Walkin' & Talkin' - Bennie Green

Walkin' & Talkin' by Bennie Green (1959)

An excellent straight-ahead jazz album by trombonist, Bennie Green. He keeps it swingin!

Favorite: "The Shouter" "All I Do Is Dream Of You"

Legends of Acid Jazz - "Boogaloo Joe" Jones

Legends of Acid Jazz, Vol. 1 by "Boogaloo Joe" Jones (1996)

Another jazz guitar great. This album is part of an excellent series, the Legends Of Acid Jazz. Other installations highlight masters like Bernard Purdie, Billy Butler, "Brother" Jack McDuff, Leon Spencer, Melvin Sparks, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Sonny Phillips to name a few. And they each feature equally tripped out cover artwork.

This album is very funky.

Favorite: "Dream On Little Dreamer" "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)" "6:30 Blues"

Stretching Out In - Bootsy's Rubber Band

Stretching Out In by Bootsy's Rubber Band (1976)

great funk album. I definitely hear the influence it and others like it had on Andre3000.

Least Favorite: "Love Vibes"

Favorite: "Stretchin' Out (In A Rubber Band)" "I'd Rather Be With You"

Tender Buttons - Broadcast

Tender Buttons by Broadcast (2005)

slightly prog-rockish electronic album. I liked it at first, but as the album wore on, it became a bit repetitive. Probably wouldn't listen to it again.

Favorite: "I Found The F"

Black Diamond - Buraka Som Sistema

Black Diamond by Buraka Som Sistema (2008)

This group is from Angola so they speak Portugese. The girl's voice kinda gets on my nerves after a while, kind of the way that the girl from Bonde do Role's voice gets on my nerves. They both kill it, but it's just too high pitched to listen to a whole album worth of songs from them one after another. Fortunately the girl from Buraka doesn't rap on every song.

I do like that this album is sequenced to run like a mixtape with the songs blending seemlessly from one to the next.

Fans of M.I.A. and Bonde Do Role will like them. They have the same high energy to the beats and lyrics.

Favorite: "Kalemba (Wegue Wegue)" ft. Pongo Love "IC19" "Sound of Kuduro" (ft M.I.A., DJ Znobia, Saborosa, Puto Prata)

Perfect from Now On - Built to Spill

Perfect from Now On by Built to Spill (1997)

another album I had never listened to.

Favorite: "Kicked It In The Sun" "Stop The Show"

Back To Oakland - Tower of Power

Back to Oakland by Tower of Power (1974)

Gotta love the Oakland funk & soul!

Least Favorite: "Below Us All The City Lights"

Favorite: "I Got The Chop" "Man From The Past"

It Still Moves - My Morning Jacket

It Still Moves - My Morning Jacket (2003)

In honor of My Morning Jacket being featured on "American Dad" last night, I figured I'd go back and listen to one of their older albums.

Favorite: "Run Thru"

Jazz As Played In An Exclusive Side Street - Nina Simone

Jazz As Played In An Exclusive Side Street - Nina Simone (1958)
An excellent album from the queen of soul jazz. Mostly very melancholy, bluesy, minimalistic jazz.

I enjoyed listening to this album while making homemade organic yogurt for the first time (because I'm a big dork like that).

Favorite: "Plain Gold Ring", "Good Bait"

Jutta Hipp - Zoot Sims

Jutta Hipp by Zoot Sims (1953)

Great straight ahead jazz album from this saxophonist. Perfect for a cool fall day spent applying to temp agencies.

Favorite: "Violets For Your Furs"

Carrying On - Grant Green

Carryin' On by Grant Green (1969)

great funky jazz album by guitar master Grant Green. He's one of my favorites. The whole album, only 5 songs totaling just over 37 minutes, is great so check it out if you get a chance.

Favorite: "Ease Back"

DJ-Kicks - Chromeo

DJ-Kicks mixed by Chromeo (2009)

The most recent installation of this long-running DJ mix series (#31 since 1995 to be exact). Past mixers include Hot Chip, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Four Tet, Booka Shade, Vikter Duplaix, and Nightmares On Wax.

