even for sins you’ve only dreamed about. Also, her songs are right where they should be, and really I can’t imagine a better medium for them than Spx’s wade-in-the-water voice. A voice which is beautifully haunting, and powerful like the thunderstorms of the lonesome plains. I am beyond giddy, so looking forward to hearing more Cold Specks debut release via Arts & Crafts. Peace. Continue reading “cold specks // holland // lay me down”

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Vetiver – The Errant Charm

Some songs just go better with life and living. Period. You know, those songs that have more than just novelty going for them, but will stick with you for the long haul. Well, singer/songwriter Andy Cabic crafts such songs and he makes it sound easy. For the past several days I’ve been listening to the San Francisco based band Vetiver. Their durable album The Errant Charm has sunk roots deep into my soul, and my flesh won’t be easily rid of such beauty. These songs have bones and sinews well oiled with strong marrow. There lives in our world songs of fluff and fancy, and for a change it’s nice to have songs constructed like hand-made Shaker furniture. And like any craftsman worth their salt Andy has been at it for quite a while. Originally a member of the now defunct Greensboro, North Carolina indie rock band The Raymond Brake in the mid-1990’s. And although the band had some measure of success, it was short-lived and concluded with the release of the Never Work Ever EP via Hepcat Records. But this review isn’t about what was, it’s about the here and now. And right now this gifted songwriter and band leader has given us The Errant Charm. This collection of songs is easily one of the best albums of 2011. So, if you have a taste for alternative folk/rock bands with the essence of pine needles and sunflowers dripping from every verse, then put this one into your inventory. Peace. Continue reading “Vetiver – The Errant Charm”

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Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (AlunaGeorge Remix)

When I listen to the AlunaGeorge’s Born To Die Remix it makes me feel like I somehow rolled up Ms. Del Rey’s sexy shadow and pouting lips and somehow smoked them, you know like one of those funny cigarettes. Now, I feel like I’m somewhere all dangled up in the forgotten prayers cluttering up the stratosphere. And those prayers are stuck up there for lack of the proper postage of faith. But me, I have all the faith in the universe in Ms. Del Rey to transcend a devout listener to a higher plane. I also believe that if you listen to this track long and hard enough, it will deliver you too. Peace. Continue reading “Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (AlunaGeorge Remix)”