Just a quick post today...
This is one of my favorite 12" records since it's universally badass.
I always thought a great comedy sketch would be Tracy Morgan as Hamilton Bohannon since their mutual resemblance is pretty uncanny. Basically the sketch would be Morgan dressed in a ridiculous tux with a conductor's baton repeating "I'm Hamilton Bohannon!" while some other dude made ridiculous sounds with his bass. I don't know, that's funny to me.
No MP3, just an embedded YouTube link...
Hamilton Bohannon on Wikipedia
Hamilton Bohannon on Discogs
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Bauch Amp - Larytta - Creaked Records - 2008
The Swiss duo Larytta have finally washed ashore in the U.S. with their debut LP Difficult Fun. Sonically, Larytta (Guy Meldem and Christian Pahud) are tough to quantify with sounds and beats ranging from Afro-beat (on Voodoo Things) to tinny electro (Spoiled Kids) and even bubblegum (Love Love Oddysey.)
Check out the harmonies and the six-string in Bauch Amp, there's a lot going on here. It's one of those rare tracks that doesn't need to push the tempo to get your head nodding.
Listen to Bauch Amp (zshare) by Larytta.
Check out the harmonies and the six-string in Bauch Amp, there's a lot going on here. It's one of those rare tracks that doesn't need to push the tempo to get your head nodding.
Listen to Bauch Amp (zshare) by Larytta.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Was That Kings of Leon On SNL?
I watched SNL last night for the first time in a long time, and was completely non-plussed. No, not by the lack of Andy Samberg, but by musical guest Kings of Leon, four guys from Tennessee who went from being a relatively interesting rock act to homogeneous alt-rock in the span of three albums.
Kings of Leon has never been my favorite band, but I gave their second album, Aha Shake Heartbreak, a few listens when it came out in 2004. Most of the tracks followed the same formula: Caleb Followill's distinct vocals over a bluesy guitar riff for just long enough to fill a 7" single. It wasn't revolutionary, but it wasn't so bad to listen to, and at least it was unique.
It was also after this record that Kings of Leon landed a fashion spread in Rolling Stone, their marketability hinging upon southern mystique, their ostensible devotion to whiskey (the only explanation for Followill's voice, I contend,) and a sound not completely unlike The Strokes'.
Fast forward to last night. James Franco giggled his way through an advertisement for Columbia University, the cast went esoteric on America with a drawn out Steinbeck sketch, and Kings of Leon played two boring, generic, and over-produced tunes. What happened to these guys being a little rough around the edges? They sounded more mimosa than Maker's Mark.
The songs appear on Only By the Night which drops Tuesday on RCA. I can't blame the band for signing to a major label, landing major press or playing a big tour. I won't hate on a band for being successful. I will, however, freely hate on a band that goes from making their bones by sounding at least a little bit different and then abandons that sound to make bland and uncontroversial music.
Two songs about fire by Kings of Leon:
Listen to Pistol of Fire (zshare) by Kings of Leon from Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
Listen to Sex on Fire (zshare) by Kings of Leon from Only By the Night (2008)
Kings of Leon has never been my favorite band, but I gave their second album, Aha Shake Heartbreak, a few listens when it came out in 2004. Most of the tracks followed the same formula: Caleb Followill's distinct vocals over a bluesy guitar riff for just long enough to fill a 7" single. It wasn't revolutionary, but it wasn't so bad to listen to, and at least it was unique.
It was also after this record that Kings of Leon landed a fashion spread in Rolling Stone, their marketability hinging upon southern mystique, their ostensible devotion to whiskey (the only explanation for Followill's voice, I contend,) and a sound not completely unlike The Strokes'.
Fast forward to last night. James Franco giggled his way through an advertisement for Columbia University, the cast went esoteric on America with a drawn out Steinbeck sketch, and Kings of Leon played two boring, generic, and over-produced tunes. What happened to these guys being a little rough around the edges? They sounded more mimosa than Maker's Mark.
