Tokyo Police Club- Wait Up (Boots of Danger)
This song is off the band’s 2010 album Champ. Tokyo Police Club are currently touring for their 2014 album Forcefield and playing at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday 9/12/15.
Sep 102015
Sep 032015
Chaka Khan- I Feel For You
This song is from Chaka Khan’s 1984 album I Feel For You. Written by Prince (it won him a Grammy), it includes rapping by Melle Mel and harmonica played by Stevie Wonder.
Chaka Khan is playing with Patti LaBelle at the LA County Fair this Friday (9/4/15)
Aug 272015
Del Tha Funky Homosapien- Mistadobalina
This track from Del’s 1991 debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here, was his biggest solo hit. He has, however, had an incredible career that has continued to the present day.
He got his start working with his cousin Ice Cube writing lyrics for Da Lench Mob before releasing his first two solo albums. In 1999 he teamed up with Dan the Automator and Kid Koala to form Deltron 3030 which produced two successful albums, one in 2000, the other in 2013. Dan the Automator produced the Gorillaz self-titled album and put Del on two of the singles “Clint Eastwood” and “Rock the House”. Del continues to work on solo projects as well. His most recent release was in 2014 of Iller Than Most which is free to listen to on Soundcloud.
Del Tha Funky Homosapien is playing at the Echoplex this Friday 8/28/15, with DJ Qbert and DJ Nobody with Los Angeles based street artist Mear One live painting.
Aug 202015
The Jesus and Mary Chain- Head On
This song is from the Scottish band’s 1989 album Automatic. It was also covered by the Pixies for their album Trompe Le Monde.
The Jesus and Mary Chain are playing FYF Fest in Los Angeles this weekend (8/22/15).
Aug 062015
Echo & The Bunnymen- The Cutter
This was the second single released from the band’s 1983 album Porcupine. The video includes images of the band from their trip to Iceland. The strings on the song were provided by Lakshminarayana Shankar, also known as L. Shankar, who has worked with numerous other famous musicians including Peter Gabriel, Sting, Lou Reed, and Talking Heads.
Echo & The Bunnymen are playing in Orange County this Friday (8/7/15) at the Pacific Amphitheater with Berlin.
Jul 302015
Wye Oak- Fish
This song is from Wye Oak’s 2011 album Civilian. The video was created by two fellow Baltimore artists, Katherine Fahey and photographer Michael O’Leary. For more information on the video this is a good article at NPR.
Wye Oak are playing at Club Bahia on tonight, 7/30/15.
Jul 232015
Blondie- Union City Blue
Deborah Harry wrote the lyrics to this song from 1979 during the filming of the movie Union City which she starred in. Pat Benatar, a friend of Harry’s, who had yet to make it in the music business, also has a small part in the film.
Blondie will co-headline with Melissa Etheridge at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday July 26.
Jul 162015
The Game- It’s Okay (One Blood) ft. Junior Reid
This song was the lead single off The Game’s second album Doctor’s Advocate from 2006. It also features Junior Reid whose song One Blood is sampled. It features the line “You 38 and you still rappin’, ugh”, a reference to Jay-Z, that might feel different to him now at 35.
This Saturday at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, The Game is performing as part of The Art of Rap Festival, which features a huge lineup that includes Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Afrika Bambaataa, Warren G, Xzibit and many more.
Jul 092015
Jurassic 5- The Way We Do It
Both a new and old song, The Way We Do It was released last year and was Jurassic 5′s first new release in eight years. The track was recorded, however, during their 2006 Feedback sessions. Produced by the late Heavy D, it samples the White Stripes single My Doorbell.
Jurassic 5 are starting their US tour tonight (7/9) at Club Nokia.
Jul 022015
Ginuwine- Pony
This song was the first single from Ginuwine’s 1996 debut album Ginuwine…The Bachelor and was produced by Timbaland. Channing Tatum strips to the song in his film Magic Mike and it will be (according to Wiki) used again in Magic Mike XXL, which was released yesterday. The lyrics of the song were also used by Rihanna in her single Jump.
On the television series Parks and Recreation, Ginuwine is said to be Donna Meagle’s cousin. He makes two appearances on the show and even performs a bit of Pony.
On Friday, July 3rd, he will be playing the Greek Theatre as part of a 90′s R&B showcase that includes Toni! Tony! Toné!, Blackstreet, SWV and Troop.