After the recent success of Raekwon’s …Cuban Linx 2, it was rumored that Ghostface and Method Man would team up with the Chef for a not-quite-Wu-Tang album. Ghost and Rae were openly critical of the RZA’s direction with the last proper Wu album, so it’s no surprise that they want to move out from under the Clan’s banner. The trio have always had great chemisty, displayed on tracks like “House of the Flying Daggers” and “Gravel Pit”. Here we have our first peek at Our Dreams, from the forthcoming Wu Massacre, which finds them spitting over Michael Jackson’s “We’re Almost There”. The chances of them clearing this sample are about even with the chances of Def Jam actually releasing this album. So with that in mind, take the opportunity to revisit that classic Wu vibe.
In my list of Anticipated Albums of 2010 list, I highlighted Plastic Beach, the forthcoming album from Gorillaz. Today, the albums first single leaked. Head over to Spine Magazine to check Stylo, featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack. Check out Stylo in the embed below. Along with the single, a press release went out detailing the albums concept and guest list. Best surprises: Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of the Clash are onboard, and The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble join Snoop Dogg for a track. Coming March 3rd.
Plastic Beach:
“The band have taken up residence, recording on a secret floating island deep in the South Pacific, a Plastic Beach HQ, made up of the detritus, debris and washed up remnants of humanity. This Plastic Beach is the furthest point from any landmass on Earth; the most deserted spot on the planet.”
01 Orchestral Intro (ft. Sinfonia ViVA)
02 Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach (ft. Snoop Dogg and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
03 White Flag (ft. Kano, Bashy, and the National Orchestra for Arabic Music)
04 Rhinestone Eyes
05 Stylo (ft. Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
06 Superfast Jellyfish (ft. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul)
07 Empire Ants (ft. Little Dragon)
08 Glitter Freeze (ft. Mark E Smith)
09 Some Kind Of Nature (ft. Lou Reed)
10 On Melancholy Hill
11 Broken
12 Sweepstakes (ft. Mos Def and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
13 Plastic Beach (ft. Mick Jones and Paul Simonon)
14 To Binge (ft. Little Dragon)
15 Cloud of Unknowing (ft. Bobby Womack and Sinfonia ViVA)
16 Pirate Jet
2009 was good to my record collection. A dozen or more albums released last year, mostly from have held a lasting spot on my ipod. It’s rare that more than a handful of albums make the cut, so that’s rather exceptional. This year looks to be even more promising, with some of my favorite artists releasing new material. Here’s a look at what I’m excited for in 2010.
Kidz In The Hall: Land of Make Believe - Feb 23 2010
KITH’s The In Crowd was one of my favorite albums of 2008, and still holds a spot on the ipod. The video for Drivin’ Down The Block, a parody of the 1980 Kurt Russel film ‘Used Cars’ debuted at #6 on TRL (back when that still mattered) and earned them strong support from MTV. Naledge is maturing into a noteworthy MC and Double-O has always been nice with the beats. While I’m not a big fan of the first single (Flickin’), I have big hopes for this record.
Kidz In The Hall “Driving Down The Block”
Gorillaz: Plastic Beach -- March 8 2010
Damon Albarn and friends have made two stellar albums under the Gorillaz banner. While the first two albums were shepherded by Dan the Automator and Danger Mouse (respectively), it appears as if Albarn is sole driving force behind this third album. As usual, a slew of guest stars will be along for the ride, including returning contributors De La Soul and newcomers Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Barry Gibb, Lou Reed and The Horrors.
Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc”
Interpol: Untitled - March 2010
While I loved Interpol’s sophomore album ‘Antics’, it paled in comparison to their debut ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’. Dripping with more bass and reverb than a King Tubby dub, the tone of the album perfectly captured the dark, brooding atmosphere of a night out in a big city. Unsatisfied with their follow up efforts, the band has promised a return to the sublime soundscape that we fell in love with.
Interpol “Obstacle”
The Roots: How I Got Over -- TBD 2010
Known for touring over 300 days a year, The Legendary Roots Crew have been serving as Jimmy Fallon’s late night band for almost a year now, and they have been using the down time to polish their 11th studio album, How I Got Over. They previewed the title track on Fallon’s show over the summer and the multiple false endings nearly brought the house down. Check out the video below and see for yourself. Already pushed back twice, the album is expected to drop sometime this spring.
