Well, here it finally is then! 6.5 hours out of 8 from November’s Menno Solo event in Westerunie, Amsterdam. It was an incredible night, and I’m very happy to share the set with you. See you at Menno Solo 2009! Love, Menno

Download (right click, save as) (530MB, 192kBit/s)

mp3

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Contraty to the tradittional folk oriented Cruel Sister, Reflection is much more jazz and blues influenced. The folk elements are present of course, and I really liked Bert Jansch rendition of Omie Wise, but the arrangements are much bolder, intricated and jazzy than anything on CS. And this is a good thing. The tracklist is nice, ok, but not as varied and inspired as their earlier works. But I think the title track to be their most interesting and different song ever: very jazzy, very strong and a great way to end an album. I only wish they had more original stuff of the same caliber around that time.

Conclusion: very good CD, althought not as strong as what they had done in their recent past. If you already have Sweet Child and Basket Of Light, this is a good companion for those albums. 3,5 stars.

by Tarcisio Moura


PENTANGLE, THE Music Online:
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(Here’s the official press release, including details about the Bay Area date:)

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE
FIFTH ANNUAL ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR

2009 TOUR TO INCLUDE:
THURSDAY
BRING ME THE HORIZON
FOUR YEAR STRONG
PIERCE THE VEIL
CANCER BATS


Pierce the Veil

WINTER’S BIGGEST & LOUDEST TOUR NOW AN EVEN BETTER VALUE WITH NEW LOWER TICKET PRICES
TOUR KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 14 IN LOS ANGELES

PRE-SALE BEGINS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT 10AM

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK, ERNIE BALL, ALTERNATIVE PRESS, MYSPACE MUSIC, NAMM, www.DiNGLIFE.com ARE ANNOUNCED AS SPONSOR/MEDIA PARTNERS

December 2, 2008—ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK TASTE OF CHAOS continues to stake its claim as the preeminent winter rock package tour. Always an explosive, in-your-face affair, ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS features today’s biggest and on-the-verge of stardom hard rock bands. Blaring, boisterous and brutal, this year’s tour will be no different. Heralded by Florida’s Backstage Pass as “delivering some of the best known acts in the rock ‘n roll world,” past RTOC performers have included a who’s who of this decade’s most popular rock bands including My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Rise Against, Deftones, Killswitch Engage, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used and over three hundred more.

Tour co-founder Kevin Lyman, always with his ear to the street and his hand on the scene’s pulse, chose this year’s cutting edge lineup after watching many of these same bands explode on the 2008 Van’s Warped Tour. By taking fan feedback to heart and personally handpicking artists that he feels will be breaking out in ’09, the lineup includes headliner THURSDAY, as well as BRING ME THE HORIZON, FOUR YEAR STRONG, PIERCE THE VEIL (all of whom will rotate their spot on the bill throughout the tour), and CANCER BATS. In addition, one local Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands winner will open the show at each stop.

“After listening to what fans had to say during Warped Tour and watching many of these bands with thousands of fans watching them perform,” Lyman explains, “these are the bands rock fans want to see. And I believe they’re all on the brink of breakout success.”

Last year, the Asbury Park Press praised Lyman for his forward looking approach to the tour, writing: “No wonder the Rockstar Taste of Chaos is known as the ‘Winter Warped Tour.’ Much like the highly successful summer rock jaunt, Rockstar Taste of Chaos is affordable and offers a wide range of bands. Lyman, who assembles the Warped Tour lineup, goes out of his way to put together a package of punk, hard rock and true alternative acts for the bill.”

This year, fans can expect a low ticket price (between $20-25 per ticket) as well as the return of the fun-filled concourse offering a bevy of fascinating distractions in between sets guaranteeing that the pandemonium will begin as soon as fans enter the venue.

Tour co-founders, John Reese, Lyman and Darryl Eaton state: “We are very excited about the great bands and concourse activities planned for the 2009 North American Tour. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK has been a great partner helping us bring fans a great package and a big show at a very fan-friendly entrance price. We’re really proud that the RTOC has become an important event on music fans’ calendars in the long, cold winter in the U.S. and Canada .”

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK Marketing Director Mike Kelso states, “Live music is very important to ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK and for the past four years the worldwide success of ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS has been instrumental in the success of our brand.”

