Even though it will never appear on any video channel I can think of ( since it's got a bullet in it, and none of those channels show videos any more anyway ), Detroit emcee/producer Black Milk has shot a pretty dope video for his very Dilla-ish single "Sound The Alarm" featuring Guilty Simpson.



His album 'Popular Demand,' which features guest appearances from Slum Village, Baatin, One Be Lo, Phat Kat and more, drops March 13th on Fat Beats Records. Personally I'm waiting for that Guilty Simpson album on Stones Throw myself. And the rumored Sean Price/Guilty Simpson album over Black Milk beats? Lets just say I hope it's more than a rumor.

The single for Cadence Weapon's "Sharks" came out some time last Summer and was in regular rotation on our Urban Alternatives radio program for months. But apparently Epitaph Records has partnered up with Canadian Indie Upper Class to re-release the album it was taken from, 'Breaking Kayfabe,' here in the states on March 14th. So, in an effort to promote the re-release they've ponied up some dough to make a really cool video-game themed video clip for "Sharks" despite the fact that it's hella old.



The video is really dope, and the concept and execution are fucking perfect, but it's sort of funny seeing dude in a video jumping around and rapping. Why? Because this is a guy ( a kid really ) I know as a message board poster ( primarily from the now defunct Hip Hop Infinity ) who made a name for himself as a Pitchfork writer ( he gave the homie Sankofa a good review ) and then as a blogger during the first "blog boom" a couple years ago. What's even funnier though is that his record was good.

Look out for a sophomore LP on Epitaph some time in the fall.

The makers of the documentary DJ/drumming films 'Keepintime' and 'Brasilintime,' Mochilla Films, put together this touching musical tribute to Dilla as part of the 'Brasilintime' premiere show at SESC Pompeii in Sao Paulo.



The tribute features DJ Nuts, DJ Primo ( not to be confused with DJ Premier ) and Pupilo of Nacao Zumbi. It was directed by B+, shot by Eric Coleman, B+, Flying Lotus and Rodney Clouden, edited by Luke Lynch and mixed by Elvin Estella.

"When Mochilla went to Brasil in 2006 for the premiere of Brasilintime, we were to perform with the Brasilian drummers and DJs. The first day at
soundcheck, DJ Nuts called me aside and told me that him and Brasil's DJ Primo had been working on a routine with Pupilo and that it was a surprise. Primo is one of the best turntablists in Brasil and Pupilo is the drummer of Brasilian super group Nacao Zumbi. We planned to stop the show half way through bring on Primo and Pupilo and let them do their thing.

Dilla was the first to really get down on sampling Brasilian music and that his production for Pharcyde's "Runnin'" was the first joint to really get out there and show this music to hip-hop heads. In Brasil they were all still reeling from Dilla's passing and people would ask us about him all the time. On the first night we took the break and the Brasilian homies busted out this version of Runnin' in tribute to Dilla - Brasilian musicians in front of an ecstatic Sao Paulo crowd paying tribute to our friend - and it was super emotional.

According to a feature on the Stones Throw website the short film will be an extra feature on the forthcoming 'Brasilintime' DVD.

New York based Indie Rap label Definitive Jux hasn't put out one of their 'Definitive Jux Presents' compilation albums since 2004. But they've teamed with Williams Street and the Adult Swim cable network to release the next best thing, a free downloadable label compilation called 'Definitive Swim.'

This project follows Adult Swim's successful partnering with the Stones Throw label for the similar 'Chrome Children' projects. I'm almost done with my first listen to 'Definitive Swim' right now, and I gotta admit, I think I already like it better than either of the 'Chrome Children' comps.

Every song on here is a banger. There's new material from the big names of Def Jux like El-P, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Cage and even Cannibal Ox, and there are scene-stealing entries from Def Jux "b-teamers" Despot, Cool Calm Pete and Hangar 18 too.

Download it at the link below.

Various Artists 'Definitive Swim' Definitive Jux/Williams Street

1. Camu-Tao "Plot A Little"
2. El-P "Smithereens (Stop Cryin')"
3. Rob Sonic "New Vandals"
4. Hangar 18 "Think Big"
5. Mr. Lif and Cannibal Ox "Brothaz (Remix)"
6. Despot "Get Rich Or Try Dying"
7. Cool Calm Pete "Get With The Times"
8. Mr. Lif "Red October"
9. Cage "Blood Boy"
10. Aesop Rock "None Shall Pass"

Various Artists 'Definitive Swim' (.Zip)

And make sure you visit the Definitive Swim page on the Adult Swim website, because they're also featuring a new animated video for El-P's "Flyentology," featuring Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, the new singe from his forthcoming sophomore LP 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead.' I looked for a YouTube link or other streaming links to the video, but I guess the only place to see it right now is the Adult Swim site. Trust me though, you want to see it.

Coming off like "a sweaty, sexy mess of synth and snow," Edmonton, Canada's Shout Out Out Out Out makes "in-your-face, ambidextrous dance music." They released their debut LP 'Not Saying/Just Saying' last year on the independent Normals Welcome Records label. And they're preparing to take their six-man Disco/Rock orgy on tour across North America throughout the month of March.

