Husky Rescue - Diamonds In The Sky remixes

Husky Rescue, "Diamonds In The Sky (Emperor Machine remix)" (YSI link)

Husky Rescue, "Diamonds In The Sky (Deaf Stereo remix)" (YSI link)

Husky Rescue, "Diamonds In The Sky (Tunng remix)" (YSI link)

G-d, it's been a shitty day. From an article that's taking forever to being played like a fucking fool, I can't say that I'm writing home about these 24 hours. So, of course, in my moment of need, I turn to my dear readers and the newest remixes from Scandinavia. Husky Rescue are a Finnish band that has been slowly gaining an audience over the past few years. Their upcoming album, Ghost Is Not Real, should solidify their position as a band making wonderful, ethereal music that blends pop and ambient electronics.

"Diamonds In The Sky" was the first single from the album and it features some great remixes from some less appreciated names in the game. Well, everyone knows and appreciates Emperor Machine and they don't disappoint. They drop a nice, funky, Italo jawn complete with the beautiful vocals. This is probably the only one ready for the clubs, although that might be a bit of stretch. Tunng come the closest to the original, leaving the chilled out feel and guitar sound upfront. I didn't know much about this British duo, but it sounds like this is a good reflection of their own music. Deaf Stereo's might be my favorite of the bunch, as the group picks the pace up and gives the song more drive. I'll more to say on DS soon, suffice it to say grab this one and give it a listen. On second thought, I could see this one going over well in the club, as it gets better with each listen. Yeah! Buy Husky Rescue's debut album, Country Falls, and I'll let you know when the new one drops.

-Sorry for the lack of event news today, it was just one of those days.

-Speaking of big events, I have started a myspace page for this blog and I would love for all my readers to add me. It's a work in progress but I hope to use it in the new year as a way to get the word about the site, my attempt to take it off the web and onto the streets (parties!), hyping bands and my homey's grinds and more. Add me, blogs are people too!!!!

- "I been double-crossed now for the very last time and now I'm finally free,/I kissed goodbye the howling beast on the borderline which separated you from me./You'll never know the hurt I suffered nor the pain I rise above,/And I'll never know the same about you, your holiness or your kind of love,/And it makes me feel so sorry."

Big Apple Rappin' Part 2

Spyder D, "Big Apple Rappin'" (YSI link)

T. J. Swann, Peewee Mel & Barry B, "Are You Ready" (YSI link)

"New York, it's the place to be." It's hard to argue with that sentiment when it comes to the history of hip-hop, and that's coming from a Philly person through and through. These songs above are classic tributes to the city, slabs of early hip-hop that would pave the way for everyone coming after. Most of all, these are love songs to the 5 Boroughs and it's beautiful. I also mean to do an essay or something on hip-hop and its fierce identification with its cities. That'll have to wait, but

-High Voltage tonight with Frog, a.k.a. Dances With White Girls, and my bol Dmitry




-More Big Apple Hanennins: Mixtape Riot at Piano's tonight with Crunc Tesla and Oxy Cottontail

-West Coast! Modular does LA tonight at the Stone Bar



-Pennsylvania makes a name for itself by having a town that wants to mandate that every citizen must own a gun.

Thieves Like Us

Thieves Like Us, "Drugs In My Body" (YSI link)

Thieves Like Us, "Fass" (YSI link)

I try to keep up with the newest music and the album leaks and all, but I'll never be on the level of masters like Discobelle. Every now and then, though, I get on the bus early enough to feel kinda with it, and Thieves Like Us are one of my favorite finds and deserving of a much bigger audience.

Thieves Like Us come out of the borough of Manhattan, although they definitely seem to have their ear tuned more to the sounds from across the ocean than the crap coming out of this city. This first single, the "Drugs In My Body" 12" comes out on. The trio should interest anyone who has been getting into this new-rave ish and really any of the dance-y indie stuff of the past few years.