With nearly 300 worldwide dates over the past fours years, playing in over 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Japan, France, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy among others, ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS, the only worldwide lifestyle festival tour, is back with another onslaught of winter dates in the U.S. and Canada.

The ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS pre-sale begins Friday, December 12th, at 10AM in each market. Please go to www.rockstartasteofchaos.com for all on sale information, ticketing links, and concert dates.

Head over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtM6bwcOOgQ to view a ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS EPK featuring all of this year’s acts.

Thursday

For the last decade, headliner THURSDAY has released groundbreaking, essential albums like 2001’s fan-favorite Full Collapse and 2003’s breakthrough War All the Time, while always playing riveting shows garnering hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide. As the band approaches its tenth anniversary, it has dug deep to recapture the original fervor and fire to make its most honest and sincere record to date. Hailing from New Brunswick , New Jersey , the band recently signed with Epitaph Records and will see its fifth studio release, Common Existence, in stores February 17. The record was produced by former Mercury Rev member Dave Fridmann who has also produced The Flaming Lips, Weezer, Ed Harcourt, Café Tacuba, Phantom Planet, and OK Go. THURSDAY frontman Geoff Rickly says of the new album: “This is the first time I’ve looked at a lot of life’s events from an adult perspective.” Pioneers of modern punk, THURSDAY is one of the biggest influences and leading bands in the emerging post-hardcore scene. Election Day 2008 also saw the band release a limited edition split LP with the band Envy. www.myspace.com/Thursday

Bring Me the Horizon

British metalcore outfit BRING ME THE HORIZON’S latest release, Suicide Season is now out on Epitaph Records. It’s not often scene kids, screamo fans and metal-heads can agree on a band, but after BMTH’s explosive rise in popularity, culminating in their breakout performances at Vans Warped Tour this summer, fans of all three genres have found their new favorite band. Hailing from Sheffield , England , Oliver Sykes (vocals), Matt Nicholls (drums), Curtis Ward (guitar), Matt Kean (bass) and Lee Malia (guitar) formed BMTH in 2004 and began setting the UK ablaze with blistering performances across the country. By 2006 the band had already won Kerrang!’s “Best British Newcomers” award and toured with groups like Killswitch Engage, Aiden, and Bleeding Through. Later that fall the group unleashed their debut album, Count Your Blessings, which further cemented their place among the metalcore elite. BMTH explore the limits of its sound and abilities, resulting in tracks that will make you think as much as bang your head. Suicide Season is the perfect soundtrack to a life spent on the edge, where the rules don’t apply and darkness rules. www.myspace.com/bmth

Four Year Strong

Calling Worcester, Massachusetts home, FOUR YEAR STRONG has been making a name for itself as one of Alternative Press’s “100 Bands You Need To Know in ‘08” and Rolling Stone’s “40 Bands You Need To Know”. Frequenting the Smartpunk Top 10 sales and Purevolume’s “most played” charts, the band has garnered nearly 2 million plays on MySpace by simply making music the way they want it to be made. The band’s debut full-length, Rise or Die Trying, on I Surrender Records continues to generate an excited buzz across the Web, catching the ears of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. Earlier this year the band announced its partnership with Decaydance Records, joining the ranks of bands like Panic at the Disco, The Academy Is…, and Gym Class Heroes. Equal parts melody and mayhem; however, its true talent lies in the ability to use these parts to create one exciting, infectious whole. www.myspace.com/fouryearstrong

Pierce the Veil

San Diego’s PIERCE THE VEIL is a progressive post-rock quartet whose debut A Flair For The Dramatic on Equal Vision Records incorporates elements of fractured hardcore, prog-rock and metalcore into a unique amalgam of heavy music that is bound to turn heads and blow minds. Recorded by Casey Bates (Portugal The Man, Gatsbys American Dream) in Seattle , Washington , Pierce The Veil’s debut is a labor of love that the band put every ounce of creativity into. www.myspace.com/piercetheveil

Cancer Bats

Toronto’s CANCER BATS is fueled by a burning desire to rage harder, play louder and have more fun than any other band. Mixing hardcore, southern metal, and punk rock into a lethal rock & roll explosion, the four-piece has never rocked as hard as it does on its sophomore release Hail Destroyer. Co-produced by Eric Ratz (Big Sugar, Theory Of A Dead Man, Billy Talent), Kenny Luong (Billy Talent), and Greg Below (Alexisonfire), and recorded at Vespa Studios, the album features an edgier, much heavier, and finely tuned collection of songs. Featuring guest vocals by Cancer Bat bro’s Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent), Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire), and Tim McIlrath, the no-holds-barred tracks on Hail Destroyer will definitely get the ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS party off on the right earsplitting note. www.myspace.com/cancerbats

Back as the title sponsor, ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK will once again be sampling its products, in addition to coming up with some great surprises for concert goers. Other sponsors include Ernie Ball, NAMM, DiNG and MySpace Music, as well as Alternative Press who will produce the Official Tour Program.

