so here we are. episode number 50. man, am i glad this is over with. you can split this over evenly into two parts. the first 20 minutes are pretty upbeat, the last 20 are more reflective and quiet...partially due to volume level issues. voiceovers on this one are my biggest problem with this show. really just the second half.

beyond that, i didn't mention the two great cuts i found on promonet that are included in this show. that's how off my game i was. first off, there's a great updated version of a go-go classic from E.U. in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Spike Lee's School Daze film. (damn, has it really been that long?) closing tune is from Baby Elephant, a new project spearheaded by one of my major musical influences, producer Prince Paul. it's Paul, his longtime friend and collaborator Don Newkirk, and legendary P-Funk musician Bernie Worrell, who also spent time in Talking Heads. lots of special guests on the album, including George Clinton, Nona Hendryx, Yellowman, and David Byrne (who's on guest vocals for "How Does The Brain Wave?")

as promised, this is a show about the projects that i was involved in before Radio BSOTS came around. i go back to my high school days making tape collages, as well as college radio promos, feeble attempts at rocking the mic, and other pieces of silliness. it also goes into ON THE VERGE, the e-mail newsletter that would birth BOTH SIDES. i already know that this episode won't be for everyone, but if you do the digg and you dig this show, then please digg this show. i can't thank you enough for your support.

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

go here to stream shows

audio snippets for this episode come from the following works:
"so bussit (yea, rock on)" [recorded by jason randall smith (jrs)/macedonia]
"audio stalkers (rmx)" [produced by jrs]
"the incredible cut-up city man" [produced by william d. jackson a.k.a. chyll will]
"wcdb remix" [promo produced by jrs]
"personality"[promo produced by jrs]
"listener appreciation week" [promo produced by jrs and christopher radtke]
"the process" [lyrics and vocals by jrs. backing track produced by the prunes]
"low (down) feat. mc shameless" [lyrics and vocals by jrs. backing track produced by dj krush]
"my voice" [produced by jrs under the name afronaut]

background music:
techniken defunkus - bathing
psykosoul - "badass chirren"
kcentric - "venus" {buy at pmn}
waajeed - tracks 18 and 27 (from the patty hearst beat tape)

promonet links:
E.U.
"Da Butt 2008" (mp3)
from "E.U. and Friends...School Daze revisited"
(TEDDY BEAR RECORDS)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Baby Elephant
"How Does The Brain Wave?" (mp3)
from "Turn My Teeth Up!"
(Godforsaken Music Inc)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

other key info:
macedonia on twitter
wcdb albany 90.9 fm
wcdb historical society audio page
mark anthony neal

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

i've said it before and i'll say it again: keep tabs on Jneiro Jarel. that's my man right there. if you don't know him, you may want to go back to his 2005 debut Three Piece Puzzle on the Ropeadope label. straight heat, very reminiscent of Tribe Called Quest-era boom bap. the following year brought his instrumental banger (and my personal favorite album of 2006), Beat Journey, recorded under the name Dr. Who Dat? this year Jneiro introduces his new group, Shape of Broad Minds, which is himself and his main man Jaawaad. the group also includes several of Jarel's pseudonyms, including Dr. Who Dat?, rapper Panama Black, and singer Rocque Won. yeah, the Madlib comparisons have been non-stop, particularly when you consider that his MC skills take a back seat to his production, but the results are always interesting and the SBM project is no exception. this is definitely some deep underwater vibe, so get your feet wet with this five-song EP.

