This video focuses on the Malinke/ Malinka/ Mandinka People (formerly of the Malian Empire). They are one of the largest ethnic groups of Africa- you may be familiar because of Roots-. The main character, Kunte Kinte is Malinke. I recommend checking out Wikipedia for a general look at their culture.
What I find beautiful about this (largely Muslim) culture is their approach to rhythm. This video is inspiring and if it doesn't make you listen to the rhythm of your surroundings perhaps you aught to watch it a second time?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Genius- Rachel Goodrich shows how Gangsta it is to listen to her (sweet) music
I love this music video... Rachel Goodrich contrasts an extremely sweet song with video that presumably takes place in Wynwood, Miami... from the video I judge it to be sort of like Compton but according to Wikipedia it is an Arts District.
Anyway, enjoy this unique combination of ghetto fabulous and sticky sweet vocals over latin guitar strumming.
Anyway, enjoy this unique combination of ghetto fabulous and sticky sweet vocals over latin guitar strumming.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Summer Sounds from the Sea
I've been traveling, and with the adventure comes a great playlist. Here are a couple of songs I like to groove and move to.
Caro Emerald- Back It Up
This lady sounds kind of Corrinne Bailey Rae- and I love the danceable groove to this song. Jazzy chord progressions and modern production makes this song extremely catchy. I would not be surprised if it made top 40 on the US charts a year from now.
Yolanda Be Cool- We No Speak Americano
Hopefully that link works in other countries- playability varies from country to country... and this type of bullshittery is the reason that the Record Industry is BROKEN.
However, this song is extremely catchy.... and ironic as it gets. They're saying that they don't speak English- but they are sampling jazz (American music). The band is from Australia and it really makes you realize what a great language Italian is for music. According to their Wikipedia entry this song reached the top 100 in the US Charts- surprising because it is not in English.
Stromae- Alors On Danse
This song was played on every Croatian radio station, kids camp, and dance club while I was there. It is undoubtedly catchy, and it makes you want to do just what the song tells you- Alors On Danse.
Paloma Faith- Upside Down
Okay, auto tune aside... this song is extremely catchy. I like the call and response between the Ms. Faith and her backup singers. Again, the retro style seems to be selling extremely well these days.
Aloe Blacc- I Need A Dollar
Okay... forgive the flatline at the beginning of this recording. At least you know his voice isn't processed, right? This song is so honest, and catchy that I was humming it most of the summer. Plus it's extremely true! (hey hey)
In trying to research this song I realized it's the theme song for HBO's How to Make it in America... I haven't had the pleasure of seeing anything more than the pilot but I enjoyed the little bit that I have seen!
Shirley Basey- Get This Party Started
Sometimes the cover is better than the original. Go get 'em Dame Shirley!
Caro Emerald- Back It Up
This lady sounds kind of Corrinne Bailey Rae- and I love the danceable groove to this song. Jazzy chord progressions and modern production makes this song extremely catchy. I would not be surprised if it made top 40 on the US charts a year from now.
Yolanda Be Cool- We No Speak Americano
Hopefully that link works in other countries- playability varies from country to country... and this type of bullshittery is the reason that the Record Industry is BROKEN.
However, this song is extremely catchy.... and ironic as it gets. They're saying that they don't speak English- but they are sampling jazz (American music). The band is from Australia and it really makes you realize what a great language Italian is for music. According to their Wikipedia entry this song reached the top 100 in the US Charts- surprising because it is not in English.
Stromae- Alors On Danse
This song was played on every Croatian radio station, kids camp, and dance club while I was there. It is undoubtedly catchy, and it makes you want to do just what the song tells you- Alors On Danse.
Paloma Faith- Upside Down
Okay, auto tune aside... this song is extremely catchy. I like the call and response between the Ms. Faith and her backup singers. Again, the retro style seems to be selling extremely well these days.
Aloe Blacc- I Need A Dollar
Okay... forgive the flatline at the beginning of this recording. At least you know his voice isn't processed, right? This song is so honest, and catchy that I was humming it most of the summer. Plus it's extremely true! (hey hey)
In trying to research this song I realized it's the theme song for HBO's How to Make it in America... I haven't had the pleasure of seeing anything more than the pilot but I enjoyed the little bit that I have seen!