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is scientifically formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eleven amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, and Roasted Light Vanilla, all of which are available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States , Canada , Mexico , Australia , New Zealand , Japan , Germany , Finland , and throughout the United Kingdom .

Ernie Ball’s 4th Annual ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS Battle of the Bands returns! Attention unsigned bands, sign up for the once in a lifetime opportunity to play live on the main stage of the 2009 ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS TOUR! Play alongside Thursday, Bring Me The Horizon, Four Year Strong, and Cancer Bats for the ultimate career-altering opportunity. Signups go live December 15th at www.battleofthebands.com, the premier website that gives your band limitless opportunities to play live.

NAMM joins RTOC as a 2009 sponsor and is on a mission to educate RTOC fans on what an amazing tool music can be in all of our lives. NAMM is an information source for music retailers and helps fans discover music performance.

Joining us again in 2009 are Peta2 and Shirts For a Cure. As the world’s largest youth animal rights group, Peta2 has been a non-profit sponsor of ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS since its inception in 2005. Stop by the Peta2 booth to make a difference for animals by signing the “Meat’s Not Green.”

Shirts For A Cure is also a fifth-year sponsor and will be onsite selling new and exclusive t-shirt designs from bands like Thursday and more. All proceeds from the sales go directly to providing financial assistance to women who cannot afford the expense of the fight against breast cancer.

Also back in 2009 is the RTOC Label Tent, where fans can get the newest info, artist releases and promotions from the likes of punk rock staples Epitaph Records and SoCal upstarts Old Shoe Records. Canadian clothing retailer D-TOX will be back as a sponsor on all Canadian dates. Dominic LaFortune, D-Tox Marketing and Promotions Director says, “D-Tox is very proud to be a part of the ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS in Canada for the third year in a row. We’re looking forward in seeing you all and we’re preparing tons of cool stuff for you so make sure to pass by and check us out.”

This year, ROCKSTAR TASTE OF CHAOS has teamed up with Buzznet.com to create the “Official Buzznet Taste Of Chaos Community.” The ultimate backstage pass, the community will give fans the most personal and in-depth look at the tour through exclusive photos, videos, interviews, contests and more. Each of the RTOC bands will be carrying a Buzznet phone which they’ll use to post candid photos and videos from the road in real-time, so fans won’t miss a beat. A Buzznet blogger and photographer will also be hitting the road to follow the entire tour and provide daily updates. In addition, fans can join the conversation by contributing their own photos, videos and blogs from the tour to the community, where they’ll not only be seen by millions, but could also be specially featured on Buzznet.com.

MySpace Music, a landmark joint venture among MySpace, EMI Music, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony ATV, aims to empower major, independent, and unsigned artists to monetize their content through multiple revenue streams. By allowing the MySpace community to freely stream premium content in an ad-supported environment, purchase MP3s and ringtones, create and share playlists, and ultimately buy merchandise, concert tickets, and other digital and physical goods. MySpace Music also connects artists and fans in the offline arena through various concert series and live events including Secret Shows, MySpaceLIVE!, Transmissions, The Release, Front to Back and The List. MySpace Music centers around the more than five million major, indie, and unsigned artists that use their MySpace music profiles to communicate and intimately connect with fans and friends. As one of the most popular and most trafficked music platforms in the world, MySpace Music has evolved into an offline experience by connecting bands and fans around the world through various concert series and live events.

DiNG holds the world’s largest catalog of artist and music related artwork with over 200 artists and 130 devices at www.DINGLIFE.com. A DiNG is a custom-fit, full-color, device-specific decal, that is easily applied to over 100 devices including cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, gaming systems and controllers.

RTOC 2009 Tour Dates:

SAT
2/14/09
Los Angeles, CA
Palladium

SUN
2/15/09
San Jose, CA
San Jose Civic Auditorium

MON
2/16/09
Chico , CA
Senator Theatre

TUE
2/17/09
OFF

WED
2/18/09
San Diego, CA
House of Blues

THU
2/19/09
Tucson, AZ
Rialto Theatre

FRI
2/20/09
Las Vegas, NV
House of Blues

SAT
2/21/09
Salt Lake City, UT
In the Venue

SUN
2/22/09
Denver, CO
Fillmore

MON
2/23/09
OFF

TUE
2/24/09
Milwaukee, WI
Eagles Ballroom

WED
2/25/09
Cincinnati , OH
Bogart’s

THU
2/26/09
Rochester, NY
Armory

FRI
2/27/09
Worcester, MA
Palladium

SAT
2/28/09
Hartford, CT
Webster Theatre

SUN
3/1/09
OFF

MON
3/2/09
Providence, RI
Lupo’s

TUE
3/3/09
Clifton Park, NY
Northern Lights

WED
3/4/09
New York City, NY
Nokia

THU
3/5/09
Sayreville, NJ
Starland

FRI
3/6/09
Philadelphia, PA
Electric Factory

SAT
3/7/09
Baltimore, MD
Rams Head Live

SUN
3/8/09
Columbus , OH
Newport

MON
3/9/09
Cleveland, OH
Agora Theatre

TUE
3/10/09
Detroit, MI
Fillmore

WED
3/11/09
St. Louis, MO
Pageant

THU
3/12/09
Chicago, IL
Aragon

FRI
3/13/09
Minneapolis, MN
Myth

SAT
3/14/09
Kansas City, MO
Beaumont Club

SUN
3/15/09
OFF

MON
3/16/09
OFF

TUE
3/17/09
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Revolution

WED
3/18/09
Orlando, FL
Hard Rock

THU
3/19/09
Atlanta, GA
Tabernacle

FRI
3/20/09
OFF

SAT
3/21/09
Houston, TX
Verizon

SUN
3/22/09
San Antonio, TX
Sunset Station

MON
3/23/09
Dallas, TX
Palladium Ballroom

TUE
3/24/09
OFF

WED
3/25/09
OFF

THU
3/26/09
Boise, ID
Knitting Factory

FRI
3/27/09
Portland, OR
Roseland

SAT
3/28/09
Seattle, WA
Showbox

SUN
3/29/09
Spokane, WA
Knitting Factory

MON
3/30/09
Vancouver, BC
Commodore

TUE
3/31/09
OFF

WED
4/1/09
Calgary, AB
MacEwan Hall

THU
4/2/09
OFF

FRI
4/3/09
Edmonton, AB
Event Centre

SAT
4/4/09
Saskatoon, SK
Odeon

SUN
4/5/09
Winnipeg, MB
Burton Cummings

MON
4/6/09
OFF

TUE
4/7/09
OFF

WED
4/8/08
Toronto, ON
Kool Haus

THU
4/9/08
Montreal, QC
Metropolis

Bring Me the Horizon video:

Cancer Bats video:

Cancer Bats photos by Flickr user Chloe Delong
Bring Me the Horizon photo by Flickr user alextakesphotos

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Early in the album, beginning with The Grudge, we are treated to a dark, angst-ridden collection of compositions. About halfway through the album, Lateralus experiences a change of pace, resulting in ambient, experimental tracks such as Disposition and Reflection. The album ends off with the disturbing, enigmatic Faaip De Oiap, which contains excerpts of an interview with an ex-Area 51 employee.

Very unique, however, are Danny Carey's syncopated polyrhythms in his drumming on these compositions, where he plays in different time signatures than the rest of the group, resulting in the trademark Tool sound. Maynard James Keenan's vocals are better than ever on Lateralus, and Justin Chancellor's bass playing never disappoints. A must have.

by Col.Nuke


TOOL Music Online:
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Compositionally, there may be differentiating opinions. Some may not like the over-the-top shredding and 20-minute keyboard solos that are present in this album; others may adore it. I believe that this is an easily accessible album to a metalhead or a first time prog listener, but for the seasoned veteran it may not suffice. While I strongly believe this is a perfect album in every sense, and it definitely belongs in every prog fanatic's collection, there are much more complex art rock albums out there.

