Cut of the Week 09/20/10

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon in May I went out to Crown Heights to meet Ben Laub. In the music world, he is better known as Grieves, a 6-foot, 130-pound, baby-faced 26-year old who is making a name for himself in the independent hip hop scene as part of the Rhymesayers label/collective. I was recently introduced to his music courtesy of his gripping performance at The Knitting Factory as an opener for Brother Ali. However, to call him a mere hip hopper is to miss the point entirely.

Since 2007, Grieves has been putting out music that incorporates the precise lyricism of a rapper with the plaintive singing and sensibility more akin to a bluesman or folk singer. His unabashed heart-on-his-sleeve approach and intense live performances have earned him much acclaim while drawing the ire of some in the blogopshere for being too emotional. At his live shows and on his last album, 88 Keys & Counting, he has been joined by multi-instrumentalist and musical partner, Budo, who provides instrumentation and production atypical of most hip hop acts these days. In fact, 88 Keys & Counting contained not a single sample. Here is a song from that album, an introduction to an artist who boasts inspiration from Big Pun to Bon Iver, and is the best upcoming artist you may have never heard of. Yet.


Grieves - "Catapults" link

Episode #25: My Favorites of 2010 (thus far)...

I know what you’re thinking – best of 2010 at the end of August?!? Why not choose at least a more logical midway point in June and call it the best of the first half of 2010? Well, these are good questions to ask. However, I feel that September a very logical point to stop and reflect on the year so far, especially when considering music.

September marks the regrettable conclusion of summertime, which is a very busy season for new releases. Furthermore, summer vacations and barbecues provide us with more downtime than usual and thus enable us to enjoy and appreciate more music.

With that said, here is a selection of some of my favorite tracks released this year (so far). There are some obvious choices from eagerly anticipated and critically acclaimed albums from Arcade Fire, The National, LCD Soundsystem and Broken Social Scene. Despite all the hype, these albums delivered in a big way and certainly did not disappoint (Sorry, I can’t say the same for M.I.A.’s third release, MAYA). Janelle Monae’s concept album, ArchAndroid, was also met with universal praises and “Tightrope” is definitely the most infectious track on that record.

The tracks from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Hot Chip and The Black Keys came off of albums that I would characterize as “breakout” records. I’ve been a fan of all these artists for some time and yet I feel that these 2010 albums, coupled with successful tour dates, really catapulted them to the next level of musical stardom.

Finally, I included some lesser known artists such as husband-and-wife duo Tennis who have perfected the seemingly ubiquitous lo-fi beach-pop sound that is all the rage these days. Also included is “The Gaudy Side of Town” from Gayngs, a huge collective that features over 25 artists ranging from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon to Rhymesayers’ P.O.S., who succeed wildly in creating a haunting, downtempo aesthetic. Next, Caribou, AKA Dan Snaith and formerly known as Manitoba, crafts beautifully funky dance-pop on “Odessa,” somewhat reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem. And finally, not-so-newcomer, Ariel Pink’s “Round and Round” is a fun, slinky, 70s-infused psychedelic pop off a fantastic album, Before Today. You can hear Brian Eno and David Bowie’s fingerprints all over it, which is always a good thing.

May the rest of 2010 be as fruitful...

Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

Track listing:
1) Rome (3:50) – Yeasayer
2) I Learned The Hard Way (3:47) – Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
3) I Can Change (5:54) – LCD Soundsystem
4) I Feel Better (4:42) – Hot Chip
5) The Suburbs (5:15) – Arcade Fire
6) The Gaudy Side of Town (7:07) – Gayngs
7) Shutterbug (3:35) – Big Boi feat Cutty
8) Bloodbuzz Ohio (4:36) – The National
9) Round and Round (5:09) – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
10) Cape Dory (2:12) – Tennis
11) Radio Daze (4:16) – The Roots feat Blu, P.O.R.N., Dice Raw
12) Everlasting Light (3:24) – The Black Keys
13) Tightrope (4:23) – Janelle Monae
14) Odessa (5:16) – Caribou
15) World Sick (6:48) – Broken Social Scene
16) The Wild Hunt (3:22) – The Tallest Man on Earth

