The HighLife

Hello from the tundra!  Hope your day isn't buried underneath a snow pile somewhere.  If so, hopefully this helps dig you out.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
This is an artist to pay attention to in 09.  She burst onto the scene last year with the song, Chasing Pavements.  I heard that song when it came out, and just knew 'that voice is going places'.  Anyway, i was helping to celebrate my friend's b-day this weekend, she had her album playing in the car and i was reminded of why i thought that.  She reminds me of a younger Alice Russell, absolutely soulful.  But maybe a little less self-assured.  Regardless, if she keeps going the way she is, you'll be hearing a lot more from her in the future.  Here's two tracks from her debut album, 19.  Adele - Best for Last/ Right as Rain


B-Side
Now to a group that sort of defies classification.  Post-rock, experimental pop, loungy, indie-electronic-loungy-pop, it all fits.  Formed in London in 1990, they've been independently handling business since.  I can't really describe them any more, you just have to listen to them to form your own opinion.  My guess is that they'll probably rub you the right way.  Stereolab - Flourescences/ Excursions into Oh-Ah/ Cybele's Reverie/ Percolator



Seriously, who names a song "excursions into oh-ah"?  Oh well, that's it for today.  Keep on keepin' on.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Happy monday y'all!  I have a feeling that i was not alone in being unmotivated today, but i'm just speculating.  Today's tracks have a very African bent to them.  Inspired by today's b-side, i was reminded of the songs on the a-side.  They fit so well together, i had to drop them on you.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
They say that imitation is one of the highest forms of flattery.  So that could technically be translated as remixing/remaking someone elses song is a high form of flattery.  The Red Hot Organization is an AIDS benefit organization that does their work through pop culture mediums, i.e. making tribute albums/compilations.  I remember when i first heard about this album a couple of years back, i was still a fledgling afrobeat appreciator at the time, but i knew most of the songs that were used in the disc.  Which automatically made it soo much cooler in my view.  I was somewhat aware of the reach of Fela Kuti's music internationally, but didn't realize the extent to which it had pervaded the US. Seriously, the collaborator's list is like a virtual who's who of musicians that are awesome, at least in my book.  So here's two tracks from Red Hot + Riot.  They're both really sweet, but listen for Talib's part to drop in the first one, too good!  Talib Kweli/Dead Prez/J Ben (Shuffering and Smiling) - Gift of Gab/Lateef from Blacklicious (Kalakuta Show)



B-Side
New music alert!  One of my favorite rappers of all time is releasing a new album, The Ecstatic, on February 24th.  This is apparently the second leaked track from the album. Don't ask which was the first, i somehow missed that one.  And it's really not important, the album will be out soon enough.  But as for this one that we do have, i've been letting it wash over me all day, so i'll start from the beginning for you.  Like his first album, it's obvious that he's very much inspired by Fela Kuti.  This song makes that clear right from the get.  This track isn't sampling a song like he did on Fear not of man, but the man speaking at the beginning is Fela if you don't recognize his voice.  Points on that; but upon first listen to the rest of the song, you may want to dismiss it.  Please don't, play it back like 4 times and let the drums get in your system.  Don't expect some melodic chorus, just do it like he says 'simmer down'.  I also appreciate The Roots reference he throws in for good measure. Without any further ado, your turn... Mos Def - Quiet Dog


So that will do it for today.  New Mos Def album, February 24th, February 24th, New Mos Def album.  That's not a typo!  Until next time, be easy.

Afolabi