Diplo - Florida

Diplo is one of my favorite producers. This song and video is short bu really cool. Diplo made waves as the producer of M.I.A.'s Arular album. He's coming to Columbus soon and I'm excited to see him rock a party live.

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Armand Van Helden - My My My

Armand Van Helden has been a leading producer in the house music scene for quite some time. Although I've always preferred his hip-hop oriented music, he has a knack to kick some straight up house music jams.

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Depeche Mode - "Wrong"

Depeche Mode - "Wrong" from the album "Sounds Of The Universe".

Depeche Mode's finally put together some new music for their starving fans to enjoy and if "Wrong" is any indication, they do not intend to disappoint. This song has been gracing the airwaves of my local independent radio station for a few months now. This video is really cool, it takes awhile to figure out what exactly is happening, and truthfully I'm still not sure what that is. I can't wait to check out the rest of their new stuff.

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Dopplereffekt- "Scientist"

Dopplereffekt's music video for "Scientist" from their "Gesamtkunstwerk" album.

Dopplereffekt is the soundtrack to space invasion. They've been leaders in the electro music field for so long. This track aptly named "Scientist" is the result of these mad scientists tinkering with electronics.

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Soft Cell - Tainted Love

Everyone knows this song, I won't allow that to effect its' coolness and neither should you.

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Jimmy Edgar - Is This A Real City

Warp records Directed by pierre Prieur and thomas Euvrie warp/creative review contest.

Lil' Louis - French Kiss

This is a classic house track from back in the day from Lil Louis'. When house music was new and still trying to find its' identity, this track came out and pushed the boundaries of what were house music's expecations. At some point I started wondering why there were kids and babies in a video with such sexual undertones. Then the words of Chaz Michael Michaels came to me, "That's how babies are made."

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Nosaj Thing - Heart Entire

Here backwards drum loops and chopped keys dance to the beat of a mad octopus. Nosaj Thing show they are true masters of sound manipulation. Like computers revolting to the sound of hip hop fashion, this genre defying track is certainly just a taste of things to come from this group.

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Skratch Bastid feat. John Smith and Pip Skid - I Ain't Lazy

2005 music video for Skratch Bastid featuring John Smith and Pip Skid. Directed by Jason Lapeyre.

Skratch Bastid is a scratch dj who shows that he's got some production skills too. This track would catch the attention of the crowd at any local hip hop night. Truly this is what it's all about. I'm gonna admit that the production and scratchin' is the strong suit on this one. It's not that the rhymes are bad, they're just a little too run of the mill to provide anything real memorable.

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Machine Drum - Do This

The best way to clean your teeth is by brushing them. Brushing your teeth with a dirty toothbrush is counterproductive to the whole goal of brushing your teeth. This is a story about dirty toothbrushes, makin' love in a pool of paste. Aw yeah, you're about to watch some hot toothbrush lovin'. The lyrics are a breathy mix in the way of M.I.A. that helps the sometimes disjointed production that kind of reminds me of Platinum Pied Pipers or Jay Dee. The end result is a hot mess of dopeness.

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Fever Ray - When I Grow Up

This song reminds me of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's or Tegan and Sara. The way the vocals are layered adds a depth to Fever Ray's delivery. The mood of the track is almost haunting and the video leaves us wondering of the supernatural and ancient mysteries of our world and it's people.

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Junior Boys - Like A Child

Video for Junior Boys track "Like a Child". The track's off the new album So This Is Goodbye, out on Domino Records now.

Everything about this video screams 70's to me, which was when I was a child too. I think that's one of the reasons I like this video so much. It feels like innocence wrapped in plaid and corduroy. Let's make some homemade silly puddy - oh no don't eat it!

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Mr. Oizo - M-Seq

Mr. Oizo likes funny talkin' puppets. See Flatbeat for some more puppet madness. The song is good, I'm sure the strictly audio version want have the breaks that this one does. I wish the video was just a little better quality as it's hard to read all the subtitles. I can relate being scared of a carwash, children beware.

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Buraka Som Sistema - Sound of Kuduro

New video from Buraka Som Sistema featuring DJ Znobia, M.I.A., Saborosa and Puto Prata.

Who knew that breakin' was big in Angola. It's no surprise M.I.A. new as she continues to try and find a voice for the 3rd world. Somebody asked me how she could retire, knowing full well she hadn't gone Lauryn Hill on us, I tried top explain M.I.A.'s status in international terms. World Music is taking over, and M.I.A. and Buraka Som Sistema are leading the charge.

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Carl Craig - Televised Green Smoke

Carl Craig is the master of Detroit Techno. Here he does his usual trick of making heavy machinery sound organic. The video is nice, I think it's trying to show that we are surrounded by craziness, but in the world of music there is peace to be found.

