The HighLife

Unless if you live under a rock, or are behind the times, you understand the Carolina blue background today. Regardless, sitting at the bus stop today waiting on my bus i was hit with some inspiration.  You'll notice that all the tracks today have one thing in common.  Getting down. It's almost the weekend, so you might as well.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

Get Down
I don't know about you, but this weekend will be strictly about getting down.  Part of the get down will be including the largest disco ball i've ever seen.  If you get a chance to go to Santos Party House in NYC on Sunday, you'll know exactly what i mean.  These tracks are individually selected to make you shake your groove thang.  If you have a spare disco ball sitting around somewhere, i'd recommend breaking it out now.

Track List

That's going to do it today.  Hope you're getting down sufficiently now.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Ello, ello! Apologies for my negligence yesterday.  A lot going on.  But it's all to the good.  Back today with some more tunes for your listening pleasure. There's a common theme with both these tracks that i didn't realize until after i'd already decided what songs to drop today.  See if you can guess what it is.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
This song is kinda older.  Well, relative to these artist's tenure.  The track was featured on both Kanye and Paul Wall's albums.  There is also a chopped and screwed version on Paul Wall's album that's sort of featured at the end of this video, but that a topic for another day.  I saw the video for the first time last night, and aside from the fact that i didn't even know there was a video, i didn't know T.I. had a verse in it.  His addition is just an added benefit to an already good song.  Pay attention to his lyrics, especially his last line.  Very poignant.  So as they say down in Houston, what it do... Kanye West, Paul Wall, T.I., Tony Williams - Drive Slow



B-Side
A few days ago i put up a post honoring Bob Marley on his birthday, and I listened to a lot of random Marley tracks in the process of coming up with the post.  This next song is part of the result of all the research.  There's something about discovering new songs (new to me at least) that never gets old.  Maybe because it's new; who knows.  Anyhoo, i don't have much else to say, just "hit me from the top, you crazy mother-funky".  You'll know in a sec.  Bob Marley - Caution



And that will do it, hope you're rocking steady.  Now to go watch the entire state of North Carolina explode.  On the hardwood that is. What i'm about to say is sacrilege to some ears. I like both sides, i have friends on both sides (family, not so much), and i have personal experiences on both sides. So i will not pick a side, not even if it was the nat'l championship. It's the same with Yankees-Red Sox.  You don't have to understand, just believe that i'm not crazy, and take it however you wish.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Happy monday people! So the grammy's were last night, and apart from the fact that i didn't really care to watch, i am glad that some artists won that deserved to win (See previous Jumpoff artists, Adele, Chrisette Michelle).  Even John Mayer picked up two more grammys, chyeah!  I wasn't thrilled with some of the other winners; like, i don't think a certain Mr. Carter (the smaller one) deserves to win anything better than a game of bingo at a retirement home, but i digress.  To commemorate the occasion, today's selections are quite grammy-tinged.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
Probably my favorite performance of all the ones i saw.  It's even better with the knowledge that the Reverend stepped in on pretty much a day's notice due to Rihanna's cancellation (there is a God up there, and He loves soul!). Anyway, there is no need for preambles, Mr. Timberlake does that well enough.  But this song features, a soul legend, mr. dreamy, one of the best r&b groups of all time (in my opinion), an aussie country crooner that doesn't get enough credit for his soulfulness, and a really tight band.  Rev. Al Green, Justin Timberlake, Boyz II Men, Keith Urban - Let's stay together

B-Side
Marching bands are totally sweet!  Outkast did it a couple years ago, and i haven't seen it incorporated into popular music too much since then.  But leave it to avant-garde musicians Radiohead to make it happen.  With the USC Marching Band backing, this is... Radiohead - 15 Step



Yup, that's the award show in summary. J/k, there are a bunch of other really cool performances.  Sugarland with Adele, i can't believe i'm saying this, Jonas Brothers with Stevie Wonder, and Coldplay w/ Jay-Z (the song is a lot deeper when you actually listen to Jay-Z's lyrics) to name a few.  Anyway, it's all over now.  Time to wait and see what 2009 will have to offer.  Stay cool.  Until next time, be easy.

