Mar
11th
the jumpoff 03.11.09
By Afolabi
Wednesday hump day. If you're the optmistic type, the week is
almost over. Here's some more soul cuts for your soul.
Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
There were a lot of groups from the 60s that had names like "The (object/subject/noun here; e.g. Locations, Okayshions, Marvelettes, Oneders, j/k)". This is one of them. Signed to Motown in 1962, they spent most of the 60s scoring mild hits and playing mostly as supporting acts to other Motown names. Yet, they still have a really good sound that caught on in England, especially with the Northern Soul movement. These next songs are very much in that vein. The Velvelettes - Stop beating around the bush, Something's happening
B-Side
A good friend of mine i hadn't spoken to in a while called me the other day. As our conversations are wont to do, we ended up talking about music. And i have to give it to him he caught me unawares, mainly because he's been listening to Al Green's new album, Lay it Down, a lot lately. Yeah, Al Green has a new album. Well relatively, he released it in May 2008. Regardless, i had no idea there was even an album to speak of. So i went and checked it out. It's good! It's what you want and expect from the Reverend. Straight up soul. Horns, organs, that falsetto. What more can i say... Al Green - All i need, I'm wild about you
That's it today. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
There were a lot of groups from the 60s that had names like "The (object/subject/noun here; e.g. Locations, Okayshions, Marvelettes, Oneders, j/k)". This is one of them. Signed to Motown in 1962, they spent most of the 60s scoring mild hits and playing mostly as supporting acts to other Motown names. Yet, they still have a really good sound that caught on in England, especially with the Northern Soul movement. These next songs are very much in that vein. The Velvelettes - Stop beating around the bush, Something's happening
B-Side
A good friend of mine i hadn't spoken to in a while called me the other day. As our conversations are wont to do, we ended up talking about music. And i have to give it to him he caught me unawares, mainly because he's been listening to Al Green's new album, Lay it Down, a lot lately. Yeah, Al Green has a new album. Well relatively, he released it in May 2008. Regardless, i had no idea there was even an album to speak of. So i went and checked it out. It's good! It's what you want and expect from the Reverend. Straight up soul. Horns, organs, that falsetto. What more can i say... Al Green - All i need, I'm wild about you
That's it today. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
10th
the jumpoff 03.10.09
By Afolabi
Wassup people! Hope i find you well. As i mentioned
yesterday, it's all about soul this week. So without further
ado. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
I heard this song a few days ago while watching UNC play Duke again. I didn't know who sang it, come to think of it i really couldn't hear the words either, i just knew that my head was bouncing. But thank goodness for friends, and friends that know their ish at that. Sam (a.k.a DJ Bogart of Flavorheard) informed me that this song was used as the sample for Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't no half steppin". Which i would also recommend you listening to. But today it's about... The Emotions - Blind Alley
B-Side
Here we have a soul group from Detroit's little known Soulhawk Records. I only came across this song because i was looking for some Mayer Hawthorne (more on him later). But regardless, it's an awesome song in its own right. The lyrics are pretty poignant in that i'm sure everyone has felt that emotion at some point in their life. But the mellow soulful harmonizing all through the song is really what carries this into the eschelon of soul music. The New Holidays - Maybe so Maybe no
And that's it today. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
I heard this song a few days ago while watching UNC play Duke again. I didn't know who sang it, come to think of it i really couldn't hear the words either, i just knew that my head was bouncing. But thank goodness for friends, and friends that know their ish at that. Sam (a.k.a DJ Bogart of Flavorheard) informed me that this song was used as the sample for Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't no half steppin". Which i would also recommend you listening to. But today it's about... The Emotions - Blind Alley
B-Side
Here we have a soul group from Detroit's little known Soulhawk Records. I only came across this song because i was looking for some Mayer Hawthorne (more on him later). But regardless, it's an awesome song in its own right. The lyrics are pretty poignant in that i'm sure everyone has felt that emotion at some point in their life. But the mellow soulful harmonizing all through the song is really what carries this into the eschelon of soul music. The New Holidays - Maybe so Maybe no
And that's it today. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
9th
the jumpoff 03.09.09
By Afolabi
Hello there friends. It's kind of a dreary Monday right now,
but hopefully the sun will break through soon. Welcome to The
Jumpoff!
