J Dilla Shines On

The Shining officially dropped today. It's pretty much what I anticipated from a Jay Dee record - consistantly good music with a few tracks that geronimo! off the disc...

E=MC2: Kind of reminds me of Common's "Soul Power" from Electric Circus - sounds like the future of the funk.

Love: It was leaked some weeks back with distorted audio snippets of Jack Nicholson in THE Shining. Monch is O.K. but Dilla's track practically lifts me off my feet.

So Far To Go: Haven't heard D'Angelo in a while. His hook is pleasant. Common comes off with his usual syrupy-ness. This is my favorite track from the album. It feels too good not to hit repeat. Beautiful.

Sinatra Shot Ya

I don't have too much history on Nancy Sinatra other than the obvious. The daughter of the late great Frank Sinatra, Nancy belted out a few pop hits in the late 1960's. "These Boots Are Made For Walking", recorded in 1966, was her only #1 hit out of 21 singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in the mid- to late- 1960's.

I started to give Nancy Sinatra a more dedicated listen after hearing her "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" in the intro to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1. Leave it to The Rza, who scored the picture, to pluck the perfect tune to open a movie. The song has a mesmerizing quality to it. It's lush in it's quietness, but it's Nancy Sinatra's airy and almost ghost-like vocals that really gives this tune it's haunting quality.

"As Tears Go By", from her Boots album, changes the pitch up a bit. It's a breezier tune with more rhythmic elements incorporated into it. Again, Nancy Sinatra's vocals fit perfect for the vibe. She doesn't strive or try to push the melodies. She's more or less whispering them in your ear.

Summer Sounds

1. Saturday In The Park - Chicago
2. Smoke Rings - Sam Cooke
3. 1 Thing (Siik Remix) - Amerie
4. Broken Toy - Keane
5. Mind Blowin' Decision - Jimmy Sabater
6. The Awakening - Ahmad Jamal Trio
7. Upside Down - Jack Johnson
8. Sunny - The Three Sounds
9. You Know How We Do It (Remix) - Ice Cube
10. Hell0, It's Me - John Legend

Classic Canadian Rock

Here's my random pick of the month.

The short history of The Guess Who goes like this:

1962 - Local band called Chad Allen & The Reflections forms in Winnepeg, Manitoba. Later band changes name to Chad Allen & The Expressions

1965 - Burton Cummings replaces Chad Allen as lead and keyboard and signs with Quality Records. First hit "Shakin' All Over" reaches #1 in Canada and #22 in the U.S. Radio stations refused to play their music because they were Canadian so record company throws "Guess Who?" on a plain white album cover to provoke curiousity. It works and the album sells 2 million copies. Group changes name to The Guess Who.

1969 - Now signed to RCA Records. Releases "These Eyes", the bands first top ten hit (#6)under new band leader Cummings.

Groups only other #1 hit - "American Woman" in 1970.

I used to play the first minute or so of "These Eyes" repeatedly when I first heard it. The interplay between the bassline and organ stabs is perfection. Then the drum break kicks in and takes the song past perfection. The second bar then, with it's subtle string arrangements, takes the song to an angelic level. What I love about this song is that it starts quietly then gains momentum and fades out with a babbling cry from the lead. It's vintage rock, on the Canadian tip.

Cookin' Up Some Marvelous Sh**?

Second most anticipated.

There's an unofficial tracklisting floating around cyberspace.

I don't consider this a legitimate Cuban Linx sequel if the production credits don't read like this:

PRODUCED BY THE RZA FOR WU-TANG PRODUCTIONS

The 5th Dynasty

Game Theory - Most anticipated.

Although I have to agree with this reviewers take on the album's first single "Don't Feel Right".

But I'm not sure about his take on Black Thought as never having "been the gripping MC everyone wants him to be". The Roots' frontman's got a grip like a baby on a tit.

Brooklyn's Finest You Rewind This

B.I.G's Life After Death had way too much filler to be considered a better overall album than his debut. Delete half the tracks on it and maybe it would have been a more complete piece of work. Regardless, you can't deny that the Notorious one delivered some of the most vivid and memorable punchlines recorded to date. Who cares if some of his tracks were duds?