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Claude VonStroke - "Deep Throat"

This song is a nice house changeup. Vonstroke, quite a dirty name I might add, has some fun manipulating sounds in a way that's friendly to booty shakin'. The video's pretty creepy at times. It's madness surrounding some really cool little kid.

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Ralph Myerz & the Jack Herren Band - The Teacher

Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band get crazy with this one. I haven't heard the strictly audio version to know if the manager's commentary, etc. are included. It could definitely lose some appeal without the visual hilarity. They hit the looks of the memorable hair bands of the 80's right on the head. This is a cool song with a great video.

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Mr. Scruff feat. Alice Russell - Music Takes Me Up

The official video for the brand new single from Mr Scruff, 'Music Takes Me Up' featuring the vocal talents of Alice Russell.

It's hard to find a better match than these two. Alice Russell is showing she has the chops to hang with anyone in the biz. For Mr. Scruff, it's like a moment of clarity where he pulls it back a little. I've always loved his creativity level and his obvious enthusiasm. How many artists do you know that design their own album covers too? I posted "Get a Move On", which is one of my favorite Ninja Tune cuts some time ago and even managed to sneak it into the set break of my wedding:) Expect this song to be picked up by a commercial for sho.

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Bogdan Raczynski - Renegade Platinum Mega Dance Attack Party

It's exactly like it says. So if your not ready for a Renegade Platinum Mega Dance Attack Party, don't even bother. Those who may be a little more curious about what happens when a mad scientist obtains powerful tools, might find this monster interesting. I haven't heard anything this crazy in a long time. It definitely made me smile.

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Crystal Castles - Courtship Dating

Crystal Castles put together another good one here. I would describe it as an almost riot grrl take on electro beats. There's a real growl there that's punk to the core. If your neighbors make you mad, playing this loud is likely to get their attention. But if your like me, just roll with it when you feel a lil' hardcore.

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Circlesquare - Dancers

Music video of Circlesquare's new single "Dancers" taken from the album "Songs About Dancing And Drugs".

Man, these guys are really catching my interest. This song doesn't necessarily strike me as dance song although there is no denying it's focus. The video keeps that focus by featuring some very sweet dance moves that I am hoping to re-enact sometime in the near future on a room of unsuspecting witnesses. What popularity I will have obtained, will all be owed to these guys and Napoleon Dynamite. This track is undeniably catchy and the visuals are sick. Call MTV. On second thought, don't call MTV, what's so wrong about keeping secrets. There's always plenty of time to sellout on the backside. Getting a bit ahead of myself aren't I? Let's enjoy the moment for all it's worth.

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Brian Eno & David Byrne "Strange Overtones"

Two true masters reunite to show they still have what it takes to make more than relevant music in the twilight of their careers. There's no sign of either one of these guys hanging it up soon. I really enjoyed the visuals on this one too!

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TELEFON TEL AVIV | What is it without the hand...

Telefon Tel Aviv take what is apparently an animal show look more like a concentration camp through some sweet visual effects and some production trickery that brings to mind Aphex Twin or Squarepusher.

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Black Milk "Give The Drummer Sum"

This video is great and the song stanks of the funk. Any percussionist can appreciate a track that isn't watered down for those who need something easy to dance to. Black Milk blesses the mic with some soulful words to add to the dynamic of the drums and horns. Excellent!

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Pop Levi - Dita Dimoné

I really like this song and the video's fun. Ninja Tune continues to break great artists into the world of superior production. This one deserves to be played loud!

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THE WHIP - MUZZLE NO.1

The Whip come out of Manchester equipped with a variety of powerful weapons not limited to, but including a keyboard, mac, drum machine and a kickass girl drummer to boot. This sort of hybrid will become more and more common. Even with all the elctronic components, this is still undeniably rock 'n roll.

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Circlesquare - Fight Sounds Pt 1

This is the first I've heard of Circlesquare. This is apparetnly off of a previous album. They have a new one coming out on !K7 called "Songs About Dancing and Drugs". This sounds almost like Beck cool talking over a mellow Prefuse. Check it out!

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Biggie Smalls - Juicy

Somedays I just feel nostalgic. There's nothing like some beautiful Sunday driving to some classic hip hop. Biggie Smalls is forever etched into the history of hip hop as being one of the baddest dudes. People used to really believe that he owned the entire east coast.

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Nas: I Can

This is the all-time hip hop children's anthem? Do you think Obama likes this song? I always like it when an artist chooses to give positive energy to their society. This is catchy, be careful it tends to stick in your head, too late.