Afolabi

Ok, i am sooooo over winter! Just absolutely done with it.  The only thing left to do is just keep listening to music to stay sane.  And so to aid that effort we've got some futuristic ish on the plate today.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
I've been hearing a lot about this artist over the last few months.  Honestly, i haven't jumped all over it like some of my counterparts out there.  But as is with most good music, it will find a way to reach your ears whether you like it or not.  So i'm watching Real World with my roommate, and he pauses the show to play a song for me that he's been blasting all week.  Kid Cudi - Cleveland is the reason



B-Side
Staying in the theme of newly recommended listening.  This is Canadian duo was recommended by one of my co-workers, Gary (seriously, i work w/ the coolest people on earth).  I don't want to take the credit for this, so i'll give you his description of the group. "sort of like Spankrock x LCD Soundsystem or if you're retro-minded: Roxanne Shontay x ESG". This track is really bouncy, and i love the video.  Thunderheist - Jerk it



And that'll be it for today.  Just remember, the groundhog saw his shadow.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Sort of like the end of year dispatch.  Here's a playlist of music selections that were featured in January's Jumpoff posts.  Enjoy!

Happy hump day! I don't really have a theme around today's selections, just some sounds that are really easy on the ears.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
You know how certain things/sounds/smells remind you of particular randomness, whatever that may be.  Well, the album that these songs are from, Modern Times, reminds me of when i'd just moved to Boston.  That album, JT's FutureSexLoveSounds, and The Roots Game Theory, were on a loop the whole drive up to MA, and then for a while after that.  There's no need to wax nostalgic or sentimental about this artist, he's been around long enough that it's possible. I'll just leave you with his words, "you can be in my dream, if i can be in yours. I said that".  Bob Dylan - Spirit on the water/ Ain't talkin'



B-Side
I feel like i've talked about this artist on here before, so i won't go into too much detail.  British dude, pianist, outstanding performer, with a great sense of humor, which he feeds into his songwriting.  In a day and age when i find myself caring less and less for most artist's lyrical content, he has a way of making me care.  He's had about 4 albums, 1 live one, and a bunch of collaborations with artists that are really cool. Seriously, look it up.  These tracks are from his most recent album, 2005's Catching Tales. I'll let the songs speak for themselves.  Jamie Cullum - Back to the Ground/ My yard


That will do it today. Stay cool.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Hello from the tundra!  Hope your day isn't buried underneath a snow pile somewhere.  If so, hopefully this helps dig you out.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
This is an artist to pay attention to in 09.  She burst onto the scene last year with the song, Chasing Pavements.  I heard that song when it came out, and just knew 'that voice is going places'.  Anyway, i was helping to celebrate my friend's b-day this weekend, she had her album playing in the car and i was reminded of why i thought that.  She reminds me of a younger Alice Russell, absolutely soulful.  But maybe a little less self-assured.  Regardless, if she keeps going the way she is, you'll be hearing a lot more from her in the future.  Here's two tracks from her debut album, 19.  Adele - Best for Last/ Right as Rain


B-Side
Now to a group that sort of defies classification.  Post-rock, experimental pop, loungy, indie-electronic-loungy-pop, it all fits.  Formed in London in 1990, they've been independently handling business since.  I can't really describe them any more, you just have to listen to them to form your own opinion.  My guess is that they'll probably rub you the right way.  Stereolab - Flourescences/ Excursions into Oh-Ah/ Cybele's Reverie/ Percolator



Seriously, who names a song "excursions into oh-ah"?  Oh well, that's it for today.  Keep on keepin' on.  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Happy monday y'all!  I have a feeling that i was not alone in being unmotivated today, but i'm just speculating.  Today's tracks have a very African bent to them.  Inspired by today's b-side, i was reminded of the songs on the a-side.  They fit so well together, i had to drop them on you.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
They say that imitation is one of the highest forms of flattery.  So that could technically be translated as remixing/remaking someone elses song is a high form of flattery.  The Red Hot Organization is an AIDS benefit organization that does their work through pop culture mediums, i.e. making tribute albums/compilations.  I remember when i first heard about this album a couple of years back, i was still a fledgling afrobeat appreciator at the time, but i knew most of the songs that were used in the disc.  Which automatically made it soo much cooler in my view.  I was somewhat aware of the reach of Fela Kuti's music internationally, but didn't realize the extent to which it had pervaded the US. Seriously, the collaborator's list is like a virtual who's who of musicians that are awesome, at least in my book.  So here's two tracks from Red Hot + Riot.  They're both really sweet, but listen for Talib's part to drop in the first one, too good!  Talib Kweli/Dead Prez/J Ben (Shuffering and Smiling) - Gift of Gab/Lateef from Blacklicious (Kalakuta Show)



