my alarm clock went off at six a.m. this morning. i shut it off and promptly went back to sleep.

beth never set her alarm. so around 6:23 a.m., she wakes up and realizes that she overslept. in order for her to get simone ready for day care and herself ready for work, she needs to wake up at 4:30 a.m. so needless to say, she was late for work this morning.

nursing takes a lot of time and energy from beth. seems like she's been falling asleep earlier these days. we used to have such a nice apartment. now it looks like a wreck. burp cloths, baby clothes, and assorted nursing paraphrenalia all over the place. there's no order. as for me, after work i usually have enough energy to do the dishes and get ready for tomorrow. sometimes i crash before getting around to the latter, so i end up getting ready for tomorrow when tomorrow is already today. and by then, it's too late to do things in a leisurely fashion.

i don't know what it is, but i've been having a horrible time with purchasing microphones. first i got one for the computer and it wouldn't work with my computer. returned that one. then i got a small mixing board and recently bought a microphone that i thought for sure would work with it. got it last night - looks like it was damaged in transit. it's like unseen forces are conspiring against me to prevent high-end recordings for my podcast. i'm tired of using outdated equipment to get things done. the show deserves better and the listeners do as well.

it's like anything that i care about is outside of work, but it rarely ever goes according to plan, or not as well as it should. meanwhile, work is a remaining constant: relentless, irritating, exhausting. what does it mean when what you love is such a struggle to put together but what you despise is just there waiting for you? and it's not an option, it's NECESSARY in order to survive? but your life isn't really an existence with this necessary evil in it.

GOD has a purpose and a plan for my life, but i have a sneaking suspicion that He could care less about my podcast and how i feel about doing it. i hope this isn't stripped away from me, but GOD has a way of making sure that His purpose overrides your plans. between work and a second microphone not working, i'm feeling rather defeated at the moment.

wanna know why the shows aren't arriving in a timely fashion? look above. that would be why. simone currently weighs in at 12 lbs. and is 23-3/4 inches in length. she's growing, she's observant, she's crazy smart, and hella cute. damn, i've got my work cut out for me...

and yes, i am wearing my "i (heart) dilla" t-shirt in the picture.

so we're finally getting down to business with celebrating a full year of Radio BSOTS. on this show, i discuss the origins of the podcast, the challenges behind putting together each episode, and why i feel the need to continue doing this in spite of those challenges. musically it's a pretty damn good show. still not sure how i feel about it being almost 45 minutes long, but at the same time i'm celebrating an anniversary. i feel like i ramble, but i just never liked how my voice sounds on a recording.

also, i finally get some decent opening theme music for the show. i put together the first half of it; the second half is the closing segment of "hot on both sides," a piece produced by techniken defunkus especially for the show. you can download the song here.

for the record, most of the songs come from promonet this time around, with a pair of joints from podsafe music network. hope y'all dig this one. part II coming up next month...

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go here to stream shows

hugh masekela*afro beat blues (feat. ojah)

black on white affair*bold soul brother, bold soul sister

jody watley*bed of roses (feat. 4hero)

bookworm*since i met you {available at solosrecords.com}

honeycut*shadows

myka nyne*tabloid

46bliss*the way you are {available at 46bliss.com}

other key info:
endless shouting matches with yourself

promonet links:

Wheedle's Groove - Seattle's Finest in Funk & Soul 1965-75

Various Artists

Light In The Attic

• Buy at iTunes Music Store

The Makeover

Jody Watley

Avitone Recordings

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

The Day I Turned To Glass

Honeycut

Quannum Projects

• Buy at iTunes Music Store

Citrus Sessions Vol. I

Myka Nyne

Citrus Recordings

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

Technorati tags: Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Hip-Hop, Soul, funk, Electronic, Radio, mp3

PAOLO MOJO
Balance 009
EQ Recordings
Format: 2xCD
Year of release: 2006

Single genre-focused mix CDs have to be really stellar in order to be memorable. Thank goodness for the few DJs out there that aren't scared to mix it up. Paolo Mojo is a name to watch out for, as the ninth installment of Balance proves. This double-disc set is brimming with dance floor classics and future favorites. The first disc sets the mood with deep house which slowly morphs into acid and electro. Halfway through, we're treated to the disaffected vocals of Valeska on Trick and Kubik's "Easy." Things are kept upbeat and moving along the way with joints from Timewriter, Underground Resistance, Harold Heath, and Pepe Bradock, whose "Deep Burnt" makes for a perfect closer to disc one. But something peculiar happens on disc two: we find out that a great spinner does not always a great producer make. Paolo loses his Mojo when it comes to his own work. "Ruckus" and "Everybody" sound painfully typical in their prog-drenched stomps. Somewhere around a remix of Inner City's "Say Something," things get good again and remain that way until the end of the disc. Sebastien Tellier's "La Ritournelle" makes for a dynamic conclusion to a mix set that takes you around the world and back again.