Shirley Basey- Get This Party Started
Sometimes the cover is better than the original. Go get 'em Dame Shirley!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A perfect song for the "Aliens" in Arizona
This song is so appropriate for the situation in Arizona that I could not resist stepping up to my virtual podium.
Asa- Jailer
This song is from the perspective of a poor unfortunate soul who is at the mercy of a jailer very similar to the author.. after all a jailer wears a uniform just like the prisoner. All the lyricist wants is a little bit of respect- to be treated with common decency. To her, this is not so much to ask- and as the listener, I cannot help but empathize with Asa's request for dignity.
I can understand why border states are especially concerned with protecting the United States boundaries, but the law that Gov. Jan Brewer signed today in Arizona effectively legalizes discrimination based on appearing "foreign", or "alien" (in Arizona this is largely Mexican people). Obviously there are a lot of people who are very alarmed by this- individual rights and equality are very important in the USA, and this bill absolutely separates anybody looking "foreign" from the general population. One of the most alarming aspects of this is that the task of regulating these individuals for proper documentation goes to the Arizona police.
Here is a link to the CNN website discussing details of the Arizona Immigration Bill
Here is a link to Asa's song lyrics.
I hope you enjoy the song!
(here is a link to Arizona's Governor, Hon. Jan Brewer's website if you would like to express your opinion, and I encourage you to do so.)
The Colbert Report hit the nail on the head so I am going to include a link to the video.
Asa- Jailer
This song is from the perspective of a poor unfortunate soul who is at the mercy of a jailer very similar to the author.. after all a jailer wears a uniform just like the prisoner. All the lyricist wants is a little bit of respect- to be treated with common decency. To her, this is not so much to ask- and as the listener, I cannot help but empathize with Asa's request for dignity.
I can understand why border states are especially concerned with protecting the United States boundaries, but the law that Gov. Jan Brewer signed today in Arizona effectively legalizes discrimination based on appearing "foreign", or "alien" (in Arizona this is largely Mexican people). Obviously there are a lot of people who are very alarmed by this- individual rights and equality are very important in the USA, and this bill absolutely separates anybody looking "foreign" from the general population. One of the most alarming aspects of this is that the task of regulating these individuals for proper documentation goes to the Arizona police.
Here is a link to the CNN website discussing details of the Arizona Immigration Bill
Here is a link to Asa's song lyrics.
I hope you enjoy the song!
(here is a link to Arizona's Governor, Hon. Jan Brewer's website if you would like to express your opinion, and I encourage you to do so.)
The Colbert Report hit the nail on the head so I am going to include a link to the video.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Grey Boy All Stars- The Fillmore
A friend of mine was kind enough to get comp tickets to see the Grey Boy All Stars at the Fillmore. I've been a fan of Karl Denson for quite some time (The Bridge is a great record if you're curious). My sources tell me that Mr. Denson is partially responsible for Lenny Kravitz's make a great hook and exploit the hell out it songwriting style. (They toured together in the 90s)
The area around the Fillmore has changed quite a bit in the three years since I was there... it's an amazing venue! The room has about 1200 capacity that sounds and feels like a renovated movie theater. I guess the show only sold about 800 tickets- but the room felt full of energy and there was plenty of room for dancing hippies.
Grey Boy All Stars consist of professional musicians (I knew about the Grey Kid and Karl D before going to the show) who write funky jazz-influenced grooves. I was particularly fond of the version of 'How Glad I Am' which was totally different from what I'm familiar with on their CD.
Many thanks to my friend for getting me on the list- I would have paid the ticket price just to see this show! Judging by the crowd, it could have been publicized better on jambase (or, perhaps there were other shows of a similar genre playing in SF that night)
Karl Denson
Grey Boy All Stars
How Glad I Am
Jam Base
The Fillmore
The area around the Fillmore has changed quite a bit in the three years since I was there... it's an amazing venue! The room has about 1200 capacity that sounds and feels like a renovated movie theater. I guess the show only sold about 800 tickets- but the room felt full of energy and there was plenty of room for dancing hippies.
Grey Boy All Stars consist of professional musicians (I knew about the Grey Kid and Karl D before going to the show) who write funky jazz-influenced grooves. I was particularly fond of the version of 'How Glad I Am' which was totally different from what I'm familiar with on their CD.
