Björk - Hyperballad

Do you ever see things that people are getting paid to do and think "I could do better than that useless piece of gum wrapper in my sleep"? Lately I've heard a whole bunch of really crappy music and I'm pretty sure I could do a whole lot better, so I'm gonna give 'er a shot. I'm in Halifax right now after my UFC weekend in Boston and when I get back to Fred-town on Thursday I'm thinking of locking myself in my new studio (i.e. bedroom) and making music that's better than the stuff I just heard. It's so bad I won't even post it.

This, however, has nothing to do with that rant. Björk is really hit and miss for most people. Some are really into her, some can't stand her. I'm somewhere in the middle. For me she's had some great songs, and some really weird stuff. This is one of the ones I like, and it's actually a really great live performance. I also think she looks pretty healthy here, as opposed to looking really old and drawn out these days.

Björk - Hyperballad [Live On Jools Holland]



This is probably my favourite of hers.

Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You

I know I'm about a week or so late with this one, but I've been busy. Better late than never. Cee-Lo Green is the genius vocalist half of Gnarls Barkley, and he's been rocking soul-tastic gems for about a decade now after a stint with the Goodie Mob. This is his latest single ripping up the interweb, I heard it on the Joe Rogan podcast and instantly loved it. New album doesn't come out until December, but if it's anything like this, it's gonna be killer. Apologies for the "harsh" language, but censorship died about fifteen years ago, so deal with it.

What a song.

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston

I'm in Boston right now, went to the UFC fan expo yesterday and it was mayhem. For any fan of MMA, I highly recommend going and checking one out, there's just a ridiculous amount of stuff to do and see. Much respect to all the UFC fighters too, who stand around and take pictures with literally thousands of fans during the weekend and have a smile on their face for each and every one.

Jon "Bones" Jones, Wanderlei Silva, and Clay Guida were particularly impressive in their commitment to the fans, but mad respect has to go to Bas Rutten for signing autographs from 11am until 7pm with only a 40 minute break in between. What a legend. Tonight I go to the big show at the TD Gardens, and I expect it will be even better than the expo. The UFC definitely has the athletic world at their feet.

I also saw Joe Rogan live last night at the Wilbur Theatre, and he was hilarious. Props also to him for doing his set, and then standing on stage for almost an extra hour talking about anything the audience wanted. Great time, highly recommended.

Anyway back to music, I suppose I should have posted this yesterday, but I was busy. The Dropkick Murphys are as Boston as it gets and this song is pretty much a Boston anthem, so here ya go.

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston



For the record, I'm picking Penn, Couture, Florian, Miranda, and Diaz.

Lou Reed - Perfect Day

Today I go to Boston. Beans! Great stuff. It's a little damp outside but I'm packed and ready to go, on time, which is a bit of a minor miracle. With a little luck I'll even get to keep the ol' blog updated while I'm away. This calls for some Lou Reed.

Lou Reed - Perfect Day



Perfect.

MGMT - Electric Feel

Last night in the old place. Tomorrow on to Boston, followed by Halifax. The air feels... electric. Not really an MGMT fan but I dig this track, it's got a cool beat.

MGMT - Electric Feel



Good packing music.

MSTRKRFT - Heartbreaker

I missed yesterday. There was a decent enough reason, I was pretty much a write off after another epic evening at the Needham Stronghold. The last one there, I might add. Good times were had by all.

MSTRKRFT are a sweet electronic group from the T-Dot who are ripping it up these days. They absolutely killed it in this collaboration with John Legend. And since I missed a day I figure I should tag on another vid, so I'm putting their first big hit on here too.

MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend - Heartbreaker



MSTRKRFT - Work On You



Now to start packing.

Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper

I tried hard to find another song by these guys that was worth posting, and I just couldn't do it. Some bands, it seems, are destined to have just one moment in time where it all clicks. I did manage to find a live version that's actually not bad. I could just imagine going to a Blue Oyster Cult show, hearing this played first, and then immediately heading out and getting some chicken wings and beer. Mmm. Chicken wings.

Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper [Live]



I don't know about you, but I think this song needs more cowbell...

James Brown - The Payback

The Godfather of Soul needs no introduction, but if he wanted one, this would be it. His 1963 album "Live At The Apollo" is required listening for any music aficionado. This is the opening song from his 1974 performance in Zaire during the lead up to the Rumble In The Jungle.

James Brown - The Payback [Live In Zaire]



Now that, ladies and gentleman, is called stage presence.

