Of some interest...

It's about time again that I just post a few tracks up for you, mainly in the non-UK Hip Hop mould. Yes, occasionally I do listen to US Rap, here is some of it:

Two new tracks from Guru: 'Who Got It On Lock' featuring Doo-Wop and 'Knowledge' featuring Lord Tariq. 'Who Got It On Lock', produced by Solar is so 90's which is perfectly fine by me and 'Knowledge' is...well, quite 90's sounding as well. Also fine. Lyrics and flow are classic Guru.

Esoteric made an album in 2007 entirely using Gary Numan samples. The album is 'Pterodactyl Tubeway' and it's pretty cool. 'Deathless Fascination' samples Tubeway Army's 'Are Friends Electric' (Yes, the one the Sugababes sampled too when they mashed that up with Adina Howard's 90's-tastic R'n'B hit, 'Freak Like Me') and it's about stupid girls.

Last year Statik Selektah released his album 'Spell My Name Right' which featured mad guests. 'No Mistakes Allowed' features Doug E Fresh, Tony Touch, Scram Jones, DP-One, DG GI-Joe, DJ Revolution and Esoteric! It's a simple break with an old school vibe. Perfect.

Madlib has a new album just about to drop entitled 'WLIB AM: King of The Wigflip'. It also has bare guests such as Guilty Simpson, Murs, Prince Po and Defari amongst others. You're officially allowed to hear 'The Ox (805)' which features MED and Poke but since I totally love it here's 'Gamble on Ya Boy' which is a funkfest blessed by the golden tones of Defari - gotta get some albums by this don.

Some real old school 90's stuff now from Kool G Rap and DJ Polo from their 1995 set '4,5,6'. The track 'Money on my Brain' samples Herbie Hancock's awesome jazz-funk experiment 'Chameleon' as well as featuring MF Grimm and B1.

Web is a new artist attempting to break the scene. Currently he is releasing a track a week through blogs and the like from his album 'It'll Be Alright, Book One'. The best one so far is 'Get Over (Prologue)' which samples the Diana Ross track 'Love Hangover', which I posted on here not so long ago. Preview the album here or buy it here.

Motown Goodness

I've been putting together a playlist together for my wedding reception (can't trust no other DJ) and have been listening to a load of disco, funk and soul in the process as I search through my records, CD's and hard drive. There is so much old music that is just so brilliant and Motown were a top class purveyor of such brilliance. I've chosen 5 songs that are just some of my favourites from the Motown back catalogue:

Diana Ross - Love Hangover

I bought this on 7" on one of my last charity shop crawls. I didn't really know the song before then but I love it now. It switches from a slow, sensual soul track to an uptempo disco track, the latter part has been sampled by Will Smith. There's some interesting history too; Ross didn't want to record this.

The Four Tops - A Simple Game

I love this song because of the Phi-Life Cypher track, 'Free'. The sample DJ Nappa actually used on that was from a the original version of this track by The Moody Blues. This version is great too.

Edwin Starr - War

Nuff said? Reminds me of Jackie Chan in Rush Hour. DJ Nappa has also used Edwin's 'Yeah' from this song. 'What is it good for?' It's a good question.

Detroit Spinners - It's a Shame

First brought to my attention by Monie Love and my dad tried to convince me the chorus was sung by a man. Obviously Monie Love's version was sung by a woman but the original, which my dad was referring to, was sung by a man! This is classic stuff.

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On

Wow! What a track. My friends had this as their first dance at their wedding a few weeks back. That intro is just so forceful, it really is just pent up sexual frustration in musical form! Think I'll be having this at my wedding too in a few weeks time.

Hold tight for more posts including album reviews, some turntablism and any other random stuff that takes my fancy as I traverse the musical roads of life.