24-Carat Black’s Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth has proven to be another excellent example of Hip-Hop breathing life into an important but overlooked album. Read the rest of this entry »

“But everyone finds the right way, Somehow, Somewhere, Somedaaaaay …”

The Commodores’ “Zoom” is that understandable smooth shit that murderers and pretty much anyone can move with. Read the rest of this entry »

Rap has a way of expanding your taste when you least expect it. Case in point, I’ve been on a binge on Brazilian culture as of late which explains my infatuation with the country’s rich bossa nova and samba history. I stumbled upon Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66′s “Casa Forte” and its melody sparked my sample radar. Read the rest of this entry »

The choice here may seem random only if you don’t know TC. He and I casually debated over the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack last month. Read the rest of this entry »

One of my favorite things about Hip-Hop has always been stumbling upon samples and references. Whether it’s hearing a now-commonly used phrase or melody on a 1980s rap record (think pretty much every line on Paid in Full) or catching a sample that I didn’t even realize was there (I definitely wasn’t thinking about Shawty Lo when I put on Mandrill’s “Children of the Sun”), Hip-Hop’s constant nods towards the past create infinite opportunities for spontaneous discovery for a music lover. Read the rest of this entry »

While a lot of folks were digging up breaks because of Premier and Pete Rock, listening to Quik, Daz, Battlecat and Dre had me developing taste-buds for upbeat, R&B/pop records from the ’70s and ’80s. Read the rest of this entry »

The reason why music has always been seen as a form of therapy is because of the emotions it evokes. It’s a large reason TSS decided to take on the The 30 Day Song Challenge and why the process has been so cleansing in a sense. Music, better yet good music, is the greatest scrapbook and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” happens to be a portal to the past and, what I hope, is a vision of the future. Read the rest of this entry »

Every time Uncle Charlie and his fam-band pop up in rotation with “Wednesday Lover,” my mind is both eased by the Oklahoma trio’s contemporary class and completely confused by why Wednesday – of all days – was picked. Does hump day seem like an off selection to anyone else? Read the rest of this entry »

Astute ears are likely to recognize the opening drums of “California My Way,” as performed by The Main Ingredient. Starring Cuba Gooding Sr., TMI is one of the great groups of the early-1970s sweet soul era in Philadelphia, but this track takes their sound to the West Coast, Read the rest of this entry »

When Esperanza Spalding took home the Grammy for Best New Artist last month, I was intrigued to say the least. Not in outrage or dumbstruck like some, who thought it was Justin Bieber or Drake’s award to lose, but wanting to hear why she was deemed worthy of the award. So I checked out Chamber Music Society and enjoyed what I heard. Her style of Jazz is mellow and relaxing, the perfect music to play after a long day at work or to gather your thoughts.

“Knowledge Of Good And Evil” has been the track I’ve turned to unwind to as of late. Unburdened by words, Spalding’s scats and coos glide effortlessly across an ensemble of keys, strings and drums.

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Esperanza Spalding – “Knowledge Of Good And Evil”

Above all other instruments, the bass may be the most important aspect of a quality song. Carrying the groove and moving listeners accordingly, this bottom-feeding staple of the scale ties everything together and is the main reason McFadden & Whitehead continue to carry out their musical mission years after their untimely deaths. Read the rest of this entry »

While the Jimi Hendrix Experience made groundbreaking music, the legendary guitarist’s best work came alongside Billy Cox and Buddy Miles in Band of Gypsys. The band was formed during the last two years of Jimi’s life after he disbanded the Experience and only officially released one self-titled album, recorded live at the Fillmore East and clocking in at three-quarters of an hour. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not a morbid person, but I often consider death.

I can’t find the post, but I once wrote that when I do perish, I want the scene to be similar to Nas’ first verse on “Live Now.” And when they carry me away, I still want a Second Line leading my death march. But when I’m alone and headed down that brightly lit hallway just beyond the pearly gates, I imagine Aloe’s “If I” will be the track I hear in my ears. Read the rest of this entry »

Bob, Peter and Bunny’s music can change the complexion of even the most hectic day, smoothing out any rough edges. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m not sure if my father is to blame due to the incessant spins of  Moonflower growing up, but I’ve always been susceptible to the grooves emanating from a guitar. So when I heard this on NPR’s All Thing Considered while they were highlighting Latin Grammy nominations about a month or so ago, I was instantly hooked. As far as background goes, I can’t give you too much on Niño Josele, but I do know that this is the perfect music to unwind after a long day at work. His intricate fret work go a long way to erasing the rigors of a hectic day, hence my delay in sharing it with you all. Read the rest of this entry »