?uestlove’s DJ Set Tribute to J Dilla

Posted in Downloads, Media with tags , , , on Friday, February 10, 2012 by Tim Althaus

As many of you know, ?uestlove is probably the biggest J Dilla fanatic there is; I guarantee he has just about every piece of music that James Yancey composed. ?uesto was on Hot97 today as a guest dj, and every song in his show was related to J Dilla; I only wish I could have listened to this live because ?uestlove is one of the most knowledgeable musicians of all-time, and I can guarantee he put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this.

As far as a dj set is concerned, ?uestlove totally kills it; he skews every aspect of Dilla’s career, and his knowledge of Dilla’s catalog becomes clear within the first few songs. This mix is definitely worth an hour of your time. You can expect to hear songs from Ghostface, Slum Village, J Dilla himself, The Roots, Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Common, De La Soul and The Pharcyde. What I love about this show is that ?uestlove actually breaks down some of the samples that Dilla used, so you can try to imagine how Jay flipped it. This dj set is something that a hardcore Dilla fan like myself can really get into, but at the same time, it’s a great introduction for someone new to the Dilla catalog.

Download: ?uestlove’s J Dilla DJ Set

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R.I.P. J Dilla (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006)

Posted in News with tags , , , on Friday, February 10, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I still can’t believe that this man is gone because it always saddens me to think about Jay’s passing. Jay Dee truly was a producer’s producer, and no one will ever be able to top Dilla’s abilities. I feel as though I am a very fortunate human being; experiencing and finding out about Dilla’s music is truly one of the greatest things that has happened in my life. His music is something that I will always be able to confide in whether times are good or bad, and I thank him for that. For those of you fortunate enough to be in the D today, I salute you, and I hope you have an incredible time on Dilla Day.

 

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Album Review: Made of Wood, The Chill/Funk Trip

Posted in Music Reviews, Reviews with tags , , , , , , , on Friday, February 10, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

The more I explore the more I realize I will never be able to discover all of the music the world has to offer let alone our own nation. Made of Wood makes me realize that this is why I am trying to discover as much of that music that I can. On the new album, The Chill/Funk Trip, you will get an instrumental barrage that can be described as Downtempo with 70’s Funk and modern Jazz elements.

In an email I received from I AM PR Agency it suggests that you listen to this album at a lounge, in your car or in your bed. 2 weeks ago on a Saturday morning I did just that. Well, excluding at a lounge or in a car. As I laid in bed and drifted through an hour of life reflection where I may have been under the influence of some really damn good instrumental music. Yes, that morning I decided Made of Wood was worthy of a listen if you are in the mood to relax, think or ready to go on that voyage(whatever “that” voyage may be for you).

Dan Waldman is the man behind the curtain in his musical land of Oz and Made of Wood is the solo project from this composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. The first track “Are We There Yet?” would be a perfect fit for any snowboarding video worthy of such a smooth and buttery theme. As the album plays on you realize you are along for a ride for the entirety of the album.

If you like orchestra, if you like funk, if you like the piano, if you like drums or if you like strings you are going to like Made of Wood. This album does a perfect job of blending everything together to make an original work of musical art. The most important part when listening to Made of Wood is to make sure you really listen to every sound being created and appreciating all the different elements that he blends together.

Lay down, relax look for Made of Wood The Chill/Funk Trip and start making your dreams a reality or your realities a dream.

Album Release Date: February 1, 2012

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Gorillaz Announce Guest Collaborators

Posted in Music News, News with tags , , , , , , , , on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

Earlier today Murdoc the front animation-man announced who the guest collaborators were for the new Gorillaz track via Soundcloud. The two lucky artists are Andre 3000(Outkast) and James Murphy(LCD Soundsystem). The group of men will be releasing “DoYaThing” in two weeks on February 23, 2012 and will be available for a free download on that day via Converse.com. Anytime you get 3 musical geniuses together you know something brilliant is going to happen and anytime James Murphy is working on something new I want to know. Having the brainchild of LCD Soundsystem team up with Gorillaz is one dream that is going to become a reality in two weeks. After saying that the only question is; can I just go to bed now and wake up then?

 

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Album Review: Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Country

Posted in Music Reviews, Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

Wow, from the start of the new album Country by Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad I am amazed and I am astonished. I first heard of this band while attending a G-Love and the Special Sauce show at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Their live show was an unreal jam session filled with plenty of energy that got the crowd dancing. Country may get your foot tapping a bit while you are sipping a whiskey down at your local saloon.

