Jay Electronica Rocks!

Jay Electronica is hip hop at its best for me. His new album is smart, washed over with soul, and features interesting political sound bites that are less about an agenda and more about the art of speech.

Jay Electronica recently signed with Roc Nation and Jay Z’s touch is undeniable…lightning always strikes for that man. Electronica’s music feels fresh, but remains firmly in the tradition of a Tribe Called Quest or Jurassic 5.

Shiny Suit Theory features The Dream, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jay Z. Put them all together and you get a kick ass song!

Jay Electronica – Shiny Suit Theory (Ft. The Dream and Jay Z)

And another!

Jay Electronica – The Announcement

Oh Land Oh Yeah

Spotlight Oh Land

The artist Oh Land has an arguably sweeter real name – Nanna Fabricius. Going by Oh Land makes sense; however, and based on the reviews of her performance at SXSW she incorporates wild performance art and elaborate stage props into her act.

Nanna is a former ballerina from Copenhagen whose career was suddenly halted by a back injury - something rather normal in comparison to Black Swan. To console herself and find a new path in life she turned to music, which was always a great influence on her (her mother is an opera singer).

Her EP Fauna is a collection of quirky beats from a drum machine and soft and clean vocals. That talent and her stunning beauty landed her with Sony. Oh land’s next album is due for release in March. She works at a pace similar to Lil Wayne and creates 100s of songs for each album, and then whittles it down to 10 or so.

I think her electro pop vibe has got some legs under it, and she’ll do quite well in the music scene. If that doesn’t pan out she was just signed to model for Missoni… so there is always that.
Enjoy some of these tunes and have a killer week,

Links removed by the man, but check out these songs on Hypem anyhow!

Oh Land – Sun of A Gun (Hypem)

Oh Land – White Nights (Twin Shadow Remix) - (Hypem)

Old Man Winter

This winter has been relentless in the Northeast. The ridiculous amount of snow combined with blistering cold has forced the best of us to hide out in our own worlds, dreaming of sunshine and warm weather. Alas, this is no way to live winter. So let's get out there, experience the world and revolt against Old Man Winter. Unfortunately, there is plenty of winter left, so here are some great jams to get you off your ass. (All mediafire links this week, so alas, no player. Apologies.)

It is very bold to try to remix such layered music as Gorillaz, but Miami Horror is a bold act. This 7:19 long track is epic and features everything you love about both artists.

Gorillaz - Empire Ants (Miami Horror Remix) Link removed by request. Check it on YouTube.

I posted a slick Gucci Mane remix a few weeks ago done by this kid Brenton Duvall. From everything I have read about this guy, he's definitely latching onto the Sam Adams/whiteboy rap producer bandwagon. However, Duvall crushes these mashup/remixes and makes great party music out of heavy hip hop.

Brenton Duvall - Ambien (Sleepy Trip)

I love Lykke Li. Her voice is amazingly sexy, but sometimes her jams are a little too mellow for the party crowd. This remix has a very cool mix of tribal drum beats and big band horns to create a very unique, yet satisfying track.

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix)

This song shares a similar sound to the last jam in its tribal drums and ethereal vocals. Very unique, yet familiar at the same time. One of my favorite songs right now.

Tanlines - Real Life (Memory Tapes Remix)

I have never heard of either the original artist or remix artist here, but that is sometimes amazing. In this case, the seriously heavy 80s vibe makes this a sexy party winner. Make sure to pay attention at 1:15.

Savoir Adore - Loveliest Creature (Lightwaves Remix)

Just Because

We have posted Sebastien Tellier a fair amount in this blog, but I think he deserves a spotlight. Maybe it is because he is my favorite artist at the moment, but his jams are just so painfully slick they deserve proper respect.

He has been hitting a cord with me lately as I try to shake off the winter blues. His music melds electrofunk with the subtle sexiness found in the best American R & B (not as in KC & Jo Jo, or maybe exactly as in KC & Jo Jo).