The bottom line: a perfect all around album, but more mature works, such as the likes of Porcupine Tree and Pain of Salvation, exist in terms of modern prog.

by Col.Nuke


DREAM THEATER Music Online:
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For last year’s 11 Songs to Be Thankful For, click here.

I know you’re in pain. The music industry, no less than last year, is inundated with made for radio pop songs meant to burn brightly in the minds of middle schoolers, sell millions of copies and then fade quickly into the one hit wonder used CD bins. Some will make club playlists and stay relevant for another year or two, but most will be either forgotten or turned into the butt of some future musical joke. But these simplifications overlook a large cross section of musicians from all genres that are producing quality music that not only can get stuck in your head, but won’t make you want to put a loaded revolver to your temple to get them out. In fact, months later, these songs are still gripping and enjoyable.

Thanksgiving is over, but while you’re eating some leftovers, there’s still much to be thankful for in the way of music. For each month, a main song that stood out above the others with the album you can find it on, and a second song that I give honorable mention to for being generally kick ass. But since life isn’t a one man affair, I invited my roommate, who receives the same monthly iPod updates (see the “What I’m Hearing” posts… the links in the month names will get you there), to give her input on what songs grabbed her focus this year. 11 months, 1 main song, 1 honorable mention and 2 recommendations from the roommate will give you about 44 fantastic songs you haven’t listened to yet. I say about because in some cases you may have heard a song, and in others, we picked the same one. Enjoy!

Jan: “Breathe Me (Mylo Remix)” (Breathe Me EP) by Sia. Most people had their first introduction to Sia’s heartbreaking song through the final 5 minutes of the HBO series Six Feet Under. The song, steeped in lament and longing, is nostalgic and only further inundated with emotion from Sia’s haunting voice that at times seems to whisper. On this EP version, Mylo remixes the song by fleshing out a lush electronic sound with bass and digital flourishes around the vocals and speeding up the main melody. The result is a moving and dance-able, yet still emotional track. Honorable Mention: “Way Down in the Hole” (The Wire Soundtrack) by The Blind Boys of Alabama

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Nudez” (Rainydayz Remixes) by AmpLive. “Mushaboom (Postal Service Remix)” (Open Season) by Feist.

Feb: “Campus” (Vampire Weekend) by Vampire Weekend. When this album came out, I positively reviewed the whole thing, and now, many months later, it hasn’t lost its luster for me. With “Campus” the group uses simplicity in the vocals and instrumentation to evoke the feeling of days at college and crushes (if your college crush happened to be a professor.) The staccato lead up to the frenetic chorus is an instantly attainable indie pop that also brings to mind a Killers tune on Xanax. With the line, “In the afternoon you’re out on the stone and grass/and I’m sleeping on the balcony after class” the song takes me back to my own college balcony naps. Honorable Mention: “Weightless” (Lucky) by Nada Surf

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” (Vampire Weekend) by Vampire Weekend. 2) “The Chills” (Writer’s Block) by Peter Bjorn and John

March: “Front Steps, Pt. 2 (Tough Love)” (Absolute Value) by Akrobatik. This song is haunting both lyrically and musically. The solid production includes a piano sample and string overtone that sound like they’ve been submerged in water. The murkiness is then combined with scratches and a bass and drum line that provide it with a depth that comes off simultaneously polished and street rough. All of this is so that Akrobatik can provide an incredible song about the economic and social plight within the project communities, the current state of hip-hop and the need for change within the criminal justice system. He exhorts the youth to avoid the drugs and black on black violence that help oppress them, and strive for something better by offering them his honest take in the form of “tough love.” His lyrics come from a seriously educated perspective as he recognizes that the format of the ghettos allows the upper middle class to ignore riots and financial losses inflicted by them (”And when we riot they won’t care about the dollars lost/they’re sipping cocktails while we’re throwing Molotovs“) and sees the difference between a middle class white education and the education provided in inner city schools. The entire song is filled with lines that are both mentally stimulating and potent in rhyme scheme (full lyrics here). One of the best hip-hop lines of the year comes from this song, “This ain’t a war on drugs, it’s a war on thugs/they supply the guns, we supply the bodies with slugs.” Easily in the contention for my top 5 songs of the year. Honorable Mention: “Live 4 Today” (Break A Dawn) by Zion I

