Gabe's Musical Ramblings

Mr. Lif

2006-07-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

	Mr. Lif Play

Mr. Lif has just released a new album featuring the unmistakable production of El-P. I've just started to listen to the album but I am already impressed by it. The track Brothaz has some political commentary that seems to have been lost through the years of Bush's reign. This album is both interesting and a good listen. It's definitely worth checking out.

Cut Chemist has just released another mind blowing album. I dont know how he does what he does but it's very impressive. I've been listening to the album, The Audience's Listening, and I continue to be amazed each time. My only issue is that parts of it are a little repetitive but Cut Chemit's skills are always shinning through.

Belle and Sebastian

2006-07-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

	The Life Pursuit Belle and Sebastian Play

So I started listening to this CD a while ago. I came across it when I was working at WRUR 88.5 in Rochester, New York. They stream live so you should check out the station. It's awesome and all the cool kids are listening to it. Their website is www.wrur.org. But I guess that's all beside the piont. This album is awesome! I haven't been a big fan of Belle and Sebatian before this album. In all honesty its probably because I never spent much time listening to them. I really like it though and it's relaly worth checking out. It's not that new but if you haven't heard it you should check it out. I think my personal favorite on the album is track 12, For the Price of a Cup Of Tea.

I was driving to work today and listening to the radio when who do I hear but LL Cool J it was an old school LL song and it got me in the mood to listen to some good old hip hop. I decided that I would listen to Beats, Rhymes And Life by A Tribe Called Quest . Tirbe is definitely one of my all time favorite hip hop groups. I would venture a guess that a lot of you share this same love. Both concious and fun, I can never get enough.

Sticking with my favorites of hip hop, I can't help but mention The Roots If I had to pick an all time favorite, The Roots would be right definitely be a major contender. LAst year they released a two disc compilation, Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots the title says it all. Some of my favorite tracks are on this compilation and if you dont have any of their music in your collection this is a great place to start.

Busta Bust

2006-07-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

	The Big Bang Busta Rhymes Play

So Busta's got a new album out and I'm just not sure how I feel about it. In all honesty its kinda borring. There are couple of tracks that I enjoy but as a whole it really falls short of my expectations. I've always been a big fan of Busta. I really enjoy his voice and he usually has a good time with the music that he make but this album just isnt up to par. It's probably worth checking out but definitely not worth a lot of time.

Ween

2006-06-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

	12 Golden Country Greats Ween Play

It's been a while since I've listened to Ween. Mainly this is because I lost the CD or something along those lines. It's fun music though and they're really good musicians. It's definitely not for everyone, they can be a little lude, and it's definitely country music

Hot Chip has just released a new E.P. Boy From School sticks to the Hot Chip sound. While they defintieyl have some Electronica influence, Hot Chip also pulls alot of their sound from classic hip hop. They use many funk grooves that could easily be associated with the early hip hop movement. I think this group is either love or hate but it's definitely worth checking out.

Again, I jut wanted to appologize for the incosistancy of posts. I've been a little busy but I'll try to be better.

John Legend

2006-06-22T14:17:00.000-07:00

	Get Lifted John Legend Play

So I had some really good soul food for lunch today. Being the person that I am I then came back and decided to search for soul music on Rhapsody. Somehow through my search I came across one of my favorite vocalists John Legend. I've spent a lot of time listening to a CD that he did with just his voice and his piano playing and have loved it since the start. This album however brings in some more elements. Still featuring Legends voice, Get Lifted, is

back by clean instrumentals. Most of these song are the same songs I was listening to before but hey... they
sound different.

Next up we have Fatboy Slim has released a greatest hits album. If you're a fatboy slim fan, which I'll admit I am from time to time, then you shoudl definitely check it out. I know greatest hits albums are sometimes a let down but this one looks good.

Alright well thats what I've got to talk about for now.

The Gab

2006-06-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

	Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up The Gift Of Gab Play

Alright, I know this CD isn't new news by any means, but it had been awhile since I had given it a good listen and I quickly remembered why it is one of my favorites. With some great examples of North West production, and Gift of Gab's thought provoking and extermely tight lyricism you can't go wrong with this album. If you want something a little newer from the Gift of Gab's library, you can check out The Craft which was released last year. I know this probably isn't news to you but hey, this is my blog and it's about music I like right?

So up next we have Amos Lee with his self titled album. I really enjoy this album and Amos Lee's voice in general . I don't relaly have much to say about this album but if you happen to be a Seattle KEXP listener you've probably heard his voice over the airwaves. He's definitely worth checking out.

