Producer/DJ Bonobo (Simon Green) is one of the pillars of the UK’s pioneering electronic music label Ninja Tune (Blockhead, The Cinematic Orchestra, Daedelus), and is among most well-known practitioners of what many generally refer to as “downtempo.” Though it’s fair to say he’s transcended that label with each and every album (2010’s Black Sands is my personal […]
| The Les Sins of Toro Y Moi | March 8, 2013 |
Max Bell prefers to speak Flemish. Kool Keith had Dr. Octagon (and Black Elvis and Dr. Doom and other names I’m forgetting). RZA had Bobby Digital. Mos Def has rechristened himself Yasiin Bey—I still call him Mos Def. And before there was MF Doom there was KMD’s Zev Love X. Basically, music, and rap music […]
| The Brighton Blues of the Rag ‘N’ Bone Man | March 4, 2013 |
Max Bell is naming his first born son, Huddy. Play the audio of Rag ‘N’ Bones Man’s version of “Die Easy” for anyone you know. Then have them guess the following: the year the song came out, the appearance of the man singing it, and where that man comes from. I’m fairly confident that all […]
| The Fire Kicking Tree Limbs of EarthGang | February 26, 2013 |
Max Bell shot the mayor. Jeff already lamented the deluge of hardly memorable music that floods the net daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. I concur and won’t elaborate much (and suggest you read said lament). I will say that it’s especially trying when it comes to this rappity rap stuff. With seemingly every “rap blog” content to […]
| The Ill Street Blues of Wara From the NBHD | February 20, 2013 |
Max Bell something something FADE IN INT. APARTMENT BUILDING – EARLY MORNING WARA FROM THE NBHD enters his apartment, exhausted from a long day and night spent hustling. Immediately, his girlfriend begins to argue with him. The baby wakes and begins to cry. Voices fade. Guitars cry. ROLL TITLE CARD – THE ILL STREET BLUES Apart […]
| Problem & IamSu! & Their Million Dollar Afro | February 15, 2013 |
Max Bell has a $1000 shaved head. “You ain’t gotta think about it, cause you already know.” So goes the hook to “MDA,” the title track from Million Dollar Afro, the collaborative mixtape from Compton-bred rapper Problem and Richmond’s prodigal son IamSu!. It’s the statement of intent, nothing has changed since either man’s last […]
| 50 Grand In the Nautica Van: Introducing Alpha Pup’s Astronautica | February 12, 2013 |
Max Bell spent time among the wise, went through a garment renaissance. If you listen to ’90s hip-hop, you’ll know there’s no shortage of references to Nautica, the nautical-inspired clothing brand turned street-wear du jour for hustlers, thugs, and (I’m guessing) all Wu members pre-Wu-Wear. Biggie claimed he would put “mad slugs through your Nautica.’ […]
| Nienvox: Space Castles, Love Songs, and Cosmic Tobacco | February 7, 2013 |
Max Bell prefers snuff. Apart from Alchemist’s Russian Roulette, my knowledge of Russian music is little to none. My knowledge of all things Russian really only includes Russian lit and conversation I had with one of my old editors, who just happened to be from Russia. I have no idea what’s going on over there […]
| Iron and Wine: The Lovers’ Revolution & The Moondance | February 1, 2013 |
Max Bell once turned wine into water. Any artist worth a damn is willing to diverge from what they’ve successfully created. They’re willing to explore, to branch off into the uncomfortable and unfamiliar, to challenge themselves and their audience. But any departure into uncharted territory holds significant potential for missteps, as well as the potential […]
| Julian Malone: The Newest Stone Thrower | January 29, 2013 |
Max Bell doesn’t remember what he ate for breakfast. I don’t know what it is about Stones Throw, but somehow they always end up surprising me. Maybe Peanut Butter Wolf is a genius (it’s definitely up for debate)? Maybe Stones Throw scours Los Angeles and the rest of the globe for quality music using the […]