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Opening Act” (Garbage Pail Kids) by Sene and Chief 2) “Muddy Water Stomp” (Garbage Pail Kids) by Sene and Chief

April: “The Things That We Could Share” (Soundboy Rock) by Groove Armada. Here’s one the roommate and I agreed on. In an age of Craigslist Missed Connections and the disconnect between people, this joyous song about the potential connections is a love song for the person you haven’t met yet. Starting with a groove bass, handclaps and “SB” chant, the electronically strained vocals through the verse beg for a balance with another person (”I need a warm hand to cool me down/I need a soft voice to drown me out”) moves into the chorus about a boy on a bus watching a girl, who is simultaneously telling her friend that he doesn’t care. When the bass line undulates and crashes into the triumphant refrain of “the things that we could share,” if you’re not dancing, you’re not breathing. Honorable Mention: “Far Away” (In Ghost Colours) by Cut Copy.

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “The Things That We Could Share” Groove Armada, Soundboy Rock. 2) “Watch As They Go” (Other People) by American Princes

May: “Winds of Change” (The Show) by EMC. Leave it to a super-group of hip-hop mainstays to write a love song to hip-hop that can surely stand as a classic. With an old static laden and sped sample singing, “Winds of change, that blow forever” EMC rips off a masterpiece devoted to the past, present and future of hip-hop, while never forgetting the overall perspective of fleeting life and inevitable change. Subjects like evolving music (MJ to Usher), technology (Beta to DVD), and clothes (Osh-Kosh to Phat Farm) are all well and good, but the highlight of this track is the last verse that takes a sad hindsight view of a hip-hop career from an old age perspective (”Holding the picture frame wishing that we didn’t age”) and the unfortunate decay that it can bring (”At 55 started forgetting lines, mumbling rhymes.”) As the rap moves to talking about freestyling with his grandchild, the song becomes both melancholy in its reminiscence and happy in the remembrance of the experiences. Honorable Mention: “Mathematics” (The Fashion) by The Fashion

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “27″ (Butter and Gun$ EP) by Blue Scholars 2) “O Samba Tai” (Carolina) by Seu Jorge

June: “Watch Out (Remix)” (The 3rd World) by Immortal Technique (click here for exclusive interview). Sounding incredibly sharp over a beat that samples from the Apocalypse sounding symphony from the central battle scene in Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and polished Green Lantern production, Immortal Technique barks through this track that cements his status as one of the most lyrically intelligent and delivery potent rappers around. Starting with his album sales off just a Source magazine quotable and moving onto direct attacks on the music industry (”they push pop music like a religion/anorexic celebrity driven, financial fantasy fiction”) and American government, Tech doesn’t take pause for a chorus here, but why bother when you can deliver like that for two and a half minutes straight? When he ends the song with, “I need more than advancements and a rented mansion,” you know that he means it, and doesn’t care who he pisses off in the process. Honorable Mention: “Let the Beat Build” (The Carter III) by Lil Wayne

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Reverse Pimpology” (The Third World) by Immortal Technique 2) “Dance Dance Dance” (Youth Novels) by Lykke Li

July: “Sittin’ On Chrome (Mr. Flash Sittin on Cr02 Remix)” (Delicious Vinyl: Rmxxology) by Masta Ace. This revamped version of the old school Masta Ace song is given all sorts of synths and electronic overtone. The verses get a video game-like sound backdrop with a fast dance beat. When the hook drops, the whole song slows down and the sample carries it. Honorable Mention: “Built to Last” (Coup de Theatre) by Haiku D’Etat

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Desperada” (Jeanius) by Jean Grae. 2) “GFC” (Como Te Llama?) by Albert Hammond Jr.