Alright well that's it for today. Sorry about the lack of post yesterday, the day just slipped away from me.

Gossip

2006-06-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

	Standing In The Way Of Control The Gossip Play

So the Gossip is nothing new but I was reading today on CMJ (College Music Journal) that they have a new remix out. Well, I'm not featuring the remix but I am featuring the Gossip today. Hailing from our great state of Washington's capitol, the Gossip aren't a group I would typically listen to. That said, I really like listening to them. They have this raw sound that they seem to be very good at controlling. As a group, the Gossip is extremely together. The album is well pollished and I can't wait to hear the remix.

KRS One has realeased a new album entitled Life . I just started listening today but it seems like KRS has once again delivered. Now I think my favorite song by KRS One will always be A Friend , there's just something that I always really enjoy about the track. I know it probably isn't considered one his best but I think it's refreshing to hear an M.C. address friendship in such a straightforward manor. As far as the new album goes, I'm really enjoying the track F-cked Up.

Jurasic 5 has a new single out. The track Work It Out (NuMix main) is a precursor to their new album which is set to be in stores soon. Work It Out is definitely what you expect from the L.A. crew. I enjoyed listening to the single and am excited to hear what the enite album has in-store.

Crown City

2006-06-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

	Earthtones Crown City Rockers Play

Today's featured artist is the Crown City Rockers. Their album Earthtones is a refreshing blend of production, instrumentation and lyricism. The group formerly known as mission really brings it. Crown City Rockers recorded this album in the Bay area and although they aren't all from Cali, you can feel the West Coast style. The album was officially released in 2004but some how I didn't hear about it until last night and didn't listen to it until this morning. Being that as it is, I figure some of ou may not have heard this album. Go Check It Out. Earthtones

So the Coup, yes another Bay area artist, has done it again. There newest album Pick a Bigger Weapon is more of the politically charged music they we have come to expect from the Coup. One song stands out in particular for me. This song probably isn't the best on the album and it's not the deepest track I've ever heard but I think it sums up what the Coup does best. I Love Boosters! is a clever song about women who "jack from the retail" and sell clothes to people at cheaper prices. The song is definitely funny but if you take another listen it really does make you think.

Blue Scholars

2006-06-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

	Blue Scholars Blue Scholars Play

So I'm going to try and feature an album every day. We'll see how it goes and please comment if you have an idea for a feature. As you can see the Blue Scholars are today's featured artist. It's been a while since this album originally came out, but since then its been been re-released and replayed (many times) in my mp3 player. So I wanted to spotlight the album and rep the Seattle hip hop duo.

De La Soul is just one of those groups that I feel the need to listen to every summer. There's something about the combination of their production and lyrical performance that just makes listening fun. I think we probably all have some summer anthems that follow us from year to year and De La Soul should definitely be on that list.

Just Some Ruminations

2006-06-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

I guess I'll start out with the Gnarls Barkley album. Eveyone probably knows about it already but I can't leave it unmentioned. I'm loving the album and can't wait to hear more from Cee Lo in them Cee Lo in the future. If for some odd reason you haven't been able to here it yet you should check it out.
St. Elsewhere

I'm really into the new Murs album right now. I've been loving the track L.A. Maybe it's cause I'm going to L.A. for school next year or maybe it's just cause it's tight. You should definitely check it out though
L.A.

I've also really been enjoying the Raconteurs. The album Broken Boy Soldiers is Brendan Benson's side-project that he says isnt really a side-project.
The Raconteurs

Last but not least for this post. I can't wait for the whole album, but for now, the new Outkast single is keeping my ears happy. Mighty O by Outkast is another interesting Outkast creation but more then that it's just fun to listen to.
Mighty O (Main Version)

Well, That's all for now.

Wilco Wilco Wilco

2006-06-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is but shit do I like Wilco. Maybe I'm just crazy but last night I was driving around listening to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and it was really enjoyable. I know it's not a new album or anything but I'm just a big wilco fan . I figured I'd talk about it and if for some reason you haven't gotten into Wilco yet you should and if you are a Wilco fan then you know why I'm writing about it.

Well now that I've gotten Wilco out of the way, it's time to move on to the gospel. Ollabelle has been in my rotation for a while now. These guys (and girls) are a lot of fun to listen to. They put an interesting twist on some traditional gospel songs and spice everything up with great instrumentalists.

On that same note,Ben Harper and The Blind Boys Of Alabama did a gospel CD that I can't get enough of. My copy happens to be scratched which is killing me but the album is incredible.