Playlist : May 3rd - 7th, 2010

Welcome to another week of tunes. It's Saturday lunchtime and it's blissfully quiet at my house as the girls nap and their Mother watches Gray's Anatomy. So I've been compiling my weekly playlist. I'm really looking forward to tucking into a couple of these - especially Malcolm McLaren.

Here's the whole list.

• The Waifs - Up All Night - Western Australia represent! A bit of Fremantle style folk for May Day.
  
• Nizlopi - Make It Happen - I was introduced to Nizlopi with the sparklingly sentimental JCB Song via @_pants_ when my first child was pending. I only just heard about this 2008 LP and can't wait to hear it.
  
• Bright Eyes - Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998 - 2005) - While it doesn't contain my very favourite Bright Eyes rarity, Lua (feat. Gillian Welch), I am still excited to give this a spin.
  
• Melissa Etheridge - Fearless Love - I was once an unashamed ME fan. I saw her live in 1996 and her Unplugged set got me to start playing guitar again. Then she went a little pop. Then she was diagnosed with Leukemia and went (understandably) a little perky and sappy. From the cursory scan I have had of this LP, it sounds like a return to more tight musical rock stylings. Fingers crossed.
  
• Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded - This album was the soundtrack to all Hip Hop culture in 1987. Songs like 9MM Goes Bang and South Bronx were the first taste of 'gangsta' rap most of us (in Perth anyway) ever heard; and Scott La Rock was the first Rap artist we heard about getting shot and killed. It doesn't get anymore classic than this for the Old Skool.
  
• Richie Cunning - Night Train - A recommendation from a Hip Hop Jazz blog I follow. This is warm brass, wet streets, cold air and train tracks in the dead of night.
  
• Malcolm McLaren & The World Famous Supreme Team - Buffalo Gals : Back To Skool - A tribute to the often overlooked contribution that Malcolm McLaren made to New York Hip Hop back in the day. Featuring legends like KRS-One and Rakim, and made while McLaren was still alive, this is a fitting memorial for the crazy geezer and iconic 'ranga.
  
• Branford Marsalis Quartet - Music from Mo' Better Blues - Bebop bliss from Spike Lee's jazzy joint Mo' Better Blues (starring Denzel Washington and Wesley Snipes) written by the cooler of the Marsalis brothers.
  
• VA - What It Is : Funky Soul & Rare Grooves Vol. 1 - Funk and dusty Soul from well known as well as some obscure artists from 1967 - 1977. Part of a four disc set, I'll be adding one volume to each of my next three playlists.
  
• Editors - The Back Room - Another band I picked up on via Twitter, from @bronwen of Twitterati fame, this Editors album has a very UK 80s indie pop sound but with louder guitars - like the Smiths collaborating with Oasis.
  

So that's me done for the week. If you're reading this and you know and love any of these albums, or are going to check some out, feel free to comment or turn me on to some different sides.

Song of the Week : The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Ok, so as often happens with SOTW, there's a song that you'd like to choose and a song that chooses itself. I had a song picked out early in the week because I really liked it and then thought it too early. So I chose another last night (may make it to next week). Then this morning when the alarm went off, what was the 'yoof' station playing at me? The very same song I originally chose. ZOMG!11!!11WTFBBQ!

I found The National through an NY Times review of Alligator. So I checked the album out and then obsessively found whatever I could by the Brooklyn quintet made in Ohio. The new album is streaming online at NY Times funny enough. I freakin' love these guys.

This song is a sort of loser's lament about debts and despair and a lack of meaning. I chose it mostly for the fantastic lyric refrain "I still owe money to the money I owe" I mean, what better rhymes with Ohio? :) I tend to lean towards the drunken sad country touched indie rock style and The National does it really well. They're Whiskeytown for the 2010s :)

Looking forward to grabbing a copy of the new album when it drops later in May. While Alligator and Boxer have won all the critical acclaim, I am personally fond of the self-titled debut The National for world-weary alcoholic musings like The Perfect Song and Bitters & Absolut.

Playlist : April 27th - 30th, 2010

Another short week. Do we really have so many crammed together? Maybe we should space some out. Move the non-important ones like Queens Birthday. I'll talk to Parliament.

Speaking of parliament (the government, not the awesome Funk band), there appears to be a bit of a political theme running through this week's list. I put that down to watching Chicago 10 last week, followed by some Black Panther produced documentaries and listening to Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets.

This week's list:

• Billy Bragg - Back To Basics : Conscious tunes from the darling of UK left-wing socialism and heir to Guthrie's throne.
  
• John Coltrane - Giant Steps : I've been enjoying bebop via iTunes radio while working lately. I figured I better bring in some of my own. To say Trane is a genius is a ridiculous understatement.
  