"Let's Go" is the first single featuring MF Doom. it's that saturday night space boogie steez, may take some getting used to for some (in which case, check the Dr. Who Dat? remix of this song - HOTNESS). "Electric Blue" is a great example of the nod to Tribe, because it almost feels a rhythmic parallel to "Electric Relaxation," except the lyrical mood isn't as lustful, but more infatuation. the JJ remix of this song adds some bump to the underwater current. "Love Continues" is a nice bonus, jazzy, spacey, and in the pocket. so if you dig Tribe, Slum Village, Madlib, Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, you get the picture...cop this.

if the EP has you curious and you want to hear more, check some samples from the Craft Of The Lost Art album. Beat Journey was a very tough act to follow and while i think the MC/DJ/Producer was more controlled on Three Piece Puzzle, the SBM project is meant to be more experimental, more loose. with that said, some songs work better than others, but again...you won't be bored. so put on your scuba gear and deep sea dive for these joints especially: "beast from the east," "lullabanger," "there 4 me," "stiff robots & drunken horses," and "12c."

Technorati tags: Blog, Music, Hip-Hop, Soul, Electronic, Experimental, mp3

when i got into work this morning, i saw a fax from a customer letting me know that he had received the wrong product. upon researching the issue to see if it was a warehouse mishap, i came to the realization that it was my fault. almost immediately afterwards, i felt a tightness in my chest.

the day became a slow descent into a deep depression. most of my days are engulfed by that which i don't want to deal with, but do so in order for the bills to be paid and baby girl can be taken care of. meanwhile, there's the podcast, which i'm struggling to find time for. morning voiceover sessions don't work anymore, not unless everything that i need to do the night before (iron clothes, make lunch, etc.) is taken care of. and even then, i only have about a half hour to work with before heading out the door. when i get home, i have to get things ready for the next morning. immediately ever that, i have to watch after simone while dinner's made. the obvious answer is wait until everybody's asleep, but that pattern changes depending upon simone's mood. she's being weaned and she's fighting us on that. she started screaming at 1:30 a.m. this morning. two and a half hours prior, i was exhausted at the computer, falling asleep while updating the podcast feed. who knows when i'll actually type show notes for this episode?

Radio BSOTS has reached show #50. i was recently featured as a guest dj on solipsistic nation and i've been submitting guest clips to podshow music rewind, which doesn't mean what it used to ever since the producer decided that he wants to switch over to video. there's a possibility that i could be featured on another podcast soon, plus i interviewed a great MC/producer for a future Impose Magazine article last week. you'd think i would be happier about all of this.

it's not enough. it doesn't take me permanently out of the hell that is my day job. it doesn't make the commute to day care in the mornings with a 26-pound child strapped to my chest any easier. it doesn't get chores and further childproofing of the house done. time has me in a stranglehold and he is laughing his ass off.

i often make time for exercising during my lunch break. today, instead of reading on my alternate days, i sat down at the bus stop where i eat lunch and tried my best to just go to sleep and not think about things for a while. there are days that i wonder where does a blogger/podcaster find the time to spruce up their website, add a few posts, check their stats (detailed - to the point where they know who's listening and where they're located), and engage in several social media websites? DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN? OR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS? and they do, then what the hell am i doing wrong?

time that i feel could be spent on all of these things and more has to be spent doing things i don't like and talking to people i can't stand. and my podcast is suffering from it. and i hate that. at the same time, i have to wonder what am i doing all of this for. comments rarely ever come back, so you may as well be pretending to have a radio show or speaking into a vacuum. (sigh) don't mind me. i need to get some things out or otherwise i won't be on an even keel when i get home. and i need to be on an even keel when i get there.

you would think that after two years of doing this show that i would have my "um" and "uh" problems under control while i'm in front of a microphone, but alas...i don't.

pretty varied show in terms of music. mostly pmn tracks with one from ioda promonet; the others are from other sources. i like the way that the cuts from maysa and luckyiam complement each other, since one is a cover tune and the other interweaves the melody from the song that was covered. for the record, "i can't help it" was penned by stevie wonder, but the soul scholars checking in knew that already...

just as a reminder, if you do the digg and you dig this show, then please digg this show. thank you for your support.

