The Funky Soul Burner's 2009 Year End Music Accolades.  These are my Top 25 albums of 2009.  Maxwell and Fat Freddy's Drop are two very difficult choices for the number one and number two slot, however, Maxwell keeps coming to mind first and most frequent, so I have to give him the benefit of mind! 

    1.    Maxwell "BLACKsummers'night"
    2.    Fat Freddy's Drop "Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW"
    3.    Moderat "Moderat"
    4.    Brother Ali "Us"
    5.    Myka 9 "1969"
    6.    Andrew Bird "Noble Beast"
    7.    The Antlers "Hospice"
    8.    Fever Ray "Fever Ray"
    9.    Bat For Lashes "Two Suns"
    10.    Prince "LotusFlow3r"
    11.    White Rabbits "It's Frightening"
    12.    Amadou & Mariam "Welcome To Mali"
    13.    Ceu "Vagarosa"
    14.    Raekwon "Only Built For Cuban Links...Pt. II"
    15.    Rodrigo y Gabriela "11:11"
    16.    Patrick Watson "Wooden Arms"
    17.    Wilco "Wilco (The Album)"
    18.    The Dead Weather "Horehound"
    19.    Porcupine Tree "The Incident"
    20.    Doom "Born Like This"
    21.    Bibio "Ambivalence Avenue"
    22.    Dredg "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion"
    23.    Busdriver "Jhelli Beam"
    24.    PJ Harvey & John Parish "A Woman A Man Walked By"
    25.    Sonic Youth "The Eternal"

Welcome to the Funky Soul Burner's 2nd New Year's Extravaganza - Podcast #49 Decade of the 10.  Thank you for your loving support in 2009, and all the best to you and all beings in the universe!


    1.    (0:00:13) Yeah Yeah Yeahs DOWN BOY
    2.    (0:03:54) M.I.A. THE TURN
    3.    (0:06:48) Cunninlynguists feat. Tonedeff GATES
    4.    (0:09:01) The Beatles DEAR PRUDENCE
    5.    (0:12:35) The Folk Implosion (Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr.) SERGE
    6.    (0:16:14) Outkast feat. Killer Mike & Janelle Monae IN YOUR DREAMS
    7.    (0:19:28) Taz CAN'T CONTAIN ME
    8.    (0:20:41) Yacht I'M IN LOVE WITH A RIPPER
    9.    (0:22:47) Nickodemus & Osirus FREE SOULS PART 3 (DUBLEX INC. REMIX)
    10.    (0:25:46) Nas feat. Lord Tariq & Jay-Z ANALYZE THIS
    11.    (0:29:15) Kanye West feat. Talib Kweli & Common GET EM' HIGH
    12.    (0:32:16) Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys EMPIRE STATE OF MIND
    13.    (0:36:46) Lupe Fiasco HIP HOP SAVED MY LIFE
    14.    (0:40:38) Blockhead DUKE OF HAZZARD
    15.    (0:44:27) Danger Mouse & Jemini GHETTO POP LIFE
    16.    (0:48:51) Common feat. Jill Scott I AM MUSIC
    17.    (0:53:50) Culver City Dub Collective ELOISE (BAGHDAD MIX)
    18.    (0:56:50) Grant Phabao & The Lone Ranger FEVER
    19.    (1:00:33) Gorillaz feat. Roots Manuva ALL ALONE
    20.    (1:03:22) Red Hot Chili Peppers RIGHT ON TIME
    21.    (1:05:09) Dntel A MACHINE AND A MEMORY KEEP YOU ALIVE
    22.    (1:09:10) Marzebian CHE LINGUA
    23.    (1:15:04) Living Legends AFTER HOURS (EXTENDED MIX) - Homage to www.blackmarketfunk.com for using this track on your December 18, 2008 mix.  Thank you, Poor Ragged Rascal, for introducing this to my world!

    1.    (0:00:44) Nina Simone PLAIN GOLD RING
    2.    (0:04:17) Kanye West feat. Jay-Z DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE (REMIX)
    3.    (0:08:04) Chris Cornell CAN'T CHANGE ME
    4.    (0:11:14) Broadcast PENDULUM
    5.    (0:15:21) Juno Reactor CONGA FURY
    6.    (0:23:00) Ozomatli DOS COSAS CIERTAS
    7.    (0:26:26) Abstract Rude feat Aceyalone and Myka 9 THYNK EYE CAN (HAIKU D'ETAT MIX)
    8.    (0:29:43) Adele RIGHT AS RAIN
    9.    (0:32:55) Dredg SANG REAL
    10.    (0:36:31) Lykke Li I'M GOOD, I'M GONE
    11.    (0:39:34) Ladybug Mecca OH POOR YOU
    12.    (0:42:28) Cee-Lo ALL DAY LOVE AFFAIR
    13.    (0:46:25) Cut Chemist feat. Bebel Gilbreto THE GARDEN
    14.    (0:52:26) Fat Freddy's Drop SHIVERMAN
    15.    (1:02:08) DJ Shadow feat. Q-Tip and Lateef The Truth Speaker ENUFF
    16.    (1:06:25) Finley Quaye feat. William Orbit and Beth Orton DICE
    17.    (1:10:29) Brother Ali US

Intentions are so clear and simplified when comfort is present, and the comforting effort sought by one's intentions cannot be clear if the present is not so simple to understand.  The Funky Soul Burner's 47th podcast continues its pursuit to bring you that comfort in the audible clarity, simplicity, in all its present forms.  Thank you for your humbling support.  I present to you my good friends Hawk & Dove and their wonderful music.  Please support them on both Facebook and Myspace and be a part of their continuing wave of success and beautiful expansion.


    1.    (0:00:37) Hawk & Dove MUSCLE BREAKS (LIVE) - Singer-songwriter, Elijah Miller, and his wonderful backing band produces some of the most intense, heart-wrenching, powerful, and electrifying country-indie-rock music I've heard since Wilco and Conor Oberst.  The lyrics and complimentary vocal intonations on this live track weave in and out of the music perfectly.  My good buddy and brilliant drum teacher is on percussion/keys providing nice melody in the background on this track.  Otherwise, David Butler is smashing the groove, laying into his cymbal combinations (sometimes so intense he's standing and crushing), and locking in with the lovely basslines provided by Stephanie Sanders.  I cannot leave out one of the better guitar players I've seen in a very long time in John Kleber, who along with David and singer-songwriter, Doran Danoff, plays in another brilliant Brooklyn band, CHILDE.  The two bands often play after one another on special occasions in Brooklyn, which makes for the best night of music you can experience!  Check out both bands' websites and Facebook/Myspace pages: http://www.hawkanddovenyc.com and http://www.myspace.com/childenyc
    2.    (0:04:09) Battles TONTO - Another brilliant track off their highly acclaimed Mirrored LP.  Looking forward to hearing their follow up to the groundbreaking sophomoric LP.
    3.    (0:10:57) Raekwon feat. Ghostface & Method Man NEW WU - Corey Woods, or Raekwon the Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan, has successfully produced a worthy follow-up to his 1995 solo debut record, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx LP...Usually when a hip hop artist relies on follow-ups, parts 2 or more to album titles, the artist falls short of expectation.  Surely, Raekwon had plenty of expectation riding on this one, being 14 years since part one was released.  He brought his weaponry, however, and the rest of the Clan to back up his absolutely fantastic 2009 release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt.II.  
    4.    (0:14:34) Iva Bittova & Vladimir Vaclavek ZELENY VINECEK - One of the most beautiful voices and violin playing I've ever seen, by this Czech woman, Miss Bittova.  I saw her recently perform in a church in Manhattan along with the brilliant pianist, Lisa Moore, who also worked with Iva in the eclectic group, Bang On A Can All-Stars.  This most amazing song is off the compilation, Bile Inferno, with brilliant Czech guitarist, Vladimir Vaclavek and backing band.  You can see an alternate live version on YouTube in a faster tempo here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0unoz7Im0Tk
    5.    (0:19:01) The Postal Service THIS PLACE IS A PRISON - Apt name for a group when you use technology and email as a means to transmit music.  That's exactly what Death Cab For Cutie frontman, Ben Gibbard, and producer, Jimmy Tamborello, did in order to make their debut LP, Give Up.  The album also features Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley in several of the songs.  Love the drum 6/8 drum pattern in the second half of this song.  The USPS once sent a cease and desist letter to the band to discontinue the use of the trademarked name, however, through negotiations, the USPS agreed to allow the name to be used as long as they promoted the services, and in return, the USPS helped sell their CDs.
    6.    (0:22:43) Mattafix THE MEANS - UK electronic duo specializing in hip hop, reggae, dancehall, soul, etc. This track is off their 2005 LP, Signs of a Struggle.  
    7.    (0:26:35) Lure DISSIPATION - Oh no, another beautiful band that no longer exists in Brooklyn.  I was able to hear this band open for one of my favorite Brooklyn bands, KUDU, about 9 years ago or so, and was impressed by their subtle electronic-indie sound.  Drummer, Yuval Lion, now smashing for Pink Noise, also impressed me with his nice groove.  I believe you can still purchase their CD or mp3 album on cdbaby.com.  I'll never forget Deantoni Parks, idol drummer from KUDU, coming up to me after Lure performed asking me if I had seen Yuval so he can get his ride cymbal.  I didn't quite answer the question until I told him I thought he was a drum god...he was humbled and responded very cordially.  
    8.    (0:30:46) Mos Def feat. Slick Rick AUDITORIUM - Absolutely wicked Madlib-produced classic featuring old school guru, Slick Rick The Ruler.  This is off Mos Def's 2009 highly acclaimed LP, The Ecstatic, which is apparently named after the book with the same title by Victor LaValle.  Personally, I think Mos Def is one of today's finest talents in both his conscious hip hop and his ability to act on camera.  
    9.    (0:34:50) Sting SHAPE OF MY HEART - What a brilliant track off Ten Summoner's Tales, by Mr. Gordon Sumner.  Vinny Colaiuta provides some of the best drum parts in pop music off this brilliant LP, and this track provides the perfect percussion and groove to compliment the music.
    10.    (0:39:17) Nine Inch Nails THE BIG COME DOWN - Another brilliant track off Reznor's double-LP, The Fragile.  This track is off the (Right) side of the 'brain' makeup that is the album.  
    11.    (0:43:12) Anoushka Shankar MAHADEVA - I was lucky enough to see both Ravi and Anoushka Shankar perform at Carnegie Hall a couple of months ago, six months before Ravi's 90th birthday.  Ravi's supreme sitar-playing has always fancied the ears of his listeners, but I must say, Anoushka has evolved in her playing so much, that she was truly the star of the show as Ravi's health disallowed him to play at the speed he once mastered.  Anoushka was born in London, split time in Delhi, India, but now lives in the United States.  Here you can hear her departure from the classical Indian format and more into the electronic sounds that she has delved into.  She also collaborates with Karsh Kale, another brilliantly trained classical Indian composer/musician who finds his comfortability in electronica.  Anoushka is the daughter of Ravi, and half-sister of Norah Jones.  You can find this track off Anoushka's LP, Rise.
    12.    (0:48:02) Primus SOUTHBOUND PACHYDERM - Composer, singer, and one of America's greatest bassists, Les Claypool joins guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander in rock's power-trio from California.  This is the one band I can honestly say that the bassist is the star of the show and the guitarist is just an added element.  Claypool once auditioned for Metallica after the death of Cliff Burton, and James Hetfield turned him down because he was just too good!  This opened up the door for Claypool's solo career and the beginning of Primus.  This brilliant track is off Tales From The Punchbowl.
    13.    (0:54:10) Sigur Ros HAFSYL - Here's another brilliant track and perfect closing song off the Icelandic superstars' Hvarf-Heim double-LP.  This is a compilation of previously unreleased material and live performances by Sigur Ros.  

With energy so intense, it passes through structures and depressions, holds the weight of metric tons on a single wavelength, buries itself so deep in earth, it comes out suspended in space, stretched across infinity, and rises in revolutions in our night sky as a groove we all dance to.  


    1.    (0:00:42) Maxwell BAD HABITS - This song is easily in the top 5, if not my number 1, song of 2009.  From his brilliant Blacksummers'night LP.  My brother and I think the master of R&B/hip hop drumming, Mr. Aaron Spears, is on drums, but I can't seem to find the answer to that.  If you know, please inform me.  I won't say much more, because I've included at least 3 other tracks from this LP in past mixes, so you can refer to the liner notes there.  Maxwell, you've got my vote, bro!  
    2.    (0:06:24) John Legend feat. Estelle NO OTHER LOVE - Chi-town R&B soon-to-be-Legend, if not already admired as such, collaborates with UK's own star, Estelle, on this reggae-backed song from his 3rd LP, Evolver.  Since Kanye West produced Mr. Legend's debut LP, Get Lifted, his music hasn't been quite as powerful and fresh, but every once in awhile he makes a gem.
    3.    (0:10:09) One Block Radius LOOK OUT BELOW - Featured on the Hieroglyphics Emporium compilation, this San Francisco-based underground hip hop group features R&B vocals mixed with rap.  They've released 2 LPs, Long Story Short and One Block Radius.  
    4.    (0:13:34) New Edition HIT ME OFF - Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, and Johnny Gill form supergroup in the 80s.  Each of these artists were some of my favorite R&B artists growing up in the '80s, especially BellBivDeVoe & Bobby Brown (from a musical standpoint, and all personal drama aside).  My father actually took me to see Bobby Brown for my first music concert experience during his Humping Around tour.  All I remember from that show is the giant heart-shaped bed, where he proceeded to 'get it on' with an actor, I presume, during an extended version of one of his songs.  Probably, Humpin' Around.  I wonder what my dad thought...haha!
    5.    (0:17:42) Brother Ali FRESH AIR - Well, I gotta treat for you Mr. Ali.  Not only do you get to hear yourself on this mix, but I brought your friend, Al Green, into play, so everyday can be Sunday for you and your kids!  This Rhymesayers smash rapper has transgressed underground boundaries and has produced one of 2009's most promising and intelligent hip hop record, Us.  
    6.    (0:22:09) Ruth POLAROID/ROMAN/PHOTO - Wow, I heard this crazy cool French '80s track blasting through my roommate's speakers, and immediately knew it had to go onto a mix.  This is off of a compilation called BIPPP French Synth Wave 1979 - 85.  
    7.    (0:27:00) Lykke Li BREAKING IT UP - Swedish indie singer, Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson, came out with Youth Novels, her debut LP, in 2008.  Child of art, grew up in Stockholm, Portugal, Lisbon, Morocco, Nepal and India.  Moved to Bushwick, Brooklyn for 3 whole months when she was 19 before returning to Sweden to record her debut.  
    8.    (0:30:33) Janelle Monae SINCERALY, JANE - Yes, I spelled the song's name properly :) Zany and wicked Kansas City-Atlanta-New Yorker hooking up with Big Boi of Outkast to work on Idlewild before releasing her fantastic EP, Metropolis Suite I of IV.  Love this girl!!!
    9.    (0:35:07) Roisin Murphy DEAR MIAMI - Ex-Moloko frontwoman before going solo in 2005 and hooking up with creative director/composer, Matthew Herbert, to record Ruby Blue.  This gem is off her sophomore LP, Overpowered, which is far more disco/house than her eccentric jazzy-electronica debut.  
    10.    (0:38:43) Bell Biv Devoe POISON (EXTENDED CLUB VERSION) - Probably haven't been featured twice in an hour mix since their height in the 80s, but Funky Soul Burner doesn't care!  Here is one of the hottest tracks to come out of the 80s, and you can still hear this bumping in clubs today.  
    11.    (0:45:42) Raphael Saadiq feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton NEVER GIVE YOU UP - Cannot miss out on Mr. Saadiq and Mr. 8th Wonder!  Stevie is does not sing a verse, but rather plays a harmonica solo for us listeners.  Respectively placed Maxwell and Saadiq on the same mix to represent two of my favorite R&B outputs in the last year or so.  
    12.    (0:49:48) Duffy SYRUP & HONEY - Another wicked track, this time on the slow side of the metronome, from one of UK's up and coming stars.  This is off her Rockferry LP.
    13.    (0:52:48) Al Green LOVE & HAPPINESS - Mr. Greene was the sixth of ten children and started performing at age 10 in a quartet called the Greene Brothers.  Al later dropped the 'e' from his last name years after when he became a solo artist.  This track came out in 1977 on the I'm Still in Love with You LP.
    14.    (0:57:36) Common BE - Kanye-produced opening gem off Common's Be LP.  This short track is one of the most powerful opening tracks to any hip hop album ever made, and the lyrics, "I wanna be as free as the spirits of those who left/I'm talkin' Malcolm, Coltrane, my man, Yusef/Through death grew conception/New breath and resurrection..." and later, "The chosen one from the land of the frozen sun/When drunk nights get remembered more than sober ones/Walk like warriors, we were never told to run/Explored the world to return to where my soul begun/Never looking back/Or too far in front of me/The present is a gift/And I just want to be," are some of the most powerful lyrics ever
    15.    (0:59:34) Mountain Goats PSALMS 40:2 - Heavily praised singer-songwriter, John Darnielle, and company, have released 17 albums since 1991.  The Life of the World to Come, which this track is taken from, is a continuation in religious theme concepts for the Goats, as they have explored in the past.  Each track is inspired by a particular verse from the Bible.
    16.    (1:02:37) Regina Spektor FIDELITY - A friend of mine once attended SUNY Purchase with this indie-cult-phenom, and said she was bound to make it big from the crowds she entertained then.  Her quirky lyrics and vocal style make her music tolerable, in my mind, which sets her apart from most other piano-based singers  Apparently she wrote this after watching the film Hi-Fidelity.  This song, in particular, features an amazing studio drummer named Shawn Pelton to help build the song's intensity.  Pelton joined the Saturday Night Live band in 1992, and is the longest serving member.  He also studied with drum-teaching guru and Tony Williams'  (one of the world's greatest drummers, ever...featured on previous mix with Miles Davis) teacher, Alan Dawson, for a couple of summers.  This track is off Regina's Begin To Hope LP.  
    17.    (1:06:19) Frank Sinatra BLUE MOON - Original standard ballad written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.  Louis Armstrong to Ella Fitzgerald to Sam Cooke to Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan to Mel Torme to Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton to Tori Amos have all covered this song.  After Ol' Blue Eyes performs, you'll hear me do a stanza, too!  haha!