Burning Spear - Spear Burning

If you're into reggae, you're into Burning Spear. His "Live In Paris" recording of his 1988 performance is arguably the greatest live reggae album ever, and generally regarded as one of the better live albums of any genre ever released. This is the opening track from that album. Enjoy.

Burning Spear - Spear Burning [Live In Paris]



If you like reggae, come to my place on Sunday. You won't be sorry.

Noisia & Mayhem - Exodus

I was going to post some other stuff but then I found this today. Two of the biggest names in the drum & bass genre, Noisia and Mayhem, team up with the legendary KRS-One to lay down this sick track. This awesome video is by Alexander Lehmann, and it was a three year project. I have to say, the wait was worth it.

Noisia & Mayhem feat. KRS-One - Exodus



BONUS BEATS!

Bryan Raydio - Pleiades [Version 2]



New tracks aren't quite ready, but here's a new version of an old one.

Whale - Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe

Didn't quite get what I wanted to get done today, so the original will have to wait until later. In a bit of a rush off to work, so here's Swedish one-hit wonder group Whale with this 1993 classic.

Whale - Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe



This was posted on Matt Blair's blog a while back, check it out too if you've got a minute.

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity Of Huge

Simian Mobile Disco are a DJ duo who started as members of the band Simian, but wisely chose to pursue their electronic inspiration and released a startling debut album in 2007 called "Attack Decay Sustain Release". I didn't think their follow up was up to scratch, call it sophomore jinx, though it did feature a great track with Gossip lead singer Beth Ditto on vocals called "Cruel Intentions". They certainly have loads of potential. Who knows what we might hear in the future.

Simian Mobile Disco - Audacity Of Huge



BONUS BEATS!

Simian Mobile Disco - Sleep Deprivation [Simon Baker Remix]



Tomorrow... an original. Maybe even two.

Jamie Lidell - Enough's Enough

Jebus I'm getting inconsistent at this. I've been working hard on some new productions and hoping to have them done by mid-week or earlier. Also been jamming with Richard Gloade, Esq. and doing some funky recordings, so the blog's kind of been put on the backburner. I'll just have to remember to get it done first thing while I'm drinking the morning java. Anyway thankfully The Franchise sent me this guy so I have something newish to post. Jamie Lidell is a groovy soul type singer who does crazy stuff like walk around and play in the street. Seriously, check it out.

Jamie Lidell - Enough's Enough



Here is the original version.

Radiohead - The National Anthem

When I said that Alice In Chains were arguably my favourite band, I of course meant after Radiohead, and probably Tool, and maybe Pearl Jam... it's really damn hard to pick. Really though, Radiohead is probably number one for me.

The combination of lead singer Thom Yorke and ridiculous guitar-slash-keyboard-slash-computer-slash-freakin'-everything performer Jonny Greenwood is something no other band in the world can boast. To think that these guys were all in the same place at the same time and got along well enough to do what they do is really something of a miracle in itself. When "Creep" came along way back in 1993 it had one hit wonder written all over it. Could it have been more wrong?

I don't think the new albums get better, because since "The Bends" they've all been spectacular, but each one seems to break through new musical boundaries that no one else has been able to do with such panache. I saw them live in Montreal at Parc Des Iles in 2001 and they opened with this song. You can imagine my excitement.

This is where I end, and you begin... until tomorrow.

U.N.K.L.E. - Eye For An Eye

U.N.K.L.E. is essentially British DJ and producer James Lavelle with assorted collaborators. They use a very ethereal, orchestral sound combined with breakbeats, hip-hip grooves, and sometimes transient, trippy lyrics. I would consider their 2003 album "Never, Never, Land" a masterpiece in electronic production. This is the second track of that album, and I'm including a remix of another track from it that features Ian Brown of The Stone Roses on vocals.

U.N.K.L.E. - Eye For An Eye



BONUS BEATS!

U.N.K.L.E. feat. Ian Brown - Reign [Evil Nine Remix]



Just got an Akai APC40 Ableton controller. Very exciting.

Booka Shade - Teenage Spaceman

It actually surprises me that I haven't posted anything by German duo Booka Shade yet, because they are definitely among my list of highly unique and influential artists that are a must-hear in the electronic genre. Their combination of technical excellence and use of harmony with alternative rhythmic patterns is really something special. This latest track is no exception. Simple but catchy, driven, and articulate, it embodies the "Booka Shade sound". This video is actually the winning entry in a contest they did, which had many many excellent submissions. I'm not sure I liked this one the best, but it's the one they picked, so here ya go.

