1 year ago today I first downloaded LastFM, thanks to self-proclaimed wigger-pinoy Phillybird. From that day on I went on a voyage, discovering so much good music I spent way too much time around my pc, simply because I couldnt go an hour without hearin Nujabes/CYNE/Lupe/Common/etc. So yeah today's my anniversary and I also hit 35k tracks today, my extensive mathematical knowledge tells me that this means I listened to an average of WAY TOO FCKING MANY tracks per day. So I would like to thank last.fm for expanding my musical horizon, helping me discovering music that touches my soul & influences my life, and for making me a music-addicted semi-hermit. So in conclusion; LastFM, I hate u, and I will eat your children and crap them out on the graves of your ancestors, & I love u <3.

and now I'm gonna do one of those stupid lists to celebrate *yay*

1.) How did you get into 30?
Jimi Hendrix - his music never really interested me, but one day, half a yr ago my dad was playing a dvd of him and it suddenly clicked

2.) What was the first song you ever heard by 22?
A Tribe Called Quest - probably Electric Relaxation

3.) What's your favourite lyric by 33?
Dir en grey - ouch, I love their music but I still dont know enough japanese to understand a full sentence

4.) What is your favourite album by 49?
Jedi Mind Tricks - probably Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, yeah it's not their best one but it's the first album I heard from them and that somehow sticks with you

5.) How many albums by 13 do you own?
Akeboshi - 0, they are nowhere to be found unfortunately

6.) What is your favourite song by 50?
Yoshihisa Hirano & Hideki Taniuchi - Taikutsu

7.) Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad?
Army of the Pharaohs - Into the Arms of Angels, their best song imo

8.) What is your favourite song by 15?
J Dilla - Lightworks

9.) What is your favourite song by 5?
The Roots - You Got Me, no contest

10.) Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy?
Common - The Light, 6th Sense, Heaven Somewhere and many many more

12.) What is your favourite song by 10?
Gil Scott-Heron - Home Is Where the Hatred Is

13.) What is a good memory you have involving 29?
Mos Def - watching Chappelle's Show xD

14.) What is your favourite song by 38?
浜崎あゆみ - probably Endless Sorrow

15.) Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy?
Miles Davis - hmm jazz is weird, it doesnt exactly make me happy or sad, it just makes u zone out and feel good, happy isnt the right word though

16.) How many times have you seen 25 live?
Linkin Park - 0

17.) What is the first song you ever heard by 23?
Marvin Gaye - most likely Sexual Healing

18.) What is your favorite album by 11?
Kanye West - tough one, all 3 have their own qualities, ill probably go back listening to College Dropout the most though

19.) What is your favorite song by 1?
Cyne - hmmmmmmm, 1 song? hmmmmm, Running Water? First Person? Arrow of God? Deferred? Nothing's Sacred? Samura's Optic? 400 Years? Midas? Loopholes? Catharsis? Divides? Montana? yeah probly one of those lol....ok ok Running Water

20.) Have you ever seen 14 live?
Talib Kweli - nope

21.) What is a good memory involving 27?
Black Star - haha more Chappelle's Show xD

22.) What is your favorite song by 16?
Atmosphere - Like the Rest of Us or Puppets (lemons ftw)

23.) What is the first song you ever heard by 47?
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION - Haruka Kanata, narutard 4 life =)

24.) What is your favorite album by 18?
ルルティア - Opus

25.) What is your favorite song by 21?
Pharoahe Monch - The Truth, with kweli & common

26.) What is the first song you ever heard by 26?
Deltron 3030 - State of the Nation, the intro track

27.) What is your favorite album by 3?
Lupe Fiasco - another tough one, F&L was an instant classic imo, it was what hiphop needed, but The Cool has so much diversity and quality to offer, so ill say The Cool is my fav, but F&L is slightly better

28.) What is your favorite song by 2?
Nujabes - Feather ofcourse

29.) What was the first song you ever heard by 32?
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

30.) What is your favorite song by 8?
Nas, tough tough tough, One Mic probly (thats right; not an Illmatic track, come and stab me if u want to)

