VARIOUS ARTISTS
Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing
[BBE]
Release Date:  February 11, 2008

Just when you think that the crate diggers of the universe have uncovered every lost gem on earth, up pops another compilation giving you more reasons to get your fingers dusty.  Respect must be given to Mr. Thing, DJ/producer and rare breaks enthusiast.  This is an ocean floor deep collection brimming with soul, funk, and jazz pearls from beginning to end.  Most of what's here will be unfamiliar to most listeners, even the covers of popular tunes.  Standouts include The Discoettes putting their humble spin on a Pointer Sisters classic ("Yes We Can Can") and Lloyd Charmers adding a lovers rock lean to Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little Bit More."  The self-titled cut from Soulful Illusion boasts harmonies reminiscent of The Temptations or The Miracles over a tough tempo and brass section.  Mr. Thing reaches into another crate and pulls out Original Tropicana Steel Band's "Calypso Rock," a funky instrumental with sweet steel drum solos.  You probably don't want to know what price some of these titles would fetch online, so consider this compilation a steal.  God bless Mr. Thing for sharing his knowledge of rarities with the masses.   -JRS

THA 4ORCE
Mind The Gap Anthems Version 2
[BBE Records]
Release Date:  February 25, 2008

Remember the DJ from Da Ali G Show?  Antics with Sacha Baron Cohen aside, Steve Ellington a.k.a. Tha 4orce is the real deal, boasting a remix and production resume that others would kill to have.  Working with everyone from LL Cool J and Oleta Adams to Busta Rhymes and Amy Winehouse, his latest album on BBE exposes his prowess as an MC and producer.   While Ellington's skills behind the boards are superior to his lyrical abilities, he still gets an honorable mention for effort.  His best moments are when he's in DJ mode, as featured on "The Musician."  Rap snippets are cut, scratched, and arranged to interact with the dazzling piano of Tim Baxter.  "Drums Vs. Drums" is even more impressive as Tha 4orce goes head to head with drummer Dom Bannister, matching breaks from the crates with a live session on the skins.  For verbal fury, check for guest appearances from Poynt Blak on "Magnificent" and Phoebe on "Stay Strong & Feel Me."  Ellington's production is six-figure income solid and will have you hunching your shoulders for days on end.  -JRS

yet another reason to support the indie musician.  gotta feel for 'em after watching this one...

considering that i recently got down with facebook and friendfeed, this is actually pretty amusing.  the things that fight for your attention within the world of social media can feel like this sometimes...

there's a lot that i wanted to say about this show, but it's currently too hot and too late to write anything coherent. i will say this, though: i honestly don't think i realized just how much of a hip-hop fan i was until i started this podcast. this blends session is proof of that. it includes tracks from the u.s., the u.k., germany, and france. it contains a little bit of everything: fierce lyricism, some socially aware verbal fare, some silliness, some rhymin' for the sake of mic rippin', and turntablists catching wreck on the wheels of steel. there's even one dj piece all about the joys of graffiti (the oldest cut in the mix, going back to 1997). and there's at least one guilty pleasure in here, at least from a lyrical standpoint.

okay, i'm falling asleep at the computer. time to go to bed. hope you dig this one. peace...

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

camp lo-fi promo produced by bazooka joe of solipsistic nation. background music is the instrumental version of "somethin' real" by touch and nato (see track #11 in the playlist for the full vocal version and artist information).

you can contact me via twitter, facebook, email, or the voice mail line at 206-339-8732.

