The Best of Fela Kuti

In terms of social, political and musical influence and impact, Fela Kuti belongs on the shortlist with artists like John Lennon and Bob Marley. He is the father of Afrobeat, a style that incorporates traditions like call-and-response and polyrhythm often found in African Highlife and Juju music with sounds coming from American bands like the Funky JBs. Toss in a horn section that's heavy on sax, particularly baritone, and you've got some of the most potent tracks ever recorded.

This particular offering features some of his most popular work; tracks like "Lady" and "Zombie" that would go on to influence groups like Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire and Antibalas.

If you don't know Fela, this set of tunes is a great intro. I'd recommend reading his Wikipedia if you have a chance. Also check the film "Music is a Weapon". I have a copy I'd consider loaning to anybody (I know) in Chicago.

LINK: The Best of Fela Kuti

Hot Chip: Coming on Strong

This is Hot Chip's second, and ultimately poorly-received, album. If you know Hot Chip, you've probably heard their most recent release, The Warming, and this is in many ways a warm up for that album. There's a ton of potential on this disc, and a lot of tracks have a demo-ish feel.

Really, the cover says it all: incomplete, under produced, synthesized, two-tone, dry, straightforward, partially explicit and kinda funny lookin'. If you like two or more of those things, you'll probably dig this disc.

LINK:
Hot Chip: Coming on Strong

Justice - †

It doesn't happen very often, but here's a dance/disco (you be the judge) record that's completely tearing my shit apart. It's like someone took a rusty chainsaw to the usual nice, clean, tightly produced micro-house record. This album barks. It's not safe for children. This album has fucking rabies.

Give the first track, "Genesis" a listen:

I may still be in lust (only one full listen through) but I'm thinking Top 5 of 2007 here.

LINK:
Justice - †

A couple quickies

It's been a few days, so here's a couple of quickies to keep you busy, including Andrew Bird as requested. I also found new ones from White Rabbit, Battles (hot), Elliott Smith, Spoon and the long-dormant Greyboy Allstars.

This self-titled release from Besnard Lakes is also one of the more interesting rock listens of the year. BL might have actually one-upped My Morning Jacket in terms of heaviest vocal reverb ever used on a single release.

LINKS:
Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
The Besnard Lakes - (s/t)
Greyboy Allstars - What Happened to TV?
Mastodon - Blood Mountain
White Rabbit - Fort Nightly
Battles - Mirrored
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Elliott Smith - New Moon

Chromeo - She's In Control

Thanks to Mike for providing the link to this slice of digi-liquid-funktronic-ness. If you like synthesizers, BIG New Order-style beats, and vocoders, this one's for you. Kinda sounds like what Morris Day & the Time might have come up with, had they had the benefit of computers in the early 80s.

The track "Needy Girl" is a clear standout, but the whole album is pretty solid... if you like vocodor... and synths.

LINK:
Chromeo - She's In Control

Beastie Boys - The Mix Up

UPDATE: Sorry gang, this one got pulled. Let me know if you didn't get a chance to snag it.

Big thanks to An Aquarian Exposed, who provide the link below. Rejoice, the new Beastie's disc is here in full. It's labeled as an advance, but sounds like a final mix to me. Love it so far! It's sure to provide background music for many sports highlights, and soda drink commercials to come.

DOWNLOAD:
Beastie Boys - The Mix Up

New Beastie Boys Videos

This new all-instrumental B-Boys album is going to be excellent. I'm totally stoked they decided to return to this approach, but who would have thought we'd get an entire album?

"Off the Grid"


"The Rat Cage"


Fingers crossed that they filmed videos for every song and will release as DVD-audio.