31.) How many times have you seen 17 live?
Fat Jon - 0 again

32.) Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy?
Blue Scholars - Second Chapter has a happy beat

33.) What is your favorite album by 12?
Nomak - Calm

34.) What is the worst song by 45?
Donny Hathaway - most of the tracks with roberta flack, and Magdalena annoys me

35.) What was the first song you ever heard by 34?
Erykah Badu - probly Tyrone lol

36.) What is your favorite album by 48?
Zion I - True & Livin'

37.) How many times have you seen 42 live?
Handsome Boy Modeling School - 0

38.) What is your favorite song by 36?
増田俊郎 - Sadness and Sorrow

39.) What was the first song you ever heard by 28?
John Legend (wow can't believe he's this high in my charts) - Used to Love U

40.) What is your favorite album by 7?
Maximum the Hormone - Buiiki Kaesu by far

41.) Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy?
Angela Aki - nope

42.) What is your favorite album by 41?
CunninLynguists - A Piece of Strange

43.) What is your favorite song by 24?
System of a Down - Spiders

44.) What is a good memory you have involving 46?
Strange Fruit Project - nothing special rly

45.) What is your favorite song by 35?
Five Deez - Sexual for Elizabeth with Shing02

46.) Is there any song by 9 that makes you happy?
Blu & Exile - pretty much all, Dancin' In The Rain most of all though

47.) What is your favorite album by 4?
Jay-Z - corny but: Reasonable Doubt

48.) Who is a favorite member of 37?
Somobe - I dont rly know who is who so yeah.. both of em :p

49.) What is the first song you ever heard by 43?
DJ Krush - Nosferatu with mr.lif, sick track

50.) How many albums do you own by 20?
Sam Cooke - none, i'll buy one soon though

A month by month play of what and who I'm listening to and why you should be listening to it too!


January:

Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

I have always loved Sia's voice. It's soulful and powerful, at times fragile and raspy, but always commanding and I've always loved her music -- with Zero 7 and her own solo efforts -- but honestly, I haven't been particularly taken by a large body of work of hers until SPHRP. This album is flawless top to bottom. Lyrically, Sia is still enchanting and honest, primarily discussing the ins and outs and mostly pains of relationships; articulating hurt in a way that most singers never really learn to do.

The album is calm, definitely influenced by her previous effort, Colour the Small One, but refined and perfected, relying heavily on the new found tightness of Sia's studio/touring(?) band. As of now, this is my most played album of the new year so far.


Recommended Tracks: Lentil, Academia, Day Too Soon, Death By Chocolate, Buttons

Santogold - I Believe in Santogold / Creator/L.E.S. Artistes

Santi White is a dream come true and I don't know what I love more: her genre-bending, genre-less sound or her enthralling voice, at once sounding like early ND-era Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., and the YYYs Karen O. She's known to hang out with Diplo and M.I.A. but she definitely doing something a bit sharper and more distinctive in many cases than one would expect for someone dealing with that kind of an influence. Her EP is a terrific sampler of the sounds she dabbles with: new wave, a little bit of ska, some of that B-more sound (Spank Rock, et al), some very aggressive electronic beats.

Santogold's full length LP is probably one of the most anticipated albums this year.

Recommended Tracks: Creator, Shove It, You'll Find A Way, Say Aha

Adele - 19

I get frustrated with the 'next Amy Winehouse' comparisons. Adele has a rich, ringing tone often times reminding me of Jill Scott, more than Amy Winehouse but much like Amy, Adele is bringing British blue eyed soul back to the forefront of music...Not, that's it's ever left really but I think our collective musical palates really have missed it. What I like about Adele is that I can see her making a dent with some time and growth, but her debut album is a very strong debut.

Hometown Glory in and of it's self has been all over youtube for sometime now and is probably the strongest testament to Adele's talent. Mix that in with jazzy articulations, a well groomed band, and superb vocals and Adele's 19 is an enjoyable album to listen to anytime.

