As I busted out some of the best moves ever seen on this side of the Mason Dixon line, the sweat poured down the pleasantly plump gentleman on my right. To be fair, I was similarly perspiring, amidst a sea of what can only be described as Bro Montana and his Navabro brethren. The location: Terminal 5 for Brobible.com’s Revelation Summer Kick-Off. While I am neither a reader of the site, nor a fan of notoriously brolific events, the brommunity created a lineup worth weathering the Charles Broakleys and Bronald Reagans (by the way, I’m two “bros” away from tying a non brobible.com and DMB fan site record for most bro references in a single article). The pinney clad crew managed to gather Chiddy Bang, RJD2, Pretty Lights and almost every club level lacrosse player in the country, certainly no small feat.

To start the night, the sample heavy duo from Philly brought the thunder. Working within the constraints of a thirty-minute set, Chiddy and Xaphoon played crowd pleasers “Truth,” “The Opposite of Adults,” “Never” and “All Things Go.” While they killed each aforementioned Swelly Express track, the highlight of their performance was indubitably Chiddy’s freestyle. After taking suggestions from the highly inebriated audience, Chiddy rattled off a startlingly sharp freestyle atop a classically tight Xaphoon beat. My only complaint of the set was absence of “Hey London.” Although I understand that we were on the other side of the Atlantic, the Air Swell track transcends its geographic ties.

Next up were the equally impressive beats of Rjd2. The temperate Ramble John Krohn sauntered on stage, said, “Hi, my name is RJ,” and proceeded to unleash his famed instrumentals. While I’m not usually partial to strictly instrumental performances, Rjd2’s beats and accompanying visuals allowed for a surprisingly impressive set. For those of you unfamiliar with Rjd2, check out the track at the bottom, something tells me your affinity for all things Don Draper and Sterling Cooper is about to be tickled.

Headlining the evening was Pretty Lights. While I had enjoyed their remixes and mashes (that are free via their website), I was unsure about how they’d translate into a live setting. Little did I know that producer Derek Vincent Smith, accompanied by drummer Cory Eberhard, would be able to provoke unbridled enthusiasm from the jammed packed crowd. Their remixes, samples and mashes continue to amaze me, and the concurrent light show (hence their name) only intensified their performance. The duo rocked the crowd for a venerable two hours and ended with one of the most amazing mashes the world has ever heard. While its become common place for artists to end New York shows with their rendition of “Empire State of Mind” (see LCD Soundsystem), Smith threw both “Juicy” and “Hello Brooklyn” atop Jigga’s Marcy Project anthem. I wish I could reencounter the unforgettable mash and share its magic with you, but for now I’ll have to leave you with the Tuckahoe mash of Pretty Light’s favorite “The Time Has Come” and Weezy’s “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy.”

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Hey London – Chiddy Bang (YSI)

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A Beautiful Mine – Rjd2 (YSI)

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Stuntin’ Pretty – Tuckahoe (YSI)

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1. Welcome to the New Site!

"Best movie since Drumline"- DFJacobs, The Animal Show

In honor of the upcoming “Date Night” starring Steve Carrell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg and Common that hits theaters everywhere on April 9th, I thought I’d write an article about everyone’s most dreaded bonanza of uncomfortable interactions (No, unfortunately 20th Century Fox is not currently paying me for this unabashed pandering, but clearly I’m for sale). So here are a few tracks covering all aspects of the ulcer inducing evening, from the kicks to the entertainment to the encore (in your dreams).

While you may not have reached for a pair of Pumas since 5th grade, according to five-man Canadian hip-hop outfit The Lytics, they’re back and fresher than ever. According to the hot fire spit by either Andrew “A-nice” Sannie, Mungala “Munga” Londe or Anthony “Ashy” Sannie (if anyone familiar with these cool cats could tell me which I’d be damn grateful), “I like my shoes athletic/cause I’m so kinetic” but also when girls ask “how the hell do I stay so cool? What’s my secret?” he confesses, “It’s my shoes, it’s my shoes.” Beneath the clever rhymes is a club ready beat that may or may not have been made on GarageBand. While “Checkin’ On My Pumas” is not overwhelmingly profound or insightful, it is a party starter that will get your heart racing even before you lay eyes on your date.