The songs appear on Only By the Night which drops Tuesday on RCA. I can't blame the band for signing to a major label, landing major press or playing a big tour. I won't hate on a band for being successful. I will, however, freely hate on a band that goes from making their bones by sounding at least a little bit different and then abandons that sound to make bland and uncontroversial music.
Two songs about fire by Kings of Leon:
Listen to Pistol of Fire (zshare) by Kings of Leon from Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
Listen to Sex on Fire (zshare) by Kings of Leon from Only By the Night (2008)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Why Is Everyone Sleeping On Elitechnique?
That's what it seems like to me, at least. A search on Hype Machine yields three hits, and another on Elbows digs up 20. And it's not like these Dutchmen haven't had any high-profile releases; with remixes of both Sally Shapiro and Black Devil Disco Club, it seems there would be a little more buzz about them. The Black Devil remix really hits the mark for me, and can be heard on their Myspace, which I have linked below.
Elitechnique, who are Florentijn Boddendijk and Remco, have definitely listened to a fair share of Giorgio Moroder in their day (like any good nu-disco act should.) They've released their music primarily on Clone, but have also appeared on Lo. Give it a listen.
Here's a repost of Elektric Evening from last week's mix, as well as another Elitechnique track, We Shall Control.
Please visit their Myspace to listen to more and support the artist.
Listen to Elektric Evening (zshare) by Elitechnique
Listen to We Shall Control (zshare) by Elitechnique
See also: Elitechnique on Discogs
Elitechnique, who are Florentijn Boddendijk and Remco, have definitely listened to a fair share of Giorgio Moroder in their day (like any good nu-disco act should.) They've released their music primarily on Clone, but have also appeared on Lo. Give it a listen.
Here's a repost of Elektric Evening from last week's mix, as well as another Elitechnique track, We Shall Control.
Please visit their Myspace to listen to more and support the artist.
Listen to Elektric Evening (zshare) by Elitechnique
Listen to We Shall Control (zshare) by Elitechnique
See also: Elitechnique on Discogs
"It's kinda like No Wave, but Not."
I've been addicted to the Rong/DFA compilation Not Wave for the last week or so and now I bring it to you. Don't worry, the first hit is free.
Rong has the following comment:
"Rong music has compiled a (somewhat) new take on the early 80's underground of New York City's No Wave sound. We've even coined our own name for the new sub genre - "Not Wave." For those of you asking, what the hell does that mean? Well, have a listen and hear for yourself! But, if ever cornered by some vinyl maniac at the local disco, our knee jerk response will be, "It's kinda like No Wave, but Not." I guess you could say our thoughts on the matter for making any type of compilation are, "every-thing's been done already, so why not start off with something old and work towards a mutated version of itself." Make sense everybody? Nahh... were just foolin with that last uptight quote, what a bunch of horse *bleep* huh? Sounds like something you'd read in a magazine." Rong Music
Behind the tongue-in-cheekery, genuine highlights include Welcome Stranger (nom de plume of Rub N Tug's Thomas Bullock) bleeding bass all over Smoke Machine and Freshro's update (or is it backdate?) of Spoon's I Turn My Camera On. James Chance again proves he is relevant thirty years later, earning a spot on his second major comp in a year after appearing as James White and the Blacks on the third installment of the excellent Disco Not Disco. But Chance and the Contortions stop the dance and drop the go-go bells of Contort Yourself, to instead cook up a nasty blues line that mainlines somewhere between Jimi Hendrix and Robbie Krieger on King Heroin.
Notwave is a great first offering from Rong/DFA, and with the talent in both of those stables, it certainly will not be the last.
