Christmas Cut of the Week 12/25/09

Well, it's that glorious time of the year when most of us are at home enjoying the best of what life has to offer: snow, a roaring fireplace, and family.

This is Bobby Helms' 1957 classic, "Jingle Bell Rock" to help keep the festive spirit going.

Unfortunately, no new mix this week as I'm out of town and my musical archives are out of reach. But fear not, in 2010 I promise to continue to bring you more great music...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Episode #10: Feeling Angsty?

Angst is defined as a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish. I guess that explains why angst is almost always prefaced by the word “teen.” Having these feelings is a rite of passage in being a teenager and with that in mind, I looked back to my teen years, focusing on the early to mid 1990s, to summon up those demons.

A lot of these tracks now fall under the grunge, alternative rock umbrella, with some exceptions. Oasis and Radiohead may not be the first bands to come to mind when you think of music that emanates angst, but give these a good listen – they’re dark, brooding gems. Nor would Violent Femmes ever be confused for a grunge outfit, but lead singer Gordon Gano’s voice epitomizes a teenage whine. Smashing Pumpkins features layered guitar feedback more appropriate for an arena setting, but Billy Corgan’s voice and lyrics are what those angst-ridden days are all about.

Nirvana, of course, is the undisputed heavyweight of this era and became the definitive sound that was imitated time and time again. Finally, “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails is an absolute masterpiece of understated pain that I have listened to countless times.

Although some of these bands went on to become more mainstream acts or conversely, simply fizzled out, I selected these songs based on what I was listening to during those formative years when the world is always against you and the only thing that can console you was the music that in some way mirrored that emotion.

Track listing:
1) Fuckin In The Bushes (3:20) - Oasis
2) Add It Up (live) (6:14) – Violent Femmes
3) Would? (3:27) – Alice in Chains
4) Miss World (3:00) – Hole
5) 100% (2:30) – Sonic Youth
6) Hummer (6:57) – Smashing Pumpkins
7) Once (3:52) – Pearl Jam
8) Summer Babe (3:16) – Pavement
9) Molly’s Lips (1:54) – Nirvana
10) No One’ Leaving (3:01) – Jane’s Addiction
11) Stars (5:11) – Hum
12) Dead and Bloated (5:10) – Stone Temple Pilots
13) Cannonball (3:34) – The Breeders
14) Faithless The Wonder Boy (4:14) – Radiohead
15) Pretend We’re Dead (3:55) – L7
16) Hurt (6:14) – Nine Inch Nails

Cut of the Week 12/11/09

Here's a track by Billy Preston, "Nothing From Nothing" that I simply can't get out of my head. An oldie but certainly a goodie.

Enjoy.

Episode #9: Sounds of Africa

With the arrival of the musical Fela! to the Broadway stage, I thought it would be an opportune time to put together an introduction African music. Naturally, with a place as large and varied as Africa it is impossible to cover every genre in a single mix. So, for this one I focused primarily on classic material from several West African countries.

Sir Victor Uwaifo (Nigeria), Dr. K Gyasi’s Noble Kings (Ghana), and The Oriental Brothers (Nigeria), are all excellent examples of the infectious genre of music called Highlife. It is dance music played mostly in Ghana and Nigeria and represents one of the century's first fusions of African roots and Western music, and before 1970 it ruled dance floors across much of West Africa. Sir Victor Uwaifo is especially noteworthy as his guitar style blends the West African highlife sounds with mid-'60s soul, early roots rock, psychedelia, and even funk. He often played a strange hybrid double-neck six- and 12-string guitar earning him the nickname “Guitar Boy Superstar.”

Youssou N’Dour, the musical icon of Senegal, is one of the pioneers of the Senegalese sound called Mbalax, which was related to wolof music and used the sabar and bugarabu drums. The unusual sound of African drums added to the attractiveness of this Senegalese music on the world market.

