Heck yeah

Jay-Z on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Alright, Santogold. Jay-Z. Brooklyn (we go hard). I love the song. I love the video. Apparently this is going to be on the Biggie Smalls biopic soundtrack.

LP3

I just got the new Ratatat album entitled LP3. It's really good as you would expect from Ratatat. It is a bit more psychedelic and moody than previous ventures, however, it is no less rockin'. Particular gems include Mirando, Falcon Jab, and Bird Priest. And taking a page from AJ's book I give you a music video for Mirando. It is particularly awesome because it is made of scenes from a favorite movie of mine.

1st new post (in awhile)

The coolest video I've seen in the last week or so that may have been missed by the masses comes from Cut Chemist as visualized by Kyle Ruddick. Leave it to Cut to show me something new and exciting (and kinda scary). In this case it's a 360 degree movie. This little gem was directed by Kyle Ruddick whose name sounds familiar but I could find any reason why. Granted he's a visual artist whose company (Eyestorm) is responsible for that kick ass trailer for the forthcoming Force unleashed video game, I still don't know how I know that name. My it's cuz it sounds kinda like Chronicles of Riddick.


Cut Chemist - 1st Big Break from eyestorm on Vimeo.

Dark Hand & Lamplight

Seeing a Dark Hand & Lamplight show is enchanting. You are taken into a world that’s romantic and inspiring, slowly immersed in a thing part concert, and part pop-up book.

Toronto’s Doug Paisley sings stories with his guitar, while Shary Boyle paints and animates live artwork on an overhead projector. The combination creates an encompassing experience, tranquil and endearing. Often tinged with sadness, and always very beautiful.

You sit trying to predict the possible ways of manipulating her drawings through the projector. She’s thought of them all. Transitions that falsify focus and depth to the flat images. Ways to have her characters travel down long rivers and experience varying emotions. Ghosts and birds even take flight over the audience as she moves the projector itself.

It’s a performance from the start. They dress as pioneers, and enter by candlelight. There are brief visual/musical interludes between longer pieces. And the projections and soundtrack of each regardless of length, are choreographed to cue and sync together on beat and in tone. Each song relates to each scene, but do not explain one another, and the viewer is left with their own impression of the whole.

Video Here.

Who's The Boss?

Apparently, Rick Ross released an album just recently. Now, if you know me then you know that "Hustlin'" is one of my all-time rap songs in the history of Rap. I mean as far as crack music goes it is superb. The swagger is staggering. I mean as Katt Williams put it,"even if your job don't involve hustlin' it will make you do anything and e'rything better." Freaking right.

So, when I realized that The Boss had come out with a new album and I hadn't heard it. Well, I considered it a disservice to myself. So, this weekend I purchased Trilla by Rick Ross. And it is pretty dang good. Don't get me wrong. If you are expecting some type of social commentary or any real redeeming social value other than that of pop awareness... then Trilla is not for you.

However, if you are looking for an album that will shake your trunk and sound good with your windows down when driving at about 25-35 mph. If you want visions of spinnin' wheels, speedboats, drug runs, raining cash. Then Trilla is the album for you.

While there is no song that even comes close to the pop brilliance and replayability of "Hustlin'" There is one song that is pretty dang good. "The Boss feat. T-Pain" is pretty serviceable. As are "Luxury Tax feat. Lil Wayne" and "Maybach Music." But "The Boss" is definitely the gem of the album. However when some guest stars rap a verse on a track it does make Ross kind of pale by comparison (Lil Wayne and Jay-Z) In fact Lil Wayne has one of my favorite verses in the whole album "They said I couldn't play football I was too small./They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall./They say I couldn't play baseball at all./And now everyday of my life I ball." Also, did I mention a sampling of Human League? Yeah. Real Talk.

But enough of my jibber jabber

Favorite Lyrics:

"Just another day in the life of the g**d*** boss"

"Who gives a f*** what a hater gotta say,/ I got a couple million dollars last year dealin' weight."