    1.    (0:00:53) Fugazi WAITING ROOM - One of my favorite songs by this Washington, D.C. punk-post-hardcore band.  This track is the opening song off their self-titled EP from 1988 (also included on 13 Songs, a combination of their first 2 EPs).  Guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty have paved the way not only in a musical sense, but also in a complete 'do it yourself' business practice.  They simplified and scaled-down their touring by not hiring unneeded workers, etc., and setup a ticket-cost plan where they would still profit, yet keep all their loyal fans following them.  They originally set ticket prices at $5 a ticket, but on the far east and west coast, they could generally not get the prices below $10 a ticket.  Fugazi is definitely an archetype in music, both for innovation and for business practices outside of the Goliath that is the music industry.
    2.    (0:03:44) The Clash THE GUNS OF BRIXTON - I'm not the biggest Clash fan, so I my knowledge isn't as refined as it probably should be.  However, this track is by far the most wicked track I've heard by this English punk trendsetters.  Joe Stummer, or John Graham Mellor, was born in Turkey and along with his brother started listening to The Beach Boys and American folk-singer and writer, Woody Guthrie - Stummer used to go by the nickname 'Woody' for awhile in homage to Mr. Guthrie.  The Clash, a name conceptualized by bassist, Paul Simonon (you can hear him today playing bass with Damon Albarn in the band The Good, The Bad & The Queen), formed shortly after Bernie Rhodes and Mick Jones approached Strummer after seeing Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols in 1976.  Later that year, they made their debut opening up for the Sex Pistols at The Black Swan in England.  London Calling, which this track is presented, is one of punk rock's and music's most influential albums.  
    3.    (0:06:43) The Rolling Stones PAINT IT, BLACK - Hopefully I don't have to give too much information regarding the Stones, because they've been together for 47 years, nearly 20 years longer than my life!  This track was originally released as a single in 1966, which appeared on the US version of their album Aftermath.  Keith Richards has said that the track was not intended to have a comma in its title, and was added by the record company.  Brian Jones, early member and multi-instrumentalist of the band, has been credited to the signature riff of this song using a sitar - a classical Indian string instrument.  Jones experimented with the sitar after spending time with George Harrison of The Beatles, after he returned from India studying with the great Ravi Shankar.  Jones left the Stones in '68 and was found drowning at the bottom of a swimming pool with enlarged liver and heart due to heavy drug and alcohol use.  Oh, love the dark lyrics by Mick here, and the Middle Eastern drum patterns Charlie Watts comes up with.  Certainly a departure from their blues oriented tracks.  
    4.    (0:10:17) David Bowie SPACE ODDITY - The title track and 1969 single about the fictional launch of Major Tom!  The BBC featured this track in its television coverage of the lunar landing for Apollo 11.  Bowie later referred to Major Tom in songs 'Ashes to Ashes,' and 'Hallo Spaceboy.'   Bowie is arguably one of music's most influential artists, and has been awarded Commander of the British Empire in 2000, and knighthood in 2003, both which he declined.  
    5.    (0:13:38) Frank Zappa WHY DOES IT HURT WHEN I PEE? - Speaking of influence and commander, this freak of music was one of the most prolific musicians and artists, producing more than 60 albums with his band Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist.  Zappa started writing classical compositions in high school without formal studies or training, and played the drums until finding the electric guitar.  Zappa also wrote his lyrics, which often humorous, also reflected a critique on political systems, freedom of speech, mainstream education, organized religion, and abolition of censorship.  Zappa's children are: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan, and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen...maybe he took his humor a little too far?  
    6.    (0:16:12) Richard Pryor BEING FAMOUS - Speaking of humor and piss, couldn't help but to put my brother's and my all-time favorite comedian!  I have toyed with this in the past on a mix I have not released for the Funky Soul Burner entitled Sentiments Over Toast with another clip of Pryor's, and I think this will become one of my staples!  This is off his stand-up disc series, Here and Now.  
    7.    (0:17:16) Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band BEATLE BONES N' SMOKIN' STONES - Don Van Vliet and his rotating assembly of musicians produce an appendage of Zappa in light of humor and critique.  Here, he's obviously poking both at The Beatles and The Rolling Stones - John Lennon still loved the band!  Zappa and Van Vliet collaborated on pop song parodies and a script for a movie entitled, Captain Beefheart vs. the Grunt People, where the name first appeared.  Van Vliet from then on used the moniker Captain Beefheart, which was a term used by his Uncle Alan.  This track was included in the Mirror Man recording sessions, but was not released on a studio album.  
    8.    (0:20:19) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers REFUGEE - Couldn't resist putting one fine American singer-songwriters on a mix.  This is the second single off the Heartbreakers' 1979 album, Damn the Torpedoes.  The Heartbreakers are still performing today, and have only lost 2 original members, Stan Lynch (drums) and Howard Epstein who died in 2003 (bass).  Today, the lineup consists of: Tom, Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (rhythm guitar and synths), Ron Blair (bass), Scott Thurston (piano and organ), and Steve Ferrone (drums).
    9.    (0:23:31) Miles Davis Quintet WATER BABIES - Finally got my ass into shape here and put another one of my heroes into a mix, not to mention the greatest quintet of all-time (in my mind, better than First Great Quintet with Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones)!  It's always difficult for me to answer who's your favorite jazz musician, other than Coltrane (he's a given), because Miles had Wayne Shorter, one of jazz's most prolific composers and sax players, Herbie Hancock, one of music's greatest innovators, Ron Carter on bass, one of the best bassist of all-time and composer, and not to mention on skins, the greatest drummer, Anthony Williams, the youngest of the quintet.  The Quintet lasted from 1965-'68, and produced 5 albums plus Water Babies (a compilation from the Nefertiti sessions), E.S.P., Miles Smiles, Sorcerer, Nefertiti, Miles In The Sky, and Filles de Kilimanjaro.  One great fact about Miles is the ending of his contract with Prestige Records.  In order for Miles to leave Prestige for Columbia, he needed to give them 4 records, so he went into the studio with his band and recorded all 4 records in 2 days (Relaxin'..., Streamin'...Workin'...and Cookin' with the Miles Davis Quintet)!
    10.    (0:28:20) Eazy-E feat. MC Ren 2 HARD MUTHA'S - Before his death from AIDS in 1995, Eric Wright, better known as Eazy-E, was a founding member of the monumental gangsta rap group from the west coast, N.W.A. - along with MC Ren, Dr. Dre., DJ Yella, Arabian Prince, and Ice Cube.  Eazy was a member of Kelly Park Compton Crip gang and selling drugs in order to gather the funds to invest in rapping and making a hip hop enterprise in Ruthless Records.  Unlike many mainstream rappers, Eazy truly lived the life he rapped about - drugs, guns, women, money, etc.  DJ Yella here comes up with one of the sickest beats known in hip hop and you can find other gems on this LP, Eazy-Duz-It.  
    11.    (0:32:11) Mariana Montalvo INDIA SONG - Chilean minx singing and strumming the guitar.  This track is nice, wicked, and a bit dark with her additional reverb on her vocals.  She was forced to flee from her native Chile following Augusto Pinochet's coup of 1973, and she settled in Paris in 1974.  She uses the style called, 'nuevo cancion,' which is a style that marries Latin American indigenous poetry and its traditional instruments. I got this single off the Putumayo compilation, Women of Latin America.  
    12.    (0:34:59) Melvins LIZZIE - Love the lyrics on this track.  Goes well with the oddity that is this mix.  Singer and lead guitarist, Roger 'Buzz' Osborne, and drummer, Dale Crover, are the band's most consistent members, but has since included second drummer, Coady Willis, and the other part of the power trio that is the Melvins, Jared Warren on bass.  'King Buzzo' also plays in the band Fantomas with Mike Patton.  This track is off A Live History of Glutton & Lust: Houdini Live.
    13.    (0:39:24) Pink Floyd HAVE A CIGAR - Title of this track couldn't be more fitting after the Melvins' tune!  This track is off Floyd's Wish You Were Here LP, released in 1975.  Roger Waters wrote this track as a critique of hypocrisy and greed within the music business.  The most interesting fact about this track is that the singer on the recording is not by a member of the band at all.  In fact, Roger Waters strained his voice during the recording of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' and David Gilmour refused to sing.  Luckily, English singer-songwriter, Roy Harper, was in Studio 2 of Abbey Road at the same time as Floyd was in Studio 3, and offered to sing lead on the recording.  The other track that a member of Floyd did not sing on, which I have included in an earlier podcast, is 'The Great Gig in the Sky' off The Dark Side of the Moon, sung by Clare Torry.  
    14.    (0:44:15) Death From Above 1979 BLACK HISTORY MONTH - Damn, I wish these two had a chance to make more records, because this is pretty slamming for just 2 guys!  The singer, Sebastien Grainger, also plays drums, while Jesse F. Keeler plays bass, synths, and backing vocals.  After releasing one successful album, the Canadian duo called it quits, and Keeler is now one half of the electronic duo, MSTRKRFT, and Grainger is singer and guitarist in his new band, Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains.  
    15.    (0:47:51) Pixies GOUGE AWAY - One of the sickest basslines to come to mind with the overlaying strum of rhythm guitar just before the lead comes crunching over the top.  Truly a wicked track.  Black Francis (aka Frank Black, aka Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV), Kim Deal, David Lovering, and Joey Santiago make up one of America's classic and most innovative indie band.  They originally formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986, disbanded in 1993, and reunited in 2004.  This track is off their highly acclaimed Doolittle LP released in 1989 - a 2003 poll of NME writers ranked this album as the second greatest album of all-time.  
    16.    (0:50:24) My Bloody Valentine SOMETIMES - The noise gods from Dublin!  Had the chance to see them blow out the eardrums of many ignorant and unfortunate audience members at the All-Points West festival playing just before TOOL came on.  Most hated it, well, because it was about 30 decibels louder than any other band, and they love noise.  However, my friend Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed it in all its glory and beauty.  This here brilliant track is off their most popular record, Loveless.  The Loveless album, surprisingly, is mostly recorded in mono, as one founding member, guitarist/singer, Kevin Shields felt it important that the album's sound consisted of 'the guitar smack bang in the middle and no chorus, no modulation effect.'   For this reason, you hardly make out the lyrics to any of the songs.   In 1999, Pitchfork Media named Loveless the best album of the 90s - later to be revised in 2003 by the critics to number 2 placing Radiohead's OK Computer to number one.  
    17.    (0:55:21) The Cure THE HANGING GARDEN - Have I possibly neglected The Cure in my podcasts?  This can't be true.  I haven't even put Love Song into a mix?  Wow.  Well, here's The Cure...one of the most influential bands to come out in late 70s and dominate the 80s, well, 90s, and still going.  Hanging Garden was released as a single after their label didn't think they had a releasable single for their 1982 album, Pornography, which ultimately became The Cure's first UK Top 10 album, coming in at #8.  Love the interplay of the toms/drums and bass - WICKED!
    18.    (0:59:36) Clutch 10,000 WITNESSES - American stoner rock back from Maryland, which formed in 1990.  This is a brilliant track off their 2005 release, Robot Hive / Exodus.  

This is my soundtrack to my experience in Vipassana Meditation from September 9 - September 20, 2009...


    1.    (0:00:32) Brad Mehldau WHEN IT RAINS - The golden touch of producer/composer extraordinaire, Jon Brion, comes on board to produce Mehldau's brilliant Largo album.  This album is completely avant-garde for jazz, and as per Mehldau's M.O., incorporates a Radiohead tune (Paranoid Android) and a Beatles track (Dear Prudence) on this LP.  This is the opening track, which pulled me in from the first time I heard it, and remains one of my favorite contemporary jazz pieces.  You might recognize some musical elements that sound familiar in a Pop music sense, and that's Brion's Fiona Apple production and incorporation of the brilliant drummer, Matt Chamberlain, who also drummed for Ms. Apple.  
    2.    (0:06:56) Philip Glass METAMORPHOSIS ONE - My friend/roommate was playing this when I returned from my meditation, and I immediately gravitated towards my computer to make sure this made it into the mix.  My friend told me he used to go see Glass perform all over New York City in the 80s for free before his career blossomed into what it is now.  Glass drove a cab and owned a moving company with his sculptor cousin, Jene Highstein, before making money as a composer.  During the 70s, Glass became friends with NYC artists, Sol LeWitt, Chuck Close, and many others.  Close created one of his famous pieces using the mug shot of Glass, to which Glass returned the gesture by creating a piano piece in dedication called, A Musical Portrait Of Chuck Close.  
    3.    (0:12:15) Blockhead INSOMNIAC OLYMPICS - Brilliant atmospheric hip hop NYC beats by rapper Aesop Rock's producer/DJ.  This is off Blockhead's Ninja Tune solo record, Music By Cavelight - well fitting name.  Looking forward to Blockhead's upcoming release, The Music Scene, which will come out around November 2nd on Ninja Tune, after his great production on Aesop Rock's None Shall Pass LP.  
    4.    (0:17:10) Bonobo RECURRING - Funny how Bonobo followed Blockhead in another one of my mixes, Dew Drops Glisten Between Spheres - they are very complimentary of one another's sound.  As I mentioned before, I'd probably use all tracks off his record, Days To Come, and I've nearly hit that mark.  Truly a remarkable album.
    5.    (0:21:54) Bibio DWRCAN - Another amazing track off Bibio's well-mature latest release, Ambivalence Avenue.  Steven Wilkinson is a British electronica musician under Warp Records.  He definitely is perfecting a sculpture of his own sound in the electronica world and contemporary composition.  
    6.    (0:27:07) Four Tet HIGH FIVES - From the outstanding Everything Ecstatic record by this top-notch British producer, Kieran Hebden.  Mr. Hebden is prolific as any in the music industry and is often teaming up with jazz musicians, such as drummer Steve Reid, to make experimental sounds and remixes.  Unlike most electronica artists, Hebden will use improvisational techniques to paint his music colorfully, just like a jazz musician.  
    7.    (0:32:07) Themselves HAT IN THE WIND - The first lyrics of this track sums up the entire meaning of this track for the mix, since one part of the sheela, or rite virtue, was no sexual activity or misconduct during the 10 days of strict meditation.  Jel and rapper Dose One compile mean beats, production, and rhyme in this sophomore release, The No Music.   When it first dropped, I was not happy with the music, but 10 years later, The No Music, is well respected and one of my most played Anticon records.  
    8.    (0:35:43) Two Lone Swordsmen SMOKEBELCH (FOR ALI) - Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood have been around for awhile and blazed trails in all forms of electronica music, and during their journey, they have produced many versions (as well as other DJs) of Smokebelch - mostly under their other moniker, Sabres Of Paradise.  Unfortunately, this particular version of mine, my favorite version, has a few jitters towards the end of the track, so I apologize.  This version was featured on the Back To Basics / Cut The Crap series.  
    9.    (0:41:37) Ornette Coleman LONELY WOMAN - Finally!  One year and a half, and I have just now placed one of the most influential musicians ever to bless our world.  Coleman created so much controversy in 1959 that many people, including Miles Davis, did not know what to think - Miles' first reaction was simply 'rubbish,' and I believe he never found much respect for the Free Jazz trailblazer!  However, this very very important year in music, 1959, marked a major schism between artists.  While Miles, classically trained trumpeter from Julliard, denounced Coleman as a 'real' jazz musician, John Coltrane, classically trained saxophonist, strongly admired the younger musician.  In fact, free jazz began to mold Coltrane's later sounds which lead to insightful abstract soloing and extremely long compositions channeling the likes of Stravinsky compositions and phrasing in his improvisations.  This is the opening track from the highly ambitious and beautiful LP, The Shape Of Jazz To Come - perhaps the best title of a record ever to mark change in a musical genre.  Ornette is still making beautiful compositions at age 79, and in 2007, he received the Pulitzer Prize and lifetime achievement award from the Grammy's.  You can also hear a sample by underground hip hop producer, Mumbles, of this track on Aceyalone's A Book Of Human Language track.  
    10.    (0:46:07) Unkle feat. Thom Yorke RABBIT IN YOUR HEADLIGHTS - What's Funky Soul Burner mix without a Radiohead affiliate, anyway?  I mean, Thom Yorke, James Levelle, and DJ Shadow on one track???  Who can ask for anything better than that?  This is from Unkle's brilliant debut record, Psyence Fiction.  
    11.    (0:51:43) Venetian Snares ONGYILKOS VASARNAP - Another incredibly crafted piece of music by Canadian, Aaron Funk.  The album title and tracks are all in Hungarian after his journey to Hungary.  Rossz csillag alatt szuletett, the title of the album, means, Born Under A Bad Star.  This track is a cover of the song, Szomoru vasarnap (Gloomy Sunday), by Hungarian composer Rezso Seress, which according to Wikipedia, is the Hungarian suicide song.  Urban Hungarian legend has it that a multitude of suicides were inspired by Seress' original recording, including the suicide of his fiancee.  Apparently, the song was banned in Hungary, but has been covered by many artists, including Billie Holiday, whose vocal samples are present in this Venetian Snares' version.  
    12.    (0:55:05) Sigur Ros GONG - Icelandic gods singing in their own created language, Hopelandic, which is based on syllables of Icelandic, but is gibberish.  They do not always sing in Hopelandic.  However, this track is fulled with 'Hope!'  When Sigur Ros' sophomore record, Agaetis byrjun, was released globally, they immediately became an immediate compliment to the sounds that Radiohead was exploring in England.  They have a tendency to create solely atmospheric sounds and soundtrack-like music, however, this track exemplifies the progression into new territory for the band once they released this album, Takk...
    13.    (1:00:16) Talvin Singh DUBLA - Asian Underground affiliate and British-Indian electronica musician blazing with this track from his sophomore LP, Ha.  Talvin also plays the tabla, and received the Mercury Music Prize in the UK for his 1999 release, Ok.  
    14.    (1:05:17) Andrew Bird THE WATER JET CILICE - My apologies for the poor-sounding recording of this track by this incredible musician.  Here, Mr. Bird creates an overture by his lonesome and incorporates the subtle sounds of nature in the background.  Andrew Bird has become one of my favorite musicians in the world for his command on composition and style, and not to mention his fantastic voice and lyrics.  He is a cherished soul, and this track moves me so much that I could not resist putting it into the mix that is to personify my life-changing experience in Vipassana mediation.  This track is from Fingerlings.  
    15.    (1:09:04) Wayne Krantz THESE INSTRUMENTAL PIECES WERE - I find it only necessary to include one of the New York City artists that have made my experience in NYC more beautiful and important than it already is.  Krantz used to play in the 55 Bar every Thursday evening and would play for $15 cover.  With that cover, you would receive 2 drinks with music.  Krantz has played and has been accompanied by the most influential jazz musicians of our time, and he has put on upcoming musicians, such as my buddy, Dan Weiss on drums, which have only propelled their careers in the music world.  Krantz pure love for music is the best example I can think of in my life that I'm connected to personally, and have experienced, that wraps around the concept of the Vipassana meditation experience.  I am forever grateful for my meditation experience, and for all the times I was able to see this amazing guitarist play his brilliance in all its purity.  Thank you.  