August: “Zhaoderen Nana” (Introducing Hanggai) by Hanggai. Another point of agreement with the roommate, Hanggai’s mixture of traditional Mongolian folk music and Western influences gripped us at the end of the summer and made for great lake music. The use of a an upbeat throat singer here and a rollicking strumming are contrasted with moments of full percussion. You’ll have to listen to get it. Honorable Mention: “Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You (The Twelves Remix)” (Partie Traumatic) by The Black Kids

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Zhaoderen Nana” (Introducing Hanggai) by Hanggai 2) “Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You (The Twelves Remix)” (Partie Traumatic) by The Black Kids

September: “Transitional Joint” (The Preface) by eLZhi. (full interview here) Beautiful production and a perfectly placed “just because of love” sample back Detroit’s eLZhi as he dissects relationships and the process of moving on from a failed one. Without ever losing a positive outlook, the lyrics don’t dwell on the past, but always look forward to that next glow. eLZhi acknowledges the sour experience of “rolling snake eyes” without losing sight of the feeling of “missing her like when the summer’s gone.” The delivery from verse to chorus are sensational and the beat is addictive. Honorable Mention: “Ship” (Purpleface EP) by Throw Me the Statue (interview)

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Girls and Boys In Love” (Girls and Weather) by Rumble Strips 2) “Honeybee” (Purpleface EP) by Throw Me the Statue

October: “Please Believe” (unknown) by Longshot. I’d give you a breakdown of this very solid hip-hop track, but you can click on this link and go listen to it yourself! Huzzah! Honorable Mention: “Electric Feel” (Oracular Spectacular) by MGMT

Jessie’s Picks: 1) “Sadie Hawkins” (Doomtree) by Doomtree, (interview) 2) “Electric Feel” (Oracular Spectacular) by MGMT

November: “Trail of Lies” (A History of Violence) by Jedi Mind Tricks. With a South American melody and lo-fi beat, this offering from JMT’s sixth studio album examines lies perpetuated by the government and mass media, among others. The gruff voice of Vinnie Paz and the lyrics about a system in severe trouble make for a socially conscious song steeped in conspiracy theories. Honorable Mention: “Signs” (Intimacy) by Bloc Party

Jessie’s Picks: “Don Julio” (Vulture’s Wisdom, Vol. 1) by Opio 2) “Trail of Lies” (A History of Violence) by Jedi Mind Tricks

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records (on January 12th 2009) Universal Music has released Motown 50 - a compilation of tracks chosen by Motown fans worldwide.

Motown 50 on amazon.co.uk

Motown on amazon.com

Universal Motown embraced social networking and the internet to create a unique compilation album by partnering with www.pollthepeople.com, a global online polling community, to launch the Greatest Motown Songs poll. The poll ran for four weeks throughout October and the ultimate Motown Top 50 has been selected combining the entries from both the UK and International polls*.

No surprises that (drum roll) Marvin Gaye’s phenomenal “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” topped the poll worldwide as the world’s no 1 Motown hit!

The top 5 also consisted of Diana Ross - “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love”, Diana Ross “I’m Still Waiting” and the legendary Stevie Wonder with “Superstition”.

As well as 50 of the hottest Motown tunes of all time from the 60s to the 80s, the 3 CD UK version also features some hard to find covers with some of the most outstanding artists singing songs from their peers. The legend that is Stevie Wonder gives us a mesmerising and very funky take on “Light My Fire”. There’s also a cracking version of “Everybody’s Talking” by The Four Tops followed by unbelievable renditions of classic tracks from The Temptations with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas with girly sing-along favourite “I Say A Little Prayer”.

The album also contains three rarely compiled Stevie Wonder tracks; “Superstition”, “Sir Duke” and “Masterblaster (Jammin)”.

The public have decided on their favourite 50 to mark the anniversary of arguably the most influential record label ever.

—

The Motown Sound went worldwide in the ’60s, and that sound still resonates today. With more than 180 No.1 songs and counting, Motown hits continue to appear in commercials, TV series and movies, and remain a massive influence on today’s biggest pop and R&B stars.

But Motown stands for more than just the music. It’s a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success. Berry Gordy Jr., a young African American man, founded Motown Records with a loan of $800 from his family. Through determination and support of the Motown family of artists, Gordy forged new grounds for minorities and made the “Motown Sound” a worldwide phenomenon adored by millions.

