high speed dubbing

50 Sense EP

2009-11-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

Aiight first things first. I'm not a fan of 50 cent...... sorry to those of you who may have some of his material in your collection. I'm not saying I hate the man. I just dont dig him. Now, many of you have heard me give shouts to Digital Vertigo. DV is a dj forum that i've been a memeber of for years now. One of the members, DJ Waxon, made an EP with 50 cent remixes that he did himself. Similar to how 9th wonder flipped Nas' Gods Son. Now once again, I'm not a fan of fiddy. But the new beats are official and worth sharing. My mans even took it a step further and layered the remixes over curtis' existing videos. Check it out.

Download 50 Sense EP > http://www.djwaxon.com/audio/DJ%20Wax%20On%20-%2050%20Sense.zip

DJ Waxon youtube > http://www.youtube.com/djwaxon

The most fabulous T-Bear One8III

You Hungry???

2009-10-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Toms Diner // DNA featuring Suzanne Vega

When you live in my house, everything equates back to a song. Somebody is either humming or singing or beat boxing a song in this house. And damn near every situation that comes up in a conversation gets realated back to a song. Well, this morning my wife is singing throughout the house. And todays song happens to be Tom's Diner. Havent heard this song in years. But what I have heard and have used in a mix a few years ago is Daddy's Little Girl by Nikki D.

Daddy's Little Girl (live)// Nikki D

WJBX: podcast #4 HSD!!!!!!!!

2009-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is the 4th installment of Jungle Bassment Radio. This one was done for the High Speed Dubbing blog. I took a different approach from what I usually do for Jungle Bassment Radio. Its short but its still for the love of the music, so check it out.

junglebassment@gmail.com

01. Your in shambles - Del
02. MC's act like ya know inst. - KRS & Premire
03. Mary Jane (all night long) - Mary J
04. Got cha opin remix - Black Moon
05. Return of the crooklyn dodgers inst. - Crooklyn Dodgers
06. Dont see us madlib remix - The Roots & Madlib
07. Oh my God remix - Tribe
08. Im Gonna Do Ya - Jungle Brothers
09. workingonit - J Dilla

HSD is MOVING!

2009-01-20T12:19:00.001-08:00

We've had a long run here at Blogger, but now it's time to move on.

Visit us at our new home over at Wordpress:

HIGH SPEED DUBBING

Come check us out. I just posted some new joints.

(make sure you update your bookmarks and RSS feeds)

End to End Players vol. 1

2009-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

Loose Ends // Look How Long (1990)

When was the last time you had a album that was an end to end player? You know, every track is bangin from track one to track whatever. No need to skip or fast forward. Loose Ends is one of my favorite R&B groups. I was just a shorty when this album came out. My brother used to play it all the time. All I remember is that it is a great album. I recently got my hands on this album again and its still bangin. And the production is incredible. I cant remember which songs were singles. But this whole album could be a single. You need to get up on it if you havent already. Heres a few of my favorite joints.

Loose Ends "Loves Got Me" // Look How Long

Loose Ends "Hold Tight" // Look How Long

Does Ye know about this!?!

2008-11-26T01:08:00.000-08:00

So I'm perusing youtube and I stumble across this track. Dope as it maybe i can't help but wonder is mr. west aware of this?

It is obviously a take off:

i know, i know. One or more of you loyal HSD readers is saying, "but ave, Curtis made 'move on up' in '70, and Ye made touch the sky in '06".

Well loyal reader, there is a perfectly logical explanation for this. If you actually watched the touch the sky video (2:30)you'll see that the video was shot in '69 (Mr West was even ahead of the game by being one of the first to criticize president nixon early in his administration). At least a year ahead of Curtis.

......i know. i know..."But ave, Ye wasn't born until '77". Again, logical explanation best summed up in this early yet recent pic of Ye that should put this to rest

weezy? Is that you?

2008-11-25T23:46:00.000-08:00

I was invited to contribute awhile back, so this is over due....but, you know....anywho.

My first post was supposed to be about a convo Donnie and i had, it goes something like this.....

We were talking about Weezy (not the one from above, but lil weezy/wayne {don't worry, i didn't forget the baby}, but I didn't want to scare people off before they read the point).

Sorry Ms. Jefferson.

Basically the consensus of my people back in the day was Wayne sucked. In the last couple years some of those people have come around to various degrees; from near g.o.a.t contention to thinking he has some entertaining lines (though she said she can't admit that to everyone). KRS was on Sirius awhile back and put it like this (I'm paraphrasing), "Wayne is dope.....definitely is hiphop.....but some of his subject matter can be a little young for my taste". Thanks Kris, couldn't have said it better myself. Being that this is a music blog on the internet i guess a link of sorts is warranted:

How'd this happen? (do I look like a mind reader) ion't know.

maybe it's the drug use.

maybe its a ghostwriter. maybe if you were rich before you could drive and had nothing to do all day but write lyrics you come up with some witty stuff too....

For Ave

2008-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Yo!! IT'S WORKIIINNNNNG!!! IT'S WOORRRKIIIINNNNG!!
Yeah! I finally put my setup back together. For those who dont know, my setup consists of: 2 gemini turntables (sorry, couldnt afford tech 1200's at the time), a stanton SK2F 2 channel mixer, M-Audio Torq (just like serato, only cheaper), and my monster 17 inch dell dual processor laptop. No, I havent put together a mix yet. It's comming. Be patient. But I got two joints that I only have on vinyl.

Montreaux 76 \\ 88 Keys

This joint here is for Ave. Back when i first got my turntables, Ave donated his small crate of records. Included in this crate was a 10 inch box set called The Beat Suite compiled by DJ Spinna. And on one of the records we found Montreaux 76. Its a nice jazzy/hip-hop insturmental. Takes me back to having lunch at the Mello Yellow in Hyde Park. They used to always have nice jazzy laid back music in the back ground. But anyway. Months ago, Ave hit me up and asked me to send him this song. So this ones for you.

Quicksand Millennium \\ The Roots

This song is the shit. Nuff said. Me, Ave, and Donnie all used to be heavy posters on Okayplayer. I cant remember which forum this used to come up in. But people talked about this song alot. I couldnt find this song for shit. Me and Ave used to hit the music stores on the regular. And I never seen nor heard this song anywhere. So I thought it was an urban legend. The shit just didnt exist. And I could see visions of Questlove picking his hair and laughing at me. But then one day, I'm in Grammaphones digging thru the racks and I see it. Immediately went into secret agent mode. Couldnt let anybody see what I was walking out of the shop with. Yeah, I paid for it. But it felt like I was stealing.

The Roots Retire

2008-11-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Monica's Mixtape I

2008-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Leo's Sunshipp "Give Me The Sunshine" // We Need Each Other (1978)

I really treasure the gift of music. So when someone takes the time to introduce me to some new sounds, I am grateful. I'd like to take this time to give recognition to my friend Monica down in Georgia. A long long time ago at a time where my musical identity was still taking its shape, I received a 60 minute cassette tape in the mail that altered everything that I thought was right. Music that I had considered good, was just...eh, average. Musicians and producers I looked up to I started second guessing. Why, cause they weren't doing what THESE guys were doing. That mixtape is responsible for introducing me to Johnny Hammond, James Mason and Bobbi Humphrey.

Well, I received another mixtape (actually it was a CD this time) and I have to admit, she's done it again. Monica truly has an ear for solid soul music. This two disc set is filled with artists and songs I had never heard. One of which is Leo Sunshipp's "Give Me The Sunshine", which hit me hard when I was driving to an assignment. Just a great smooth groove. I love the end where dude pulls out the falsetto.

I never really say, "Hey, download this!" on this blog. But whenever I showcase one of the songs from her newest compilation, you need to download. At least take a listen. I'm having a difficult time picking out the next track. I might have to showcase two next time. Anyway, props to Monica

SIXTH! (we're back)

2008-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sixth day of the month (since I was late).
First track on the album.
Six songs.

Nicolay "I Love The Way You Love Me" f/ Darien Brockington // Here (2006)

In preparation for the new Foreign Exchange album, I decided to play Nicolay's second solo album Here. I was only moderately impressed when I first bought it, but now that I've put it back in the rotation, it has really grown on me. The first joint on this album showcases a great talent from the Justus League camp, Darien Brockington. A very solid R&B track with Nicolay's tight production.

Also, allow me to say this. People that miss the Jay Dee sound need to check for Nicolay. I'm not saying he IS Jay Dee by any means, but he's definitely a disciple of his style. Listen to the first Foreign Exchange album, you can hear Jay Dee's influence all over it. While I miss Jay Dee, there are many producers out now that are carrying on his legacy. Nicolay is one of them.

The Roots "Respond - React" // Illadelph Halflife (1996)

It was the fall of 1996, my freshman year at Columbia College Chicago. I got to talking music with some friends of my roommate one night, and I was asked if I knew about the Philadelphia based hip hop group The Roots. I hadn't. In fact now that I think about it, there was a LOT of hip hop that I didn't know about back then. I'm almost ashamed to admit that outside of "Me, Myself & I", I had never listened to an album from De La Soul.

Anyway after that conversation someone loaned me both Do You Want More and Illadelph Halflife. I dubbed both of them on two 90 minute Memorex tapes and rocked them my entire freshman year. Back then I didn't have a lot of loot to buy new music all the time, plus CD's were expensive. I didn't hide the fact that I loved Do You Want More cause I wore that tape out. So much so that when the tape wasn't playable anymore, I taped over Illadelph with Do You Want More.

Fast forward three years and I have, what I would call, my first real system. A sub woofer powered by an amp all controlled by a Sony Xplod head unit. Hearing "Respond - React" through that system changed something. I don't know what it was, but that album just immediately altered every feeling I had about The Roots.

James Brown "It's A New Day So Let A Man Come In And Do Some Popcorn" // Revolution Of The Mind: Live At The Apollo Vol. 3 (1971)

Why don't they start shows like this anymore? The Amazing Mr. Please Please Please came out with a serious introduction. With the horns of the JB's shouting, how could you NOT be hype? DJ Brainchild of Gordon Gartrell Radio shared a song from this album on his blog about a year ago saying it was a must listen. I bought volume one thinking that was the album he was talking about. Nope, wasn't it. I copped this album a few months back, and this isn't the album either. It doesn't matter, cause it's a solid show. And this track...when those drums hit at 3:11? Sick.

Ali Shaheed Muhammed "Social Reform" // Shaheedullah And Stereotypes (2004)

You have no idea how long it took me to find this CD. I don't know why I thought I'd find this album at one of those big warehouse stores. Do you know how hard it was to tell the kid in the blue shirt at Best Buy I was looking for Shaheedullah And Stereotypes. "Who sings it?" You know what? Nevermind. The average person probably doesn't know who Tribe is let alone their DJ. So yeah, I eventually found it.

This was another slow burner as I found cuts on this album years after I bought it. This album was my first introduction to Sy Smith and Kay from the Foundation. In fact, a lot of the artists that appear on this album have been showcased on RappersIKnow.com (it's all the same circle anyway). Stokely from Mint Condition has a tight track on here too.

NaS "Get Down (9th Wonder Remix)" // God's Stepson (2002)

I was upset with God's Son after I bought it. It seems I always get tricked in to buying a NaS album cause his singles are usually straight. "Made You Look" kinda sold me. Plus, the self produced "Get Down" was kinda tight. There are a few more highlights on the album, but for the most part it wasn't up to par. Then my guy 9th Wonder from Little Brother remixed the entire album. I'm letting y'all know, God's Son no longer exists in my mind. 9th Wonder (another Jay Dee disciple) hooked it up to make what NaS and his executive producers couldn't. His rework of "Ether" is one of his best beats. A must hear.

Bilal "Something To Hold On To" // Love 4 Sale (2006)

1st Born Second took a while to grow on me. In fact, I still to this day think the album is too long. But all in all, the Soulquarian movement is one of my most favorite periods in modern R&B. ?uestlove and James Poyser made some fantastic albums (yes, albums) that showcased some amazing talent. One being the voice, the attitude and the aura that is Bilal. His second album Love 4 Sale has been leaked and shared all throughout the Internet. There are a hundred theories as to why it never received a proper release, one being that it didn't have radio friendly single. Whatever the reason, people are really missing out on a dark yet brilliant album. Yes, darker than 1st Born Second.

Q-Tip Reminisces

2008-10-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Get your urban news at DimeWars.Com

Q-Tip Reminisces About Old Tribe Records

Where have YOU been?

2008-10-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

I know I know.

The combination of work and Blogger not being very happy with some of my posts kept me off of High Speed Dubbing for a while. Everything is OK. Everything is cool. I appreciate all the emails and comments about the blog. We'll be back to normal on the first of November. I'm already gathering the tracks so come back then.

And just so y'all don't think I forgot about you, here is a mix I put together at my friend DJ's house. It was my first time using Serato, so please be easy on me. The first part of the mix is centered around Jay Dee production (it's the better half). The second half was all Primo (I fumbled a lot on this half). Also (as if I hadn't copped enough pleas for this mix), I didn't let the songs sit long. I was just having fun playing with Serato (a wonderful program and a must have if you're a DJ).

See y'all in a few weeks.

phOkus "Dilla/Primo Mix" // Serato (2008)

Prince Paul Dino 5

2008-10-10T07:31:00.001-07:00

Even though it's directed to kids, I can't lie those dinosaurs are kinda tight.

Besides, I'm a big Prince Paul fan.

(Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been busy at the job. HSD will be back in full force soon.)

Beats From The Barn

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

These two are amazing!
(i know, I'm late. But for those who didn't know...)