"10 black maybachs back to back in the lane"

"Caesar salad/Caesar's palace/you're not a boss lil n***a cause your cheese is average"

Crystal Castles

I bought the Crystal Castles album this morning. I don't regret it. It has a lot of really cool 8-bit sounds that I actually tried to distinguish which video games they are from. There is some definite donkey kong-ness in there.

It is a little rave-ish... in that I am sure that people that go to raves will enjoy it. But, I wouldn't go so far as to call it house or trance. It is definitely danceable. If you like The Knife, Justice, or Midnight Juggernauts you will enjoy Crystal Castles debut album. But, tread carefully, because I'm sure if this comes up on shuffle with your uninitiated friends in the car they may think you spend your weekends with giant pants on swirling glow sticks around.

AJ!!!!!!

I'm not sure if everyone on our board of directors is feeling these guys (I'm not, really), but I know Mr. Grier is, hence this post. If everyone is a fan, then please consider this for you, too. It's not so much that I don't like them, I guess I'm just not as on-board as everyone else is. I don't know...I'm a hater. Wish I wasn't. I wonder where I get that from? "Maybe I'm just like my mother, she's never satisfied..."

DANGIT!!!

All that talk made me forget what I was gonna say. Oh, yeah! New GB HERE.

Enjoy!

New Portishead Album

HERE

Sit, Justice, Sit...Good Dog....WOOF!

Guess who's back with another great video....no....nope....yep, Justice. The french duo responsible for D.A.N.C.E (the song) whose constant attack on my ear canal/psyche was only rivaled by those young folks and subsequently D.A.N.C.E (the video) which was quite good and wasn't thrown at me at every given opportunity thus remaining a good time, bring you DVNO (the song) which remains appropriately played and subsequently DVNO (the video) directed by fellow ed banger dj /art director; So-Me. The thing I love most about this video is it reminds me of watching tv and movies as a kid. Not because it features any of those shows but because it features so many of the production company tags and commercial bumpers that would greet me or say good bye from all my video friends. This blog goes out to Ubu, you were one of my best friends. Enjoy.

P.S. Thanks glen.

The 87 Stick Up Kids/Diplo - TONIGHT!!!

If you know about Diplo, then this is free. RSVP and come on down. You should already know about dem 87 Stick Up boys, but if you don't, HERE'S your late pass. Step. (c) Professor Griff

I'll be on stage, too, by the way.

Ok...so now that you've taken that acid

You can check out this video from Brooklyn's own MGMT. They're part of the indie (I think I left out the tr) music explosion whose epicenter is that most central nyc borough. I saw them a few weeks ago at the echoplex and thought they were a bunch of 16 years channeling Spinal Tap. In the best way.

Wow

Sublime:
a:) lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner
b:) of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
c:) tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence
d:) "Gang of Losers" by The Dears

This album locked me in from the first note and I didn't turn away until it was all over. Some may think "Hey, these guys sound like The Smiths." First of all, Negative Nancy, you need to lighten up. Second of all, The Smiths are awesome right? But they haven't made music in a while, right? Something to the tune of twenty years. Well, I figure that there is room in the current music scene for a band that sounds a lot like The Smiths. Besides, somebody's gotta do it, right?

I know that this album came out in 2006. But, I just heard it and I want to extol its virtues from the mountain tops.

They also have inspired my next post which will be up in a few days.

mp3:Sinthtro
mp3:You and I are a Gang of Losers

Check this.

Incredible! from kwest on Vimeo.

I found this video on Kanye's website::shudder:: But, this guy running mans the hell out of this video.

POP Quiz!!!

Erykah Badu is back this year wtih a new 18 track album a and a whole host of new hair. With the likes of 9th wonder and Madlib producing tracks, the question isn't will it be dope but how many of the classic hiphop and soul albums in
this video can you name?

In desperate need of a wake up call

I am always late. Always sleepin' on some good stuff. Too busy listening to Prince bootlegs, I guess. ***Note: If I die having successfully heard every unreleased Prince song and nothing else, I'll be fine*** This is something I saw a few weeks ago and dismissed as another funny-dressed-nigga-wit-a-geetar. From the first few songs on his MySpace page, dude is ill. For real ill. Make sure my alarm clock has RCA inputs.