From Queens, New York
To Queensland, Australia
For beauty queens
Drag Queens
And British Queens
To the ants & bees
That hail their queen
Whether you're playing chess or cards or
Eating ice cream
From Dairy Queen
It's all love
It's all life
PODCAST #43 Queens & Love Make Life


    1.    (0:00:19) Gorillaz DON'T GET LOST IN HEAVEN - Damon Albarn, the wizard behind the cartoon clan (illustrated by Tank Girl creator, Jamie Hewlett), has been a tour de force after leaving Blur.  On their second LP, Demon Days, they brought in Danger Mouse to produce the record, and to great success.  Introducing rappers Roots Manuva from the UK, the glorious Neneh Cherry & Martina Topley-Bird, MF Doom or DOOM from the underground in NYC, bringing old school back with De La Soul and Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, and featuring Happy Mondays crazy lead-man, Shaun Ryder, not to mention, Dennis Hopper.  
    2.    (0:02:20) Gorillaz DEMON DAYS - The London Community Gospel Choir pushes this track into overdrive and illuminates this closing track as a perfect ending to a highly acclaimed album.  Brilliant track!
    3.    (0:06:26) Curtis Mayfield LITTLE CHILD RUNNIN' WILD - Oh my!  One of my all-time favorite tracks from arguably one of the greatest albums of all-time, Super Fly!  Along with Marvin Gaye's Trouble Man, and Isaac Hayes' Shaft, there aren't too many LPs out there that can be classified as Classic records as well as being soundtracks to movies.  All three, Shaft, Trouble Man and Super Fly came out within a year of each other (1971-'72) during the height of Blaxploitation film.  
    4.    (0:11:10) Fela Kuti EXPENSIVE SHIT - You cannot listen to chill music or ambient reproduced electronic music without having a sample of Fela Kuti, in particular, this track here.  For a modern homage to Fela, you can listen to UK funk bands by Quantum, such as Quantum Soul Orchestra or The Bamboos.  Afrobeat was made possible by Kuti, but more importantly, by his drummer, Tony Allen, since he was the driving force in the beat itself.  One of the greatest drummers of all-time, Tony Allen balanced his groove in a jazzy manner by studying Max Roach's lessons in Drum Beat magazine.  Recently Allen recorded with Damon Albarn (mentioned above) for the supergroup The Good, The Bad & The Queen.  Fela played sax, keyboards, trumpet, guitar, dabbled in drums, and of course, the lead vocalist who preferred to sing in English to push his politically-themed lyrics to the masses.  
    5.    (0:24:05) DOOM BATTY BOYZ - Oh wow!  This might be the most hilarious rap song ever made!  MF Doom has always been recognized as humor-gangster-conscious-food rapper, but this tops all.  From his latest LP, Born Like This, DOOM makes an analogy for modern rap stars as homosexual super heroes, while DOOM is the villain eradicating wack rappers.  With a sick beat, thematically like that of a comic progression and hilarious samples, DOOM wrecks the beat with his on-point flow, phrasing the lyrics in odd places to emphasize the humor, "It's a herb, it's lame, it's a...goddamn shame!"   Brilliant track.
    6.    (0:27:06) Barrington Levy BLACK HEART MAN DUB - At 14, in 1978, Barrington Levy started a small cult following in clubs around Jamaica dance clubs with his single, 'A Long Time Since We Don't Have No Love.'  He received more success in the UK during the '80s than he did in his native land Jamaica.  His album Here I Come received accolades in the UK.  This track is from a compilation of Levy's, entitled, 'Barrington Levy in Dub - The Lost Mixes From King Tubby.'
    7.    (0:30:39) Omara Portuondo NO ME LLORES MAS - One part of the Buena Vista Social Club supergroup.  Ms. Portuondo is a legend in Cuba, and in the '50s she sang for Orquesta Anacaona.  Later, with her sisters, performed with Nat King Cole in the US.  This is from her solo record Grande Exitos.
    8.    (0:35:33) Thom Yorke BLACK SWAN - Wicked wicked wicked track from the debut solo record, Eraser, by Radiohead frontman (I am continuing my Radiohead infatuation here, and I really don't care what anybody says, because their music fits everywhere).  This song features the ever-amazing co-terror from Radiohead, Jonny Greenwood.    
    9.    (0:40:13) DJ Zeph MIDNIGHT CREWSADE - From Sunset Scavenger, Zeph's sophomore LP.  From Oakland, California, Zeph is the constant in MC Azeem's world as well, and produces his beats as well as the conscientious rap/jazz group, Variable Unit, which also features MC Azeem.  Zeph is arguably one of the hip hop world's most underrated producers, and should be checked out.  
    10.    (0:43:31) Cass McCombs YOU SAVED MY LIFE - Alternative country musician from California.  This track is from his highly acclaimed newest LP, Catacombs.  McCombs is on the UK label, Domino records, and has released now 4 LPs.  
    11.    (0:48:45) Feist INSIDE + OUT (APOSTLE OF HUSTLE UNMIX LIVE AT THE BBC) - Another record from Canadian female high-praised vocalist and guitar player.  This is a live recording from the BBC on her remix album, Open Season.  The original studio recording can be found on her 2004 record, Let It die.
    12.    (0:52:09) Jamie Lidell FIGURED ME OUT - From Jamie's third LP, Jim, second commercially successful album, though.  This track sounds in the vein of Jamiroquai's Traveling Without Moving LP.  Off the Warp Records label, Mr. Lidell has blown up alongside counterparts, Battles.  In fact, Battles opened up for Jamie when I saw him two years ago.  Both acts together were arguably one of the best concerts I have ever seen.  The creativity and the energy was so high there was not one person in the entire place lulling around un-pulsed by their music.  
    13.    (0:56:23) Maxwell LOVE YOU - Oh yeah!  Another brilliantly sexy track from one of this year's best performances.  Maxwell's voice is such a refreshing embrace to the dismal outputting R&B has to show as of late.  This track is from Blacksummers'night.  I am certainly looking forward to his remaining two discs of this three-part series of LPs, which are to come out in succeeding years.  
    14.    (0:59:42) The Roots feat. Peedi Peedi & Bunny Sigler LONG TIME - If this track doesn't represent the summer's groove, than I'm not sure how to please you.  As the summer comes to close, I put this track in my 'phones and groove all the way through the subway and city streets.  The Roots are currently working on a forthcoming album, and by the sounds of it, it seems to be funky and soulful in the vein of the late James Brown.  This intelligent group of musicians are arguably one of rap's most prolific and entertaining groups, and you can see them perform every night on the Jimmy Fallon show.  This track is off their highly-acclaimed Game Theory album.  ?uestlove's groove behind the kit on this track is crazy beautiful.  Check out how he drives the song to overdrive and pushes the vocals along with his wave!
    15.    (1:03:24) The Cinematic Orchestra AS THE STARS FALL - Such a beautiful track off their latest Ma Fleur LP.  I have to say, the US truly butchered this LP, so if you're considering purchasing this record, I strongly recommend buying the UK version.  The US version, for whatever reason, changes the order of the tracks and omits one track.  This UK group is one of the best live acts I have ever seen, and it is truly worth seeing them and buying their live album performed at the amazing Albert Hall in London.  
    16.    (1:08:07) Estelle SHINE - Another brilliant track from this UK rising throwback star.  Her, Estelle shows off her rapping skills as well as provides a beautiful chorus-line to this wicked beat.  This is the title track and closing track to her latest album.  

Intel-intelligent-tell me-ladies and gentlemen, when the edifice and artificial behavior is structured in a world of viral and microbiotic, abiotic, embrionic cultural parameters misunderstood under this here tent, what is the word?  Yes!  You've come to join us, here at Serenity Church of Circus Unlimited, to count your hopes and dreams.  Get your cotton candy, popcorn popping poppers while choosing your pop, your high-wire trapeze backflip thrill ride jumping through fiery hoops positioned just for you.  Here at our Circus, you can repent for the fortunes you've dreamed of, and seek retributions for sins ill-provoked, short-sighted, hand-crafted by the hallucinations within you.  I present to you, rather I say I prevent you, from anything mundane, whimsically natural, or certifiably real.  Leave your seats, choose your aisle and join me.  Join me at the center.  Join hands, join causes, and stand clear of the contraband and here-say spread by our evil-doer Funky Soul Burner and its croonies.  This is something magical, fantastical, serendipitous to the secrets locked inside only those deemed unfortunate.  These are the souls we present, for an introduction to the dormant reality within, the alternate side.  Pry open and join us!


    1.    (0:01:11) Fila Brazillia SUBTLE BODY - Downtempo chill fest, which builds on its subtlety.  This track is off their Maim That Tune LP.  Steve Cobby and David McSherry collaborate to make Fila, and they dedicated this record to the late comedian, Bill Hicks. 
    2.    (0:09:40) 13 & God PERFECT SPEED - Another creation sought out by Anticon super-freak-musicians Jel and Dose One along with German artist The Notwist.  The name of the group obviously plays on Jesus and his 12 apostles - implying the mortality of Jesus along with God. 
    3.    (0:13:11) Radiohead THESE ARE MY TWISTED WORDS - Thom Yorke was quoted for not wanting to focus on an albums right now, so they've just decided to release singles.  Here's one of them!  This is a brand new track and you can download it for free from their website.  If you can't tell, I absolutely love this band and all its creativity. 
    4.    (0:18:24) Lamb FIVE - This group is sneaky in its simplicity.  To have an electronic group play with time signatures and make them sound straight forward is a very difficult thing to do.  On Lamb's Fear of Fours record, perhaps fear of 4/4, we have this brilliant track, which grabs you in groove, yet leaves you in wonder with its time signature.  I was listening to this on the subway before I decided to put it in the mix, and I believe the grouping or 8-bar phrase is something like this in eighth notes: 5-5-5-5-5-6-5-6.  Please listen and give me your thoughts - music theory lovers, Ryan and Todd, especially, would like to hear your thoughts.  Thank you.  Brilliant stuff, nonetheless. 
    5.    (0:23:39) Cee-Lo feat. Jahalla & Kirland Underwater MICROHARD - Before Cee-Lo got incredibly popular in the pop music world with cohort, DJ Dangermouse, in Gnarls Barkley, Cee-Lo Green rocked Goodie Mob and two solo joints.  This track is from his solo debut, Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections, an absolutely brilliant hip hop record.  Something most people don't realize is that Cee-Lo also writes pop songs for others, including the massively popular song, "Don't Cha" by Pussycat Dolls, co-wrote Jennifer Hudson's "All Dressed In Love," to name a couple.
    6.    (0:28:44) Evil Nine SNACK BAR LOUNGE - Breakbeat duo from Brighton, England.  This track is off their You Can Be Special Too LP.  I don't know too much about them, personally, as I've just recently discovered them, so I am looking forward to exploring a bit more their music. 
    7.    (0:31:20) L.Shankar RAGAM SANKARABHARANAM (RAGAM TANAM PALLAVI) - Renown for his accompaniment in Shakti along side guitar guru John McLaughlin, the movement of Western instruments into the east is something special.  Shankar's violin playing is spectrally beautiful and is a breath of freshness in the bridging of both musical styles.  Shankar also began playing the drums at age seven.  He also provided his music with Peter Gabriel for the brilliant two-part score for Martin Scorsese's adaptation of The Last Temptation of Christ.  Shankar won a Grammy for his work on Passion - Sources. 
    8.    (0:38:56) Ceu ROSA MENINA ROSA -  Brand new track off her Vagarosa LP,  which crosses the boundaries of Brazilian music and innovative electronica/dub.  Great stuff!
    9.    (0:43:23) White Rabbits KID ON MY SHOULDERS - I apologize for the hi-pass nature of this track, for my EQing couldn't help the quality in which the song was originally manipulated with.  This is the opening track off their LP, Fort Nightly. 
    10.    (0:47:50) Elbow THE BONES OF YOU - One of my favorite British bands and lead singer.  Guy Garvey has a voice of a damned angel and his lyrics are nothing short of genius.  This is off their latest, The Seldom Seen Kid.  I've seen Elbow twice in concert and both times they sent chills through my bones because how powerful and tight their music was.  I strongly recommend you seeing them, listening to them, whenever you have the opportunity. 
    11.    (0:51:59) Diplo feat. Sandra Melody, Vybz Cartel, and Pantera Os Danadinhos DIPLO RHYTHM - This collaboration comes off Diplo's solo record, Florida, somewhat of a disappointment with a few hidden gems such as this one.  He featured this track in his Fabric series mix. 
    12.    (0:56:47) Aesop feat. Slug MOVING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE - Living Legends collaborate with Rhymesayers to produce this sick track off Living Legends - Legendary Music Volume 1. 
    13.    (1:00:08) John Coltrane ALABAMA - Coltrane's birthday is approaching in the month of September, as you may remember a small token of my appreciation last year around this time, and I need to include this as one of my all-time favorite tracks by this master of the universe!  This was recorded track off Live At Birdland, even though this is not live.  It is a song written as a tribute to four children killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing by white supremacists in 1963.  The style of his soloing is the beginning of a beautiful transformation for Coltrane, which can be loudly and clearly heard on his most ambitious work, Love Supreme - my personal favorite record of all-time. 
    14.    (1:05:02) TV On The Radio WEAR YOU OUT - One of my favorite tracks TOTR have recorded comes off their debut record, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes.  I don't think I shared this before, but I saw them backstage at the V-fest in Baltimore a few years ago, and after I returned to NYC, I was with my friend driving through Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and she screamed, "Stop!  It's my friend Gerard!"  I pulled over to the side of the street as she jumped out.  I realized that she was going up to this man that looked very familiar.  As I approached, I realized who he was, and I asked him, "Aren't you the bassist in TV On The Radio?"  He said, "Yes."  I replied, "I just saw you backstage in Baltimore, and you were amazing!"  I was shocked, more so because my friend had no idea he was in one of the biggest bands in the world.  She just went to school with him and thought he dabbled in his art.  Ha!

Step aside, FSB, no sideshows, no juggling acts, nothing other than freaks and fire for you, here, at the Serenity Church of Circus Unlimited.  We provide the entertainment, no room for musical acts and positive vibes, just hallucinations in fortune for those unfortunate enough to join us.  The curtain is closing...closing...closing. 

In this moment, as I look around me at the sky and its elements, the scenery and all its imagery, the beings and all their movements and sounds, the world and all its strangeness travels a line acute to a path made absent by its sum and visible by its others.  I can't find a description yet, in my 28 years, that fulfills the contours of life's general facade, or even begin to speak of it without using a word that contradicts its former.  In this, I have chosen thematic echoes to represent the limbo I dwell in, and hope to nurture a body of sound and pass it through an incongruent means to an end, at a tilt, in a time, and a treasure to be found by a current within an auditory system of pleasurable sensations.  I share this with you, as my other, in a line of the 41st Podcast by the Funky Soul Burner.  


    1.    (0:00:06) Lisa Gerrard CELON - Australian composer and singer who has won a Golden Globe award for the music score for Gladiator along with Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt.  Ms. Gerrard began her professional career with the band Dead Can Dance in 1981.  This amazing harmonic piece was written a few days before she gave birth to her daughter, and was accompanied by Jacek Tuschewski and John Bonnar.  This is off her solo debut record, The Mirror Pool, from 1995.  Celon refers to a river out of J.R.R. Tolkien's world of fiction. 
    2.    (0:05:53) Tool 10,000 DAYS (WINDS PART 2) - Over 27 years worth of time, 10,000 days, represents the period in which lead singer Maynard James Keenan's mother spent paralyzed due to a cerebral aneurysm before she passed away.  Tool is one of the most influential bands for me, personally, because the music and lyrics blend and evolve beautifully with each complex composition and album.  This is from their latest LP, 10,000 Days.  I recently was fortunate enough to see them front row at the All Points West festival in Jersey City, and I'm continually amazed each time I see them live.  As a whole, their art stands alone in progressive rock music, and along with guitarist Adam Jones' creative video and coverart (he used to work for Hollywood sculpting creatures for flicks) the great spiritual artist, Alex Grey, uses the music of Tool to generate a visual reference to the euphoric Self, the transmigrating spirit, and the eternal reflection of Being.  
    3.    (0:16:48) Dan Weiss TURKA (COMP. HABIBBUDIN KHAN) - Dan Weiss studies with tabla guru Samir Chatterjee in NYC, who my best buddy, Todd, also studies under.  Dan transcribed classical tintal compositions onto the drumset, and performs for over an hour straight for his solo on this particular album.  This is one part composed by Ustad Habibbudin Khan.  Wikipedia explains that a tintal is one of the most famous talas in classical Indian music.  It is a 16-beat pattern, which has four equal divisions (vibhag), the third being the khali, or open division.  To follow the tal, the audience claps on the appropriate beat, which in tintal is beats 1, 5, and 13 or the first beat in each full division.  A wave of the hand indicates beat 9, which is the first beat of the third division or khali.    Dan has been recognized by The New York Times as one of the five up and coming drummers in the jazz world and you can read the article here (Dan is pictured wearing his Messuggah t-shirt with sax player David Binney): http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/arts/music/12drummers.html?_r=1&emc=eta1.  
    4.    (0:18:02) Moderat PORC#1 - A 2-part electronic composition by the wickedly brilliant group Modeselektor and Sascha Ring or Apparat - hence the neologism, Moderat.  
    5.    (0:20:42) Moderat PORC#2 - The idea behind the music of these two great electronic acts coming together started with the foundation that each would abandoned his comforting approach to creating music, and delve deeper into the idea of building blocks within a theme and passing it to the other artist to tweak and construct new elements.  With every layer, a new approach, an evolution to their sound, they attempted to create a piece as a whole that would remain timeless in electronic music spanning its beginning and its future.  By doing so, they had to take the tempo down a notch and work outside of their comfort zone, creating more space for new sound and hidden elements they previously hadn't attempted.   
    6.    (0:23:36) White Rabbits PERCUSSION GUN - A surprising band who smacked me in the face at this year's All Points West festival with their electric performance.  Easily out-playing and out-performing several other well-known acts that followed them, this percussion-heavy band uses rhythmic patterns as the foundation to their sound and energy.  This track is off their It's Frightening LP.
    7.    (0:26:38) Gogol Bordello DUB THE FREQUENCIES OF LOVE - One band that certainly knows how to amp up the crowd is this gypsy-punk-ska tour de force.  Eugene Hutz, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist, is arguably one of the most energetic performers I've seen live, and along with his sidekick, Sergey Ryabtsev, the violinist and backing vocalist, they rock the stage with an Eastern European party frenzy until the last note.  This band is also appears in Madonna's directorial debut film, Film and Wisdom, where Eugene Hutz portrays the main character.  Hutz also is a DJ in NYC when he has time away from performing with Gogol Bordello (the name comes from Nikolai Gogol who 'smuggled Ukrainian culture into Russian society, and Bordello refers to a brothel.  They intend to smuggle their gypsy/Eastern European music into the English-speaking world).
    8.    (0:32:40) Dead Weather HANG YOU FROM THE HEAVENS - Another wicked track off their debut record, Horehound.  Jack White demonstrates how to rock behind a drumkit properly, with his wicked drum groove over an open hi-hat pattern, while Alison Mosshart rocks her twisted and powerful lyrics.
    9.    (0:36:12) Dredg PARIAH - One of my sleeper bands that I started following after a friend recommended them to me in college just before they released their sophomoric masterpiece, El Cielo, in 2002.  Dredg works around concepts for each of their LPs, where El Cielo revolved around Salvador Dali's Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bumblebee around a Pomegranate One Second Before Awakening, their latest, The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion was inspired by the essay A Letter to the Six Billionth Citizen by Salman Rushdie.  This San Francisco-based group, like the avant-garde hip hop group Anticon, pushes rock music into a conscious-minded orientation without being too progressive or emo about it.  Gavin Hayes' lyrics usually veer from the norm in the sense he can talk about a room and its dressings, a landscape and its spiritual presence, and philosophical doctrines.  
    10.    (0:40:03) Mad Season WAKE UP - The late Layne Staley lead singer of Alice in Chains, Barrett Martin drummer of Screaming Trees, Mike McCready lead guitarist of Pearl Jam, and bassist for The Walkabouts John Baker Saunders all came together in Seattle during the grunge era to form this supergroup in 1994.  A self-titled LP, which has been highly-acclaimed never received a follow-up album due to the success of their other respective bands.  Both Staley and Baker Saunders suffered from drug addiction which led to their deaths.  
    11.    (0:47:20) Live T.B.D. - A powerful representation of Live's music and lyrical composition by lead singer Ed Kowalczyk off their hugely popular sophomore effort, Throwing Copper.  As much as an influence on American rock during the '90s, Live never shook the aura that surrounded Throwing Copper, even though their debut record, Mental Jewelry and their third and fourth records, Secret Samadhi and The Distance to Here were fantastically successful in terms of musical composition.  This track, however, remains one of my favorite by the group.  
    12.    (0:51:25) Amon Tobin EASY MUFFIN - One of my all-time favorite compositions by this Argentinean-Brit, DJ/electronic music composer.  I have featured many of Tobin's compositions throughout my podcasts, and I will certainly continue to include his eclecticism in the future.  This is off his Bricolage LP.
    13.    (0:56:04) Interpol TAKE YOU ON A CRUISE - I have yet to include an Interpol track, so I thought I would sneak one in to satisfy those that like them.  I was a fan of their debut, Turn On The Bright Lights, but quickly lost interest afterwards.  This is a nice track off their sophomore release, Antics, and displays the always amazing groove and backbone to the band in drummer, Sam Fogarino.  Without Mr. Fogarino and bassist, Carlos Dengler, sadly, the band would not be much of anything special.  
    14.    (1:00:45) Bibio CRY ! BABY ! - Check it, Bibio finds their way back into the second to last track in two consecutive mixes.  How did that happen?  Chance, I tell you!  Another brilliant representation of his latest Ambivalence Avenue LP.  
    15.    (1:04:20) Antlers KETTERING - A hauntingly wicked track off this beautiful noise-rock band's latest LP, Hospice.  Pay close attention to the wonderfully written lyrics by lead singer, Peter Silberman.  The entire album includes an epic story of a man losing his loved one to cancer and having to witness her death first-hand.  Painfully tragic, yet beautifully documented along with the music in which it embeds itself in.  This is a must have album from 2009, from this Brooklyn-based indie group.  

The sidewalk seems endless when the air does not move.  The humidity is high, and the sun buries its heat at the surface where my shoe-soles tread.  The N train, on its raised tracks, awaits 7 more blocks ahead - higher ground, heavier air, hotter heat - but not for me.  It sits, waiting the storm ahead to cool its outer shell, and to welcome back the rain, for it's only been an hour or so since last she poured.  Last night, she stormed, wicked in her foreign accent, in a language she cursed thunder and sparks - electricity across the dark - skies, as I witnessed in awe.  I welcome her return.  3 blocks to the train; never, in the taste of rain, has she tasted so sweet...