Mali’s Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté performance of “Gomni” is a great example of intense guitar finger-picking in the tradition of Jurana Kura (translated as new era) cultural movement, which accompanied Mali’s struggle for independence in the 1950s and early '60s. It can be thought of as a type of desert blues.

Franco, a prolific musician from Congo/Zaire, is the preeminent example of Soukous, which originates From the French word for "shake." It is the generic name for an influential music of Zaire and the Congo that has spread across Africa. The style combines local musical ingredients with Cuban/Caribbean rhythms and elements of '30s and '40s American country music.

King Sunny Ade, is the master of Juju music, which has been the most consistently popular musical style in Nigeria over the last half of the 20th century, with roots in the traditional, mostly drum-based music of the Yoruba (one of Nigeria's largest ethnic groups). In its fully developed form, juju is a dance music played by large ensembles centered around guitar and percussion: several guitarists play interlocking, complex melodies over a thundering wall of rhythm, led by traditional Yoruba talking drums.

Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab nicely showcases the Afro-Latin feel in a more traditional African context found in quite a bit of Afropop as Cuban music exerted a huge influence in West Africa dating back to the 1940s.

The music of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, from Benin, is called Sato, a fun, hyper-energetic rhythm performed using an immense vertical drum, and mixed in with funk, soul, organ sounds, horns and psychedelic guitar riffs.

I couldn’t help and sneak in Cape Verde’s national treasure, Césaria Évora singing her famous Morna, which combines West African percussion with Portuguese fados, Brazilian modhinas, and British sea shanties.

And of course, the legendary Fela Kuti had to be featured given that his influence on Afropop is incalculable. His music incorporated various elements from funk, soul, traditional Nigerian music and he is credited with having invented what is now commonly called Afro-Beat. His fierce political messages coupled with the ubiquity of his sound puts him on par with Bob Marley in terms of his influence and level of sheer star power in the realm of popular African music.

Give it a listen and enjoy.

Track listing:
1) Dododo (5:20) – Sir Victor Uwaifo
2) Immigres/Bitim Rew (7:03) – Youssou N’Dour
3) Ja Funmi (7:17) - King Sunny Ade
4) Gomni (4:18) – Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté
5) Boma l'heure (5:07) - Franco
6) Jeun Ko Ku (Chop ‘n’ Quench) (7:14) – Fela Ransome Kuti & The Africa 70
7) Onwetarani Nye Ibi Efe (4:57) – Oriental Brothers
8) Nsem Keka Dooso (4:26) – Dr. K Gyasi’s Noble Kings
9) Mouhamadou Bamba (6:37) – Orchestra Baobab
10) Se We Non Nan (5:04) - Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
11) Africa Nossa (3:54) – Césaria Évora

Episode #8: Bittersweet Series Vol. I

I’ve always had an obsession with break-up mix tapes. I guess that’s how I began what I refer to as the Bittersweet Series several years ago. I thought the name (albeit a little sappy) was a great way to describe the music I chose to put together – songs simultaneously pleasant and painful (not necessarily about break-ups). However, some volumes I created have tendencies that lean toward one side or the other. This seventh installation is seemingly more towards the bitter, feeling-sorry-for-yourself side. Despite that inclination, I feel that these songs are so powerful that you still will want to hear them even when things are looking up. Perhaps just pensive walk alone is what this mix calls for.

That’s what I always found fascinating about music: you can always find a connection to certain songs regardless where you are in your emotional calendar. One simple fact remains – a good song is a good song.

Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

P.S. This is the first podcast of the Bittersweet Series so be on the lookout for volumes to come later.

