By guest blogger Sandeep Chauhan
Summer may be over, but we can pretend that it’s not. The last part of our playlist (see parts 1 and 2) is a mixed bag — booty shakers, quiet storms, a new burner from the Wu, and something for the kids. Cause BoB is always about the kids. So go prep a final mai tai and find a place by the pool (even if you’ve already covered it) as we put needle to the record.
411 on the blogs is that the new Wu LP has a street date of 13 November. If you believe Status Ain’t Hood, who was given a sneak listen, the LP is a return to form. I’m gonna reserve judgment for now, but “Watch Your Mouth” is def a rippin’ track. Utilizing an ominous horn sample and some grimy drums, the Wu spit verbal venom, and sound hungrier than they have in years. Except for Ghost — he always sounds hungry. While you’re looking for it, head to their official site and download Ghost’s “My Guitar” and hear him rip over a George Harrison sample.
Galactic are a five piece jazz outfit led by genius drummer Stanton Moore. Their latest is a tribute to the NOLA and they enlist some amazing emcees, musicians, and DJs to pay respect. The title track, “From the Corner to the Block” has them working with the Crescent City’s finest — The Soul Rebels Brass Band and Juvenille — and taking musical revenge for ish that went down during Katrina. This is an anthem that plays on the musical history of the city, it’s a rebel call for people who won’t go away. To paraphrase Juv himself, they got that fire.
When I heard the latest JT single I thought for sure he’d jumped the shark. “She looks like a model except she got a little more ass”? Please. Then I heard the Justice and Kaskade remixes respectively. Both take a flaccid number and up jump the boogie, with Kaskade narrowly edging out French producers Justice. Justice turn out an 80s R ‘n’ B throwback, string section and all, while Kaskade produces a nu-rave disco number, hitting all the right dramatic moments. Perfect while getting sorted for E’s and Whiz.
Leslie Feist’s latest, The Reminder, is an emotive and soulful follow-up to 2004’s Let it Die; both are after hours type affairs. With their remix of “My Moon My Man,” producers Boys Noise gently nudge Feist towards the dancefloor. It’s the sound of sweat, sex, and slo-mo grinding.
Speaking of hookups, my favorite art house provocateurs Daft Punk are pushing the joys of casual one night stands with “Something about us,” from their 2001 LP Discovery. Smooth synths, bubbling bass lines, and a smidgen of schmaltz equal the perfect cocktail for love at first sight.
Every year there’s one hip-hop track that is my jawn for the year, my anthem for the year, if you will. In 2006, that jam came late — it was “Nightmares” by The Clipse, a menacing piece that sounded like a coke-fueled horror story. This year it’s UGK’s “Player’s Anthem.” Sampling the chorus and breakdown from Willie Hutch’s “I choose you” and enlisting Outkast, these southern players break it down for all the wannabes. Be it on love or hustling. And for my money, Andre 3000’s bars are the money shot.
And finally, one for the kids. Matt Robinson was the original Gordon on “Sesame Street” and also the voice for Roosevelt Franklin. In the ’70s he recorded an album called The Year of Roosevelt Franklin, Gordon’s Friend from Sesame Street, a funky as hell kids’ record. The track “Roosevelt Franklin counts” is a dope driving R ‘n’ B number about Roose’s life from ages one to six. Robinson played the majority of the voices, and honestly, it’s damn fun. If only kid’s music today were this funky.
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