Jim James singing sawdust and straw acoustic covers of ancient George Harrison songs likely appeals to the strictly fam members only demographic. But say you’re a My Morning Jackethead, searching to ease your way into  warm Tuesday morning like an old man journeying from bed to rocking chair, few options come more mild or pleasant. […]

Fresh off three consecutive weeks in rotation on Hot 97’s Real Late with Peter Rosenberg comes Prafit’s “New York Swing, the Strong Island rapper’s latest collaboration with blog and blunt baron, Disco Vietnam.  Like its antecedents, “Nice Weather” and “My Life”, “New York Swing” channels the city’s mid-90s vintage without lapsing into over-cautious rehash. The […]

Aaron Matthews wrote this beat de-construction while wearing a suit made of talking Teddy Ruxpin’s. Top that, Gaga. The evolution of Pete Rock’s production from Mecca & The Soul Brother in ‘92 to The Main Ingredient two years later, is akin to the evolution of Dr. Dre’s production from The Chronic to Doggystyle. Like Andre Young, […]

Sach O ain’t gonna break his promise to Jah-Jah.  There’s no record on earth that can convince me that trustafarianism is an acceptable lifestyle but  Johnny Osbourne’s Jah Promise comes close. The Youtube video is a modern update from the turn of the millennium but what you really need is the original 60’s side complete […]

I was offered the chance to see Amadou & Miriam open for Coldplay tomorrow night. While the former rank among my favorite blind Malian husband and wife duos ever (just below the Blind Boys of Bamako, just ahead of the Timbuktu Two-Steppers), I’ll be heading to Beach Dazed instead. Partially, because I don’t think I […]

It’s apparently come to this. All the good band names are taken. All permutations involving Crystal, Black, and Wolves, have been exhausted. We’re down to naming ourselves after vaguely obscure Decathalon Events. It’s only a matter of time before 110 Meter Hurdle, Shot Put, and Pole Vault monopolize the Hype Machine (in fact, this may […]

I probably could watch eight hours of Rick Ross parody videos a day, and still never get bored.

Sach O wants YOU to listen to this album. I’ve enjoyed more Hip-Hop music in 2009 than any other year in recent memory and yet rap has never left me less surprised. It seems that everyone from returning veterans to hotly debated newcomers are bringing their A-Game to the table, but while creativity for creativity’s […]

I informed Foreign Born about jerkin,’   but alas it was far too late. Thus, the video for “Winter Games” boasts C-Walkin’ instead. A fine consolation prize. I also appreciate the sepia 80s roller-skating rink vibe.

Occasionally, you hear a song for the first time and stop whatever is you’re doing, because said song is so awesome that it demands your complete attention. I’m not sure how I lived for so long without having heard “Assembly Line,” from The Commodores debut album. Especially considering I played Little League and High School […]