Now that we’re all sporting our fly Pumas, let’s move on to the entertainment. The concept single “24 Frames (Movie Night),” from T.Shirt’s new Tan Face Children EP, features lyrics composed entirely of strung together movie titles. Behind the 120 titles is a synthesizer and snare beat that the discerning listeners among us will recognize as “Polite Dance Song” from the 7th best record of 2009, The Bird and the Bee’s Ray Guns Are Not Only Just Future. Beyond it’s awe-inspiring creativity, the track will also produce head-nodding and foot-tapping aplenty. Though T.Shirt insists that the lyrics actually tell his life story, I think he should just be content to call it a concept track in the same vein as  Jay Stay Paid favorite “Reality T.V. (feat. Black Thought).”

On the off chance that your date actually asks, “can I have an encore?” and is looking to “cook it raw with the Brooklyn boys,” you should have this mashup at the ready. Not only does it feature the Hova hit “Encore,” but it also includes Edward’s old wake-up favorite (don’t ask why I know this) “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (The Twelves Remix).” The catchy “Not Gonna Encore” is a fantastic combination of Jigga in all his Black Album glory, and the dance inducing Black Kids anthem. And even if your evening becomes the disaster you feared it would, at least there’s “Date Night,” which again will obliterate theaters everywhere April 9th.

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Checkin’ On My Pumas – The Lytics (YSI)

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24 Frames (Movie Night) – T.Shirt (YSI)

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Not Gonna Encore (Ha! Yes Mashup) – Jay-Z vs. Black Kids (YSI)

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It’s time to refocus, kids. Yes, we’re all excited that it’s finally 2010 and Lost will be returning soon and that maybe the Apple tablet will be released and hovercrafts, etc. But the Show is not done looking back. No, in vintage .org form, we have returned to the task at hand much later than promised. I would make another promise to continue to post regularly, but I don’t make promises I can’t keep (New Year’s Resolution 20-10, y’all). Today we bring you our 10 favorite songs of 09, and tomorrow you’ll get our favorite mashups. It was one smash-banger of a year, and I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say I miss the hell out of it. Oasis, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. You and I are gonna live forever, Noel. Team Noel forever. Liam can go straight to h-e-double-hell.

Oh, and here are the songs we liked:

#10: Drake – “Best I Ever Had”

The best thing about the year-end lists, in my opinion, is that it often gives us a chance to talk about guilty pleasures we would otherwise be too embarrassed to share. By my count, there are 3 such songs on this list; I’m writing about 2 of them. Drake has it all, ladies and gentlemen: the blessing of Lil’ Wayne and Kanye, the sort of street cred attainable only by appearing as a regular character on Degrassi: The Next Generation,  and a voice that could make angels shit their pants (do angels wear pants?). “Best I Ever Had” is derivative, it’s repetitive, and it will stay with you, so that whenever anyone does anything you appreciate you find yourself saying (depending on whether you favor the radio-friendly version, or, like this foul-mouthed writer, the real version), “you da fuckin’ best” in your best Drizzy voice. It’s a hot jam, and leads me to believe that the R. Kelly signature only-somewhat-subtly-sexual-song approach to music may actually be the apex of musical composition. -Edward

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Drake – Best I Ever Had (YSI)

#9: Grizzly Bear – “While You Wait for the Others”

There are many reasons why a song is the most popular song off of the album, and many times, they are not the same reasons why a song is the best song off of the album.  But, in the case of “While You Wait For The Others,” these reasons do seem to be in concert.  I’ll explain.  <em>Veckatimest</em> is a very good album.  What keeps it from greatness is an inability to put together all of their skills—good orchestration, dynamic contrast, catchy melody—in the same song on a consistent basis.  Incidentally, these are the same reasons that many songs get radio play, because put together, these traits form a sweeping melody with emotion to carry it along.  “While You Wait For The Others” is one of the few places where Grizzly Bear gets it all together, and it sounds great.  It makes it the best song off of a good album, radio worthy, and shoo in for top ten tracks of the year. -Dave