A-Side
So, i recently received the news that one of the finer human beings i've known in Boston is no longer with us. I'm still in disbelief at the whole situation, especially being that i just saw him last Friday at his usual spot manning/owning the door situation at my favorite place to go in this entire city. Literally the gatekeeper to countless moments of joy and happiness, as well as some of the best times i've had in my life. One of the lasting memories i'll have of Jimmy, aside from constantly reminding me to get to the door by 11, is from just last Friday. I'd already been waiting like 30 mins in line, which means that everyone in line is taking it out on the guy at the door. Some people would wear this treatment on their sleeve, but not Jimmy. He had a huge smile on his face, gave me a hug, and then jovially threw me into the fray, literally. That for me encapsulates the type of person he was. It's been that people knock on your door but you can take a break from all that now; now it's your turn Jimmy. Bob Dylan - Knockin' on heaven's door
B-Side
The opening lyrics to this next song are: "Hey you! I need you here by my side. Don't try to fight it!" In my minds eye, whoever is on the other side of the door from Jimmy is saying this to him. I'm sure there are a lot of people saying this to themselves too right now, but he's needed elsewhere. I'd planned on dedicating this entire week to soul music, and in light of recent events it's even more fitting. The Montclairs - Hey you! Don't fight it!
That's going to do it for today. Please contribute to help Jimmy's family here. It will be much appreciated. Jimmy you will be missed! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
So, i recently received the news that one of the finer human beings i've known in Boston is no longer with us. I'm still in disbelief at the whole situation, especially being that i just saw him last Friday at his usual spot manning/owning the door situation at my favorite place to go in this entire city. Literally the gatekeeper to countless moments of joy and happiness, as well as some of the best times i've had in my life. One of the lasting memories i'll have of Jimmy, aside from constantly reminding me to get to the door by 11, is from just last Friday. I'd already been waiting like 30 mins in line, which means that everyone in line is taking it out on the guy at the door. Some people would wear this treatment on their sleeve, but not Jimmy. He had a huge smile on his face, gave me a hug, and then jovially threw me into the fray, literally. That for me encapsulates the type of person he was. It's been that people knock on your door but you can take a break from all that now; now it's your turn Jimmy. Bob Dylan - Knockin' on heaven's door
B-Side
The opening lyrics to this next song are: "Hey you! I need you here by my side. Don't try to fight it!" In my minds eye, whoever is on the other side of the door from Jimmy is saying this to him. I'm sure there are a lot of people saying this to themselves too right now, but he's needed elsewhere. I'd planned on dedicating this entire week to soul music, and in light of recent events it's even more fitting. The Montclairs - Hey you! Don't fight it!