Track listing:
1) All For The Best (5:29) – Thom Yorke
2) I’m Only Sleeping (3:00) – The Beatles
3) Spirit In The Night (5:00) – Bruce Springsteen
4) Revenge (4:54) – Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse feat Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips
5) Ram On (2:27) – Paul McCartney
6) Blue Light (2:47) – Bloc Party
7) How Will You Meet Your End (4:02) – A.A. Bondy
8) Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) (3:49) – George Harrison
9) In My Dreams (3:23) – Eels
10) Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want (1:52) – The Smiths
11) Apathy (2:55) – Elizabeth & the Catapult
12) Island, IS (4:09) – Volcano Choir
13) Angel From Montgomery (3:45) – John Prine
14) Made In The Dark (3:00) – Hot Chip
15) Feeling The Pull (2:21) – The Swell Season
16) Blue Skies (4:08) – Noah And The Whale
17) Grow Old With Me (3:05) – John Lennon

Cut of the Week 11/24/09

I've always been a huge fan of Sublime and I was just reminded of that as they reappeared in the news recently. The band's surviving members attempted to perform under the name Sublime, which was ultimately blocked by the late lead singer's (Brad Nowell) estate. They have no problem with the surviving members, Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, performing Sublime material but do object to any band calling themselves Sublime without the presence of Brad Nowell.

This is "Get Out!" a track that was only included on some versions of Sublime's 1992 cult classic, 40 Oz. To Freedom.

Episode #7: Going Acoustic

I’ve always liked the intimacy of the acoustic performance, regardless of whether it’s done live or in the studio. There is a fresh perspective that is lent to a song when an artist decides to strip down the instrumentation to the barest essentials, usually just a guitar and the singer’s voice. Even old standby material can sound new, and for that reason I chose some selections from several well-known bands such as Oasis, U2, and Radiohead to illustrate how the acoustic version can give such a song a second life. An acoustic rendition can also give someone else’s song a unique feel, heard here with great covers performed by Sublime, Elliott Smith, and Nirvana.

Give it a listen and enjoy.

Track listing:
1) The One I Love (4:08) – R.E.M.
2) Coming Home (4:37) – G. Love & Special Sauce
3) Old Apartment (3:17) – Barenaked Ladies
4) Frying Pan (3:10) – Evan Dando
5) Jealous Guy (3:53) – Elliott Smith
6) Creep (4:15) – Radiohead
7) Rivers of Babylon (2:29) – Sublime
8) Laid (3:44) – James
9) On My Way (3:57) – Ben Kweller
10) Down Under (4:19) – Colin Hay
11) Mi Vida (2:50) – Manu Chao
12) Don’t Go Away (3:58) – Oasis
13) Dancing In The Moonlight (4:15) – Smashing Pumpkins
14) Staring At The Sun (5:33) – U2
15) Jamie (4:05) – Weezer
16) Big Empty (5:00) – Stone Temple Pilots
17) Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (5:06) - Nirvana

Cut of the Week 11/16/09

Check out this track "Leyendecker" from the group Battles. Although the rest of their album, Mirrored, is a little less accessible (to me at least) they create a very unique sound based on the tenets of "math rock." (fun fact: J.C. Leyendecker was a famous U.S. illustrator in the early part of the 20th century)

Episode #6: Late Night

Well, this mix is straightforward mood music. I simply chose songs that for some reason or another connoted the idea of being awake late at night and being in a pensive mood. That said, this is not a late night mix in the tradition of getting a second wind and partying into the wee hours of the morning. This late night mix is one of a more reflective, relaxed mood – a winding down of sorts. While it may be somewhat down-tempo, the songs here are no less powerful or poignant. And what better time to listen to such music than late at night, when the busyness of the day has subsided and you really have a chance to listen, both to the music and yourself.

Give it a listen and enjoy.

Track listing:
1) St. Elmo’s Fire (3:03) – Brian Eno
2) Tomorrow Comes Today (3:13) – Gorillaz
3) Ahab (3:36) – Here We Go Magic
4) About Her (4:50) – Malcolm McLaren
5) Tu Fin Mi Comienzo (3:09) – Ocote Soul Sounds
6) Swimming Field (3:30) – Memory Tapes
7) Canto de Ossanha (3:25) – Baden Powell & Vinicius de Moraes
8) Loud Pipes (3:47) – Ratatat
9) The Gift (4:22) – Mark Hollis
10) Lonely Soul (8:55) – U.N.K.L.E.
11) I Don’t Know (3:00) – Beastie Boys
12) Six Days (5:02) – DJ Shadow
13) This Night Has Opened My Eyes (3:40) – The Smiths
14) Leave (4:41) – R.E.M.
15) Ghost Town (12’’ Version) (5:58) – The Specials
16) I Need A Truck (Outtake) (0:50) – Warren Zevon

Cut of the Week 11/10/09

Check out Souls of Mischief's "Cabfare." Nice sample of the theme song to "Taxi."

