The HighLife

Keziah Jones - Nigerian Wood
This installment of AfroFriday is a little different than the usual.  It's still African themed, but we're featuring an entire album today.  I've been a fan of this man's work since i heard his 2003 album, Black Orpheus.  He released a new album last September, which has gone mostly unheeded on this side of the pond.  Until now, hopefully.  His style isn't straight up afrobeat, or even necessarily African at that.  He's been known to blend the sounds of his Nigerian heritage with other genres, from rock, to soul, to funk, to jazz, to folk, to blues.  Deeply thoughful, this album showcases his versatility very well.  It's not the type to overpower you, it's more like it woo's you until you're completely at it's mercy. Some highlights include the smooth 'Long distance love', and the fun but absolutely true 'Lagos vs New York'.  If you've been to Lagos, you know.  He's a guitarist, and it definitely influences a lot of the tracks on the album.  Whether sparsely acoustic, sparsely electric, or fully produced, there's something on Nigerian Wood for everyone.

Friends of The HighLife, Flavorheard, just released their latest mix of music for "your booty and soul".  Pour out a glass of something smooth, and then prepare yourself to get down. 
Flavorheard Radio Vol. 3

Check out their other mixes and upcoming dates at flavorheard.com and on their myspace.

Today 64 years ago, 1945 for the mathematically challenged, Robert Nesta Marley (2/6/1945 - 5/11/1981), commonly known as Bob Marley was born.  His music has definitely been in my life for as long as i can remember.  Most people don't realize that while he was alive he struggled to really reach the American audience the same way he did with Europe and Africa.  Eric Clapton did a lot to change that.  But it's simple really, British Commonwealth nations are more interconnected.  In his hey, at least in Nigeria, there was probably only one other artist that surpassed him in popularity, Fela Kuti.  And he was Nigerian.  His posthumous album, Legend, is still the top selling reggae album of all-time, and now his offspring are producing some of the best reggae out there.  He was with us for only 36 years, but in that he made a difference that is still being felt in his home country, and the world at large.  Here's to greatness!

Judge Not/ One cup of coffee - The first two singles he ever recorded (1962)

Concrete Jungle - First British tv performance, his introduction to world if you will (1973)



So take some time today to put up your lighters, burn one down, and simply celebrate the life of one the best and brightest of our kind. One love.

"Who gives a FCUK"

For real?

Ok, i am sooooo over winter! Just absolutely done with it.  The only thing left to do is just keep listening to music to stay sane.  And so to aid that effort we've got some futuristic ish on the plate today.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
I've been hearing a lot about this artist over the last few months.  Honestly, i haven't jumped all over it like some of my counterparts out there.  But as is with most good music, it will find a way to reach your ears whether you like it or not.  So i'm watching Real World with my roommate, and he pauses the show to play a song for me that he's been blasting all week.  Kid Cudi - Cleveland is the reason



B-Side
Staying in the theme of newly recommended listening.  This is Canadian duo was recommended by one of my co-workers, Gary (seriously, i work w/ the coolest people on earth).  I don't want to take the credit for this, so i'll give you his description of the group. "sort of like Spankrock x LCD Soundsystem or if you're retro-minded: Roxanne Shontay x ESG". This track is really bouncy, and i love the video.  Thunderheist - Jerk it



And that'll be it for today.  Just remember, the groundhog saw his shadow.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Bump Bump.
I didn't even know Sinatra's daughter was in the music busines. Thanks, Audio Bullies. Learn something new everyday.

Sort of like the end of year dispatch.  Here's a playlist of music selections that were featured in January's Jumpoff posts.  Enjoy!

Please bear with the commercial before the music starts, it's worth it.

Happy hump day! I don't really have a theme around today's selections, just some sounds that are really easy on the ears.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
You know how certain things/sounds/smells remind you of particular randomness, whatever that may be.  Well, the album that these songs are from, Modern Times, reminds me of when i'd just moved to Boston.  That album, JT's FutureSexLoveSounds, and The Roots Game Theory, were on a loop the whole drive up to MA, and then for a while after that.  There's no need to wax nostalgic or sentimental about this artist, he's been around long enough that it's possible. I'll just leave you with his words, "you can be in my dream, if i can be in yours. I said that".  Bob Dylan - Spirit on the water/ Ain't talkin'



B-Side
I feel like i've talked about this artist on here before, so i won't go into too much detail.  British dude, pianist, outstanding performer, with a great sense of humor, which he feeds into his songwriting.  In a day and age when i find myself caring less and less for most artist's lyrical content, he has a way of making me care.  He's had about 4 albums, 1 live one, and a bunch of collaborations with artists that are really cool. Seriously, look it up.  These tracks are from his most recent album, 2005's Catching Tales. I'll let the songs speak for themselves.  Jamie Cullum - Back to the Ground/ My yard


That will do it today. Stay cool.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi