Digital Digging: The Roots “Organix”

October 6th, 2009 View Comments

Artist: The Roots
Title: Organix
Label: Groove Distribution
Genre: Rap : Hip-Hop
UPC: 899123000048
Territory: World
Release Date:10.06.09

With 10 albums in the books and the 11th set to release in a few weeks the godfathers of live hip hop’s 1st album has finally been released digitally. 16 years after it’s original release by Remedy Recordings, Groove Distribution is re-releasing this classic hip hop masterpiece. Full of the live flavor that has garnered millions of followers worldwide, Organix is still the freest and funkiest record The Roots have ever produced. Oozing with style and creative energy it’s not hard to see why this album thrust The Roots into the spotlight.

“This album should be a part of any Roots fan’s collection — not so much because it is an example of their artistry at its best, but because it allows you to see where they came from and how fruitful of a journey it’s been.” -Qa’id Jacobs, All Music.

Through the years The Roots line-up has shifted many times with only one thing constant: Black Thought on the mic and ?uestlove on drums. These two have propelled the group from their first record to where they are now. On Organix it is already apparent that these two are primed for greatness. While their style may not be fully formed, their talent and creative energy is abundant. There are definitely a number of stellar contributors on this record and the many to follow, but it is the two founders that have shaped and formed The Roots into the legends they are today.

From the beginning of “Pass The Popcorn” through the end of the amazingly long “The Session” The Roots take us on a playful journey into their live, jazz-influenced brand of hip hop. While many of these cuts are a bit rough around the edges, the groundwork for albums like Do You Want More and Things Fall Apart is already there. Unlike those and most of their other records Organix has a carefree spontaneity that is refreshing especially in today’s pop landscape. The loose way in which this album was put together combined with the freedom from major label influence makes this record truly free and independent. As we wait in anticipation of their 11th album we get to savor the first one and remember how it all started for the godfathers of live hip hop.

Current Priorities: October

October 1st, 2009 View Comments

The Roots
“Organix”
Groove Distribution
Genre: Rap : Hip-Hop
UPC: 899123000048
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.06.09

With 10 albums in the books and the 11th set to release in a few weeks the godfathers of live hip hop’s 1st album will finally be released digitally. Full of the live flavor that has garnered millions of followers worldwide and oozing with style and creative energy it’s not hard to see why this album thrust The Roots into the spotlight.

BeBeCeCe 150x150 Current Priorities: October

BeBe and CeCe Winans
“Still”
B&C Records
Genre: Gospel : R&B
UPC: 034373110523
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.06.09

After 15 years, the wait is over. October will be ushered in with a new BeBe and CeCe project – Still – featuring the chart- topping single, “Close To You.” BeBe and CeCe Winans are pioneers in the field of contemporary gospel, updating the sound and style of traditional Black Gospel and R&B.

hyperdub 150x150 Current Priorities: October

Various Artists
“5: Five Years of Hyperdub”
Hyperdub
Genre: Electronic : Dub
UPC: 5055300303240
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.05.09

October 2009 heralds the release of 5, a 32 track behemoth marking Hyperdub’s five years of life as a record label. Honoring past, present and future in equal measure, 5 is comprised of one disc of prior highlights, and one of freshly-composed material contributed by Hyperdub artists and close friends.

lightning 150x150 Current Priorities: October

Lightning Bolt
“Earthly Delights”
Load Records
Genre: Hard Rock : Avantgarde/Experimental
UPC: 604197112623
Territories: World ex. Japan
Release Date: 10.13.09

This new missive, Earthly Delights, comes after two years of intensive electro-shock therapy driven recording. The doors of Lightning Bolt’s practice space literally spill forth giga-liters of sweat born of echo-stretched dedication to archaeology of understanding advanced musicology.

domake 150x150 Current Priorities: October

Do Make Say Think
“Other Truths”
Constellation
Genre: Avantgarde/Experimental : Instrumental Rock
UPC: 666561006228
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.19.09

The sixth full-length from Do Make Say Think defiantly features four longform tracks, three of which clock in at over 10 minutes, and all of which trace the inimitable musical arcs that have made this band justly celebrated for their unique sonic palette and vibrant distillation of compositional forms and influences into some of the past decade’s most consistently rich and rewarding instrumental rock.

