The HighLife

Hello, hello, hello! I'm slowly pulling myself back into the world today.  I was at the Red Bull Soundclash featuring The Roots vs Antibalas last night, and it was out of this world.  It was like no concert i, or i'm sure anyone else there, had ever seen before.  But needless to say, a lot of energy was exerted and i'm paying for it now. It's also affecting the music in my ears today.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
So i seriously don't have the energy or willingness to put any deep effort into this, other than to tell you that it's good.  These guys are a pop rock band from Brazil.  This song was playing on WERS yesterday and i really liked the vibe, very easy and not trying too hard.  Kinda like me today.  I recommend just letting the music wash over you like waves, but not the variety that would make surfers happy.  Speaking of surfers, the camera they used for the video for this song sort of gives it an old surfing movie vibe.  Los Hermanos - La Morena




B-Side
I saw this artist in concert on a boat cruise last summer.  It was raining that night, so everyone was packed inside the main cabin listen to these guys get down.  And did they!  The video for this particular song, shot at the Somerville Theater right here in Boston, doesn't do justice to how powerful it is live when you're standing right next to the band, and there's rabid fans dancing, jumping and singing every word to the song.  Anyway, he's constantly on road so i'd suggest looking into when he's coming to your town.  Ryan Montbleau Band - Stretch



And that'll do it today.  Rock out this weekend, cos someone has to!  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Nyash
I'll keep this short because there isn't much to know.  I just saw these guys tear it up with The Roots last night, two stages, two bands, at the same time, back and forth, singularly.  I don't have too many adjectives to describe it other than to say it was amazing!  This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, and all that the song says is that you need to move your ass, which is what 'nyash' translates to.  Now that you know, do it.

I've reached the conclusion I blog my best while I'm in class.  I think it's because it's an hour and a half to think about anything I want, and cruise the internet finding things i love.   my teacher thinks i'm an asshole.

Anyway, I found (quite possibly) the best time-wasting tool I've found in a long time.
idee multicolr search lab lets you pick up to ten of your fav colors, and takes photos from flickr that match the color scheme you've chosen. Guaranteed hours upon hours of endless entertainment.

P.S. I am so stoked I finally figured out how to do a screen shot on my Mac. What a great day.

Holy F'n moly this ish get's me rowled up. Is that a word? F yeah, now it is. It only gets better, and watching the crowd in this is like taking a patron espresso tequila shot. bahhhhh!!!

and another one....

Today's ladies and gents, it's all about soul. Featuring two ladies that come corre correct with the soul and funk.  One you may know, and the other probably not, but regardless, welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
One of the top 3 bands i've heard live, plus their vibrant front-woman make up a tour-de-force of soul and funk.  As good as their recordings, or videos may be, they will always pale in comparison to the real thing.  Anyway, the first video is with the band introducing her to the stage, which breaks into "Not gonna cry".  The next video is a performance of "Keep on looking"; which is classic Ms Jones.  Yes, she actually wants people dancing on stage with her.  From someone who's been on that stage with her, it's probably the closest any of us regular people will get to owning a crowd like that.  The band's behind you, the funk is all up in you like the Holy Spirit, Ms. Jones is dancing with you. Trust me, it's intense.  Sharon Jones - Not gonna cry



Keep on looking




B-Side
I was introduced to this artist's music through a co-worker.  She's been around for a while, and has worked with many well-known artists like Quantic Soul Orchestra, Femi Kuti, and The Bamboos.  Solo, she has released four albums.  The most recent being 2008's Pot of Gold.  I've been getting down to the first video all day, especially the second song in it.  The second video is clearly more polished, as it's from a French tv station, but still carries the essence of this lady.  My favorite part about her music, in general, is it's diversity.  She has a powerful voice, no question.  Yet, though these songs are more inclined to soul and funk, she fits in almost any genre you can think of.  Listen to her entire catalog, and i'm sure you'll be asking yourself how you haven't heard of this lady before now. I did.  Alice Russell - Living the life of a dreamer/ Munkaroo



Turn and Run



Aight then people, stay cool. Until next time, be easy.

Afolabi

oh.snap.

I usually don't care for dominoes all falling in a row. Like who hasn't seen that a thousand times? But in one of my classes, our teacher asked us to YouTube "creativity" and we were supposed to find something familiar....(although I didn't find whatever it was she wanted us to find.) Instead, I came across this masterpiece! Ok, I gotta admit, it gets boring after about 4 or so minutes, but you gotta respect the guy that put this together.  I scanned the comments, he said it took him TWO WEEKS to construct!  First of all, how do you have that much time AND room? Second of all, what if one domino accidentally falls and it all falls down? Was anyone allowed to walk around the house? I imagine that this guy had to tiptoe everytime he was around this beast.

And let's get this clear, I really wouldn't normally blog something dorky like this, but I saw it as domino ART!


So anyway.

Hello friends. I apologize for my tardiness in getting this out. Technical difficulties.  Fortunately, today's music should be a worthy appeasement. Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
I came across this song accidentally, while looking for a different song.  The other song is also by this artist i was told.  And one day when i do find it, you'll be the first to hear.  Anyway, to cut a long story short, it'll make you dance.  Suzy Q - Get on up and do it again



B-Side
Around the Christmas holidays last year, George posted a video of "No can do" with Chromeo hanging out and jamming at Daryl Hall's house.  Well, it seems like there are more gems from where that came from.  I like the run-up to the song; they're sipping wine, checking out the pool, talking about home design, and then, jam session.  The fact that they can just meld together, really just own the song, and then take it somewhere that the original cannot is simply impressive.  Chromeo w/ Daryl Hall - Tenderoni (Live from Daryl Hall's house)



That's it today, catch you soon.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi 

Tic Tac and Tony Tetuila - Fefe n'efe
This song is the result of a collaboration of two artists from Ghana (Tic Tac) and Nigeria (Tony Tetuila).  Some of the Yoruba lines are sketchy in the grammatical correctness, and i simply can't speak on the Ghanaian aspect.  But the song pretty much is just talking abuot the beauty of a woman, and that's about all that you really need to know.  The rest is dancing.

"My GOD, did that smell good!"