Wed 21st

On Point: Zach Deputy

Published by: Afolabi on Wednesday 21st October 2009 07:10pm

zach deputy sunshine

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)



zach deputy

Tue 29th

The Jumpoff 09.29.09

Published by: Afolabi on Tuesday 29th September 2009 07:09pm
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!

floaters

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

Mon 21st

Birthday Music

Published by: Afolabi on Monday 21st September 2009 11:09pm
whiskey barons

Flavorheard Radio Vol. 5 - Whiskey Barons Edition
Enjoy!

whiskey barons
Thu 13th

Teddy Pendergrass LIVE

Published by: Afolabi on Thursday 13th August 2009 07:08pm
teddy pendergrass

Raw unadulterated intensity.  Take those words individually or collectively, that's Teddy Pendergrass.  A lot of people don't know about this man or his music, partly because of a 1982 car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and that is unfortunate.  I read some recent reports from Philadelphia that said he was ill, and it got me inspired to show the man, and his talent at the height of his reign.  Here are clips from his legendary 1979 live concert, and from a 1981 concert before his accident.  They really give you a glimpse into the kind of magnetism that he had, especially on those of the fairer sex.  Look around the crowds, you'll see what i mean.  His band is as tight as any other band from the era, his backup vocalists bring their own individual brands of attitude to the stage (they might be my favorite part of his band), while he channels all that energy into a tour-de-force of funk, soul, and r&b.  Seriously, watch the clips, he is on point from the get. A lot of r&b singers today wish they had half as much soul as this man.  Though he may go by other monikers and nicknames,  his fans simply know him as Teddy.



teddy live

Mon 3rd

Mayer Hawthorne

Published by: Afolabi on Monday 3rd August 2009 06:08pm
Necessary viewing. Official video for Mayer Hawthorne & The County, "Just ain't gonna work out." Awesome video concept.   Plus, a barbershop quartet video. and another track, "I wish it would rain", from his album.

Thu 9th

New Music - The Genetics

Published by: Afolabi on Thursday 9th July 2009 12:07am
What it is people. Hope your mid-week is moving along well.  Today, the spotlight is on a talented duo of musicians/producers from right here in the bean.  Currently based in L.A. (Lower Allston, fyi) and headlined by brothers, Chris and Jonathan Reynolds, they've been plying their trade for a bit now, and have an album, Urbanomics, that's out right now.  I own a copy myself and it would behoove you to own one as well. 

Influenced by a wide spectrum of music from KRS One, to De la Soul to Zap Mama, their music provides deliciously varied flavors for the musical palette.  I caught them live at Harper's Ferry recently, and you know how there are cd's you listen to all the time, and then you see it live and it sounds even better than the cd.  Yup, that's what it was.  Do check them out if they happen to come by your way.  This is...

The Genetics
the genetics urbanomics



Check out TheGenetics.com for more on The Genetics.

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Wed 8th

New Music - Laura Vane & The Vipertones

Published by: Afolabi on Wednesday 8th July 2009 06:07am
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
laura vane am i dreaming



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


laura vane

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.

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Sat 27th

DJ Jantine B - Sleeves on Hearts (KUSF 90.3)

Published by: Afolabi on Saturday 27th June 2009 11:06pm
kusf

3 hr set from the one and only DJ Jantine B, on San Francisco's KUSF 90.3.  Get your musical schooling from one of the best DJ's you'll find on either coast.  Kick back, relax, and get in the groove.

Listen - Sleeves on Hearts

Thu 11th

Soul Extravaganza Vol. 2

Published by: Afolabi on Thursday 11th June 2009 01:06am

soul

Soul music.  A glimpse into the human condition.

Track List
James Fountain - Seven Day Lover
Helen Troy - I think i love you
Willie Mitchell - That driving beat
The Pretenders - Be yourself
The Moonlighters - Lonely baby
Herbs - Never, never (Will i fall in love)
Disciples of Soul - That's the way love goes
The Vonns - So many days
The Mar-Keys - Philly dog
The Chymes - My baby's gone away
The Adorables - Ooh, boy!
Ola V. Harper - I wanna weep
The Sweets - Something about my baby
San Francisco TKO's - Make up your mind
The Embers - Where did i go wrong
The De Vonns - Someone to treat me
Troy Keyes - Love Explosion

northern soul dance


Thu 21st

On Point: Stax Records - The Soul of Hiphop

Published by: Afolabi on Thursday 21st May 2009 12:05am

stax


"There is nothing new under the sun"
Old is new, new is old, old wants to be young, young wants to be old, on and on it goes, but there is really no difference except in between.  Here we have a compilation of some of the finest soul tracks ever cut, courtesy of the legendary Memphis, TN music label, Stax Records.  Anyone who considers themselves even remotely knowledgable about hiphop will be surprised to find out how many hiphop songs are really sampled soul tracks.  The Wu, ODB, Three 6 Mafia, Big Daddy Kane, noone is exempt.  All of them influenced by the harmonies of The Emotions, the funk of Booker T & The MG's, The Bar-Kays,  The Dramatics, the groove of Rufus Thomas, and most of all the supreme musical genius of Isaac Hayes.  Get some Stax in your life!  This is... Stax Records - The Soul of Hiphop


stax at work