Made up of touring musicians, producers, artists, DJs, promoters and label bosses, the Shout Out's also remix other artists. Their newest remix, courtesy of member Nik7, is for Icelandic pop act Bang Gang's "Find What You Get" from the forthcoming North American release of Bang Gang's album 'Something Wrong.' The result is something that should make fans of DFA and MSTRKRFT take a bunch of heroin and dance around for joy.

Bang Gang "Find What You Get (Shout Out Out Out Out Remix)"

Check them out in the ( sweaty ) flesh at one of the following upcoming live dates.

03-01 Ottawa, ON – Zaphods
03-02 Montreal, PQ – Main Hall
03-03 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
03-04 Hamilton, ON – Casbah
03-06 London, ON – Call The Office
03-07 Waterloo, ON – Starlite
03-08 Boston, MA – Paradise Lounge
03-09 Brooklyn, NY – Southpaw
03-10 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
03-11 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
03-13 Houston, TX – The Mink
03-14 Austin, TX – SXSW!!!!
03-15 Austin, TX – SXSW BEAUTY BAR!!!!
03-16 Austin, TX – SXSW CLUB DEVILLE!!!!
03-17 Austin, TX – SXSW!!!!
03-19 Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
03-20 Los Angeles, CA – Safari Sams
03-22 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
03-23 Vancouver, BC - Columbia

And if you're in Austin for SXSW you'll also have the opportunity to see Bang Gang at the dates listed below.

03-17 Austin, TX – SXSW FANATIC SHOWCASE @ ELYSIUM (11:00pm)
03-17 Austin, TX – MUSEBOX BUBBLING UP DAY PARTY @ HABANNA ANNEX

I've had high expectations for Newark, New Jersey native Redman's long-awaited ( and hotly anticipated ) sixth full-length solo album 'Red Gone Wild.' I had been hoping against hope that he would go back to "that rough shit" ( to quote Hurricane G ) that made him one of Hip-Hop's most beloved figures in the early '90s. Thoughts of him working with people like Madlib and J. Dilla crossed my mind a number of times. Then I heard he was working with Timbaland, and the thought of Red rapping over a sludgy electro-funk track from Timmy sounded like a good idea. As long as it wasn't some cookie-cutter "club-banger" shit that comes out sounding like LL Cool J's "Headsprung" it'd be all good. Then I saw the album artwork, which was fucking perfect, and I thought there was a chance that Red would be making a real, raw, Redman album for the 21st century and I hoped that Red wouldn't fuck it up by making a bunch of redundant crap that panders to what's "hot in the streets" or on the radio. Like I said, I had expectations.

All those expectations crumbled when I heard the first single, the Timbaland produced "Put It Down." Ya know what it sounds like? LL Cool J's "Headsrpung." Motherfucker! I don't know how much Redman paid for the beat, but it sounds like one of the formulaic "$10 specials" Tim seems to give a lot of rappers. It's just not "putting it down" as it were. Speaking of which, that chorus is terrible. But what's really infuriating is that Redman was a sharply witty lyricist with a monstrous flow back in the day, but on this song he spits nothing but trite Rap-isms and his flow is retarded, in a Corky from 'Life Goes On' way, relying on simple repetitious rhyme-schemes that a baby could follow.

It makes me shake my head, which is fucked, because I should be nodding my head instead. Unfortunately the memory of Redman when he was actually dope, like "Blow Your Mind," "Headbanger," "Time 4 Sum Akshun," "Tonight's The Night," and the like, prevents me from thinking this is anything more than poop. But hey, you might like it, so give it a listen at the links below.

Redman "Put It Down"

Windows Media Lo

Windows Media Med

Windows Media Hi

The new LP 'Red Gone Wild,' with production from Erick Sermon, Scott Storch ( booo ), Timbaland and Rockwilder, and special appearances from Method Man, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Biz Markie, will arrive in stores March 27th.

Our homie, and occasional movie-review guy, Sankofa has put up the limited edition teaser project 'The '06' for free download. It features live versions of a couple of the tracks I've produced for his forthcoming 'The Tortoise Hustle' LP. But be warned, it's a YouSendIt link, so you have to sign up to download it, and it might not last that long.

Here's the info from his own MySpace bulletin.

Sankofa 'The '06' ( .Zip )

I figured the sucker is out of print and it might as well turn into a downloadable digital ghost for mp3ery. You won't get the cool packaging (c/o Kay at eyeballgraphics), but all the songs are awaiting download when you click HERE. It's a free signup to download blah blah site.