Listen to Smoke Machine (zshare) by Welcome Stranger
Listen to I Turn My Camera On (zshare) by Freshro
Listen to I Turn My Camera On (zshare) by Spoon
Listen to King Heroin (zshare) by James Chance & the Contortions
Monday, September 15, 2008
Review: Arabian Prince – “Innovative Life, 1984-1989” - Stones Throw
A compilation by former NWA member and electronic pioneer Arabian Prince AKA Professor X
http://www.stonesthrow.com/arabianprince
Innovative Life is the perfect comp to spin at a grimy summer after-party where nobody seems like they’re up to any good. It’s distinctly 80’s, darkly delivering punch to keep the bass-heads stepping and the base-heads nodding. Arabian Prince (born Mik Lezan) does not suffer from a lack of versatility, moods and beats equally crucial to the formation of 90’s dance music, techno and gangster rap. Admittedly, Lezan’s sound is not without a tinge of old-school camp on the precipice of its second generation, but the rich production remains relevant when nasty synth riffs and programmed drums are still often the backbone of electronic music. There’s no doubt that a compilation that fits a contemporary niche plays stronger than one mired in pastiche or ironic retrospect. Twenty years later, the Prince is still current, still slightly cerebral and slyly carnal, and still holding court.
Lezan’s work draws the label of electro-rap, and ‘electro’ correctly precedes ‘rap’ in the genre description. Despite contributing greatly in rap’s nascence, Lezan never intends for his work on the mic to carry a track, instead letting his monotone delivery of predominantly simple lyrics serve as a clear reminder to dance first and ask questions later. This sentiment is no more evident than in Let’s Hit the Beach, a deep start/stop blend of Martin Luther church organ and Martin Denny exotica. Additional vocalists include an outstanding un-credited female backing vocalist and Dr. Dre (on the NWA track Panic Zone) to fill in the gaps where Lezan’s rasp just wouldn’t be servicable.
There are plenty of other gems here too, including climax Professor X (Saga), a track that manages to be both catchy and edgy. The saga is electrically percussive enough to fall into a lock-step trance, Prince loudly boasting over slick and parsimonious production. My main criticism of the collection is that it does get a little repetitive, and frankly it is a little difficult to differentiate a couple of songs from each other. There are, however, enough beats here to come back for, and at an hour long you can let this one burn in the background.
If this recommendation wasn’t enough to persuade you, Arabian Prince also produced J.J. Fad’s smash Supersonic—you know, the track Fergie ripped off in Fergalicious.
Shake your humps like a Bactrian camel to Arabian Prince:
Listen to Let's Hit the Beach (zshare)
Listen to Professor X (Saga)
Listen to Panic Zone (zshare) by NWA ft. Dr. Dre
Listen to Supersonic (zshare) by JJ Fad
http://www.stonesthrow.com/arabianprince
Innovative Life is the perfect comp to spin at a grimy summer after-party where nobody seems like they’re up to any good. It’s distinctly 80’s, darkly delivering punch to keep the bass-heads stepping and the base-heads nodding. Arabian Prince (born Mik Lezan) does not suffer from a lack of versatility, moods and beats equally crucial to the formation of 90’s dance music, techno and gangster rap. Admittedly, Lezan’s sound is not without a tinge of old-school camp on the precipice of its second generation, but the rich production remains relevant when nasty synth riffs and programmed drums are still often the backbone of electronic music. There’s no doubt that a compilation that fits a contemporary niche plays stronger than one mired in pastiche or ironic retrospect. Twenty years later, the Prince is still current, still slightly cerebral and slyly carnal, and still holding court.
Lezan’s work draws the label of electro-rap, and ‘electro’ correctly precedes ‘rap’ in the genre description. Despite contributing greatly in rap’s nascence, Lezan never intends for his work on the mic to carry a track, instead letting his monotone delivery of predominantly simple lyrics serve as a clear reminder to dance first and ask questions later. This sentiment is no more evident than in Let’s Hit the Beach, a deep start/stop blend of Martin Luther church organ and Martin Denny exotica. Additional vocalists include an outstanding un-credited female backing vocalist and Dr. Dre (on the NWA track Panic Zone) to fill in the gaps where Lezan’s rasp just wouldn’t be servicable.