BONUS BEATS!

Booka Shade - In White Rooms [Neo Mix]

Awesome.

Caribou - Odessa / Sun

Good grief, I missed two days. Things have been pretty hectic around here but I'll try to get back to business as usual tomorrow. This is Daniel Snaith, aka Caribou, from Ontario who makes crazy electronic tunes. I couldn't decide which video to post so I decided to post both since I missed a couple days.

Odessa

Sun

Back with more tomorrow!

Mad Season - Long Gone Day

Arguably my all time favourite band is Alice In Chains who featured the stunning talent of the late Layne Staley on lead vocals. In 1994 Staley became part of a supergroup of sorts called Mad Season. This side project gave us only one album, "Above", but what an album. This is a live cut of one of the songs on it, and it also features Queens of the Stone Age vocalist Mark Lanegan.

Mad Season - Long Gone Day



Check out an awesome full length 45 minute performance here.

Red Umbrella - Storm Warning

Ashley was in Ontario this past week and her friend gave her the heads up on this band from Parry Sound. Located about two hours north of Toronto, there's really nothing there except some cottages and the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. Sure, it's not as bad as Sudbury, or even worse Timmins, but it's pretty dull. Somehow a band called Red Umbrella emerged from the nothingness and for that we can be thankful. I wouldn't describe them as groundbreaking, but they have a nice sound to them, kind of a cross between Coldplay and Franz Ferdinand. And they like to do cool covers, too.

Red Umbrella - Storm Warning



You can see a cool acoustic rendition of Beyoncé's "Halo" here.

The Ooks Of Hazzard - Kids

This, of course, is a cover of the hugely popular MGMT single. I'm not really a big fan of that track, but I dig this version by the Ooks of Hazzard. Now I know what you're thinking... what's an ook? I can't tell you for sure, but I'd like to shake its hand, or paw, or tenticular appendage, whatever it's got. As for the band, I'm not sure they actually play anything else, because I can't find anything else anywhere. Maybe they just show up and play this song continuously for an hour or so. Would you sit through it?

The Ooks Of Hazzard - Kids [Live]



Kinda ooky.

Willie Bobo - Rise

Still pretty busy right now, so here's some Willie Bobo to keep you busy. Some sweet soulful jazzy funk right here. That's ol' Willie front and center on the percussion.

Willie Bobo - Rise [Live]



He sure was great, that Willie Bobo.

Holy Ghost! - I Know, I Hear

This is kinda cool. Don't really know anything about Holy Ghost! except that they're touring around with Chromeo this summer and they sound like Chk Chk Chk. What a sweet show that would be. Still busy recording new mixes so here's some bonus beats I've got on the go.

Holy Ghost! - I Know, I Hear



BONUS BEATS!

Pleasurekraft - Tarantula



Some sweet minimal tech goodness right there.

Olive - You're Not Alone

I'm "in the studio" doing some new mixes for the next couple days, so I'll be brief. This is one of the songs that really hooked me into the electronic genre so many years ago. It first appeared back in 1996 and it was one of my first exposures to the breakbeat - garage house scene.

Olive - You're Not Alone



Classic.

Funeral For A Friend - History

Funeral For A Friend are a kind of punk-hardcore group from Wales who have gone through a few different incarnations in the past few years. I'm not really a big fan of a lot of their stuff, but I do enjoy this track. I always find it interesting when a heavy metal or hardcore band slows things down and does a sort of modern emo power-ballad. This one turned out well I think.

Funeral For A Friend - History



The video is a reference to riots by miners in Britain in the early 1980s.

The Roots & Monsters Of Folk - Dear God

The Roots are awesome. They're a sort of hip hop supergroup. Their 1999 live album "The Roots Come Alive" is one of my favourite live albums of any genre. The new album is great. Go get it. Today is New Brunswick day so I think I'm going to do a double post. The first is by Monsters Of Folk, a folk supergroup. The second is the Roots version.

Monsters Of Folk - Dear God

The Roots - Dear God 2.0

I like the second one more than the first.

Blackalicious - Alphabet Aerobics

So actually this is my 200th post because unbeknownst to me I had a draft of another post saved in there that was being counted. Here's to 200 not out.

Never heard of Blackalicious? Here's a good place to start... the A to Z of shibbidy bee bop the one drop and holdin' down the pop top with the skills to pay the bills. I highly recommend you go and get the A2G EP pronto. Like yesterday.

Blackalicious - Alphabet Aerobics



Respect.