Sep
05

Harvey Averne Dozen-”Never Learned To Dance”

At this moment in time, I’m convinced that there is no better way to set off your weekend than this 1968 cut from Latin Jazz outfit, The Harvey Averne Dozen. Arguably the best dance song ever written about being unable to dance, I can assure you that it’s infinitely more fun than that funereal album… Continue reading »

Sep
05

LA Weekly: Karma Policed-L.A. Music Publisher’s Suit Against Lil Wayne Threatens to Rewrite Rules on Mixtapes

Don’t really know what to say about this piece that it’s title doesn’t already hint at. It felt like it took an eternity to write, partially due to personal lethargy, partially because it’s a long story and the reporting and organization took forever. If you have any interest in Lil Wayne, the song “I Feel… Continue reading »

Sep
04

2ew Gunn Ciz-”Small Time”

Edit: Link for Ciz’ Mixtape: Tailgating- The 30 Second Rule is now at the bottom of the post.   In an attempt to clear up any possible misconceptions that I’m some backpack-bound, underground apologist who can’t get down with anything that doesn’t involve polysyllabic “scientific” rappers, or cursory, hackneyed cliches about “keeping it real,” I… Continue reading »

Sep
04

LA Times: Young Jeezy Review

It’s not my policy to run reviews here that have appeared elsewhere, but due to space constraints my LA Times review of Young Jeezy’s “The Recession” got severely truncated. These are just the vagaries of the business but unfortunately, the published version tilts more polemic than actual review. Yes, the original draft is venomous, slightly… Continue reading »

Sep
03

The Dull Competence of T.I.’s “Swagger Like Us”

I like “Swagger Like Us.” Sort of. It’s goals are minimal: Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye trade bars about their mutual awesomeness over a sampled hook courtesy of M.I.A’s “Paper Planes.” The sort of manufactured “posse cut” that’s been in vogue for the past few years, with little connection between any of the artist’s… Continue reading »

Sep
03

Lonnie Johnson-”Winnie the Wailer”

Since my sickness sent me scrambling towards sad Southern Blues, I’ve been mildly obsessed. My latest discovery has been peripatetic bluesman and alleged Robert Johnson inspiration, Lonnie Johnson. Specifically, his “Winnie the Wailer” a 1932 cut heavily reminiscent of Cab Calloway’s famous “Minnie the Moocher.” Despite the obvious similarity, it remains a wonderful song, one… Continue reading »

Sep
02

Calypsoul 70: Caribbean Soul & Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

There aren’t enough superlatives in the world to throw at Strut Records, the legendary Brit record label famed for its excavations of seminal and often little heard dance, world and hip-hop music. After its initial run from 1999-2003, the label dropped out of sight only to re-emerge in 2008, seemingly better than ever. Indeed, this… Continue reading »

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