Big thanks to loneparadise for putting me in the know about Adele!

Recommended Tracks: Hometown Glory, Right As Rain, Cold shoulders, Chasing Pavement


Album of the Month, goes to... : Cat Power - Jukebox

Chan, Chan, Chan! The indie darling of all indie darlings really put her foot in this collection of beautiful covers. Many things can be said about Chan's voice (haunting, soulful, rich, melancholy, raw, etc) but Chan delivers like never before on Jukebox as he finally, in my humble opinion, properly addresses the bluesy tones of her voice. She doesn't croon. She doesn't whisper. She sings with every thing she's got! She just belts out each and every song with a fullness and longing and joy that hasn't really been clear (evident, but not clear) in her previous efforts.

Her backing band, the Dirty Delta Blues, are the perfect accent to her voice. Never overpowering or overshadowing her, but instead, challenging her to pull the best out of her vocals and these probably are the best Cat Power vocals I have heard to date. On top of that, most of these covers are almost unrecognizable as she transforms each and every song, claiming them all as her own creations and boy are they ever.

And an added plus, the entire album, from what I can hear, is recorded live in the studio. Just beautiful.

Recommended Tracks: Ramblin' (Wo)man, Metal Heart, Don't Speak, Blue, Aretha, Sing One For Me



February:

Hot Chip - Made In The Dark

So, Hot Chip, right? You either love 'em or hate 'em. I love them and I really like Made in the Dark. You just can't go wrong with electrobritpop, although, Hot Chip can be a bit much for some listeners. This album is all over the place and layered like a mother - some songs are straight up electropop, others sort of disco, a tinge of electroclash here and splash of neo-soul slow jams there and viola! A sonic party for your ears.

I can't say that I like MINTD better than The Warning because that album kills with no pause and no remorse, while MINTD on the other hand introduces these shifts that sort of act as interludes for each few sets of songs. Alexis' vocals are still remarkably geeky, high pitched, and that much more endearing and fun to sing along to. Like any Hot Chip album, this is a banger, in the context of a party or just jamming alone with your headphones, this is probably one of the most fun releases this year.

Recommended Tracks: Ready For The Floor, We're Looking For Alot Of Love, Wrestlers, Hold On, In The Privacy Of Our Love

Artist Spotlight: Tigarah

Tigarah's EP is pretty ridiculous. First of all, Tigarah is a Japanese MC who can rap, very well may I add, in Japanese and English. She's originally from Tokyo but lives in LA, as well. The interesting thing about Tigarah is the music she makes. It's grime, baile funk, hip hop a la M.I.A.. She doesn't sound like M.I.A. and her sound isn't nearly as sophisticated as M.I.A's but her EP is KILLER. I'm not quite sure who does her production but it's damn good production.

She's definitely making waves here on our shore as she's been featured in Blender and the Los Angeles Times. No word on when a LP will be released but if you like M.I.A., sick beats, and Japanese, give her a spin -- it's definitely worth it!

Recommended Tracks:The Game in Rio, Roppongi-Dori, Japanese Queen, Everything is in Your Hand


City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love

I like this album for one reason, Dallas Green's voice, now that is not to say it isn't a good album. It's decent in both musical texture and lyricism, the problem for me, is that it is almost too simple. Dallas Green, lead singer of Alexisonfire, has a beautiful, beautiful voice: pointed, strong, and clear and it's nice to hear it removed from the context of post-hardcore/screamo but, it also doesn't do him justice because his voice can handle many instruments without wavering or getting lost in the midst of it all.

However, the album is soothing and contemplative, and the simple construction of his voice and his guitar often complement the quiet, thoughtful lyrics. I encourage those who aren't necessarily Alexisonfire fans to try this out because it's a nice listen and will probably (hopefully) encourage you to listen to Dallas and his boys tear it up.