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Episode #5: Can You Smell That Funk?

Funk. The word alone has so many connotations, yet it sounds exactly like what it is supposed to mean. That something is raw, thick, earthy, and most importantly, impossible not to dance to. Here I tried to provide a sampling of funk’s heyday, the late 1960s up through the late 1970s. This is not to say that there is no worthwhile funk before or after this period, but I think these songs and artists represent the foundation and tradition of funk in its purest form. Admittedly, I’ve included of some tracks that could be categorized as R&B, rock, soul or even jazz numbers and that may lead you to cry foul, but keep in mind that musical genres always exhibit shared roots and are continually evolving and borrowing from one another. Music is never static and funk is certainly no exception.

The first artist featured here is a perfect case in point - Sly and The Family Stone began as a psychedelic rock interpretation of soul and ultimately morphed into one of the most signature funk sounds ever. Baby Huey’s take on Curtis Mayfield’s “Hard Times,” is a solid funk-soul amalgam and the fact that it has been sampled several times by present-day hip hop artists is testament to its classic head-nod status. Perhaps an even more soulful take on funk is Labi Siffre’s “I Got The (Blues)” which boasts the source material for Eminem’s breakout single, “My Name Is.” (Check out www.whosampled.com for an awesome website that reveals similar sample origins.)

“I Bet You” by Funkadelic, George Clinton’s musical vehicle prior to Parliament, is a great example of a psychedelic variation on the funk genre of the late 1960s and very early 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad’s “Nothing’s The Same” is a masterful boogie-rock/funk hybrid. Of course , I couldn’t neglect Southern funkster legends, The Meters and Houston, Texas high school phenoms, The Kashmere Stage Band.

Clearly no funk compilation would be complete without James Brown. However, instead of including a “solo” song, I opted to close out the set with a J.B.’s song. The J.B.’s were the well-accomplished supporting outfit for The Godfather of Soul, which included the likes of Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, and “Pee Wee” Ellis.

Enjoy the funky stuff.

Track listing:
1) Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (4:50) – Sly & The Family Stone
2) Bubble (2:24) – 9th Creation
3) Ca Ba Dab (2:59) – Soulswingers
4) Hard Times (3:24) – Baby Huey
5) Impeach The President (3:25) – The Honey Drippers
6) Live Wire (2:41) – The Meters
7) I Got The (Blues) (6:33) – Labi Siffre
8) Jones ‘N (2:17) – Soulsistics
9) I Bet You (6:12) – Funkadelic
10) Nothing’s The Same (5:14) – Grand Funk Railroad
11) Cosmic Funk (5:31) – Lonnie Liston Smith
12) May The Force Be With You (6:07) – Bootsy’s Rubber Band
13) Headwiggle (4:19) – Kashmere Stage Band
14) I’m Payin’ Taxes, What Am I Buyin’ (9:29) – The J.B.’s

One More Halloween Track

I couldn't resist this. In honor of Halloween, please enjoy this 1976 live recording of Warren Zevon, accompanied by Jackson Browne, performing the now perennial Halloween classic, "Werewolves of London."

(Halloweeny) Cut of the Week 10/27/09

This is "Track of the Cat" from Pram's 2003 album, Dark Island. An absolute no-brainer as a spooky Halloween cut. Enjoy.

Episode #4: Welcome to Brazil!

With a country as vast as Brazil, it is only natural that there is a corresponding varied array of musical styles. With this mix I tried to provide at least one example of each genre – clearly a tall order and a volume 2 is already in the works.

