Sunday, November 29, 2009

Q-Tip - The Renaissance




Artist: Q-Tip
Album: The Renaissance
Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
Release Date: Nov 4, 2008
Label: Universal Motown

Rating: ***** https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievPUrhOWoXzlfDkDGU0-Iv-IIGnyH_SodLIs5k8jM7XKp2tFNPFsnzbPHcUF5AK0ItfbyIZhAVLhVIvHvXsNgwm8cSZ7xDsi7uJ_kiUjuAFYMvmZ_GHYIyx58mlVjPKdUKXZWrjGns6g/s1600/production.bmp

Q-tip's The Renaissance, is more than likely my personal favorite album of 2008, and an under appreciated rap masterpiece. Providing his own production skills and incredible flow, the album is endlessly smooth, but never offensively so. Excellent use of R&B choruses are featured throughout. This is indeed one of those albums without a bad song on it, full listens are always a requirement. The standout track is "Move", simply because it's actually two amazing songs in one, the first half being "Move" itself, followed by the title "Renaissance Rap". Great cameos occur throughout the album, including the likes of Norah Jones on "Life is Better". The powerful "Shaka" closes the album as a dedication to Q-tip's lost friends and colleagues.
  1. Johnny is Dead *****
  2. Won't Trade ****
  3. Gettin Up *****
  4. Official *****
  5. You ****
  6. We Fight/We Love *****
  7. Manwomanboogie *****
  8. Move/ "The Renaissance Rap" *****
  9. Dance on Glass ****
  10. Life is Better *****
  11. Believe ****
  12. Shaka *****

Jenn Grant - Echoes



Artist: Jenn Grant
Album: Echoes
Genre: Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Release Date: Feb 23, 2009
Label: Six Shooter Records
RIYL: Feist, Neil Young

Rating: ***

Canadian singer/songwriter Jenn Grant plays acoustic folk with jazz influenced vocals. The sounds of chimes and symbols as well as violin are here, your standard set ups for a modern pop folk album. Grant's voice is very beautiful indeed, however the album is a bit too predictable. And for a singer/songwriter approach, the lyrics are far from interesting to mull over. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a great Neil Young cover. The best tracks here step out of Grant's box she's set up for herself a little, such as the fantastic "Parachutes", which features a great use of back-up singers and a speedy rhythm. There's nothing explicitly wrong with this album, and ultimately that's it's weakness - it's just a little two clean (which is what separate's Grant from her apparent idol, Young, someone who isn't afraid to make a few mistakes) Bonus points for really great looking cover art, however.
  1. Heartbreaker *****
  2. You'll Go Far ***
  3. Where Are You Now ***
  4. Blue Mountains *****
  5. Parachutes *****
  6. I Was Your Woman ***
  7. (I've Got) The Two of You ***
  8. Sailing By Silverships ****
  9. Fireflies ****
  10. Hawaii ****
  11. Only Love Can Break Your Heart *****
  12. Everybody Loves You ****
  13. I'll See You Again (Int.)

Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen - Inspiration Information Vol. 4



Artist: Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen
Album: Inspiration Information V. 4
Genre: Afrobeat, Jazz
Release Date: Oct. 16, 2009
Label: Strut
RIYL: Fela Kuti, Nomo, Gil Scott Heron

Rating: ****

The fourth title in the Inspiration Information series, in which Strut brings together two unlikely collaborators in order to make an album. This time it's Finnish musician, Jimi Tenor, and afrobeat drumming legend, Tony Allen (of Fela Kuti fame). Together they bring about some very strange world fusion jazz. Often the album leans towards a solid afrobeat sound (as on "Sinuhe" and "Got My Egusi") but will just as quickly become extremely experimental as on the very odd but effective indeed, "Path of Wisdom" in which spoken word vocals remind one of Gil-Scott Heron and the Last Poets. The work is funky, jazzy, and mysterious. It is frequently brilliant, despite the awful, "Against the Wall", in which Jimi Tenor becomes a bit too experimental (he tries and fails to rap). Highly recommended.
  1. Against the Wall **
  2. Sinuhe *****
  3. Selfish Game ****
  4. Path To Wisdom *****
  5. Darker Side of Night ****
  6. Mama England *****
  7. Got My Egusi ****
  8. Cella's Walk ***
  9. Three Continents ***

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Buju Banton - Too Bad (2006)




Artist: Buju Banton
Album: Too Bad
Genre: Reggae: Dancehall
Release Date: 2006
Label: Gargamel Music
RIYL: Sizzla, Beenie Man

