The Gaslamp Killer blowin’ my mind

How could I have a music blog related to the idea of mixtapes and not include The Gaslamp Killer?

I mean really … he puts out crazy releases that defy natural boundaries of mixtapes. There’s nothing he doesn’t touch … world, beat, hip-hop, psychedelic – seriously masters them all into your background for living. You sorta get the feeling he’s doing whatever he wants, regardless …  Anything he does with Gonjasufi is unbelievable. Gonjasufi is such amazement in voice and power. It is just about impossible to find his music except in bits and pieces (online) and on other people’s work. Mainly through videos. Take the time and listen … Gaslamp Killer Gonjasufi  Flying Lotus

Katie Armstrong

The beauty of the internet is what you randomly stumble upon that ends up directly affecting you, and even changing you a little. Katie Armstrong’s blog is a great honest read, and most intriguing is her post “Goodbye Sorrow.” It involves her thesis and the opening for the installation. To the point – the video is amazing. She took a mindless pop song and made it into something so real, with meaning. The 100s of illustrations she used are just wonderful. I think you will agree. 

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Broken indie listening, that i could listen to forever. And they are funnnnyyyy. Watch ….  Mt St. Helens Vietnam Band, you are so salty!

Bless Chris Joss’ funky soul

Chris Joss is the man. His new album will testify to that.

Some of his previous releases are 60’s cinema/spy/bossa (which are also great), but Monomaniacs Volume 1 is funk like you were smack in the middle of a blaxploitation film.   I highly recommend his webpage. It is loaded with all his music as well as some great videos.

Have you met Man Man yet?

There’s not a Man Man album I don’t like, and I suspect you will agree.  I know they don’t have a recent release, but they are still relevant as the big-top. These gypsies are the carnival. I mean there’s no way not to have a get down, this band has taken the notion of random and perfected it … digging through the chaos is worth it, I swear! Watch, this is freakin’ great! And so is this one (below).   This last video, is a super-rad mini movie. Man Man will cure what ails ya.

If ya don’t know …

 Well, I am sure you do know about all three of these artists. I love them all.

K-os’ 2009 album Yes!  is so dynamic and tight, and wow. There’s a remix version of the album out as well, but I haven’t listened b/c remix albums all to often seem to be, shall we say, a let down. “Whip C.R.E.A.M.” is one of my favs off Yes! Do yourself a favor and listen to it.  

Mos Def … what’s to say that hasn’t been said?

Known greatness, no doubt. Not only is the music great on The Ecstatic, but the album cover is gorgeous (which is a weird thing to say about a hip-hop album cover!) I can’t listen to “Worker’s Comp” and “Auditorium” enough … so much more than hip-hop.

Black Milk’s latest Tronic is like this assault on you from the get go (and there’s a new album coming out this year). The music is more than your average listen – there’s soul to it, there’s electronic vibes happening. Real instruments!    Very conscious. 

Late of the Pier are dy-no-mite

Glamorous yet dirty electro pop. Late of the Pier own the space somewhere between pop and alternative with electric sounds bridging the gap.  They do me right. Catchy but not cliché.  Their videos are both all too amazing and their album, Fantasy Black Channel, is the full package.

The Fugees … Steve Marley

Powerful.

Ferocious Betty Davis

Woo wee this lady is fire. She is soul, she is funk.

I mean seriously, she was married to Miles Davis.

 

Get it Betty.

I heart you Little Dragon

Yukimi is like a luxurious shimmery lip gloss. Electro-chic pop oozing from my speakers.

Little Dragon‘s sound is subtle, but so groove-worthy. 

I can not get enough of this song. Can not get enough …