If you're a fan of house music with some serious soul, keys, grooves and beats, you'll love The Rurals. I'd go as far as to say you'll like them a lot. I just recently come up on a solid & seamless mix by DJ Shinobi Shaw. It's a great introduction to their sound and style. Download it. It's good. Great even.

It's been about a month since I last found out about The Rurals (my brother Eric knew about them yet never bothered to mention it to me), and I still have yet to cop anything from them. Don't worry, they're still on my list (import$ are expensive). They have a couple tracks on YouTube that are sick! Based on those, I was ready to cop their entire discography.

"Beats From The Barn: A Soulful Compilation"

Mixed by DJ Shinobi Shaw

01 Days Gone By
02 Addict (Bitter Suite Remix)
03 Rebel
04 Messages
05 I Am
06 Magic
07 Make Amends (Harley & Muscle Mix)
08 Beauty Comes From Inside
09 Mission 1
10 Modulating Sneakers
11 Backstreets
12 West Side
13 Breath
14 Sweeter Sound
15 Red Kickers
16 Lush
17 That Feeling
+ Relax Your Soul (D3 Deep Blue Mix) *BONUS TRACK*

(If you liked that mix, here's another one that I found on their website.)

Many Moons [VIDEO]

2008-09-27T20:48:00.001-07:00

The DRUMS on this song are sick. Sick I tell you.
Janelle must have been sitting in while Andre was making The Love Below.

Machine Gun Funk

2008-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Notorious B.I.G. "Machine Gun Funk (DJ Premier)" // Unreleased (1994)

This is DJ Premier's version of "Machine Gun Funk".
Courtesy of ?uestlove. From one blog to another.

Thaione Davis

2008-09-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

Thaione Davis "Night Shift" // Unreleased 2008

The Foreign Exchange

2008-09-08T20:12:00.001-07:00

(sorry, I had to interrupt Purple Bootleg Week for this)
Nicolay and Phonte are The Foreign Exchange.

"Daykeeper f/ Muhsinah)" // Leave It All Behind (2008)

Have You Ever Made Love To A Weerdo?

2008-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hollyweerd "Have You Ever Made Love To A Weerdo?" // Edible Phat (2008)

Southern Atlanta beats and production +
Andre3000 flow and style =
Hollyweerd

Featuring:
?uestlove & James Poyser,
9th Wonder,
Janelle Monae,
Dreamer,
Tuki
& Trackademics

FIRST!

2008-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

First day of the month.
First song of the album.
Four songs.

KRS-One "KRS-One Attacks" // Return Of The Boom Bap (1993)

This isn't even a full song, and I love it. It's just this amalgam of Blastmaster KRS-One cut together by the legend DJ Premier. I think it's the beginning of the song that gets me every time. The "We will be here FOR-E-VER!" That line alone gets me hyped up.

In fact, this song is the best representation of what going to a KRS-One show is like. From the beats to the rhymes, "KRS-One Attacks" reminds me of what it was like being front row at the Metro years ago in Chicago. I remember jumping up and down watching the Teacher rock the crowd for a solid hour. Best show I've ever been to.

"How many real Hip Hoppers are in the place right about now?"

Obsidian Blue "Glacial Advance" // Freon (2005)

Freon is the best Hip-Hop instrumental album you've never heard.

During my unemployed days I used to spend my extra EXTRA free time trying to put together a Chicago Hip Hop TV show called Go Ill. My guy Avery and I used to hit up different spots around the city to do man on the street interviews, talk to underground artists and showcase the music Chicago hadn't seen yet. In our time traveling from scene to scene with a big camera, we attracted a lot of "up and coming" MC's and producers. Any time we pulled out a camera...

"Yo dog, let me showcase my new album! 35 tracks of real hip-hop."
"Aye man, check out my album."
"Y'all doing a TV show? Come shoot me writing my rhymes."
"Can I do a freestyle? Let's battle right quick."

...and so forth.

It got to the point where I didn't really like taking people's burned CD-R's. I have about 15 CD's I've collected from that time period I've never listened to. There are a lot of MC's out there making really bad music. It's difficult to weed through it all. Another moment like this came up from my guy DVS, except he wasn't hawking his own album, it was his boy Obsidian Blue. "I hope your car stereo can handle it."

Handle it? What was that supposed to mean? I was soon about to find out. I tossed the CD in my player thinking it wasn't going to make it to the next block. THIS song comes on and I immediately pulled the car over. Wow! In this one song Obsidian Blue was channeling Jay Dee and the RZA. It was the smoothest "dirty" I'd ever heard, and it was beautiful! Track after track, the bass shook my spare tire all around. The music was so thick and rich, I had to open my windows to release some of the pressure.

It's kinda difficult to pin point his influences, but if I had to pick some musicians, producers and beat makers that helped shape his sound, I'd start with:

- jay dee (the claps, finger snaps and bass lines)
- roy ayers (vibes & keys)
- madlib (very space/sci fi like)
- rza (the dirty side. like someone dragged his tracks through the sand)

Again, Freon is the best Hip-Hop instrumental album you've never heard.
YES, the album is that good...and it gets better than this track.
Support this brother and buy the album.

Led Zeppelin "Black Dog" // Led Zeppelin IV (1971)

I'm a Zeppelin novice. I bought Led Zeppelin I about three years ago, and I just copped Led Zeppelin II about a month ago. Without fulling digesting II, I copped Led Zeppelin IV at a new used CD place I found not too far from the Las Vegas Strip.

I actually had Houses Of The Holy in my hand but put it back. I've been trying to go through Zeppelin's discography from beginning to end so I can actually hear the progression. Sometimes the order takes a back seat to a good sale.

There are probably people out there who can express the true feelings and power of this group better than I can. I can only tell you what the music does to ME personally. "Black Dog" hit me harder than any Zeppelin song before it. Why? I think it's because I can hear the progress the group has made since the first album. It's more focused. It's cleaner. Sharp. Granted an entire album was released before this one (III), so I'll have to check that out too. To be honest I haven't even listened past "Black Dog".

I'll get to it eventually.

Herbie Hancock "Palm Grease" // Thrust (1974)

The last Wax Poetic issue I received had a great article on Herbie Hancock, an artist I've been wanting to get in to for a long time. The article focused more on his avant garde work, Fat Albert Rotunda and Mwandishi, it also talked about his more funkier efforts that were influenced by Sly Stone. My ears perked up at the thought of hearing any Hancock that was influenced by Sly.

I added Hancock's Head Hunters album to a list of future CD purchases. I keep that list in my wallet so I can remember to look for stuff when I'm at the store. I finally came across Head Hunters at this spot here in Vegas called Zia about a month ago. I bumped it on a road trip to Los Angeles, and really liked it.

Fast forward to a couple weeks later I found myself in another used CD store and found Thrust. In reading the back I read that this is the follow up album to Head Hunters. Being that the store was having a sale, I copped it. No lie, I've played this album about four times from beginning to end since I've bought it. You can check my Lastfm charts if you want, this album has been on repeat the past few days.

I'm trying to keep with the tradition of FIRST by only posting the first track, but "Palm Grease" isn't even my favorite song. While I'm really enjoying the entire album, but I can't stop playing "Butterfly".

Herbie's fender rhodes laced with Sly Stone funk is the only way I can describe it.

D'Angelo Live (3 of 3)

2008-08-29T06:00:00.001-07:00

I'm So Glad You're Mine / Lady

Give Me Your Love

Taunja on: Badu

2008-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Erykah Badu "Otherside Of The Game" (Live) // VH1 Soul Stage (2008)

WORDS BY TAUNJA:

Ok for the last 3 weeks thanks to someone on OKP I have killed Erykah’s Live version of “Otherside of the Game” from her VH1 Soul concert. The reason why I love it so much is because it reminds me so much of the 1st time I saw her live. It was at the now legendary Atlanta spot Ying Yang. The night started out as a listing party for Baduizm but little did we know it was going to be a full live performance of her album.

Erykah did a cover of “Stay” by Chaka and killed it. The place was beyond packed and I just remember getting up on the bar so I could see and yell “You sing that damn song!" What a night to remember!

5:59 takes me back to that exact moment......wow!

Rock With You Live

2008-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson "Rock With You" (Live) // The Triumph Tour (1981)

I've talked about The Jacksons Live album a few times already on this blog. It's actually a compilation of a few shows the Jacksons did back in 1981. Anyway, "Rock With You" is one of the highlights of the album. The song before it is "I'll Be There". At the end of the song, Mike continues singing getting ready for his solo joint, but it's tacked on the end of "I'll Be There". When listening to the concert, I would always fast forward back to listen to these few seconds. I liked it so much, I re-cut my own version.

D'Angelo Live (2 of 3)

2008-08-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Use Me (Live) // David Sanborn & Friends (1998)

Lady (f/ Raphael Saddiq, Ali Shaheed Muhammad & ?uestlove) (Live) // Live on the Chris Rock Show

Live @ The Hot House

2008-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

OMAR
Live @ The Hot House
Chicago, IL 2004

"Making Sense Of It"
"Music"
"Outside"
"I'm Still Standing"
"Syleste"
"Everybody Loves The Sunshine" (Roy Ayers)
"Interlude"
"Be Thankful"* (William DeVaughn)

"Little Boy"
"This Is Not A Love Song"
"Golden Brown"
"Saturday"
"Essensual / Band Introductions"

I WAS AT THIS SHOW!

This was my second time seeing Omar live in concert, and both times were at one of my favorite music venues, The Hot House on Balbo & Wabash. It was one of the most intimate music spots in the city. Shame they couldn't stay open. From Fertile Ground to the All Natural crew, it was fantastic. The stage was just a few inches off the floor and the artists were RIGHT THERE! Listening to this song, you could tell how involved the audience was. You could truly feel the music hitting you due to how close you were.

If you haven't been to an Omar show, consider this your ticket.

* Please take notice of Omar's background vocalist Chris Ballad on this song. Amazing!

The Roots Come Alive

2008-08-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Roots "You Got Me" (f/ Jill Scott)(Live) // MTV $2 Bill Show (2002)

Live from Washington D.C.

Chaka Badu

2008-08-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Rufus f/ Chaka Khan "Tell Me Something Good" (Live) // Rags To Rufus (1974)

Erykah Badu "Stay" (Live) // Erykah Badu Live (1997)

Black Moses 1942-2008

2008-08-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

The legendary Isaac Hayes was more than just "Shaft". He was more than just a staple of Stax Records or the hip hop sample we heard in between the beats. Isaac Hayes' music represented every black neighborhood in America. From the the ghettos of Los Angeles to the borough's of New York, Black Moses told tales of love, black pride and promise. He was true Blackness personified through music.

If you have Netflix, I highly recommend watching the documentary Wattstax (1973). It's Chappelle's Block Party except they replaced Dave with Richard Pryor.

"Walk On By" // Hot Buttered Soul (1969)

"Ike's Mood" // ...To Be Continued (1970)

"The Look Of Love" // ...To Be Continued (1970)

"Hung Up On My Baby" // Three Tough Guys (1974)

Summer Madness

2008-08-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Kool & The Gang "Summer Madness" (Live) // Love & Understanding (1976)

Continuing our LIVE IN CONCERT series here on HSD, here is one of my father's favorite songs. And while I'm mentioning my father and Kool & The Gang, I have to remember to say the following:

"You know Kool isn't the lead singer right?
Everybody thinks he's the lead singer. Kool plays bass."

Not that Kool & The Gang comes up often in conversation often, but you can bet anytime it does my father will say those words. He wants everyone to know the TRUTH! He wants the right man to get the right credit. It's a common mistake, but Robert Bell "Kool" is the bass player. A lot of people mistake J.T. Taylor for "Kool", but he didn't arrive until 1979 (and the cut "Ladies Night).

D'Angelo Live (1 of 3)

2008-08-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

One Mo' Gin" (Live)

Brown Sugar" (Live)

I'm showcasing this brotha because there isn't anyone in R&B music today that can put on a live show like him. Nobody. And he hasn't dropped an album in eight years! I missed the Voodoo tour the first time it came around, so I only have my audio ticket for access this well put together performance. "One Mo' Gin" was part of the first few shows but was later dropped from the show. It's a shame because this is the definitive version of "One Mo' Gin".

Don't get me wrong, the studio version is great. Fantastic even. It's one of the reasons Voodoo is such a strong album. But when the Soultronics got a hold of this song on the road, they killed it. They took it to another level. Again, this song further showcases what I love about live music. D and the crew took a 5 second portion of the song and stretched it out to 5 minutes just to groove (right around 5:18 or so).

Al Green must be proud.

Talib Kweli Live

2008-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Talib Kweli "Shock Body" (Live) // Quality (2002)

I'm not big on Kweli's studio albums (although I've heard really good things about Eardrum), I will always put money down to see dude perform live. Always! I've seen Talib twice in concert and both times he gave me a show that was well worth my ticket. I dug up this song from the audiogalaxy days (who remembers that?) and thought it would fit with this months theme of live music.

Kweli performed this song before his first solo album Quality dropped in 2002. When I first heard it I was MAD hyped for the album. While Quality was decent, the album version of "Shock Body" was a disappointment after hearing the live rendition. And when I think about it, there aren't a lot of good live hip hop songs out there. THIS is one of them. Kweli attacks the mic with a ferociousness that is unseen in hip hop today. I wish he would mentor his Blackstar partner. I've heard Mos' live show is horrible.

FIRST!

2008-08-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

L I V E I N C O N C E R T

First day of the month.
First song of the album.
Four songs.

D'Angelo & The Soultronics "Devil's Pie" // Voodoo Tour (2000)

After Voodoo's release, D'Angelo embarked on what would become one of the most fabled series of live soul shows in history, "The Voodoo Tour". Consisting of a live group entitled the "Soultronics", (assumedly assembled by Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots) which engulfed arena-size stages with various dancers and instrument players, it was one of the most attended shows of the year. The tour was taken all around the world, one of the most notable performances being the Free Jazz Festival in Brazil. The live show was a thinly-disguised homage to Prince's late 80's shows, in its grandeur and conceptual stage set up/setlist. Slum Village (then in its original line-up of Jay Dee, Baatin & T3) opened for D'Angelo on several dates, and soul-tinged R&B singer Anthony Hamilton sang backup within the band.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 488 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Prince "Do It All Night" // New York Dirty Mind Tour (1981)

That breakdown half way through the song where Prince tells Andre to take it?

Fantastic!
I love it!

This is why I love collecting live shows. Those little musical detours the artist takes with a song truly makes the show. It's not enough to get on stage and regurgitate the album track. I can do that at home for free without the smoke and the crowd. I come to the show for an experience! I want to hear everything you experimented with, but were too scared to release. All those extended solos and riffs that the record label frowns upon because they need the album to fit in this little box, ALL THAT! I want to hear it!

Anyway, this is one of my most favorite live Prince moments. This is what I play for people when they don't quite understand how great this man was. Prince was genius in the studio but wild on stage. Stay tuned this month because I have another concert to showcase.

The Jacksons "Opening/Can You Feel It" // The Jacksons Live (1981)

I remember I went to the mall with my Mom and my aunts one weekend while we were in South Beloit, IL visiting family. When we first got there, I ran to the record store to thumb through the albums. My Aunt Annie said she would buy me two records, but I had to promise to be good for the rest of the mall trip. Shoot, what kid is going to deny THAT deal? So on this day I chose two Michael Jackson albums. One was a Jackson 5 Greatest Hits compilation, the other was The Jacksons Live.

We walked out of the store and I was the happiest kid in the mall. I started walking towards the door thinking, "I got my stuff, let's go." I was wrong. Three hours later and my aunts were STILL SHOPPING! I must have sat on every bench in the mall two times over just waiting for them to stop feeling the fabrics of dresses and trying on shoes. What made it worse, my Aunt Annie wouldn't let me take my new records out of the bag.

"Don't take them out of the bag! Someone will think you stole it."

Don't ask.

This is a phenomenal live album. Growing up I listened to it so much, I recreated the show in my mind using the music as the soundtrack. I envisioned the choreography , the crowd, the back up band, everything...ha ha. This was also the first time I heard "Heartbreak Hotel". I bring this up because eons later when I was in college and I bought the Triumph album, I was upset at how slow the tempo was. The live version, which is much faster, really drives that bass line through the chorus. To me, it's the only version worth listening to.

If you haven't heard this live album, get it. Although it's a combination of songs from their entire tour, it's the Jacksons at their best.

Curtis Mayfield "Mighty Mighty (Spade and Whitey)" // Curtis/Live! (1971)

Superfly is my first choice.
Curtis/Live! is my second.

I love this album for some of the same reasons I love Donny Hathaway's Live joint. Both were recorded in small intimate environments, and the music benefits from it.

"I got to say it louder, I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD!"

I love when he sings that line and the crowd at the Bitter End reacts. It's personal...it's warm. It reminds me of one of my favorite music venues in Chicago, the Hot House on Balbo. I saw a ton of shows there in the South Loop while I was attending school at Columbia, and it was a great feeling hearing a small band get up there to perform. Almost like we were in on this secret. Curtis and his small band didn't need a stadium that night. All they needed were some ears and energy.

If you ever check this album out, listen to the interludes in between the songs when Curtis is talking to the crowd. Artists don't do that anymore. Amazing.

Ananda Project

2008-07-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Props to my guy dj Sean Haley of Windimoto for turning me on to the Ananda Project.

Good stuff out of Atlanta, GA (I see you T2daP).

Allen Anthony "Alright"

2008-07-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

Allen Anthony "Alright" (Just Blaze) (2004)

Allen Anthony "Alright" (Blackbeard Re-Work) (2004)

Ronnie Foster "Mystic Brew" The Two Headed Freap (1972)

Boom Clap Bachelors!

2008-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Boom Clap Bachelors "Ring Til Mig" // Kort Før Dine Læber (2008)

Owusu & Hannibal are a two producer team from Denmark.
I killed their joint "Le Fox" from their album Living With...

Boom Clap Bachelors is a new project from one of them.
I'm not sure which one at the moment, but I like it.
Hit up their MySpace page and listen to a cut called "Love".

Yes, there's still good music being made.

That Hump

2008-07-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

As told to Durand Bernarr.
Dudes voice has traces of Rahsaan Patterson, no?

Erykah Badu "That Hump" // New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) (2008)

Souls Of Mischief vs. John Mayer

2008-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Souls Of Mischief "93 'Til Infinity" (Instrumental) // 93 'Til Infinity (1993)

Curtis Mayfield "Move On Up" // Curtis (1970)

The Lesson: Timeless Lyrics

2008-07-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

Boogie Down Productions // I'm Still #1 (1988)

Earlier this week, I'm riding home from the gig with a friend of mind. We're talking about whatever, and the radio is playing. But the music on the radio is just background noise. Next thing we know, either a Lil wayne song or a songe featuring lil wayne comes on. That shit just disrupted the whole conversation. I didnt say anything. But my guy Rodney, without even taking his eyes off the road, reached into the pocket of the door and pulls out a cd. It didnt matter what cd it was. Anything was better than listening to this shit. Slides in the disk. First cut.... Eric B & Rakim - I aint no joke. Heads automatically bob and we continue our conversation. Next cut comes on..... I'm still #1. All i had to hear was the horns in the intro. Our conversation switched from talking about work to reciting these lyrics. The somewhere in the middle of the song, it hit me. This shit is still relevant today. How is it that KRS wrote a song 20 years ago thats still relevant today??? All I could say was WOW. So what were talking about here is timeless lyrics.

Heres a few standouts from this song:

"I'm the original teacher of this type of style
Rockin' off-beat with a smile
or smirk or chuckle, yes some are not up to
BDP Posse so I love to
step in the jam and slam
I'm not Superman, because anybody can
or should be able to rock off turntables
Grab the mic, plug it in and begin
But here's where the problem starts, no heart
Because of that a lot of groups fell apart"

"You know what you need to learn?
Old School artists don't always burn
You're just another rapper who's had his turn
Now it's my turn, and I am concerned
about idiots posing as kings
What are we here to rule?
I thought we were supposed to sing
And if we oughta sing, then let us begin to teach
Many of you are educated, open your mouth and speak"

"KRS-One is something like a total renegade
except I don't steal, I rhyme to get paid
Airplanes flyin', overseas people dyin'
Politicians lyin', I'm tryin'
not to escape, but hit the problem head-on
by bringin' out the truth in a song"

And my favorite line in this song:

"Rap is still an art, and no-one's from the Old School
cuz Rap is still a brand-new tool
I say no-one's from the Old School cuz Rap on a whole
isn't even twenty years old
Fifty years down the line, you can start this
cuz we'll be the Old School artists
And even in that time, I'll say a rhyme
A brand-new style, ruthless and wild
Runnin' around spendin' money, havin' fun
cuz even then, I'm still number one."

I swear KRS is trying to live up to the "50 years down the line" thing. But the whole point is.... be timeless. You almost have to be a prophet when you get on the mic. Say something thats gone messe my head up when i hear it again 10 years later....... 15 years later.... 20 years later.

Pharrell Williams can sing

2008-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was sitting at Zapatisto's, a Mexican restaraunt in Chicago, with some close friends when I mentioned that I had recently been bumping Pharrell's Out Of My Mind LP, which is a remix project of his In My Mind LP handled by the Yessirs (Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and James Poyser). The record company heard the new album, but decided not to release it. ?uestlove leaked it anyway.

So like I was saying, I was sitting amongst friends with my beef bean burrito and extra sour cream when I said...

"Pharrell can sing."

Forks stopped shoveling.
Servers stopped refilling.
The world came to an end.

The glances that were piercing my head made me question if I said Marvin Gaye instead of the Virginia Beach native. So I said it again for the group. They were astonished. I think my better half was embarrassed for me. But I stood by my statement then, and I'll stand by it now. I think Pharrell can sing. Now he's not a strong singer, but he can sing. As a musician, he's phenomenal. Together as the Neptunes with his partner Chad Hugo, Pharrell makes very innovative and fantastic work (I wish I had better adjectives to describe it). Basically, I'm a fan.

"But Donnie, he CAN'T sing!"

No, the answer is that he can't sing falsetto. When he brings it down an octive, dude can hold his own. He's not the best, but he's good. Good enough. And dude has an ear for vocal arrangements. Rumor has it there's a version of Justin Timberlake's Justified album sung by Pharrell. And if you listen to Justin sing it, you can hear Pharrell's adlibs and style. Missy Elliot, another great vocal arranger who isn't a strong singer, does the same thing when she works with other artists ("Steelo" by 702).

His voice fits with Neptune production like Slum Village fits with Jay Dee. Below you will find just a few* examples of Pharrell at his best vocally. Some tracks he's featured, others he's just playing the background.

Pharrell "Take It Off" (f/ The Yessirs) // Out Of My Mind (2007)

N*E*R*D* "Yeah You" // Seeing Sounds (2008)

Alana Davis "New Glasses" (f/ Pharrell)

* Unfortunately I misplaced my first two N*E*R*D* albums, so there won't be any examples from In Search Of... and Fly Or Die.

Mos Def "Speed Law"

2008-07-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

2000Black

2008-07-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

2000Black "So Right f/ Ferraz" // A Next Set Of Rockers (2008)

After many ground breaking compilations and sideline projects (”DKD” & “Silhouette Brown”) the sound of London Boogie arrives! “A Next Set A Rockers” is a genre defying collection of studio recordings demonstrating all that has influenced 2000black. Soul, Funk and Boogie are revealed in the bands very own unique style. The labyrinth of 70’s synthesizers and drums create a lavish warm feel in contrast to the current digital age.

“A Next Set A Rockers’ has been crafted by the production skills of 4Hero’s Dego and Bugz in tha Attic’s Kaidi Tatham. Tracks like “Febulous” drop hypnotic dancehall percussion laced under the warmest brazillian sound, in addition the duo’s dynamic sound is complemented by strong songs such as “Lost It” featuring the voice of Face, “So Right” with Ferraz, “Simple Sacrifice” sung by Nadine Charles, “Take It Back” with Rasiyah, plus Philadelphia’s Lady Alma on “Move Over”.

FIRST!

2008-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

SEVEN songs!
First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
From the year I was born.

The Bee Gee's "Staying Alive" // Saturday Night Fever (1978)

This album was the end of the beginning. This album was Disco at its peak. And it was this album that caused all the backlash, scorn and hate for the music of the late seventies. It's not fair really. The artists weren't to blame, lazy record companies were. Due to the success of this album, record labels tried to mass market the style which resulted in a very watered down sound. Hip Hop has been going through the same thing for the past two years, but instead of allowing it to die, it just sits. There's no room for people to take chances and experiment because record labels have conditioned listeners to look for a certain sound.

Sorry for the rant. Anyway, I've always had a special love for the classic guitar riff. If I'm ever invited to The Barry Gibb Talk Show, I shall further showcase my love for it.

The Jacksons "Blame It On The Boogie" // Destiny (1978)

This is the song that opened my eyes to The Jacksons (sans the 5ive). A much older Mike Jackson led his brothers away from the bubble gum pop sound of Motown to an older and more mature sound on CBS/Epic. Through songs like "Blame it..", "Things I Do For You" and the popular "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), you can hear the brothers really growing as artists, especially Mike. If you listen to Destiny and Off The Wall (which came out a year later), and then Mike's work on The Wiz, you'll hear him at his best. His vocal style, ad libs and song writing had reached a new level. If you need proof of Michael's greatness, look no furhter. From 1976-1982, Mike and his brothers created some great soul music.

Marvin Gaye "Here, My Dear (alternate mix)" // Here, My Dear (1978)

I didn't get it.

I had bought What's Goin' On and I Want You and immediately "got" those. Those albums hit me and hit me hard. From those two albums I felt I understood everything Marvin had to say. So when a friend recommended Here, My Dear, I didn't doubt I'd like it. I bought it as casually as someone buys candy from a gas station.

I took the CD home and started playing it.
"What is this?"

So like I said before, I didn't get it. At all. I was kinda mad considering the money I'd paid for it. It was like listening to Stevie's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants after bumping Songs In The Key Of Life for months. It's like..."What is this?" So I took this purchase as a loss and dropped it from the rotation. Fast forward to a few years later and I'm reading David Ritz's Marvin Gaye biography Divided Soul. After reading the story and the background of the album (which is REQUIRED reading in order to enjoy this album), I went back and tried Here, My Dear again.

Boom.
There it was.
Right then you could say I fell in love.
The voice, the power in his words, THE PAIN!

The story to this album really made this album. Knowing the "how" and "why" really opened up the songs on this album. Especially the album track "Here, My Dear". In fact, go and start the song above while you're reading this. Go 'head. We'll wait.

Divided Soul is an amazing book that really delves deep into the music and mind of Marvin, and reading it really made the music on my shelf blossom. It was like night and day. I can't recommend the book enough, but more than that, this album deserves your ears if you haven't heard it already.