"Drugs In My Body" is Side A, a nice, dance-y track that would easily work on the dancefloor. What makes the band so interesting to me is that there's something a bit colder and detached about their sound than, say, Klaxons. I assume that they're named for a New Order song, which is a decent comparison. The band originally come from Berlin, which may help explain their penchant for darker sounds. Two of the members of from Sweden, which brings up The Knife. Not sure this one works as well, as this is much more indie and loud and maximal than the haunted house of The Knife. For the record, I think I may love the B-side even more. "Fass" is a little more hypnotic and may work better as a club track.

-Check Yo' Ponytail! does the damn thing in LA with my bol Daniel from Le Disko spinning, Tralala playing live and lots of gorgeous people.



-Speaking of Brooklyn, I got to check out a great venue Saturday night with my girl JK. Glass House is a loft at the river's edge of Williamsburg and host to some great shows on the more experimental end of things. We were there to see Philly's next big thing, Icy Demons, and I was also hoping to let off some of the steam after my phone was stolen on the bus ride up. [Memo to that dude: Jokes on you, scientists now are pretty sure that cell phone usage will call cause cancer in like 50 years or so. Ha-ha!] It was a really great show, Icy Demons were way better than I expected, lots of Philly people in the house, amazing venue. Thanks to JK for the invite.

Dylan Monday - Bob Live in Philly November 18, 2006

Bob Dylan November 18, 2006 Philadelphia, PA Set 1 (part a) Set 2 (part a) (part b)

I'm sure that you have already noticed a few shifts in our weekly look at Bob Dylan. First, I have decided to be honest and acknowledge that I never get these posts up on Sunday. Sooooo, Dylan Monday is the new Dylan Sunday is the new black.

More importantly, I have decided to take a break from the Theme Time Radio Hour uploads, as I felt like they were getting stale and too predictable. Not a good look when you are discussing one of the more unpredictable artists ever. We may return to the XM radio show soon or we may never, I'm really not sure. Right now, I want to try to get up some concerts and rarities, some goodies that will bring the lustre back to these posts.

What better way to start than with recordings from the two recent Dylan Band shows in the Pound for Pound heartland, Philadelphia and New York City (coming next week). I unfortunately did not get to attend either of these shows, although I'm not if I would want to see this band in a huge basketball arena. I was fortunate to see Dylan a few years ago playing at the Trocadero in Philly, an intimate venue that probably fits no more than a 1000 people. It was an amazing experience, a chance to really hear and feel the music up close. Plus, he played "Boots of Spanish Leather."

No "Spanish Leather" at this Philly show at the First Union Center, but you do get a nice "Ballad of Hollis Brown." There is a nice mix of old classics like "Desolation Row" and lesser-known stuff. It's an audience recording, so don't expect any CD quality sound here. That shouldn't detract from the music too much, as this is a great chance to hear the man and his music live right now. For real, like 2 weeks ago! Enjoy, I'll have the NYC show up next Monday and more to say on how the music sounds to me.


Disc 1
1) Intro
2) If It Keeps On Raining, the Levee's Gonna Break
3) Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
4) High Water
5) To Ramona
6) Rollin' and Tumblin'
7) Desolation Row
8) Most Likely You'll Go Your Way (and I'll Go Mine)
9) Ballad of Hollis Brown

Disc 2
1) Highway 61 Revisited
2) Spirit on the Water
3) Tangled Up in Blue
4) Nettie Moore
5) Summer Days
6) Audience
7) Thunder on the Mountain
8) Like a Rolling Stone
9) All Along the Watchtower

Simian Mobile Disco Indie Vs Rave Mix

Simian Mobile Disco, Dancefloor Distortion: Indie Vs. Rave mix

I wanted to throw something special up for the weekend and couldn't think of anything better than this new mix by Simian Mobile Disco. It covers the new rave scene that has blown up in the UK this year, centered mainly around the Klaxons, a Pound for Pound favorite. I obviously haven't been to the UK to really get a feel for this, imagine that it's a little bit of hype (okay, a lot), picked up by the awful British press as something to glom onto as the next big thing.