There are plenty of other gems here too, including climax Professor X (Saga), a track that manages to be both catchy and edgy. The saga is electrically percussive enough to fall into a lock-step trance, Prince loudly boasting over slick and parsimonious production. My main criticism of the collection is that it does get a little repetitive, and frankly it is a little difficult to differentiate a couple of songs from each other. There are, however, enough beats here to come back for, and at an hour long you can let this one burn in the background.
If this recommendation wasn’t enough to persuade you, Arabian Prince also produced J.J. Fad’s smash Supersonic—you know, the track Fergie ripped off in Fergalicious.
Shake your humps like a Bactrian camel to Arabian Prince:
Listen to Let's Hit the Beach (zshare)
Listen to Professor X (Saga)
Listen to Panic Zone (zshare) by NWA ft. Dr. Dre
Listen to Supersonic (zshare) by JJ Fad
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Arpeggiators R Us - September Mix
"(Ba de ya) Say do you remember
(Ba de ya) Dancing in september
(Ba de ya) Never was a cloudy day."
The weather has been gorgeous here in the Valley, and that just makes me feel like dancing. This month's mix is a steady dose, with plenty of synth to go around. The tracklisting is below with individual MP3 links to the zShare file.
JayRocking 9/11 Edition - 59:52
Hotdog - Sesame Street - CTW
Hotdog - Simian Mobile Disco (Cosmo Vitelli rmx) - Wichita - 2008
Bostich - Yello - Do It Records - 1981
Situation - Yazoo - Sire - 1982
Willie & the Handjive - Rinder & Lewis - AVI Records - 1979
Signal Failure - Padded Cell - D.C. Recordings - 2005
Willie & the Handjive - Rinder & Lewis
Elektric Evening - Elitechnique - Clone - 2008
Every Sunday - Crazy Gang - Flexx (re-issue) - 2006
Give Me A Break - Vivien Vee - Unidisc - 1980
Stop - BWH - House of Music - 1983
Light A Light - Peppermint - RJM - 1987
Yip Yip Radio - Sesame Street
(Ba de ya) Dancing in september
(Ba de ya) Never was a cloudy day."
The weather has been gorgeous here in the Valley, and that just makes me feel like dancing. This month's mix is a steady dose, with plenty of synth to go around. The tracklisting is below with individual MP3 links to the zShare file.
JayRocking 9/11 Edition - 59:52
Hotdog - Sesame Street - CTW
Hotdog - Simian Mobile Disco (Cosmo Vitelli rmx) - Wichita - 2008
Bostich - Yello - Do It Records - 1981
Situation - Yazoo - Sire - 1982
Willie & the Handjive - Rinder & Lewis - AVI Records - 1979
Signal Failure - Padded Cell - D.C. Recordings - 2005
Willie & the Handjive - Rinder & Lewis
Elektric Evening - Elitechnique - Clone - 2008
Every Sunday - Crazy Gang - Flexx (re-issue) - 2006
Give Me A Break - Vivien Vee - Unidisc - 1980
Stop - BWH - House of Music - 1983
Light A Light - Peppermint - RJM - 1987
Yip Yip Radio - Sesame Street
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Ride the Mighty High - The Mighty Clouds of Joy - ABC Records - 1975
Maybe I should save this cross-over gospel hit for Sunday, but there's no guarantee I'll be coherent tomorrow since I plan on getting pretty ripe during today's Miami/UF game. GO CANES!
Ride the Mighty High was the only mainstream success from The Mighty Clouds of Joy, but they made the most of it, becoming the only gospel act to appear on Soul Train and opening for Marvin Gaye and the Rolling Stones, among others. The build takes a second, but if you're not grooving by the end your soul really does need saving.
Take a load off your mind and listen to Ride the Mighty High (zshare) by the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Links:
AllMusic
Wikipedia
Ride the Mighty High was the only mainstream success from The Mighty Clouds of Joy, but they made the most of it, becoming the only gospel act to appear on Soul Train and opening for Marvin Gaye and the Rolling Stones, among others. The build takes a second, but if you're not grooving by the end your soul really does need saving.
