Scion Presents Daptone Records Remixed

You would never know it by watching their terrible commercials, but Scion actually has a pretty robust music sponsorship program, and has commissioned mixes by some serious names such as Little Brother, Nicolay, Flosstradamus, and GZA.

This short sampler is their latest output, and it is funky as fuck. Daptone Records is a small label based in Brooklyn, and whose main group the Dap-Kings were the backing band on Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black". Here, some top DJs take their best tracks and blow them out into beat-driven grooves, while maintaining that throwback feel. And, the really cool part is that Scion has been offering the sampler for free off their website, just because.

I mean seriously, why do they still bother making cars?





Scion Presents Daptone Records Remixed

Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

So, finally, it's here, and...wow. Every track on here just bursts at the seams with so much ambition and creativity, it's overwhelming. I mean, can you think of another rapper who could do "Paris, Texas" and "Go Go Gadget Flow" on the same album? What he attempts here is just ridiculous. On one track, "Gotta Eat", he even personifies a cheeseburger.

And musically, this is probably the most fascinating rap album I've heard this year - way more than "Graduation", for instance. Check out this disgusting beat on "Little Weapon":



Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

Semi Precious What the FUCK?

Some of us were there, some were not. But those who were, will never forget it. I don't really know who these guys are or where they came from, but there they were, in the back of the bar, yelling "Show me your tits you fucking cunts!" It was spiritual. Needless to say, yes they are campy, yes they are outrageous, but yes they also rock (seriously the guitarist can shred). Fortunately they offer their album for free download, so here it is. However, it does not really capture the magnitude of the live performance.

Semi Precious Weapons - We Love You

Some Brasses for Your Asses

One thing about music that fascinates me is how people seem to gravitate towards certain instruments. Personally, I've always been a sucker for the horns - without getting too spacey about it, there's something about the raw, unamplified power of them that embodies the way that music can physically affect you - and that's dope.

So, with that, I offer up two brass ensembles for your consideration. The first some of you might have seen busking in the subway stations and parks here in NYC. Called the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, they are made up of 6 brothers from Chicago plus a drummer. Here's a feature the NYT did on them awhile back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTQa_aU7pfE. Currently they are touring Europe as Mos Def's backup band, which is SICK, so lookout for their return stateside in a few months.

Feast:





Hypnoticbrass.blogspot.com
Buy their Albums on ITunes

The Youngblood Brass Band is made up of 9 white dudes from Wisconsin, but you'd never know that by listening to them. Less jazzy than Hypnotic, they draw inspiration from the classic New Orleans brass sound and are more "jammier", for lack of a better word. They are all amazing musicians - in particular, the tuba player busts out some ridiculous basslines. Have a listen:






Youngblood Brass Band - Unlearn

KICK OFF YOUR HIGH-HEELED SNEAKERS ITS PARTY TIME

Behind the Curve

This album came out in September, but in all the hustle and bustle of new music releases, I'm just listening to it now. Slick album - he's slowed it down a bit without losing any edge, the momentum self-propels the whole album forward. Pretty impressive.

Talib Kweli - Eardrum

Fresh Beats Friday: Ghostface, Wu-Tang, Daft Punk

Ghostface - Big Doe Rehab



Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams

Daft Punk - Alive 2007

In Rainbows CD 2

So, just running through this for the first time as I type, and although there's some interesting shit going on, I think they selected the right tracks for the lead disc...which by the way, still gets more amazing with every listen. "Bangers and Mash", though, is some pretty heavy shit.

Radiohead - In Rainbows CD2

Representing - Van Hunt

Maybe I like this guy cause his voice his silky smooth. Maybe it's because he dresses like the r&b version of Andre 3000. Maybe it's because he calls himself Van Hunt (for real). Or maybe it's because he's from Dayton, OH (what what) my pseudo-hometown. Gem city baby, you know it!

Okay but actually I like this guy - very Jamie Lidell like but a little more blues on it. He's somewhere between Prince and John Lee Hooker. It's interesting. Needless to say - check out the myspace page - especially Seconds of Pleasure. Plus I like that crazy ass guitar he's sporting.

http://www.myspace.com/vanhunt