Recommended Tracks: Confessions, What Makes A Man?, As Much As I Ever Could, The Death of Me

Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part One

I have been a long time fan of Eryakah's. I own every one of her albums and I've played the HELL out of each of them so I was beyond excited when a little birdy told me her new LP would be dropping soon. Released on her 30th birthday, Erykah has accomplished a feat on this album most artists don't accomplish at least ten albums into their oeuvre. This album is dense and perhaps the most accessible work she's made. The first single, Honey, isn't the best representation of the album as it's a much more radio/mtvU friendly single that will hopefully grab your attention so you pick up the album.

When you do you will find that this collection of songs affirms the humanity in us all, using the power of music to uplift, enlighten, and groove your pants off. It takes a couple of listens to get through the layers of vocals, message, and somewhat psychedelic chanting throughout (plus wicked samples, including a routine from Bill Hicks used in the documentary Zeitgiest) but it'll be an experience you wouldn't find in any other album. I'm betting, along with many others, this is a sure candidate for choice albums this year.


Recommended Tracks: That Hump - exceptional vocals from Erykah, Honey, Twinkle, My People, Solider

Album of the Month goes to...: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

This was...inevitable. Usually, I run as far as I possibly can from bands that are being paraded around by too many blogs, people who I know have crap music taste, and/or anything being played in American Eagle. I say this because all of the above sources made mention of Vampire Weekend before I could even formulate the thought to mention them to anyone. That is some powerful shit but these boys are good. Better than good, even.
And their s/t debut is SOLID and dare I say, sort of original. Now, I won't lie. I don't get half of the shit they're talking about but I'm not sure that's the point.

The obvious afropop/baroque influence is what the entire album and the band is all about, and they are all fantastic musicians, and Erza Koenig has a quirkiness to his voice I don't find annoying but complementary to the music the band plays. This album is everything I really like about music: I can sing to it, It makes mundane tasks really bearable and the tunes stick in my head for days at a time. Lots of bands have looked to other cultural music for influence but among the myriad of (lets face it, oft times bland) indie bands, these boys really hold their own.

With their level of musicianship, I'll definitely be eager to hear what they come up with next. And anyone who can throw a harpsichord in a song is alright by me.

Recommended Tracks: The whole album, or M79, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, One (Blake's Got a New Face), Oxford Comma

March:

Tristan Prettyman - Hello

A broken heart is usually the key to a great sophomore effort, and Tristan has been paying attention because her second album far exceeds that of her debut, in both songwriting and her mastery of various guitars. Tristan is a good guitarist and a good lyricist, but she is especially good at staying true to herself and that evident through out Hello. This album pushes the fluff aside for deeper sounds and thoughts, and I feel a lot of a Joni Mitchell-Fiona Apple-Ani DiFranco inspirational vibe. Tristan's voice shines not because she pushes it but because of it's new found honesty, vulnerabilities and rawness.

It exactly what I knew she was capable of doing from listening to Twentythree and I'm glad she realized it to. This album sounds like Fiona Apple's When the Pawn if Fiona had been on a massive 60's 70's alt country/folk binge.


Recommended Tracks: Madly, In Bloom, Interviews, Handshake, A Little Bit

Meiko - Meiko
A friend of mine were hanging out and she plays me a song called 'Hawaii' played on a recent episode of Gray's Anatomy, while I really loathe that show I have to give them credit because they tend to showcase some damn good artists (Brandi Carlile, anyone?). Well, I ended up really loving the song and the voice behind it. When I got my hands on Meiko's s/t LP, I wasn't disappointed. Vocally, she reminds me of Bic Runga and Vanessa Carlton and her music is what I consider good rainy day music; kind of melancholic but beautiful, comforting even. A piano driven independent debut with sweet vocals to match bittersweet, longing lyrics.


