Kraak & Smaak - Stumble

It's been a helluva weekend. Let's turn down the juice a little.

Kraak & Smaak - Good For The City

Right, it's Friday so it's time to get our funk on. I'm still on the fence about the new album as a whole, but this track is pretty dope.

Best of 2011 Part 4

Hard to believe but we're already half way through the list. We have some really divergent stuff for you today, so let's get to 'er!

#12

DJ Cam

Seven

Laurent Daumail is our next contributor to the list, and does so with his latest solo effort. I'm a huge fan of the stuff he's done with his group, simply called the DJ Cam Quartet, and while this album doesn't stray too far from the lo-fi jazzy trip-hop style beats that he's known for, it offers a few more intricate and less loop-based jams that are an evolution from his previous material.

This is really a champion of chill-out tunes we're listening to, and this album is as intimate as you could ask for, pulling you in with some brilliant, soulful, almost haunting tracks while at other times just gently tugging with bright, fleeting artsy jazz rhythms. The only question now is when can we hear more?

Swim

California Dreamin'

Ghost

#11

Kraak & Smaak

Electric Hustle

After hearing the really crunchy sounding single "Dynamite" I figured the rest of the Dutch's trio's new album would be a similarly sounding house album. I'm happy to say I was proven wrong. I loved the single, but the album just had so many surprises and so many layers that any of my preconceptions were totally off-base.

This album has elements of soul, blues, jazz, R&B, but really at it's hard is a sort of synth-pop nu-funk awesomeness that should be listened to in its entirety. The whole thing just really makes you want to get up and boogie. They also tour as a live act to rave reviews and are now on my list of bands to see before the world blows up. Might have to make a little European tour to catch them.

Let's Go Back

Hold Back Love

Wasted With A Smile

#10

The Black Keys

El Camino

Into the top 10! This is an interesting selection for me, because I actually have mixed feelings about this album. With their follow up to last year's wildly successful "Brothers" album, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have put together another fine album of bluesy rock that anyone who liked last year's record would love as well. Starting with the single, "Lonely Boy", it's full of the same catchy hooks and nearly every song is a winner, but is that really a good thing?

For music aficionados this album just sounds like an extension, some left over songs from the same writing and recording process. In this essence I'm not as excited about it, but that doesn't mean it's not a very good album. In fact just about any other rock duo in the world would be ecstatic about releasing an album of this calibre, but we've come to expect so much from these guys that I was just hoping for something really different this time. That said it's still good enough to make my top 10, which maybe says something about how good these guys are.

Gold On The Ceiling

Dead And Gone

Mind Eraser

EP #4

Com Truise

Fairlight

Seth Haley really likes his synths, drum machines, and really likes 80's video games. Probably loves robots too because that's what I think of when I listen to his music. This EP was my first exposure to his weird audiotronic world, and I was impressed. Even though his choice of instrumentation is limited, there is emotion and versatility exposed in a strange robotic kind of way. Even though I was ultimately underwhelmed by his later LP release, this EP is definitely worth checking out.

Fairlight

Polyhurt

Beta Eyes

Tomorrow we move deeper into the top 10.

DECEMBER MEGA POST

I took a week off to recharge the batteries, so I figure I owe the universe a week's worth of music. Also, aside from manning my usual Thurs-Fri-Sat night post at the new look Phoenix, I'll be opening up Sunday's Feels Good Christmas party, on from 7-9, spinning some sweet jazz/funk/soul that you should probably check out. Last year's party was easily the party of the year, so I can't stress enough how you shouldn't miss out on this one. Art, music, crazy people, and delicious delicious beer all in one place. Forget your boring work party, or even better move it to the Capital this Sunday. Trust me. Without further adieu, buckle up and enjoy these mad chunes.