Lightspeed Champion

Stuff 'Splodin'

Remember that Audio Slave video for Cochise? The one where they badass onto a tower and then blow off a large sum of fireworks. That's always going to be a good idea. We shouldn't have to be reminded what metal stage shows taught us for years; fire always works.

Feist seems fond of the flares. Her new video for Feel It All is my favorite of a string of good ideas put to film by her this year. Patrick Daughters as usual... jammin' on the one.



[mov]: Patrick Daughters: Feist - Feel It All

Now someone get me a Whistling Pete.

Come to this, too!

I'm DJing on Friday. Could possibly be my first foray into the digital realm, as I 'm thinking about using James' (Rockwell) Serato setup. It's a surprise party for a friend and I definitely don't feel like lugging records from Whittier to Downtown. Hopefully you'll feel like lugging you're behind to the party to dance. Post some requests and I'll try to work them into my set.



Peace

If you're my friend...

you'll come to my show tomorrow night at Cinespace.

There a loads of things wrong with that sentence. For starters, it's not my show...it's The 87 Stick Up Kids, but I am performing on at least three songs, including the infamous Bonde Do Role "Gasolina" remix you've heard so much about. Secondly, it's at Cinespace--grossest of the gross, true, but you might find your future baby's mama and/or fight with Aoki. Word? WORD! I was not lying, however, about the guilt that I will lay upon you if you do not show up. Eat your breakfast, nigga!!!



Micah James
The 87 Stick Up Kids

Jeezy, aye! Santana, aye!

The Octopus Project

Just heard about them...I'll explain more later. Listen.

Over Cute.

What is to much cute? The answer my friends lies in the latest video from British outfit Los Campasinos!. I'm not sure what their deal is but from what I surmise it's seven brits with the same last name who create infectiously poppy music. The fact that the lead female vocalist is kinda hot is just an added bonus.

Directed by Cat Solen who's breakout debut video for Bright Eyes created quite a buzz in 2006, this video continues her gift of bringing crafts to the craft. Enjoy here through the magic of quicktime.

Sans Polka and Mexican Jibberish

The previously unreleased video for Madvillain's "Accordion", from their 2004 album Madvillainy. This is my favorite (at least top 3) song off the LP.



Jeezy, aye!

The Godfather of Electronic music

You have probably heard his music in cartoons. You have probably heard most of his stuff from his jazz "quintette". But, Raymond Scott is the Godfather of Electronic music.

He created some of the first electronic instruments including the polyphonic sequencer and "The Electronium" which uses artificial intelligence to compose music.



Berry Gordy heard about the Electronium and went to see it in action. Apparently he was so impressed that he hired Scott as the head of Motown's Electronic music and research department. Which only lasted 6 six years

After hearing some of his music it is easy to see that he was a pioneer in the electronic music field and just as easy to see his influence on musicians such as Daft Punk, Justice, Devo (and thusly Mark Mothersbaugh), J Dilla, and many others.

m4a: Lightworks
m4a: The Bass-line Generator
m4a: In the Hall of the Mountain Queen

Good Stuff. Enjoy.

Macworld Tomorrow?

Apologies, as I couldn't resist the TMZesque question mark. Tomorrow marks the beginning of Apple Macworld conference in San Francisco. Since all of us allow Steve Jobs to dictate our lives in some fashion, I thought it'd be nice to see some of your predictions/hopes for announcements and new products. Ultra-portable Macbook? Tablet? Apple to save WiMax?
This is what I'm thinking... (Hint: Niggas around the world will rejoice)

Welcome...

... to 24 LOST HEROES. From here on out the aim of this blog is to have a home for songs and videos the we just don't see enough of. Chances are this may be the first place you heard/seen it but certainly not the last. If there is something that absolutely must be experienced from the audio/video department, this is the place. Hopefully from here in out you will have seen it or heard it here first folks. And now from the bottom to the top.