Madam CJ is obviously feeling good, feeling great, how are you? And when you feel this good, you can’t help but make music that fits your mood like a glove. London born, Atlanta based producer Daz-I-Kue is on that same wavelength as the Memphis born dancefloor diva, so it’s no wonder his first drop of 2012 is not one, but two feel-good house remixes of the pint-size soul singer’s self-love anthem “Smell Urself.”
For one to title their album Planet of The Ape$ might make someone think that you are in for an apocalyptic, cinematic type of journey through sound with GREATeclectic as the director. That’s not entirely untrue. You’re definitely going on a ride, but it’s smoother and more familiar than one might have anticipated. DJ and artist, GREATeclectic serves as more of a Jack Hanna character guiding the listener through a concrete jungle.
Oh, hai “that time of year again,” didn’t hear you come in – well, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. I’m not spectacular at year-end reviews… I prefer life like I prefer my albums: gapless. That said, I hat-tipped five artists, songs, and albums that made me pause and take time to jot the time and place – year included – over the last 300-someodd days; and five creations that embodied and encapsulated sonic aesthetic for 2011. To the five I take, to have and to hold; forever like a TrapperKeeper, Pop safe in the fold. #enjoi
Internet phenoms are coming out of everywhere these days. Again, Andy taught me. The latest indie upstart set to be blasted on every blog and Facebook profile is Lana Del Rey. What seems as a reaction to all the online criticism of Lana for not being ‘authentic’, every sound on these remixes apart from Lana’s voice is completely synthetic.
….The Light$ are so bright they blind me
FAMEKILL$, a conceptual mixtape presented by GREATeclectic & Swiper Bootz which, intertwines the music of Kanye West & Lady GaGa is finally available for free download now.
Every time I get wind of Rihanna releasing a new album my initial reaction is always the same. Again? So soon? And after one listen of that said album I understand why. Today’s pop stars have to be more mindful of output than their predecessors. It’s why Britney achieved what Madonna achieved in 10 years and Rihanna seemingly did what Britney did in a mere five. Last week Rihanna released her sixth studio album Talk That That. Clocking in at under 40 minutes, Talk doesn’t break much new ground, but when it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and Rihanna’s team of producers, writers, stylists and art directors get it right every time.
Ladytron always had a flair for the dramatic, they liked edgy, swooning darkness and detached melancholy. Their singers sounded sophisticated, remote and contemptuous. They had impeccable taste in music (electronica, shoegaze, goth), and dressed it up with hip and modern production. “Seventeen” is still a killer single.
Natalia Kills has seemed to be quite the presence overseas, and it’s truly a shame that the US has not been fully exposed to Perfectionist, her debut pop album. While she seems to take herself a bit too seriously, especially considering the type of music she is making, Natalia delivers some very solid dance-pop here.
My great grandmother recently passed away, she was one of the few heroes in my life and I always looked towards her for some type of peace and humor. We’d had no spats, but when it concerned music. Her record collection was massive. Billie Holiday, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Hall & Oates, Jennifer Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles. My grandmother had at least five-hundred records of classic soul and R&B tunes, and when I attempted to compete with her, I’d lose. Not just lose, but get berated with comments on why the music was not good. “There’s no soul. Where’s the fun? Where’s the mystery, Myles? Where’s the story? Where’s the personality?” She was right. There was none. Until one day, in my sophomore year of high-school I played a song I fell in love with a song called “Bonafied Lovin’” by Chromeo.
Transatlantic treats on Parade this humpday – literally! A one Mister Brolley Genster dropped this spicy-in-a-safe-way (read: passable, but seems to still be missing the Ginger) English Muffin on my virtual doorstep this morning.