Rasa "When Will The Day Come" // Everything You See Is Me (1978)

I was working third shift for the Chicago Tribune and I had just got off work on a Sunday afternoon. It had been a long LONG night going in to the morning, but my work was done. I was tired, but it was the kinda tired where you couldn't just pass out. I mean, it was 10:00 in the morning. I had just left a warehouse near 95th & Stony Island and I was heading home. Instead of taking the Dan Ryan home to the north side, I drove up King Dr (yeah, I took the long LONG way home).

There are many songs about Chicago, but very few capture the city, specifically the south side, better than "When Will The Day Come". "But Donnie, are you only saying that because Common sampled it on 'Take It EZ'?" Sure, that might be one of the motivating factors, but the other stems from this particular drive home. The song came on my playlist just as I was driving through the Chatam neighborhood. Kids were just getting out to play, the old people were unfolding their chairs on the porch and young men were detailing their cars. Everyone was out starting their day, and it was peaceful. This song was just the perfect soundtrack for that drive.

Heatwave "Put The Word Out" // Central Heating (1978)

When I was a kid I never knew what Rod Temperton did, yet his name was all over Michael Jackson's Off The Wall. The liner notes on the vinyl fold out would say Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Rod Temperton. Who was he? As I got older and started to read more MJ liner notes, I didn't see his name anymore. Then when internet music forums ruled my life (still rules), I asked the question, "Why hasn't Mike teamed up with Rod Temperton?" Ya know...given the great success of their collaborations. Well, when you're Mike you gotta work with the "hot" producers. Rod must have lost his pop sound.

So I later find out that Rod was part of this group called Heatwave, a group that did a few songs that I was familiar with. I copped the album at Amoeba about 6 years ago and through continuous rotations, I've found out exactly what Rod Temperton brought to the Off The Wall album. Central Heating is a classic soul disco album led by Rod Temperton.

Prince "For You" // For You (1978)

Prince released his first studio album For You three months before I was born. He was 20 years old. Ironically, I didn't cop his first album until I was about 20 years old myself. I don't need to explain why I'm a fan, just know that I am. Prince is one of the few artists who have a discography that you can listen to and physically HEAR him grow as an artist. From For You to Lovesexy (yeah, that's kinda when I stopped), it's amazing to hear the journey he's been on.

Here are a few very early demos of the song above:
For You #1
For You #2
For You #3
For You #4

Rick James "Stone City Band, Hi!" // Come Get It! (1978)

MR. FUNK ROCK! I might get struck down by the funk gods by following Prince up with Rick James...ha ha. No matter. You know this album for "You and I" and "Mary Jane", but I've always liked how this album started out. Especially with the announcer introducing Rick and the Stone City Band. And "Stone City Band, Hi" always sounded like Rick's attempt at some Funkadelic. Especially with the group chorus singing.

(happy birthday to me)

Peven Everett

2008-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Peven Everett "I Know When I' Met" // Sincerely Yours... (2008)

I bought two CD's from my favorite "wrekka sto" this past weekend to celebrate my birthday (which is tomorrow). One of which was the newest Peven album Sincerely Yours (the other, 2000Black's A Next Set Of Rockers). And it's strange, I always seem to buy his albums without hearing them first. Yet, I'd never put him in the category of Badu, Bilal, The Roots or any other artist where I'd buy their album without hearing it.

I guess I gamble on Peven because I know he's going to give me something I really like. Like REALLY like. I may not like the whole album, but there's gonna be that ONE song that hits me hard. Like I'll be riding in the car waiting for the green light, and it'll just hit me. And I'll sit there at the light screaming, "THAT'S IT PEVEN! THAT'S THAT JOINT RIGHT THERE!" And I'll bang on the steering wheel complete with furious head knods (yeah, that's what I do when I'm feeling a song. I'm sure my steering wheel hates me).

Oh, dude is a local Chicago artist. I have a special place in my heart for those cats. Also, I love the switch up at the 3:56 mark. Great groove.

DILLA & Big L

2008-06-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Lesson: Flow

2008-06-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Aiight. I'm fed up with the bull. These kids just dont get it. Hell, half of these grown cats got brainwashed and straight forgot. I just can't get with lil wayne being this generations G.O.A.T. Please tell me theres a recount. I know Jeb got something to do with this. Lets face it. These new rap kids need to step their game up. I mean... back in the day, you had to have skills just to touch the mic. Even the dude that wraped up the mic cord and placed it in the travel case had skills. Shit, Pac was a damn roadie/back up dancer. You just cant be jumping on the mic all willy nilly. These kids need to step it up. Matta fact. They dont need to step it up. They can just leave. Get the hell out!! Turn in your mic and leave your hip-hop hall pass and get out!

Excuse me for the rant, but this shit is just retarded. So I'm gonna have to hand out a few lessons. This may be a refresher course for some of you.

First lesson: Flow

The basic definition of flow is an emcee's delivery. Or how well he/she rides the beat. Flows vary. Fast, slow, simple, complex. Some flows have a certain rhythm to it. To make it simple... A good flow should make you feel like you could listen to this cat rhyme all day. It shouldn't sound like some drug induced haze. Or just some nigga talkin. So heres some examples of some really great flows. Keep in mind, there are a lot of songs i left out. But this should get your mind working again.

Da Two // Pete Rock and CL Smooth

CL jumps in and is just so..... well, smooth with it. This is the cat that you can have rap at your wedding. He really is the best thats ever done it on a pete rock track.

Braggin writes // J-Live

J-Live is witty, intelligent, and rhymes while cutting the track up on the truntables.

Close Edge // Mos Def

This is what I'm talking about here. I absolutely love this song. I could listen to Mos for days.

Rhymes like dimes // MF Doom

Doom got one of them styles. Complex but not too complex. The type of cat where you catch something different in his songs each time you listen to it.

I saved these 2 for last. Common and Black Thought both put out some "no hook" tracks. Just straight up lyrics that will leave you wondering if they even stopped to breath.

Hungry // Common

75 Bars // The Roots

The Jackson 5ive

2008-06-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

The Jackson 5ive "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You" // Lookin' Through The Windows (1971)

Wow Mike! And to think I almost bypassed the brothers from Gary, IN entirely.

See, I'm an 80's kid, so like most kids (and damn near the entire planet during the mid 80's), I loved Michael Jackson. The albums, the cartoon, the record player, the doll. At that age, I remember asking my ol' man if he liked Michael Jackson. His answer? "No. That's just bubble gum pop music." This coming from a man that grew up idolizing P-Funk and Sly (see the previous post). So it makes sense.

So growing up I tended to block out everything before Off The Wall (yes, even the CBS era) because of my ol' man. Now that I'm hearing some of the early Jackson 5ive, the stuff produced by The Corporation, Hal Davis and the Mizell Brothers, I'm hooked.

my ol' man.

2008-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my ol' man's favorite songs:

War "Slippin' Into Darkness" // All Day Music (1971)

Parliament "Mothership Connection" // Mothership Connection (1976)

Sly & The Family Stone "If You Want Me To Stay (Alternate)" // Fresh (1973)

Stanley Clarke/George Duke "Wild Dog" // The Clarke/Duke Project (1981)

Ramp on a Saturday

2008-06-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Ramp "Come Into Knowledge" // Come Into Knowledge (1977)

FIRST!

2008-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

(sorry for the delay+)

First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
Four songs.

Donny Hathaway "What's Goin' On" // Donny Hathaway Live (1971)

The job of any live album is to provide a ticket to the listener. Yes, a ticket. I need to feel like I'm there, at the show, IN THE FRONT ROW!

The sound of microphone feed back.
The sound of a restless crowd.
The sound of the drummer sitting down to his throne.
I need all of that.

The idea of a live album is to essentially recreate the show on record. Even though Donny Hathaway has passed on, there are tickets still available to one of his best shows.

I don't use the term 'amazing' with many albums. I don't. I can't. Donny Hathaway's Live LP is one of the best concert and soul albums of all time. IT'S AMAZING! And I say that with no doubt on my lips. Donny Hathaway's Live is what really opened my eyes to his genius in addition to my love for collecting live performances. For weeks I couldn't stop playing both "What's Goin' On" and "The Ghetto".

In fact when I think about it, I didn't get to the third song until months later. Those two songs back to back are a sick combo. The voice? The keys? The grooves? The band? And even better yet, the crowd? Powerful. It's almost scary the feelings that were going on during this show. Donny's voice and that band had this crowd in complete control.

Even though Live is an amalgam of a few shows, it's still a complete piece of work. Listening to this album really puts me in the center of this show. If you haven't heard this show, you're in luck. Tickets are still available.

Jay Dee "Welcome 2 Detroit" // Welcome 2 Detroit (2001)

Fantastic Vol. 2 had just dropped the previous year. Beats, Rhymes & Life a few years before. Then there were the countless tracks produced for Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and The Pharcyde. I was sold. I was a fan. In my eyes, everything Jay Dee touched was gold. So when I read about his solo project on BBE I was hyped. Plus the snippet I heard of Donald Byrd's "Think Twice" remake with this unknown crooner from the 'D' was just sick. CD release Tuesday finally came (remember those?). I sat in my 1988 Toyota Camry with a CD discman and a tape adapter.

I pressed play.

I must be honest with you, I wasn't ready. That first song had this distorted beauty that confused me. The bass sounded as if he clipped it to a truck and dragged it 50 feet. It was just, dumb dirty. Clumsy. Not the clean bass lines I was used to hearing. Somebody took some scissors to this beat and just stabbed it. I would later learn to love and appreciate this sound, for this was the new Jay Dee (or JDilla). Welcome 2 Detroit was the dress rehearsal for Jaylib and especially Donuts. That first listen I just wasn't ready.

Al Green "Call Me (Come Back Home)" // Call Me (1973)

In honor of Al's new album Lay It Down, I thought I'd go back 35 years to one of his best albums. Other than a few greatest hits comps, Call Me was my first Al LP. Like hearing Rakim for the first time, I wasn't ready. The good Reverend had my ears wide open. That voice! I think ?uestlove said it best during this video documentary...

"No one has range like Al Green. He's like a 5 part harmony chorus inside of his own body. There's the falsetto Al Green. The church growling Al Green. Ferocious soulful Al Green. There's a very church mouse Al Green..."

The Call Me LP has a solid soulful organic sound. It's rich and rough at the same time. Does that make sense? Sometimes genius can't make sense.

J-Live "Got What It Takes" // The Best Part (1999)

"I live and die for a just cause not just cause.
So if it ain't justice then you get just ice."

I'm sorry, I think that line is so sick! If there's one reason why I will always support J-Live it's that he's one of the only MC's that doesn't waste words. EVERY word he spits has a purpose. He is a true lyricist. Yes, lyricist. I can't think of any current MC out today that uses language as creatively as this brother. For more examples, check my favorite J-Live song "Braggin Writes".

My guy Avery turned me on to the heavily bootlegged The Best Part around 2000 and I've been hooked ever since. The beat and the flow of "Them That's Not" sucked me in, but J-Live's lyrics kept me there. "Got What It Takes" is one of those songs where you'll discover new things even after 20 listens.

(+)

BrokeN'Beat Podcast

2008-05-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK
ARGO - April 28, 2008 We're back! Some nice joints this week... starting with a cinematic rendition of a classic Dilla produced track, new LP from Two Banks of Four, a spacey remix of Erykah Badu, an all star cast brought by Altered Natives, tasty Archetype treats right out of the toaster, jumpin' jazz biz from Japan, Suntzu cru brings you Orakel & IMC Soul, a heavy broken banger from Yellowtail on Bagpak, an Aroop Roy remix on the Doppelschal label, and Ayro teams up with Dj Spinna.

iTunes
MP3

Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson / FIND A WAY / cdr
Azymuth / TEMPOS ATRAZ / Polydor
The Stance Brothers / MEAN SPIRIT / Ricky-Tick Records
Two Banks Of Four / FLAGS & WORDS / Sonar Kollektiv
Jazzanova / THAT NIGHT (FEAT. BEMBE SEGUE) / Sonar Kollektiv
Shape of Broad Minds / THEY DON'T KNOW FEAT. STACY EPPS / Lex
Erykah Badu / HONEY (SPADE'S ROUGH RMX) / cdr
Altered Natives / FEEL IT POLITIKAL NATIVE RI / cdr
Opolopo & Amalia / GET IT TOGETHER / cdr
Arch_typ / LETTING GO (FEAT. AHMAD LARNES) / Bagpak
Indigo Jam Unit / SPHINX / Basis Japan
Orakel ft. Anya Stewart / EACH PASSING DAY / Suntzu Sound
Art Bleek / URBAN WATCHER / Loungin'
C.O.N.E. feat Colonel Red / TREEKNOCKA / Bagpak
IMC Soul ft. Dawn Pemberton / RUNNING BACK TO YOU / Suntzu Sound
Arch_typ / ? / wmc08 cdr
Yellowtail / 7 MONKS OF KILIMANJARO / Bagpak
Surra / SET IT OFF / cdr
Scott / LA RENTREE (AROOP ROY REMIX) / Doppelschal
Lenny Kravitz / BREATH (JOJOFLORES VS. JAZZANOVA) / cdr
Ayro / BOUNCE (DJ SPINNA RMX) / Groovia Sound Project

Gordon Gartrelle Radio

2008-05-27T23:05:00.001-07:00

Gordon Gartrelle Radio
(TRT: 1:11:00)

::hosted by Phonte
::mixed by DJ Brainchild

(a very solid mix of music that'll make you tuck it down to your socks)

California Soul

2008-05-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Marlena Shaw "California Soul" (1969)

I have this thing about being late for flights. Like, I hate it. I'd rather show up two hours early than be a few minutes late. Running through an airport when you're late is not fun. But that's another story for another time. I arrived early only to find out that my flight had been delayed leaving McCarren Airport here in Las Vegas. I was headed to Nashville so I could attend my brother's graduation ceremony the next morning. I had an extra two hours to kill, no problem.