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Gang Starr - Full Clip

Gang Starr can be hip hop perfection and Full Clip is a piece for sure. Guru rhyming about a decade of hits, this is over a decade old. Guru will probably rapping when he's 70. They start it off with a tribute to Big L, one of the best almost unknown mc's to ever grace the mic. DJ Premier's production on this is golden.

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Damian Marley feat Nas - Road to Zion

Do you think Nas was thrilled to work with Damian Marley (possibly the most talented of Bob's musical kids). I don't care how big of a star any one is, your gonna have a tough time outdoing Bob (sorry Bono). For people who may not know, dancehall is the new raggae, it without a doubt rules modern Jamaica. Therefore it is only fitting that a Marley be the king of it and apparently has the power to draw the likes of one of hip hop's kings. Nas is great, but Damian's versatility stands out as his vocal delivery varies greatly from his best known song, "Welcome To Jamrock". Don't sleep on this one.

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K'NAAN - Somalia

Man, K'naan has become quite a voice for Africa. See the video for What is Hardcore on an early post for more evidence of the power. K'Naan is a revolution in process. He provides a perspective unknown to most of the world and it begs the listener and viewer to look at some of the evils affecting different parts of the world, with a skillful mastery of English! Impressive doesn't even begin to describe it.

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Steph Jones - GET ME STARTED (RLF)

The influx of influences for this song is almost as schizophrenic as the wardrobe coordination of this video. Dangerously cheesy, this video showcases Steph Jones' ability to do just about anything he wants. One thing I am sure of, this guy has some real talent and will continue to grow. From what I can see I'm betting there's a lot more coming.

Evidence ft. The Far Left, The Alchemist and Fashawn

Everything I've heard from Evidence on the solo tip has been live. Hmmm, now that I think of it, everything I heard from Evidence with his crew Dilated Peoples was tight too. You know where I'm going with this. This song is just contagious. I immediately had to play it again. Even better the second time around. The video is working with an already used gimmick that everyone will probably recognize. But can you remember who used it? Exactly! Time to bring it back with the real hip hop. The Alchemist laces a beat that you would hate to see go to waste. No worries. I wonder how long it will take for someone to jack this one or rather who was the first because I'm looking for the instrumental version too! Truthfully there is not so much groundbreaking here as there is a confidence and swagger matched with skill. You may not like everything they have to say, but know that they say it with more skill than most of those who claim to have them. Hip hop snot dead!

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Ben Harper and Relentless 7

Ben Harper & Relentless7 - Shimmer and Shine


Ben Harper's got a new band. I like what I hear off this single. Check out their myspace page and give them some love: Relentless 7

February 2009 Playlist

02/27/09 - Visionaries "Crop Circles"
02/26/09 - LMNO "Operation Radio Raid"
02/25/09 - Jeremy Sole's MUSAICS "Skalypso vamp"
02/24/09 - Phantods "Bag O Bones"
02/23/09 - M.I.A. "Sunflowers"
02/20/09 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Turn Into"
02/19/09 - She Want Revenge "Sleep"
02/18/09 - Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks"
02/17/09 - APSCI "Mixtape"
02/13/09 - Atmosphere "The Arrival"
02/12/09 - The Black Angels "Mission District"
02/11/09 - Sage Francis "Threewrite"
02/10/09 - Murs "Everything"
02/09/09 - The Blakes "Vampire"
02/08/09 - Sleep "Little by Little"
02/07/09 - Grayskul "Prom Quiz"
02/05/09 - Akrobatik "Soul Glo"
02/04/09 - 2Mex "Big Beat Walkthrough"
02/03/09 - Daedelus "Admit Defeat"
02/02/09 - Edit "Monday Glitch Mob RMX"

Daedelus "Admit Defeat


Akrobatik "Soul Glo"


Grayskul "Prom Quiz"


Sage Francis "Threewrite"


Atmosphere "The Arrival"


Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks"


She Want Revenge "Sleep"


Visionaries "Crop Circles"


That's All Folks, Sorry it took so long. Work's been crazy as of late.

Enjoy! And Tune in next month.

EL.

Junior Boys - In The Morning

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou - Gbeti Madjro

Rare African funk? Oh yeah baby, this gem was mined for the African Scream Contest compilation that just came out on Analog Africa Records. If you love funk or just live it, be sure to check it out!

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Robert Mitchum - Thunder Road

That was enough Born Slippy to last a life time. I don't think I want to see it ever again:)

Make way for this bad ass song. Wow, if you like Johnny Cash this will be right up your alley. Enjoy, for all i know this song was pretty much forgotten. I don't listen to a lot of music from this period so it's fun to find some I really do like.

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