RCRD LBL

About Me

In addition to writing for RCRD LBL, I edit/write/run Little White Earbuds and try to find places in Chicago that will let me DJ. It's a lot harder than you might think.

DOWNLOAD: The Pimps of Joy - San Francisco Bound (DJ Obah Remix)

The western world awash in "corporate social responsibility" initiatives in which companies find ways to be greener or donate money, and it's generally accompanied by at least a whiff of self-interest. By contrast, New York City's premier DJ training institute, Dubspot, is not only a positive and constructive environment for youngsters; they've also launched a series of charitable mix CDs. The first is Funk Aid for Africa, a 20-track CD mixed by DJ Obah whose proceeds are donated wholly to a foundation that's building schools and playgrounds for poor children in Dennilton, South Africa. One of the many bands eager to donate their music to a good cause are Brooklyn's The Pimps of Joytime. Their "San Francisco Bound" (remixed by DJ Obah) features the low-slung, hand percussion-led grooves you might expect with frothy synth details you probably won't. These Pimps conjure escapist vibes as they yearn for the easygoing San Francisco life -- for something better. You too can make the world a better place by lining up behind Dubspot and these 20 talented bands.

Sounds like: The Roots, Kutiman

The Pimps of Joy - San Francisco Bound (DJ Obah Remix)

The Pimps of Joy's RCRD LBL Page

VIDEO THRWBCK: The Streets - Blinded By the Lights (2001)

Any time someone even breathes a positive word about Asher Roth around me I want to sit them down and make them watch the video for "Blinded By the Lights" by The Streets. There is a way to write about intoxicated living in a thoroughly engaging way, and it doesn't involve reading LiveJournal raps over ripped off Weezer guitar parts.

DOWNLOAD: Norman Cook - Siente Mi Ritmo

(Photo: Richard Cannon)

It's been more than a decade now since Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, introduced America to Big Beat with the debut album, You've Come A Long Way, Baby. Although you can still hear "Praise You" or "The Rockafeller Skank" on radio every now and again, Mr. Cook has largely faded from public consciousness even after 2004's Palookaville. But look closely at Revolution, a compilation pairing UK/US producers with young Cuban musicians, and Norman's name peaks out from the tracklist. Even more surprising, the sensual somba of his track "Siente Mi Ritmo" is the record's most traditional cut. Where Cook diverges from tradition is the vocals, which he dunks in space-creating dub echos to give the tune a spectral edge. After this, one wonders where we'll find Norman Cook in 10 more years.

Sounds like: Bebel Gilberto, Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66

Norman Cook - Siente Mi Ritmo

Norman Cook's RCRD LBL Page

DOWNLOAD: The ReBel Yell - Heartbreak 101 + Army of Misfits

They say anything can be accomplish anything if you believe it will happen. Just from his name you can tell Singer/songwriter/producer SupaStar is one such believer; and it's his project The ReBel Yell that's most likely to help his profile match his name. Working in collaboration with The Roots' producer James Poyser, SupaStar crafted the sprawling album Love and War with ambitions as bold as the title. Although there are many styles at work here, you could say The ReBel Yell is a future soul outfit that evokes the progressiveness of Prince or Cee-Lo. "Army of Misfits," for example, pits blinking futuristic beats against simple piano chords and SupaStar's grinning admonishment of people who try to pigeonhole his sound. By contrast, "Heartbreak 101" unwinds Supastar's romantic woes over growling guitar licks and skittering technoid beats. So no matter what angle a listener comes at The ReBel Yell there's something to admire. Therein lies the secret to SupaStar's prospective ascendancy.

Sounds like: Cee-Lo, Prince, Black Eyed Peas

The ReBel Yell - Army of Misfits

The ReBel Yell - Heartbreak 101

The ReBel Yell's RCRD LBL Page

EXCLUSIVE NEW DOWNLOAD: Cortney Tidwell - Watusii (Simon Baker Remix)

While most folks rightly associate Cortney Tidwell with rock and folk, she has a surprising following among dance music fans well. That's in no small part because of a sprawling Ewan Pearson remix of her song "Don't Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up." She also lent her voice to a track on deep house producer Sideshow's recent album, reigniting her following on dance floors. But if one track keeps the fire burning, it'll be Simon Baker's remix of her raucous tune "Watusii." Stringing together beads of sampled tones into a tense new melody, Baker jaunty tech-house beat keeps things light and bouncing. Although Tidwell is largely kept in the background, her concerned vocals dominate the beatless middle minute before receding into the background again. If rock and folk is Cortney Tidwell's day job, the club scene is always happy to have her moonlight with friends like Simon Baker in tow.

Sounds like: 2020Soundsystem, Holger Zilske, Audion

Cortney Tidwell - Watusii (Simon Baker Remix)

Cortney Tidwell's RCRD LBL Page

DOWNLOAD: Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of (Lemonade Remix) + Explain (Home Video Remix)

It seems like Edmonton's Faunts are equally interested in hearing others' interpretations of their music as they are in making it. Last year they released a CD of 14 remixes of earlier material; and now that album number three, Feel.Love.Thinking.Of, has had time to rest on store shelves they've commissed another batch of remixes. Like Faunts, Lemonade and Home Video straddle the line between electronic dance music and rock. Lemonade turn their cumbia fascination on "Feel.Love.Thinking.Of." and end up taking it seaside to let balmy guitar lines whip through listeners hair and rolling bongos provide the beat. Meanwhile, Home Video finds Radiohead in Faunts' "Explain," letting the tension build behind swelling synths and smoldering guitar lines. Now it's time for Faunts to step up to the remixing console.

Sounds like: Radiohead, Senor Coconut, El Guincho

Faunts - Feel.Love.Thinking.Of. (Lemonade remix)

Faunts - Explain (Home Video remix)

Previously:

Lemonade's RCRD LBL Page

Faunts' RCRD LBL Page

DOWNLOAD: Pezzner - Chapter Two

In anticipation of their 15th year of existence, San Franscisco house label Om Records has commissioned a two disc CD compilation that looks over its past and future. OM 15 is split into two halves: one to get the blood moving featuring Om's house and techno side, while the other brings you down while highlighting the label's downtempo artists. Sandwiched between uber producer Radio Slave and Fish Go Deep on the first disc, Pezzner brings an Eastern feel to his hypnotic "Chapter Two." Punctuated by handclaps and Chiclet-sized marimba melodies, the tune catches dancers in a whirlwind of Asian influenced motifs. May Om be blessed with another 15 years to explore this further.

Sounds like: Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts, SIS, Luciano

Pezzner - Chapter Two

Pezzner's RCRD LBL Page

VIDEO THRWBCK: Alkaline Trio - Stupid Kid (2001)

There are certain bands and songs I didn't think would stick with me past high school, when bands like Saves the Day and Alkaline Trio seem the peak of musical existence (or at least junior year). And yet tracks like "Stupid Kid," from right before AK3 completely lost sight themselves, still grab me and make me want to bounce around like an idiot.