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Grizzly Bear – While You Wait for the Others (YSI)

#8: Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeros – “Home”

Look at them in that picture.  They’re so happy!  All that energy and excitement you see in that picture, I feel in this song.  The driving backbeat under whistling and trumpets give the feeling of trekking over previously unchartered territory, but Edward Sharpe and the gang are willing to take you along for the ride.  You’re in the wagon, and they tell you a story with folksy honesty, evident from the girl/boy interplay to the less-is-more philosophy in the simple chorus of, “Home/Let me go home/Home is wherever I’m with you.”  You tap your feet, hum along, sing along, and before you know it, you’re smiling.  “Home” is a prescription dose of happy pills shot right through your ear canals into your brain, and while you’re smiling, you’re thinking that there’s nothing wrong with that.  -Dave

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Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeros – Home (YSI)

#7: The Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feelin’”

This song is completely retarded! But you knew that already; negative reviews, serious and comedic, abound for this track. Its inclusion in this list is thanks to the uncanny way that it touches any listener with the same reassuring and convincing message: tonight IS going to be a good night. Just watch the Oprah season opener again with any individual middle-aged or better  — they’ve seen it already — and observe them boogie modestly to the inescapable beat. While you’re at it, notice that the Peas lack talent as live performers, but immediately forgive them because they gave the world a song that delivers unfailingly the message that it is now time to party. -Icebergxc

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Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feelin’ (YSI)

#6: Girls – “Lust For Life”

Late in 2009, Edward sent me a message that was like “hey have you heard of Girls you tend to like things that people desribe as ‘jangly’ so you might like this.” I was like “well yeah I’ve heard of Girls they’re all over Pitchfork’s best new everything list how could I not have heard of Girls numbnuts?” But the problem was, while I had heard of Girls I had not heard Girls. And so I went and got myself a copy of The Animal Show’s 8th favorite album of the year, ‘Album’. I listened to it. And the first thing I said to Edward after hearing the album in it’s entirety was ‘man, I wish they had just released a 7″ EP of Girls/Laura.” And that’s because every track after “Lust For Life” is totally forgettable due to “Lust For Life”’s greatness. You hear it, and its catchy jangling guitars rip apart any want or will to hear anything else. You must hear the bizarre croon of Christopher Owens over and over again as he sings about the harsh reality that clashes with our most desirable dreams. You must feel the beams of sun hit your face again and again as you travel about in San Franciso’s Mission District. And right as the repetitive garage-surf riffs start to get slightly annoying, the song jumps off the pool deck and into an aquatic sounding, finger-picked soft outro. Simply sublime. -Marquis Meowmers

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Girls – Lust for Life (YSI)

#5: Miley Cyrus – “Party in the USA”

Could every person who has never lost their voice singing to this at a party please raise their hand? If you’re raising your hand, congratulations, you probably look like a moron. I hope nobody’s watching. The nice thing about “Party in the USA” was that it was a guilty pleasure you didn’t have to hide. Everyone loved this song. Everyone loves this song. Everyone will continue to love this song. Oldies stations will devote entire hour-long blocks to this song in 2020, and we’ll still be sad when the hour’s up. This song reminded us that it’s cool to love our country. We stood and saluted Wal-Mart, KFC, and liposuction, and the tears rolled silently down our cheeks. We danced pantsless around a fire of Dixie Chicks albums, and we were glad. We tea-partied, surged, and gave shout-outs to God in our tweets. We stuck our thumbs in our belt-loops and hootenanied like there was no tomorrow. It was a damn good year, and it’s all thanks to Miley. (Oh, and also the poor nameless male-pattern-baldness sap stuck somewhere in a 1960’s office building who wrote the song under the flickering hum of a flourescent light.) We salute y’all. -Edward

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Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA (YSI)