I'm not sure that new rave is a really good descriptive term for the music coming out of the scene; it doesn't harken back to the warehouse days of the late 80s and early 90s, you aren't picturing the Orb when you hear this mix. It's as indebted to the dance-punk of the past few years as it is to acid house or any other electronic music. It's always a little strange to me when a younger generation attempts to revive a scene that seems to have emerged in a specific moment, but who am I talk? I talked about the unremembered 80s constantly here, so let the kids have their fun. If the music coming out is this good and the kids get away from coke into more communal drugs, I can't see it as a bad thing.

The mix is really phenomenal, I'll try to find a tracklisting ASAP. Simian Mobile Disco are one of the really stars of 2006, they'll be figuring in my Best-of-the-Year lists. Check out a seamless mix of some of this best music of the year, go cop some of their product too. Let me know your thoughts on this new rave ish, especially if you have had a chance to attend some of this events.

-This Mark Danner piece in The NY Review of Books might be the best essay I have read all year, a look at the current war called "Iraq: A War of Imagination."

-Glenn Greenwald takes down one of the more despicable, 'centrist' pundits, Tom Friedman. Dude inexplicably gets respect from liberals, always referenced as this brilliant voice, his books are referenced, yet no one seems to really call him on his egregious errors. Matt Taibbi did an even better job destroying Friedman's hideous ideas and writings in a review of The World Is Flat.

-What do I love more than anything else? Footage of people who are drunk making asses out of themselves! Danny Devito has come through big time, with this crazy appearance on The View last week:

More Miami Bass Classics

I'm not feeling sexist today, so you'll have to settle for a map of Miami instead of asses

Import #1, "Set It Off (Party Rock)" (YSI link)

Wink D feat. Candy Fresh, "Get Busy" (YSI link)

I'm feeling kind of shitty today and nothing cheers me up like Miami bass tunes. There's a ton of great things go on everywhere, so I figured that I would focus on some of the explicit party tunes for this post. We're going to start diggin' a little deep into the genre from here on out, so it makes sense to break out my copy of the OOP Diggin' In The Crates Volume 5: Miami Bass. It's an amazing collection of 14 tracks that covers both the familiar and undiscovered, I'm sure that I'll eventually get everything up from it.

Import #1 produced on single, dropping "Set It Off (Party Rock)" in 1986 on the Party Rock Records label. The producer of the track is one Amos Larkins, a man responsible for a ton of classic Miami bass tracks in the early to mid 80s. "Set It Off (Party Rock)" is just phenomenal, a great one to hear what the Miami bass sound was. The 808 is in full effect, huge mid-tempo bassline, a simple rap on top with a more mechanical voice as a refrain. Not sure that you can ask for more in life. While Miami bass, like most music, is a predominately male genre, there were exceptions to the rule. The second track features Candy Fresh on the rap, a more uptempo, filthy sounding one (and obviously my fav). This is another one single entity, dropping this one in 1989 on the Insane Beat Records label. The drums are brutal, this one shows the development of the music as it started to up the BPMs as the 80s wore on. Fresh Kid Ice, one of the founding members of 2 Live Crew, is one of the producers on this one, reflecting the dominance that Luke and co. had over Miami around this time.

-New York, here is your Saturday night. If I am anywhere in the world, I will be here.



-Philly, The Re-Up! with Crimp Yr Hair DJs at Upstairs at Sal's is your best option for debauchery, guilt-ridden sex and drugs (best flier in a minute too)


-DJs Dave P and JDH of Fixed fame are spinning in London

-Smalltown DJs are holding down Alberta (yes, Alberta), doing a big night tonight in Calgary with D.C.'s Fortknox Five

Klaxons - The Bouncer (South Central Bootleg)

Klaxons, "The Bouncer (South Central Bootleg)" (YSI link) 320 bit rate!!!