GSVU New Music Ensemble
“In C Remixed”
Innova Recordings
Genre: Classical : Avantgarde/Experimental
UPC: 726708675820
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.27.09

In C Remixed is the latest project from the Grand Valley
State University New Music Ensemble, the corn-fed young group from western Michigan that brought you Innova’s 2007 best-seller, Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. That release vaulted to #1 on the iTunes and Amazon and spent eleven weeks on the Billboard charts.

motherhips 150x150 Current Priorities: October

The Mother Hips
“Pacific Dust”
Camera Records
Genre: Indie : Psychedelic Rock
UPC: 844185040785
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.27.09

The Mother Hips have flown under the radar as true indie music pioneers for almost two decades. With the release of their new album Pacific Dust, California’s unsung psych-pop heroes tell their story.

PHJB 150x150 Current Priorities: October

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
“New Orleans’ Billie and De De…”
Preservation Hall
Genre: Jazz : New Orleans
UPC: 844185086127
Territories: World
Release Date: 10.19.09

Recorded at Preservation Hall on April 26, 1966 by noted jazz historian William Russell, New Orleans’ Billie and De De and Their Preservation Hall Jazz Band stands as testament to the extraordinary power of one of Preservation Hall’s earliest lineups.

aliens 150x150 Current Priorities: October

The Aliens
“Luna”
Birdman Records
Genre: Alternative Rock : Psychedelic
UPC: 607287011929
Territories: US
Release Date: 10.06.09

Alt/Psych Rock from former members of The Beta Band. From simple piano arrangements (ala The Beatles) to huge soundscapes (ala Flaming Lips); Luna is an ambitious, thrilling and immensely rewarding album. Its songs span out in front of you creating rolling, expansive sonic panoramas.

Vybz Kartel “Pon Di Gaza”

September 30th, 2009 View Comments

Vybz Kartel Pon Di Gaza

Continuing his meteoric rise to the top of the international dancehall scene Vybz Kartel is showing up everywhere these days. He is already a legend within Jamaica and is quickly becoming known around the world. With a brand new album Pon Di Gaza, just out worldwide and a guest appearance on the Major Lazer smash hit “Pon Di Floor,” Vybz has established himself on the international scene. He has recently been featured on the iTunes US main page, iTunes JP Main page, The Fader, Lala.com Reggae page, Napster World/Reggae page and many more worldwide. His lead single “Romping Shop (feat. Spice)” is climbing the charts and the video has drawn over 1.6 million viewers on youtube.

Here’s the hot single “Romping Shop (feat. Spice)”:
Vybz Kartel
“Romping Shop (feat. Spice)” (mp3)
from “Pon di Gaza”
(Adidjaheim/Notnice)

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Vybz Kartel Pon Di Gaza

Featured Artist: Circulatory System

September 28th, 2009 View Comments

Artist:Circulatory System
“Overjoyed” (mp3)
Release: “Signal Morning”
Label: Cloud Recordings
UPC: 656605651026
Genre: Psychedelic Rock : Avantgarde/Experimental
Release Date: 9/29/09
icon landing page Featured Artist: Circulatory System More On This Album

Featured Artist: Circulatory System
An exploration into the possibilities of sound manipulation, multi track recording, and mashing musical styles, Circulatory System’s second full length album, Signal Morning showcases the best parts of Elephant 6 that over time have come to set apart the collective from the masses as musical giants. Formed from the ashes of the legendary Olivia Tremor Control (arguably one of the most noteworthy projects to derive from the Athens, Georgia group of musicians including Of Montreal, The Apples in stereo, and Neutral Milk Hotel), Circulatory System inherited most of Olivia’s players including E6 heavy hitters Will Cullen Hart and Derek Almstead. The new group has a great psychedelic, fuzzy, pop-laced sound that lands them right in the middle of E6 territory. Fans of the collective will love the album and those unfamiliar with their work should definitely pick it up for a great introduction.