#4: Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

As a New Yorker, Jigga’s unendingly epic ode to the greatest city in the world was an integral part of my year. Getting to blast, “Shit, I made the Yankee hat more famous than the Yankees can/ You should know I bleed blue but I ain’t a crip though” as I popped bottles to celebrate the Yankees was a fantastic gift. Who cares if it was played at Game 2, the ticker-tape parade, every other NYC event, and on every radio station in the country 237 times too many. Does that detract from how incredible it is? No way. This track has too many extraordinary rhymes to be ignored, from “Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out/ Everybody ride her, just like a bus route” all the way to “MDMA got you feeling like a champion/The city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien.” Not to mention how Alicia Keys belts the inspired chorus, and Stephen Colbert’s rap debut for “Empire State of Mind Part 2″. All in all, this song will forever be associated with ’09 and its ass-kicking greatness. – DFJacobs

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Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (YSI)

#3: Kid Cudi featuring Kanye West and Common – “Make Her Say”

Every facet of the hella hot “Make Her Say” screams best rap song of the year. The beat, like the song itself, is catchy and imaginative, improving upon everyone’s favorite Lady, the Gagski. Cudi’s supporting cast is top notch with Kanyeezy and Common spitting sweltering hot verses. And while both are impressive, Kanye’s submission is possibly his best since he signed up late for college. “I’ve got seniority with the sorority/ so that explains why I love college/ getting brains in the library ‘cause I love knowledge” and “fuck the bus, the Benz is parked like Rosa(osa)” explode out of his mouth and into your ear like one of Weezy’s hand guns (too soon?). “Make Her Say” was indubitably one of the more iconic and quintessential 2009 songs, and is more than worthy of its place near the top this list. – DFJacobs

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Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West & Common – Make Her Say (YSI)

#2: Phoenix – “1901″

Tainted as it was late in the year by its appearance in a Cadillac commercial, 1901 shines as an anthem. When it first dropped, many were predicting that it would be one of the big songs of the summer. However, by avoiding a seasonal meteoric rise, it has settled into a hot slow burn that will keep it fresh for a long time to come, despite its dangling above death by advertisement. – Icebergxc

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Phoenix – 1901 (YSI)

#1: Animal Collective – “My Girls”

Are you shocked? If you don’t like this song it’s probably because, “hey it’s pretty good but it just got overplayed” which is my own pretentious diatribe about brilliant songs that get too popular, and thus are not cool to like anymore (’Paper Planes’, I’m sorry). So, yeah, Animal Collective isn’t making ‘Sung Tongs’ anymore. Bummer. And everyone (and I mean everyone) likes them now. Bummer. But you have to face the truth at some point: bands that are THIS good will almost certainly get mainstream exposure sooner or later. In the animal kingdom that is popular music, bands can either evolve or die. Part of evolving is exposure. And, yup, Animal Collective evolved. But what they haven’t evolved into is shitty husk of their former greatness, crapping out the same mediocre money maker after the other. Instead, Animal Collective has evolved into an unstoppable pop machine capable of ruling the earth with an iron fist of infectious rhythms, catchy hooks, and brilliant song composition.

The first time I heard ‘My Girls’ was when it was inexplicably leaked on various blogs and music forums in the waning weeks of 2008. Having spent a solid month or two checking the internet twice a day for MPP leaks (and getting Rick Roll’d not once, but twice in the process), I finally got a hit around December 14th. I found a stream of ‘My Girls’ on a message board, and naturally, I listened to it. And then I listened to it again. And again. The first time had access to ‘My Girls’, I listened to it so many times that I was 20 minutes late to my first class. And then, in between classes, I listened to it two more times. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS THAT FUCKING GOOD. I wrote about it in my personal blog. I claimed that ‘My Girls’ would be the best song of 2009. And here we are. The best song of 2009.

