Wale: Attention Deficit

Wale's album has finally dropped: Attention Deficit, and it was worth the wait. Make sure you pick it up/download/whatever the hell you do. I'm sure Wale will be one of the most talked about mc's of 2010. Check out these two tracks, as well as the rest of the album:

Out

Quantic and his Combo Barbaro

At times the internet acts as a quest, of sorts, to stumble upon gems hidden from the masses yet available to all. When it comes to music, these discoveries yield happiness, especially for someone with a love for the sounds of the world.

Music is a story, from the artist to the delicate beat of the drum...and in some ways, the fact that individuals from all walks of life cultivate rich stories gives me faith in our sometimes wavering generation.

This brings me to Quantic, originally William Holland, from Bewdley, Worcestershire. In 2007, Holland moved to my father's hometown of Cali, Colombia, and subsequently began to mix all of the elements of my favorite types of music, notably salsa, bossa nova, jazz, hip-hop, funk and soul, into eclectic and contemporary dance floor rhythms. It's simple, perennial and fun...music you don't need to strain yourself to enjoy, a vision of several loving slices of life.

His 2008 track Mi Swing es Tropical was recently featured on HBO's 24/7 program. I loved it. Luckily, HBO remains courteous enough to treat it's viewers to lists of the fantastic music featured in their programs, a feature they debuted with the Entourage series on hbo.com.

When I went to look into Quantic I found several things out. First, what can turn into a simple search for a groove can lead to the discovery of a story told though beautiful music. As you'll see in the videos, this man loves the country he moved to, and his videos feature real people. He samples less than most. And every song on his latest release, Tradition in Transition, is better than most. Quantic is signed to the independent U.K. label, Tru Thoughts. Look up their website for motley crew of artists each with their own style. I will be researching and bringing more to you as the weeks go by.

Until then, here is the video for it's single Un Canto a Mi Tierra featuring folk singer Nidia Gongora, filmed near her hometown of Timbiqui, Colombia. I'll also toss in Mi Swing Es Tropical, which is verry chill. Throw that one on while you're out by the pool.

Un Canto a Mi Tierra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5_Fusasy2s (copy/paste...embedding disabled)

Websites/articles:

http://www.quantic.org/

http://www.tru-thoughts.co.uk/artists (read the about section)

http://bongohead.blogspot.com/2009/09/working-with-quantic.html (blog, featuring the album artist. The artwork is great)

Out

New Dimensions

Two artist are making me slap that ass this week...

First, Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas has come out with a solo album, entitled Phrazes for the Young. You'll notice his distinctive voice over vibrant electronic music. Some of this stuff is completely out of the 80's, which isn't a bad thing to me. It's definitely a fun batch of music have in the old i-pod while walking or in the car. Check out the first single 11th Dimension, as well as Left and Right In The Dark.

Next, there's Das Pop. You'll be hard pressed to find their music for download here in the states; their album isn't even available yet on iTunes. But they are a Belgian band with some feel good music, slightly reminiscent of Phoenix. Slightly. I like 'em. You can watch their single Never Get Enough of Your Love on youtube, but the song I'm into is Wings. All I could find was this live video, but if you get the chance, download the track.

This is unusual cuz I'm not a big Juvenile fan. This song just sounds cool for no particular reason.

And last but not least, I started following John Delamora, DJ producer of Trance Nation Radio. If you're into trance, he's got some great music on his websites:

www.trancenation.de

johndelamora.com

Out

Duck Sauce

Well known DJ's A-Track and Armand Van Helden have joined forces to create Duck Sauce! Which, explained by them,

"...is Armand Van Helden and A-Trak making house music

and eating Chinese food. Who's hungry? Quack quack."

Awesome. The music is much more, however, immediately catchy and funky. I'll post an interview below, as well as their first single (which was JUST released in the UK), aNYway. For some reason, I have a feeling that this music is gona be big as far as house gos...they say they're strictly going for music to tear clubs down. And I am down with that.

...and another song, You're Nasty................IS nasty.

Out.

Hot Albums fo' That Ass

Don't need to say much to get you to pick up Blueprint 3. Just listen to Empire State of Mind and you'll see what you're working with. Can I say the album lives up to that quality as it goes on and on? Yes. And yes, I am in love with Alicia Keys...so hot, so talented. Damn....

Here is the video, courtesy of the Japanese. And Lil Mama...get the hell off the stage?

Next...some unexpected great stuff. Break Up, a collaboration between Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johannsen, is delightfully splendid throughout. With just enough variation between tracks, every song puts you in a good mood, no matter what the hell they're talking about (refer to album title). You will see this music in a huge batch of indie films, guaranteed. And yes, I am in love with Scarlett Johannsen. So hot, so urban outfitters. Step off Pete. Damn...

Not the full video. Check out the whole album though. Good beach music?

Next! Muse's Uprising. The album starts of with the title track and a bang, and quickly goes into hard hitting sounds that lift Muse to unexpected territories. A definite highlight is Undisclosed Desires, and I can't go without mentioning the epic, three part rock symphony that ends the album off.

Last, but not least, Kamaal The Abstract from the man Q-Tip. I'm a big fan of a Tribe Called Quest, and this album is exactly what I would expect for someone with Q-Tip's talent. His other solo efforts were...meh...but this record has such a balanced sound, which runs from funky and hip to straight up soulful. Check out the final track Even If It Is So to see what I mean.

This is good music. Fuck the radio, listen to people that are actually putting out something worthwhile.

Out.

New Music Tuesday

Here's four new tracks I downloaded on this fine new music Tuesday:

First, a track which is so nice and fresh it makes me want to run outside naked. The artist is The Very Best, a combination of Esau Mwamwaya, a singer from Malawi and Radioclit, a pair of UK dj's. This particular track features Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, a band that takes a lot of inspiration from African sounds. Lovin' it.

Here is a live performance. You'll notice Ezra's vocals off the bat, although he isn't present.

They released a mixtape not too long ago, featuring Esau on top of some familiar tracks. You can download it here:

http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-very-best-feat-ezra-koenig-warm-heart-of-africa_074692.html

Next...another single from Tiesto: Kaleidoscope.

"This is small town music. This is big time music. He's ahead of his time you know, but, he can't use it." So goes Song Away by Hockey, a band from Portland Oregon, receiving more attention from overseas than at home. The entire time, the lyrics are nothing but honest about what the band is trying to do, "writing an honest song over an 80's groove among other things. Their sound is laid back, and very American. Reminiscent of Tom Petty. Definitely check it out. Funny video with that weird girl from Knocked Up:

Next is a more ethereal track by a band called The Big Pink. Not sure, let me know what you think...

Enjoy...Out

New Music Tuesday

Three songs today from my perusing...

First, an obvious one, Feel It In My Bones, by Tiesto feat. Tegan and Sara. His new album, Kaleidoscope, drops on October 20. Let's hope it gives us a little more variety than Guetta's One Love. Judging from this track, its sounds like Miami's golden boy won't disappoint.

Feel It To My Bones - Tiesto feat. Tegan and Sara

Next is The Cribs, a new indie rock band (for U.S. audiences) from West Yorkshire. Here is their single We Share The Same Skies.

We Share The Same Skies (Album Version) - The Cribs

Maybe So, Maybe No, by Mayer Hawthorne, proves that white boys with black rimmed glasses still got soul. I'm really digging this music. Also check out Just Ain't Gonna Work Out. I've posted both official videos below.

Enjoy, Out