These days I’m in my car a lot and that’s when and where I listen to most of my music. I’ve recently had these CDs on heavy rotation:
Fannypack – Ghetto Bootleg
Full disclosure, I am a friend of Fannypack. Oh hell yes! Did you run out and get Fannypack’s sophomore release, See You Next Tuesday? Yeah, well, I highly recommend that you order one more (not so) secret side release, Ghetto Bootleg. The title is truthful. Ghetto Bootleg is a burnt CD from Matt’s computer packaged with Fannpack stickers and an extra CD of Matt and Fancy’s personal pictures (including press photos). “Hit It”, “Yo” and “The Pause” are jams deserving of being on a finished album. They encompass what Fannypack are kings of -- sassy snaps, beats, and hilarious lyrics. Ghetto Bootleg is this summer’s must-have for house parties.
Stream a couple of songs from Fannypack's Ghetto Bootleg
A Compilation by Gilles Peterson for Brasil Nike – The Rhythm and Art of Movement
Last March I attended the Los Angeles RES screening for “Ginga: The Soul of Brasilian Football” a Nike Brasil documentary on soccer and ginga. Loosely translated as “the art of movement”, ginga is believed to exist in all Brasilians. It’s what makes them groove, what gives futebol players power, and how capoeira dancers/fighters perform with grace. The Rhythm and Art of Movement is a musical translation of ginga and celebrates all things Brasilian. The songs are nearly impossible to listen to without shaking something. There are plenty of traditional Brasilian bossa nova and samba tracks but it is the “O Que E A Ginga” song that sets the tone for the rest of compilation. Unfortunately, the CD is not for sale. So I’ve posted a couple of songs for your aural delight. No doubt, The Rhythm and Art of Movement is the best swag CD to hit a goody bag in 2005.
Download O Que E A Ginga
Download E Ruim (Zero DB Remix)
Lizz Wright – Dreaming Wide Awake
The first time Dreaming Wide Awake cycled through my disc player, I thought that maybe I was listening to Sade in Lizz Wright’s soulful “I’m Confessin’” married with the Cowboy Junkie’s Margo Timmins in “Chasing Strange”. Lizz’s voice is smoky. Too lush and too mature for this newcomer. Combining jazz, pop, and R&B her sounds are touching and full-bodied. It is not until she sings her own song, “Dreaming Wide Awake” that her true talents are exposed. I hate to keep comparing Lizz to other crooners but man, this song had me thinking about Roberta Flack not in sound but in tone. I haven’t listened to a CD this lush in a long time and I totally love it. No matter how hectic my days are, the minute I hear Lizz’s voice, I’m immediately put at ease.
DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid & Dave Lombardo – Drums of Death
Full disclosure, I used to work for Slayer. Yes, that thrash/death metal band you all secretly love but are afraid to say. So when Drums of Death arrived and I saw Dave Lombardo (drums for Slayer and is widely recognized as the most technically savvy and creative timekeeper alive) and DJ Spooky collaborating together, I thought, “You’ve got to be joking!” How in the world could these two worlds collide where others have failed? And then like that (snap), I understood the beat mixing/mashing. “B-Sides Wins Again”, a frenetic Chuck D. rap and metal montage is my favorite. “Incipit Zarathustra” is a nod to B+’s Keepintime project (jams by legendary sessions drummers and world-renowned beat jugglers). And “Terra Nullius” is nearly pure Slayer. Drums of Death is a mish mash of music, forcefully mixing drumbeats, hip-hop, electronica, and turntablism. Hear the drummer get wicked!
Verve Remixed Vol. 3
Full disclosure, I am a friend of the album’s producer, Todd C. Roberts. Taking some of the world’s greatest collection of jazz ballads and pairing them with today’s greatest DJs and producers makes Verve Remixed Vol. 3, a contemporary classic. Adam Freeland’s remix of Sarah Vaughan’s “Fever” is straight out…night at the Roxbury (wink). Bent’s (Billie Holiday) “Speak Low”, RJD2’s (Astrud Gilberto) “The Gentle Rain”, and the Album Leaf’s (Nina Simone) “Lilac Wine” remixes are the reasons for purchasing this album – respecting the vintage sounds and masterfully updating them. Classic ballads in Verve Remixed Vol. 3 become new contemporary sounds with the harmonious makeover.
Marxy – Kyoshu Nostalgia
Full disclosure, I am a friend of Marxy. Okay, I’m not even going to try to review Marxy’s debut album because whatever I say, it won’t do his mini-LP, Kyoshu Nostalgia any justice. A young American living in Tokyo, Marxy’s managed to combine today and yesterday's musical sentiments for a pretty exciting listen. Influenced by the Beatles and impressed by the Beach Boys, Marxy seamlessly throws it all together with a few Nintendo samples. But that's not a review or anything. Just have a listen and judge for yourself.