This mix showcases some of Chromeo's favorite songs and some obvious influences.

Favorite: Donna Allen "Serious" a great '80s song I've always loved.

The House That Dirt Built - The Heavy

The House That Dirt Built by The Heavy (2009)

The sophomore album from this British quartet. Their sound is a rocking mix of blues & funk with a little hip hop influence. Good stuff!

Favorite: "Long Way From Home" "Sixteen" granted, it is nearly a cover of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins song, "I Put A Spell On You", which I've always loved... but they do a damn good job with this tribute: including the requisite deep, slow bass thump of the funeral march, slightly distorted vocals and overall spooky feel.

Bring It On - Goose

Bring It On by Goose (2007)

really fun electronic album.

Favorite: "British Mode"

She's In Control - Chromeo

She's In Control by Chromeo (2004)

As far as I know this is the debut album from this Canadian duo. Great '80s-inspired synthy pop electro. Their subsequent album, "Fancy Footwork", gets heavy play by my boyfriend prompting me to dub Chromeo "the best '80s band to come out after the year 2000".

Favorite: "Ah Oui Comme Ça"

Dap-Dippin' With... - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Dap-Dippin' With... - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (2002)

Debut album from this Brooklyn-based funk group that has since gained a lot of popularity on the festival circuit playing smoking sets at venues like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Langerado and Coachella.

Favorite: "The Dap Dip" "Casella Walk" "Got To Be The Way It Is"

Black Holes & Revelations - Muse

Black Holes & Revelations by Muse (2006)

Scottish rock with a catchy pop, electronic edge. Surprised it's taken them this long to breakthrough to the US market.
"Map of the Problematique" has a Depeche Mode feel to it from the synths.

Least Favorite: "Invincible" sounds too much like a bad Radiohead song; "Hoodoo" a bit overly dramatic for my taste

Favorite: "Supermassive Black Hole"

Back To Mine - Tricky

Back To Mine by Tricky (2003)

A DJ mix put together by none other than downtempo pioneer, Tricky, featuring some of his favorite songs and exclusive tracks from his label, "Brown Kings". Unfortunately, my least favorite song of the mix is one of those exclusives. But I still have to give it up to him for going from Eric B. & Rakim to Dr. John in only 1 song and using "Mirror In The Bathroom" as that bridge.

This is installation 14 in the "Back To Mine" series. If you want to learn more, check out their website.

Least Favorite: Little Kings "How We Ride"

Favorite: Gregory Isaacs "Night Nurse"

Red - Datarock

Red by Datarock (2009)
Favorite: "Give It Up"

Together - George & Gwen McCrae

Together by George & Gwen McCrae (1976)

Some classic soul from Miami.

Favorite: "The Rub"
sampled by The Coup for "Fat Cats & Bigger Fish" & I think the popular monthly Brooklyn party hosted by DJ Ayres is named after it.

The Music Scene - Blockhead

The Music Scene by Blockhead (2009)

Brand new album by Blockhead... went to see him and DJ Signify last night. They killed it! I was very excited to see them since it had been 2 years, since they toured with Aesop Rock.

Blockhead with Rob Sonic
outside of Studio A, Miami,FL
November, 2007

The album is solid, as I've come to expect from Blockhead. Never stagnant, lots of development and growth within each track, and of course, the great vocal samples.

Favorite: "Daily Routine" "Tricky Turtle" "Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer"

the album's available exclusively online right now & will be available for physical purchase on January 12.

Peace Love Death Metal - The Eagles of Death Metal

Peace Love Death Metal by The Eagles of Death Metal (2004)

Great bluesy rock album from Josh Homme, better known as founding member of Queens Of The Stone Age.

This is the debut album from his other band. Lots of fuzzed out guitars & falsetto singing.

Favorite: "English Girl" "Stacks O' Money"

Nassau - The Sea And Cake

Nassau by The Sea And Cake (1995)

I decided to check out The Sea and Cake after hearing the lead singer, Sam Prekop, featured on the Prefuse73 album "Vocal Studies And Uprock Narratives" in 2001. Didn't know much of anything about them up to that point. Can't say I do now either. But this album is mostly really mellow, melodic rock. Reminds me of a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Favorite: "Earth Star"

Details - Frou Frou

Details by Frou Frou (2002)

Duo fronted vocally by the increasingly popular Imogen Heap. This was their only release.