Recommended Tracks: Hawaii, Sleep, Piano Song, Walk By, Heard It All Before

Jaime Lidell - Jim

I pretty much think Jaime Lidell is a genius and he really is. I also think he's one of the better soul singers out of the UK music scene right now, so it only makes sense that this release is a straight soul album - no wild improvisation, just Jaime's voice laid bare over some deliciously funky tracks. Jaime has a beautifully rich and soulful voice often times hinting at Otis Redding, Sly Stone, and maybe some Donny Hathaway. While this album is not as sonically experimental as Multiply, the great instrumentation and Jamiroquai-esque jams more than make up for that, plus Jaime still sticks to his unique layering of his vocals. The album ranges from some Cameo type funk to smooth synthesized slow jams and even dabbles in some Motown live-in-the-studio cuts. Definitely a great direction for Jaime and another amazing album under this belt.


Recommended Tracks: Out of My System, A Little Bit of Feel Good, Where D'You Go, Figured Me Out

Mi sono recentemente reso conto che molti dei miei dischi preferiti sono dei dischi registrati dal vivo:alcuni sono live ufficiali, altri bootleg, altri ancora sono live contenuti in box di vari festival o raccolte. Molti di questi dischi sono usciti o sono stati registrati nell'arco di 2-3 anni agli inizi degli anni '70. Bè insomma, la qualità e l'energia di questi live sono fantastiche. ecco qualche nome:

1958 – Ray Charles – Live At Newport
1965 - John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (esibizione del 1965)
1966 - The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!
1969 - Sly & The Family Stone – Down On The Farm (il live a Woodstock)
1970 – Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys (versione integrale contenuta nel Live at the Fillmore East)
1971 – Curtis Mayfield – Curtis/Live!
1971 – Otis Redding – Monterey Pop Festival (esibizione del 1967)
1972 – Donny Hathaway - Live
1972 - Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles - Live!
1973 – Bill Withers - Live at Carnagie Hall

Tutti artisti strepitosi che si disfano in urla e sudore e ti scuotono finchè non sei devastato anche tu. Dischi per ballare e per piangere. Al momento sto ascoltando il bootleg dell'esibizione di James Brown durante il festival che nel 1974 ha accompagnato l'incontro di boxe tra Ali e Foreman in Zaire. Altra figata paurosa. Il post è fatto un pò di getto, sicuramente ho dimenticato qualcuno o qualcosa, buttare giù liste è sempre complicato. Il titolo del post dice Soul ma si va un pò in giro per tutti i generi (vedi Coltrane o Hendrix) non è che mi sono proprio posto il problema. Se ve ne vengono in mente altri che starebbero bene insieme con questi i suggerimenti sono i benvenuti

Of the three major hotbeds for soul music during the 1960s, Motown had the hits and Memphis had the grit. Unfortunately, Chicago's fertile soul community is often left off the map — and if it's recognized at all, it's mostly for the accomplishments of Curtis Mayfield, both as a member of the Impressions and later as a solo act. The Chicago Soul scene obviously fostered a variety of production styles, but its best-known hits — including "The Monkey Time" by Major Lance, "Get on Up" by the Esquires, "People Get Ready" by the Impressions, and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson — featured a sound based on laid-back yet effervescent soul, with sweet vocals and a stinging horn section. Though Mayfield is rightly the central figure in the rise of Chicago soul, considering his work as a songwriter and producer as well as bandleader and vocalist, arranger/producer Johnny Pate and producer/A&R man Carl Davis deserve much credit for development of the sound. Often in tandem with Mayfield, Pate's productions for ABC-Paramount and Davis' productions (first for OKeh and later for Brunswick and his own label, Dakar) created a parade of definitive hits for Chicago's best soul singers: the Impressions, Major Lance, Jackie Wilson, Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, the Chi-Lites, Barbara Acklin, and Tyrone Davis, among others. Though the Chicago sound continued on into the '70s, the collapse of many independent labels proved a tragic blow to the fortunes of many fine soul singers.
Curtis MayfieldMajor LanceChampaignThe DellsThe Chi-LitesEarth, Wind & FireThe ImpressionsGene ChandlerMinnie RipertonQuincy JonesDonny HathawayThe EmotionsFive StairstepsThe IndependentsRamsey LewisTyrone DavisLou RawlsWalter JacksonJackie WilsonThe NotationsMajor Lance

As we end another year, once again my mainstream oldies' taste took a few detours and traveled some main thoroughfares.