other key info:
tools of war's myspace page
breakdown fm with davey d
daveyd.com

1. edan - "beautiful food" [buylink information below]
2. 6th sense - "i wanna tell ya" [buylink information below]
3. jean grae & 9th wonder - "the 8th"
4. dabrye - "encoded flow (feat. kadence)" [buylink information below]
5. birdy nam nam - "violons (part 2)" [buylink information below]
6. lovespirals - "walk away (dminor remix)"
7. mishoo the drumkit - "one person (remix prod. by stevo)"
8. tommy tee - "aerosoul" [buylink information below]
9. overnite & nv - "nu breed"
10. big la vs. todd - "hello san francisco"
11. touch and nato - "somethin' real (feat. wordsworth)" {buy via cdbaby}
12. dynas - "figure it out" [buylink information below]
13. edreys - "no joke"
14. m.f. doom - "doomsday (remix)" [buylink information below]
15. cy tru - "yo (part one)"
16. pete rock - "we roll (feat. jim jones and max b)"{buy via emusic or amazon.com}
17. 45 king vs. wale - "roof" {buy via amazon.com
18. animate objects - "the weight" {buy via cdbaby}

promonet links:

Edan
"Beautiful Food" (mp3)
from "Sprain Your Tapedeck"
(Lewis Recordings)

Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

6th Sense
"I Wanna Tell Ya" (mp3)
from "Rawkus 50 Presents It's Coming Soon"
(Rawkus 50)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Dabrye, Kadence
"Encoded Flow (feat. Kadence)" (mp3)
from "Two/Three"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Birdy Nam Nam
"Violons (Part 2)" (mp3)
from "Birdy Nam Nam Live"
(UWe SARL)

Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Tommy Tee
"Aerosoul" (mp3)
from "Return of the DJ Vol. II"
(Bomb Hip Hop)

Buy at Bomb Hip-Hop
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Dynas
"Figure It Out prod. by Nicolay" (mp3)
from "Rawkus 50 Presents Me, Myself & Rhymes"
(Rawkus 50)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

M.F. Doom
"Doomsday" (mp3)
from "Monster Mixes Vol. 1"
(MINDBENDA RECORDINGS)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

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

ah, another freeform show. i was just thinking to myself that i really enjoy and look forward to the challenge of covering a wide array of genres within one episode and sequencing the tracks in a way that makes some harmonic sense to the listener. lots of great selections that i've been dying to play in this one. i also get a chance to read some listener emails. topics include family and podcaster fatigue.

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

1. jd73 - "distorted dreams" [buylink information below]
2. troublemakers - "no room for growth" [buylink information below]
3. serengeti - "dennehy" [buylink information below]
4. matthew dear - "deserter" [buylink information below]
5. animate objects - "this dance" {buy via CDBaby}
6. jackie mittoo - "soul bird" [buylink information below]
7. jaro cossiga - "time travelling 4.3 (feat. 3rd party)"
8. a.r. kane - "honey be (for stella)" [buylink information below]
9. d*note featuring beth hirsch - "everybody loves the sunshine" {buy via newworldmusic.com}
10. j-live - "the upgrade (feat. posplugwon and oddisee)" {buy via itunes}

opening theme co-produced by macedonia and techniken defunkus. background music is the instrumental version of "hot on both sides," another tech def tune. special guest id drops courtesy of ej flavors and fave nite.

featured promo: indie radio chattanooga

promonet links:

JD73
"Distorted Dreams" (mp3)
from "Zeros and Ones"
(Ropeadope Digital)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Breez Evahflowin and Dirt E. Dutch
"No Room 4 Growth" (mp3)
from "Troublemakers"
(Little Ax, LLC.)

Buy at Sandbox Automatic (Retail CDs)
Buy at UGHH (Retail CDs)
Buy at CD Baby (Retail CDs)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

Serengeti
"Dennehy" (mp3)
from "Dennehy"
(Audio 8 Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Matthew Dear
"Deserter" (mp3)
from "Asa Breed Black Edition"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Jackie Mittoo
"Soul Bird" (mp3)
from "Wishbone"
(Light In The Attic)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Insound
More On This Album