Klaxons, "The Bouncer" (YSI link)

This is my fucking jam. Acid white label heat rock. New rave. Extended mix. More words to come, I'm in transit shortly. I love you all. Blow your whistles.

-Modular People are putting on two special concerts in NYC and LA next week/end, get your tickets now. First chance to hear New Young Pony Club, Juan MacLean and Tim Sweeney spinning, Pound for Pound in the house (NYC only). This is serious.

-The best party in the country jumps off again in Philly tonight. White Ts and White Belts with special guests Caps and Jones. Essential.

Philly Music - Electric City

Electric City, "Computer Rock" (YSI link)

Electric City, "Cannibal" (YSI link)

I've come to realize that whenever I try to structure this site, it's a total bust. I just don't do well with planning ahead and making weekly posts on a certain topic. The best example is my effort to make a weekly post dedicated to Philadelphia music, which never got rolling the way I had hoped. It was my fault, as I just get caught up in whims and was trying to make sure I had good Philly music to share

Electric City are a great way to get back to highlighting the great music coming out of my city, Philadelphia. Both members of the group, DJ Skipmode and MC Flipside, are integral parts of the city's hip-hop community and lifelong residents. It's a little-seen concept anymore, as hip-hop has become big business and labels scour scenes for new talent. A grassroots scene that is less intent on getting signed and hitting it big just doesn't exist much anymore. These are guys throwing the monthly at the Khyber, helping sites like 215hiphop.com, putting up the fliers and helping to give our city a unique sound and scene.

Blah blah blah, right. What about the music? It's very good, that rare underground hip-hop that doesn't bore me to death or make me want to laugh at the lectures about 'real hip-hop.' It's definitely got its focus on the past, owing its sound to the 'classic' East Coast period of DJ Premier, while also highlighting the lyrics like most East Coast rap. Personally, I love "Computer Rock," the title song of their EP. It's on some of that "What you know about hip-hop" shit that normally wears thin, but this song is so catchy and fun that it seems to be using the references as a source of inspiration. Like, you should check out these early 80s people who made party music, an essential message for all the serious hip hop fans out there. Of course, the title and reference to all sorts of hip house artists like definitely doesn't hurt in trying to appeal to me.

"Cannibal" is a more personal tale, about a terrible girlfriend and the pain she causes our boy. Again, it sounds so much better than the description, as the skills and talent of the duo allow them to break through any limits their influences provide. It reminds me a lot of the first time I heard Jurassic 5 or some of the other West Coast groups of the 90s, incredibly lyrical, fun, traditional but never boring.

The Rapture - W.A.Y.U.H. Simian Mobile Disco remixes

The Rapture, "Whoo! - Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh (People Don't Dance No More) (Simian Mobile Disco remix)" (sendspace link)

The Rapture, "Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh (People Don't Dance No More) (Simian Mobile Disco dub)" (sendspace link)

Whoo! Alright - Yeah...Uh Huh, I love getting Simian Mobile Disco remixes, especially when they're reworking one of my new favorite live bands, The Rapture. In case I wasn't clear after Making Time, these guys are simply amazing in concert. Much louder and raging than I ever expected. Not sure that comes across well on the latest album, Pieces Of The People We Love.

Simian Mobile Disco are one of Pound for Pound's favorite remixers, so this seems like a match made in my skinny jeans heaven. Fucking a, this one is devastatingly good. It literally has me bouncing in my chair, ready to go out and fight a fellow bespectacled hipster or play with puppy dogs or kiss and eat cotton candy. The massive bass line is the key, before after the midpoint breakdown. There's also lots of interesting percussion sounds, including what sounds almost like an amplified water drop. This is essential music, grab this and play this for your next party or workout session or sexy time. The dub is just as good, no lyrics and little more muted at times.

-Snowden at Johnny Brenda's tonight in Philly, Driz Horse at the Khyber later with Julie and AJW

-High Voltage tonight in the LES



Check out the pics on Last Night's Party from the first edition to know why you need to be there. I mean, who is this girl? Or these girls? How do you meet them? Show up!