    1.    (0:00:47) Tajai RAINDANCE - One part of the Souls of Mischief and Hieroglyphics crew out in Oakland, CA.  Tajai and crew blew up the hip hop world in their debut LP, '93 til Infinity, while they were preparing to graduate high school.  They followed up with a lesser well-received LP by commercial critics, No Man's Land, and from there sunk deeper into the underground realm, where they remain godlike.  It always fascinates me how such talent in hip hop can break into the mainstream and then fall back into the underground because it's too 'intelligent' or too 'innovative' for commercial pop.  Two of the most well-known examples are Hieroglyphics and The Freestyle Fellowship.  Well, after numerous LPs and collaborations between the entire Hieroglyphics crew, respect will always be there, and this track is a prime example of Tajai's genius on his solo record, Power Movement. 
    2.    (0:03:10) Chali 2Na feat. Talib Kweli LOCK SHIT DOWN - Speaking of underground hip hop, here's a 'fish' that jumped more into the mainstream smoother than most other underground heads.  Chali 2Na was one of the original contributors to The Good Life/Project Blowed back in the late 80s and early 90s.  Everybody reading this needs to check out the film This Is The Life: How The West Was Won.  It is a recent documentary directed by a Good Life queen/Project Blowedian, Ava DuVernay, from Figures of Speech.  It is a underground documentary, but you can obtain this.  Even on Netflix, if you are in the US.  Please support the Blowed, and you will receive great information on how these brilliant artists came to be.  Chali was always recognized for his deep baritone voice, and has collaborated outside of his group, Jurassic 5, with artists from around the world.   
    3.    (0:06:34) Peter Gabriel GROWING UP - Genesis wasn't really the same without Mr. Gabriel, and he went on to have a brilliant solo career.  This track is from his Up record, which was less commercially successful, mostly due to the length of each track.  Since, Gabriel has produced world music around the globe, and is more concerned with humanitarian duties.  He was honored with the prestigious Polar Music Prize in 2009 for his musical contributions.  Gabriel also recently won a grammy along with Thomas Newman for their song Down To Earth, which was featured in the brilliant Pixar film, WALL-E. 
    4.    (0:13:27) Prince COLONIZED MIND - Prince Rogers Nelson, hehe, never actually said his full name before, is one of the most dedicated musicians our world has heard.  This year, he released three LPs alone: Lotus Flow3r, Mplsound, and Elixr.  This track is from Lotus Flow3r.  Many may know, but Prince plays all the instruments on the majority of his albums, with backing vocals, etc. 
    5.    (0:18:03) Dead Weather SO FAR FROM YOUR WEAPON - Jack White, one of the greatest musicians living today, forms another band, this time he decided to step behind his first love - THE DRUMS!!!  He's good.  REALLY GOOD!  After I heard he was going to release this album with him on drums, my respect for this man shot even further through the roof of music than I thought was possible.  This time, he brings Alison Mosshart of The Kills on vocals, Dean Fertita from Queens of the Stone Age on guitar and keys, and the brilliant Jack Lawrence from The Raconteurs on bass.  Jack Lawrence, like White, plays most other instruments as well.  Talented band.  This is off their debut record, Horehound.
    6.    (0:21:30) Bitter:Sweet A MOMENT - Another great track from this LA sass-act.  Shana Halligan's voice is incredible, and the composition/production by Kiran Shahani of the songs are top-notch.  This is from their LP, Drama.
    7.    (0:25:34) Busdriver ME - TIME (WITH THE PULMONARY PALIMPSEST) - I'm certainly not going to stop pounding you all with Project Blowedians, unless all of a sudden they start thinking dumb, and make crap music.  Another unbelievable performance by this freak of nature, Busdriver, rhyming over Mozart's Sonata in A Major, taking on the note changes and rhythm pattern like a jazz soloist.  This is off his newest LP, Jhelli Beam, under the Anticon record label. 
    8.    (0:28:10) Panic At The Disco I WRITE SINS NOT TRAGEDIES - Shocked that I would put this on here?  Oh, me too.  Can't help but to like their changes and stops throughout their debut album, and this single was quite outstanding.  The drummer, Spencer Smith, can really dictate the rhythm well, keeping a tight groove on the melodic part, and wrapping perfectly around the heavy guitar sections.  The singer and pianist, Brendon Urie, is a great performer and leader to the group, and if you have seen them live, then you probably would have a bit more respect for these youngsters.  Oh, they dropped the '!' at the end of 'Panic' for the release of the second album.
    9.    (0:31:09) Patrick Watson TRACY'S WATERS - Still wondering why this guy's band isn't more respected than critics have been giving him lately.  I truly think there's a bit of angst after he won the Polaris Music Prize over Arcade Fire and Feist in 2007, so we'll see if he will win this year's honor again.  This is off his latest, Wooden Arms. 
    10.    (0:34:08) Peace Orchestra DOMINION - Austrian producer of Viennese trip-hop-dub, with a dope track here off his 1999 album, Peace Orchestra.  I also featured an earlier track, Who Am I, off the same album which was used in the Wachowski Brothers' Animatrix project. 
    11.    (0:40:43) Nine Inch Nails LA MER - This beautiful track is off Trent's The Fragile (Left) album, which is probably my favorite piece of work Trent has done overall.  The balance between the Left (brain) and Right (brain) LPs is impeccable, and as a whole, represents something many musicians often fail at - creating a successful and listenable double-LP album.  The minimalism used to create building blocks towards a creative explosion of sound at the end of this track, polyrhythmically, and his drums and melodies are brilliantly emotional.  Trent has recently announced that his current tour will be the last in NIN's foreseeable future.  Sad. 
    12.    (0:44:08) Pop Levi WANNAMAMA - Another great Pop track off of Never Never Love.  Pop Levi is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from the UK who used to work with Super Numeri and Ladytron. 
    13.    (0:47:34) 4hero WHY DON'T YOU TALK? - Unbelievably, this is just a duo of electronic composers, who are considered pioneers of breakbeat hardcore, and were nominated in 1998 for the Mercury Music Prize in the UK for their album, Two Pages.  This track is from their Play With The Changes LP and showcases brilliant progressive jazz with a flair of free soloing.  Brilliant horn sections and drum sequences, and one can sense the John Coltranesque soloist playing over the music throughout the track.   
    14.    (0:51:58) The Beatles A DAY IN THE LIFE - The ending track to one of music's greatest achievements, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  On this track, John and Paul come out of their personas, and showcase their true musical characters - John speaking generally of politics and social commentary while Paul takes the personal approach within the life of a single individual.  With George Martin at the helm and The Beatles, the world will probably forever remember them as being the single greatest force in music.  Sgt. Peppers...is often hailed as the greatest album of all-time, yet not one of the tracks hit No. 1 on the billboard charts, due to its cohesive whole as a concept album. 
    15.    (0:56:21) Bibio LOVERS CARVINGS - British music producer, Stephen Wilkinson, set out to shock this time around, and has produced one of 2009's most refreshing albums with Ambivalence Avenue.  He is currently under the Warp Records label, and it shows!  Brilliant.  Apparently he studied odd sounds at Middlesex University in London, drawing from field recordings and found sounds. 
    16.    (1:00:06) Bright Eyes LOVER I DON'T HAVE TO LOVE - Conor Oberst is one of America's best singer-songwriters, and it proves true with this wicked track from Lifted: Or The Story is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground, which he made with his band around 22 years old.  This is a brilliantly dark track, as per his usual, but the keys and drum lick are absolutely catchy, haunting, and purely perfect, especially once the strings come rolling in on the chorus.  His lyrics, as usual, are brilliantly written, and his emotions drip from every note. 

In the drop,, a penny for a wish & a splash for life.  Longevity Of The Well, Podcast #39


    1.    (0:00:05) The Jackson 5 I WANT YOU BACK - The Corporation wrote, arranged, and produced this track along with ABC and The Love You Save.  The bassline of this track is so slamming, so wicked, so impressive, that it makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck!  Wilton Felder, a renown saxophone and bass player is responsible for this amazing recording.  His solo record, Secrets, reached #77 in the UK in 1985.
    2.    (0:02:51) Radiohead 15 STEPS - The opening track to the resilient, pop-music altering, In Rainbows record.  It is a pleasure to be alive and to have had the pleasure of seeing these icons of music live, for it is arguably my generation's equivalent to The Beatles.  With every release, a new structure, a new sound, a new direction to carry pop music into a complexity so accessible and profound, that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood could play spoons and a thistle and still make it sound brilliantly - similar to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.  
    3.    (0:06:32) Aceyalone ON THE 1 - From the newest endeavor of Project Blowedian OG, record, The Lonely Ones.  Acey takes it back to the oldies-but-goodies throughout the record, and touches a new frontier in hip hop not yet trekked.  Acey has continuously pushed himself into new realms, exploring the corners of music, and challenging the boundaries of hip hop, even if it is at the cost of his earlier sound.  For this, the respect for this mentor of hip hop music is insurmountable.  
    4.    (0:08:58) The Heavy SET ME FREE - The third track I've featured off this absolutely brilliant debut from this UK eclectic band.  I am fully anticipating the release of their sophomore album, as it shall be dropping some time in the near future.  BRILLIANT!
    5.    (0:12:24) LCD Soundsystem YEAH (CRASS VERSION) - Ooh, the darker, more in-you-face version of this track, which is completely amazing, and if you close your eyes and concentrate on the awkward placement of their sounds and mixing techniques, I swear you'll open your eyes realizing you're dancing, bobbing your head, and flailing around like one of those freaks at Burning Man!  LCD is the sid project of producer and indie punk drummer, James Murphy, who is the co-founder of the dance-punk label DFA Records.  Their debut self-titled 2LP reached #20 on the UK charts.
    6.    (0:21:43) The Zutons ZUTON FEVER - Indie-rock band from Liverpool rocked this joint for me on a jobsite a la mate, Jason, and blew me away with its comicbook/pulp feel.  The entire album, Who Killed......The Zutons? is absolutely a must-have record, which explores many genres.  According to Wikipedia, the band took the name from The Magic Band guitarist Bill Harkleroad, better known as Zoot Horn or 'Zuton.'  They have released 2 other albums since 2004.
    7.    (0:24:43) Tinariwen NAK ASSARHAGH - Another track off this great complex-simplicity, Aman Iman: Water Is Life LP.  This Malian band is of great influence, and has released a 52-minute documentary called Teshumara, which played in movie theatres in Europe.  The documentary tells the history of the Tuareg rebellion and Tinariwen, which was also released in combination with a CD called The Soul Rebel Of African Desert.  
    8.    (0:29:35) Fat Freddy's Drop WILD WIND - You really didn't think I was through mixing in new Fat Freddy's, did you?  This track, like the others, is mind-numbing, and the groove is so infectious that I dare you not to start shaking!  My god, these guys know how to lay down a groove and bassline!  If you didn't know already, this is off their newest LP, Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW.
    9.    (0:35:42) Abstract Rude REJUVENATION - The second part of the Haiku D'etat trio on this mix (Myka 9 is the only one absent).  Along with Aceyalone, Ab Rude released his latest, Rejuvenation, recently on Rhymesayers record label.  Listen carefully to this man's amazing ability to transcend the beat and create an amazing verse over something that's not particularly the greatest beat.  His vocal-inflection and annunciation is as precise as one can get in the speed in which he presents it.  You can listen closely on this track to  the samples included by Luis Armstrong, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin amongst others accenting Ab's lyrics.
    10.    (0:39:53) Maxwell HELP SOMEBODY - Yes!!!  Finally, get us away from this monstrosity ruled by Auto-Tune in pop music.  Maxwell has resurfaced after a 7-year hiatus to present a breath of fresh air, and quite possibly one of the best R&B records produced in a decade, BLACKsummers'night.  Apparently he's been hard at work, planning on releasing a trio of records in succeeding years, which include blackSUMMERS'night and blacksummers'NIGHT.  With the musicianship and an anti-pop formula, this 37-minute LP is an anomaly in today's R&B standards, and if you're a drummer, percussionist, a bassist, or a guitarist, you'll find inspiration throughout the record.  It's a MUST HAVE!
    11.    (0:43:50) Wilco BULL BLACK NOVA - From the self-titled LP released recently in 2009, this Chicago-native band sheds a bit of skin for this distortion-heavy with a driving back-beat track.  Glenn Kotche is one of pop-rock-country music's walking drum/music encyclopedia, and his skill behind the drum kit is top-notch.  He has solo records, including one with his now-famous monkey chant song, where he explores Eastern rhythms and obscure sounds through random objects.  
    12.    (0:49:13) Amadou & Mariam CE N'EST PAS BON - The second track off Welcome To Mali that I've featured this season, and it would seem that Gorillaz' face, Damon Albarn is somehow involved in this track as was the other track I featured, Sabali.  The keyboards definitely have an Albarn drive, and the production seems somewhat similar to that of Sabali.  
    13.    (0:52:52) Noisettes SOMETIMES - UK indie-rock-pop band featuring the lovely Singai Shoniwa as lead-woman bassist and vocalist comes through on their sophomore effort, Wild Young Hearts.  This has yet to be released in the US, but has reached #7 on the UK charts.  What's The Time Mr. Wolf?, their 2007 debut, reached #75 in UK, and I'd have to compare slightly to the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs mixed with a bit more pop.  Their latest effort veers from their debut, and leans towards the lighter side of indie/pop.  Guitarist Dan Smith and Ms. Shoniwa formed the band, and later found drummer Jamie Morrison to back the band, who formally backed the great Willis act, Living With Eating Disorders, Six Toes, and Jaywalk Buzz amongst others.  Look out for this act.  They have toured with TV On The Radio, Bloc Party, and Tom Vek.
    14.    (0:56:36) Savath & Savalas UM GIRASSOL DA COR DE SEU CABELO - Ooh, what a grim minor-key version of what sounds partially similar melodically and rhythmically to While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison/The Beatles.  The translation from Portuguese is A Sunflower From Your Hair.  Guillermo Scott Heren is always working hard, straddling time between Savath & Savalas, Prefuse 73, amongst other acts, releasing anywhere from 1-3 records a year.   
    15.    (0:59:28) Portishead GLORY BOX - From the highly acclaimed, daunting, and beautifully made smash-hit, Dummy, the 1994 debut of this brilliant UK live electronic band fronted by the beautiful Beth Gibbons.  Dummy beat out PJ Harvey's brilliant album, To Bring You My Love, Tricky's Maxinquaye, and Oasis' Definitely Maybe record for 1995's Mercury Music Prize.  

To all life sustained in youth, the Funky Soul Burner salutes you.  Thank you for your listening patronage.  

To all my mates in Londontown and the UK, alike, I hope you will enjoy my best attempt to please you all.  This is my donation to the Beat Route: 11 July 2009, and to my top mate in the UK, Jason Ebers and fam.  To good times, good friends, and good music!  Hope you enjoy!


    1.    (0:00:14) Fat Freddy's Drop PULL THE CATCH - Wicked!  Finally the moment we (Gilles Peterson included) have been waiting for...the follow up to Based On A True Story.  This is the second LP by one of the greatest New Zealand acts to perform beautiful life music entitled, Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW.  Gilles Peterson from the UK's BBC Radio 1 broadcast, and music extraordinaire, hailed them the greatest band in the world after their release of their first LP.  Joe Dukie (moniker inspired by his father Joe, and the great jazz pianist Duke Ellington), the lead singer often is featured throughout popular funky German acts such as Boozoo Bajou or Clara Hill.
    2.    (0:05:20) Mos Def & Talib Kweli DEFINITION - Classic hip hop from 2 of conscious rap's masters, on their album Black Star, borrowing from Blast-Master KRS-One's Boogie Down Productions' beat off, Stop The Violence.  The two pay homage in the chorus, and reuses the mantra with updated info.  The combination of Mos Def's rhythmic rhyme patterns over the 16th notes on the hi-hat and matching the accents on the snare and often the bass drum along with Talib's over-the-bar-line raps makes for a perfect Re-Definition of the original song (the following song on the album is entitled just that!).
    3.    (0:08:38) Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 LAY THERE & HATE ME - Harper is a singer-songwriter and excellent guitar player, who often can be seen wailing on his slide guitar, which is influenced by the great blues artist, Robert Johnson.  Harper started the Relentless 7 after meeting lead guitarist, Jason Mozersky, in Austin in the 90s.  White Lies For Dark Times is their debut and was released in May 2009.  
    4.    (0:12:27) Paul McCartney feat. Michael Jackson SAY SAY SAY (EXTENDED VERSION) - I was obligated to put a track with MJ on this mix.  I chose this track off Paul McCartney's LP, Pipes Of Peace, because of the musical significance in both icons.  This track was produced by the resilient George Martin and was paired along with, The Girl Is Mine, which was released on MJ's groundbreaking Thriller album.  Here, Sir Paul drops a 4 over 3 polyrhythmic verse (thanks, Todd, for the breakdown) only to be countered by MJ's brilliant funky pop verse.  Truly outstanding, and George Martin, the production king, extends this version decades ahead of its time, as per his usual.   There will never be anybody more influential in my musical life as Michael Jackson, because SNAP!, on my second birthday, MJ released the single Billie Jean, which just so happens to be my all-time favorite song - that's right, my first steps were the moonwalk, yo!  We will always be grateful, and continuously inspired by the musical contributions you've left behind.  Thank you!
    5.    (0:17:42) Bitter:Sweet THE BOMB - This was a surprise!  An electronic-jazzy-trip-hop duo based out of Los Angeles!  I started to write down, 'from the UK,' and realized I should have read the description fully.  Shana Halligan tears the jazzy riff apart and brings back that old cabernet style of swing.  This is off their brilliant 2008 LP, Drama.
    6.    (0:20:35) Mr. Scruff WHIPLASH - Another brilliant track off Mr. Scruff's Ninja Tuna LP.  This UK artist is on the record label Ninja Tune (duh!), and he also provides his own artwork as well.  He strives to produce music to meld into his artwork to make it all a cohesive piece.
    7.    (0:26:30) Nightmares On Wax DA FEELIN - George Eveyln, better known as Nightmares On Wax, drops another funky beat and summer classic here.  Unfortunately the rest of the LP, Thought So..., isn't quite as memorable as his other outputs, including 2005's brilliant, In A Space Outta Sound.  This happens to be the opener to the newer LP, which picks up right where In A Space left off.  
    8.    (0:31:03) Chromatics HEALER - Ooh, what did I do?  Haha.  Dropped the funk and added post-punk/synthpop from Portland, Oregan.  The bassline and riff can be reminiscent of The Cure or even the Pixies, for sure, which is attractive to those stuck in the 80s!  You will notice around 32:26 in the mix, there is a 'jitter' or a mistake in the recording.  This is planted by the band to represent the lyrics it lands on, 'false atrocities.'  This track is off their LP, Night Drive.
    9.    (0:33:51) DOOM feat. Raekwon YESSIR! - Oh wow, what a new LP by the master of conscious-gangster-humor, DOOM (formally known as MF Doom), from 2009's Born Like This.  The beat rocks, and is sampled from ESG's track entitled, UFO which has been also sampled by the likes of old school hip hop Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J as well as many others.  Here, Raekwon rules it, and earns his right to reinvent it Wu-style.  DOOM (all caps, by the way) is originally from London, but his family migrated to Long Island, New York when he was a child.  MF Doom usually puts out a few albums a year, and his highly-acclaimed commercial success with the master producer, Madlib, came in their release of the Madvilliany LP.  
    10.    (0:35:28) Patrick Watson WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE - For some reason, the critics don't particularly like this creative Canadian, and I'm not sure why.  When he won the Polaris Music Prize for his second LP, Close To Paradise, he was criticized because counter-Canadians Feist and Arcade Fire lost out, thus giving him a bad rap.  I, however, dig his creativity and his haunting combination of piano and vocals.  I first heard him off Cinematic Orchestra's To Build A Home, and have since enjoyed his music.  This is a brilliant record, sounding something British eccentric composer Matthew Herbert would come up with.  This is off Patrick Watson's (band) third LP released in 2009, Wooden Arms.   
    11.    (0:38:56) Carlos Montoya GRANADINAS - How could I have a proper FSB mix without a song like this?  From the modern-day Flamenco style guitar playing trendsetter, Carlos Montoya, popularized this brilliant music in the 1920s and 1930s in Spain.  He was raised in a gypsy family and started accompanying dancers and singers in Madrid by 14 (circa 1917).  During World War II, he moved to the US and began his most successful days as a musician, touring with the dancer La Argentina.  Guitarists today, such as Paco de Lucia, Al Di Meola, and John McLaughlin. amongst hundreds of others have certainly benefited from Montoya's music.  
    12.    (0:42:54) The Qemists feat. Wiley DEM NA LIKE ME - Ninja Tune drum and bass artists out of Brighton, UK, along with the styles of Eastern Londoner, Wiley.  Originally, the three members of The Qemists were members in a rock band touring the UK and Europe until they found DJing and drum and bass.  The three were conflicted, but then incorporated their guitar, bass, and drums over and around their creations as drum and bass heads!  This is quite unique, and it separates them from most, because they actually perform their music as a band.  
    13.    (0:47:10) Kim Carnes BETTE DAVIS EYES - Haha!  80s bustin' it out, yo!  This joint rocked the number one spot for 9 weeks in 1981.  It was originally written in 1974, but Carnes refused to release it until a new instrumental arrangement was produced by Bill Cuomo.  You can hear this sampled all over the place, including the massively successful UK DJ, Mylo, in his record, In My Arms.  This is off her album, Mistaken Identity.  It is said that her raspy voice is attributed to playing in smokey bars.  
    14.    (0:50:30) Tomboy I K. GUITAR (EDIT) - 2007's Serios LP, from Danish DJ, producer, and drummer, Tomas Barfod.  This album is wicked and certainly worth checking out if you're into the electronic scene.  Tomboy also happens to be the moniker for a trance artist, Thomas Bickham, whose largely popular OK2BGAY album is highly acclaimed in the gay community.  The song, OK2BGAY, may be featured on a future FSB mix...haha. Here's a link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6bGW4ShpNU
    15.    (0:54:50) Pop Levi FIRE ON YOUR FEET - Musician, record producer, and filmmaker, Johnathan Pop Levi is from London but started his career in Liverpool.  He was a founding member along with Snap Ant and Loka in the group, Super Numeri, and also played bass for Ladytron.  This is off Pop Levi's Never Never Love released in 2008.  You can also check him out in the film by Beaches entitled, You Don't Gotta Run.  Check out the trailor here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftgf5p6orxU
    16.    (0:58:06) Moderat RUSTY NAILS - Oh snap!  Two of Berlin's better electronic musicians and most influential acts, Modeselektor and Apparat, join together to make this brilliant collaboration of an LP entitled, Moderat.  I certainly hope these two groups can get together more often to create this brilliant music.  Here, you can hear Apparat using his limited vocals to add to the music, which so often ruins electronic creations.  He's quite selective and uses it well.  
    17.    (1:02:29) Fink NOTHING IS EVER FINISHED - A brand new track from Ninja Tune's own British singer-songwriter.  This is off his newest LP, Sort Of Revolution.  Fink comes from his first name, Fin, and is joined by drummer, Tim Thornton, and bassist, Guy Whittaker.  Fink grew up in a musical family with his father playing folk music while his mother was a music manager.  