Favorite: "Psychobabble"

One Day Everything Changed - Wale Oyejide

One Day Everything Changed by Wale Oyejide (2004)

Nigerian rapper Wale Oyejide (not to be confused with Wale from D.C. who's blowing up right now).
The musicality and vibe reminds me of Mos Def's "Black on Both Sides", especially because Wale likes to sing.

Favorite: "There's A War Going On" (ft. Jaydee) ("We don't support no war. We ain't down for no war." I couldn't have said it better myself.) "Ibadan Sunrise" "This Is Dedicated To" (ft. MF Doom) - well, the shout outs he gives at the beginning & Doom's verse. RIP to Subroc. Wale's singing is not the best on this one.

Least Favorite: "Riot & Revolt" - if only because the hook is too repetitive

"This Is Dedicated To" (ft. MF Doom)

Orange Dust - Aquasky

Orange Dust by Aquasky (1997)

really chill atmospheric, downtempo drum & bass. don't think I've ever listened to this album before.

Favorite: "Orange Dust"
not so much a favorite as a taste of what this album's about



"Orange Dust"

21st Century Breakdown - Green Day

21st Century Breakdown by Green Day (2009)

Hard for me to believe but this is my first time listening to an entire Green Day album since "Dookie" came out when I was in high school. I like the guys, being from the bay it's good to support local talent. Plus I went to summer camp with Tre Cool, back when I was about 7 years old. But they sort of fell off my radar for a while, I guess.

This album is a bit long for my current attention span. Some of it has a very heavy Beatles influence, not in a bad way.

Favorite: "Last Night On Earth"



"Last Night On Earth"

Soul Explosion - The Daktaris

Soul Explosion by The Daktaris (2000)

The precursor to Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, the Daktaris definitely have the Afro-funk thing down! The album bounces along nicely and one song blends nearly seemlessly into the next making it hard for me to easily choose a favorite. An album eaqually suited for a fun weekend picnic in the park or to help you get going in the morning.

Favorite: "Voodoo Soul Stew"



"Voodoo Soul Stew"

Unclassified - C.V.E.

Unclassified by C.V.E. (1998)

raw and minimal, like all C.V.E. releases. I bought this on a cd-r from Amoeba Berkeley back in late '99. All the songs are strong so I had trouble choosing a favorite but finally settled on one & it just happened to be the one with the most people on it.

Favorite: "Plan B" ft. Ridd?, Ngafsh98, Chu (freestylin), Vonnie, Wreccless & Rifleman



"Plan B" ft. Ridd?, Ngafsh98, Vonnie, Wreccless & Rifleman

Mechanical Royalty - Babbletron

Mechanical Royalty by Babbletron (2003)

though these guys spend a lot of time being quiet and introspective on this album, my favorite songs are the more up tempo and braggadocios ones.

Favorite: "Birds" "Space Tech Banana Clip" (prod. by MF Doom) "Chop!!!"



"Chop!!!"

Grit & Grind - E-40

Grit & Grind by E-40 (2002)

Maybe I'm not a true bay girl because I've never been really into folks like E-40 and Too $hort. I bought this album when it came out in an attempt to change that, but I still failed to get into it. For the most part, the lyrics are solid. He styles, he spits in double time... I think it's the beats that don't really grab me & then the repetitive hooks get me to push fast forward.

Favorite: "Pimps, Hustlas" "Rep Yo City" featuring a veritable who's who from the south - Bun B, East Side Boyz, 8Ball, Lil Jon & Petey Pablo (even though I'm not so into the yelling on the hook).

Least Favorite: "7 Much" "My Cup" ft. Suga T



"Pimps, Hustlas"

D.I.T.C.

D.I.T.C. - D.I.T.C. (2000)

This album takes me back to the first few years I spent in NYC. The whole vibe of it really reminds me of the late '90s East Coast.

