J*DaVeY will be playing a live show at Yoshi’s SF this Thursday, January 28th at 10:30pm. Get your tickets early at www.yoshis.com or at the Yoshi’s box office.
LA Times Music Blog Cites iM as a Reason to be Optimistic about Hip-Hop in 2010
In a recent post, the LA Times Music Blog summarized reasons why they are feeling “cautiously optimistic” about Hip-Hop in 2010. In part, they wrote…
Though consolidation and a depressed record industry have partially destroyed hip-hop’s once-thriving independent culture, signs of regrowth are present. As outlined by Dart Adams of Bloggerhouse, labels such as A-Side, High Water, Interdependent Media, Mello Music Group and local imprint Tres Records have developed to give Stones Throw, Rhymesayers, Duck Down and Definitive Jux some company.
In addition, they cited the city of Detroit and in particular iM artist Finale as another reason to have hope for the new year.
Brand New J*DaVeY – FREE Download
J*DaVeY has two new songs available for download from their upcoming album Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistape which will be dropping for free this Christmas. Check ‘em below.
IM Artists Getting Love From PopMatters
PopMatters.com has released their year end wrap up of the best hip-hop of 2009 and they are showing their love for the IM roster. Tanya Morgan’s Brooklynati made it to no 5, while Finale’s A Pipe Dream and a Promise weighs in at no. 4. Check out the full article here.
Don Cusack’s Top 5 Concept Albums
The following was taken from Donwill’s blog. His upcoming release Don Cusack in High Fidelity is coming February 2010. Stay tuned!
Marvin Gaye – Here My Dear:
While ‘What’s Going On’ is the more logical choice with some respects I have to vote for the underdog of Marvin’s catalog. The court ordered angst of a jilted lover spawned the best diss record to ever be recorded.
De La Soul – De La Soul is Dead:
This slot could have very well been any one De La Soul’s albums but its generally the one rap album (aside from Only Built for Cuban Linx) that always finds its way into a discussion of concept albums even when genre boundaries are removed. And rightfully so, the flipbook theme was not only executed flawlessly via the skits but the album actually came WITH the flip book!
Tanya Morgan – Moonlighting:
Yes, yup… I abso-fucking-lutely did and it ain’t even favoritism, its honest. Moonlighting is an album about a cassette tape being passed around that never finds its intended listener because the song they missed was the one that they would have liked. Its humorous social commentary on the changing format of sellable music and how the new breed of listener consumes. And while its extremely hard to find, he actual cassette tape being played on the album exists in real life.
The Flaming Lips – Zaireeka:
Zaireeka is an album that is comprised of four separate discs meant to be played on separate sound systems simultaneously. The sum of which, based on the infinite inconsistencies involved, will never produce the same total listening experience upon playback. If that sounds crazy what’s even crazier is that a ‘mixed down’ version was never officially released by the band and word is discs 5-10 are floating around out there. How can this *NOT* be on my list?!?!
The Beatles – Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band:
This album almost didn’t make my list but after a little soul searching I can’t front on it. And while I don’t really hear a concept exploring new territories musically counts too. Dare I say that with no Sgt. Peppers there would be no 3 Ft High and rising?!?! Yes, yes I do dare.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati: Yup, you got damn right…
Pink Floyd – The Wall: I’ve seen the movie but haven’t heard the album.
Ziggy Stardust – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust: I finally got the lp. I’ll check it out.
*Don Cusack in High Fidelity coming February 2010…