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

go here to stream shows

1. copperpot - "come back home (feat. krs-one)" {cd universe}
2. zap mama - "affection" {amazon}
3. maysa - "i can't help it" {amazon}
4. luckyiam - "the best i can" {itunes / emusic}
5. the silk demise - "afterthought" {cdbaby / emusic}
6. frodo - "friday (spring 2007)" {free mp3}
7. galore - "shifta" {pmn}
8. ticklah - "want not (feat. tamar-kali)" [buylink provided below]

theme music incorporates the song "hot on both sides" by techniken defunkus

promo featured: podshow radio

promonet links:
Ticklah
"Want Not" (mp3)
from "Ticklah Vs. Axelrod"
(Easy Star Records)

Buy at Easy Star Records
More On This Album

other key info:
macedonia on twitter
friday favecast
podshow music rewind
solipsistic nation

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

it's another special edition blends session, this one decided to more downtempo fare. lots of hip-hop and electronic selections that have been building up. rhymes for the everyday man and woman, some a bit more rugged than others. a little something for everyone here...even some dancehall reggae, too. really diggin' the joints by dj alibi, mr. vegas, and the faculty. for any old school gamers on the check-in, listen closely to the watkin tudor jones cut. the chorus in "reprogram" sounds like it's sung to the tune of the first level background music of *marble madness*, an atari title from back in the day. hit me up if you agree or disagree...

music provided by ioda promonet, foundation media, and the podsafe music network. remember, if you dig this show, then please digg this show. thanks for listening...

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

go here to stream shows

kamal imani - "you a armchair revolutionary"
rob-o - "mention me (feat. meccalicious)" {emusic}
mishoo the drumkit - "recognize" {mp3.de}
mr. vegas - "how about that"
presto - "brainstorm (feat. in-q & dj dusk)" (buylink below)
dj alibi - "samba internacional" (buylink below)
lyrics born - "knock knock" (buylink below)
loer velocity - "world of poverty" (buylink below)
crown city rockers - "contagious" {buy on pmn}
watkin tudor jones - "reprogram"
core rhythm - "mutiny" {CDBaby}
psykosoul - "badass chirren"
kcentric - "venus" {buy at pmn}
yamasaki - "schrödingers beats"
bahamadia - "global" (buylink below)
the faculty - "he's mine"

promo featured: podcamp philly (produced by crashbang digital)

promonet links:

"Brainstorm" (mp3)
from "Magic LP"
by Presto
(Concrete Grooves)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

"Samba Internacional" (mp3)
from "Let's Ride 12""
by DJ Alibi
(Tres Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

"Knock Knock" (mp3)
from "Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live!"
by Lyrics Born
(Quannum Projects)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Insound
More On This Album

Download "Wolrd of Poverty" (mp3)
from "Ready For A Renaissance"
by Loer Velocity
Embedded

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

"Global"

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

to show appreciation to the listeners, i am closing out the summer with a pair of blends sessions. this one is for the dancers out there - techno, house, breaks, and a touch of electro. take special note of songs by kraak & smaak, recycler,and andy freer. had to get a little creative with newcleus - stick around for the conclusion of the show to find out why.

and remember, if you dig this show, then please digg this show. thanks much...

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

go here to stream shows

whynot - "don't stop" {free album download}
organic ways - "leaving brown"
mr. tunes - "the secret agenda" {broadjam.com}
tokyo 507 - "curious groove"
the frail - "count on this" {buy song}
kraak & smaak - "keep me home" {buylink provided below}
my toys like me - "sick couple"
edgar malaran - "the dreamscape nebula"
recycler - "dancing feet" {buylink provided below}
kofi ayivor - "adzagli/jungle funk (coup the recaller remix)" {buylink provided below}
andy freer - "super galaxo" {bleep.com}
keister - "this joint right here" {buylink provided below}
simian mobile disco - "it's the beat (luke vibert remix)"
chukimai and anji bee - "requiem" {buy song}
newcleus - "jam on it (macedonia's modification)"

promonet links:

Download "Keep Me Home" (mp3)
from "Boogie Angst"
by Kraak & Smaak
Quango

• Buy at Rhapsody
• Buy at Napster

"Dancing Feet" (mp3)
from "Dancing Feet Ep"
by Recycler
(Kube Recordings)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