R.I.P. Big L & Big Pun (I know he wasn't a member of D.I.T.C. but he's featured on "Drop It Heavy" along with KRS One)

Favorite: "Day One"



"Day One"

People's Instinctive Travels...

People's Instinctive Travels and The Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest (1990)

Instantly takes me back to the 6th grade when "Bonita Applebum" was a radio single. A classic album, even if it is a bit uneven compared to their 2nd & 3rd releases.

Least Favorite: "Pubic Enemy" I never liked this song.
Favorites: "Can I Kick It?" "Luck of Lucien" (btw, snails are delicious)

"Luck Of Lucien"



"Can I Kick It?"

Real Talk - Fabolous

Real Talk by Fabolous (2004)


Least Favorite: "Tit 4 Tat" ft. Pharell - "tit-tat" female vocal sample running through entire song wears on the nerves. and the beat sounds like something Pharell had sitting in his studio and just decided to give Fab instead of throwing it out. definitely recognizable as a Neptunes beat featuring their signature keyboards (almost interchangable with "Nothin'" by N.O.R.E.) but not one of their best.
"Can You Hear Me?" opening bar tribute to 2pac notwithstanding, not a very inspired song. female vocals on the hook make it that much worse.
"Holla At Somebody Real" ft. Lil Mo He rhymes "sake" with "broccoli" and there are vocals by Lil Mo to the tune of "Sukiyaki", nuf said.

Favorite: "Gangsta" & "Breathe"
Fab's really at his best on his own, without guest artists to detract from his lyrics.

Two Pages - 4hero

Two Pages by 4hero (1998)

almost like 2 separate albums. you can tell it's from the end of the time when albums were still produced to play over 2 sides of a cassette or multiple sides of vinyl. starts off very chill, the first several tracks blending together almost into one (very long) extended song, distinguishable only by the various vocalists featured on each. Track #9 "Greys" is when that vibe breaks and the rest of the album is far less cohesive. However, this second "half" of the project features my favorite song featuring a former member of Digable Planets.

Favorite: "The Action" ft. Ish aka Butterfly

'70s Soul Sessions - Various Artists

'70s Soul Sessions (2004)
Just as the title suggests, a collection of some classic soul from the '70s. As cheesy as the cover may be, there are some real gems here.

A few highlights:
Bobby Womack - "Across 110th Street"
(especially appropriate after watching "American Gangster" last night.)
Gil Scott Heron - "The Bottle"
Billy Paul - "Me & Mrs. Jones"
Curtis Mayfield - "So In Love"
Freda Payne - "Band Of Gold"
(great song made almost unlistenable by "American Idol")
The Skullsnaps - "I'm Your Pimp"
The Staple Singers - "Let's Do It Again"
Isaac Hayes - "Never Can Say Goodbye"
Millie Jackson - "Hurts So Good"
The Meters - "Hand Clappin' Song"
The Impressions - "First Impressions"
The O'Jays - "Backstabbers"

Favorite: Ike & Tina Turner "Come Together"
a cover of The Beatles song, every bit as good as the original.



Ike & Tina Turner - "Come Together"

A Nightmare On Elm Street

A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Best Of Parts 1-5 - Original music by Charles Bernstein (1993)
this is basically the first album in my collection as I have it organized and had never listened to it! very spacey, lots of bells...surely due to the nightmare/dreamscape setting of the films. my boyfriend actually walked in at one point while I was listening and asked if I was listening to Buddhist music.

Favorite: "Freddy's Pizza Restaurant"

The Beginning

As I lay in bed the other night, trying desperately to fall asleep the night before a 5:30 AM crew call, I realized that I have practically stopped listening to music. I have music, tons of it...and it's always around me. But I'm no longer the main one controlling what I listen to. I'll jump through stations on the radio, or let my boyfriend or Pandora or iTunes Genius choose what should be playing. I have a huge collection, and am getting new material all the time, I just don't take the time to listen to much of it.

So this project & this blog is an effort to remedy that.

The idea is simple: listen to 1 album a day and post about it. Good, bad, or otherwise. No genre restrictions. No time period constraints. Just the music.