That's going to do it for today. Please contribute to help Jimmy's family here. It will be much appreciated. Jimmy you will be missed! Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
5th
the jumpoff 03.04.09
By Afolabi
It's March people, and spring is approaching. In case you
didn't already know Daylight Savings is this weekend, so spring
your clocks forward on Sunday. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
Lily Allen's first album, as far as i'm concerned, is one of the best albums front to back of the current decade. So many good songs! And so it was pleasure to accidentally stumble on one of the songs sampled for the album. The original song is by a New Orleans blues/jazz singer and pianist, Professor Longhair, and with Mardi Gras just behind us it seemed fitting. Professor Longhair/ Lily Allen - Big Chief Pt.1/ Knock em out
B-Side
For the sake of balance i can't leave Lily to be the only voice heard today. Especially considering the subject matter of the last song. This next song, is brand new from a Minneapolis based artist and his live band. But don't be fooled, it's very much hiphop. He recently dropped a DJ Benzi & Don Cannon produced mixtape, A Matter of Time, from which this song is taken. The mixtape is really good as far as beat, but awesome in terms of content. I'll share the whole thing soon. And since we started the day speaking of samples, this track samples the classic ELO song and adds some extra electricity to it. Mike Posner & The Brain Trust - Evil Woman
That's it today boys and girls. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
Lily Allen's first album, as far as i'm concerned, is one of the best albums front to back of the current decade. So many good songs! And so it was pleasure to accidentally stumble on one of the songs sampled for the album. The original song is by a New Orleans blues/jazz singer and pianist, Professor Longhair, and with Mardi Gras just behind us it seemed fitting. Professor Longhair/ Lily Allen - Big Chief Pt.1/ Knock em out
B-Side
For the sake of balance i can't leave Lily to be the only voice heard today. Especially considering the subject matter of the last song. This next song, is brand new from a Minneapolis based artist and his live band. But don't be fooled, it's very much hiphop. He recently dropped a DJ Benzi & Don Cannon produced mixtape, A Matter of Time, from which this song is taken. The mixtape is really good as far as beat, but awesome in terms of content. I'll share the whole thing soon. And since we started the day speaking of samples, this track samples the classic ELO song and adds some extra electricity to it. Mike Posner & The Brain Trust - Evil Woman
That's it today boys and girls. Stay cool. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
5th
the jumpoff 03.05.09
By Afolabi
Back again. Hope your day is going smoothly, and organically
gliding toward the weekend. Today we're all about
originality. Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
MTV has been pumping this guy alot lately. Which typically pretty much guarantees that i won't care. But he happened to be in the bean on Sunday, and a friend had an extra ticket. So i figure, why not? Overall, there's some songs he played that i still don't really care for, but in general he won me over. I appreciated his authenticity and honesty. And, how many Somalians do you know? Talk less of how many Somalians you know that are 'famous' (whatever that means). More power to him. I was also informed that his latest album, Troubadour, where this song is from, is his second. And apparently the first album is a little different than his current fare. So i've got some research to do, but that's a good thing for him. Regardless, this is one of my favorites of his so far. K'Naan - Fire in Freetown
B-Side
Elvis Costello has a show on Sundance called Spectacle. It's a simple concept, get to know cool people who are into music, not necessarily recording artists either. The first three episodes were with Elton John, Lou Reed, and Bill Clinton. They play some music, talk about music, and then play some more music. Simple. The latest episode i saw featured some younger songwriters, She & Him, Jenny Lewis, and Jakob Dylan. Nothing necessarily out of the ordinary, but one of them stuck out to me. Possibly because her demeanor, background, and personal sense of style really resonated with me. Who knows. Anyway, this next song isn't the one she sang on the show, but from the looks of the video it's the encore closer of a recent show she did. It also happened to be on the same day as mi madre's bday, which makes it even cooler. Jenny Lewis - Fernando
And that's it today. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
MTV has been pumping this guy alot lately. Which typically pretty much guarantees that i won't care. But he happened to be in the bean on Sunday, and a friend had an extra ticket. So i figure, why not? Overall, there's some songs he played that i still don't really care for, but in general he won me over. I appreciated his authenticity and honesty. And, how many Somalians do you know? Talk less of how many Somalians you know that are 'famous' (whatever that means). More power to him. I was also informed that his latest album, Troubadour, where this song is from, is his second. And apparently the first album is a little different than his current fare. So i've got some research to do, but that's a good thing for him. Regardless, this is one of my favorites of his so far. K'Naan - Fire in Freetown
B-Side
Elvis Costello has a show on Sundance called Spectacle. It's a simple concept, get to know cool people who are into music, not necessarily recording artists either. The first three episodes were with Elton John, Lou Reed, and Bill Clinton. They play some music, talk about music, and then play some more music. Simple. The latest episode i saw featured some younger songwriters, She & Him, Jenny Lewis, and Jakob Dylan. Nothing necessarily out of the ordinary, but one of them stuck out to me. Possibly because her demeanor, background, and personal sense of style really resonated with me. Who knows. Anyway, this next song isn't the one she sang on the show, but from the looks of the video it's the encore closer of a recent show she did. It also happened to be on the same day as mi madre's bday, which makes it even cooler. Jenny Lewis - Fernando
And that's it today. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Mar
4th
the jumpoff- february music
By Afolabi
February has been a good month musically. Random, but still
good. We had the Grammy's at the beginning of the month, with
Adele and
Chrisette
Michelle taking home awards. Bob Marley's
birthday. Mos
Def's delayed album. Our introductions to the very
danceable Private, and the
uber-soulful Jesse
Dee. Lily Allen and Ryan Leslie releasing new
albums. And an onslaught of fat beats in general. That said,
here's a set of pretty much all of February's Jumpoff selections,
save one or two here and there. Enjoy!
Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
btw-- Spankrock will be on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight with Santogold. Peep it!
Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
btw-- Spankrock will be on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight with Santogold. Peep it!
Feb
27th
the jumpoff 02.26.09
By Afolabi
Hello people! Hope your day has been going swell. Welcome to
The Jumpoff!
A-Side
I stumbled on this song recently, and it brings back a lot of memories. I remember, my friend Zach and I used to listen to this before every soccer game our senior year of high school. We were actually pretty good that year, so i hear this with a fond ear. It all seems like ages ago now, but it really wasn't that long ago. Oh well, here's some nostalgia for you. New Radicals - You get what you give
B-Side
George put up a post a few weeks ago about Eminem. The leaked track, Crack a Bottle, which thoroughly disappointed me in its lack of anything good past the intro. For redemption sake, I have since held off any judgment and been waiting to see what Em does next. Fortunately for me, i came across this song in the interim to tide me over until the new album comes out. Eminem ft Jay-Z - Renegade
Aaaand i'm spent. That'll do it today. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
I stumbled on this song recently, and it brings back a lot of memories. I remember, my friend Zach and I used to listen to this before every soccer game our senior year of high school. We were actually pretty good that year, so i hear this with a fond ear. It all seems like ages ago now, but it really wasn't that long ago. Oh well, here's some nostalgia for you. New Radicals - You get what you give
B-Side
George put up a post a few weeks ago about Eminem. The leaked track, Crack a Bottle, which thoroughly disappointed me in its lack of anything good past the intro. For redemption sake, I have since held off any judgment and been waiting to see what Em does next. Fortunately for me, i came across this song in the interim to tide me over until the new album comes out. Eminem ft Jay-Z - Renegade
Aaaand i'm spent. That'll do it today. Keep on keeping on. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Feb
27th
the jumpoff 02.27.09
By Afolabi
Hey hey, it's Friday! Thank goodness. I couldn't settle
on two tracks to share today, so i'm sharing all of them.
I've been in a bit of a nostalgic mood lately, so some of these
songs reflect that. Phil Collins, high
school. DJ
Assault, Duke. Busta Rhymes and
Spankrock,
college and beyond. Yeah, this set has a certain 'feel' to
it. But i chalk that up to adolescence. Now it's your
turn to break out your inner teenager; unless if you are one, then
just do what you do. Just like Spankrock & Benny Blanco
preach it, "shake that a** bi@#$, and let me see what you
got!!!" Welcome to The Jumpoff!
Friday Jump
So that will do it for the transmission today. Hope you rock it out this weekend. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Friday Jump
So that will do it for the transmission today. Hope you rock it out this weekend. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Feb
25th
the jumpoff 02.25.09
By Afolabi
What up people! Today we'll be exploring the finer aspects of
what makes you move. Heavy bass? Synthesizers? Disco? Hiphop?
Hard? Smooth? Welcome to The Jumpoff!