Download "Adzagli / Jungle Funk Coup the Decaller Rmx" (mp3)
from "Adzagli / Jungle Funk"
by Kofi Ayivor
Otrabanda Records & Music

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

Download "This Joint Right Here" (mp3)
from "Doobie Careful"
by Keister
Earthbird Music

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at Rhapsody

Download "Jam On It" (mp3)
from "Jam On It - The Definitive CD Single"
by Newcleus
Jam-On Recordings

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

Technorati tags: Blog, Podcasts, Podcasting, Music, House, Electronic, Techno, Radio, mp3

i neglected to shout out dickie goodman, the man responsible for the piece that opens the show (entitled "soul president number one"). his comedic productions are fantastic and ahead of their time - question and answer type pieces with the answers coming from the hits of the era. i can see lawyers having a field day with this if they got caught someone doing this now with top 40 radio hits.

this show starts a two-year celebration of Radio BSOTS. it's a reserved celebration, but one nonetheless. want to play a drinking game? every time you hear me say "find out more," you take a drink.

just remember, if you do the digg and you dig this show, then please digg this show. thank you for your support.

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

go here to stream shows

big shug - "play it" {emusic}
aloe blacc - "with my friends"[buylink information provided below]
nicole willis and the soul investigators - "if this ain't love (don't know what is)" [buylink information provided below]
clifford nyren - "keep running away"
cy young - "down to do it (clap)"
natalie williams - "butterfly" [buylink information provided below]
soundscraper - "thug passion 2 - the melodrama" {free download}

promo featured: derek the bandit's sound republic

promonet links:

Download "Soul President Number One" (mp3)
from "Dickie Goodman All Time Novelty Hits"
by Dickie Goodman
Goodman Brothers

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

"With My Friends" (mp3)
from "Get Down - With My Friends"
by Aloe Blacc and Kero One
(PLUG Label)
More On This Album

"If This Ain't Love (Don't Know What Is)" (mp3)
from "Keep Reachin' Up"
by Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators
(Light In The Attic)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

Download "Butterfly" (mp3)
from "Butterfly"
by Natalie Williams
Eastside Records (Uploader)

• Buy at iTunes Music Store

other key info:
aloe blacc on stones throw
macedonia on twitter
impose magazine no. 28

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

this show pretty much came together on its own. i noticed that there were a bunch of songs from Daptone Records artists on the podsafe music network, so it just made sense to do a label profile, particularly after the soul and funk featured on the previous episode.

just remember, if you dig this show, please digg this show. thank you for your support.

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

go here to stream shows

sharon jones and the dap-kings - "how long do i have to wait for you?" {buy MP3}
the budos band - "up from the south"{buy MP3}
sugarman 3 - "turtle walk"
the daktaris - "eltsuhg ibal lasiti" {buy MP3}
the mighty imperials - "thunder chicken (feat. joseph henry)" {buy MP3}
sharon jones and the dap-kings - "how do i let a good man down?" {buy MP3}

please note that all vinyl and CD formats can be purchased directly through Daptone Records while MP3s can be purchased through tighttunes.com.

promo featured: podshow radio

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

it is a very scary thing when you don't care about what it is that you're doing...and it's how you make your living.  particularly if you care about real relationships and being real with people.  meanwhile, your 9-5 scenario is artificial, even more so than the sweetener in your co-worker's coffee.  your body shows up to work, but your mind is elsewhere.  you talk on the phone to customers, but your concern has taken a permanent leave of absence.  there's a general feeling of malaise that overtakes you, but allows you to care just enough to do your job right.  once in a blue moon, the occasional kudos come your way through higher-ups, but it really doesn't matter to you.  because you know that it is what it is. and what it is is a series of changing variables.  there are no constants, other than the fact that the variables will change and the moment that you start to learn the composition is the exact moment that those above you will decide to switch up the tempo, change the pitch, or just use a different song altogether.