Cut of the Week 8/11/10

Poor Righteous Teachers was a hip hop trio from Trenton, NJ who came on the scene around 1990. They belonged to the burgeoning conscious contingent of rap acts such as X Clan and Public Enemy. This was long before conscious hip hop stalwarts Talib Kweli and Common were even out of high school. While their Afrocentric and at times heavy-handed messages may be tiresome with prolonged listening, PRT was nevertheless an important player in the Golden Era hip hop of the early 1990s.

While their more recognizable hits are "Rock This Funky Joint" and "Nobody Move," I chose a deeper cut off of their 1991 album, Pure Poverty. This track was instantly my favorite off the album when I borrowed the cassette from my neighbor nearly 20 years ago (Garrett Loring, if you see this, I still owe you the tape back!). The rapid-fire dancehall toasting of PRT member Wise Intelligent is simply fun and infectious and the funky reggae/hip hop vibe created here still stands up after all these years.

Enjoy.


Poor Righteous Teachers - "Easy Star" link

Episode #24: Loungin'

This episode is dedicated to all things that fall under the giant umbrella of downtempo electronic music, or what I like to simply call “lounge” music. However, as we all know, things are never that cut and dried, especially in the realm of music. This genre, frequently referred to as trip hop, is often used as a catch-all that covers micro-genres from ambient breakbeat to acid jazz. I prefer to use the term “lounge” to refer to this large (and admittedly) ambiguous swath of music that evokes a particular ambiance or mood.

Lounges, as they have grown in popularity in the last 20 years or so, seek to obtain that illusive yet oh-so-desirable “chill” vibe. Hence, the extremely dim lighting and music that, while it won’t necessary drive you to the non-existent dance floor, does in fact keep your head nodding.

While this list does not boast all the latest examples of what could be categorized as lounge music, I sought to capture minor variations in downtempo electronic or lounge music of some of my favorite artists. Some artists here, like Mr. Scruff, and the unfortunately lesser-known Joe Beats, Jel and Reanimator, employ more straight-ahead elements of hip hop while adding layers that feature psychedelic elements such as strings, pianos/organs, or vocal samples with reverb effects. Federico Aubele clearly comes from the Thievery Corporation school of things (he’s on their ESL Label) with breathy Spanish lyrics sung over a heavy bass line complemented by guitars and accordions sprinkled throughout. Blockhead and skateboarding legend Tommy Guerrero utilize a good dose of horns and guitar, respectively, to give their sound a little something different that makes you sit up and take notice.

And of course, I couldn’t leave out the Godfather of trip hop, DJ Shadow. His “Building Steam With a Grain Of Sand” exemplifies why this sound is so infectious. He paints a complex aural picture with piano loops, eerie vocal samples, drum machines and record scratches backed back a driving hip hop beat. It’s a haunting and dark atmospheric music, but gripping nonetheless. Not far from Shadow in style and musical leanings is RJD2. Before his recent shift to a more indie rock style where he now sings and plays guitar, his classic soul and funk samples were always on point and his 2002 Deadringer album still stands up as one of my favorites of all time.

Anyway, give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

Track listing:
1) She’s My Lover (4:38) – Kid Loco
2) Tricky Turtle (4:42) – Blockhead
3) Building Steam With a Grain Of Sand (6:41) – DJ Shadow
4) La Esquina (3:08) – Federico Aubele
5) Bonce (5:00) – Mr. Scruff
6) Everything You Know Is Wrong (3:09) – Reanimator
7) Andy Kaufman (1:59) – The Joe Beats Conspiracy
8) The Good, The Bad and The Chutney (4:07) – Kalyanji & Anandji
9) Incorporate Anthem (4:02) – RJD2
10) Soul Miner (3:05) – Tommy Guerrero
11) John Brown’s Birthday Suite (3:30) – Jel
12) Rebirth (4:14) – A Forest Mighty Black
13) Sound of Everything (4:02) – Quantic
14) 24 Carat Blag (4:09) – Herbaliser