-My bol Daniel Le Disko spins at Crash in LA tonight at the Stone Bar with Gang Of Neon

Lil Jon - Act A Fool

Lil Jon feat. Three 6 Mafia, "Act A Fool" (sendspace link)

Lil Jon feat. Three 6 Mafia, "Act A Fool (instrumental)" (sendspace link)

A little afternoon delight! Who doesn't like to do it in the afternoon with Pound for Pound? As the chain above says, crunk ain't dead. Lil Jon is back with a trademark crunk beat and chanting lyrics, bringing in Oscar winners Three 6 Mafia to come back with a bang. It's nothing too special, to be honest, although it's always nice to hear Three 6 rap over a drum machine beat. This is the first song to leak from his new album, Crunk Rock. It's not a bad beginning, although I always have high hopes for one of the best producers around.

Short but sweet, more to come later today.

-Great Joanna Newsom interview at Pitchfork

-Democrats take the state House of Representatives in Pennsylvania by one seat, winning that one by 23 seats

-Fat Joe is a scientific genius

Johanna Newsom - Ys

Joanna Newsome, "Emily" (sendspace link)

I'm not gonna lie, I slept on Joanna Newsom's first album. I heard a bit of it, never thought I would give another listen ever again, too grating. It was a strange reaction for me, as I tend to search out musicians who polarize audiences into love 'em or hate 'em camps. I can't even recall why I gave up on it so easy, although I recall hating her voice. That's right, the man who writes essays on Bob Dylan's voice. I must have been depressed or something.

Her latest work, Ys, seems to take her the next level, out of the curiousity cabinet into the one for fine china. The strings were composed by the legendary Van Dyke Parks, recorded by Steve Albini, engineered by Jim O'Rourke and Pitchfork gave it a 9.4. It's all pretty stunning for an album that doesn't have one song clocking in below 9 minutes. Above is the epic 13 minute opener, "Emily," which gives a great intro to her music and lyrics. This is not for the short-attention spanned, nor those looking to get buck. It's dense music, well, dense lyrically, as she seems to write a full chapter for each song. There is little space outside of this world of hers, which isn't bad, it's just very different. There is no hooks or refrains or any trappings of the pop world. Her voice sounds much better to me on this record, much less childish, much more unique. If you can get into Bjork, I think you'll be able to get used to her.

Defintely recommended, you won't hear anything else that sounds like this right now. Go here and buy your copy; go to her Drag City site for tour dates.

-Baile Crunk at Plan B in the East Village with special guest Nick "Catchdubs"



-Check Yo' Ponytail at Safari Sam's with Guns 'n Bombs, The Grey Kid and Le Disko's Daniel



-Great article on Sasha Baron Cohen in the latest Rolling Stone, speaking as himself not Borat - especially love the fact that he was raised in a kosher house

Alexkid - Nightshade

Alexkid with Liset Alea, "Nightshade (Chicken Lips vocal remix)" (sendspace link)

Alexkid with Liset Alea, "Nightshade (Rodriguez Junior remix)" (sendspace link)

Time to get back to some of recent dance music heat, this time with our first look at Alexkid, the Spanish house music producer. He's been around for a minute, but this is the first time I've come across something that really grabbed me. Thanks to my girl z. for the heads up, as she told me it was her jam which automatically meant it would be my jam.

Alexkid is joined by Liset Alea, a Cuban born/Costa Rican raised singer who seems to be mainly known for her work with Alexkid. I hope to hear more of her, as her voice and presence are amazing on this track, "Nightshade." My personal favorite of these two remixes is the Chicken Lips vocal one, an epic 7 minute trackt that goes lots of different places. I think you can call this dubby house, but who the hell knows? I love, love, love the opening minute or so, as the various instruments are brought in one after the other. Gorgeous. Later, things get very 70s funky with a massive, live bass breakdown. The vocals come in, leading to the third movement, a synth-y futuristic mover.