Country is an album with an acoustic, slowed down blue grass sound with folk and reggae roots. They describe their music as folk and that the fans should know that there is just good music and there is just bad music. The band said they hear so many people when asked, “what kind of music they like?” reply with the answer, “everything but country.” GPGDS wanted to break the mold that all country music is not typical country and that folk is in all forms of music. It is funny because I am one who has said, “I am into everything but country.” I am also on the record saying that, “I like Johnny Cash but do not consider him to be country but more of a folk artist.” This means I understand fully what Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is talking about.

Now, saying all that I can appreciate this album even though at times I am not sure that I am listening to GPGDS. At other times I am reminded of the elements that made me fall in love with this band. In the track “Kids in the Square” they pick up the tempo a bit and make for a blue grass jam that could get you dancing. Next, the song “Healing” which has a reggae feel in a blue grass song reminds you of GPGDS of past. “New Speedway Boogie” has the softest sound with the loudest vocals on the album and again reminds you of classic Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. This little section of their new album is my favorite especially after the slow start with the first four songs.

I suggest you head over to the website and give the new album a listen before forming an opinion. It will help you decide if you want to support this new project for the group from Rochester, NY or if you want to take a break so the music is more refreshing when the next album comes out. I know I am going to support GPGDS and can appreciate the new sound off of Country.

Album Release Date: January 31, 2012

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The Black Keys Release New Video: “Gold on the Ceiling”

Posted in Media, Music News, News, Video with tags , , , , , on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by Eric Gilardi

The Black Keys have released their official music video for the new single “Gold on the Ceiling” off of El Camino. It is a very catchy song and the video features the two rockers from Akron, Ohio performing in the studio, on stage and preparing for the stage. The video seems to put a little smile on your face as you watch the amount of effort and the amount of fun the two are having. If you haven’t checked out the video yet, go ahead and if you haven’t heard the song yet, it is a must play.

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Happy Birthday to the Greatest That Ever Did It…

Posted in Downloads, Random with tags , , , , , , on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by Tim Althaus

As I sit here and ponder what to write for my annual Dilla Day post, I find myself thinking about the first time I heard James Dewitt Yancey’s music: A friend had told me to check out the track “So Far To Go” off of Jay’s album, The Shining. From the second “So Far To Go” started playing, I was hit with a myriad of emotions, and I had no idea how to comprehend what was bombarding my ear drums; once the piano section kicked in right around the two minute mark, I damn near burst into tears. I would soon come to realize that I had been “technically” listening to James Yancey’s music for a long time; I just didn’t know it. Continue reading →

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Fashawn & Exile, “Oh Word (Keep on Rising)”

Posted in Audio, Media with tags , , , on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I really hope that this means Fashawn & Exile are close to finishing Fashawn’s sophomore effort The Ecolog; Boy Meets World is still one of my favorite albums to this day. I spotted this gem at 2DopeBoyz yesterday, and needless to say, I fucking love it. The chemistry that is shown between Fash & Ex is amazing; even though Exile is a below average emcee, his style blends very well with Fashawn’s witty wordplay. Even though Exile doesn’t spit bars that will leave your face molten, he makes beats that surely will; I don’t think I’ve heard an Exile beat that I wasn’t a fan of.

Download: Fashawn & Exile, “Oh Word (Keep on Rising)”

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Video: Pharoahe Monch, “Still Standing”

Posted in Media, Video with tags , , on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by Tim Althaus

I spotted this the other day when I logged onto Facebook, but I really didn’t have time to post it because of school work. “Still Standing” is the latest cut off of W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) to get the visual treatment, and much like “Clap (One Day)”, the video is very deep and has a lot of emotion behind it. If you still haven’t succumbed to greatness and purchased Pharoahe’s latest album, which is arguably one of the best efforts of 2011, break your headphones, and never listen to music again.

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Slept on Saturdays: Lil’ Wayne, Tha Carter

Posted in Music Reviews, Slept on Saturdays with tags , , , on Sunday, February 5, 2012 by Tim Althaus

Let me paint you a picture: the year is 2004; I’m a junior in high school, and it’s spring time. The weather is beautiful outside, and the country roads welcome my friends and I with open arms; more impressively, Lil’ Wayne could rap… and well. More often than not, Tha Carter was the soundtrack to those beautiful afternoons. On “This is the Carter”, Lil’ Wayne boastfully says “I’m finally perfect”; that statement couldn’t be more true about Wayne’s fourth solo outing. Mannie Fresh’s production on Tha Carter is near legendary, and Lil’ Wayne’s vivid imagery and raw lyricism were the best they’ve ever been. Continue reading →

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