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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