The Rodriguez Junior mix is a little more consistent, but is just as nice with repeated listens. I'm especially digging the buzzing bass that is featured throughout the song. There are more vocals, which again makes this a nice choice for a slower set or a more chilled listening session. Go here to cop Alexkid's CD output; it's not easy finding the man's music to be honest.

-Low B(udget) in NYC tonight at Roxy's Monday night Sway jawn



-The Postmen: A Sports Blog With A Pop Culture Twist - one of the best sports sites on the web, for real

Dylan Sunday - Theme Time Radio Hour #26-27

Bob and Joan looking super cute

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #26 (Halloween)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #27 (Dance)

The first episode is clearly out of date, but the second one is never past its prime. There are very few things that I value more than dancing, on the real. I'm not good at it, occasionally descending into stereotypical white guy moves, but who cares? If anyone on the dancefloor actually gives a shit about how bad you look, I feel sorry for that person. On a small space filled with men and women gyrating and having fun, no one cares what you look like.

This leads me to a bigger thought, one that really doesn't connect much to Bob Dylan's music. The dancefloor for me has become a pivotal space for own thinking on music, an arbiter that I used to scoff at and now consider essential. When I was younger, music was essentially a solitary pursuit and in turn rhythm and sex and bass seemed useless. I listened to indie, experimental, the hard NYC rap, free jazz.

Clearly, I have done a 180 on that, as I've got older and come to realize how brilliant pop/dance music can be, how much more exciting it is to hear music that brings people together. Most of the divisions in music seem to center on the view of the dancefloor. The NYC hip-hop people seemed obsessed with music that is all about the lyrics and hardness, scoffing at the supposedly worthless snap music and crunk and Southern genres that are played for the strip club and dancefloor. Rockists are unable to appreciate any music that appeals to the body, that has an audience that could include teenage girls or those not in-the-know. There are other examples, from IDM to post-War jazz, but you get the picture. The one common theme, in my opinion, is a elitism that devalues the body and heart for the mind and intellect.

I've also been thinking about the notion of the dancefloor as site of equality, a place where race, gender and sexuality go out the window into a mass of people and movement. I tend to overstate these things, so I'd love to hear someone attack this from a feminist or

Confuzed Disco Part 1

N.O.I.A., "True Love (Sexual version)" (sendspace link)

Fawzia, "Please Don't Be Sad" (sendspace link)

For those wondering if I really celebrate and give thanks this weekend, causing the lack of posting, the answer is no. The reason for the silence is because I am still recovering from HS reunion Friday night. It was a devastating night, filled with awkward conversation, too much alcohol (I was pretty good, others not so good) and flashbacks to the hell that was being 16.

It was great to see old friends, who I don't get to see on the regular any more. However, I would have seen those people anyway, didn't need a $40 open bar for that. I knew that things were going to be bad, when one of the cuter girls from our class didn't say hello to me because she thought that I was the guy hired to photograph the night. That is not a joke, btw. From there, I found myself being told by the weirdest kid from our class that he thought I was a preppie but that he respected what I was doing now, in some sort of uncomfortable, Breakfast Club moment. Finally, the coup de grace was definitely talking with another one of the 'cool' girls for a few minutes, having another person say my name and have said girl ask where he was tonight. She thought I was another, far less attractive (imo) dude and it was all too much.

What does Confuzed Disco have to do with my reunion? Absolutely nothing, other than my desire to hear great music after the misery of that night. This 2 disc compilation chronicles the Italian Records label and its output in the early 1980s. We've hinted at Italodisco here, but I don't think I've put much up yet. We'll be changing that over the next month and this is a real great place to start.

-Williamsburg stnd up! DJ Tiny Pants and Sarah Hot Red Dress wreck shit.