Track List

CD1

1) Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
2) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
3) The Supremes - Baby Love
4) Four Tops - I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
5) The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack
6) The Temptations - Get Ready
7) The Supremes - You Can’t Hurry Love
8 The Elgins - Heaven Must Have Sent You
9) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Nowhere To Run
10) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Jimmy Mack
11) The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)
12) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown
13) Jackson 5 - ABC
14) Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston - It Takes Two
15) Mary Wells - My Guy
16) The Contours - Do You Love Me
17) Frank Wilson - Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
18) R. Dean Taylor - There’s A Ghost In My House
19) The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love
20) Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
21) Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)
22) Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
23) Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - You Are Everything
24) Diana Ross - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

CD2

1) Stevie Wonder - Superstition
2) The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone
3) Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On
4) Commodores - Brick House
5) Edwin Starr - War
6) The Temptations - My Girl
7) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
8 Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - Endless Love
9) Commodores - Easy
10) Diana Ross & The Supremes - Reflections
11) Four Tops - Reach Out, I’ll Be There
12) Marvin Gaye - Let’s Get It On
13) Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
14) Michael Jackson Got To Be There
15) Smokey Robinson - Being With You
16) Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
17) The Miracles - Love Machine
18) Lionel Richie - All Night Long (All Night)
19) Diana Ross - Love Hangover
20) Thelma Houston - Don’t Leave Me This Way

CD3

1) Stevie Wonder - Masterblaster (Jammin)
2) Commodores - Nightshift
3) Diana Ross - Upside Down
4) Rick James - Super Freak
5) The Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady
6) Lionel Richie - My Destiny

THE COVER VERSIONS

7) Stevie Wonder - Light My Fire
8 Four Tops - Everybody’s Talking
9) Rare Earth - Get Ready
10) Kim Weston & Marvin Gaye - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)
11) Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - I Say A Little Prayer
12) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Wichita Lineman
13) Thelma Houston - Jumpin’ Jack Flash
14) The Temptations - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
15) The Supremes - Come Together
16) David Ruffin - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
17) Michael Jackson - You’ve Got A Friend

*Top 50 was subject to track clearance and artist consent.

Motown Official Website

Sach O’s Chakras’ are on a hundred, thousand. Trillion.

It’s a testament to the artistry of Alice Coltrane’s Universal Consciousness that you can follow it up with her great-grand-nephew Flying Lotus’ experimental Hip-Hop album Los Angeles and forget which record was released just a few months ago. No, there aren’t any glitchy beats or dub bass, and the whole thing isn’t drenched in static; but Coltrane’s 37 year old masterwork sounds just as fresh and modern as any new recording, with ideas and techniques still being rediscovered by today’s experimental artists.

Released in the aftermath of Miles Davis’ 1971 triumph, Bitches Brew, Universal Consciousness looks outside the jazz world for inspiration but isn’t a typical 70’s fusion record either. Drawing on the drones of traditional Indian music rather than the bombast of 70’s guitar-Gods, Universal Consciousness projects a deep spirituality and next level musicianship that has been the goal of followers like the Soulquarians ever since. Things start off traditionally (well, relatively) with the title track and “Battle at Armageddon” delivering the kind of noisy virtuoso jazz workouts that might freak out newcomers. While excellent examples of the genre, these tracks are just appetizers for what’s to come. Things really pick up on “Oh Allah” which melds jazz drumming and soloing with an incredible string section and laid back atmosphere: equal parts weed session and acid freakout. Still, the B-Side wins again and it’s the record’s later moments that truly shine.

With titles like “Hare Krishna” and “Sita Ram”, you know we’re not in Kansas anymore. Coltrane finds inspiration in the slow drones and echoing repetition of Indian classical music but forgoes obvious clichés such as Sitar solos, drawing on her superb harp and organ playing instead. A fervent devotee of Eastern spirituality, Coltrane’s interest in Indian music was more than skin deep and she deftly highlights the music’s strengths for an outside audience without ever pandering. While achieved with comparatively little amplification, the results foreshadow the epic droning waves produced by Shoegaze astronauts The Spacemen 3 and ambient snoozers Boards of Canada with disorienting free soloing and a solid jazz rhythm section keeping things moving rather than anchored. “Gorgeous” is an adjective used for all too many sleepy records, as anything slow, moving, and tonal tends to bring out dream-like emotions in listeners–but this is the real deal: the sound may be epic but the arrangements are complex, precise and adventurous, pushing the boundaries of music forward. By the time you hit “The Ankh of Amen Ra”, the combination of avant-guard musicianship and spiritual ambience hits its peak, compelling you to play the record again. Suffice to say, this is good music.

Oh, and since I mentioned it, pick up FlyLo’s record too. If I made a Top 10 list for the year, that’d be on it.

Download:
MP3: Alice Coltrane-”Hare Krishna” (Left-Click)
MP3: Alice Coltrane-”Sita Ram”