The Roots “How I Got Over”
Lil Wayne: Tha Carter IV -- TBD 2010
I tried to hang on to my Lil Wayne hate as long as I could, but by the time Tha Carter 3 went nuclear, I had to give it to him. While I prefer Wayne’s frequent remix performances [see: the Blame It On The Alcohol rmx], his recent verse on Young Money’s Pass The Dutch has me excited for his next proper album. While not much is known about The Carter IV besides a vague 2010 release date, expect it to drop around summertime, along with The Rebirth, Wayne’s [leaked] rock-flavored experiment.
Young Money “Pass That Dutch”
Santigold [Santogold] -- TBD 201?
While she has yet to announce a new album this year, Santigold has promised to release something, whether it’s an EP or just a track or two. Any new music from her would be welcome, as the only recent music she put out were collaborations with N.E.R.D. and Major Lazer. Both were fun tracks, but nothing like her amazing 2008 debut.
Santogold “Creator”
Delivering his endless punch lines with a monotone flow, it is hard to tell if Gucci Mane is a master of deadpan comedy, or just mildly retarded. Either way, everyone should be able to find something here to laugh at. In the 8 months between two jail sentences for parole violations, the southern rapper released no fewer than 6 mixtapes as well as his sophomore LP ‘The State vs Radric Davis’. Now Diplo, [beatmaker/producer for MIA/Santogold] has remixed the best of those mixtapes into the ‘FREE GUCCI’ mixtape, available as a free download from Mad Decent. Featuring remixes from dubstep pioneers like Zomby and Flying Lotus, this release is worth checking out for the crossover appeal alone. Also, if you havn’t taken the time to check out Gucci Mane, this is your opportunity to see what the fuss is about.
Tracklisting:
01. Danger’s Not A Stranger (Diplo Remix)
02. Dope Boy (Bird Peterson Remix)
03. Excuse Me (Memory Tapes Remix)
04. No No No (Brodinski & Monsieur Monsieur Remix)
05. Frowny Face (Douster Remix)
06. Frowny Face (Emynd Remix feat Playboy Tre)
07. Im Expectin (Teenwolf Remix)
08. Boi (Zomby Remix)
09. My Shadow (Salem Remix)
10. Excuse Me (Diplo Remix)
11. Photo Shoot (Flying Lotus Remix)
12. I Be Everywhere (Mumdance Remix)
13. I Be Everywhere (DZ Remix)
14. Im The Shit (Benzi & Willy Joy Remix)
15. Break Yourself (Diplo Remix feat Lil B)
Download
Gucci Mane & Diplo Presents: Free Gucci – The Best Of The Cold War Mixtapes/
Best of 2009 pt. 2
Blk Jks – After Robots
Infusing blues, dub, jazz and prog with African rhythms, Blk Jks sound like nothing else. Intense and overwhelming, this is a debut album that sounds like a band who has earned their spot.
Molalatladi:
The XX – XX
The first time I heard The XX, I was overwhelmed with a case of déjà vu. Then I realized I’ve been hearing no fewer than four of these songs ["Basic Space", "Crystalised", "Islands", "Infinity"] all over KCRW for the last two months. Sparse, delicate and infectiously catchy, they reinforce the idea that what you don’t play is just as important as what you do.
Crystalised:
The Heavy – The House that Dirt Built
If you like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, but prefer your funk with more testosterone, then this album is for you. Funky and soulful in all the right places, this album makes you want to dance all night and then drive home real fast.
How Do You Like Me Now
Blakroc – s/t
This is the sound of hip-hop all grown up. Thank the Black Keys for pushing the genre forward while keeping its roots.
What You Do To Me:
White Denim – Fits
Any description of this band fail to do them justice: Lo-fi polyrhymic jams that explore various genres like Latin and dub, with an obvious Hendrix influence. It doesn’t sound nearly as appealing as the music is, so just listen.
Say What You Want: [No Video: Click here to listen]