A.R. Kane
"Honey Be (For Stella)" (mp3)
from "New Clear Child"
(Luaka Bop)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

other key info:
BSOTS episode 60: a valentine's day blends session
BSOTS episode 65: afrobeatdowns and all that jazz...
hear more serengeti on BSOTS episode #55
john henry radio
indiefeed: hip-hop/rap
a.r. kane's wikipedia page
ariel publicity & cyber pr
us & us (may 2008): an extension of yesterday

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Hip-Hop/a>, Electronic, Radio, mp3

this show was recorded the week of podcamp nyc 2.0, about two or three days before the "unconference." admittedly, it's a departure from the usual vibe at camp lo-fi, but one that i think is necessary.

been wanting to play "reason to be" for quite some time - same with "jealousy." the pieces of peace album has to be at least 30-35 years old at this point, thereby making "pollution" quite timely in these environmentally delicate days we live in. very happy to see "jiggy jiggy" up in the podsafe music network: when you have a chance to represent for an unquestionably talented brother like steve reid as a podcaster, YOU TAKE IT. zozo afrobeat was another pmn find, pretty hot.

however, it's the goddess that really brings the heat and that's why miss nina simone is the closer for this episode. she consistently spoke truth to power and i will always love her for that. the new protest anthology album finally brings all her fiery recordings onto one release. this is the type of music i'll be listening to when i'm an old man.

some different flavor this go 'round, but i hope you enjoy this one. and make sure that you check out switch's remix for radiohead at the top of the page...

total playing time: 56:00

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

1. anam owili-eger - "reason to be" {buy via CDBaby}
2. tony allen - "jealousy" [buylink information below]
3. pieces of peace - "pollution" [buylink information below]
4. steve reid ensemble - "jiggy jiggy" {buy via other music}
5. zozo afrobeat - "shake your nyansh"
6. nina simone - "revolution" {buy via amazon}

background music: "pre-calc" by mista mayday. id drops courtesy of darrenkeith of my love for music and james taylor of the james taylor quartet.

promonet links:

Tony Allen
"Jealousy" (mp3)
from "Afro Disco Beat"
(Vampi Soul / Light In The Attic)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

Pieces of Peace
"Pollution" (mp3)
from "Pieces of Peace"
(Quannum Projects)

Buy at Other Music
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

other key info:
macedonia on twitter
a muxtape from mr. fitz

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, Soul, funk, Jazz, Radio, mp3

straight up and down, kids - the compilation is lovely. all you need to know is that the folks at adult swim reached out to that white-hot label outta ann arbor, michigan - the one and only ghostly international. put them both together and what have you got?

GHOSTLY SWIM. and it's good, y'all. damn good. and did i mention free?

a no-brainer here, people. go cop it...

can't believe that i neglected to say this at the top of the show, but all songs within this episode are courtesy of foundation media. respect due to lee and jj for the hook-up. this show definitely has a different feel to it. i like the fact that it's not all my voice speaking to the audience; the artist drops really add a lot of flavor to this episode.

download ||| rss feed ||| subscribe to podcast in itunes

go here to stream shows

1. lupe fiasco - "hip-hop saved my life (feat. nikki jean)" {buy via amazon.com}
2. edreys - "d.u.i. (dumb under the influence)"
3. bekay - "i'm the reason (m-phazes remix)" {buy via CDBaby}
4. y-love - "bump" [buylink information below]
5. marco polo - "the radar (remix) feat. large professor"
6. c.l. smooth & skyzoo - "perfect timing" {youtube video}
7. mekka don - "u know mekka don" {free download}
8. talib kweli - "hostile gospel (remix feat. nina sky, joell ortiz and blu)"
9. thad reid - "they don't like me" {free download}

background music: instrumental version of "small town usa" by foul mouth jerk and the instrumental version of "hot on both sides" by techniken defunkus.

promonet links:

Y-Love
"Bump" (mp3)
from "This Is Babylon"
(Craig 'n Company)

Buy at Craig N Company
Buy at Best Buy
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
More On This Album

other key info:
macedonia on twitter
podcamp nyc 2.0
music remyx
record store day

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