I walked over to this bar near my gate where they were showing the Lakers/Jazz playoff game. I ordered a Coke that cost me $2.50 and sat and watched my boy Deron Williams work over the Lakers. The bartenders were cool. Wearing my Ben Gordon Bulls jersey made for some easy jokes, especially with the game on. Then suddenly this commercial comes on:

One of the bartenders stopped pouring this drink and screamed to the other "Man, I gotta find out who this is!"

"Yeah, I've been seeing this commercial on TV and I keep wondering who it is."

"That's Aretha Franklin I bet."

"It's Lyn Collins." This old guy at the end of the bar raised his hand motioning that he had the answer. "She sang back up for James Brown."

The drunken arguments continued throughout the commercial break until the game came back on, but now the playoffs were secondary. The discussion had moved from Kobe Bryant to "Name That Tune". Sitting at the bar and enjoying the most expensive Coke known to man, I sat and listened to these guys go back and forth about an artist that had her peak ten years before I was even born. When there was a break, I motioned to the bartender for a refill. When he came close, I said, "'California Soul' by Marlena Shaw."

"HEY, HOLD UP EVERYBODY? This guy says it's...who did you say it was?

I repeated the name and the song for the bar to hear. I would have mentioned that Gang Starr sampled it for Check TheTechnique in 1991, but that would have gone over their heads....ha ha

Wanna know what's funny? Nobody challenged me on it. The bar was quiet. I don't consider myself the voice of music reason but, I was surprised nobody asked for proof considering my young age. I even had the song on my iPOD. Puzzled, I pulled the bartender back and asked him why nobody questioned it. Dude kinda laughed and said...

"Man, you're from Chicago. Chicago cats know their music."

New Common Sense (f/ Pharrell)

2008-05-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

"Universal Mind Control" f/ Pharrell // Invincible Summer (2008)

Peven Everett "Power Soul"

2008-05-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

"Washing"

"This Just In"

I've been wanting to do a post on Peven Everett for a long time, but never got around to it. In my mind, it was going to be a big post with about 8 songs to introduce new people to the Chicago talent. Sort of like a Peven Everett EP. I even had the post typed up and ready to go, but I could never lock down the songs I wanted. The guy has so much music out, every time I locked down a tracklisting, I'd want to add somethign else. Peven really needs a double disc set to cover the best stuff.

That was in December. Between then and now I finally warmed up to his Power Soul album, and just decided to post these two songs. Here's the thing with Peven (try to excuse the name JJ): On every album, for every dud song there's also a home run. And when he hits, he hits big!

No wonder skateboard cats are copying his style.

If you're new to Peven, these are two solid cuts. But please come back soon cause I plan on posting my own personal Peven Everett EP along with a special mix done by my guy disco dj of the Chicago group Windimoto.

Championship Vinyl

2008-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

the essence of muisc store culture. (ha ha)
no joke? WE SECRETLY RULE THE WORLD!

High Fidelity (2000)
John Cusack (ROB GORDON)
Jack Black (BARRY)
Iben Hjejle (LAURA)
Todd Louiso (DICK)
Tim Robbins (IAN "RAY" RAYMOND)
Stephen Frears (DIRECTOR)
Seamus McGarvey (CINEMATOGRAPHY)

(shot on the north side of Chicago)

(Mike, you got that 3 Feet High & Rising yet?)

I Can't Help It

2008-05-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

"I Can't Help It"

Written and composed by Stevie Wonder and Susaye Greene-Browne
Produced by Quincy Jones
Lead and background vocals: Michael Jackson
Bass: Louis Johnson
Drums: John Robinson
Electric piano and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer programming: Michael Boddicker
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Horns arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by The Seawind Horns:
- Trumpet and flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
- Tenor, alto saxophones and flute: Larry Williams
- Baritone, tenor saxophones and flute: Kim Hutchcroft
- Trombone: William Reichenbach
- Trumpet: Gary Grant
Rhythm arrangement by Greg Phillinganes and Stevie Wonder
String arrangement by Johnny Mandel
Concert master: Gerald Vinci

Michael Jackson "I Can't Help It" // Off The Wall (1979)

Michael Jackson "I Can't Help It (Tangoterje Mix)" (2005)

Davina "I Can't Help It" // Best Of Both Worlds (1998)

De La Soul "Breakadawn" // Buhloone Mind State (1993)

Stevie Wonder "I Can't Help It" // Live Pasadena, CA (1979)

(around the 2:05 mark)

FIRST!

2008-05-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
Four songs.

This is the "Gotta Give Props" edition of "FIRST". I'm giving direct props to the people who introduced me to these songs.

Janelle Monae "Violet Stars Happy Hunting!" // Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase (2007)

"Imagine if Andre' 3000 could sing." (c) Filthy.

Wow! I don't want to over react, but this is one of the best and most well thought out concept albums I've heard from a debut artist. I want to thank my guy Filthy over at black soap palace for introducing me to Janelle Monae, who grew up under the the wings of Outkast. You can really hear their influence throughout this album, and it's just amazing. In the meantime, watch her version of futuristic rock/r&b live, visit her website and look out for the next segment in the Metropolis series.

Thaione Davis "Monologue" // Situation Renaissance (2005)

"He works at Dr. Wax." (c) Avery.

I met Thaione Davis through my guy Avery about five years ago. But it wasn't the traditional, "Donnie, this is Thaione" type of thing. It was a musical introduction. I was riding in Avery's car and this instrumental came on. Immediately my head started bobbing in the hip hop motion and I busted out asking, "Who is this?!" The beat was amazing. I think we listened to that song 4 times before we got out of the car. That was my introduction to the beats and rhymes of the local Chicago MC Thaione Davis. Monologue is just one piece of a very solid album that specifically speaks for the city of Chicago.

Later on we worked together on a few video projects.

Johnny Hammond "Tell Me What To Do" // Gears (1975)

"I put him on your mixtape." (c) Aja.

Much props to the Mizell Brothers for the production. Much props to my gril Monica (aka Aja) for making that mixtape (yes, an actual cassette tape) with this song. Much props to Dustygroove for selling me their last copy of Gears right before they closed. This song was my introduction to the greatness of the Mizell Brothers. Their songs have been covered by Erykah Badu, sampled by Pete Rock and re-edited by Danny Krivit. And if you don't know already, I LOVE some well placed keys. In writing the blog for today, I've listened to the song 3 times already.

Frank McComb "His Eyes Are On The Sparrow" // Love Stories (2000)

"He's from Cleveland, go check him out." (c) Taunja.

Anyway, this suggestion comes from a high speed dubbing all-star, Taunja down in Atlanta. Hopefully she'll read this and start her own blog (which would immediately trump mine). Many many years ago she told me I had to hear this Cleveland native Frank McComb. So I picked up Love Stories and heard a man who must have lived under the keys of Stevie & Donny. A very solid debut album

His second album Truth is even better.

Q-Tip Interview (parts I & II)

2008-04-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

PART I

PART II

Sample Clearance IV

2008-04-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Warning Talk (PartII) // by David Axelrod

David Axelrod. One funky ass white boy. Pure Genius. You've heard his name spit off by many. You've even heard his music sampled by many. You probably didn't even know you've heard a David Axelrod sample. This is song is from the Earth Rot album. There's a few other songs on here that have been sampled also. But instead of being a straight up snitch, I'm gonna let you hear it and then tell me who sampled it.

More Mark

2008-04-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mark De Clive-Lowe // Tide's Arising (2005)

"Heaven" (f/ Bembe Segue)

"4.V.Y." (f/ Abdul Shyllon & Pino Palladino)

We first talked about Mark in regards to his most recent release called The Politik. Now that I have the correct Mark (thanks j-justice), I've been doing some searching for more albums, tracks, remixes and compilations.

TIDE'S ARISING features Bembe Segue, Abdul Shyllon, Capitol A, Vanessa Freeman, Nathan and Joel Haines, Kaidi Tatham and Pino Palladino (Voodoo, Mama's Gun, 1st Born Second, Like Water For Chocolate).

Oh, the album? $7 at Dustygroove.
(i need to do a commercial for them)

The Crusaders, Bob James & Eric

2008-04-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

So my brother called me asking for this jazz song he heard me playing a while back. When he started singing it (which was fairly amusing), I knew the song instantly. The Crusaders "Young Rabbits". I bought the Gilles Peterson "Kings Of Jazz" compilation specifically for this song (not knowing my father had the original album hidden deep in his closet). He needed the audio for a short commercial he was editing for AOL. He also used the famous Bob James song "Angela", which was the theme song to the TV show Taxi. Here's the video and the audio.

Bob James "Angela" // Touchdown (1978)

The Crusaders "Young Rabbits" // Lookin' Ahead (1962)

1999 Tour (Detroit 1982)

2008-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

1999 Tour
Detroit 1982

"Controversy"
"Let's Work"
"Little Red Corvette"
"Do Me Baby"
"Head"
"Uptown"
"How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore"

"Lady Cab Driver"
"International Lover"
"1999"
"D.M.S.R."

Around this time Prince began crediting his band as The Revolution, which consisted of Dez Dickerson on guitar, Lisa Coleman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, Bobby Z. on drums, and Brown Mark on bass. The band's name was printed in reverse on the cover of 1999; Prince refrained using the name "The Revolution" until Dickerson left the band for personal reasons. Dickerson was replaced by Wendy Melvoin, a childhood friend of Lisa. The band members were known for being solid musicians and a strong live act, but their talents would be used sparsely in the studio. Their presence in Prince's recordings, however, would increase through the mid-1980s.

This special post of high speed dubbing is dedicated to shooting sanchez, one of the biggest Prince fans I know. Happy Birthday.

FIRST!

2008-04-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

First day of the month.
First song of the album.
Four songs.

Amel Larrieux "For Real" // Bravebird (2004)

I saw Amel live at Borders back in 1999 right on Michigan Ave here in Chicago. It was cramped, and the crowd had been waiting for hours. But when they finally introduced her and she took the microphone, everything was right with the world. I liked Groove Theory and the joint she did with Sweetback was tight, but it was the free concert she gave at Borders that made me a true fan. Amel has a beautiful and flawless voice.

Now when it comes to making music and constructing an album, I give the nod to the girl from Dallas, TX, Erykah Badu. Jill Scott has her moments, and I'm still trying to catch up with the likes of Conya Doss and Ledisi. But right now I can't think of another singer in the past decade that can touch Amel.

Unfortunately a lot of her later albums have suffered from lackluster and lazy production. I haven't heard her latest effort which consists of her singing a bunch of covers ala Boyz II Men. Bravebird took a while for me to digest, but after a few spins from start to finish, the real shine of the album has started to glow. A much darker but mature album than Infinite Possibilities.

"For Real" is just an example of Amel's talents.

Brand Nubian "All For One" // One For All (1990)

I look forward to writing the "FIRST" column every first of the month for two reasons. One, because some of the best songs in the hisotry of music are ones that begin an album. Two, because I get to use this blog as a confessional. Here is another album that I JUST got around to listening to (I know, I know). I actually owned Grand Puba's 2000 and Brand Nubian's Foundation albums before this one. Just like Long Live The Kane, I knew about the popular songs ("Slow Down") but I never jumped on the full album. And I don't know why I've slept so long cause both Grand Puba and Sadat X have two of the most distinct voices in hip hop.

Anyway, here I am eighteen years late listening to some great hip hop from the early nineties.

Me'Shell N'degeocello "Love Song #1" // Comfort Woman (2003)

It was one of those strange days where I didn't interact with anyone. I didn't receive any phone calls, didn't answer any emails, nothing. I was just at home by myself. By the time noon hit I started thinking to myself, "Man, I should get out of the house and do...something!"

All I can remember from that day was walking out of Dustygroove with this CD and playing it no less than five times. I wish I could post the entire album cause I think it's really good. Probably her best since Bitter (not better...just really good).

Me'Shell is what I miss about going to live shows. Her band is always sick, and despite the rumors I've heard, I've always left satisfied.

Funkadelic "Nappy Dugout" // Cosmic Slop (1973)

Funkadelic was the group that started this blog, and it has been too long since I've posted some more of the great goodness that came from this group. I knew of the Tribe sample for a while, but it wasn't until just recently that "Nappy Dugout" hit me. And when it hit me, it was hard!

Oh, "Nappy Dugout" is also a slang term referring to the vagina.

Extra P

2008-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Large Professor "For My People" // The LP (1996)

I have a ton of playlists on my iPOD. Too many to name honestly. One of those playlists consists of hip hop songs that I personally consider perfect. From the beat to the delivery of the MC, everything matches up and gels in perfect unison. I have a lot of favorites, but these songs transcend just "good". This song by Large Professor (also known as Extra P) is one of those songs.

Just a note, this is the remastered version.

That other hip-hop documentary

2008-03-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

I got a love hate relationship with youtube. You can find damn near anything on youtube. But youtube will steal hours of your day. Just cant stop clicking on links. Well anyway, I thought I’d share some of my findings of today.

