The HighLife

... was amazing!  Each day, from about noon when the first bands of the day struck their first chords, into the next morning when Silent Storm Silent Disco  would release the most dedicated masses from its white picket fenced corral, presented a brand new adventure.  Audibly, visually, edibly, and everything else in between.  There really weren't any bad acts at all.  We could probably try to post them all, but instead here are the ones that put on the most mind-blasting experiences.  Enjoy!


1. The Flaming Lips  

The colors, the streamers, the balloons, the confetti, the disco balls, the golden girl in the backdrop.  Pretty much the happiest show i've ever seen in my life.  Period.


2.  Ghostland Observatory

The breakout group of the entire festival.  Also quite possibly the best light show, accompanied with seriously heavy bass, you will find anywhere right now.   Ever heard of light that bends.


3.  The McLovin's

You were definitely not this cool when you were 16.  After they ripped all of us sweaty kids a new one, they came back for what proved to be the only encore that was actually answered all weekend.  And what an encore it was.


4.  Big Gigantic 

Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken definitely know how to party.   Working the Saxophone/production and the drums respectively, it feels like music you're familiar with already.  Just better.


5.  Sound Tribe Sector 9 

These dudes brought the rhythm, the funk, the bass, and the rest of the kitchen sink.  Essentially the sound of awesomeness!


Yup, take me back there now!!!!!!  Oh well, until next year.  Maybe we'll see you there next time.  Till then, thank you NATEVA!!!

                                

*
It's summertime and the livin' is easy.  Picking up where the last volume left off, here is more music for hot days and warm nights.



SUMMER Vol. 2
Take 2 Blue - Bitter:Sweet
How you like me now - The Heavy
Tighten Up - Archie Bell & The Drells
Funky Nassau - Orgone
I learned the hard way - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
You should be dancin' - The Bee Gees
Instrumentalude - Blitz the Ambassador
A River Dry (Girl from the South) Remix - Fantastic Plastic Machine
Shutterbug - Big Boi
Bumper 2 Bumper - Wande Coal
Crosstown Traffic - Jimi Hendrix
Gbono Fele - D'banj
We Fight/We Love Remix - Consequence ft. Q-Tip & Kanye West
The Prelude - Jay-Z
Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James & The Shondells
Lawn Boy - Phish
Lala lala - Tony Williams
Temptation Sensation - Henry Kiessling
Double Back on this Love - Tony Williams

*{image - mrmadeofcodes}

Music for sunny days.  The sounds of Summer Vol. 1


Summer Vol. 1 Tracklist
Theme from a Summer Place - Percy Faith
European Comfort - GOTA
Dreadlock Holiday - 10 CC
One Nation Under Groove - Parliament Funkadelic
That Girl - Stevie Wonder
The More I Get - Consequence
When Everything Changed - Oddissee
Feelin' It - Jay-Z
Camera - Oddissee
Sounds G.O.O.D. 2 Me - Consequence

   


There's a wood carving on the wall of a log cabin somewhere in Maine that says, "he that has the ability to see nature never grows old."  Spring has sprung ladies and gents.  You know, what some call like to sweatshirt season. So in light of that, here's the first in a series of season inspired tracks.  Out of too many conversations about the emotional rollercoaster that is winter emerged this particular mix.  So these are carefully selected to help you thaw out of hibernation. Just hit play and you're set. Better yet, just add it to your library and take them with you everywhere. Stay tuned for the next season...

         

Experience.  "If you have it you don't need it.  If you need it you don't have it...  You need it to get it, and you certainly need it to get more of it... you can't fake it... the point is, if you've never had any of it. Ever.  People just seem to know."* 
Kon (Boston) & Amir (NYC) are known around the most knowledgeable music circles as the "kings of crate digging", and the moniker certainly stands true.  I don't think they've ever played a bad set.  Ever!  Out now through BBE Music is their latest work, Off Track Vol III: Brooklyn.  Do yourself a favor and get a copy (HERE).  From classic soul, to disco, to afrobeat, and rare everything in between; anything they put out is a lesson in music, taste, and class.  Listen to Strong Love (Kon) and Brasil (Amir), you'll see.  These are true individuals with a collective sense of truth.  The truth that lies between the grooves of the wax disc. And as the saying goes, "the truth shall set you free."  Get loose and give respect where it's due.

Off Track Vol. III Preview

Brasil


Strong Love
++Download



*Bruce Campbell

Ridiculously good music! Top to bottom; lyrics, arrangement, video.  Best song of the year so far.  Turn it up loud!!

Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi - Tightrope


New album,  The Archandroid, in stores May 18th.

www.jmonae.com

Hola amigos! I hope your spring is coming in nicely!  I've sort of been in a retro mood all day, and these tracks have done their part in getting me there.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
This song was recently just used in a scene on my favorite new hbo show.  I've always liked this song, it reminds me of the something the Rascals' would make.  The kind of music that you can leave on repeat all day long just because it sounds sooo good.  The lyrics are also quite awesome.  Thank you television.
Tommy James & The Shondells - Crystal Blue Persuasion



B-Side
These guys have been claiming a growing market share of my listening lately.  Considering the amount of talent that they wield, and the expansive catalog, it's a surprise that they haven't been in the limelight more often.  I've posted a few of their tracks randomly on the HL over the past few weeks.  Def peep those.  But the big news is that they released a brand new album last week called "Interpreting the Masters Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates".  Yup. Just press play.
The Bird and The Bee - Private Eyes



++I can't go for that (Live w/ John Oates)++

That'll do it today.  Keep on keepin on.  Until next time, be easy.

The Naked Heroes & Bodega Girls 2/24 from Bodega Girls

Your local dance party purveyors Bodega Girls
with special guest The Naked Heroes (NYC)
Dance Party Tonight!!! (02.24.10)
@ Middlesex Lounge
Cambridge, MA

Courtesy of DJ/Producer Ryan Durkin (aka Captain Durk) by way of OnAFriday.com comes a hot blend of tracks to help take your mind off the cold weather for a bit.   Those that had the benefit of catching Do It Again (arguably the best Boston Sunday night dance party ever) before it closed are probably halfway through the download already... Umm, what are you waiting on?

Download: Ryan Durkin - Any Given Friday

For those unaware of the rare quality of funk and soul in and around New England, it might be partly because you've never heard the Galactic Fractures radio show.  It's hosted by PJ Gray and broadcast Sundays 2-4pm on WMFO 91.5FM .  Whether it's PJ spinning or one of the several amazing DJ's to have graced the decks at WMFO, the quality speaks for itself.  So do the archives, dating back to 2001.  The Galactic Fractures website might be exactly what your music library is lacking.  I'll jumpoff with two sick shows from the archive. The rest is in your hands. Start digging....

DJ Claude Money - 07/03/07

DJ Bogart - 09/30/07