I shouldn’t have to describe this song to you. You’ve heard it. You’ve rated it a ‘5′ on your iTunes, favorited it on you Last.FM, and clicked the ‘heart’ button next to it on HypeMachine. It was on every mixtape you gave to your crush, you heard it 5 times a day on your college radio station, and it got played at least thrice at every party you went to. It’s just that kind of song. The infectious bass brings together the layers of electronic melody in an amalgamation of ‘experimental sub-cultural capital’ and ‘pop accessibility’. In other words, this song has something for everyone: the synth nerd, the lyrics freak, the girl who ‘just wants to dance’, the guy who is trying to get with her, and all those people who have “everything” listed under the ‘music’ section of the Facebook ‘About Me’ page. And it’s because they all love this fucking song, regardless of whether or not it’s for the same reason you love it. So go ahead, scoff a little bit and then give it another listen. You and I both know it wont be your last. -Marquis Meowmers

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Animal Collective – My Girls (YSI)

Related posts:

1. BEST ALBUMS OF 2009 — #5-1
2. Top 5 Mashups of 2009
3. BEST ALBUMS OF 2009 — #10-6

This has to be one of the coolest groups I have ever seen

Firstly, I just want to say that I trust your gluttonous feast was a raging success. Hopefully your family interactions were not horribly painful and you managed to scrounge up at least some good leftovers. For me, my brother and I have pretty repetitive conversations. We basically talk about two things, fantasy football (which has no relevance to this column) and music. And since he hates all of my “whiny white s***,” that conversing normally pertains to hip-hop. So when he sent me a link to this website last spring, we both nearly peed our collective pants (those pants extend from Rhode Island to NYC).

The website, whosampled.com, can only be described as one of the coolest sites for anyone who appreciates the DNA of music. What does this website do you ask, great question. It has a database of thousands of songs, and the original they sample. And while I have never had less respect for Biggie than when I heard Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit,” I still think the website is insane. The site allows you to hear both songs side by side and even tells you when the sample begins.

I know many of you are saying, “We haven’t gotten new Animal Show in so long. These are not the blazing new singles that I’m used to, this is just a gushfest of some admittedly awesome website.” For that I apologize, but I thought you would all want to check this out. I mean “Juicy” has an identical pair. Notorious legitimately changed nothing, simply removed the lyrics, and spat hot fire over the remnants. It’s still incredible — don’t get me wrong — I’m just glad that whosampled.com allows me the opportunity to credit Mtume with a funktastic classic.

Possibly even cooler than “Juicy” is “Big Pimpin’.” Timbaland merely Americanizes a Baligh Hamdi song (since that version was never recorded, whosampled.com uses the Hossam Ramzy version). The owners of the rights to the song even sued Timbaland, Jay-Z, Linkin Park and EMI Music for lifting parts of it note-for-note in 2007. And while you could have known all of this if you did any research, whosampled.com gives you all the tools and the tracks.

And while most music fans will know the first two, I’m sure fewer knew that “So Fresh So Clean” was similarly lifted? Jo Simon’s 1977 track “Before the Night Is Over” features the exact same beat as the Outkast classic. Again, I do not take anything away from the artists for sampling. I love sampling. I think it’s one of the best parts of Hip-Hop. Artists  connect generations with beats, and put their own twists on classics. All I’m saying is that I want to make sure all listeners understand that not all the beats they hear are created out of the genius of Kanye West’s producing abilities, but rather many feature help from previous generations, or at least contemporary artists of different genres. And the true greatness of whosampled.com, is that it gives recognition to both the old artist, and credit the new for building a masterpiece on a solid foundation.

I’ll assume you have the newer masterpiece (yes all of the aforementioned are masterpieces) and just give you the sample, but go to whosampled.com and check out their crazy database that extends far beyond the realms of Hip-Hop. And if you’re looking for some more fun samples check out “Jump On It,” “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “School Spirit” and “It Was a Good Day”. All of those feature some pretty awesome samples, and please leave some more cool ones in the comments.

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Juicy Fruit – Mtume (YSI)

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Khusara Khusara – Hossam Ramzy (YSI)

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Before the Night Is Over – Joe Simon (YSI)

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1. I want to be Biggie when I grow up
2. Part B (see previous: Part A)
3. Where'd My Indie Friendies Go?

I was really just hoping to hear MRB say, "it's the Roc in in the building!"