Rhyme & Reason

Back in like ’95 or ’96 there was a hip-hop documentary called The Show. And then there was that other documentary. Everybody remembers The Show, but only the real heads remember Rhyme & Reason. And it was way better than The Show. Somebody up it on youtube, but they split it up into 10 parts. This is 2 of 10. About 3 minutes in, there is a dope freestyle by Fatlip of the Pharcyde. Classic. Then immediately after that, there is a Ice T freebee. What bugged me out about Ice T, was he is rocking an LA cap with a Wu-Tang t shirt.

Common Sense – Soul By The Pound

I’ve seen Comm live maybe about 4 or 5 times. And every single time, people from the crowd start shouting out songs that they want him to perform. One of them is Soul By The Pound. And he never performs it. This is one of those classic early 90’s videos. Its pretty much the same concept as The Corner, but it was shot in like ’91.

Yaggfu Front – Left Field

This is one of those joints I was talking about earlier. One hit wonder, even though it was never really a hit. And once again, im like one of a handful of people who even rember this group. Yo, extra special shouts to Squeege for letting me burn a copy of this some years back.

Question Mark Asylum – Hey Look Away

I remember chillin in the bassment of my godsisters house watching The Box and runnin a game of spades. This joint came on and it was just so damn smooth. Peep the choreography they had. And yes, this is another one hit wonder that wasn’t a hit. Still classic hip-hop though.

Boogie Monsters – Thresholds Of Negative Stress

More 90’s flava. This reminds me of the countless hours spent in the bassment taping Rap City. I spent a lot of time in bassments. When we were young, everybody’s parents banished us to the bassment. It was usually where the old couch and tv went. Everything went down in the bassment. We got our first drank on in the bassment. Got smoked out in the bassment. Played video games down there. Saw the OJ police chase in the bassment. Even had girls down there. The bassment was the shit.

Remembering Marvin Gaye

2008-03-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

This French documentary captured some very interesting moments and footage of Marvin. Some of the beginning narration is in French, but around the 4 minute mark you get to hear from Marvin himself regarding his childhood, what music he likes and what he thinks about Europe. Great great footage for us Marvin fans. It's worth it just to hear him on the piano a capella.

T-Bear is tapping on your ear drums

2008-03-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

For my first post on HSD I've decided to hit you with 3 random joints that are extremely pleasing to the ear. I could blab on about some BS, but lets just get right to it.

The SolSonics “Lift Off”

The early 90's was a great era for hip-hop. But it also sparked a nice handful of funky bands with a female lead singer. Brand new heavies stand out the most. Loved Jamiroquoi. The groove collective droped a few jems. And then there was this group called the SolSonics. One day i was diggin thru some wax a my guy Skratch One's crib, and i came across this 12". Sadly i had to give it back to Skratch but not before i recorded it.

The Legion “Jingle Jangle”// album: Theme + Echo = Krill

1994. Hip-Hop. Afros with fist picks. Rugby polo shirts. Sony walkmans. Jansport backpacks. Dr. Dre and Ed Lover was still doing Yo! MTV Raps. This was a great year. I remember seeing the video to this joint back in the day. Real grimmey stomping in my timbos type shit. Funny thing about it is, i'm like the only person in the world that remembers this joint. Yup, another one hit wonder. Hip-Hop is full of them. The Legion. Questionmark Asylum. The College Boyz. Yaggfu Front. Theres many others. Maybe one day I'll share some of their joints. But for now, just sample!!!

Sound Directions “Play Car”// album: The Funky Side Of Life

A couple winters ago, me and Offkeyth took a trip up to Dusty Groove to get some wax. I had some fresh joints in my hand. Now, Offkeyth is the man. I learned how to mix from listening to his old mix tapes. yes, tapes. not cd's. not mp3's. His ear for music is unbelieveable. So when he makes a album or song suggestion, you just buy it. no questions asked. im diggin, and he slides me Sound Directions, The funky Side Of Life. His exact words were, "here you need this". I peeped the title and tucked it under my arm. I knew this was a Madlib project, and Im a Madlib junkie. This is a funky ass album. and this particular song is my favorite from this album. I love Madlibs, oh I mean Otis' drum roll and how the organ comes back in. Madlib is a genius. Here, You need to listen to this.

T-BEAR is taking over HSD!

2008-03-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to bring to the stage the host and creator of one of the BEST Hip Hop podcasts on the internet. The wonderful and fabulous T-Bear of Jungle Bassment Radio!

Honestly, I can't say enough about this brotha. His Jungle Bassment Radio podcast is one of the most creative mixes I've heard in a long time. The mix isn't just a bunch of well blended tracks, anybody can do that (well, not everybody). It's an entire show! Every mix has his own personal style yet stays true to the music, and I respect the brotha for that. One last thing, I've been checking out his mixes for years and whenever I complete a show I always ask the same question:

WHY CAN'T RADIO BE LIKE THIS?!

Anyway, for the next few weeks T-Bear is going to take over high speed dubbing.

And um, while you're in the clapping mood, go subscribe to his podcast: iTunes, Twango or stream.

A Diverse Rebirth

2008-03-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

Rebirth "Stray Away" // THIS JOURNEY IN LP (2005)

The idea of the traditional music band is all but dead in the music industry now, but it's especially dead in R&B music. Earth, Wind & Fire? Parliament Funkadelic? Mint Condition? Everybody playing an instrument? Not going to happen today. It's just too expensive to pay 5 parts when the lead singer can just go solo and have a back up band. Fortunate for us, there are a lot of small labels that are giving a voice to new artists, including some great R&B bands.

Rebirth is a sextet out of Los Angeles that has a Brand New Heavies / Rotary Connection sort of vibe (which is a good thing). This was another Taunja suggestion that I jumped on a couple years ago (honestly, she needs her own music blog). Listening to this album, I know Rebirth puts on a good live show, similar to Fertile Ground.

...featuring Phonte

2008-03-04T15:30:00.000-08:00

Eric Roberson "Been In Love" featuring Phonte // Left (2007)

4Hero "Give In" featuring Darien Brockington & Phonte // Play With The Changes (2007)

(A great song from an amazing album!)

Drake "Don't You Have A Man" featuring Dwele & Little Brother) (2007)

DJ Spinna "Dillagence (One-4-Jay)" featuring Phonte // (2007)

FIRST!

2008-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
Four songs.

Binary Star // Masters Of The Universe (2001)

I first heard this song around 2000 (i think). It was at a BBQ up in Rogers Park. There wasn't a set DJ for the party, but people were hijacking the CD player all throughout the day playing random stuff here and there. At one point this girl walked up to me as I was like, "These are my guys from Michigan. You should check them out."

Man, I looked at her like, "Ain't nobody trying to hear your backyard rap." But I put it in anyway cause I figured the BBQ attendees would shoot it down eventually. I put it the disc and this song came on.

Wow. I sat back kinda...

Like I wasn't expecting THAT! Ha ha. Honestly, that first verse by One Be Lo is PERFECT! I'm telling you all right now, that dude is rappin', and it's as close to a perfect verse as you can get. I saw him perform this live a few years later and it was just amazing! This album had a few other choice songs on it ("New Hip Hop" and the wonderful story of "Glen Close"), but nothing tops that first song.

Thanks Hillary.

Amy Winehouse "Stronger Than Me" // Frank (2003)

My guy Mike turned me on to her while I was at his house raiding his iTunes of samples and such. "Wanna hear this girl that ?uest said sounds like Lauryn Hill?" So for a while I had her second album BACK TO BLACK and the popular song "Rehab" on serious rotation. While both albums are solid and showcase her wonderful vocal talents, I prefer FRANK. Why? It's more so by default because the Hip Hop meets Mowtown got tiresome for me on BACK TO BLACK. If you like B2B, check out her debut album FRANK (funny how the American Music Awards gave her the Best New Artist award for her 2nd album).

I'm an Amy Winehouse fan, and I hope she finds the help she needs. She makes good music.

Dorothy Ashby "Tornado" // Dorothy's Harp (1969)

Talk about Hip Harp! How did she make that harp so...Hip Hop! I mean, this was the late sixties early seventies, so maybe I need to take a look at the bebop scene that was so prevalant back then. But wow! And it's not just due to Kanye sampling some of her music, that's too easy. It's something else. She plays her harp like a guitar, and the beats that come from this album (yeah, beats!) are just amazing.

As you can probably tell, I'm just now learning about Ms. Ashby. And what I've been learning and hearing is fantastic. Many are probably familiar with her work via Kanye West on Common's FINDING FOREVER album. She also played on Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic" from the SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE LP.

Jimi Hendrix "Who Knows?" // Band Of Gypsys (1970)

"Ah, so THAT'S where he got it from!"

I had just bought this CD from the Crow's Nest in the Loop (DePaul, STAND UP!) and was playing it on my Sony discman as I walked down State St when I heard this song. About a year earlier a friend had sent me the full version of D'Angelo's Jazz Cafe concert in London (yeah, the official import release excluded a few tracks), and I recognized a riff that Mike Howard played on "Brown Sugar". That riff came from this album and this song.

This is probably my most favorite Jimi Hendrix song.

New Amerykah CD* AVAILABLE TODAY!

2008-02-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

Erykah Badu // NEW AMERYKAH (2008)
(* for those of you who still purchase CD's)

Badu is back with some of deepest, funkiest and best music of her career -- the far more than promising Amerykan Promise -- and what we'll consider an instant classic whether the world at large catches on or not! Erykah steps up this time with a set that balances the wilder impulses of her criminally underappreciated Worldwide Underground and more streamlined, righteously grooving earlier jams -- but still bursts with a freshness that's unrivaled to say the least.

From free spirited soul, to sparse hip hop funk this record is both blunt and beautiful -- with a slow-building emotional resonance that'll reach the most jaded soul. Modern soul of the first order that gave us goosebumps from the first spin to the last beat! The album kicks off with Erykah riffing on and remixing Ramp's "American Promise" as an intro -- and it just gets deeper from there.

Producers/collaborators include Madlib, Sa-Ra, Karriem Riggins, James Poyser and ?uestlove. Amazing!!! Titles include "The Healer", "Me", "My People", "Soldier", "The Cell", "Twinkle", "Master Teacher", "The Hump" and "Telephone". The 9th Wonder produced single "Honey" is an unlisted bonus track.

Practice? Practice (what we talkin' 'bout?)

2008-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

D'Angelo & The Soultronics
Essence Festival Rehearsals (1998)
TRT: 55:21

"Ain't It Funky Now"
"Jonz In My Bonz"
"Crusin'/Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine"
"Sh*t, Damn, Motherf*cker"
"Send It On"
"When We Get By"

"Brown Sugar"
"Lady"

Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (PERCUSSION)
Roy Hargrove (HORNS)
Angie Stone (BACKGROUND VOCALS)
Anthony Hamilton (BACKGROUND VOCALS)
James Poyser (KEYS)
Pino Palladino (BASS)

I tried my hardest to locate the exact band lineup for this show but I couldn't find any info. And let me be clear, this is NOT the actual show, but the rehearsals (which, for people like myself, is MUCH more interesting to hear). I know is that Anthony Hamilton sang backup and I've heard/read that Bilal was also on tour with the Soultronics, but I can't confirm anything else. Doesn't matter.

I love rehearsal stuff like this. I love the background talking, the off key trumpet on "When We Get By", ?uest calling out the count. Great stuff! I was going to post this earlier but I my divshare problems kept me from doing so (y'all see I'm right back with divshare too...ha ha). Anyway. So for those who missed practice, here you go.

high speed dubbing is back.
thanks for waiting.

this day

2008-02-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

HSD will return in full force next week. In the meantime, check the trailer to this movie "This Day" featuring one of my most favorite Group Home tracks, "So Called Friends".

DJ Spinnerty's Valentine's Day Mix

2008-02-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

Since I love y'all so much...a mix from one of my favorite DJ's.

DJ Spinnerty...from the Bay area.

Valentine's Day Mix

Surprise. HSD is having audio issues.

2008-02-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

What else is new?

No seriously, I apologize.
I am very serious about high speed dubbing.
I love writing about the music.
I love getting feedback (when it happens).
I love posting music, and even more so..

I love getting put on to new music.
HSD has allowed all of that to happen, and my music enjoyment has been enriched because of it.

December we were just getting off our feet.
We hit a few bumps in January, but we were rolling!
February isn't working out so well.

Again, the online spot I was using is causing issues with my audio.
So now I'm seriously thinking of buying a website so I can store/upload music without a 3rd party company (suggestions are welcome). So again, HSD will be on hiatus until I find out what's up.

My tritube to J Dilla will still appear as soon as I find a solution to this...ha ha, problem. Thank you for checking me out. Please keep me in your bookmarks and RSS feeds. I appreciate all the feedback and I promise there will be plenty of music to download and talk about. Cool?

thanks.

donnie

DILLA DAY #1/Ten Days Of Jay Dee

2008-02-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ten days of Jay Dee.

music.
articles.
beats.
videos.
interviews.

(coming as soon as my online storage spot stops acting up)

FIRST!

2008-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
Four songs.

Silhoutette Brown "Whose In Charge" // Silhouette Brown (2005)

I admit it. I'm a 4Hero junkie. Anything those two guys work on, I'm checking for it. Props to DJ Sean Haley of the group Windimoto for telling me about this joint. Two years ago 4Hero producer Dego released this joint with Kaidi Tatham to form Silhouette Brown.

This fantastic side project filled with chilled grooves and jazzy beats. More of that UK soul filled with creative harmonies and, what I've grown to love about broke beat music, the complex beat patterns. And that is especially present in THIS track.