Many thanks to my friend for getting me on the list- I would have paid the ticket price just to see this show! Judging by the crowd, it could have been publicized better on jambase (or, perhaps there were other shows of a similar genre playing in SF that night)
Karl Denson
Grey Boy All Stars
How Glad I Am
Jam Base
The Fillmore
Friday, January 29, 2010
Horsefeathers- Bottom of the Hill
I went to Bottom of the Hill again to see Horsefeathers play. I love that venue... it sounds great, and the people I went with are the sort of people with high energy and so much to talk about. Since we were having so much fun, it took a while to get to the club.
Even with our lagging, we caught plenty of the opening band (TV Mike and the Scarecrows?)... who were in my opinion, awful. Most of their songs featured guitar picking that weighed heavily on the beat (though, the lap-steel was a nice touch). Their singer (in what I am sure was an attempt to sound like Neil Young) sang only through his nose about something deep and heart felt nobody in the audience could be bothered to listen to.
I think this was an instance of good musicians who did not have a good combination when playing together...
Then, finally, after what seemed an extremely long set change, Horsefeathers! I was excited to see this guy/ band play. For one, I think Horsefeathers is a great band name- the word flows so smoothly off of the tongue, and I've heard good things about them. Their setup is pretty simple a singer with a guitar, a drummer, and a string section! I loved the instrumentation, the singer's voice was full of emotion soothed by his accompaniment... the musicians harmonized with each other beautifully. All of this, and my unfortunate inability to understand the singer's lyrics lulled me into a very sleepy place. I'll admit I left a little bit early, but I had very sweet dreams that night!
Note: This video is a good recording done in a living room- not at Bottom of the Hill
here is a sample of Horsefeathers for bed time
Bottom of the Hill is a great venue
Even with our lagging, we caught plenty of the opening band (TV Mike and the Scarecrows?)... who were in my opinion, awful. Most of their songs featured guitar picking that weighed heavily on the beat (though, the lap-steel was a nice touch). Their singer (in what I am sure was an attempt to sound like Neil Young) sang only through his nose about something deep and heart felt nobody in the audience could be bothered to listen to.
I think this was an instance of good musicians who did not have a good combination when playing together...
Then, finally, after what seemed an extremely long set change, Horsefeathers! I was excited to see this guy/ band play. For one, I think Horsefeathers is a great band name- the word flows so smoothly off of the tongue, and I've heard good things about them. Their setup is pretty simple a singer with a guitar, a drummer, and a string section! I loved the instrumentation, the singer's voice was full of emotion soothed by his accompaniment... the musicians harmonized with each other beautifully. All of this, and my unfortunate inability to understand the singer's lyrics lulled me into a very sleepy place. I'll admit I left a little bit early, but I had very sweet dreams that night!
Note: This video is a good recording done in a living room- not at Bottom of the Hill
here is a sample of Horsefeathers for bed time
Bottom of the Hill is a great venue
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hockey- Bottom of the Hill
I went to Bottom of the Hill last night to see a band, Hockey perform. The show was sold out, the venue sounded amazing, and the band had incredible stage presence. I really enjoyed seeing a trendy indie show with simple, layered melodies (and catchy click tracks) that came through clear as a bell on the venue's PA.
There was one thing that I noticed, though.... Hockey cannot end a song. Every song made the crowd want to rock and sway, but when it came time to end the song the band would drop the beat and the great groove they established would suddenly stop. I loved the simple blues structures- and the singer is talented as hell. I hope somebody teaches them the value of an ending (ii V I) cadence, and soon because I would love to see them perform again.
Check out future shows at Bottom of the Hill
Hockey's website
Their big song, Too Fake on youtube (note: I tried to include a music video sample but EMI has blocked embedding)
Ending Cadences
There was one thing that I noticed, though.... Hockey cannot end a song. Every song made the crowd want to rock and sway, but when it came time to end the song the band would drop the beat and the great groove they established would suddenly stop. I loved the simple blues structures- and the singer is talented as hell. I hope somebody teaches them the value of an ending (ii V I) cadence, and soon because I would love to see them perform again.
Check out future shows at Bottom of the Hill
Hockey's website
Their big song, Too Fake on youtube (note: I tried to include a music video sample but EMI has blocked embedding)
Ending Cadences
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