    1.    (0:00:12) Fever Ray IF I HAD A HEART - The opening track off The Knife's Karin Dreijer Andersson's solo project.  The dubstep sounds similar to Richie Hawtin's (aka Plastikman) abstract minimalism.
    2.    (0:03:51) Sonic Youth OR - The closing track off this New York City powerhouse indie noise rock group's Rather Ripped LP.  Around 1990, Kim Gordon, one of the lead vocalists, bass and guitar player for Sonic Youth repeatedly advised David Geffen to sign a small band from Seattle whom they were touring with.  Geffen decided to sign this band, and released Sonic Youth's Goo in June of 1990 - Goo would sell 250,000 copies.  A year later, Geffen would release this newly printed indie-punk record by this small band called Nirvana to hopefully achieve similar success due to the touring combination of both bands.  Geffen originally sent out about 45,000 copies of Nevermind to the US and 35,000 to the UK, where the initial album, Bleach, was popular amongst ska fans.  Little did they know, Nevermind would be selling 300,000 copies a week and become diamond status in both America and Canada by 1999.  
    3.    (0:07:03) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss FORTUNE TELLER - Ooh, a nice catchy track off Raising Sand, the Grammy Winner for Best Album 2008.  Robert Plant's lyrics actually follow a nice story from beginning to end, unlike most of his dazed and confusing abstractions that he wrote while flying high for the Zep!  Alison's harmonies in the faintest are perfect, accenting the story-line as the fortune teller.  Brilliant track!
    4.    (0:11:08) Antipop Consortium BUBBLES - In preparation for the reuniting of this New York City avant-garde jazzy experimental hip hop group after splitting a few years back to pursue side projects, I present the opening track off Arrhythmia, their successful 2002 LP on Warp Records.  Antipop's (Beans, High Priest, M. Sayyid, and Earl Blaize) off-beat rhythmic patterns at times make them more underground than mainstream, and have teamed up with NYC's brilliant jazz musicians, such as Matthew Shipp (I featured one track by Mr. Shipp on Podcast #30 zzaJ-knuF...), Guillermo Brown and company.  Also, Beans occasionally uses Brooklyn glam rock/electronic fusion band Kudu with Deantoni Parks on drums and Slyvia Gordon on bass when touring.  
    5.    (0:14:20) Whitest Boy Alive ISLAND - Ok, I hate the name of this band, but the actual music is seriously growing on me, especially this track off their most recent LP, Rules.  This German quartet keeps things spacious and clean, providing a pleasant sound.  In its minimalism, there lies a level of sophistication and complexity to their music, which I previously did not encounter.  With each part of the song, the music slides deeper, adding texture, reaching a pinnacle, and then as the music descends they revisit elements earlier touched on to create a cyclical, yet slightly different new face of the music - quite human in its evolution.  
    6.    (0:20:53) Fingathing SYNERGY - Jazzy electronic hip hop from Manchester, UK, comprised of bass player Sneaky and DJ Peter Parker.  Originally signed to the UK label, Grand Central Records, and in the US, Ninja Tune.  This record is off their last LP from 2004, The Big Red Nebula Band.  Sneaky will release his solo record, Feel Like a King...Pluck a String, June 22nd on The Big Chill Recordings.
    7.    (0:26:19) Juana Molina & Alejandro Franov LA MARCA - I first encountered Ms. Molina from the brilliant National Public Radio podcast, Radio Lab, and have explored her music a bit more in depth.  The Argentina-born singer-songwriter dabbles in the sound of her voice rather than the words she uses to create a song.  In her latest outing, Un Dia, she samples her voice and creates a textured ambiance in a meditative sort of experience.  Here, she experiments with the sounds of multi-instrumentalist and fellow Argentinean, Mr. Franov.  
    8.    (0:31:14) Bat For Lashes TRAVELING WOMAN - Another brilliant record off Ms. Natasha Khan's Two Suns LP.  
    9.    (0:34:33) B.B. King THE THRILL IS GONE - B.B. King popularized this track in 1970, but was originally written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins in 1951.  The Thrill Is Gone is King's signature song, which he consistently revisits and changes the essence each time he visits it.  Rolling Stone magazine rated him #3 on its list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time, and a critic once stated, '(King) introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that would influence virtually every electric blues guitarist that followed.'
    10.    (0:39:16) DJ Shadow feat. Dennis The Fox PILEDRIVER- Now if you are as big as a DJ Shadow freak as I am, then you have probably heard this brilliant track he threw into his Funky Skunk megamix from 2005.  Apparently this is another one of Shadow's deep digs found in an underground crate from the early 70s on Fox's Mother Trucker LP.  Mother Trucking brilliant!  
    11.    (0:41:32) The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Diana King RESPECT - Ok, I just watched the movie, Notorious, and my interest in the B.I.G. was rekindled, so I could not leave this brilliant succinct version of his chase to fame.  There is hardly an argument why he is considered one of hip hop's greatest MCs.
    12.    (0:45:47) Tool PUSHIT (LIVE) - YES!  I finally snuck in a song by my true love in the music world.  TOOL are the reason I am posting this podcast, seriously.  If it weren't for my brother introducing me to this brilliant band to me on our train ride back from Syracuse 10 years ago, I would not have the open mind I do today in the musical sense.  This track is off their live DVD entitled, Salival.  The original version is on their Aenima LP.  Justin Chancellor, Adam Jones, and my heros, Maynard James Keenan, and Danny Carey evolve with each album release, and dive deeper spiritually, musically, and complexity.  On their latest, 10,000 Days, which denotes the 27 plus years Keenan's mother was confined to a wheelchair until her death in 2005.  Keenan's lyrics can often allude to references to his mother, Judith, from A Perfect Circle being the first name of his mother.  My brother, who shares the same love for the band, and I saw them perform 2 nights in a row in their hometown LA after its release, and during the song Wings For Marie (Judith Marie Keenan being the name of his mother), Keenan had to leave the stage due to the emotional intensity of his music and lyrics.  I will be doing my best to include more TOOL in the future!!!
    13.    (0:58:48) Battles ATLAS - Another fine fine fine Warp Records band.  Crazy.  Unconventional, yet grooving like a doo-wop!  John Stanier, the drummer, was the original drummer for the rock group, Helmet, and later backed Mike Patton in his band Tomahawk.  Stanier has always expressed his love of hip hop, and it is apparent in his style and his time-keeping, and how much he circumambulates these inspirations within his groove.  However, if you are able, you must see them live, because you'll see their energy exploding through the audience, as you gaze in utter amazement.  Tyondai Braxton, the son of avant-garde jazz musician, Anthony Braxton, plays guitar, keyboard, all while sampling his voice to create intense textures as you will hear in this very song.  This track is off their brilliant and highly acclaimed LP, Mirrors.  
    14.    (1:05:42) Hot Chip SHAKE A FIST - The electo-pop band goes nutty on this track, and hopefully pulls you out of your seat, or wherever you may be, and makes you shake to its ruggity-rough DFA-like blitzkrieg bombshells!  This is definitely a departure from their normal sound, which I like, and can be heard off their recently released, Made In The Dark LP.   

The static, harnessed at its ends, an electricity enabling the vocals, set as precedent, by Polly Jean.  It is the chaos between - the Push & the Pull; the Enigma & the Estranged; the Fly & the Fruit - watch the mold grow & diminish its skin to fold in to itself; the bend.  A contortion or plenty.  We are to then again to focus on the ends.  We polish this static & send it back through Ms. Harvey's conductivity to bring the musical helix intertwining a connection track-by-track.  I ask you to please focus...to focus...Podcast #36 End Static. 


    1.    (0:00:47) PJ Harvey & John Parish SIXTEEN, FIFTEEN, FOURTEEN - A Woman A Man Walked By is the second collaboration between these two creative souls.  John Parish is the ego behind the instrumentation, with I'm sure help from the ever-so-talented PJ helping, while Ms. Harvey comes back into her extreme comfort zone vocally. 
    2.    (0:04:13) The Duke Spirit DOG ROSES - Brit rock in the vein of My Bloody Valentine or Pixies.  This is off their 2008 release, Neptune. 
    3.    (0:07:14) Willis TAKE YOU HIGH - The second track I have featured in a mix from Come Get Some.  After earning high marks from the critics, this West Londoner stripped herself of a label and started her own company.  However, she has only released a couple of 7inch vinyls since 2003. 
    4.    (0:11:08) Alice Coltrane feat. Pharoah Sanders JOURNEY INTO SATCHIDANANDA - Wife to John Coltrane after meeting him around 1963.  She replaced McCoy Tyner on piano in John's group in 1965 and played with him up to his death in 1967.  John and Alice had three of their own children, drummer John Jr., saxophonists Oran and Ravi, and Alice had a daughter, Michelle, before meeting John.  Alice was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan where she studied classical music and studied with the great jazz pianist, Bud Powell.  Pharoah Sanders was once described by the great Ornette Coleman as one of the best tenor saxophonist in the world.  He emerged from John Coltrane's group in the mid-60s and is still living today.
    5.    (0:17:05) Four Tet & Rothko RIVERS BECOME OCEANS - Experimental electronic musician, Kieran Hebden meets London-based instrumental ambient group, Rothko.  This is off the Rivers Become Oceans single.
    6.    (0:24:31) Immortal Technique LEAVING THE PAST - From Revolutionary Vol. 2, this Peruvian-born, New York City-raised rapper uses his time spent incarcerated and his university experiences to push his politically-charged lyrics through the underground.  He has refused major labels in order to stay true to his beliefs and and self-production. 
    7.    (0:28:47) Billie Holiday STRANGE FRUIT - Lady Day's extremely melancholy and powerful song from around 1939, comparing lynching of Blacks in the South to strange fruits dangling from trees.  The lyrics are based on a poem by Abel Meeropol.   Billie Holiday's life is quite unique and intense, to say the least, which can be often heard in her powerful vocal inflections and lyrics.  She was apparently raped as a child and later became a prostitute in the early '30s.  She said herself she spent time in prison for solicitation before she started singing at night clubs in Harlem.  Unfortunately, her later life was plagued by narcotics, arrests, and she died from cirrhosis of the liver.  According to Wikipedia, people swindled her earnings, and she died with $.70 in the bank and $750 on her. 
    8.    (0:31:51) Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli MY SWEET - French violinist, Stephane Grappelli, meets Belgian Gypsy jazz guitar guru, Jean 'Django' Reinhardt.  Together, they founded Quintette du Hot Club de France, once described as one of the most original bands in the history of jazz.  Django spent most of his youth playing banjo, guitar, and violin in gypsy encampments.  At 18, Django was badly burned in an accident, which paralyzed two of his playing fingers.  He was able to do 2-finger solos and use the two paralyzed fingers for chord work.  
    9.    (0:34:42) Marta Gomez LA RONDA - Again, here is another track from the absolutely beautiful, Marta Gomez, from Colombia.  I first heard this track on Putumayo's compilation CD, Women of Latin America, and I went and purchased any other albums I could find of hers!  This is a Colombian children's rhyme restructured for this song. 
    10.    (0:38:22) Babatunde Olatunji BABA JINDE (FLIRTATION DANCE) - Great Nigerian drummer, educator, and activist.  This is off Olatunji's extremely influential recording debut from 1959, Drums of Passion.  Santana has covered tracks composed of Olatunji's percussion sounds.  Olatunji toured with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and joined him on his March on Washington  where King, Jr. gave his 'I have a dream,' speech.
    11.    (0:43:35) Myka 9 SNAKE BITE - Another track off Myka's newly released 1969 LP.  Here he explores his more melodic side in a sort of ode to African chant or tribal lyrics.  Myka 9 (aka Mikah Troy or Mikah 9), is also a member of The Freestyle Fellowhip and Haiku D'etat from Project Blowed in LA. 
    12.    (0:46:43) Pole PFERD - German electronic musician, specializing in the glitch sounds and dub.  This is off his Steingarten LP released in 2007.
    13.    (0:50:39) Hot Chip (JUST LIKE WE) BREAKDOWN - British electropop band comprised of 5 members.  This is off their Grammy-nominated, highly acclaimed, 2006 sophomore LP, The Warning. 
    14.    (0:54:41) Clinic HARVEST (WITHIN YOU) - Another British band.  This garage rock quartet hails from Liverpool and has released 5 albums since 2000.  This track is off their 2006, Visitations, LP.   
    15.    (0:57:59) Desert Sessions CRAWL HOME - Along with PJ Harvey, Josh Homme, founder of the Desert Sessions and Queens of the Stone Age, rock and roll on Volume 9: I See You Hearing Me.  With angst, PJ shines through with her traditional rocker self, sexy and bold, while Josh rules the guitar and reverb. 

As a concluding thought, but not a conclusion, the end static will resonate & personify thematically a musical encounter as an absolute.  The systematicity of your soul will allow funk to set aflame and you will arrive here, at Being, over & over again...

Swine Flu, or rather H1N1 virus, has caused all schools and public buildings in the 5 boros to close, once again.  In fact, we are broadcasting via Atlantis in space.  Here's Tom with the weather -

Thank you, Bill, what a beautiful day today outside in space - spectacular view of Hurricane George over Texas from here!  Let's take a look at what's happening in your neck of the woods, down there on earth.  Well, there's a lot of blue and crazy cotton spirals covering land today.  I'd have to say partly cloudy with a chance of electric sky for all you trapped inside today.  Stay locked in and tuned in to FSB-NYC Channel 9.


    1.    (0:00:40) Medeski, Martin & Woods ANONYMOUS SKULLS - New York City jazz fusion trio.  Formed around 1991, these three have pushed jazz through funk, hip hop, and various unconventional styles and rhythmic sounds.  They've worked with John Scofield, and separately have toured with the jazz greats.  This wicked track is the opener off End of the World Party.
    2.    (0:04:49) Myka 9 feat. Busdriver CHOPPER - Project Blowed, again, comes strong on the 40th year of Myka 9's life.  Freestyle Fellowship/Haiku d'Etat member teams up with the ever-witty jazzy linguistic extraordinaire, Busdriver, to deliver some of the most complex rhythm and rhyme patterns known to the music world.  
    3.    (0:06:51) Amon Tobin HORSEFISH - Ninja Tune field-sample king from the UK (born in Brazil).  He is primarily into the glitch sounds, but his original sounds were based in trip-hop/jungle under his first moniker, Cujo.  He has also produced a soundtrack for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3 video game.  Mr. Tobin is one of my personal favorites in this genre, often pushing his sound into the darker and more dissonant realms.
    4.    (0:10:03) Breaks Co-Op TOO EASILY - New Zealand band formed in 1997.  This track is off The Sound Inside LP which peaked at #55 in the UK in 2005.  The Sound Inside is difficult to capture in a generic style of music, other than keeping its roots grounded in electronica, because all songs sound different from the next.
    5.    (0:13:50) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss POLLY COME HOME - Grammy Winner for Album of the Year 2008.  Robert Plant traverses genres in this odd-couple's spectacular debut along with the beautiful sounding Alison Krauss.  This song in particular is one of my favorites, because of the extremely slow tempo and moaning of Mr. Plant.  This is an extremely difficult tempo to work with in music, and the two crush it!  
    6.    (0:18:52) Nas SURVIVING THE TIMES - Queens Bridge native giving a narrative of his history in the rap game with this brilliant unreleased record off his Greatest Hits LP.  I remember purchasing Nas' debut, Illmatic, the minute it was dropped in 1994.  It was one of the best records I'd ever heard, and to this day, is obviously one of hip hop's greatest achievements with some of the greatest production known by Large Professor, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and L.E.S.  
    7.    (0:23:21) Fever Ray NOW'S THE ONLY TIME I KNOW - Solo record by Karin Dreijer Andersson of the highly acclaimed Swedish band, The Knife.  In my opinion, this LP is even more enjoyable than the Silent Shout LP by The Knife.  
    8.    (0:27:02) Helios SHOULDER TO HAND - From Keith Kenniff's warm and ethereal sounds off his Caesura LP.  Definitely a record worth listening to during the winter when you're trapped inside and staring out at the snow falling, and the trees' branches give way to the weight of its drift.  
    9.    (0:31:45) cyne AUTOMATON (FOUR TET REMIX) - Cultivating Your New Experience is an underground hip hop group from Florida.  Four Tet, or Kieran Hebden, remixed this amazing track, which describes the life of cellphone abuse and the reanimation of the Self.  
    10.    (0:34:28) Roots Tonic Meets Bill Laswell INSTRUMENT OF THE TRINITY - The original backing band for the Williamsburg, Brooklyn hasidic reggae act, Matisyahu, collaborates with the great producer Bill Laswell.  The band recently broke up after Jonah David, drums and percussion, refused to tour or record any longer.  Sad, because he's good...
    11.    (0:40:36) Neon Neon feat. Cate Le Bon I LUST YOU - Bizarre duo, hip hop producer Boom Bip and Welsh singer/frontman Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals.  Here, they collaborate with Welsh singer Cate Le Bon, who will later release her debut EP, Edrych Yn Llygaid Ceffyl Benthyg - no, that's not me making up words, now ;)  Neon Neon's debut LP received a nomination for the Mercury Prize 2008.
    12.    (0:43:16) Booka Shade IN WHITE ROOMS - Yet another wicked track by this amazing German duo electronica outfit.  This track is off their great 2006 LP, Movements.
    13.    (0:48:03) Massive Attack UNFINISHED SYMPATHY - Outstanding single off their massively successful Blue Lines LP from 1991.  Shara Nelson is here on lead vocals, which helped push this track to the front lines in the pioneering of the Trip Hop genre.  
    14.    (0:52:55) Pink Floyd THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY - From the overwhelmingly amazing Dark Side of the Moon LP, one of the world's greatest musical achievements.  I believe the woman vocalizing on this beautifully sung track is Claire Torry, who also performed a similar style vocalizing on Culture Club's, The War Song.  Apparently in 2004 she sued Pink Floyd for royalties, since her original studio flat fee was 30GBP for doing the track!
    15.    (0:57:08) Burial U.K. - From English dubstep producer's Untrue album, which received high marks in the UK and was nominated in 2008 for the Mercury Prize.  
    16.    (0:58:39) N.A.S.A. feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold, and Nick Zinner WHACHADOIN? - North America/South America is a creative collaboration of hip hop producers from LA, which pushes the sounds into Brazilian funk and latin styles, here features some of the pop music world's most resilient artists.  Spank Rock is a hip hop group from Philly, who has toured with Hollertronix and M.I.A.  Santi White, or Santogold is songwriter/producer from Philly as well.  M.I.A. doesn't need introducing at this point other than just mentioning how amazing she is :), and Nick Zinner is 1/3 and guitarist of the great Yeah Yeah Yeahs.  

