Archive for Jazz

The Gaslamp Killer & The Heliocentrics – Legna.

A modern library record by today’s preeminent psychedelic jazz and beat freaks.

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Bacao Rhythm and Steel Band – Space.


This German steel drum band’s cover of “Space” by Galt Macdermot just brought New York back.


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[Found in the Thrift Store] Men in Black: The Album.


I picked this little gem up yesterday at Unique Thrift.

We all remember the classic film; but what about the album it inspired? This late 90’s comp included the likes of Will Smith, Jermaine Dupri, Snoop Dogg, Ginuwine, a young Alicia Keys, The Roots, D’Angelo, Trey Lorenz (his name will be the answer to a jeopardy question one day), Nas, Emoja, ATCQ, an early Destiny’s Child, 3T, De La Soul, Buckshot LeFonque, and the legendary Danny Elfman.

Read the track by track review, after the jump.

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Louis Jordan – Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens (DJ Premier Remix).


Rockstar Games never skimps on a soundtrack and L.A. Noire is no exception. The game features the music of Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Thelonious Monk — a suitable backdrop for a detective thriller set in 1947 Los Angeles. In addition, Rockstar partnered with Verve Records for L.A. Noire: Remixed, an EP of remixes of jazz standards by the likes of Dave Sitek and DJ Premier. Premo turned Louis Jordan’s “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” into an undeniable head-nodder. Rockstar sure knows how to please hip-hop heads.

L.A. Noire is out now. Watch the launch trailer below and listen to the rest of L.A. Noire: Remixed here


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Watch Stray Phrases Play J Dilla’s Donuts Live.


Totally forgot about this until 30 seconds ago. Here’s the full video of Stray Phrases performing J Dilla’s Donuts at the Tea Lounge in Brooklyn on February 3 — the same show we were hyping earlier this year. This was the second time they played Donuts. ML provided the recording of their first set, but now you can get the visual side of the experience. The video is broken into five parts. See the pink hat the drummer is wearing? He hasn’t taken it off in two years.


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Stray Phrases Performing J Dilla’s Donuts (10/17/10) @ The Local 269, NYC.


Update: 8PM not 9

NYC, pay attention. Something on the extra-special, low-key, cooler-than-your-friends-because-you-know-about-it tip.

A jazz trio called Stray Phrases is performing J Dilla’s Donuts from beginning to end this Sunday (10/17) at The Local 269 (269 E Houston Street). No breaks and no cover, so come get your drink on and build some good water-cooler conversation for Monday morning.

ML will be in the house. You’ll likely catch me a sipping a John Daly.

Shout out to my homie Storm, the drummer, and extra props to GonCreative for the flyer.
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Jose James – Made For Love x Blackmagic (produced by Flying Lotus).


If Flying Lotus’ space odyssey Cosmogramma gives you a headache, you may find his contributions to Jose James’ Blackmagic more agreeable. Blackmagic already lies in a gray area between between jazz and soul, but FlyLo’s three songs (these two plus “Code”) make it even harder to categorize. You should probably avoid that debate altogether and just bump these.

Download: Jose James – Made For Love (produced by Flying Lotus)

Download: Jose James – Blackmagic (produced by Flying Lotus)

Also check out his interviews with okayplayer and Pop & Hiss.
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Third and Final Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Trailer.


True story: my friend (not me, really) stayed up until midnight on the eve of his eleventh birthday to see if he would get a letter from Hogwarts.

He didn’t.

Bonus: The J.B.’s – Dirty Harry


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It’s just one of those days

Hold up for a second. Forget all that bullshit assclownery going on in music right now. Forget Souljah Boy. Forget auto-tune. Sit down. Pour yourself a classy drink (ginger ale and rye is always a good choice) and sit down in a comfy chair. Lee Morgan has something he’d like to play for you.

“I Remember Clifford” performed in 1958.


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