Throughout the album, Cullen Hart hints at his total capacity to create simple and super catchy pop songs but denies the listener indulgence into this mastery, electing instead to create moments of indie-pop joy like the 24-second “News From The Heavenly Loop” which could have easily developed into a college-radio topper but instead feeds into the fuzzy, energetic “Round Again.” Also due to partially cult-like wailing and chanting with looping tribal drum patterns, listening to the record you feel as if you’ve snuck in on a private ceremony; the E6 collective let’s you in through a back door to see what it’s like inside their mystic world. Interestingly, Circulatory System is one of the only Elephant 6 bands to have featured Neutral Milk Hotel’s hermetic mastermind Jeff Mangum on their records. For Signal Morning he is credited as a drummer and he also contributed to their self-titled debut as well as briefly playing on tour with the group. This is definitely noteworthy as Mangum is a genuinely talented musical genius and unfortunately also a genuine recluse, rarely appearing after his 1998 landmark album In The Aeroplane Over The Sea thrust him suddenly into the spotlight and consequently caused him to disband NMH after only a single tour. Other E6 greats involved include The Apples in stereo’s Rob Schneider on production (truly his forte), and former Neutral Milk’er Julian Koster. The gang’s all here and the result is a fabulous and original record.

Circulatory System proves that Elephant 6 is still going strong and producing some of the finest alternative music around today.

Circulatory System
“Round Again” (mp3)
from “Signal Morning”
(Cloud Recordings)

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Featured Artist: Circulatory System

Music Video: Thom Yorke – “All for the Best”

September 24th, 2009 View Comments

282482 72 Music Video: Thom Yorke All for the Best Artist: Various Artists
Title: Ciao My Shining Star – A Love Letter to Melissa: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy
Label: The Mezzotint Label
Genre: Alternative : Rock
Release Date: 9/22/09
UPC: 5060156654620
Territory: World ex-Canada, US

In 2008, Mark Mulcahy of Miracle Legion and Polaris suddenly lost his wife, Melissa. He was left with two twin daughters to care for and a fading chance of being able to support them by making music alone. Enter a shining cast of indie music heavy hitters and close friends. From Frank Black to Thom Yorke to Dinosaur Jr., Mulcahy’s friends came together to each record one of his songs, put together a compilation and let the proceeds go toward supporting the Mulcahy family and Mark’s music passion. The first song on the album is from Radiohead frontman, Thom Yorke. Watch the moving video below and see the album’s tracklist at the bottom:

01) Thom Yorke – “All For The Best”
02) The National – “Ashamed Of The Story I Told”
03) Michael Stipe – “Everything’s Coming Undone”
04) David Berkeley – “Loves The Only Thing That Shuts Me Up”
05) Dinosaur Jr. – “The Backyard”
06) Chris Harford & Mr Ray Neal – “Micon The Icon”
07) Frank Black – “Bill Jocko”
08) Vic Chesnutt – “Little Man”
09) Unbelievable Truth – “Ciao My Shining Star”
10) Butterflies Of Love – “I Have Patience”
11) Chris Collingwood (Fountains Of Wayne) – “Cookie Jar”
12) Frank Turner – “The Quiet One”
13) Rocket From The Tombs – “In Pursuit Of Your Happiness”
14) Ben Kweller – “Wake Up Whispering”
15) Josh Rouse – “I Woke Up In The Mayflower”
16) Autumn Defense – “Paradise”
17) Hayden -”Happy Birthday Yesterday”
18) Juliana Hatfield – “We’re Not In Charleston Anymore”
19) Mercury Rev – “Sailors And Animals”
20) Elvis Perkins – “She Watches Over Me”
21) Sean Watkins – “A World Away From This One”