B-Side
New music alert!  One of my favorite rappers of all time is releasing a new album, The Ecstatic, on February 24th.  This is apparently the second leaked track from the album. Don't ask which was the first, i somehow missed that one.  And it's really not important, the album will be out soon enough.  But as for this one that we do have, i've been letting it wash over me all day, so i'll start from the beginning for you.  Like his first album, it's obvious that he's very much inspired by Fela Kuti.  This song makes that clear right from the get.  This track isn't sampling a song like he did on Fear not of man, but the man speaking at the beginning is Fela if you don't recognize his voice.  Points on that; but upon first listen to the rest of the song, you may want to dismiss it.  Please don't, play it back like 4 times and let the drums get in your system.  Don't expect some melodic chorus, just do it like he says 'simmer down'.  I also appreciate The Roots reference he throws in for good measure. Without any further ado, your turn... Mos Def - Quiet Dog


So that will do it for today.  New Mos Def album, February 24th, February 24th, New Mos Def album.  That's not a typo!  Until next time, be easy.

Afolabi

Hello, hello, hello! I'm slowly pulling myself back into the world today.  I was at the Red Bull Soundclash featuring The Roots vs Antibalas last night, and it was out of this world.  It was like no concert i, or i'm sure anyone else there, had ever seen before.  But needless to say, a lot of energy was exerted and i'm paying for it now. It's also affecting the music in my ears today.  Welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
So i seriously don't have the energy or willingness to put any deep effort into this, other than to tell you that it's good.  These guys are a pop rock band from Brazil.  This song was playing on WERS yesterday and i really liked the vibe, very easy and not trying too hard.  Kinda like me today.  I recommend just letting the music wash over you like waves, but not the variety that would make surfers happy.  Speaking of surfers, the camera they used for the video for this song sort of gives it an old surfing movie vibe.  Los Hermanos - La Morena




B-Side
I saw this artist in concert on a boat cruise last summer.  It was raining that night, so everyone was packed inside the main cabin listen to these guys get down.  And did they!  The video for this particular song, shot at the Somerville Theater right here in Boston, doesn't do justice to how powerful it is live when you're standing right next to the band, and there's rabid fans dancing, jumping and singing every word to the song.  Anyway, he's constantly on road so i'd suggest looking into when he's coming to your town.  Ryan Montbleau Band - Stretch



And that'll do it today.  Rock out this weekend, cos someone has to!  Until next time, be easy.
Afolabi

Today's ladies and gents, it's all about soul. Featuring two ladies that come corre correct with the soul and funk.  One you may know, and the other probably not, but regardless, welcome to The Jumpoff!

A-Side
One of the top 3 bands i've heard live, plus their vibrant front-woman make up a tour-de-force of soul and funk.  As good as their recordings, or videos may be, they will always pale in comparison to the real thing.  Anyway, the first video is with the band introducing her to the stage, which breaks into "Not gonna cry".  The next video is a performance of "Keep on looking"; which is classic Ms Jones.  Yes, she actually wants people dancing on stage with her.  From someone who's been on that stage with her, it's probably the closest any of us regular people will get to owning a crowd like that.  The band's behind you, the funk is all up in you like the Holy Spirit, Ms. Jones is dancing with you. Trust me, it's intense.  Sharon Jones - Not gonna cry



Keep on looking




B-Side
I was introduced to this artist's music through a co-worker.  She's been around for a while, and has worked with many well-known artists like Quantic Soul Orchestra, Femi Kuti, and The Bamboos.  Solo, she has released four albums.  The most recent being 2008's Pot of Gold.  I've been getting down to the first video all day, especially the second song in it.  The second video is clearly more polished, as it's from a French tv station, but still carries the essence of this lady.  My favorite part about her music, in general, is it's diversity.  She has a powerful voice, no question.  Yet, though these songs are more inclined to soul and funk, she fits in almost any genre you can think of.  Listen to her entire catalog, and i'm sure you'll be asking yourself how you haven't heard of this lady before now. I did.  Alice Russell - Living the life of a dreamer/ Munkaroo



Turn and Run



Aight then people, stay cool. Until next time, be easy.

Afolabi