• The Roots - Things Fall Apart : Another political leaning album, this time from the ghettos of Philadelphia.
• The Staple Singers - Soul Folk In Action : More politics of civil and human rights from the sweet 60s Soul of The Staple Singers and the always amazing voice of Mavis Staples.
• Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes : I think it was @crich who tweeted "Whatever happened to Fleet Foxes?" last week. Turns out their second album has been delayed by touring demands. It's due later this year. In the meantime...
• VA - Judgment Night : Music from the motion picture Judgment Night (1993) - a thriller about some boys in the wrong hood. The soundtrack consists of some unintentionally humorous pairings of rappers and rockers.
  
• Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep : The latest offering from the 10,000 Maniacs former lead singer. This double CD is a collection of newly composed and anciently inspired children's folk songs.
• Sly & The Family Stone - There's a Riot Goin' On : If The Staple Singers are sweet with their soulful political determination, Sly & Co. are polar opposites. This is a raised left fist and a funky chicken dance in one.
  

During the week I will also be listening to the latest The National LP, High Violet via the New York Times. Click the link to read Nicholas Dawidoff's profile of the band as well as stream the new album.

Happy listening. All power to the people.

Song of the Week 23/04/2010

Guru - Loungin'

A dedication to Guru of Gang Starr who died during the week. My email read:

Have been listening to a few classics this week from Sex Pistols, the Stones and Dylan. I would have gone with Sweet Virginia from Exile On Main St. but then a hip hop pioneer died and stole the limelight. Guru died Tuesday after being in a coma for quite some time from a heart attack.

As you both know, I have really only just discovered the joys of mixing a little jazz with a little bit of funky beats and a splash of rhyme. But this guy right here, he pretty much invented it. There was a swag of people post 89 who followed Gang Starr's lead and jazzed it up a bit; even 'traditional' acts like 7A3 mixed in a bit of sax. But Guru formed Gang Starr and invented that vibe.

Later Guru went solo with the Jazzamatazz series and teamed up other hip hop artists with jazz musicians. This is a laid back effort from the first such album, Jazzamatazz Vol. 1 called Loungin' Pour your 40s on the curb for Guru the man. Hasala malakim my brothers.

RIP Guru. Thank you for your massive contribution to rap and your positive influence on the Hip Hop culture.

Playlist : April 19th - 23rd, 2010

Happy weekend all. Here are this week's work tunes:

• A.A. Bondy - American Hearts : Folk tinged alt country for a moody Monday.

• Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. : One of a couple of classics that have turned up in this list.

• Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga : Drove past The Astor this morning and noticed Spoon were playing.

• The Vines - Highly Evolved : Added because the list needed some loud and I haven't heard it in a while.

• Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited : A gem, a classic, an absolute must and part of the holy trinity with Bringing It All Back Home and Blonde On Blonde.

• The Replacements - Let It Be : Who names their album the same as a Beatles classic?! These cocky geniuses, that's who.

• The Psychedelic Furs - Mirror Moves : Sweet nostalgia in an 80s highlight. Ghost In You is among my favourite tracks, ever.

• Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks...Here's The Sex Pistols : Speaking of classics... Talking with a friend about Sid & Nancy the film made me want to hear this 'desert island disc' this week.

• Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock : Still reading and enjoying And It Don't Stop. Bam is the man. The Father of Hip Hop with a monumental cut.

• Common - Resurrection : I've just really discovered Common through my sudden obsession with Jazz Hop.

• Son Volt - Trace : Fine tuned, whiskey soaked alt country from the 'other Wilco' (Son Volt was formed by Jay Farrar after Uncle Tupelo split and Jeff Tweedy formed Wilco).

• Drapht - Who Am I? : Skip hop from Perth's own Drapht. Drink Drank Drunk sounds like a night at the Subiaco Hotel back in the day.

That's all I got. Play safe kids. See you next week.

Song of the Week 16/04/2010

Tim Rogers & the Twin Set - Happy Anniversary

I chose this song this week, not just for the obvious reason that my 8th wedding anniversary is this Wednesday the 21st, or that other Song of the Week participants have just had or are having theirs. That was part of the reason, but also because I hadn't heard the What Rhymes With Cars & Girls album in a while. When I finally added it to my iPod, I was instantly reminded what a favourite it is. I can barely fault a single track on it.

This particular track, Happy Anniversary, meanders along with a shuffle like a Sunday hangover as it tells of a world-weary, almost cynical married couple who none-the-less are very much in lurve - while the Mister of the piece owns up to his inadequacies and wants to celebrate their union with another binge.

Brilliant work Mr Rogers.

Review : Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black

Mississippi born, blues and soul artist Syl Johnson began his solo career recording and producing hits for Twinight Records, Chicago in the late 60s. Previously he had played harmonica and sang with Blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, and Junior Wells - even touring with Howling Wolf for three years from 1959 - 62.

Released as it was in 1970, Is It Because I'm Black? was a product of the heightened racial and socio-economic problems in the US at the time. This was not to be the only Syl Johnson LP with a message, but it was the most rounded and thematic whole about race and class.