if you know that you were built for truth, and you strive to stand for truth, situations like these will make you realize just how good you have become at lying, whether it be to yourself or to others.  if you're concerned with retaining the ability to be compassionate in a cruel world, the careless moments within your daily routine may cause you to stop and say, did i just do that?  what's happening to me?

this is the state that i find myself in.  as a Christian, it's a bit disheartening and somewhat troublesome.  if you're serious about your spiritual walk, then not caring about other's needs is not an option.  i've heard it said that you should never burn bridges, but i've never had a problem cutting people off from my life, even when i was a little kid.  these days, my patience is paper thin with just about anything having to do with the 9-5.  i often wonder how i'm going to avoid going out in a blaze when i leave.  will i stop with just burning the bridge or will i feel the need to torch the village?  my rationale as of late suggests that sometimes it is necessary to burn the village.  to be customer service is to assume the position of the whipping boy, the bottom feeder bitch, the human shield, and i've run out of answers to problems i didn't create.

meanwhile, flashbacks of sunday sermons raise up in my spirit, and it is suggested to my soul for the umpteenth time that i may be the only Bible that people ever read, that my life, my actions and reactions may be the only sermon that others will ever hear.  and i don't want my life to be an example that people point towards as the reason why they want nothing to do with Christ.  but there are plenty of people who do dirt on the daily and still walk away with riches, still are cleared of all charges against them when all evidence points to the fact that they did it.   i don't know if i have this in me anymore.  lately there are just too many instances of me refusing to learn from past cautionary tales and blunders, repeating the same destructive behavior and being rather blatant about it, as if it doesn't matter, as if it won't have some adverse effect on my mind and spirit.  i'm having a hard time understanding why, with all my faults and flaws, would God want me on His team.  granted, there are plenty of figures within the Bible that had tragic flaws that God was able to use, but the Lord's work is too important to screw up.

honestly, this is too much to think about right now, particularly when credits have to be issued and orders must be fulfilled.  so i stare blankly into the computer screen, waiting for the next eventual call to come through, a metaphorical molotov cocktail within my reach and the bridge within my sights...

funkiest bsots episode ever. i truly believe that. the great thing about is...it's all podsafe. all from the podsafe music network and ioda promonet, which means that good, quality soul and funk is within reach for the podcasters and bloggers worldwide. that does my heart good.

i play a cut from the late mr. ray barretto. ever hear urban dance squad's "deeper shade of soul"? it was ray barretto's tune of the same name that uds sampled for their hit song. soul from the u.s.a. and the u.k., funk from cuba, nigeria, italy, and amsterdam...i'm really proud of this one. and when you have this much funk and soul in one show, surely the presence of the Godfather can be felt nearby. listen for his living legacy within this episode.

oh yeah, i screwed up a band name the first time i said it. it's JUICEBOX, not "jukebox." and i'm half joking when i call myself "the podsafe soul and funk ambassador", but somebody's gotta play the role. why not me?

as always, if you dig this show, please digg this show. in the immortal words of frankie crocker, "if you don't dig it, you KNOW you gotta hole in yo' soul..."

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

go here to stream shows

the brand new heavies - "all fired up" {itunes}
irakere - "bacalao con pan"(buylink listed below)
fela kuti - "swegbe & pako" (buylink listed below)
juicebox - "popcorn '69" (buylink listed below)
ray barretto - "teacher of love"
enri - "cozmootronic experience pt. 2" {itunes}
otis redding - "shake" {emusic}

promo featured: solipsistic nation

promonet links:

Download "Bacalao Con Pan" (mp3)
from "Si, Para Usted - The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 1"
by Irakere
Waxing Deep / Light in the Attic

Download "Swegbe & Pako" (mp3)
from "The Underground Spiritual Game"
by Fela Kuti
Quannum Projects

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at Rhapsody
• Buy at Insound

Download "Popcorn '69" (mp3)
from "Popcorn 69"
by Juicebox
Hippo Records

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Buy at eMusic

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