- Download The Pilgrammage: Y'all Some Turkeys - The Grey Kid's Thanksgiving mixtape

-Finally, a special thanks to my bol RV for helping me get through Friday night with some reassuring text messages. I couldn't have done without him, no homo.

Happy Turkey Day! Happy Eating Day!

Daft Punk, BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix 2.3.97

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am hoping that very few people read this today and are instead spending the long company in the company of family and friends. I figured that I'd throw up something much bigger than usual, a long mix from one of the pivotal groups for Pound for Pound, Daft fucking Punk. This is an old mix that they did for the Live at Radio 1s Essential Mix series. I think it's their first appearance on the show, coming right before they changed the world.

I also wanted to take the time to let everyone know what I'm thankful for:

-all of my readers for checking in here and making this site what it is.

-all of my friends who helped me get through the toughest year in a long time

-Philadelphia, for being the greatest city on Earth

-The South for continuing to run hip-hop and make NYC rap fans even bigger, jealous a-holes

-Paris for running music, from Ed Banger and Kitsune to TTC and Institubes

-Scarlett Johansson

-

Big Apple Rappin' Part 1

Universal 2, "Dancing Heart" (sendspace link)

The Masterdon Committee, "Funk Box Party" (sendspace link)

What better way to follow-up yesterday's post on the current state of NYC hip-hop (reminder: it sucks) than with a look back at where the legend comes from. Soul Jazz as always have taken the lead on documenting the earliest days of NYC hip-hop, dropping the 2 CD anthology called Big Apple Rappin': The Early Days of Hip-Hop Culture in New York City 1979-1982.

I'll have a lot more to say about these two discs with Part 2, I really wanted to get these out ASAP. This is another essential compilation, lovingly put together with the amazing liner notes that this bol loves. You get a nice mixture of interviews with the key figures from the period who have been forgotten coupled with a nice critical examination of the music. For those who read this blog, it should be no surprise that this era of music is my first love and it means a lot when I recommend something this highly. Go here to buy your own copy, it is well worth the added Soul Jazz import price. [I will remind everyone that Tower Records is going out of business and all CDs are 40% off at the least. This would be a good time to stock up on said imports at an incredibly cheap price. Ya feel me?]

-My bol Project Matt has the next decade covered, as 1992 returns to Lotus



-Check Yo' Ponytail! tonight in LA with The Rapture spinning! Bands! DJs! Vodka!



-Anyone who still considers John McCain a liberal in Republican clothes or a decent man who won't pander to the Religious Right, read this immediately.

-Tomorrow night is going to be out of control, let me know about your event if you don't think I already know.

We Fly High - Jim Jones vs Jay-Z

Jim Jones, "We Fly High" (sendspace link)

Jay-Z, "Brooklyn High (Jim Jones dis)" (sendspace link)

Lil Wayne, "We Fly High (New Orleans remix)" (sendspace link)

The battle for NYC has begun, I guess. It was bound to happen with the return of Jigga to the rap game, as the Dip Set has pretty much the run of things since he left. It just seems odd that he would take on Jim Jones, the most maligned member of the Diplomats, not exactly a dude who is gonna take the King of New York title. But, Jones' "We Fly High" is the hottest thing to come out of that city in a minute, so it kinda makes sense. Well, the original is the one you need, a sinister beat, a slow burn feel, dope. Jim seems to hit fucking gold every so often, not sure why people hate on him so much. Thanks to RV for putting me up on this one a few weeks ago.

Thankfully, the best rapper today gets in on the act too, as Lil' Wayne drops his own New Orleans version of "We Fly High." Who else did you think? He reps his hometown to the fullest, his nasal-y voice is just made for this beat.

-The Rapture and Presets in LA at the Henry Ford Theatre. Afterwards, they DJ. That costs 2 measly bucks. LA, act like you know.



-Le Castle Vania at Estoria in Atlanta, he's promising a mixed set of his favorite new music!

-Kramer hates black people (video here). It's not well-known, but Putty is actually a founding Minuteman.