But lets not talk about Biggie duds.

"I Got A Story Tell" has been a B.I.G. favorite of mine because he really puts his storytelling talents to work on this one. Not only does the track simmer (I'm 99.9% sure Buckwild lifted the drum break from Al Green's "I'm Glad You're Mine"), Frank Whizza's flow over this Buckwild produced jewel is just uncanny. He does it without effort, like he just got back from the pad with his Prada napsack full of paper. I especially like the end as he summarizes his heist with members of his crew, describing the details of what he just kicked in his rhyme.

Stapleton's Finest: In The Purist Form

Fishscale is the best Ghostface since Supreme Clientele. While I don't think it boasts better overall production than the latter, I do think that his choice of tracks to smash his verses over for Fishscale put him at the top of 2006's best albums list. Notables:

"The Champ" - Prod. Just Blaze
"R.A.G.U." - Prod. Pete Rock
"Be Easy" - Prod. Pete Rock
"Barber Shop" - The Studio Beatz

Pete Rock is definitely re-emerging thanks to his contributions to Fishscale (although "The Dogs of War" is kind of stale). The J-Dilla tracks "Beauty Jackson" and "Whip You With A Strap" were good but not great. Same for the 4-5 MF Doom tracks on the album. "Be Easy" was a fantastic first single for the album and it's a shame Def Jam didn't do a better job in promoting that single with a video. Not surprising that "Back Like That" feat. Def Jam's R&B crooner Ne-Yo was pushed with more vigor. Regardless, Fishscale is fishscale.

Dilla Does It Right

It took a while to compile my favorite Jay Dee treats but it takes a dedicated ear to really absorb his music. In doing so, I've come to appreciate his approach to pasting sounds together to create some of the most soulful, expansive, sparse, emotive and crunchiest beats this side of the cosmos. I just picked up Scratch Magazine in which the Legendary Roots Crew grace the cover with a tribute to Dilla Dog. I didn't really get much from the last interview Jay Dee did but his music speaks for itself. Here's my playlist of Detroit's finest. He didn't do the beats for all the tracks I've listed. He wasn't too shabby on the mic either.

1. Welcome To Detroit: Jay Dee- It has to be the intro to any Dilla mix. Absolutely has to...

2. The Mission: Jaylib- My favorite track from the collabo album with Madlib. Madlib's track is amazing. His cuts on this play out like those MC's actually came in and laid down the vocals. Dilla kills it too. "Who says producers ain't suppose to rap..."

3. Heat: Common- Common never sounded better or hungrier. How did Jay do that with the drums? + the bass line will clear that earwax build-up, trust me.

4. Runnin': The Pharcyde - It's the first track I ever heard from Jay Dee. The piano loop is mesmerizing.

5. Busta's Lament: A Tribe Called Quest - Truthfully, The Love Movement was a hard pill to swallow. I don't know, maybe it's too musical or too far ahead for me to understand. Regardless, this track is THE standout on that album. It just feels too good, like a breezy spring afternoon.

6. Enjoy The Ride: Busta Rhymes - Speaking of Busta's laments, this is my all-time favorite of the Busta catalog and it's only because Dilla did the track. It's so good it's surreal.

7. Soul Power: Common - I still don't know how I feel about Electric Circus but this Jay Dee jewel doesn't sound like the usual soulful stuff he does for Common. The drums don't crack but it's eerily put together and good enough to hook your ear on. It also boasts one of my favorite punchlines with "the nympho of info I'm fuckin' what ya heard"...

8. Niggas Know: Pete Rock & J-Dilla - It's not the best off of PR's Soul Survivor II (which was kind of dry). It's simple and sparse with a wicked bassline. Dilla didn't produce this one but his verse and delivery doesn't disappoint like Pete's album.

9. Reminisce: Bilal feat. Mos Def & Common - How did he get the bassline to come off like it's hovering above the flux like that?

10. Nag Champa (Afrodisiac For The World): Common - As you can see, Dilla did some of his finest work for Com. This song comes in a close second to Ressurection as my all time favorite tune from Common. The words and music fit perfectly and because that's so rare it's why this song is so good. Jay Dee just got it right with this track and it's a perfect outro for any Jay Dee mix.