Digital Digging: Betty Davis

September 24th, 2009 View Comments

bettydavis Digital Digging: Betty Davis The genre of funk has always contained inspirational grooves and powerful vocals to inspire you to move and have a good time. Some of these hard-hitting tracks encourage power, some encourage dancing itself, and the most daring of all would try to help you find a certain someone to take home. Yes indeed, funk and after hours activity are intricately tied (“Sex Machine” anyone?), a fact that no one knows better than legendary musical maverick Betty Davis. Her work in the 70’s was clearly the real deal, riddled with image, substance, sex, and grit combined with a bad ass band that could provide a more than solid backbone for her sultry jams. The awesome Light in the Attic Records label who (we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again) has an uncanny knack for discovering the undiscovered musical gems of yesteryear definitely caught on to Davis early and reissued her self-titled record and They Say I’m Different in 2007.

They Say I'm Different Betty Davis
“He Was a Big Freak” (mp3)
from “They Say I’m Different”
(Light In The Attic)

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Digital Digging: Betty Davis

Betty Davis
“Anti Love Song” (mp3)
from “Betty Davis”
(Light In The Attic)

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Digital Digging: Betty Davis

Adding one more even more sultry album of her to their roster, Davis’s previously unreleased and never bootlegged 1976 record Is It Love Or Desire has been mastered from the original tapes and brought back to life by LITA. Through her work as a model in New York, Davis met numerous noteworthy musicians such as Sly Stone (of the Family Stone) and Jimi Hendrix. Davis also married the god-like jazz trumpeter Miles Davis in 1968 (she’s on the cover of his album Filles de Kilimanjaro and named a song on it after her). Miles credits Davis (she took his name) with helping to plant the seeds of his future musical explorations by introducing the trumpeter to Hendrix and Stone. It’s believed that Hendrix and her had an affair that eventually ruined her marriage to Davis, but she denies this. After the marriage was over, she moved to London and began to write songs, eventually returning to the US and assembling an all-star group of West Coast funk musicians to record with. Her band included Neal Schon (of Santana and later Journey) on guitar, members of Sly & The Family Stone, Graham Central Station, Tower of Power, and The Pointer Sisters on backing vocals. Needless to say, the music is top quality funk from the genre’s golden era.

Despite the quality of the music included, none of her first three releases reached commercial success. Davis remained a cult figure as a singer, due in part to her open sexual attitude, which was controversial for the time. Some of her shows were boycotted and her songs not played on the radio due to pressure by religious groups. With the passage of time her records have become highly regarded by collectors of soul and funk music as they have been recognized for their unique style, edgy subject matter, and high quality musicianship. Davis eventually stopped making music and returned to Pennsylvania, completely disappearing from the public eye. Is It Love Or Desire has never been bootlegged, released, or even heard till now.

Betty Davis
“Is It Love Or Desire” (mp3)
from “Is It Love or Desire”
(Light In The Attic)

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Digital Digging: Betty Davis

Pick up this unique and risqué rarity to experience hard edged funk like you’ve never heard it before!

Music Video: Finn Riggins – “Wake (Keep This Town Alive)”

September 23rd, 2009 View Comments

Finn Riggins
“Wake (Keep This Town Alive)” (mp3)
from “Vs. Wilderness”
(Tender Loving Empire)

dbl icon Music Video: Finn Riggins Wake (Keep This Town Alive) Buy at Tender Loving Empire
icon landing page Music Video: Finn Riggins Wake (Keep This Town Alive) More On This Album

Check out the music video for the song that Willamette Week calls “the best pop single that’s not even out yet”. Download the track above and watch the color and puff-packed time lapse video below.

Music Video: Finn Riggins Wake (Keep This Town Alive)