Rating: *** https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievPUrhOWoXzlfDkDGU0-Iv-IIGnyH_SodLIs5k8jM7XKp2tFNPFsnzbPHcUF5AK0ItfbyIZhAVLhVIvHvXsNgwm8cSZ7xDsi7uJ_kiUjuAFYMvmZ_GHYIyx58mlVjPKdUKXZWrjGns6g/s1600/production.bmp

Buju Banton is one of the greatest dancehall artists of the 90s. Along with Sizzla and Capleton, he helped create the roots dancehall movement. This album, however, is a return to old form for Buju, it is entirely a dancehall album, lacking any of the spiritual music he is well known for. Booming bass lines make for a great driving album. Filled with songs for the ladies and party numbers, it contains no social critique (other than the final song "Fast Lane"). Regardless, Buju's skills as a toaster and a DJ remain impressive. His use of the "Wipeout" song as backing for his aggressive toasting on the stand out track, "Me & Oonu", make for an exhilarating listening experience. However, regardless of a number of good to great songs none of the tunes on this album stand up to the best dancehall songs on his roots albums (1995's single "Champion" comes to mind). It's greatest fault is perhaps that there just isn't as much variety here as one has come to expect from a Buju Banton LP.Recommended for general fans of dancehall, but those more interested in Buju's roots work should stick to his other albums.
  1. You're Night Tonight ****
  2. Try Offa Yuh *****
  3. Nothing ***
  4. Too Bad ***
  5. Waistline ****
  6. Jig **
  7. Me & Oonu ***** https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievPUrhOWoXzlfDkDGU0-Iv-IIGnyH_SodLIs5k8jM7XKp2tFNPFsnzbPHcUF5AK0ItfbyIZhAVLhVIvHvXsNgwm8cSZ7xDsi7uJ_kiUjuAFYMvmZ_GHYIyx58mlVjPKdUKXZWrjGns6g/s1600/production.bmp
  8. 'Till It Bend ****
  9. Hey Boy **
  10. Go Slow ***
  11. Driver A. *****
  12. Girl U Know ***
  13. Lonely Night ***
  14. Who Have It ****
  15. Better Day Coming ***
  16. Don & Dupes ***
  17. Fast Lane ****


Monday, November 23, 2009

Gregory Isaacs - Consequence (1990)



Artist: Gregory Isaacs
Album: Consequence
Genre: Reggae: Lover's Rock
Release Date: 1992
Label: Rohit Records
RIYL: Dennis Brown

Rating: **

First, I must admit some bias, I am absolutely in love with Gregory Isaac's Night Nurse. It is one of my favorite albums of all time. I had not heard any of his other work before listening to Consequence, and so naturally Night Nurse is all I could compare it to, and I must admit that album is a very hard one to live up to. However, I can't help but feel I'm correct despite the bias in thinking that Consequence is not that good of an album. Isaac's voice has apparently gone down hill since '82. He sounds more like a toad than the beautiful crooner he was on Night Nurse. Compared to Roots Radics' amazing backing, this album has occasionally decent, often terrible instrumentals (sometimes utilizing uninspired dancehall production as on "Can't Give My Love Alone"). I will admit that it does open with a three or so good numbers ("Just Another Finger" is a fine song indeed), but it quickly turns to a mess of uninteresting songs. The song that the title comes from "Who's Gonna Pay the Consequence" is nigh unbearably boring with Gregory Isaac's barely enunciating his lyrics. Not recommended.
  1. Getting Out of My Range ****
  2. It's Too Late ***
  3. Just Another Finger *****
  4. Solitary Confinement ***
  5. African Woman **
  6. Who's Gonna Pay the Consequence *
  7. Weeping Eyes *
  8. Can't Give My Love Alone *
  9. That Lady **
  10. Don't Wanna Be Lonely **

Death Vessel - Nothing is Precious Enough for Us (2008)




Artist: Death Vessel
Album: Nothing is Precious Enough for Us
Genre: Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Release Date: Aug 19, 2008
Label: Sub Pop

Rating: ****

A wonderful album of modern folk. It is filled with acoustic and electric guitar, piano banjo, fiddle, and a variety of other interesting sounds. Those of you that may dismiss the album from it's title as a cutesy indie album trying to be endearing you are dead wrong. The music here is clearly very honest. And although the album is largely dominated by Death Vessel's soft (and very beautiful) voice, the Joel Thibodeau is not afraid to transition songs into blaring noisy guitars and thundering snares (as in "Bruno's Torso"). The album opens with the incredibly strong "Block My Eye", and although none of the other songs quite stand up to it they are all fairly good to great regardless (although the second half does taper off a bit).
  1. Block My Eye *****
  2. Jitterarkadie *****
  3. The Widening *****
  4. Bruno's Torso *****
  5. Obadiah***
  6. Exploded View**
  7. Fences Around Field **
  8. Peninsula ***
  9. Circa *****
  10. Belt of Foam **
  11. Untitled **