Thank you for watching FSB-NYC Channel 9.  Tune in tomorrow for tips on how to avoid bad lettuce while shopping with your vapor mask on.  Until then, good night. 

Firstly, thank you for venturing onto my site, however or whatever led you here.  Please feel free to try any or all of the mixes at your leisure.  However, if you like the mixes and would like to continue listening to the podcasts I ask you only one thing, please contact me so I can add you to the mailing list (contact@funkysoulburner.com).  THAT'S ALL!  Once I add you to the mailing list, you will receive a simple message whenever I post new mixes so you can update your ears with a new mix.  If you do not know how to save a mix, please follow the instructions under the GENERAL menu (the link to your left).  Here, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND subscribing to my podcast via iTunes.  You will receive all the benefits my podcast offers.  Thank you, again, for finding yourself here, and please, continue on to the ultimate Funky experience...enjoy!

    1.    (0:00:23) Andrew Bird NOT A ROBOT, BUT A GHOST - Blazing new track from Chicago's very own multi-instrumentalist.  This is off Noble Beast disc 1.  Mr. Bird is one of my personally inspiring musicians today.  
    2.    (0:05:35) Arctic Monkeys WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN - When Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not dropped, the Arctic Monkeys became an instant smash in the UK - it didn't take long before the world echoed the praise, either.  A recent article stated that frontman, Alex Turner, had his lyric book stolen and went back into the studio and revisited the music for new perspectives and attitude for their highly anticipated 3rd LP that is supposed to drop this summer. 
    3.    (0:08:42) Ayatollah KINGSTON - Another wicked track from hip hop producer from Queens, New York.  This track is from his solo record, Now Playing. 
    4.    (0:11:10) Estelle feat. Kanye West AMERICAN BOY - Probably don't have to say much about this song due to its popularity worldwide - Rolling Stone had it in its Top 10 list for 2008.  Estelle is a pop-throwback R&B singer from the UK. 
    5.    (0:15:40) Linda Lewis REACH FOR THE TRUTH - To compliment Estelle, Ms. Lewis was a popular singer/songwriter/guitarist  from the UK in the 70s.  Her sisters, Shirley Lewis and Dee Lewis, are notably pop singers in their own right. 
    6.    (0:20:05) She & Him WHY DO YOU LET ME STAY HERE? - After the many adornments I received from the Smokey Robinson track, You Really Got A Hold On Me, that I posted on Podcast #31 Othello's Clown...I couldn't possibly resist putting another track on a mix as quickly as possible.  Zooey Deschanel is arguably one of the great new talents in entertainment, which will definitely have me standing in line to check out her upcoming film, 500 Days of Summer, when it hits indie theatres on July 17th.  We can only wait until M. Ward and her share another incredible experience in Vol. 2, whenever they both find time to hit the studio again. 
    7.    (0:22:27) Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals FIGHT OUTTA YOU - This is the 2nd track I've included in a mix from their Lifeline LP.  If you have a chance, you should look up Ben Harper's Led Zeppelin tribute show on YouTube.  He performs with original member, bassist John Paul Jones, as well as hip hop drummer, Amir ?uestlove Thompson.
    8.    (0:26:21) rjd2 CHICKEN-BONE CIRCUIT - One of the most overrated DJs, in my mind, but his output on his first record, Dead Ringer, was surely worth checking out.  This song definitely has a DJ Shadow vibe in piano/ethereal synths, drums and vocal sampling - pretty much the whole track. 
    9.    (0:29:52) Layo & Bushwacka! IT'S UP TO YOU (SHINING THROUGH) - Another track from one of my favorite DJ duos from the UK.  This is a alternative mix to the LP version from their highly acclaimed debut LP, Night Works.
    10.    (0:32:53) Remember Shakti LUKI - Guitar guru John McLaughlin & tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain originally formed this fusion band in the 70s with R. Raghavan and T.H. Vinayakram, and 20 years later formed Remember Shakti along with one India's top mandolin players, U. Shrinivas and the son of T.H. Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh on the ghatam other percussion instruments.  This track is from the live album, Saturday Night In Bombay. 
    11.    (0:38:10) Marta Gomez TONADA DE LA LUNA LLENA - One of the most beautiful voices I've heard in awhile, this Colombian born singer has been featured on the Putumayo World Music record labels in New York City.  After soloing in a choir in Colombia, she was offered a scholarship to the renown Berklee School of Music, where she refined her Latin music repertoire and hooked up with Argentinean musicians.  Together, they create variations of all Latin music styles.  They now reside in New York City.  This is from Ms. Gomez's album, Cantos De Agua Dulce. 
    12.    (0:41:05) The Coup feat. Black Thought & Talib Kweli MY FAVORITE MUTINY - Boots Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress are well respected in the hip hop realm, but never received the proper praise staying under the radar of the mainstream.  Their political themes and 'right to fight the system' earned them a second breath around the time of the first G.W. Bush's administration.   Their track, Fat Cats, Bigga Fish, off the second LP, Genocide & Juice from 1994 is one of classic hip hop's standout tracks.  Boots is currently working on a music-political project with guitarist  & activist Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and drummer Stanton Moore (from Galactic), and will be releasing Street Sweeper Social Club around June 16th. 
    13.    (0:45:34) Peter Bjorn & John IT DON'T MOVE ME - Well loved Swedish indie rockers from Stockholm.  They formed in 1999, but received high praises and constant radio play from their single, Young Folks, in 2006.  This sweet little number is off their recent LP, Living Things.  The band's name is made up of the trio's first names, Peter Moren, Bjorn Yttling, and John Eriksson. 
    14.    (0:48:41) Mr. Scruff DONKEY RIDE - Ninja Tune's own, and one of their most prolific DJs from the UK.  Andy Carthy is also an artist and does all original artwork for his music.  The moniker came from his 'scruffy' hair and 'loose-lined' drawing style.  
    15.    (0:53:36) Plaid PINO POMO - Another solid dissonant track from Warp Records musicians.  This track is off their Rest Proof Clockwork LP. 
    16.    (0:58:20) cLOUDDEAD 3 TWENTY - Between Dose One and Jonathan 'Yoni' Wolf of Why?, the eccentricity level is greater than that found at most mental institutions, but hey, we dig it!  This is one of the many projects both are involved with through their own label, Anticon, and Dose One should be releasing 2 records later this year, both from the highly anticipated Themselves group along with his good friend and longtime-DJ/producer, Jel.  This record is off cLOUDDEAD's second LP, Ten. 
    17.    (1:00:20) Animal Collective MY GIRLS - Baltimore, Maryland natives now residing in New York City (who isn't, eh?).  This track is off their newly released LP, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and has already received high marks popular play in the 'freaky folk' world.  If these kids aren't hipsters residing in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, then they sure are the poster-boys!

    1.    (0:00:38) Amadou & Mariam SABALI - From their latest outing, Welcome To Mali.  This track is the opening blast! to this solid LP.  Damon Albarn from Blur/Gorillaz/The Good, The Bad & The Queen/etc. produces this single, and the quality is absolutely superb, and perhaps one of his all-time better moments in music.  
    2.    (0:03:43) Janelle Monae VIOLET STARS HAPPY HUNTING!!! - Bad Boy has finally signed an artist that will revolutionize R&B/hip hop.  You first heard this wonderful voice on Outkast's track, Lettin Go, from Got Purp? compliation, and later on, In Your Dreams and Call The Law, from Idlewild soundtrack.  This Atlanta rising star has solidified the next generation in the dirty south's dynasty.  On Metropolis: The Chase Suite, her debut EP, she introduces Cindy Mayweather, an earth-woman from the future as she uses her perspective to narrate what the future holds for humans and androids - reminds me of movie Blade Runner.  The music and her vocals are wicked tight, and her backbeat, provided by gospel star drummer, Young Pete, is catchy, clean, and snug in that thick pocket!  You'll be dancing to this track and the following track without even listening to it, because that beat is so phat!!!
    3.    (0:06:50) Janelle Monae MANY MOONS - Couldn't resist putting the succeeding track from her EP into the mix, because it's just a continuation in theme and music from Violet Stars...The haunting listing at the coda to the track is a representation of our society's own demise based on the vices we've created.  You should check her out on YouTube, or her photos, because she's hot little number, but her desired dress attire is rather a-sexual.  Quite a departure from most hip hop divas.  
    4.    (0:12:12) Yeah Yeah Yeahs DRAGON QUEEN - Wicked track and new style from Brooklyn trio from their It's Blitz! LP.  I was fortunate enough to see them backstage at the Virgin V-Fest a couple years back, and I have to say, that Karen O is something special.  Wow!  Smokin'!  The three, musically, are absolutely talented, and compliment each other well.
    5.    (0:15:55) TV On The Radio DLZ - I might as well have every track from Dear Science included somewhere in my mixes, because each song is so absolutely perfect for all 'faces' of the sub-genre they've perfected.  
    6.    (0:19:30) Bat For Lashes SLEEP ALONE - Indie-rocker-hippie-gypsy-chick, Natasha Khan, has found her niche in dark 'n beautiful sounds and catchy synths in her newest LP, Two Suns.  Daughter of Pakistani father and English mother, born in Brighton, England.  When you have Thom Yorke complimenting your work and having you open up for Radiohead, then you know you're well-respected musically.
    7.    (0:23:07) Zoe Keating TETRISHEAD - Oh wow!  This is from a live performance off NPR's Radiolab.  This super-talented rockin' chellist produces her songs entirely off building riffs, bass-lines, backbeats, you-name-it, on top of each other looping them while she superimposes succeeding parts.  She has been featured on indie-rocker Amanda Palmer's newest LP and she also tours with her as part of her band.  This brilliant track is off her One Cello x 16: Natoma LP.
    8.    (0:29:02) Plaid feat. Bjork LILITH - Another nice track from Warp Records band.  This track is off their Not For Threes LP.  Plaid's keen sense in dissonant sounds balances Bjork's vocal preferences perfectly, and she feels right at home here.  
    9.    (0:33:26) The Grouch & Eligh EVERAFTER - Two members of Living Legends from California's underground.  They actually live up to their name in the underground, and have accomplished most of what has been possible in the underground scene and more.  This track is off their No More Greener Grasses LP.  The Living Legends crew is up there with the Project Blowed and Hieroglyphics as trendsetters in underground hip hop in the world.  All three crews often appear on one-another's music, showing ultimate respect for each crew's talent and legendary status.  
    10.    (0:37:45) CeU CONCRETE JUNGLE - Brazilian singer-songwriter producing and English-based track off her self-titled LP.  She studied music theory and played the nylon-stringed guitar, the violao.
    11.    (0:40:55) Heernt MAKE ME DANCE, MAKE ME DANCE - Another wicked bumpin' track from these twenty year-olds sidesteppin' the legends of jazz and making room for their own shoe prints.  Mark Guiliana is on my list of top upcoming drummers, and will certainly be a monster to keep your sights on in the future.  Check out these clips off YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu3zCfvVCdM
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA10WTZLnaQ
    12.    (0:45:07) Triosk meets Jan Jelinek NECKLESS - Another standout track from the 1+3+1 LP.  Triosk is one of my newer found interests from Australia, especially in composer/pianist, Adrian Klumpes, and innovative drummer, Laurence Pike, of Warp Records band, Pivot.  
    13.    (0:49:30) Whitest Boy Alive 1517 - Simple rock from Berlin, Germany quartet.  This single is off their forthcoming LP, Rules.  According to Wikipedia, they started as an electronic dance music project, and later developed into a rock band without any programmed elements.  This track is super funky, and reminds me of the early 70s.  The lead singer's voice is perfect for this band, as it holds up the lack of sophistication in the musicianship...but their music works in its simplicity. 
    14.    (0:52:46) Alesha Dixon CHASING GHOSTS - British pop singer, originally a part of girl band Mis-Teeq.  This is off her newest LP, The Alesha Dixon Show.  Brit-pop to the 'T.'  
    15.    (0:56:20) Zion I feat. K. Flay COASTIN' - I couldn't think of a better way to introduce you to the solstice, whichever hemisphere you may reside on.  If you're in the northern, then welcome the summer, and if you're in the southern, then kick in to the winter.  Amp Live, the producer and DJ to Zion I, is one of the more creative thinkers in the underground hip hop world, and here he shows his diversity in the styles that are popular today in the music world.  K. Flay lives in San Francisco and is planning on her introduction to the musical world shortly.  I have a feeling she will be able to morph and transcend genres.  Hopefully her own music can push boundaries and find its way on a future FSB mix!

Greetings within Peoples Cohort Psychedelica.  We offer Equinox at minimal solar balance.  Pass your sunrays forward, step in & strap up.  Leave Fear & negative energy before commencing; you won't need these any longer.  The sign thickens when the moon passes through Aquarius in retrograde.  The balance Supreme will enlighten you once your experience here is completed.  Grip tight, lift your facial muscles & smile.  


    1.    (0:00:30) Public Enemy PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1 - In the 1930s, the US used the term Public Enemy for individuals committing criminal activities or for those extremely damaging society.  I'm not so sure the group itself did such acts, but rather served the opposite for hip hop culture and pop music in general.  Professor Griff, Chuck D, Flava Flav, and the guru behind the turntables, Terminator X, commanded the New York political hip hop scene along with groups like BDP and Poor Righteous Teachers during the late 80s through 90s.  This track, from their debut Yo! Bum Rush The Show, epitomized the band's political moniker and controversial lyrical motifs - that is, if you think speaking truth is controversial at all!  
    2.    (0:04:33) Fila Brazillia MOTOWN COPPERS - Formed in 1990 by Steve Cobby and David McSherry, this UK group of electronica/funk was definitely a force not to be reckoned with throughout the 90s up 'til 2004.  They split in 2006, and McSherry has pursued lecturing in audio production at the University of Lincoln.  This vibrant track is off their 2002 LP, Jump Leads.
    3.    (0:08:38) Skream BLUE EYEZ - Wicked thick dub selection from this UK youngster - barely 21.  Going deep, going down-tempo, and blowing out glass near any subwoofer!  Oliver Jones was at the center of 'dubstep' as a teenager (as early as 15), and says he roughly has 8000 songs in various stages of development.  Watch out for this freak!
    4.    (0:12:43) The Doors PEOPLE ARE STRANGE - Not a big fan of The Doors, however, I can't help but admire these lyrics and shuffle as the backbeat.  Along with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison died at 27 years old - the triple-J-jinx of musician deaths during 1970-71; a very morose and sobering year for music.  
    5.    (0:14:49) Junior Boys DOUBLE SHADOW - Canadian pop electronica group.  Their second LP, So This Is Goodbye, was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, which is given to the best full-length Canadian album.
    6.    (0:18:50) Triosk Meets Jan Jelinek ON THE LAKE - Australia's new found glory, in terms of me here!  Adrian Klumpes, an experimental jazz pianist orchestrates the trio with Ben Waples on bass and one of my latest favorite drummers, Laurence Pike - who also plays drums for Pivot (on several FSB podcasts already).  This record comes from 1+3+1, Triosk meets Jan Jelinek.  Mr. Jelinek is an electronic musician from Germany.  This song is a great reference for 5/4 time signatures made to groove like a 4/4 beat - a la The Cinematic Orchestra style, who follows (but in 4).  
    7.    (0:23:47) The Dining Rooms FLUXUS (THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA WORLD GOES ROUND MIX) - Ambient/electronica band from Milan, Italy producing quite funky beats.  Who better than to mix your music than none other than The Cinematic Orchestra?  Wicked track from their Versioni Particolari remix LP.
    8.    (0:30:03) Holocaust GOD BE WITH YOU - Production by the artists that follow this track in the mix, Blue Sky Black Death.  The Holocaust is a Wu-Tang affiliate, preaching the bleak ally-speak, war-zone like reality of the streets and the world in general.   
    9.    (0:33:35) Blue Sky Black Death DAYS ARE YEARS - Another incredible track from their double-LP record, A Heap Of Broken Images.  One disc is pure instrumentals, and the other guests rappers.  This San Francisco duo treads boundaries uncharted in hip hop and continues to push hip hop music towards a more viable and respectable genre by including more than just a single loop, verse/chorus structure like most mainstream hip hop.  
    10.    (0:39:11) Peace Orchestra WHO AM I - Trip hop producer from Vienna, Austria.  This track is the most well-known track Peter Kruder has produced, due to its exposure in the Animatrix project by the Wachowski Brothers.  This track comes from Kruder's self-titled debut from 1999.
    11.    (0:44:49) Lewis Taylor SHENEVERDID - OOOhhh, Mr. Taylor!  Come back to music!  This funky, soulful guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer has retired from making music, and left underground albums for people like me to present to you!  I was first introduced to Stoned V.1 by my mate, Jason, about 5 years ago.  Ever since, I've been amazed by the innovation and the quality of music coming from this one man.  Absolutely excellent!  He has only produced a couple of albums, mainly remaining a performing artist in the UK, but Stoned V.1 is a must in your library!
    12.    (0:49:09) Black Milk TRONIC SUMMER - The second of brilliant hip hop production on this mix.  This is an instrumental track off Black Milk's solo record, Tronic.  He hails from Detroit, Michigan and has produced tracks throughout the main vein of hip hop.  
    13.    (0:51:13) Alice Russell LET US BELONG - To my listeners, I hope you do not get sick of hearing Ms. Russell on my mixes, because as long as she's making music, she will always have a slot in The Funky Soul Burner podcast.  This absolutely mind-numbing experience comes from her latest LP, Pot Of Gold.  In this, it is the space between notes that captivates me most, and pushes and pulls me (most noticeably with the drums) while her soulful voice wraps around its simplicity.  Does the bass in the verse sound familiar?  Think when you first heard Eminem...
    14.    (0:55:26) Lindstrom I FEEL SPACE - Another brilliant track off, Its A Feedelity Affair.  This is in homage to Lindstrom's 2008 release, Where You Go I Go Too.  I would put some music from that LP if I could, but it would take up half the entire mix!  
    15.    (1:00:59) Muse BUTTERFLIES & HURRICANES - This was the track that solidified my admiration for this band off Absolution for its Rachmaninoff theme throughout, especially in the bridge of the song, where it sounds straight from Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.3.  Matthew Bellamy, the lead singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist is highly regarded in the UK and is often compared to Thom Yorke of Radiohead.  Muse have been hailed as one of the greatest live performance bands on the planet...so, check 'em out!   I was first made aware of this band by my bro after they released their debut, Showbiz - the Radiohead reference is quite clear, but also quite different.  If you go on YouTube, type this song in LIVE, and you can see the outstanding performance Mr. Bellamy gives via piano - for a Rock guy!

Your experience has ended as a temporal entity, yet you've only just begun.  Welcome to Peoples Cohort Psychedelica.  Embrace your peers, the Funky Soul Burner acknowledges you...