Dylan Sunday - Theme Time Radio #24-25

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #24 (Time)

Bob Dylan, Theme Time Radio Hour #25 (Guns)

I'm sure that everyone was sure that I would discuss guns with this post, predictably writing about violence and guns and gangsters. Oh, how I love to confound expectations!!! I'm like the blogger Bob Dylan!!!

This episode of Theme Time Radio Hour about time is an amazing one, loaded to the brim with twice as many songs and more talk. Not sure if this topic just appealed to the man or if a longer episode was planned, but this one is not to be missed.

I feel like Dylan's rebirth or renaissance in the past decade stems so much from his willingness to explore time and its passing, the love found and lost, the reflection on the slippage of time, death, etc. He's given a chance to look at these ideas with this episode. My personal favorite is his quoting of Shakespeare and Faulkner, two artists who explored those ideas like few others. Not surprisingly, there are lots of great blues tracks, from Etta James to Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.

Christian Flores mixes

DJ Christian Flores, Them Dudes Is Good (sendspace link)

DJ Christian Flores, Gots Me A New Chain (sendspace link)

DJ Christian Flores, Vancouver Special (sendspace link)

There's nothing I love more than someone sending me a mix out of the blue, comprising songs and artists that I cover at Pound for Pound. My bol Christian Flores did just that and I had to share it with you, my dear reader. These are phenomenal, short, focused, covering a few genres but never feeling forced. Mixed live, it's real real nice.

Christian is holding down Vancouver, Canada, the first I've heard much out of the western half of Canada. It's nice to see Montreal and Toronto getting a run for their money. I will leave the tracklistings in comments, although a few of these tracks may get the special Pound for Pound treatment (upload, boring talk, blah blah blah). I hope that we will be hearing more from this young man, as this is an excellent start.

As always, I am always glad to hear your mixes, so send them along and if I like them and they aren't covering backpacker ish, I'll put them up here.

-Here's a video from one of the best parties around, Le Disko in LA, every Sunday night (hint hint!):



Beautiful people, great hair, bangs, booze, girls kissing girls, vinyl, moustache and lots of dancing.

-Resurrection at The Annex in the LES tonight with Dances With White Girls and others

-Donovan McNabb is out for the season with a torn ACL. Shitty just got shittier. How bout them Flyers Sixers Phillies?

Twilight 22

Twilight 22, "Electric Kingdom (12" mix)" (sendspace link)

Twilight 22, "Siberian Nights" (sendspace link)

Here's a little classic electro for your Saturday, as I can't think of a better soundtrack to a weekend day. Or a weekday day. Or night. Twilight 22 are the perfect story to define the electro movement, a group that formed out of a love for technology and an ability to make it with a major label. The band was mainly the brainchild of Gordon Bahary, who played all the instruments and was lead vocalist. His main interest was in exploring the computers and synthesizers that were beginning to emerge in music. Bahary was joined by Joseph Saulter in the songwriting and vocals, forming the core of Twilight 22.

They would only put out one album under this name, but their impact is enormous. They have two stone-cold classics, "Electric Kingdom" and "Siberian Nights." Ironically, at the time, two other tracks from the LP blew up on UK soul radio, "In The Night" and "Mysterious." For this bloog, though, I think it'll be quite clear why the two songs above are such pivotal tracks for Pound for Pound. Awwwww shit mang, "Electric Kingdom" is so fucking good it makes me wanna get married, have babies, make them listen to this in the womb and forever after and then create a ultra-cool super family. If that vocodered "Electric Kingdom" line doesn't make the hair stand up on your neck, you need to see a Doctor and find out what's wrong with you.

"Siberian Nights" is another slab of electro goodness, with drums as harsh as the frozen tundra.

-This is a great editorial, I just really wish dude would've written this fucking story, oh I don't know, 12 years ago

-A Low Budget San Francisco takeover tonight at the Milk Bar



-Bugged Out! at The End Club in London tonight with Radioclit, Optimo and much more