Hopefully the selected songs present a nice smorgasbord of traditional Brazilian music, ranging from forró (Luiz Gonzaga’s “Asa Branca”), which is folk music predominantly from the Northeast, to Tim Maia’s funky 70s soul stylings. Also represented is Olodum’s samba-reggae from Bahia as well as an early Gal Costa recording that is typical of the Tropicalia movement. “Aguas de Março” could easily serve as Brazil’s national anthem as icon Elis Regina and legendary singer/songwriter/composer Antonio Carlos Jobim team up to deliver a cornerstone of what is simply referred to as MPB (musica popular brasileira). And what overview of Brazilian music could be complete without some samba. João Bosco’s ode to the cavaquinho, the small stringed instrument (kind of like a tiny guitar) that forms the backbone of samba, is a fitting tribute.

I chose to bookend the set with songs that contain the word “saudade,” which is a very important concept in Brazil. Its closest approximation in English is a longing or yearning, usually simplified further as meaning “to miss” something. However, many Brazilians will tell you that there is no accurate translation for the word saudade. As mostly everything else in Brazil, it carries a much more passionate and richer meaning, something you have to feel. Nevertheless, whether you speak Portuguese or not, listening to these songs that cover a broad spectrum of the Brazilian soul, you will hopefully begin to get the idea.

Track listing:
1) Quando Eu Me Chamar Saudade (3:28) – Nelson Cavaquinho
2) Aguas de Março (3:35) – Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina
3) Mulher Brasileira (4:26) – Jorge Ben
4) Mina do Condominio (6:41) – Seu Jorge
5) Preta Pretinha (6:41) – Novos Baianos
6) Palmas No Portão (2:52) – Risadinha
7) Tudo que Você Podia Ser (2:57) – Milton Nascimento
8) O Show Tem Que Continuar (Live) (3:28) – Fundo Quintal
9) Kid Cavaquinho (2:58) - João Bosco
10) Na Rua, Na Chuva, Na Fazenda (3:29) – Hyldon
11) Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma) (3:52) – Jorge Ben
12) Asa Branca (2:53) – Luiz Gonzaga
13) Na Frente do Reto (5:29) – O Rappa
14) Cinema Olympia (3:07) – Gal Costa
15) Envolvente Olodum (3:08) – Olodum
16) De Noite Na Cama (4:16) – Caetano Veloso
17) Bom Senso (5:09) – Tim Maia
18) Chega de Saudade (2:01) - João Gilberto

Cut of the Week 10/16/09

Check out Amplive's (of Zion I) remix of Radiohead's Video Tape featuring Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.

Episode #3: Black & White

The Black Keys and The White Stripes share many similarities: both are minimalist rock duos that have perfected the garage rock sound, both hail from the Midwest (Akron, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan, respectively), and both have reputations for blistering live performances. However, the sameness ends there. Or does it?

The Black Keys feature a more traditional bluesy brand of rock, aided significantly by lead singer Dan Auerbach’s soulful voice, in stark contrast to Jack White’s screech. Meanwhile, The Stripes possess a bit more crunch to their guitar-work and exhibit a tendency to be more experimental with respect to their exploration of different musical genres, sudden tempo changes, and incorporation of eclectic instrumentation. A great example is “The Nurse,” which is unabashedly peppered with marimbas.

However, in 2008 The Black Keys called on producer-extraordinaire Danger Mouse to help craft their fifth album, Attack & Release. There is a distinctly different sound here, more polished and some additional layering – just give “Same Old Song” a listen (notice the flutes?). And The Keys next project, Blakroc, which is slated for release in November, pairs the duo up with a slew of hip hop acts, ranging from Mos Def to RZA.

It looks like The Black Keys are seeking to break out of their straightforward blues-rock inclinations in what could be deemed a bit of a switch-er-roo as The White Stripes appear to be returning to a somewhat more traditional path these days. 2007’s Icky Thump was hailed by some as a “return to rock” and Jack White’s musical leanings in his various side projects, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, only serve to reinforce this trend.