A-Side
It seems like North Carolina has been on my radar a lot lately, but all for good reason. HBO's been doing it too. Between Eastbound & Down and the UNC-Duke rivalry documentary (Battle for Tobacco Road), Tar Heel country is in right now. So it was fitting when i came across this song. Unabashed in his support of his home state, he burst on the scene in 2001, with Raise Up, and i haven't really heard much from him since, until now. This was apparently on the 'Step Up' movie soundtrack, and i'm mad it did not get more publicity because i hear this and all i want to do is move. Petey Pablo - Show me that money
B-Side
Now to smooth it out a bit. Over the past few decades, there have been some songs over the past few decades that kind of encapsulate an era. This particular era being all about flashy dance floors, outfits, shiny things, big hair, and big bouncy sounds. These two songs definitely helped add to the aesthetic. Anita Ward/ A Taste of Honey - Ring my Bell/ Boogie oogie oogie
That's it today. Keep dancing. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
It seems like North Carolina has been on my radar a lot lately, but all for good reason. HBO's been doing it too. Between Eastbound & Down and the UNC-Duke rivalry documentary (Battle for Tobacco Road), Tar Heel country is in right now. So it was fitting when i came across this song. Unabashed in his support of his home state, he burst on the scene in 2001, with Raise Up, and i haven't really heard much from him since, until now. This was apparently on the 'Step Up' movie soundtrack, and i'm mad it did not get more publicity because i hear this and all i want to do is move. Petey Pablo - Show me that money
B-Side
Now to smooth it out a bit. Over the past few decades, there have been some songs over the past few decades that kind of encapsulate an era. This particular era being all about flashy dance floors, outfits, shiny things, big hair, and big bouncy sounds. These two songs definitely helped add to the aesthetic. Anita Ward/ A Taste of Honey - Ring my Bell/ Boogie oogie oogie
That's it today. Keep dancing. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
Feb
24th
the jumpoff 02.24.09
By Afolabi
Hola amigos and amigas! "After all is said and done, the best
is yet to come." I'm in a surprisingly bouyant mood
today. It may have something to do with the musicians
featured today. Interestingly enough, they're both
local. See how it makes you feel. Welcome to The
Jumpoff!
A-Side
I went to a concert on Saturday. I'm almost at a loss of word to describe it because it felt like more than that to me. The opening act was a really nice guy by the name of Ben Carroll, check out his myspace if you get a chance. There was also Mutlu from the illadelph holding it down. But the main event, the main event (for emphasis), was as close to church as i have been in a while. Soulful music has a way of transcending the immediate and transporting the listener(s), and i'm sure the medium(s), to a place beyond the physical and into the spiritual. I'm sure that might have something to do with why it's called soul. Regardless, the entire set was amazing but when this song hit my ears, i became a believer in the gospel (transl. - good news) of ... Jesse Dee - Yet to come
B-Side
I found out about this artist when i first moved to Boston. He just so happened to be the winner of the Boston Music Awards Singer/Songwriter award in 2006. He couldn't have had better timing, it's like he knew i was moving here. Well, he's got two albums to his credit, and this song is from his second release, Back Flipping Forward. Will Dailey - Boom Boom
So that will do it today. Stay cool, embrace the soul in you. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
A-Side
I went to a concert on Saturday. I'm almost at a loss of word to describe it because it felt like more than that to me. The opening act was a really nice guy by the name of Ben Carroll, check out his myspace if you get a chance. There was also Mutlu from the illadelph holding it down. But the main event, the main event (for emphasis), was as close to church as i have been in a while. Soulful music has a way of transcending the immediate and transporting the listener(s), and i'm sure the medium(s), to a place beyond the physical and into the spiritual. I'm sure that might have something to do with why it's called soul. Regardless, the entire set was amazing but when this song hit my ears, i became a believer in the gospel (transl. - good news) of ... Jesse Dee - Yet to come
B-Side
I found out about this artist when i first moved to Boston. He just so happened to be the winner of the Boston Music Awards Singer/Songwriter award in 2006. He couldn't have had better timing, it's like he knew i was moving here. Well, he's got two albums to his credit, and this song is from his second release, Back Flipping Forward. Will Dailey - Boom Boom
So that will do it today. Stay cool, embrace the soul in you. Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi
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