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Intelligent Hoodlum - Self Titled (1990)




Artist: Intelligent Hoodlum
Album: Intelligent Hoodlum
Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop: Golden Era
Release Date: 1990
Label: A&M Records
RIYL: Fresh Prince, Marley Marl, De La Soul

Rating: *****


A fantastic hip-hop album. Caught somewhere between the birth of hardcore and the end of the Golden Era, Intelligent Hoodlum provides amazing raps one can listen to over and over. Intelligent Hoodlum moves between fiery politically conscious songs of black nationalism and straight party tunes. The production is provided by Juice Crew leader Marley Marl and is filled with hardcore elements but also plenty of old school ones with the occasional scratching ("Trag Invasion", in particular is quite engaging). Intelligent Hoodlum's laid back flow is fantastic, despite being a bit dated, and his use of pausing in some songs (such as :Microphone Check" gives a mindblowing effect).

  1. Intelligent Hoodlum *****
  2. Back to Reality ****
  3. Trag Invasion *****
  4. No Justice, No Peace *****
  5. Party Animal ****
  6. Black and Proud ****
  7. Game Type ****
  8. Microphone Check *****
  9. Keep Striving ****
  10. Party Pack ***
  11. Arrest the President ****
  12. Your Tragedy **

Radio Show: 11/22/09: Indian Music

Tony's friend came in as a guest and talked to us about the music as well as giving us an amazing tabla solo live:

11/22/09: Indian Music

Israel Vibration - Free to Move (1996)




Artist: Israel Vibration
Album: Free to Move
Genre: Reggae
Release Date: 1996
Label: Ras
RIYL: Gregory Isaacs

Rating: *****

A fantastic album of various reggae styles. With the backing of one of my favorite reggae session groups, the Roots Radics (long time back up band for Gregory Isaacs) and three amazing vocalist this album is a real treat. Israel Vibration effortlessly moves between different styles, always pushing the envelope of what reggae is and what it can be. Lyrics deal with Rastafari, love, and urban life. Highly recommended for fans of roots reggae. If you like Bob Marley and you wish to begin expanding your horizons with reggae, you can hardly go wrong by starting with Israel Vibration.
  1. Terrorist ****
  2. Mud Up *****
  3. Traveling Man ***
  4. System Not Working *****
  5. Pretty Woman *****
  6. Livity in the Hood *****
  7. Savior in Your Life ****
  8. Solomon Bloodline ****
  9. Feelin' Irie *****
  10. In the Ghetto ****
  11. Life is Real ****
  12. Mighty Negus ***

Music Video: Beenie Man - Dude (2005)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc398mOyzHw
(embedding disabled, just follow the link)

There's something about this video that just makes me so freaking happy. I think it's the 3 male backup dancers, they just seem like the happiest dudes, I would totally hang out with them. Major feel good music check it

Busy Signal - Loaded (2008)



Artist:
Busy Signal
Album:
Loaded
Genre: Reggae: Contemporary Dancehall
Release Date: Sep 9, 2008
Label: VP Records
RIYL: Vybz Kartel, Mavado

Rating: ****

A fairly excellent selection of dancehall songs. Often extremely catchy, and always extremely tough Busy Signal's skills as a vocalist make him one of the best Jamaican toasters out today. Production is solid throughout, although Busy Signal, as is common in contemporary dancehall, fuses the traditional with today's American hip-hop aesthetic, often borrowing from the Dirty South style, which may frustrate dancehall purists. Busy Signal tastefully utilizes autotuning in many of his songs, which should only bother the most hardcore crusaders against it's proliferation. The opening song is a rather weak attempt at social critique, but Busy Signal quickly remedies this with a slew of excellent songs all of which could be hits. The second half isn't nearly as strong (although the incredibly impressive speed toasting on "Knocking at Your Door" does grace listeners as the second to last track).
  1. People So Evil **
  2. Jail *****
  3. Tic Tic Toc *****
  4. Wine Pon Di Edge *****
  5. Fast, Fast, Fast, Fast *****
  6. Hey Girl ***
  7. Real Jamaican *****
  8. Unknown Number ***
  9. These Are the Days *****
  10. Hustle Hard **
  11. My World ****
  12. Strappings ***
  13. Cool Baby ****
  14. Knocking At Your Door *****
  15. Murderer **