Take a load off your mind and listen to Ride the Mighty High (zshare) by the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Links:
AllMusic
Wikipedia
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Walking In LA - Missing Persons - Capitol Records - 1982
My buddies Will and Paul were mixing it up in Hollywood when they heard this gem from Los Angeles 80's band Missing Persons. When I saw them a few hours later they couldn't stop telling me about it. Turns out they were right, Walking In LA is a solid little new-wave toe-tapper.
Singer/Playboy bunny Dale Bozzio and drummer Terry Bozzio met and married while playing with Frank Zappa. They would go on to form Missing Persons with Warren Cuccurullo who shared Bozzio's attitude about clothing would also play with Duran Duran members along with Terry Bozzio. Missing Persons are probably best known for their songs Words and Destination Unknown.
Oh, and if you were wondering, it's true, there's nobody walking in LA.
Listen to Walking In LA (zshare) by Missing Persons.
Singer/Playboy bunny Dale Bozzio and drummer Terry Bozzio met and married while playing with Frank Zappa. They would go on to form Missing Persons with Warren Cuccurullo who shared Bozzio's attitude about clothing would also play with Duran Duran members along with Terry Bozzio. Missing Persons are probably best known for their songs Words and Destination Unknown.
Oh, and if you were wondering, it's true, there's nobody walking in LA.
Listen to Walking In LA (zshare) by Missing Persons.
Cat People (Putting Out Fire) - Giorgio Moroder ft. David Bowie - MCA - 1982
For the second straight day we pick a song from a disco luminary who generated some of his best work for cinema. Giorgio Moroder produced and mixed the soundtrack to 1982's Cat People, which is, naturally "An Erotic Fantasy About The Animal In Us All." Let IMDB.com fill in the blanks with some plot keywords including "Male-Female Relationship," "Strong Sexual Content," "Sex," "Bondage" and "Zookeeper."
Moroder was also behind the soundtracks to both Scarface and American Gigolo, but today's track bears little resemblance to "Vamos A Bailar" or "Call Me." David Bowie stretches the bounds of androgony into the rest of the animal kingdom and meanwhile nails the vocals. I've had two people ask me if it's Johnny Cash singing the first couple of minutes but, while that's not a bad guess, the build to the finish is vintage Bowie.
Listen to Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (zshare) by Giorgio Moroder featuring David Bowie vocals.
Moroder was also behind the soundtracks to both Scarface and American Gigolo, but today's track bears little resemblance to "Vamos A Bailar" or "Call Me." David Bowie stretches the bounds of androgony into the rest of the animal kingdom and meanwhile nails the vocals. I've had two people ask me if it's Johnny Cash singing the first couple of minutes but, while that's not a bad guess, the build to the finish is vintage Bowie.
Listen to Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (zshare) by Giorgio Moroder featuring David Bowie vocals.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Every Sunday – Crazy Gang – Bubble – 1983
Today’s track is the Claudio Simonetti arrangement “Every Sunday” performed by Crazy Gang. It’s a fine example of Italo-disco from Crazy Gang’s lone LP release entitled “We Are the Crazy Gang” replete with the haunting synth-work you’d expect from the keyboardist from Goblin. “Every Sunday” arpeggiates, modulates and intoxicates for eight wild minutes of dark disco debauchery.
You’d better have incredible luck or deep pockets to find the original release, (any takers?) but thankfully Flexx Records has re-released the 12” single version of this strangely addicting cut.
Thanks to Urlaubhits for originally posting this.
Listen to Every Sunday - Crazy Gang (zshare)
See also: http://www.claudiosimonetti.com/
You’d better have incredible luck or deep pockets to find the original release, (any takers?) but thankfully Flexx Records has re-released the 12” single version of this strangely addicting cut.
Thanks to Urlaubhits for originally posting this.
Listen to Every Sunday - Crazy Gang (zshare)
See also: http://www.claudiosimonetti.com/
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