    1.    (0:01:25) She & Him YOU REALLY GOTTA HOLD ON ME - Have you seen The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Happening, or even Elf?  Well, you'd recognize Zooey Deschanel, the actress.  Here, she's singing lead vocals along side indie folk star, M. Ward.  Volume One has received high marks from critics all across the board, and they plan on releasing a Volume Two in the future.  M. Ward is a singer-songwriter and guitarist that straddles country, pop, and folk on a regular basis, and you can find him popping up everywhere from Cat Power to Beth Orton.  
    2.    (0:05:01) Fiona Apple LIMP - This is one of my favorite tracks by this little feisty minx.  From her widely acclaimed When The Pawn... LP, and produced by the great Jon Brion.  Most people would critique her latest LP falling short on the production end after noting Brion's tracks had been reworked by Sony.  Please listen to the opening drum sequence to this track, because her sound on her first two LPs are so brilliant due to the rather outstanding drumming of Matt Chamberlain.  In the opening section, listen to how he uses the hi-hat to dictate the opening verse in a rather melodic way.  Truly amazing.  
    3.    (0:08:30) Ladybug Mecca SEXUAL ALCHEMY - The female-third of the Digable Planets.  This is from Ladybug's solo record Trip The Light Fantastic.  She is arguably one of hip hop's most outstanding female rapper (along with Project Blowed's Medusa, Jean Grae, and old schooler MC Lyte).  On her solo record, which was released nearly a decade after Digable's last appearance in the mainstream, pushes her into more vocal sequences and dabbles in Afro-Brazilian rhythms and reggae influenced beats as well as straight up hip hop.
    4.    (0:11:41) Kings of Leon I WANT YOU - Another brilliant track from their killer breakthrough LP Only By The Night.
    5.    (0:16:33) Danger Mouse & Jemini THE ONLY ONE - A classic hip hop duo that stayed rather under the ground in the hip hop sense of the term.  Jemini never really broke out like Danger Mouse did.  It's rather unfortunate, because this album is great - some of Danger Mouse's better moments pre-Gorillaz.  
    6.    (0:19:31) Black Milk feat. Royce da 5-9 LOSING OUT - Holy clouds in the sky!  This track is absolutely off the hook!  Black Milk is just like a baby Kanye or Puff Daddy, rippin' it up straight out of Detroit, Michigan.  Royce, perhaps one of hip hop's saddest stories, was once claimed to be the next up and coming rappers since Dr. Dre and Eminem.  There was so much hype surrounding this guy that he literally messed himself and his career up royally once he decided to come out and disrespected the Dr.  Dre was busy producing records, and he allowed Royce to write some lyrics for his album, and then came around and said that Dre doesn't write his lyrics.  Come on, now.  Dre quickly retaliated and shot him down, and there went his promising career in the big leagues.  He's still got skill, but no clout, anymore.  Sad.
    7.    (0:24:10) Plaid EYEN - My buddy, Todd, came across this band while loading up his Logic Pro software to his computer, and I was shocked I hadn't heard of them before.  They have been around for years on Warp records, which happens to be one of my favorite labels.  In fact, they go back to 1995, and prior to that, they formed along with Ken Downie as The Black Dog circa 1988 .  These guys dabble in dissonant electronic sounds and even odd time signatures.
    8.    (0:28:14) Present STRYCHNINE FOR CHRISTMAS - Eccentric Belgian guitarist Roger Trigaux formed this group along side his other band, Univers Zero, circa 1979.  Concentrating on polyrhythmic forms, odd time signatures, and dissonant chords, he is known for orchestrating the entire band without truly knowing the music behind it, but rather intuitively creative enough to describe what he's aiming for to each member so they can understand musically.  Most of his compositions are conducted like a symphony in that each movement is a representation of the larger whole with fluctuations in tempo and space.  
    9.    (0:32:07) Souls of Mischief TRILOGY - Oakland, California underground legends off of their 4th LP release by the name Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution.  This album delved into the darker side of the quartet, outside of the mainstream labels.  Even though I stated 'underground' for Hieroglyphics and SOM, it is not wholly true, since SOM's first release,'93 'til Infinity, was off major label, Jive Records.  Tajai and A-Plus apparently started rhyming together at the age of 8, later met Phesto and Opio in junior high, and released their critically acclaimed debut before graduating high school.
    10.    (0:35:29) Ayatollah DEVIL IS SWEET - In Arabic, means Signs of God, and is the high-ranking title given to religious clerics.  Another underground hip hop producer, following in the same vein as the late great J Dilla.  This is a truly busy man, producing crazy records since 2003, from Mos Def, Masta Ace, Inspectah Deck, Royce da 5-9, Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, to Guru.  
    11.    (0:38:20) Vampire Weekend ONE (BLAKE'S GOT A NEW FACE) - New York band that blew up the critic's roundtable last year with their self-titled debut LP.  Their sound incorporates the guitar playing and whining of lead singer, Ezra Koenig, backed by a rhythm section who often utilizes African influences to straddle the rock and pop sound.  This record was a major success in both the US and UK, and were in the top 50 records of 2008 on most critic's lists.  
    12.    (0:41:18) Aphex Twin GIRL # BOY SONG - From the Richard D. James Album LP.  Highly acclaimed LP from the 90s off Warp Records, and was titled in homage to his older brother who died at birth given the same name as he, Richard David James - hence the word 'Twin' in his moniker.  Aphex Twin is arguably the single biggest influence in melodic drum 'n bass and electro music, and though this was released 13 years ago, it still stands that test of time.  
    13.    (0:45:33) Erykah Badu MY PEOPLE - Another wicked, Madlib produced, track off New Amerykah Part One (4th World War).  Madlib treading waters in J Dilla territory as the record truly pays homage to the late great producer.  
    14.    (0:48:42) Marvin Gaye WHOLY HOLY - From the absolutely timeless What's Going On record.  Marvin Gaye was a one-of-a-kind musician and innovator of the 60s and 70s sound.  This record's melancholy jazzy connotations are in response to the death of long-time musical partner and friend, Tammi Terrell, in 1970.  He later stepped into the studio and recorded this album, which has become one of his greatest achievements and stands time on every critic's all-time best list.  Oh, and don't ask me why 'wholly' is misspelled, please...I don't know why.
    15.    (0:51:37) Arctic Monkeys 505 - From the highly acclaimed sophomore release Favourite Worst Nightmare.  Heavier than their debut release, and on the verge of such success as young chaps in the UK, already hearing lines like the next Beatles, etc etc.  That's quite a shoe to fill; better start recording more LPs!  Anyway, the song was apparently written by front man, Alex Turner, on a train ride from Philly to New York to meet his then girlfriend staying in hotel room 505.  
    16.    (0:55:35) Bloc Party SRXT - Another cryptic song title by fellow peers of the  Arctic Monkeys.  Apparently the drug Seroxat is a drug used to overdose/commit suicide quite easily, and the band avoided legal issues by removing the vowels out of the drug.  This track is off their sophomore album, A Weekend In The City, written about a young man who did just that, committed suicide.  What a lovely way to end a mix about Othello, huh?  hehe.

    1.    (0:00:35) Herbie Hancock PALM GREASE - One of the greatest drum grooves of all-time by master funky jazz drummer, Mike Clark.  This track opens Herbie Hancock's Thrust album, which is the follow up album to Headhunters.  Clark replaced Harvey Mason on drums as the only change from the Headhunters group.
    2.    (0:04:13) Herbie Hancock CHAMELEON - Speaking of Headhunters, this is the opening track to that very album to complete a nice dosage from jazz's brilliant funk era.  Herbie Hancock is arguably one of jazz's greatest innovators, and I believe Miles Davis saw that too, when he brought him in on his quintet of '65-'68.  He has pushed boundaries in just about every genre of music possible, and continues to shell out innovations in music today.
    3.    (0:10:23) Matthew Shipp SELECT MODE 2 - Choppy, electronica, hip hop from NYC-based pianist, Matthew Shipp.  Spinning off an album a year off Thirsty Ear records, Mr. Shipp running with Guillermo Brown on drums, William Parker on bass, Daniel Carter on sax, and FLAM on synths and programming.  
    4.    (0:13:10) Murs & 9th Wonder BAD MAN! - Brilliant underground hip hop players from both coasts.  Murs, of Living Legends, from California, and 9th Wonder from North Carolina.  Murs' lyrics here seem to be harsh and rock-n-roll misogynistic from the start, but tail off into a more humanistic, rather gentlemanly approach in the final verse as well as the change in lyrics to the final chorus.  
    5.    (0:17:14) Tricky feat Martina Topley Bird I BE THE PROPHET - One of my personal favorites of Tricky's from Nearly God.  Nearly God is one of the most underrated albums of all-time in my opinion, featuring breakthrough performances by Bjork and Nenah Cherry as well as Ms. Topley Bird (who is featured on Tricky's debut Maxinquaye, as well as Pre-Millennium Tension, and Angels with Dirty Faces).  Check out Martina Topley Bird in her solo music as well, Quixotic is her debut album, which was up for Mercury Prize when released.
    6.    (0:21:52) Two Lone Swordsmen A SLOW DRIVE WEST - This track is off the extremely rare double-LP by Mr. Weatherall and Mr. Tenniswood, The Fifth Mission.  When I first discovered the majority of the tracks of this album, I think a mate of mine and myself must have played it everyday in our jobsite mixes for at least a week or so, and I continued to play it in my headphones while riding the subway home from work.  It might be one of the greatest albums to just play from destination to destination while riding a packed train, with each track offering slices of minimalism with jagged edges just sharp enough to pierce the screeches and halts of metal against metal below.  Pure genius!
    7.    (0:27:14) Willis PAPER AND STONE - For whatever reason, iTunes recognizes this as S.E. Willis, which is not true.  He is a folky country musician from the States, but Willis is a UK band mixing various blues, African vibes, and folk.  Within the mix, it will read S.E. Willis, so I apologize, this is very wrong.  This is a track off their debut, Come Get Some.
    8.    (0:30:32) Blue Sky Black Death FROM SUN'S ANGLE - Underground hip hop producers from the West coast.  They signed under MUSH records and have released 8 LPs since 2006, and have collaborated with some of underground's most respected rappers including, Pep Love and A-Plus of Hieroglyphics, and Mikah 9 of Freestyle Fellowship, as well as Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers.  
    9.    (0:33:43) Cunninlynguists feat Cee-Lo CAVED IN - Off of one of the most solid hip hop records to come out in a very long time.  Underground hip hop group from Kentucky; yes, Kentucky!  This song features the brilliant musician Cee-Lo and defines the record in mood and style.  This is from A Piece of Strange.  
    10.    (0:36:49) Jamie Lidell DADDY'S CAR (BOOM BIP REMIX) - Wow!  Did you listen closely to the lyrics of this track from UK's rising star, Jamie Lidell?  Go back, and listen again, if you did not catch them.  This track came out before his debut breakthrough, Multiply, and the master Boom Bip remixed it!  I couldn't have chosen a better artist to remix a song than Mr. Bip!
    11.    (0:40:28) Four Tet SUN DRUMS AND SOIL - Another brilliant track from Kieran Hebden, who also runs improv sessions with jazz drummer Steve Reid.  Electronic musician based in the UK.  This track is off of Everything Ecstatic.
    12.    (0:46:31) Guru feat Ronny Laws THIS IS ART - Guru's Jazzmatazz Volume 4 with producer Solar revamps the rap legend featuring jazz artists to elevate the fusion of jazz and hip hop.  Guru's debut Jazzmatazz was one of hip hop's greatest achievements, and emphasized the notion that hip hop artists do truly respect the music in which they sample.
    13.    (0:48:24) DJ Logic SOUL-KISSING - Possibly DJ Logic's best output, The Anomaly, featuring outstanding collaborations, like Kudu's insanely amazing drummer, Deantoni Parks.  DJ Logic acts as a great conductor of his band, like Art Blakey did the Jazz Messengers, but does it behind the turntables.  Logic is best seen live, touring with his own group, Project Logic, which was the title of his debut LP.  Logic has also collaborated with the likes of Vernon Reid of Living Color, John Mayer, Medeski Martin & Wood, Christian McBride, and also founded The John Popper Project - featuring John Popper of Blues Traveler.  
    14.    (0:53:10) Roni Size IT'S JAZZY - Mr. Size, one of the UK's leading jungle or drum n bass artists, has won the Mercury Prize for his record New Forms.  This is from a single with DJ Krust, but can be found on several compilations as well.
    15.    (0:56:39) Kudu SUGAR - I had to end this mix with one of my personal favorite groups to come out of my neighborhood in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Sylvia Gordon singing and the brilliant Deantoni Parks on drums.  Believe me, you've never seen anybody like Mr. Parks, and couldn't possibly imagine that the sounds you hear on a track like this that he is actually playing the drums, and not a drum machine.  Both went to the prestigious Berklee College of Music.  The duo often backs hip hop artists like Beans or even DJ Logic.  Sylvia also plays the bass.  Deantoni also has toured and played with John Cale of Velvet Underground, Mishell Ndegeocello, and he also sat in with one of my favorite bands, The Mars Volta when they were transitioning from Jon Theodore to Thomas Pridgen.  I had the pleasure to see him play and open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I once remember being one of 3 people in an audience for Kudu, and it's good to see that they have gained a bit of recognition for their amazing talents.  Oh, Mr. Parks also plays the synth sounds while he drums...haha!

10 - 15 rotations and I tend to cycle through.  Cycle blew a tire and I end back at one.  Zero to the back, add a spoke, and the Soul keeps on Burning.  Crept up, cramp in, touch the breath another's space.  Inhale 13 songs to fill the lungs.  Extrapolate and sung - the meaning in pulse.  Smoke inside, outside begins to Funk.  Dance, get on down, cycle through and back on one...Podcast #29 uniCYCLE!


    1.    (0:00:45) Subtle ENEBY KURS - One of the first tracks released by this group featuring Dose One and Jel from Anticon.  This track was featured on the LEX Records compilation Lexoleum.  Dose and Jel both have worked together for a decade or more, first releasing albums under the group THEM and later Themselves for Anticon.  
    2.    (0:05:52) Plus-Minus FADEOUT - An excellent song exemplifying Ostinato and crescendo.  Chris Deaner, the very well accomplished studio drummer best known with his time with Kelly Clarkson, creates an impeccable Ostinaot rhythm on the kit and subtly builds upon it to push the energy of the song towards its crescendo three-quarters of the way through the song, then decrescendos back to the original Ostinato rhythm.  Without this extremely creative drum part, this song would be incredibly boring and not worth producing.  
    3.    (0:10:54) The Rza feat Talib Kweli, Lil Free, Suga Bang CERTIFIED SAMURAI - From the Afro Samurai soundtrack for the incredible Japanese Animated short-series.  Samuel Jackson voices two parts in this series, and is definitely worth checking out for its wicked animation and fight sequences.  Oh, and Talib and Free rip it up on this track!
    4.    (0:13:40) Massive Attack FUTURE PROOF - From the under-appreciated 100th Window album.  When this album first came out, the critics mauled it, ripped it apart, and ruined its chance at gaining much popularity, even though the wonderfully talented Sinead O'Connor is featured on two tracks.  This is the opening track.
    5.    (0:18:59) Tabla Beat Science TRIANGULAR OBJECTS - A monumental gathering of unique Indian musicians, Talvin Singh, Karsh Kale (from NYC but Indian descendant), join founders Ustad Zakir Hussain and producer/bassist Bill Laswell.  Ustad Sultan Khan on the sarangi also joined for a few tracks to create classical Indian music and electronica fusion.  DJ Disk and percussionist Trilok Gurtu have also been featured.  
    6.    (0:26:53) S.E.V.A. STONEHENGE - The duo comprised of producer Mumbles and Gone Beyond.  Mumbles also produced one of the greatest hip hop albums of all-time (in my mind, of course), A Book of Human Language, by Aceyalone.  Here, the two are sampling world music and exploring the sounds he encountered while traveling abroad in search of meaning in religion, philosophy, and meditation within music.  
    7.    (0:30:47) Nujabes feat Uyama Hiroto WINDSPEAKS - Japanese hip hop producer, Jun Seba, whose alias is an anagram of his first and last name spelled backwards (read, Seba Jun - nuJ abeS).  He often samples the likes of Miles Davis and Pat Methany to bring the jazzy side into his beats, and has collaborated with hip hop groups CYNE, Apani B, CL Smooth as well as Funky DL from the UK.  
    8.    (0:34:53) Talvin Singh SWAY OF THE VERSES - Electronica producer and tabla player born in London.  He is well known in the Asian Underground scene, and fuses classical Indian music with drum n bass.  In the 80s, he worked with acts such as Madonna, the Indigo Girls, David Sylvian, Sun Ra, and Massive Attack.  He has joined forces with the great tablist master, Ustad Zakir Hussain, in the Tabla Beat Science (see above), and his solo debut, OK, won him the Mercury Music Prize in 1999.     
    9.    (0:41:01) Visionary Underground FREEDOM - A drum n bass/breakbeat group from the UK.  They often use raga, hip hop, soul, dub, and Asian-influenced sounds to create their music.  They work with rapper Duane Flames, and have also worked with Sinead O'Conner.  
    10.    (0:45:24) Calhoun PUSH - Will Calhoun is best known from his days with the incredible funk metal band Living Color with Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, and Doug Wimbish.  Today, Mr. Calhoun is a legend in the drumming world, fusing jazz, electronica, and world music.  He has smashed and caressed the drum skins along side the likes of Wayne Shorter, Marcus Miller, B.B. King, Public Enemy, as well as jazz bass legend Jaco Pastorius.
    11.    (0:49:22) Two Lone Swordsmen THE LURCH - Andrew Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood who started together as Sabres of Paradise back in the mid-90s later changed their moniker to Two Lone Swordsmen.  I once had the privilege to see Mr. Weatherall perform in London, and his set was so eclectic and deep, that towards the end of the set, I just stood there and watched him - which can be quite boring in most cases, because he's a DJ, not a instrumentalist, so to say.  I remember speaking with another admirer doing just the same, and he just said, Now there's a legend right there!  This track was yanked From The Double Gone Chapel.  
    12.    (0:52:59) Auf der Maur HEAD UNBOUND - Melisa Auf der Maur, former bassist of the women rock group, Hole, and Smashing Pumpkins, leads her own group of well-known studio musicians in her self-titled LP.  I particularly enjoy this track, because it ties back in with the Plus-Minus track with its build and the ever-prominant Ostinato.  Rock/Studio drummer, Atom Willard, formally of Offspring, demonstrates quality control behind the kit and builds the energy from the ground up.
    13.    (0:56:55) mum THE BALLAD OF THE BROKEN BIRDI - This mum (pronounced, moom) tune is meant to tie  back in with the Subtle opener, in order to bring the uni-cycle to full circle.  This is an electronic group formed in Iceland specializing in glitch beats and soft vocals.  This track if from their 2000 LP, Yesterday Was Dramatic.