Enjoy the mix and see if the contrasts stand out.

Track listing:
1) You’re Pretty Good Looking (1:50) – White Stripes
2) Give Your Heart Away (3:27) – Black Keys
3) The Air Near My Fingers (3:39) – White Stripes
4) Thickfreakness (3:48) – Black Keys
5) I’m Bound To Pack It Up (3:10) – White Stripes
6) All Hands Against His Own (3:17) – Black Keys
7) Hotel Yorba (2:10) – White Stripes
8) The Desperate Man (3:54) – Black Keys
9) The Nurse (3:46) – White Stripes
10) Brooklyn Bound (3:11) – Black Keys
11) Ball and Biscuit (7:17) – White Stripes
12) Just Got To Be (3:01) – Black Keys
13) The Hardest Button to Button (3:32) – White Stripes
14) Have Love Will Travel (3:05) – Black Keys
15) Catch Hell Blues (4:18) – White Stripes
16) Your Touch (2:45) – Black Keys
17) Effect & Cause (3:00) – White Stripes
18) Do The Rump (2:38) Black Keys
19) Apple Blossom (2:13) – White Stripes
20) Same Old Thing (3:09) – Black Keys
21) 300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues (5:29) – White Stripes
22) The Lengths (4:55) – Black Keys

Episode #2: Rude Bwoy!! Roots Reggae & Early Dancehall

Roots reggae and early dancehall are some of my favorite genres. It’s simultaneously downtempo yet badass. The infectious, slinky beats, called “riddims,” may sound very familiar to your ear as it is common practice for roots artists to borrow “riddims” from one another, perhaps even more brazen than present-day sampling.

Whether lauding the tenets of Rastafarianism, chanting down Babylon, or just burning up the dancehall, this mix is a nice intro to the world of roots reggae and early dancehall with some deep cuts that take you beyond the better-known icons such as Bob Marley and Toots Hibbert. Enjoy.

Track listing:
1) Rumble Jumble Life – Tenor Saw
2) Run Babylon – Larry Marshall
3) 007 (Shanty Town) – Desmond Dekker
4) Bam Bam – Sister Nancy
5) I Chase the Devil – Max Romeo & The Upsetters
6) Armagideon Time – Willie Williams
7) Satta Massagana – The Abyssinians
8) Mix Up – The Gladiators
9) Brand New Second Hand – Peter Tosh & The Wailers
10) The Invasion – Burning Spear
11) Rivers of Babylon – The Melodians
12) This is Reggae Music – Zap Pow
13) Jah Vengeance – Yabby You
14) Uptown Top Ranking – Althia & Donna
15) Blood & Fire – Winston “Niney” Holness
16) Tenement Yard – Jacob Miller
17) Truth and Rights – Johnny Osbourne

Epsiode #1: Hip Hop To French To...

Who said hip-hoppers don't have a soft side? This mix, admittedly put together some time ago, still stands up quite nicely and showcases hip-hop's ability to seduce as well as induce the head nod.

Sit back and enjoy the sensual side of hip-hop (please pardon the ubiquitousness of Erykah Badu here).

Track listing:
1) Love Language – Reflection Eternal
2) She Said – Pharcyde
3) Round & Round – Hi-Tek featuring Jonell
4) You Got Me – The Roots featuring Erykah Badu
5) I Love You (Remix) – Mary J. Blige featuring Smif-N-Wessun
6) The 4th 3rd – J-Live
7) Cry Me a River (Remix) – Justin Timberlake featuring 50 Cent
8) All Night Long – Common featuring Erykah Badu
9) Break Ups 2 Make Ups – Method Man
10) Ms. Fat Booty – Mos Def
11) In Love With You – Erykah Badu featuring Stephen Marley
12) Sweetest Thing – Lauryn Hill
13) The Truth – Handsome Boy Modeling School featuring J-Live and Moloko

Episode 1: Hip Hop To French To...

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