What a week those of us lucky enough to be located in NYC just experienced. MRB (Michael R. Bloomberg, greatest Mayor eva) got re-elected, Los Jankees (greatest baseball team eva) won #27, Hova performed “Empire State of Mind” at an NYC/Yankee event for a mind boggling 200,000,000th time, and best of all, dfjacobs got to witness it all at a surprisingly close distance. However, this post has nothing to do with everything I just mentioned (including the photo, see title for subject). I’m here today to talk to you about Spoon hysteria, which has just begun to overtake the interwebs. While I am sure Wale will reclaim the hysteria quite soon, for now, news of Spoon’s seventh album, “Transference” and its first single “Got Nuffin’ have received incendiary reactions from the blogosphere. In the not-so-humble opinion of dfjacobs, Spoon has been responsible for 2 of the best cds of the decade, and I was elated to hear that they’ll be kicking off the next one right (January 25th, 2010). Even though I am gonna give you “Got Nuffin’,” like every other blogger I am gonna take this opportunity to look back on 2007’s hit “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.”

From its fantastic release date (my birthday), to its soulful, rocking, cheeky, poppy, punky, indie and smile-inducing sound, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is simply amazing. “Don’t Make Me A Target” starts the album off right, setting the tone with thumping bass and that classic Spoon sound on guitar. Daniel Britt’s fantastic vocals are the frosting on the cake for Spoon, setting them apart from all other bands and capturing the punk, pop, rock, soul, indie sound while remaining completely accessible to all music enthusiasts. The block of tracks beginning with“You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb” to “My Little Japanese Cigarette Case” is one of the finest I have ever heard. Once I begin  “You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb,” I have to listen to the next 5 tracks. They’re infectious and simply incredible. And while top 40 listeners’ favorite track will indubitably be “The Underdog,” (truly a fantastic song, and many would argue the foundation of Ivy League’s “Irony (Without the Iron)”) in that pack of tracks (in addition to the classics already mentioned) is “Don’t You Evah,” “Rhythm & Soul,” and “Eddie’s Ragga.” So, If there is anyone out there without this album, punch yourself in the face for being such an idiot, and then go to iTunes or whomever your music retailer is and make this purchase. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is definitely a top 10 record of the decade (cough cough, Edward).

Got Nuffin’ – Spoon (YSI)

You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb – Spoon (YSI)

The Underdog – Spoon (YSI)

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The Animal Show does not and never will condone violence against any creature on the Earth. But, c'mon dudes, it's Tintin!

I can hear your thoughts. Fact. And I hear you thinking, “where the hell is Edward? Did that bastard ditch us again?” Shut up, mind noises. I’m right here. In fact, I’ve been sitting right here for the 2 weeks since I last posted. DOING WORK. Do you know what that’s like? No, you don’t, because you waste all your time reading WEBSITES. Laaaaaaaame. Seriously, I’ve been doing meaningful shit. Like analyzing pure monadic schemata. How much schematic analysis have you done recently? That’s what I thought. But now I’ve come out of the logical woods and back into civilization, arms full of musical goodies to distribute while you’re asleep, like Santa but with creepier facial hair. So leave your stockings near your router, because here I come.

First, it’s time for a hats off to Dave, for covering my absence so ably and wordily. He enlightened us with some pretty sick Arcade Fire b-sides, hit us with a NASTY Sufjan mash-up, and titled a post so well, I thought I was about to read some Magic Tree House fanfic (not the first time I’ve been disappointed by not finding some Magic Tree House fanfic). More importantly, however, Dave did the important work of reintroducing some oft-mentioned, never (til now) realized Animal Show features, namely album reviews. I’ve got a couple in the pipe, that I’m going to hit you with early next week (NEW SUFJAN NEW SUFJAN NEW SUFJAN). But first, I’munna bust you in the face with some JAMS. ANIMAL SHOW STYLE.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back to the often-maligned but never forgotten Audio Safari! I set the bar pretty high there with how much I liked the Silver Sea’s “Imaginary Girl” (and if you don’t have that song, you should immediately click the link above and go download it and listen to it a million bajillion times and then burn it onto mix cds for all your friends, drawing hearts and stars around it on the enclosed tracklist). But I still stand behind these songs. They rule. Like them. Now.

