The HighLife

I don't know how many truly sunshiny days we'll have left before the sun decides it only wants to do half of its job for the next 5 months, and since i can still hear birds chirping it seemed like a good day to break you off with some Zach Deputy.  He a South Carolina native that makes his way around these parts quite often.  His music is never down or sullen, surprisingly soulful, deeply funky, and just downright fun.  He's a one man band (a la Keller Williams), but you forget that once the music gets going. 

He played at the Wormtown sidestage off Shakedown Street at Bonnaroo this year, and i was literally drawn, like a moth to a flame, to the sound.  Phish had their glowstick war, he had the haystack hoedown.  Straight up ridiculousness! And trust me, that hay was not pristine.  There's a video of the Saturday latenight hoedown that i found.  Everyone in it is getting down, except that it's 6:30 am.  There was another dance party further up Shakedown that morning, and if i hadn't already been in one hoedown earlier in the night/morning you might have seen a dude attached to a gigantic 3ft in diameter pink balloon tied to a 20ft string bouncing along to the music in the back of the crowd.   True story.  Anyhoo, check out more of his music. We'll definitely keep you posted about upcoming shows.  It's an awesome live experience.  He's a pretty chill dude too... Here's to sunshine.  This is Zach Deputy (Sunshine, She Say, Haystack Hoedown)

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! It's been a bit.  I haven't really been on top of writing lately, as i'm sure some might have noticed.  I promise it's all been for good reason.  We're a year old now at The Highlife, and i thought i'd thank all of you out there livin' the highlife with a Jumpoff.  We're only just getting started people, and it seemed fitting to kick it old school to give you a glimpse of things to come on The Highlife.  Take for example, the image you're looking at right now.  Created by one of Boston's finest artists, Dan Szymanowski. You may not know him yet; that'll change.  But like i said, this is only just a preview. Welcome to The Jumpoff!



A-Side
This British house duo has been making me dance since high school, but i kinda eased off their sound once college hit.  Which would explain why i'd gone relatively unaware of their 2003 release, Kish Kash, for quite a while. Nevertheless, it made its way into my ears, and now it will make its way into yours. The juicy cuts at least. This is Basement Jaxx.



B-Side
Sometime last year i put up a post with the Entourage Season 5 closing credits soundtrack.  They're not killin' it so much this year; the show's still good though.  But the song from last week was absolutely solid. They dug deep to find an unreleased gem from the catalog of a music legend; I have nothing more to add... Marvin Gaye - Piece of Clay



And that'll do it for today.  I can't say when next i'll be posting, but it'll be sooner rather than later.  Live, love, be the highlife.  Stay cool.  Until next time, be easy.
-Afolabi

Flavorheard Radio Vol. 5 - Whiskey Barons Edition
Enjoy!

Hello, hello! Happy Friday and such!  Presenting to you, one of Lower Allston's finest! This next band has been handling the bidness for over 6 yrs in and around the Boston area.  Up until last year they had a Saturday night residency at the Middle East corner room.  They have since been touring the country sharing their brand of funk, rock, and jazz with any and all who would listen, all the while working on new music.  Even more awesome, is that for all of August into September, they will be working New England like it owes them something.  Mainly, a Thursday night residency at TOAD in Porter Square (which by the way is free music 7 days a week).  I caught their show last night, and was reminded of why my Saturdays are now a shade of what they used to be.  Tyler Drabick (guitar), Sam Gilman (hammond, keys), and Blake Goedde (drums, percussion) are OTIS GROVE...


www.myspace.com/otisgrove
www.otisgrove.net

Make this yours... Otis Grove - Crank it up

"Are you a mod or a rocker?" - Journalist
"I'm a mocker" - Ringo


Rose Royce - Put your money where your mouth is

FUNKY!

"Go in this thy might..."

60 minutes.  That's all you'll need to be thrown into full-blown summer mode.  The group we're spotlighting today just might turn the rest of your summer (possibly year) into one big dance party.  I learned about them very recently, and have now become quite attached to their sound in my ears (all day every day!).  They're a french based group spearheaded by Jerome Caron, and a group of talented musicians who produce a very specific brand of "disco-house", that is irresistibly infectious.  Just press play and you'll see what i mean. 

So, for the next 60 minutes all you need to do is, turn up the volume as LOUD as possible, kick back, loosen up, and behold the unassailable might of...

Blackjoy







By the time this is done you should be bouncing wherever you are; work, home, train, wherever.  Just try not to scare people with your enthusiasm.  They're probably not as ready for the summer as you are.  So do feel free to share Blackjoy with as many people as you can.  I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of Blackjoy Disco Jams, the only problem you'll have is liking it too much.  If that's possible.  Also, check out their blog for the latest on all that is Blackjoy.



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And that will do it for this New Music week.  Please do check out the groups and artists spotlighted all week, they're awesome and I know they'd think you're awesome too.  So get to know them.  Until next time, keep dancing, stay cool, and be easy.
Afolabi

 

What is soul? One dictionary decribes its as "the immaterial essence...the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment."

The group spotlighted today came to my attention a few weeks ago, through the wonderful world of the interweb.  Twitter to be exact, but that's neither here nor there.  What's important is that the connection led me to learn about a fabulous new artist that is sure to tear up airwaves very soon.  She describes herself as a "singer songwriter who relentlessly and unashamedly self-promotes".  Truthfully, her voice is all the promotion that's needed.  But i would be remiss, if i didn't big up her band, The Vipertones.  Who, from all sonic angles, are awesome.  I'd keep going, but then i wouldn't be taking my own advice.  Without further ado, this is...

Laura Vane & The Vipertones




Track list
Good morning
Roof off
Am i dreaming
Steam
Move no mountain
Album Promo



Their upcoming album, Am i Dreaming, will be out this month.  Stay tuned to lauravaneandthevipertones.com, their Myspace, and Twitter, for more on Laura Vane & The Vipertones.

Greetings and salutations friends!  Today, i'm kicking off a week of new music for your ears. Each day i'll be writing about a group that deserves your utmost attention, and to get it going we'll start with a amazing group from my hometown.

Smoke the Groove


I was at the homestead last week to visit the parentals, and while there i had the opportunity to be at probably the coolest party i'd ever been to in Harrisburg.  A good friend of mine had been invited by the lead singer, Joanna Kirby, to check out this party they'd be playing at.  I was in town and i figured why not.  We get there and realize that a whole block had been shut down for the "party".  Which upon closer observation proved itself to be a concert venue in the middle of the street; perfect.  A few other bands played before they came on; but once they were on, i had a strong urge to find me some glowsticks and dance my ass off.  Unfortunately i didn't really think that far ahead, so no shiny lights.

One song in particular, Isabel, had me moving way before i even realized i was moving, i just had to move.  And by the time they jumped into the best version of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" i've ever heard, i was kicking myself for not having brought a camera.  Their blend of jazz, soul, and funk is tempered by a very independent vision of their sound.  You really just have check it out for yourself.  You can download a live set they performed at Harrisburg's Der Maennorchor here. 

If you like what you hear, you can also follow them on Facebook or MySpace to get the latest on Smoke the Groove.  I chatted with Joanna and Sonja Bontrager (keyboards) after they played, and they're really cool people on top of their excellent musicianship.  So if you happen to catch them at a Smoke the Groove show, or at one of their various independent ventures, do say hi. 

Joanna Kirby with DJ Ben Freeman