I have purchased songs over the year by the following artists to name a few:
- Peter Tosh
(this happened by listening to Bob Marley,
then Wailers first)
- Hank Williams
(something about "Your Cheatin'
Heart" gets me every time)
- Eddie Rabbitt
- Glenn Medeiros
- Death Cab for Cutie
- Four Seasons
(the Jersey Boys nostaglia)
- Alannah Myles
- Dan Hartman
("Free Ride" by Edgar Winter group started this
descent in Hartman's Disco/pop songs)
- Donny Hathaway
(the more music I find from this man,
the more I want to hear)
- Al Jarreau
(I had a lot of Al's music on... I cannot
say it - vinyl - thanks ITUNES)
- The Clark Sisters
- 4 Non Blondes
- David Ruffin
(after all, he sang the lead on "My
Girl" by the Temptations)
- John Coltrane
- John Barry
- Linda Clifford
- Marlena Shaw
- John Lee Hooker
("One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer"
- interesting combination")
- Karyn White
- Kraftwerk
("Pocket Calculator" - I haven't heard this song
since.. well
- L.T.D.
(Jeffrey Osborne, another great voice)
- Malo
- Miche'leMichel'le (formerly Mrs. Suge Knight - nice voice though)

What about you?

For some reason, that John Lennon Song "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" has been in my head all week. I do not listen to the radio, and it is not a part of my music library. When I did listen to the radio, it was "black radio," and I am pretty sure that they do not play this song often, if ever on those stations, so I do not think that I have heard this song in several years. However, when my father was taking me to the airport a couple of weeks ago, so that I could go to San Diego to turn in my grades, it was playing. He turned it up and I was like 'what is this we are listening to?' Then, after a few seconds, I realized that I knew the song.

Ever since then, it has been invading my mind space and I do not know why. I mean, there are tons of other, much better holiday songs that I could have in my head like Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" (horrendously ruined by Chris Brown by the way), or Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)," Johnny Mathis' "Sleigh Ride," The Temptations' "Silent Night," and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," The Jackson 5's "Santa Clause Is Coming to Town," any Ramsey Lewis Christmas songs, or even Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas."

I do not know what it is about "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" that makes it run through my head constantly. Perhaps it is the catchiness of the chorus in general "A Very Merry Christmas..." Or maybe it is the great vocal counterpoint of the "And so this is Xmas..." against the "War is Over..." Perhaps it is the overall message of the song. Whatever it is, I cannot get this song out of my head. Oh, Well, then I guess, I may as well send out to everyone "A very merry Xmas and a happy new Year."

Feel free to tell me why you like the song. Maybe it will help me put it into better perspective for myself...

back once again!

"...shape of things to come..."

Arts the Beatdoctor - Blending Quality
Jay-Z - Pray
The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon (Mark Ronson Remix f. Wale)
Holy Fuck - Royal Gregory
Tjupurru - Unkol James Brown
Dntel - To A Fault (James Rutledge Remix)
Julian Fane - The Moon is Gone
Bloc Party - Where Is Home? (Burial Remix)
Burial - In McDonalds
Liam Trappe - The 64 Tide
Bon Iver - Lump Sum
Samamidon - Little Johnny Brown
The Black Ghosts - Full Moon
Bullion - Caroline, No
Donny Hathaway - A Dream (Blockhead Remix)
OutKast - Art of Story Telling Pt. 4
Arthur Russell - She's the Star (Pocketknife's Continual Cornfield Remix)
Cex - Cocceesville

"...bonus track..."
Vince Guaraldi - Linus and Lucy (Pocketknife's Hark, the Holler Remix)

download the mix for free from here!

favorite albums from november:

Burial: Untrue
Cex: Exotical Privates
Samamidon: All Is Well
Pedro: You Me & Everyone
Bullion: Pet Sounds: In the Key of Dee
Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago
Jay-Z: American Gangster
Holy Fuck: LP
Arts the Beatdoctor: Transitions

hooray!

have a read here

Donny Hathaway