Some very groovy afrobeat/jazz rock from the 70s. This album has been repeatedly sampled in rap and is a rarity on vinyl. I am seeking a pressing of my own. Track list: 1. Soul Makossa 2. Azeta 3. Oglenon 4. Voodounon 5. Hihache 6. Nicky What does your soul look like today?
Sorry for the long delay in posting again. I was on a wonderful Mediterranean cruise with limited internet access, but now I'm back. I discovered this gem of an album on the boat after Freddie Gibbs released a new album imitating this exact cover. Very extroverted R&B music that hits the sweet spot. Play this album with the fireplace on. Track list: 1. Come Go with Me 2. Turn Off the Lights 3. I'll Never See Heaven Again 4. All I Need Is You 5. If You Know Like I Know 6. Do Me 7. Set Me Free 8. Life Is a Circle Come on over to my place
Starting off the week with some seriously good jazz-sampled hip-hop composed by the legendary hip-hop producer Madlib. Anything this guy touches turn to gold, I can't say there is a project by him (that I have heard) that I do not like. Ambitious, but also highly knowledgeable on music and its technics. Madlib signed with Blue Note records for this album in particular. Since he is signed with the legendary jazz label, he has their full master recording catalogues at his disposal for his sampling pleasure. A wise and safe choice by Blue Note because there is no other man within hip-hop as deserving of the privilege other than Madlib. I'll be sure to post some of his other side-projects in due time to prove his genius. Track list: 1. Introduction 2. Slim's Return 3. Distant Land 4. Mystic Bounce 5. Stormy (feat. Morgan Adams Quartet Plus Two) 6. Blue Note Interlude 7. Please Set Me at Ease (feat. MED) 8. Funky Blue Note (feat. Morgan Adams Quartet Plus Two) 9. Alfred Lion Interlude 10. Stepping Into Tomorrow (feat. MF DOOM) 11. Andrew Hill Break 12. Montara 13. Song For My Father 14. Footprints 15. Peace/Dolphin Dance 16. Outro My destiny is found.
Time to get a little more heavy in this blog. Jesu is a doom metal/shoegaze project by ex-Godflesh member Justin Broadrick, who is also a frequent collaborator with my boy Mark Kozelek. His debut album is dark and HEAVY, but does not contain any harsh vocals making it an excellent intro album to anyone looking to get into doom metal. Open your mind and listen to a different side of metal music. Track list: 1. Your Path to Divinity 2. Friends Are Evil 3. Tired of Me 4. We All Faulter 5. Walk On Water 6. Sun Day 7. Man/Woman 8. Guardian Angel Sonic weight.
Remember when I said I thought the Red House Painters' music was boring? Well, I take that back. Admittedly, I only listened to Down Colorful Hilland Rollercoasterand neglected the latter half of their discography because I thought it was going to sound the same, but Ocean Beach and Songs For a Blue Guitar are both seriously great records. Still the same slow-tempoed music, but a little more kick in the music, making it a little livelier. Also, "San Geronimo" is a jam. Without a doubt, these two are my favorites in their discography. I've been on a Mark Kozelek binge lately. He's probably going to be the soundtrack to my summer.
Ocean Beach track list: 1. Cabezon 2. Summer Dress 3. San Geronimo 4. Shadows 5. Over My Head 6. Red Carpet 7. Brockwell Park 8. Moments 9. Drop Sifting through crackling vinyl, Lost memories of my youth are coming into view. Songs For a Blue Guitar track list: 1. Have You Forgotten 2. Songs For a Blue Guitar 3. Make Like Paper 4. Priest Alley Song 5. Trailways 6. Feel the Rain Fall 7. Long Distance Runaround 8. All Mixed Up 9. Revelation Big Sur 10. Sill Love Songs 11. Another Song For a Blue Guitar Have you forgotten how to love yourself?
Oh Kanye West. The man needs no introduction. He returns with a short album, following the trend he started with Pusha T's latest record of keeping the project to 7 tracks. Despite the album cover and track list looking like some EP an emo band uploaded to Bandcamp, this is sonically a Kanye West album: vocal sampled filled beats, uplifting instrumentals with emotional lyrics, infectious hooks, a great Kid Cudi feature. However, there is a big emphasis on mental health awareness, especially on the opening track, which I think is pretty cool. It's definitely an improvement from that cluttered mess known as The Life of Pablo, which was an album I enjoyed for the tracks alone, but was messy in the format of an album. Like DAYTONA, there is nothing to complain about other than the length. At least we are getting three more Kanye-related albums this month. I enjoyed this project for what it is, but I must end this note with a phrase that has been chanted since Kanye came back to the Internet: I miss the old Kanye. Track list: 1. I Thought About Killing You 2. Yikes 3. All Mine 4. Wouldn't Leave 5. No Mistakes 6. Ghost Town 7. Violent Crimes