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Flashing Lights (High Contrast Remix) – Kanye West (YSI)

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Never Chasing Pavement (Urban Noize Remix) – Jay-Z feat. Adele and Kanye West (YSI)

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Sleepyhead (The Knocks Remix) – Passion Pit (YSI)

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The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance (Miike Snow Remix) – Vampire Weekend (YSI)

Keep your eyes peeled for my promised review of Late for the Sky, as well as much BQE goodness.

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1. Audio Safari!
2. Is It Time For An Audio Safari Again? Yes, Yes It Is Time For An Audio Safari Again.
3. Poker Face? I hardly know her!

Hey, Marvin. What's going on?

My blogging career began rather abruptly, and I realize I never got a chance to tell you about myself. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am David. I enjoy music by artists whose names begin with P (Paul Simon, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Prince, Pharoahe Monch, Phish, Public Enemy, The Police, etc…) as well as music by artists whose first letter is any of the other 25 letters. I’ll drop some more fun facts as we continue to get to know each other, but I think we’re both ready for some music.

The recent E-603 release (“If You Wanna” 3:57 to the end was so beautiful I’m continually moved to tears) has inspired me to seek out some more mashups. And because MJ has been getting so much love as of late, I felt I should give another M artist some respect. So here are some fantastic Marvin Gaye mashups. The first came out a while ago, but I realized that The Show never really gave it proper due, so I could not deprive all you loyal readers who have yet to stumble upon this jam. Produced by Shuko & The Gunna, and presented by Mick Boogie, comes the masterpiece Brooklyn Soul. An entire cd of “Marvin Jaye” gems. The juxtaposition of Marvin’s soul and Hova’s rhymes are beyond epic. Take “Hello Brooklyn.” The original has an uninspired beat behind some striking verses by “the greatest rapper alive” (he has actually trademarked that, much to Mos Def’s chagrin). Brooklyn Soul puts the timeless Sexual Healing behind Lil’ Wayne and Jigga, making it unforgettable. Though not on Brooklyn Soul, “Girls Let’s Get It On” supplements Jizza’s previously questionable beats with classic Marvin baby-making-funk.

For the final Marvin Mashup we move to one of my favorite DJs: B. Cause. And I don’t think he’s talented, I think he’s beyond it (Weezy shoutout, ya’ll!). His skills are so impressive that he was almost able to make 2008’s worst ear-bruiser, “Love Lockdown,” listenable. He put a crazy-cool disco beat that almost made me forget the auto-tune. In the Marvin vein, he takes Outkast’s “So Fresh So Clean,” which, unlike “Hello Brooklyn,” needed no changes whatsoever, and still manages to improve it. B. Cause also uses “Let’s Get It On,” to make “So Fresh So Clean” so sensual that you will immediately morph into a 70’s swinger. And for all readers looking for more DJ B. Cause check out “Blame It/What’s Golden.” I can’t talk about it “B. Cause” it’s not Marvin, but trust me, like all other B. Cause tracks, it’s hot.

It’s taking me great personal restraint to do so, but I am going to limit myself to Marvin Gaye mashups, but fear not, an article simply about great mashups I have recently found is in the works. For now, enjoy these, and you can get the rest of Brooklyn Soul at http://www.jayandmarvin.com/.

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Hello Brooklyn (ft. Li’l Wayne) – Jay-Z and Marvin Gaye (YSI)

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Girls Let’s Get It On – Marvin Jaye (YSI)

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So Fresh So Clean (B.Cause Let’s Get it On Reprise) – OutKast (YSI)

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Jigga: no stranger to the dinosaurs.

My Dad sent me an email the other day to tell me that his favorite rap artist from when he was enrolled in College just leaked his new album. My father’s favorite hip-hop artist is the Empire State Building of Rap, Jay-Z. Did you know that Jay-Z is 7 years older than my father? It’s true. Did you know my dad’s 62? Jay-Z is pushing 70, ladies and gentlemen. Pretty soon, Social Security is gonna come and lay down the law,  all like “yo, dawg, you can’t keep pulling 8 figs a year and still collect SS. Brothers are dyin out in the street without getting hooked up with this shit.” Then he’ll spit hot fire about it over his Poligrip adhesive ointment.