Xinko's Telegram Of 1910 Track Listing:

    1.    (0:00:48) Spektrum 1 INTERFERENCE - A very odd group from the UK.  Gilles Peterson has featured them on his BBC Sessions Live compilations, with their track Kinda New, which is an amazing track as well.  Here they showcase their eccentricity similar to most of the tracks off of ENTER THE SPEKTRUM LP.  
    2.    (0:04:35) Lake Trout SHINY WRAPPER - Balitmore group that started their sound wrapped around that created by the great DJ Shadow.  Drummer Mike Lowry's biggest influence is the drum sounds Mr. Josh Davis created on the groundbreaking Endtroducing...  After their 2nd major release/third LP, 3 members have joined James Levelle with his touring band, Unkle, in the UK.  James Levelle is a good friend of DJ Shadow, and they both collaborated on the first Unkle LP, Psyience Fiction.  Anyway, if you're in the tri-state area, Lake Trout do often play in town, and they are quite amazing to see live.
    3.    (0:08:53) One Day As A Lion ONE DAY AS A LION - Oh yes, my favorite drummer, Jon Theodore previously with The Mars Volta, collaborating with one of my favorite lead singers/rappers, Zach de la Rocha, from Rage Against The Machine in this EP released last year.  Zach plays synthesizers and Jon is on the skins, creating a nice heavy sounding groove for Zach to blast over!  I certainly hope these two keep making new records, and potentially employ other gifted musicians to evolve the sound.  
    4.    (0:13:14) Haiku D'etat feat Blackilicious & Latyrx TOP QUALIFIED - Wicked collaboration of underground legends from LA.  This is off of Haiku's Coup de Theatre LP.  
    5.    (0:18:34) The Juan Maclean DANCE HALL MODULATOR DUB - Ex-school teacher in Rhode Island turned back into music by friend, James Murphy, who heads the ever-so-popular, LCD Soundsystem from New York.  Murphy started the record label, DFA Records, and asked John Maclean to join the label and get more into the electronica sounds.  
    6.    (0:22:21) Dave Brubeck Quartet feat Carmen McRae TAKE FIVE - Jacked this record off Good Times 5 with Joey and Norman Jay MBE.  Norman first got his name rolling in the 80s playing warehouse parties, such as Shake n Fingerpop, but later established himself through pirate radio station Kiss FM.  Norman later hosted Musiquarium and then joined Gilles Peterson to create the impeccable label Talkin' Loud.  The Queen has awarded him Member of the British Empire for his pioneering sounds and innovation to British musical culture.  
    7.    (0:24:26) Lusine FLAT (Lusine Remix) - Another wicked track from this Austin, Texas electronica head.
    8.    (0:29:11) Muallem feat Audrey SWEAT - Jacked this record off the Compost 200 compilation, which showcases some of the standout tracks from the Compost label.  
    9.    (0:33:52) Raphael Saadiq SOMETIMES - This is one of my favorite tracks of 2008.  Raphael spent a long time studying the sounds of the old Stax Records and sounds of the 60s.  Here, you can definitely identify Sam Cooke and his influence.  It reminds me of his famous track A Change Is Gonna Come.  If you haven't heard this whole album yet, The Way I See It, I strongly recommend it, especially if you're into the old sounds of Motown and the like.
    10.    (0:37:42) Desert Sessions I WANNA MAKE IT WIT CHU - Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age hooks up with frequent guest musicians every once in awhile to create these wonderful volumes of music.  Here, PJ Harvey joins him to harmonize the chorus, and she is also featured on 2 other tracks in Volume 9 as well as a couple in Volume 10.  
    11.    (0:41:13) Estelle feat Cee-Lo PRETTY PLEASE - Another throw-back track in the mix by this lovely Brit featuring the ever-prolific Cee-Lo Green.  
    12.    (0:45:03) Scott Weiland JIMMY WAS A STIMULATOR - I referenced this earlier to the Depeche Mode's record, John The Revelator.  The similarities are minor, but just thought it was funny...John and Jimmy, the stimulator and the revelator.  This is from Mr. Weiland's solo debut LP, 12 Bar Blues, which is quite a departure from his Stone Temple Pilot's sound, and refreshing.  
    13.    (0:48:30) Menomena EVIL BEE - Another track from the wildly eclectic sounds of Friend And Foe by this versatile group of musicians.  This album was by far the biggest sleeper of 2007, and I can't wait to see what they bring to the table upon their next release.  They often make scores of music for film, and make semi-classical music as well.  Each member trades off instruments and shares vocals throughout the album - all equally good.  
    14.    (0:53:05) Madeleine Peyroux ALWAYS A USE - From her solo debut Dreamland.  Miss Peyroux was born in the US but later moved to Paris with her mother.  She joined the group Riverboat Shufflers and made her money by passing a hat around.  At 16, she joined The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz band touring Europe and performing jazz standards.  This album came out in 1996, and was widely accepted and highly-acclaimed.
    15.    (0:55:07) Why? GOOD FRIDAY - Underground hip hop from Anticon.  Why? is Jonathan Yoni Wolf, but later formed a full band and kept the name Why? for the group.  He is known for his quirky lyrics and lack of rhyme.  He is also an original founder of Anticon, along with Dose One, Jel, Alias, Sole, and a couple others.
    16.    (0:59:25) Amanda Palmer LEEDS UNITED - My girlfriend, Dina, originally heard this on a Suicide Girl's webpage, and I overheard it, and was somehow captivated by it.  The video is quite enticing, and her vocal style is very unique.  I also like the English football reference to the track and some of the quirky lyrics like - the sandwiches are wicked and they know you at the Mac store.  Very cabaret style, and the video expresses this very well.  She's kind of in the same category as Regina Spektor.  She was also a main part of the group The Dresden Dolls.   

A mix for the calm winter storms and frigid air.  For the minimal movement the body makes in order to make it from Point A to Point B - and for those in warm places or the southern hemisphere, you can just imagine what it is...

Serenity In Minimalism Track Listing:

    1.    (0:01:02) Kronos Quartet PAREDES: CANCAO VERDES ANOS - One of the most prolific quartet in modern music, founded by violinist David Harrington.  Harrington, John Sherba on violin, Hank Dutt on viola and Joan Jeanreaud on cello, who was later replaced by Jennifer Culp, who was also then replaced by Jeffrey Zeigler.  Their forte is literally everything, so there is probably not a genre out there they have not straddled in some respect.  This happens to be from their wildly eclectic Kronos Caravan LP, where they did simply that, carried the colors of the multifaceted world music scene.  They have also performed pieces by Henryk Gorecki who intentionally closes this mix!  
    2.    (0:03:53) Duffy STEPPING STONE - Another brilliant track off Rockferry, the debut album of Welsh singer-songwriter.
    3.    (0:07:13) The Nightrats ALLIGATOR MAN - A second track from this up & coming Brooklyn band.  Please check out my man, Chris McMillen, on bass and vocals rippin' it up whenever you can when they tour through your area code.  This is one of my personal favorite tracks, and think there can be many takes to this expansive song, because it pushes in pulls but never strays too far from its intentions.  They tease with the bass drum patterns which could easily lead to heavier cymbal work and ghost notes for a heavier sound, or could easily play this acoustic and pull it back in a monologue-like expression.  Very cool!
    4.    (0:10:18) Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin & Al di Meola LA ESTIBA - Also known as The Guitar Trio (although Larry Coryell originally formed the trio with John and Paco, before Al took his place), or at least alluded to in this 1996 entitled album.  Paco is from Spain, John from the UK, and Al from the States.  They are arguably 3 legends of the flamenco and jazz guitar standard, and have all played with the best in their respective genres.  Paco has recorded 10 albums with singer Camaron de la Isla, and made his name known at age 11 awarded a special prize in the Jerez flamenco competition.  By 14, he was touring with flamenco dancer Jose Greco.  John played with Miles Davis, and he even named a song for him off Bitches Brew.  He is also well known for his large part in The Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as the jazz/Indian fusion band Shakti along with tabla guru Ustad Zakir Hussain.  Al's big break, so to say, was with Chick Corea's Return To Forever, which is a jazz fusion band from the 70s.  His solo works Land Of The Midnight Sun and Elegant Gypsy are two of his best works, largely due to his immaculate guitar playing as well as the line of brilliant musicians he had backing him, including drummer extraordinaire, Steve Gadd.
    5.    (0:15:43) Ashes Divide FOREVER CAN BE - A Perfect Circle without the center, Maynard James Keenan.  This is Billy Howerdel in his purest form on his newest output with drummer, Josh Freese and co. - one of the best drummers out there!  Howerdel probably felt in the shadow of Keenan (lead singer of my all-time favorite group, TOOL), even though he formed the band A Perfect Circle, and was the lead songwriter.  To be honest, his song writing is far better on APC, and Maynard has a much more powerful lead voice, but I give Billy props.  Especially starting as guitar tech for TOOL all those years, never getting the proper attention.
    6.    (0:20:16) PJ Harvey YOU CAME THROUGH - From one of my all-time favorite albums, Uh Huh Her.  I remember when I first bought this album at midnight in the eve of its release I seemed to be disappointed, overjoyed, or confused, because it wasn't heavy hitting nor perfect sounding like her Mercury Prize winning, Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea, and was recorded mostly on her 4-track and 8-track home studio.  All instruments were handled by Miss Harvey, except for one of the most natural drummers and personally admired, Rob Ellis.  
    7.    (0:22:46) Psapp UPSTAIRS - This will be the last track by this group, since it seems I have included them in each of the last few mixes.
    8.    (0:26:02) Charlie Hunter & Bobby Previte WAVE LINK - 8-string guitar virtuoso playing with multi-textured drummer to produce nice melodic and spacious jazz riffing-beat-minimalism.
    9.    (0:31:28) Savath & Savalas DECATUR QUEEN - Another track from Prefuse 73 mastermind, who I prefer as Savath.  
    10.  (0:34:37) Iron & Wine WOLVES (SONG OF THE SHEPHERD'S DOG) - Another brilliant track from folk rock star, Samuel Beam, this from his most critically acclaimed, Shepherd's Dog.  Great music coming from the one of the biggest music scenes on the planet down in Austin, TX.
    11.   (0:37:09) Tricky JOSEPH - Another track from Tricky's latest, Knowle West, which hasn't been received as well as others, however, I find this album to be one of his most enjoyable.
    12.   (0:39:32) David Zinman and the London Symphony Orchestra with Dawn Upshaw on soprano GORECKI: SYMPHONY NO.3, OP. 36, SYMPHONY OF SORROWFUL SONGS MOVEMENT I - From the first movement of 3 to this masterpiece.  My brother first introduced this piece to me long ago, I think after he saw the movie State Of Grace with Sean Penn, and I was completely moved from start to finish.  I'm not big on vocal performances in classical music, but Miss Upshaw provides perfect accompaniment to this wonderful post-war piece.  This was originally composed to commemorate the memory of people of Poland lost during the Holocaust.

When the music begins, you will be transformed into a .wav of sound-bit, color-fused, alternate reality, and the cloud of distortion will collapse color into slivers of Teak, only to awaken once the music has stopped.


    1.    (0:00:25) Kings Of Leon: CLOSER - Wicked opening track to their latest Only By The Night LP.  I'm not a diehard fan, but I respect the fact that with each release, this band led by the trio of Followill brothers, put forth new efforts in new directions.  Album is produced by Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King.  Petraglia has produced their records in the past, while King was brought on to have a new perspective.  He has produced the likes of Tom Waits, Modest Mouse, Mute Math, Switchfoot, as well as No Doubt.
    2.    (0:04:12) Aceyalone, Busdriver, Longevity, Nga Fish: ENTER THE KAOS - from the Project Blowed 10th Anniversary album.  Acey & Busdriver rip it up on the off-kelter rap format.  
    3.    (0:05:58) Bjork feat. Thom Yorke: NATTURA - First single off Bjork's forthcoming LP.  She's one of the few that can ask Thom Yorke to join her on a record, now for the second time, and here you can hear his moaning in echo in sections on this track.  This single was released to help the Icelandic environment, which the proceeds will go to Nattura Foundation.  
    4.    (0:09:04) Radiohead: WHERE I END AND YOU BEGIN (THE SKY IS FALLING IN) - It's only natural to fade into Radiohead from here.  This from their mixed-bag LP, Hail To The Theif, using all styles from previous releases.  This happens to be one of my all-time favorite tracks by this brilliant group.  This song was apparently dedicated to Jeanne Loriod, a pioneer of the Ondes instrument, which widget-guru Jonny Greenwood features on this track, amongst many others.  Mr. Yorke and the other cast of Radiohead have been putting together a series of adverts with similar soundscapes to help convey particular messages.
    5.    (0:13:18) Pink Floyd: SET THE CONTROLS FOR THE HEART OF THE SUN - This is from one of my personal radio host favorites, John Peel, who passed away a few years back.  He was the king at mixing the craziest music together jumping from hardcore punk rock to electronica to classic rock to whatever he felt like listening to at that moment, and it created this beautifully organized mess.  This is a live performance of The Floyd in John Peel's BBC studio.  
    6.    (0:18:14) Sole (with lyrics by Pedestrian): SLOW, COLD, DROPS - Anticon classic, from Sole's Selling Live Water LP.  Fellow Anticon writing guru, Pedestrian, wrote these great lyrics for Sole while they toured together.  The lyrics represent a 3rd party perspective of the artist the music was intended for.  Quite clever.  
    7.    (0:21:54) Nirvana: SOMETHING IN THE WAY - One of my favorite tracks by this iconic 90s grunge band from Seattle.  Nevermind sold an estimated 26 million copies.  
    8.    (0:25:18) Trentemoller: MOAN - Another track from this Danish electronic musician.
    9.    (0:30:31) Anthony & The Johnsons: SHAKE THAT DEVIL - Mercury Prize winning artist and band release this gem on their Another World EP before releasing their forthcoming LP around February or so.  I saw them at Carnegie Hall a few years back after they received the Mercury, and was pleasantly surprised by the performance and the absolutely amazing voice this person has.  Anthony has rightfully received much due respect.   
    10.    (0:35:32) Portishead: NYLON SMILE - Another track from their highly acclaimed Third LP released last year.  Their reunion was one of the most anticipated, but unlike most reunions, this was far from a letdown, receiving most critics' choice as top album of the year.  
    11.    (0:38:42) TV On The Radio: SHOUT ME OUT - Another brilliant track from their largely successful LP, Dear Science.  I have to say, I am quite impressed at the longevity of this Brooklyn band.  Love the build up and crescendo on this track - the music and lyrics are perfect.  Unlike Interpol, they have pushed into new territory with their music and have kept it interesting and mature from LP to LP (Interpol are decent, but have not proven a wide range of movement or evolution in their music or sound).  
    12.    (0:42:38) Alien Nation: BENEATH THE SURFACE - Another Project Blowed production from another PB compilation.  The second verse by Phoenix Orion (Zoundwavez) is a witty listing of those Project Blowedians represented on this compilation.
    13.    (0:46:30) Neptune: SOUL PRIDE - Wicked track from Ninja Tune's Xen Cuts compilation.  My only info on this group/DJ is this song only.  
    14.    (0:52:51) Zion I: LET ME HOLLA - from their very successful Deep Water Slang 2.0 LP.  AmpLive, the producer/DJ, is one of the most diverse and well-rounded producers in the underground.  He can create a perfect pop structure song from scratch as well or better than Timbaland or other big-named commercial producers.
    15.    (0:57:20) Booka Shade: KARMA CAR (ALBUM VERSION) - Another track from their The  Sun & The Neon Light LP.  Love these guys.
    16.    (1:00:59) M.I.A.: BAMBOO BANGA - wicked opener to her massively successful Kala record.  She definitely proved that she doesn't need her ex-boyfriend/producer, Diplo, to create catchy, poppy, party-hoppin' music.
    17.    (1:05:39) Virginia: RAINBOWS (MORE ROCKERS REMIX) - ahh, another straight jack move from Smith & Mighty's DJ Kicks mix.  Smith & Mighty are one of my favorite electronica/jungle groups out there.
    18.    (1:09:21) Neon Neon feat. Spank Rock & Sean Tillmann: TRICK FOR TREAT - Collaborative project from one of my favorite hip hop producers, Boom Bip, and Gruff Rhys, who is the frontman for Super Furry Animals.  This record was nominated for a UK Mercury Prize, and features hip hop powerhouse, Spank Rock.

Thank you for lending these past moments to The Funky Soul Burner's 26th podcast.  You may now join reality, once again...

Firstly, thank you for venturing onto my site, however or whatever led you here.  Please feel free to try any or all of the mixes at your leisure.  However, if you like the mixes and would like to continue listening to the podcasts I ask you only one thing, please contact me so I can add you to the mailing list (contact@funkysoulburner.com).  THAT'S ALL!  Once I add you to the mailing list, you will receive a simple message whenever I post new mixes so you can update your ears with a new mix.  If you do not know how to save a mix, please follow the instructions under the GENERAL menu (the link to your left).  Here, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND subscribing to my podcast via iTunes.  You will receive all the benefits my podcast offers.  Thank you, again, for finding yourself here, and please, continue on to the ultimate Funky experience...enjoy!

Blacken The Sound, Kill The White Noise Track Listing:

    1.    (0:00:18) The Heavy: BRUK POCKET LAMENT - Check out these UK cats rippin up every style/genre possible in their debut.  They'll definitely be worth watching in the future to see how they mix things up.
    2.    (0:02:54) Plus-Minus: PROFESSION - Love this alternative-pop band.  Drummer, Chris Deaner, is one of the hottest session drummers out there, working most prominently with Kelly Clarkson.   
    3.    (0:05:27) The Jimi Hendrix Experience: UP FROM THE SKIES - Another timeless track from Axis Bold As Love.  
    4.    (0:08:09) Psapp: NEEDLE AND THREAD - Another track from the 'toytronics' band; making music with toys.
    5.    (0:12:09) Circa Survive: KICKING YOUR CROSSES DOWN - Philadelphia-based indie/prog band with extreme vocalist, Anthony Green.  This is from their second album, On Letting Go.
    6.    (0:15.26) Modselecktor: HASIR - Brilliant track off their first LP, Hello Mom!
    7.    (0:19:50) Refused: REFUSED ARE FUCKIN DEAD - A track from The Shape of Punk to Come, which is an homage to Ornette Coleman's groundbreaking jazz record, The Shape of Jazz to Come, released in 1959 - the same time Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, John Coltrane's Giant Steps, and Charles Mingus' Ah Hum albums blasted onto the jazz scene.  All albums have been quite influential, however, Ornette's unique 'free jazz' technique set new standards in the genre itself, veering further away from the classical jazz background.  This is where Refused comes into play.  This album, likewise, crushed the genre boundary of punk music upon its release, and this song (with apt title) was sort of their swan song, which is unfortunate.  
    8.    (0:24:06) TV On The Radio: GOLDEN AGE - Great single from their highly-acclaimed third LP, Dear Science.  
    9.    (0:28:09) Pivot: SING, YOU SINNERS - From O Soundtrack My Heart LP.  Another track from one of my newly found favs from 'downunder.'  
    10.    (0:31:26) Lou Rhodes: RAIN - Another track from LAMB's front woman.  She still loves to play around with syncopated beats and toy with odd-metered sounds that her band plays with frequently.  
    11.    (0:34:40) Boom Boom Satellites: SIX FORTY FIVE - If you like Japanese Animation, especially the brilliant Appleseed flick, then you've probably heard of this Japanese rock band.  This is from their EXPOSED album.
    12.    (0:38:45) Zach Hill & Mick Barr: PARALLEL PATCHWORK ABDUCTION - Zach Hill is either incredibly loved or practically hated, but there's no question when it comes to his abundance of creativity.  He is a drum freak, and when I mean freak, he is known as one of the quickest single-bass pedal stroke drummers out there...but is also like Animal from The Muppets.  He has played with Team Sleep, a band formed by frontman, Chino Moreno from Deftones, he's a large part in the band Hella's success, and he just released a highly-acclaimed solo project that also features him vocalizing.  He is completely self-taught, and only started drumming in 1995.  Mick Barr is a speed metal guitarist signed to Mike Patton's label.  
    13.    (0:41:03) Bonobo: CHANGE DOWN - I think I will play Bonobo's entire  collection by the time I finish with my mixes...this is another track off Dial M For Monkey.  
    14.    (0:45:18) Outkast: DA ART OF STORYTELLIN' (PART I) - Another track from one of my favorite hip hop albums, Aquemini.  Andre 3000 and Big Boi are hands down the most prolific rap duo ever to grab a mic and make a movie.  The stories they rap, are as basic as rap's roots, yet so sophisticated that it's hard to believe this song is over 10 years old!
    15.    (0:48:19) David Holmes: THE STORY OF THE INK - Another track from Belfast's DJ king.  This one is from The Holy Pictures.
    16.    (0:53:26) The Field: SUN & ICE - Ambient techno from Stockholm, Sweden.  This is from his debut LP, From Here We Go Sublime.
    17.    (0:57:58) Ellen Allien: THE BRAIN IS LOST - Another odd track from German electronic musician.  
    18.    (1:03:00) Depeche Mode: JOHN THE REVELATOR - From their 11th studio album, Playing The Angel.   Interestingly enough, this is their first record to include songs not written by songwriter Martin Gore since 1984, and the first to include lyrics written by frontman Dave Gahan.  This song has a strange correlation to Scott Weiland's song Jimmy Was A Stimulator, which will be featured on a future mix of mine from his 12 Bar Blues solo record.