The HighLife

Are you sitting comfortably?  Now let's begin.  Or more so, close out 2009.  It's seems that everyone is really eager to throw out 2009 with the bath water.  I personally beg to differ.  A common malady of our current web 2.0 generation is ridiculously short memory spans, and if some of us were to actually consider the entirety of '09 we'd find something to cheer about.  So here's my thanks to 09.  The year that connected all of us much closer than we are even yet to realize; giving way to the rise of social media, unreal NYC all night dance parties, the disco ball at Santos party House, pastel colored sunglasses, the most ridiculous Bonnaroo ever, Pretty Lights, Phish coming back, the most amazing concert i've ever been to with The Roots and Antibalas @ the Red Bull Soundclash, rocking out underneath the McGrath Bridge, free Chester French and Wale concert in Harvard Square, Jesse Dee, The Bodega Girls, Show Dem Camp, Blackjoy, Shepard Fairey at the ICA, dance parties at the ICA... i could keep going but it'd take too long.  So if you're of the opinion that this year wasn't that great, you probably weren't trying hard enough. 





As we proceed into the new year, the Highlife crew would like to thank you all for your support.  This enterprise has been a leap of faith from the beginning, and it wouldn't be possible without all of you out there.  The scary thing about leaps of faith is that you don't how or if you'll land.  But you have to jump anyway.  That said, our resolution for 2010 is to make the impossible possible.  Keep watching this space.

Jumpoff On Point 2009


Happy New Year!!!

MELLOW.

It seems I'm in a Tar Heel state mood...  Aside from a select few artists, the art of storytelling has mostly been neglected not only by hiphop but by most genres of music in general.  It's one thing to write a song that is layered in meaning and abstract in delivery, but it's even more revealing to tell a story that is real and uncompromising.  It's exactly the latter sort of storytelling that makes this North Carolina native so intriguing.  The first signee to RocNation, he's released two mixtapes since last year, The Come Up and The Warm Up, and they're both sick!  Simply not your average hiphop.  Definitely check out the ode to his home state, "Carolina on my Mind" from The Come Up, but most especially the crazy good "Dreams" from The Warm Up.  That's it for now but keep in mind, if he's only just warming up y'all better be ready for game time.  This is J. Cole.

Merry merry y'all.  Here's one of a few presents we've got for you before the year is out.   Think of them as essentials for heading into the new year.  First off, a couple of guaranteed party starters by a duo of really talented dudes from Norway.  These are the Albino Superstars.

Team Disco

+ Louder Version

My Girls

What it is people.  While were on the topic of haunting music that you can't get out of your head (thank you Corey!).  Here are a couple that will most definitely percolate around your cranium for a while.  Plus some images that will certainly do the same.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side

{image/mrmadeofcodes}
Where is Lloyd?  This song is probably about two years old now, but for whatever reason each time i hear it again it always seems like the first time hearing it.  The remix is also just as persistent, but the original "oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh g-g-g-get it shawty" gets me everytime.  Get yours.  Lloyd - Get it Shawty



B-Side

{image/mrmadeofcodes}
I dare you to listen to this and not get it stuck in your head.  Pick one, the verse, the chorus, the beat; it will stay with you.  Whatever your feelings may be about The Dutchess, just remember that the "the girl can't help it."  Fergie - Clumsy



That'll do it today.  Try to keep your mind positive, regardless of what finds its way into your head.  Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.

From his April 2009 solo album, Brand New Blues, here's the New Orleans jazz-funk-blues flavor of the youngest Neville brother. 

Cyril Neville - I Found Joy

Harmolipi Twp. Book 2
{Image/Andrew Negrey}

This view of Harmolipi Twp. Book 2 is part of an ongoing series from artists Andrew Negrey and Luke Meeken.  Harmolipi Twp. Book 1, which can be found in Issue 1 Addendum, touches on themes of thought and beliefs.   Issue 2  "explores the mythology of space. Present in all works is a sense of isolation, an investigation of the inner world, the otherworld, and the unknown, and an attempt to capture and understand the singular mystique and insular nature of the individual and the world she or he creates. "   Also, most definitely check out Issue 2 Addendum, "24 daily installments featuring contributors from Issue 1" and more.  So far you've missed...

Day 1 - Personalize and Send Your Own E-Card
Day 2 - Action/Adventure EP  Super Treno Land {Definitely peep Level 1 and Level 9}
Day3 - Celestial Maps  Christopher Kardambikis  {Very modern rennaissance}

... Stay tuned.


Celestial Maps 3
{Image/Christopher Kardambikis}

Oh hello!  Just a little update for ya's.  Remember this from earlier in the year, On Point: Double Wonderful.  Yup, good times! Well, you can get their record for free.  Really, who doesn't like free?  Feel free to let us know if you don't like free.  As for the rest of you, get your yacht rock fix, because where else are you going to find music this smooth.  It's only a few clicks away.

Download Me!



That's the Way

Ever since the first time i heard this track, back in the summer, i have literally been watching and waiting for the video to come out just so that i could share it with the rest of you out there.  And people, today is the day. Brought to you by the Lagos based jet-setting gents that delivered "Yawa on the Dancefloor", which by now those of you currently residing in Europe or Africa have probably heard blowing up speakers in clubs.  Anyone west of the Atlantic, i highly recommend looking it up if you haven't heard it yet.  ("Yawa" means "trouble") But i digress.  This song evokes a smoother vibe, and features effortlessly delivered lyrics that belie the poignancy of the words actually being said.  It is strictly for the grown and sexy.  If you don't know their name yet, get to know it, because they will show you one way or the other.  Of all the songs i've heard this year, this is my song of the year.  Get up to it, get down to it, play it on repeat a million times.  I have.  Seriously, you'll only like it more. 

Show Dem Camp - Tell Me Nothing

This New York based Venezuelan band released their first album in 1995; working on the strength of that album for two years until David Byrne (yeah, that David Byrne) discovered and signed them to his Luaka Bop label in 1997.  Since then, they have released four more albums.  The most recent being the Dimitri from Paris produced Super Pop Venezuela (2006).  Their sound glides effortlessly between disco, funk, acid jazz, salsa, and merengue.  Unlike many bands today, they don't seem to take themselves very seriously, which is awesome.  Read the scrolling captions in the video for Si Estuvieras Aqui and you'll understand.  But don't let the comedy fool you, they are a seriously talented band, that make seriously good music, that will seriously make you move.  This is Los Amigos Invisibles.

Si Estuvieras Aqui


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