His instrumentals are complex, but cohesive. There is such a pleasant melody behind each of his tracks that it makes it hard not to bob your head in appreciation. With 10 years of music under his belt I think he is hitting his stride with a unique French sound and personal aesthetic style. Comparisons are tough, but it is not a stretch to call him a contemporary Serge Gainsbourg.

Here are some of my favorites:

Sebastien Tellier - La Ritournelle

Sebastien Tellier – Look - (Dirty Little Secrets Remix)

Sebastien Tellier – Electronic Kilometer (Universe Remix)

And for your viewing pleasure

SIMON SAYS

ACTOR: WESLEY SNIPES
FAVORITE MOVIE: MURDER AT 1600

No Commentary tonight. Two Jams and a throwback. Goodluck.

Delphic - Doubt (Build Remix)
PNAU - The Truth (Jump Jump Dance Dance Remix)
The Jezabels - Disco Biscuit Love (Dept. Remx)

Artist Spotlight: TWIN SHADOW

After reading a killer Pitchfork review, I recently picked up Forget, the debut album from Twin Shadow. Twin Shadow is the brain-child of George Lewis, Jr., a 26-year old Dominican-born, Florida-raised, Brooklyn-residing musician who's checkered past has propelled him into becoming a wildly dynamic musician who created his debut album alone, in hotel rooms. After growing up on a man-made island in Venice, FL having very little exposure to popular culture, Lewis devoured any music at any chance he could get, from Boyz II Men to Nirvana. This has resulted in a unique, yet familiar sound delivered on Forget. The album is multi-layered and filled with reverb, yet it somehow achieves a distinctly 80's New Wave sound. Lewis sings in a haunting, yet everchanging tone which provides perfect backing for his drowned out beats. I am addicted to this album and I would highly suggest purchasing it on iTunes or another purveyor of fine music. For now, check out a couple remix tracks.


The first track is a remix of Twin Shadow's epic jam, "Castles In The Snow". Com Truise crushes this spaced out remix with some serious synth tones over the powerful bassline of the original track.
Twin Shadow - Castles In The Snow (Com Truise Remix)

Also, check the video for the original track:

We see Twin Shadow's versatility and creativity in this remix of Surfer Blood's anthem "Floating Vibes" with a seriously awesome homage to The Police in the guitar riff. You will hear it immediately. This song is a bit slower but is a real gem for the utter music nerd who likes to hear multiple levels of production. 

Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes (Twin Shadow Remix)


(Apologies for the formatting issues, but blogspot is a bitch when it comes to this)

CASH

ACTOR: KURT RUSSELL
FAVORITE MOVIE: TOMBSTONE

This first track has been remixed a lot recently. You may have heard this song as the base for Theophilus London's vocals in the song "Grey X Sage (Misty Night)". If you get a chance check out the Miike Snow remix as well. I went with Vitalic because it was just a little bit edgier.

Amadou & Mariam - Sabali (Vitalix Remix)

New Bag Raiders' track "Sunlight" is literally slamming blogs... as it should be. However, I think this song is truly the tits. It's a little more dance and every bit as upbeat.

Bag Raiders - Castles In The Air

The only way that I can really describe how this song sounds is: playing nintendo in the hot Caribbean sun. The dreamwave lyrics mesh perfectly with the steel drums and 8-bit. Just listen and you'll understand. Totally awesome song, just the wrong season for it.

Japayork - Teenagers (Unicorn Kid Remix)

I caught this track by Panda People from 'Wearepajamas.blogspot.com' who brands this electropop group as a German counterpart to Passion Pit. Now I'm not sure if I would go that far but check out this Ride The Universe Remix and see for yourself.

Panda People - Sophisticated Girl (Ride The Universe Remix)

This duo pumps out some fire. Please, get American Mourning in your rotation. It sounds like nothing else I've heard. Lot of subtle shit here people.

American Mourning - Bikini (Link removed by request) Check out the song on YouTube Here.

BONUS:

I can't resist remixed Metric. Also featured on 'Sundtrak', 'Dailybeatz' threw this on his new years post as one of his top 25 of 2010. I might be inclined to agree. Get some.

Metric - Twilight Galaxy (Death to the Throne remix)