We'll start off with a little blast from the past. Shout outs to Mad Mike who played a little bass this past weekend for KO at the Sound Academy in Toronto, opening up for Thornley and Big Wreck. Yes, that's right. Big Wreck. These guys rock like few others. Ian Thornley is a ridiculous guitar player and really if you haven't seen him live you are missing out. The Franchise was in attendance this past weekend, and this video brings back memories of the most epic weekend of partying I've ever been a part of, Molson Snowjam 2005. Thornley played at Marble Mountain in Newfoundland and blew the roof off. I'd tell you the story, but it requires both of us to be present along with at least an hour of your time and a whole lot of delicious delicious beer. I can't think of another band I'd rather see play at the Capital. Well, The Bronx would be pretty sweet too. Zach, make it happen.

Big Wreck - Blown Wide Open [Live @ SnowJam '98]

Way back when at least a decade ago this tune from Shakedown absolutely exploded on the house scene with Kid Creme's monster remix. Classic funky house par excellence, this is the lesser known original beat with accompanying video I didn't even know existed. The beat is still as fresh as I remember it, proving once again that class is permanent. Expect to hear this at least once this weekend if you're at the Phoenix, cause we're bringing back the funk.

Shakedown - At Night

Grooving right along... Kraak & Smaak represent the funk nicely with this new beat. I got the Boogie Funk Version of this and loved it, I think I might like the original even better. These guys are actually a trio from the Netherlands. I'd like to think that musical awesomeness is spread fairly even across the globe, and in large part it is, but there's just something about the funky greatness that comes out of Europe that makes me think that these guys really know how to party. DJ B-Ray World Tour? Hells yes please. Someone tell that Bill Gates guy to send a few Grovers to help a brother out.

Kraak & Smaak - Dynamite

Fin Greenall, aka Fink, is a really cool guy I'd like to meet. I don't necessarily like all his music, but the guy has mad talent and spreads it around. He's been a DJ, promoter, singer, songwriter, and producer and is part of the bad-ass Ninja Tune label. This is my favourite track of his, a live cut done a little different from the studio version. His 2006 album "Biscuits For Breakfast" is definitely worth checking out. Dig it.

Fink - Pretty Little Thing [Live @ One Shot Not]

"Noesis" is the title of the new album from Jay Denes, aka Blue Six, that features this groovy goodness that I just heard tonight. I first heard his awesome track "Music And Wine" years ago and immediately got my hands on his 2002 disc "Beautiful Tomorrow" which was a soulful house masterpiece. Apparently there's another one out there called "Aquarian Angel" that came out a couple years ago, but I haven't heard any of it yet. It's on my list of things to do. Like soon. You will definitely hear one of his tracks coming out of the speakers on Sunday evening.

Blue Six - You Play Too Rough

You've probably heard of similarish artist M.I.A., but maybe not Santigold. Especially since she was originally Santogold, but changed her stage name to avoid a douchey lawsuit. Santi is awesome not just because her music is dope, but because she writes and produces her own stuff, and it's all different. Some sounds punkish kinda like No Doubt, and some sounds just plain whack, like "Starstruck". I like variety, so I give her two thumbs up. Give her a shot.

Santigold - Creator

...and finally we have Barrington Levy. One of the legends of the Jamaican reggae scene, Mr. Levy is known for his unique voice and singing style. Sounds kind of like he's using autotune, but he ain't. His most famous tracks are probably "Too Experienced" and "Murderer", but this is the one I like best. It's got kind of air of '80's rock ballad to it and it's just one of those songs that sticks in your mind and makes you think. Kinda makes you want to raise your lighter up and light that dang flame too. Not lip syncing here either. Spread the love.

Barrington Levy - Vice Versa Love [Live]

BONUS BEATS!

Alexkid - Nightshade

Bobby Hughes Combination - Theme From Skidoo

Dublex Inc. - Nifty Nights [Monophonic Remix]

Llorca - The Novel Sound

Sandboy - Viver [Butti 49 Re-Fusion]

Phew. I hope that makes up for my little vacation. See ya tomorrow.