Big Daddy Kane "Long Live The Kane" // Long Live The Kane (1988)

Alright I admit it! I just bought this album a month ago. I'll also admit that outside of "The Symphony" and "Ain't No Half Steppin'", I had known nothing about Big Daddy Kane. No, this is not a guest lecture by Lupe, but it gets worse. Ready? Sometimes, when asked, I would include Kane in my top 5 MC's list. Oh the horror! Why did I do it? To be honest, his rep. Among fans of hip hop, I had always heard people mention Big Daddy Kane. Always! Besides, he's one of the few MC's I've heard in the same breath as Rakim and KRS-One, and I hold those two MC's higher than anyone.

But you know what? I don't feel bad about it. Wait, let me take that back. After listening to Long Live The Kane, I do feel bad that I missed out on so much because the album IS sick. That title track is monstrous! It was listening to this album that I realized where Black Thought got a lot of his flow from.

I've always thought Kane was tight on "The Smyphony" and his guest appearance on A Prince Among Thieves was tight. Why didn't I check for him earlier? Laziness I guess. Nothing more, nothing less. We all have artists we just kinda sleep on. Besides, there's a lot of music out there...it's difficult to keep up with everything. Right?

(BETTER LATE THAN NEVER)

While the majority of you that have been fans for over 10 years will look at me in disgust (may even question high speed dubbing), there's probably two of y'all out there who secretly never checked dude out but KNEW you should have (then there's the cats that were born in 1986, but we'll forgive them).

For you, I say download this track and long live the Kane!

Stevie Wonder "Look Around" // Where I'm Coming From (1971)

Morris had just got an internship working at Tamla, the largest and hottest facility in the Midwest. His mother walked him down on his first day. He sat down at a long conference table with his new boss. He looked at Morris as if he held his career in the palm of his hand. "You're gonna work hard" he exclaimed, sitting behind a monstrous oak desk. "Harder than you've ever worked in your entire life."

Nervously Morris ran his fingers over his pants, they tightened around his thighs. His shirt collar was digging in his neck, but he reserved movement during the boss' speech. "You're gonna train with William. He'll show you how things are done around here."

William suddenly was in the room, leaning against the door frame cool as ever, yet annoyed at his new baby sitting duties. The boss continued, "We'll check back with you in a month to see if you're worthy of representing the Tamla brand. Oh, and one more thing." He slammed the desk with his fist causing an earthquake of pencils, post-its and paper clips.

"DON'T GET ANY IDEAS! Our formula works!"

So the work begins.
Importing and exporting.
Clocking in, clocking out.

Whatever they tossed in front of Morris, he handled. He also noticed the healthy competition going 'round the office. Everyone was trying to top the latest numbers coming out of the facility. A non stop organized chaos made working at the Tamla facility a fun place to work. At first Morris didn't think he could handle it but William (known around the office as Smokey) assured him he would be fine. And he was! He was a natural actually. A genius!

Years pass and not only did he begin mastering his own work, but he started helping everyone else. In fact, the office started coming to him for ideas on composition and style. Martha was asking for help on her work and Tammi needed his chops on her session again. The boss stood pleased. He'd occasionally come down from on high and notice his work. "Son, keep cranking 'em out and you will have a bright future. I promise."

But then the monotony set in. Everything that left Tamla started looking the same. For once, Morris wanted to try something different. Just once.

Years had gone by, and Morris' review with boss arrived. He walked in to the boss' office just as he did years ago, but this time it's different. This time, he sat with a little lean...a little attitude in his posture. Marvin had been putting bugs in his ear, and he had some ideas. Morris, excited about his newfound ideas, began talking to boss only to hear...

"Now you listen here you lil' punk! NO IDEAS!! OUR FORMULA WORKS!!"

Morris didn't flinch. "Then I won't sign."

Boss' mouth sat wide open. Shocked. For once he was at a loss for words.

"I got some ideas boss."

Those ideas? The Where I'm Coming From LP.
The artist? A 21 year old Steveland Morris.

....somewhere Vince Vaughn is dancing on a table.

Lewis Taylor "Lucky" // Lewis Taylor (1996)

The dark debut album from UK soul artist Lewis Taylor is one of my favorites simply for the intro track. If "Lucky" were placed anywhere else it would destroy the entrance to what is a very abstract and soul album. I believe it prepares you mentally and emotionally for everything Lewis is trying to say. In fact, he seems most vulnerable on "Lucky", and by songs end you're waiting to hear how he's going to grow up. Essentially, shouldn't that be the goal of every intro track?

The song also exposes some of Lewis' influences (Marvin and Bobby Womack maybe? What do you hear?) What's interesting is that Taylor has admitted in interviews that this album came to light after hearing D'Angelo's Voodoo. Supposedly the two singers had plans to work together on a project together, but it never happened (surprise).

When I first initially started writing about this song, I went in a totally different direction. I had like 3 paragraphs of stuff and I ended up deleting it, more so saving it, for another blog entry. For the people who are new to Lewis Taylor, what do you think? For the people who know about Lewis Taylor already, where do you rank this song compared to his others?

Future Soul/Love Sounds

2008-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Bugz In The Attic // Back In The Doghouse (2006)

I've been thinking about the future of High Speed Dubbing and sometime this year I know I want to have an entire week dedicated to UK R&B/Soul music. I need a name for it like "UK Explosion" (or maybe I should omit the "E" and use Xxplosion...more cutting edge, right? Worked for Dre.) Artists like the Bugz crew, Omar, Lewis Taylor, James Morrison, Jamiroquai, Julie Dexter, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone...(eh, I've named too many). No joke, in my opinion they're doing more with R&B than we are here in the States. I'll get more in to that later.

With UK Soul week coming at a later date, let me drop a preview of two songs that I've been playing constantly for the past year (yeah, YEAR)! Props to my man tREBELFREE for introducing me to Bugz via his compilation CD's and podcasts (went out and bought the CD a week later).

When I first heard "Consequences", I thought it was a lost cut from the mid 80s or something. Listen to that bassline! It's songs like this that make me wish I had my sub woofer hooked up in my car (Eric you're so bogus). Notice the vocal styles of Bembe Segue, who we featured earlier this month with The Politik.

"It Don't Work Like That" has taken over my 80 gig iPOD for the past year. THIS is the kinda R&B I'd love to hear on the radio (pipe dream, right?) The production and vocal arrangements on this song are fantastic, especially the harmonies at the end of the second verse! Anyway, these two songs help define the sub heading of High Speed Dubbing:

So, what are you listening to? Well, THIS is what I'm listening to.

Come For The Ride

2008-01-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

Tom Browne "Come For The Ride" // Yours Truly (1981)

I found this song through a two disc compilation CD put together by the Bugz In The Attic crew called Life: Styles. I originally thought it was an album filled with Bugz remixes. Turns out I was wrong, which upset me because a lot of the songs I already had. Then THIS joint shuffles it's way on a playlist and...wow!

Sample Clearance III

2008-01-22T20:45:00.000-08:00

George Duke "Someday" // I LOVE THE BLUES, SHE HEARD ME CRY (1975)

Common "Break My Heart" // FINDING FOREVER (2007)

New Media Player!

2008-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: I now have a new media player (see below). Now bare with me as I try to update all the pages.

Thanks for your patience.

St. Louis is Red Hot!

2008-01-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

Coultrain The Adventures Of Seymour Liberty (2008)

"Lost In Translation" (additional background vocals blackspade)

"Playin' Catch Up"

I have always worshiped the church that preaches from the "Side 1/Side 2" bible of album construction. For the youth that may be reading, vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album. If an album contained tracks released separately as released singles, these were often placed at particular positions on the album. A common configuration was to have the album led off by the second and third singles, followed by a ballad. The first single (the "best" song) would lead off side 2 (ie. Prince's "When Doves Cry", Tribe's "Electric Relaxation", etc).

The Adventures Of Seymour Liberty is from an artist who's hails from side 2 of the United States; St. Louis, Missouri. His name is Coultrain, and his official debut album is going to have a lot of people checking for the Midwest. Our first visit with Coultrain on high speed dubbing delivered two very different tracks: "Green" and my favorite, the Wajeeed produced "The Hustler".

Upon purchasing and fully absorbing Adventures (only $7 at Dustygroove), I found out that the album follows the style and feel of "Green" more than anything. I later found out that "The Hustler" was destined for a mix tape, which was good because the song would have sorely stuck out on this more mellow album.

Adventures is a slow build, just merely setting you up for the meat of the album. Be patient while listening. "Swimmin' In The Stars" is nice, but "The Girl Of My Dreams" is what really kick starts the album and introduces you to Coultrain.

Did anyone else hear flashes of Donnie and Bilal on "Screw"? I couldn't put my finger on it for the longest, but once I did I began to really love the song. I imagine this song would kill in a small venue with the right band and background singers.

The next three songs show the true potential of this St. Louis product. The piano driven and cool jazz "Lilac Tree" is elegant in it's vocal and chord changes. That leads into the mid tempo "Lost In Translation" featuring background harmonics from blackspade (who is another cat y'all need to check out). To finish out the trio is the highlight of the album, "Playin' Catch Up". I knew it when I first heard it.

I really enjoyed the overall sound of this album. Very concise. I liked how some songs continued the jam sessions long after the lyrics were done. Not many artists give time for the groove to keep going. Overall, I'm excited about what this brother is ABOUT to do.

Adventures is a solid debut album, but I get the feeling he can do so much more. I'm hoping his comfort level increases and allows him to expand his sounds and palette. Ladies and gentlemen, we've only witnessed the beginning.

Now turn the record over and play it again.

RUFUSIZED!

2008-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Rufus featuring Chaka Khan "Somebody's Watching You" from the RUFUSIZED LP (1974)

Props to Ayana Contreras of of Vocalo and 89.5 FM for introducing me to this Rufus & Chaka joint via a mix CD she made me a while back. This song alone is the reason I've started picking up every Rufus & Chaka album I can get my hands on. You can't tell me this isn't a top Chaka Khan performace! Top 5 at best! It's funky! It's fantastic!

Chaka Khan (LEAD VOCALS)
Tony Maiden (LEAD GUITAR, BACKGROUND VOCALS)
Kevin Murphy (ORGAN, CLAVINETTE, BACKGROUND VOCALS, ARP SYNTHESIZER)
Bobby Watson (BASS, BACKGROUND VOCALS)
Andre' Fischer (DRUMS, PERCUSSION)
Rufus (ARRANGEMENTS)

James Morrison

2008-01-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

James Morrison "You Give Me Something" from the UNDISCOVERED LP (2006)

I found out about James Morrison, another UK artist, from the guys over at Lessondary Never Secondary (to be more specific, donwill of the hip hop group Tanya Morgan). The song is currently being used on a promotional campaign for some new TV shows on FX. I took a listen and was thinking to myself, "He reminds me a lot of Lewis Taylor who's also out of the UK (surprise)." Anyway, props to james for the track, don for the link, FX for the exposure and my mama (just because).

UPDATE: donwill was right. That bridge is tight.

One blog washes another.

2008-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:00

GB // SOUNDTRACK FOR SUNRISE LP (2004)

"Look Within"

"68th Dimension"

"The Caribbean Temptress"

About a month ago DJ Brainchild introduced a song called Get On The Dance Floor by a two producer team called Poly on his blog. Upon enjoying the track, I did some more detailed research. The result? The album Soundtrack For Sunrise. GB, one half of Poly, put out this album in 2004, and it's been on constant play for the past two weeks.

One blog washes another.

Trackademicks!

2008-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Trackademicks "Top Sidin'" featuring Moxmore (2007)

E-40 "Tell Me When To Go" (Trackademicks Remix) featuring Keak Da Sneak (2007)

Trackademicks.
'Yay area.
One dude.
Skateboard p keys.
Dilla claps.
Southern 808.
It's the remix.

Slowly becoming one of my most favorite producers, Trackademicks is killing it all the way from Oakland, CA. I won't lie, I haven't checked for E-40 since he was "...hipper than a hippopotamus" back in 1995, but "Tell Me When To Go" is SICK! And I've loved "Top Sidin'" for a while now. Check out his MySpace page for a few more tracks, articles, videos and info.

Props to filthy for the tracks (go knicks!).

(see Eric, I DO like hip hop.)

dude 40 said...
"I don't bump mainstream, I knock underground
all that other s*%@! sugar coated and watered down."

The Politik

2008-01-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Politik (Mark De Clive-Lowe & Bembe Seque) (2007)

"Saturn"

"Mistaken"

"Feel It" (featuring Bahamadia)

Politik is a collaboration project between Mark De Clive-Lowe and Bembe Seque of Bugz In The Attic. I've had this CD for about a month, and I'm just NOW getting around to giving it a full listen. Truth be told, I was kinda iffy about it on the first few listens. I was feeling the production, but I was kinda iffy on Bembe Seque (who sings on a lot of tracks for Bugz).

But now (after I've played the album about 3 more times), I'm feeling this CD a lot! It's really growing on me. Initially I first typed this blog up a few weeks ago (yeah, I have these posts stored in a vault!), I only had two songs two share with y'all. I found one more joint that's very worthy of posting, "Saturn", which has this nice 1987 feel to it.

So yeah...here are a few tracks that have stood out so far.

(the end of "Mistaken" is sick).

You can check out some more tracks from this album on their MySpace page.

J Dillalude.

2008-01-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

"J Dillalude" * Robert Glasper IN MY ELEMENT LP (2007)

HSD will have an entire month dedicated to the greatness that is James Yancey, best known as Jay Dee or JDilla (one of the best producers and beat makers in the history of Hip Hop music). But for now I wanted to share this interlude (or Dillalude as he calls it) from jazz pianist Robert Glasper's album "In My Element".