{macedonia}

click here to learn more about this release.

visit Paolo Mojo's website
visit EQ Recordings

Technorati tags: Blog, Music, Electronic, House, Techno

another one of those bsots blends sessions, folks. kind of on some end of summer blowout steez, but not really. just a fun mix. hip-hop, house, techno, electro, and breaks. about half of these songs come from the Podsafe Music Network. the Mark de Clive-Lowe joint comes courtesy of Promonet.

serious love going out to CX Kidtronik for allowing me to play a joint from his new album. much respect to A.I. Records in the U.K. for their blessing to play Claro Intelecto, my favorite artist from their label. mark my words: A.I. is just as good as Warp Records, if not better. they have been killing it for the last five years with quality electronic music releases. absolutely fabulous imprint - if you're not already familiar with them, i encourage you to check them out. (please note: part of their catalog is available as digital releases over at bleep.com.)

the Vikter Duplaix joint is his interpretation of a Radiohead tune from their Kid A album. i don't think it's actually included on Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads, even though it's part of that project. it may have only been released as part of a promotional 12" and that's it. if anyone out there has further information on that joint, please let me know.

the monster tune from Claro Intelecto that brings this mix to a close was originally released in 2003 on 12" vinyl. it may have seen a repress, but nothing after that. outside of that, it's on the CD version of Neurofibro, Claro Intelecto's debut album on A.I. brilliant from start to finish. i won't say that the album or the 12" is impossible to find, but it has become rather difficult. unfortuately, A.I. has not made either available digitally yet.

before i forget, a huge thank you to everyone who left voice mails and emails of love and support concerning the birth of Simone Elizabeth. it means more than words can say. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

"don't let them....hold you down, hold you down, hold you down..."

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go here to stream shows

tPC (the people's choice)*artificial {produced by j. space}
cx kidtronik*get back (go) feat. zion {buy song at bleep.com}
dread daze*free your mind {myspace}
the coup*we are the ones {buy song at emusic}
baba israel and yako*didge 2006 {buy album at CDBaby.com}
hathead*one tribe - saskia nation theme {pmn link}
steffen coonan*deep house in berlin {steffencoonan.com}
arthur loves plastic*the path {buy album at CDBaby.com}
zerobae*summer pop radio shine {pmn link}
mark de clive-lowe*slide {buylink information below}
vikter duplaix*treefingers
claro intelecto*peace of mind (electrosoul)

Slide b/w State of The Mental

Mark de Clive-Lowe

ABB Records

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides" by techniken defunkus.

other key info:
endless shouting matches with yourself
baba israel and yako on pmn

Technorati tags: Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Hip-Hop, House, Techno, Radio, mp3

Boogie Angst

Kraak & Smaak

Quango

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at GroupieTunes

KRAAK & SMAAK
Boogie Angst
Quango Music Group
Year of release: 2006

Funkiness can be found where you least expect it. If you didn’t already know, look toward the Netherlands: Dutch dance trio Kraak & Smaak definitely bring it. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s not a reference to illicit substances. It’s taken from an old Dutch proverb (meaning “crunchy & tasty”). Boogie Angst marks their debut full-length, a fun release packed with soulful breaks, danceable grooves, and even some humorous sample fodder. Most folks have been gushing over the club tracks “One Of These Days” and “Keep Me Home,” a pair of disco numbers with memorable vocals and organ riffs that are sure to turn the party out. While they can definitely move some butts, their living room fare is nothing to overlook. “5 To 4” is the best spy theme this side of James Bond while “Mambo Solitario” threatens to dethrone Thievery Corporation as kings of the lounge vibe. “Keep On Searching” is midtempo funk accentuated by a spoken word hook and chicken coop sounds. Hip-hop lives here, breakbeat lives here, and everyone gets along. No arguing over portions at dinner or anything like that – Kraak & Smaak create a peaceful coexistence. And best of all, you can dance to it.