Cut of the Week 7/29/10

Upon someone's (I cannot remember who exactly) recent urging, I finally got around to checking out The Cramps. These guys are largely credited with creating a new genre at the tail end of the 1970s called psychobilly, which is described as a synthesis of punk and rockabilly sensibilities. With founding members who took stage names such as Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, The Cramps boast an over-the-top approach to traditional rock n' roll that can be easily seen as the precursor to goth rock. Zombie rock is a great way to describe their sound.

This track, "Garbageman," is off their 1980 debut album Songs The Lord Taught Us which was produced by power pop pioneers Big Star's late frontman Alex Chilton. The Cramps definitely are a creepy bunch, but the music is deceptively simple, straightforward rock with some darkly humorous overtones. Lux's vocals exhibit an unbridled snarl that drips with sleaze and swagger and is eerily reminiscent of Iggy and The Stooges in their heyday. I mean, you have to be a larger than life badass to convincingly pull off the opening line, "You ain't no punk, you punk."

Take a listen and enjoy.


The Cramps - "Garbageman" link

Episode #23: Smooth As Soul

Inspired by a recent “Cut Of The Week” selection from Bobby Womack, I thought it would prove a worthwhile exercise to delve deeper into the sounds of 1970s soul. This era was marked by many artists who got their start in the Motown tradition in the mid to late 1960s. However, in the 1970s, soul music began to morph: the tone of the music is at times much darker (i.e. Curtis Mayfield’s “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go”) and more concerned with cool stylistic posturing that paralleled the explosion in blaxploitation films. Given that these films explored the underworld of pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers, soul music (used for the countless soundtracks) also shifted its focus and texture. Some arrangements incorporated the heavy use of strings and the music now was dripping with exaggerated braggadocio and a sense of impending danger lurking just around the corner.

Nevertheless, not all 70s soul music dealt with the underbelly of ghetto life. That’s why I chose to include a track from Betty Lavette who is a great counterbalance to the swagger of the solo male singer and has experienced a remarkable resurgence of interest in her music in the last five years. Also, the inclusion of Al Green’s “Strong As Death,” Lamont Dozier’s “Peddlin’ Music On The Side,” Bobby Womack’s “You’re Welcome, Stop On By” and Freddie Scott’s “You Got What I Need” illustrate that the softer, more introspective side of soul was certainly not absent during the 1970s.

Finally, check out Labi Saffre’s “I Got The Blues” and see if you can spot the source of the sample for Eminem’s first smash single, “My Name Is.”

The 1970s was a time when soul experimented with different genres, often using harder funk rhythms, wah-wah guitar effects, and even flirting with disco elements. Regardless, this was a great period for soul music and its slinky coolness provides a perfect vibe for relaxing and letting loose in the summer heat.

Give it a listen and I hope you enjoy.

Track listing:
1) Slick (3:36) – Willie Hutch
2) Strong As Death (4:23) – Al Green
3) I Got The (Blues) – Labi Siffre
4) You’re Welcome, Stop On By (3:44) – Bobby Womack
5) Who Is He (And What Is He To You) (3:13) – Bill Withers
6) (Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go (7:44) – Curtis Mayfield
7) Tomorrow I May Not Feel The Same (2:14) – Gene Chandler
8) Walk On By (4:34) – Isaac Hayes
9) Let Me Down Easy (3:09) – Bettty Lavette
10) Easin’ In (3:13) – Edwin Starr
11) Why Can’t People Be Colors Too (4:12) – The Whatnauts
12) We Live In Brooklyn, Baby (3:46) – Roy Ayers
13) You Got What I Need (3:00) – Freddie Scott
14) Peddlin’ Music On The Side (4:45) – Lamont Dozier