I love hearing Hip Hop in non traditional forms, and Glasper's interpretation of some of Dilla's best work is a must hear. I came across this song on a podcast called Yoruba Soul earlier this year and I've been spending the greater part of 2007 looking for this CD.

*please disregard the Q-Tip voice mail message at the start of the track.

FIRST!

2008-01-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

New year.
New game.

First day of the month.
Favorite track 1's.
Four songs.

Omar "Lift Off" from the SING...IF YOU WANT IT LP (2005)

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a huge Omar fan (thanks Taunja for showing me the light!). I've seen dude in concert twice (fantastic shows) and I own all of his albums. Ever since I heard "In The Morning" from the Best By Far album, I've been hooked. Omar has blended his unique voice with a phenomenal sense of melody and song to create some fantastic music.

His first album There's Nothing Like This is a bit raw and is just OK in my book, but the rest of his catalog I highly recommend checking out! Now compared to his earlier albums, Sing...(If You Want It) is a slight let down. For every highlight on Sing, there's a low point. Some of the collaborations (Common, JC Bentley and Stevie Wonder) seem dialed in and forced. That being said, THIS short intro-lude that starts the album encompasses everything I love about Omar. Wonderous keys, well timed bets and vocals that sit ever so delicately on the track. This is a short example of Omar at his best.

Jazzanova "L.O.V.E. And You & I" from the IN BETWEEN LP (2002)

This song! This song alone introduced me to the sub-genre of broke beat (aka NuJazz), an amalgam of R&B, House, Jazz, Funk and Hip Hop music. My friend Taunja from Atlanta called me and told me to check out two CD's that she could not stop playing: 4Hero's Two Pages and Jazzanova's In Between. I walked out of Dustygroove with two CD's filled with music I'd never heard of.

I put In Between in my Alpine stereo and THIS song comes on. I pulled over and started the song over....and over...AND OVER! I couldn't believe my ears. What was this? The samples! The beats! Oh snap, that bass line half way through the song? Who were these guys? Just some Germans who loved Soul and Hip Hop music from the States.

The Jacksons "Music's Takin' Over" from the GOIN' PLACES LP (1977)

Press play above.
Listen to that.
Do you hear that?
Do you hear that voice?
Do you know who that is?
Sounds familiar, don't it?

Let me ask you this...

Do you know where your favorite version of Michael Jackson lives?

Do you? Some of you may have lost him. Some of you may think he only exists between Off The Wall and Thriller (which is fine, it's the peak of his career). For the longest time I thought my favorite Michael Jackson existed somewhere between The Wiz Soundtrack and his 1988 Bad album. After more research, I asked myself "Could The Jackson 5ive be more than just the Motown manufactured candy coated sugar pop jams backed by The Funk Brothers?" I mean could they? So like a lot of you, Bad was the last solid MJ album. Everything after that just got...well, odd (honestly there are some cuts on the Dangerous album).

For a long time I treasured the Michael that fit in that time span, never once thinking he existed before The Wiz or after Bad. Well, I've awaken from my slumber and I'm here to tell you there's more Michael out there. For the past four years I've been reacquainting myself with the six brothers from Gary, Indiana and (surprise) there's some great music on those records consisting of the Michael Jackson we love. The Michael you love on Off The Wall and Thriller? Guess what? He's alive and well on this album. That voice from "Rock With You" and "PYT"? Yeah, it's him.

"Music's Takin' Over" showcases a funkier more 70s feel that I never knew Mike and his brothers had. In fact, the Jackson 5ive's 1973 concert in Japan shows that the boys had some more music in them besides "I Want You Back". Even more so, these early Jackson albums on CBS really showcase Michael maturing in to his new voice. The second version of The Jacksons, and to a lesser extent this song, really opened up my appreciation for Michael. We'll showcase a lot more of the Jacksons on HSD this year, but I wanted to showcase this song because it's one of my favorite track 1's.

The Beatles "Come Together" from the ABBEY ROAD LP (1969)

Want to know how late I am on this album? I bought Abbey Road (and the Beatles biography) about a year ago right after I heard the conspiracy theory about the album cover. Crazy huh? Honestly, a good story will get me to buy an album without hearing it, and hearing about about all the "clues" did it. Historic relevance goes a long way with me. Anyway, when I think of songs that start an album, I couldn't get far without thinking of the boys from Liverpool.

My appreciation for the Beatles grew exponentially after hearing this album. I think it was hearing the medley at the end of the album that sort of had me thinking, "Wow! So that's it? THIS is why the Beatles are loved around the world!" Like, the light finally went off in my head about these four dudes, and "Come Together" was the chain that hung from the bulb.

(oh yeah, happy new year. *shrug*)

New Year's ERROR!

2008-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

(EDIT: So it's the new year, and not only is Divshare down, but they've deleted all of the songs I had on file. ALL OF THEM! None of the flash players are up and none of the links are working. So please bare with me as I try to replace all the songs on the blog. Hopefully they'll have the site fixed in the next couple of days. As soon as it's fixed, I'll make the first official post of 2008. Thanks.)

thanks.

2007-12-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

high speed dubbing is still here.

thanks for sharing the music.
thanks for all the feedback and comments.
thanks for sharing the ideas.

come through tomorrow for the first HSD post of 2008.

Sample Clearance II

2007-12-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

Tarika Blue "Dreamflower" from "The Blue Path" LP (1977)

Erykah Badu "Didn't Cha Know" from the "Mama's Gun" LP (2000)

Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto

2007-12-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

"Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto"
from the FUNKY CHRISTMAS LP (1968)

Sample Clearance I

2007-12-19T06:44:00.001-08:00

Kool & The Gang "Universal Sound" from Love & Understanding LP (1976)

Darien Brockington "Listen" from the Beautiful EP (2005)

(I know this isn't the correct album cover, but it's going to have to work for now)

The Breakfast Club

2007-12-16T18:41:00.001-08:00

"Jefferson" (BETTER MIX/QUALITY)

Straight from Wikipedia:

Early Years

Elzhi first gained notoriety as a rapper during his frequent visits to the legendary Hip-Hop Shop in Detroit during the mid nineties, where he took part in the weekly emcee battles. Originally part of the F.O.D. or Fingers of Death crew, El' (then called L.Z.) earned his reputation based on his rapid fire delivery and unique cadences.

Eventually, Elzhi would become part of the Breakfast Club with fellow artists Dwele, Big Tone(Then called Hodge Podge), Lacks and 87. During this era of his young career, El' would record such sought after classics as "Vitamins" and "Physical Therapy" with Big Tone.

~~~~

So yeah...

If Slum Village and Dwele ever did an album together, this would be it. Heavy bass grooves, Patrice Rushen like keys and that Detroit sound we love so much. (which is really just a Jay Dee sound, no?). "Jefferson" is the only track that prominently showcases Dwele, while the other songs have him singing background vocals and hooks. There's no doubt his production style is prominent throughout the album, so chances are if you like Dwele, Elzhi or Slum Village, you'd really enjoy this album.

The biggest setback is that most copies of this album sound like it came from a tape that has been copied over 5 times. The version above is of much higher quality...so if you don't have it...GRAB IT! The amazing thing is these cats were doing this back in 1997, which was also during the production of Slum's "Fantastic Vol. 1". It's a shame this album didn't get the proper exposure because there are a few great grooves between the static. Sorry, I don't have the entire album in this quality (i wish).

The Making of Mama's Gun

2007-12-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

(Straight from the forums of Okayplayer.com...straight from the mouth of E. Badu)

okay
i have to do this...
been dying to for ever...
including DIDNT CHA KNOW,
i am responsible for all the arangements and choices of mamas gun.
badu produced this albulm.
and ALL of my albulms.
was not a complete soulquarian production so to speak.
we did some songs together tho.
i carefully gathered each song, sample and musician.
i sequenced, mixed , and mastered every single song.
(ofcourse with the hands and ears of talented engineers- see liner notes)

sessions went like this:
quest played , james played , dilla played, pino played , or who ever, all improvised...
most sessions were guided by my vocal arrangements and direction -all improv as well
we all were credited as writters.
each song has its own story , for example
i wrote and arranged a d 2000 on acoustic guitar.. Jp, Pp, and ? played along and added voicing. ( made it fresh)

i guided and arranged green eyes , booty, cleva, pen philosophy( well if i remember correctly i walked in on this one)... making the musicians the writters , technically, and myself producer where applicable.

after all songs were in their first stages with (keys, bass and drums)
i brought in horns, strings , percussion , guitar , etc.. james poyser introduced me to a lot of these players .

history:
in any session where we all play together (soul quarians - if you will) ,ahmir is generally the band leader ,

however ,where badu is the 'subject' ( my projects) she is also the 'painter'. get it?
like pages from a diary.

1/2 of the albulm with songs like : 'in love with you', '.. and on', 'orange moon ',
' bag lady ' and others were produced or co produced by myself with other muscians ( read credits)

near the end of the making of MG , i brought in james poyser to co exec produce the project. ( Soulq. sessions in final stages as well)
everyone refers to him as my " studio husband".
he was instrumental in carrying out and following thru with my musical and creative plans.
that meant helping to keep my thoughts organized and sometimes even writting BG vox parts ,while i was sometimes passed out in the lounge , coming down.
now understand, i am as much of a control freaq as you may think, so i am very maticulous about my shit. even in my sleep...

consequently this drove james to growing a beard and slipping' post its' which read HELP ME to any one who came into the sessions.

one may ask , how does she "produce an albulm or song without reading music or playing?" well..
ask quest. ask james. ask ringo. ask quincy jones. dont ask diddy... i think he just tags his name sometimes.
its the ear and the vision that make good producers , along with the ability to direct and color. knowing how it 'should not ' sound is as great an advantage as any.
all about space to me. vocals must sit in the right pocket. drums must be EQ'd to sonically fit the song. chords need space in between. bass has to talk to me , engineers and mixers must understand desired sound and be able to listen etc.. etc...and choosing dope ass musicians who love you and what they do ,dont hurt either.

i know how this must sound to some of you critics but i just wanted to share the process of how i go about aquiring the sound i work tirelessly to create.
So im not just a song writter and vocalist to popular belief.

(note: ive written every song i 've sang for the exception of any covers and 'you got me' - which i thought was penned by b.thought at the time, but was actually written by jill scott who should have sang it in the first place IMO.)
and..
ive written the concepts for, and directed every video in my catalogue except for very first one,' ON and ON'. ( wrote treatment , however)

now why is this important to me, again?
its my work.

and i wanted you to know.

just wanted to hip ya'll to the tee. (as tina marie would put it).

humble is cool but this is overdue.
10 years in the game folks.
its all me. (and a lot of great friends and brilliant like minded musicians who believe in and share my vision)

soo... anyway ...when i finally finished mamas gun ,2000 ,
Ahmir calls and sais .. "OMG, this albulm is the story of my life right now.."
that, my friends, is the proudest moment to date for me.
i adore this brother.

Consequently,
alot of times , when "singers" say that they are also the producer of their own songs or albulms, this is not the case.
but in this case , this is THE case.
quote me.

carefully orchestrated and conceptually calculated.

peace and respect :

genius AHMIR (who introduced me to poyser and taught me thru example , what a great albulm should sound like)

genius james poyser ( who 'plays' like God talks , and finishes my every creative sentence)

genius pino palidino ( who always agrees and just wants to jam even tho he is the dopest nigga in the room...italian)

genius tom soares ( who is the engineer of mamas gun , and wwug, ... kinda dude that believes in you to the point where he memorizes your free styles)

genius ringo (tumblin dice)rashad smith (who totally gets it.. gets me , who is my brother -check his catalog)

genius J DILLA, JAH, FREE, and all producers who have been a part of my life and growth as an artist. and who want me to grow.

and my A team freakquency ( created from wwug - ringo , poyser , rc williams , badu)
why does this look like liner notes?

forgive me if this feels in any way arrogant ,
thats not my intent.
This conversation is fruitless at this point.

but i just wanted ya' ll to know.

and in the spirit of women producers everywhere...

forget me not ( as patrice rushian would say)

okay?
e. badu
dec. 2007 ad

(The making of "Didn't Cha Know")

i was at dillas house in the basement filling thru his many stacks of albulms, all lined up perfectly neat and covered in a thick durable plastic.
i pulled out a simple record with the words TARiKA BLUE written on it.
i say to myself , " fresh name.."
i put the needle on the record on the turn table - i think it was song #1
dream flower.
and out the speakers comes the most beautiful sound i had ever heard in my LIFE.
i sais , " i think i wanna fall in love"...
dilla always wanted me to learn .
always encouraged me to find my own samples down to the point of snatching the peice to make the loop. i did .
i was always eager , but cool. (cause he was cool)
we looped 2 sections with 2 diff bass lines. (bad ass bass lines too..)
made the 2 sequences
dilla added the drums.
badu drum pattern- not very much like his usual style.
we were in detroit . it was winter.
he left me with the looped sequences.
i wrote the bulk of the song freestyle on mic right there.
it was cold in that basement .
ma dukes was at work i think
frank and dank were proud of me..T3 was there too.
ok, so,
went to ny
Com gave me the line , " stopped to watch my emotions sway"
added Doc gibbs percussion.
yahzarah and chinah black doubled my 'AH's'
poyser on keys.( sprinkles)
and thats all.

didny cha know...

the great james yancey- dillagent. killer. hundred dollar biller.
you live thru me .....salute.
i love you.

badu