{macedonia}

Technorati tags: Blog, Music, Electronic, House, Hip-Hop

this album has not left my mp3 player. seriously. nothing's touching this right now.

if you're anything like me, you're still lamenting over the death of J Dilla. let's face it: there will only be one James Yancey, and the world was blessed to have him for the short period of time that it did. so, who's next in line to change the game? my predictions are Tadd Mullinix a.k.a. Dabrye, Waajeed of Platinum Pied Pipers, and Mc/DJ/Producer Jneiro Jarel.

his debut album Three Piece Puzzle dropped last year on Ropeadope, ridiculously good hip-hop with touches of future soul (what some call "broken beat") here and there. now the brother's back with a new one: Beat Journey, released under the name Dr. Who Dat? on Lex Records. it's that good stuff, y'all...all instrumental hip-hop. brazilian and free jazz flavors rising to the surface every now and again. expect the Dilla comparisons to come fast and strong. sure, the influence can be heard, but brother Jarel's carving his own niche.

check the Bleep player below to listen to some joints. again, it's all good, but my constant rewind joints are "On The Doelow," "ASAP (Flash)," and "Kelly Drive." i don't say this often, but if you're not feelin' this, you don't have a pulse...

Technorati tags: mp3, Music, Hip-Hop, Soul

ALOE BLACC
Shine Through
Stones Throw
Year of release: 2006

It was around summertime last year that Aloe Blacc was gettin' dap for his work alongside DJ Exile as Emanon. However, it is through his debut album for Stones Throw that the world will come to know his many talents. Kinda easy to see why some heads dubbed him "the indie R. Kelly" - brother's on some nasty mon business on a number of tracks, particularly the dancehall-bumpin' "Are You Ready" and the straight outta 12 Play talk on "Arrive." Later on during "Want Me," Aloe warns, "this ain't a love song - i'm tryna put it on ya." (At least the brother's honest.) Thankfully, this isn't the only trick he knows how to turn. "Busking" sounds like an old folk song made up on the spot at a bus stop, and is easily one of the album's most memorable moments. Check the midtempo Latin shuffle of "Bailar," where Aloe sings and rhymes in Spanish. For further reminders that the brother can spit, listen to "Caged Birdsong," with its social commentary and inner city pressures. The brother also crafts his own beats, with two exceptions on this album: Madlib's behind the boards for "One Inna" and Oh No pitches a beauty for the Sam Cooke cover ("Long Time Coming"). Furthermore, I propose that "I'm Beautiful" should be taught to every child in elementary schools nationwide, if not the world. Why can't all R&B albums be this interesting?

{macedonia}

Aloe Blacc's page on Stones Throw

Technorati tags: Music, Soul, Hip-Hop, Blog

so this is the story of the lovely miss simone elizabeth smith and the day that she was born into the world...as i remember it, anyway. (my wife's recollection would make a great show, i'm sure...) this started out as a virtual mixtape for her, but grew into something more after she got here. podsafe songs are interwoven into the story, ranging from silly pop music to atmospheric drum and bass and downtempo stuff. i'll link to the online gallery soon, promise...

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go here to stream shows

moshang*and she swung {buy song at soundclick}
the garden flower*don't wanna mess with me
dykehouse*the merryes syndrome
mr. tunes*princess unforgiving {buy song at broadjam}
sankofa bass project*angel rising
goldlix*atoll moao

other key info:
sankofa bass project on pmn

want to know what Chappelle's freakout was really all about? William Jelani Cobb brings the science in this great article from seeingblack.com.

with the one-year anniversary of Radio BSOTS here, it's only right that i show my heads some love and give them all some much-needed exposure. most of these artists can be found over at the podsafe music network. hip-hop and electronic music - just gonna hit it and quit this time...

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go here to stream shows

sankofa bass project*the funky drummer meets the swordsman
mista mayday*reflections (instrumental)
hired gun*the next {buy the album at CDBaby.com}
baba israel and yako*survivor (feat. breez evahflowin){buy the album at CDBaby.com}
conscious*king 45
core rhythm*reloaded {buy the album at CDBaby.com}
techniken defunkus*ever after {free download available here
ezekiel honig*going sailing {click here for buy info}

other key info:
sankofa bass project on pmn
hired gun on pmn
baba israel and yako on pmn
conscious on pmn

Technorati tags: Podcasting, Podcasts, Radio, Music, Hip-Hop, Electronic