J Dilla R.I.P.

Dilla's passing inspired me to put together a playlist of my all time favorites. It's not complete. After listening to his work more closely I realize how influential he was to other producers of this era. More to come.

The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth

It's the first non-Hip-Hop album that I'm playing in 2006. Memorable cuts include "You Only Live Once", "On The Other Side", "Killing Lies", and my favorite of them all "Razorblade". I haven't listened through a whole rock album since Queens Of The Stone Age's Lullabies To Paralyze but First Impressions got so many enjoyable flurries on it you can't help but stay tuned in.

The Good Revolutions 2005

The Top 10 are probably truer rankings, but I did the best I could for 11-20. Those tend to change with my mood.

20. Outside The Box: Miri Ben-Ari
19. The Importance of Being Idle: Oasis
18. Beauty: Edan
17. Mic Check: Juelz Santana
16. Lovin' It: Little Brother
15. Outta Control (Remix): 50 Cent feat. Mobb Deep
14. I Can't Help It: C.L. Smooth
13. I Never Came: Queens of the Stone Age
12. Heard 'Em Say: Kanye West
11. Talk: Coldplay
10. Good Time: Leela James
9. How Long Do I Have To Wait For You: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
8. They Say: Common feat. Kanye West & John Legend
7. Hate It Or Love It: The Game feat. 50 Cent
6. Dear Summer: Jay-Z
5. Ones We Miss: Lone Catalysts
4. Real People: Common
3. Where I'm From: The Game
2. Go Crazy (Remix): Young Jeezy feat. Jay-Z
1. 1 Thing: Amerie

To Pea or not to Pea

I have to say that I hadn't really listened to The Black Eyed Peas runaway hit "My Humps" until last night at a friends birthday party. I couldn't believe that something so aweful was ever recorded let alone recorded to become such a hit song. The fact that I can't stand the group makes it that much more excrutiating to endure. How that poor man's Fugees ever made it this far is astounding. It's a disgrace.

On a whole different pea note, my sister sent me this picture of my niece Paige in her pea gear this past Halloween. She's got kind of a blank expression on her face. They must be playing "My Humps" in the background.

New York State of Mind

This should have happened a LOOOONG time ago but it's here. Nas and DJ Premier have come together to do a full length album. There were rumors spreading a couple of years back of a Jay-Z/ Premier collabo album but it never came to be. Premier didn't even contribute to The Black Album. Seriously, DJ Quik over DJ Premier?
Anyway, after unconfirmed speculation, Scratch Magazine did a feature on both MC and producer and it looks like the veterans will work together exclusively for Nas' next album (which he says will not be released on Columbia records, Nas' home label for the last 10+ years.)

Soulful Sam

Les Paul feat. Sam Cooke: Somebody Ease My Troubling Mind

Sam Cooke displays his usual charm on this song. Taken from the album Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played. It's a song only Sam can make sound so unbelievably soulful and meloncholy.

Turkey Day Notes

Some tunes I've been tasking to this Thanksgiving Holiday.

Grant Green: Down Here On The Ground
-For those in the know, you'll recognize the songs intro from ACTQ's "Vibes n Stuff" from Low End Theory. It's hard to choose a favorite Grant Green song but this is the one today. The song was originally recorded by Wes Montgomery but Green's version is far superior. Idris Muhummad's on the drums and it, coupled with Green's melodic play, makes the track a favorite of mine. From his terrific album Alive! on Blue Note.

Juelz Santana: Mic Check
-This track's been on rotation for a while already but I can't keep it off my playlist. I checked for this song on Itunes a while back and that version was a little generic compared to the original featured on his album What The Game's Been Missing! The version on his single's got a weak horn break substituting the originals more anthemic sample. Maybe it took a while for the sample to clear. Regardless, an awesome track. Juelz Santana over these drums is heat for the winter.