The desperate titular track is a cry of frustration through Johnson's soulful vocals at prejudice and it's poisonous effects on its victims. Concrete Reservation takes the message to the money with a tale of what poverty means to people stuck in the ghetto. Walk A Mile In My Shoes is a funky plea for understanding between people of all colours and social standing. Sounding somewhat like an aggressive Nina Simone at times, I'm Talking About Freedom demands action of the downtrodden to claim their 'God-given' right of America's favourite noun; 'Freedom'.

For all its political rhetoric and down-trodden destitution, Is It Because I'm Black is not without it's groovier moments. A cover of The Beatles - Come Together adds a dash of rock to the record and the closing track, Right On, dares you not to dance while it crackles with the sounds of horns and a 'live' party atmosphere. The track is a celebration of the African American culture of the time (with reference to the Funky Chicken and a nod to the attitude of Black is Beautiful).

Best heard on vinyl, Is It Because I'm Black is a pleasing mix of Soul and early Funk with an important if at times over-earnest message - over-earnest as only our US cousins can do it, God bless them.

4 Stars - Soul/Funk Classic

Playlist : April 12th - 16th, 2010

I have foregone watching a film tonight to get this playlist done. I will most likely pop over to The Mixtape Club during the week in addition to this list. Speaking of lists;

• Jazz Liberatorz - Clin D'oeil : Some Jazz Hop that will no doubt go down well on Friday.
• Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville : Phair's answer to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street and a whole mess of sass and snark.
• Tim Easton - The Truth About Us : Funny enough, the artist from this week's Song of the Week turned up with a second hand CD for $2 at an Op Shop today.
• Palace Music - Viva Last Blues : WIll Oldham with an album critics have been recommending for years.
• Tim Rogers - What Rhymes With Cars and Girls : Saw Tim on a Spicks & Specks clip show on Easter Sunday. Made me realise this LP wasn't on my iPod. Personal favourite. All about broken hearts and booze.
• Various Artists - Beat Street OST : Started reading And It Don't Stop tonight; a book of journalism on Hip Hop through the years. It instantly made me want to listen to some Old School.
  
• Hole - MTV Unplugged - Thanks to @sunky 's SOTW, I have chased down this interesting gem.
• Prince - Sign O' The Times : Today I bought the accompanying concert film for this classic double LP at the Op Shop for AU$1. Check the link. It's on Amazon for US$95.95. Bargain...?

Happy listening. Stay tuned for reviews.

Song of the Week 9/04/2010

Tim Easton - Watching The Lightning

From the email....

I have no official confirmation of my theory, but I believe the song is about Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. The narrative changes tense and point of view several times in possibly an attempt to obscure meaning or show how the narrator relates to a third-party story. Dylan did this in Tangled Up In Blue that some say is his most autobiographical song (obscured the meaning by changing tense).

The first thing that made me think of Kurt was the lyric "Everybody always knew that he would die in some f#%#^ up way". Then I hear "He knew our pain; we knew his heart was not in the gutter. He never meant to leave you." But it was only when coupled with "I can't believe you read that letter." that I thought of Courtney reading his suicide note and then thought the "pick yourself back up" was for her.

I could be way off the mark, but listen and see what you think.

I first heard this track on the Uncut - Only Love Can Break Your Heart compilation which is the first place I heard Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up; starting an Alt-Country journey I am still on.

Playlist : April 5th - 9th, 2010

A short week this week with Easter Monday. The week's playlist, in no particular order, looks like this:

• Silver Jews - Bright Flight : An Alt Country melancholic way to start the week.
• InI - Center of Attention : More of the Jazz Hop I have been exploring lately.
• Paw - Dragline : Includes the great track Jesse that made the first JJJ Hottest 100 list.
• Stanley Cowell - Equipoise : Some instrumental smooth Jazz.
• M. Ward - Hold Time : An M. Ward album with guest vocals from Zooey Deschanel of She & Him.
• Syl Johnson - Is It Because I'm Black? : Funky soul tunes about class and race from 1970.
• Nas - It Was Written : The follow up to Illmatic and not an LP I've heard yet.
• Soundtrack - Jackie Brown : An underrated film and a great soundtrack.
• VA - Stolen Moments: Red Hot and Blue : Benefit LP featuring Jazz Hop artists.
• The National - The Virginia EP : Bundled with the A Skin, A Night DVD I recently purchased.
• Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights : Added after hearing the new album on NPR last week.

On Friday night I hope to post Song of the Week and have one of these albums reviewed before Sunday night when the next list will be published.

Welcome to Work Tunes

While creating a new post for my movie blog Make Films Not Movies, it occurred to me that I should have a blog to review my other passion - music.

I am lucky enough to have a great job where I can listen to music all day while completing my duties - no contact with clients and minimal phone calls. Being a music tragic with eclectic tastes, I take a different playlist of albums in every week. Occasionally this means a new release I have bought or an old favourite I haven't heard in a while.

I have started this blog to hopefully review an album a week, or just when one inspires a post. I think music is easier to review than film, but we'll see, won't we. Posts will be linked on my Twitter feed (@coreyj) as they are published. I hope you'll check any out that interest you and maybe leave a comment.

Stay tuned for the next thrilling installment of Work Tunes next week when I'm back at work.