No, I’m just kidding, my Dad doesn’t like Jay-Z. I don’t really love him either. But my Dad hates popular music, bros. This is me rebelling against him. Eat it, Pops! He swears that he only went to one concert and it was Bob Dylan, but that’s just him trying to be all holier than though. I only went into an alley once, and Bob Dylan was rummaging through the trash. Take that, Dad!

And Jay-Z isn’t actually 69 years old. We have no idea how old he is. Scientists think we’re just going to have to wait til he dies of natural causes (denture cream poisoning) and then cut him open and count the rings. Those scientists and their science!

Anyway, Jigga’s got this new album coming out. Maybe you heard about it. The retirement homes are all abuzz with the news. Those decrepit hipsters (decripsters, all rights reserved 2009 The Animal Show) all booted up their Netbooks and snatched that shit off of The Pirate Bay real quick-like. And I was reading my favorite retirement blog, Prunes and Other Old People Things, and Saul, the blogger over there, recommended this album (because he’s old — get it???). Apparently it’s worth a damn. So far, I’m only agreeing about one song, but I really like it.

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Empire State Of Mind (Ft. Alicia Keys) – Jay-Z (YSI)

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This post’s album is called Ocarina of Rhyme, which means that some of you are ready to knock down your own grandma to get to it! I know I am!

If you know how to get the Goron sword and what song to play in the middle of a circle of rocks (especially if you know the button sequence), then prepare to crap your pants with giddy joy like it’s 1999. This is rap and Ocarina of Time tunes together, one of those mashup concept albums that is just SUCH a good idea. As a bonus, this doesn’t sound like it was thrown together in that half an hour between the final bell and when your mom picks you up. It’s great to be able to say that: the internet nowadays has almost as many talentless mashup “artists” as the entire Zelda canon has Stalfos. You’d think this album would be kitschy as Bombchu Bowling, and you might be right, but a couple of the tracks just have a certain quality of flow that makes the album more than a one-and-done investment, so permit me to be your Lens of Truth in this treasure chest game/album.  MF Doom and Slim Thug with Mike Jones in particular sound like they were made for Horse Race at Lon Lon Ranch and Great Fairy’s Fountain. I already made a ringtone out of “Knockin’ Doorz Down (Hyrule Field).” “I Used to Love H.E.R (Hyrule Market)” is slick too, but watch out for “Still D.R.E (Getting Treasure),” as that will grate on the nerves of all but the most tone deaf. So you know, Team Teamwork is the outfit with their name on this, but I can’t seem to find anything about them, which makes me like them more.

It really is amazing what can be done with well designed instrumentals, a drum kit or two, and some tested lyrics. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time got a lot of attention for its score, and building on top of that puts you in a high place to start. This sort of project wouldn’t have happened back in the late 90’s when the game was released, but the world is ready now for just this sort of project. I for one am hoping for many more projects like this one.

Check the tags for artists.

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Knockin’ Doorz Down (Hyrule Field) – Team Teamwork

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I Used to Love H.E.R. (Hyrule Market – Team Teamwork

Ocarina of Rhyme – full album (.zip)

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This is where the reference is illustrated with the subtlety of a cranial cudgeling.

Gloriously, Every once in a while, several members of the mashup community collaborate on a project, or at least happen to all mash/remix common songs, and then realize it. It’s usually pretty good (maybe we’ll see a few more here in the future) but sometimes its so bad you must have it. Imagine an ENTIRE MASHUP ALBUM of Rick Astley’s hit! Or EIGHTEEN permutations of “I Kissed a Girl”!

If you’re tiring of this earth, let David Bowie and a team of DJs space you out for a bit. This gem is great for all you Bowie fans who also like funky, beepy remixes and mashups, as well as the occasional quote from Star Wars and E.T. The Extraterrestrial.  My favorites so far are the A+D mashup Stardust Kids (David Bowie vs. MGMT), and Starman (ATOM’s Space Funk Journey). Check the tags for a list of who’s in or around this album.

Beep Boop.

Ziggy Stardust Remixed – (Full album, .zip file)

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