Fall Like Autumn Leaves

Fall is upon us. The days are getting shorter and cooler and, I don't know, maybe it's the night air that's got me thinking of something comfortable and cozy. I've been leaning on a couple of songs with falls approach, both by Neil Young. I haven't listened to his latest album Prairie Wind yet but these are two outstanding acoustic live songs from Young that come to mind when I think of his music.
"Harvest Moon"- from Neil Young Unplugged
"Cowgirl In The Sand"- from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young- 4-Way Street

"Harvest Moon" is probably my favortite Neil Young song and this live version from his Unplugged session from MTV is outstanding . I've always liked his acoustic performances. Not because I'm a fanatic for acoustic performances in general, but Neil Young's sets have always been very humble and listenable, not overplayed. This is one of those songs when you turn it on, you just want to jump into it. Great melody and lyrics.

"Cowgirl In The Sand" is from CSNY's live album 4-Way Street. This version of Neil Young's live acoustic performance is a close second to "Harvest Moon" and it's good to hear both songs side to side. Like "Harvest Moon", it's a song that's really driven by the melody and the intimate feel of an acoustic set. Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of Young's whiney howl of a vocal delivery, but hey, it's Neil Young. Very cool listening nonetheless.

The Mecca Don

I was beginning to wonder when C.L. Smooth was going to put something out. There used to be a rumor of a PR and CL reunion but we're still waiting.

Anyway, now recently signed on to Shaman Work, C.L. finally released a 12" in prelude to an EP set to drop soon.

"Warm Outside"/ "I Can't Help It"- (Shaman Work-2005)

It's unusual listening to C.L. outside of the Pete Rock sound but these two cuts sound pretty damn good. C.L. still has his sharp and distinguished flow and sounds fresher than ever. "Warm Outside" would do better with some Premier-like cuts strewn in rather than the aweful r&b hook. Otherwise, C.L.'s verses are air tight. More enjoyable though is the B-Side's "I Can't Help It". It doesn't live up to PR's legendary use of horns but this track measures up pretty well. The driving horns and bass line are superior and C.L. smothers it with his.

Smooth Bonus:

"Magic Hour" feat. C.L. Smooth from AZ's A.W.O.L.

This is a hidden track from AZ's latest album. Don't really know why it didn't take the place of some of the weaker cuts on from A.W.O.L.'s final track listing but I suppose it's better than not being included at all. I could have sworn Premier did the track but up and comer Mike Lowe cooked this one up. It's cut-and-pasted-up like Primo's "A Million & One Questions", without the piano sprinkles. I like AZ on this one but C.L. absolutely kills it, makes it sound so easy...

A Wu-Tang Summer

I had a little time to kill so I put together a Wu-Tang summer catalog. Throw these burners on at the BBQ.

1. The Sun (White Label 12"): Ghostface feat. Raekwon, Slick Rick & RZA
2. Love Is The Message (Yin & The Yang): Cappadonna feat. Raekwon
3. The Afterparty (Tical: The Prequel): Methon Man feat. Ghostface
4. Save Me Dear (The Pretty Toney Album): Ghostface
5. Rock Steady (Tony Touch: The Piecemaker 2): Raekwon feat. U-God & Method Man
6. Nutmeg (Supreme Clientele): Ghostface feat. RZA
7. Heart To Heart (Immobilarity): Raekwon
8. Child's Play (Supreme Clientele): Ghostface
9. Whatever (No Said Date): Masta Killa feat. Streetlife & Prodigal Sun
10. '97 Mentality (Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm): Cappadonna feat. Ghostface
11. Criminology (Only Built For Cuban Linx): Raekwon feat. Ghostface
12. Can It Be All So Simple (Enter The 36 Chambers): Wu-Tang Clan

I didn't intentionally include so many tracks with Ghostface but all he does is find superb tracks to jump into...Stapleton Project's finest.

Summer Breezes

So far, a pleasant summer. Here's why. (the old and new)

1. 1 Thing: Amerie
2. Real People: Common
3. Starvation: Little Brother
4. Dear Summer: Jay-Z
5. Feel Like Makin' Love: Bob James
6. Feel Like Makin' Love: D'angelo
7. Enjoy The Ride: Busta Rhymes
8. Flight Time: Donald Byrd
9. Peaceful Easy Feeling: The Eagles
10. Rashi (Outro): Mark Ronson