TRACKLISTING

semis-live: 25 minutes of live bookended by a possibly inebriated Jerr Dog (host of the battle) and a lively crowd. If you listen closely, you'll hear live versions of a few Tortoise Hustle songs including The Bottomline, The Zoom Zip and Sing it Backwards. When the Blue Sunshine instrumental is playing, the crowd goes nuts twice. Once is when I bust out a pair of clippers and shave off my beard, the other is when I bring out a bat and beat a rapping cookie jar to smithereens.

lenin's jukebox: This is actually two songs-Fiero and Roll Call-complete with death metal outro. Back when LLC and I were working on a group collaboration, we'd spend time in Brenn's freezing garage and mess around with songs. Thankfully, these two were recorded and will most likely be the extent of Lenin's Jukebox.

eds: I'd purchased one of EDS' instrumental CDs the first night they were available (via Wing Council), wrote/recorded to my favorite beat, and the next day gave him the track to do as he saw fit. If you listen closely to R&E's "Rookies of the Year", you might hear the track playing in the background of a phone conversation. EDS gave me permission to use the track and I hope you dig it.

i knew it: Here we have the typical result of my not having beats-running through songs, looking for something to loop and then rapping over it. Bonus points (maybe even a lanyard) to whoever can tell me what I looped.

clockwise: One of my all-time favorite beats gets the "I want to write and record raps but don't have a beat handy" treatment. The hook pretty much came to me out of thin air and, while it didn't turn out quite how I envisioned, it still worked out pretty well.

shark92: I recorded this track as a promo for Still Means Something and it was well enough received that I figured to put it on a release.

ognihs: ognihs and I have collaborated over the years (SA-2, White Collar Criminals, The Rosetta Stone) and he really wanted to produce the entirety of my next album. As it stands, he has one cut set in stone (Tale of a Cartoon Snake). He recently sent me this beat and I wrote and recorded to it a few days later. I figured this was a good outlet for what Keter calls my "Kool G Rap/Percee P rapping."

A former member of Anti-Pop Consortium and Airborne Audio, High Priest delivers a combination of UK Grime, the NYC electro-thuggishness of Dipset and new millennium b-boy shit a-la Definitive Jux on his debut solo disc 'Born Identity,' out this week on the independent Sound Ink label. "Next Level" has a lazer sound throughout the entire track. If that's not a reason to dig it, I don't know what is.

High Priest "Next Level"



You might remember Oregon's Panther from his single "You Don't Want Yr Nails Done," which had an accompanying video clip that featured the singer/producer dancing around all crazy in a room made entirely out of cardboard that was, at video's end, revealed to be a cardboard box. If you dug that track, which I know I did, his debut LP 'Secret Lawns,' out March 6th on Fryk Beat Records, should be right up your alley. The track "How Does It Feel" features Panther's signature falsetto over hard drums and a synth line that reminds me a lot of the synth from Gary Numan's "M.E.," which Basement Jaxx, well, jacked, for "Where's Your Head At."

Panther "How Does It Feel"



What would a "New Music" post at Imageyenation be without at least one act from Sweden? Bullshit, that's what! Which is why I'd like to introduce you to Swedish Folktronica guy Erik de Vahl. His sophomore LP 'Friendly Fire' is out now on Swedish label Service Records. It's all pretty understated, but there's some cool electronic elements, like on this "State Supreme," which sounds like synthesizers imitating the sound and "feel" of snow.

Erik de Vahl "State Supreme"



And since the Swedish Indie scene is basically murdering shit right now, we're actually featuring another act from Sweden; Juvelen, a one-man-band who describes his sound as coming "straight from the motherfuckin' dungeons of pop." His self-titled debut EP, which is out now on Sweden's Hybris Records, is nothing short of a modern Pop gem, offering up five slabs of soulful, funky, Synthpop perfection that are sure to appeal to fans of Hot Chip, Lo-Fi-Fnk and Montt Mardie. I haven't been able to stop playing "Of Course I Remember," a downtempo, synth-n-drum-machine fueled R&B flavored Pop song that hearkens back to the early days of Prince, musically, lyrically, and vocally ( Juvelen's falsetto is killer ), in a scary way. If I could fit my junk into some panties they'd be moist after listening to this amazing slow jam, trust me.

Juvelen "Of Course I Remember"

It's safe to say that Imageyenation is smitten with Peter Bjorn & John.

Enjoy their latest video.

Peter Bjorn & John "Objects Of My Affection"



The sexy Swedish trio will be back touring the U.S. this Spring.

APRIL
28 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
30 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

MAY
01 New York, NY - Webster Hall
02 New York, NY - Webster Hall
03 Philadelphia, PA - TLA
04 Boston, MA - Paradise
05 Montreal, Quebec - Le National
06 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix
07 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
08 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
09 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
12 Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore
13 Seattle, WA - Neumos
14 Portland, OR - Doug Fir
15 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's
16 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's

Swedish Indie Pop quintet Mixtapes and Cellmates ( who have what is possibly the best band name ever ) have finished their as-yet-untitled debut full-length ( they've previously released a couple of EPs ) and are gearing up for a Spring release on Nomethod Records.

They're offering the first single from their new record, a catchy, drum-machine fueled, synthesizer and guitar-driven romp called "Quiet," for free download via the Nomethod website.

Download the .Zip file at the link below.

Mixtapes and Cellmates "Quiet" ( .Zip )

Tracey Thorn, one half of Everything But The Girl, is back on the scene with a new album, 'Out of the Woods,' and a new single/video for "It's All True". The album mostly features production from Ewan Pearson, who in the past has remixed Ladytron, The Rapture, Goldfrapp and The Chemical Brothers. Look for it in stores on March 5th on Virgin Records. Unless you live in the U.S., it won't arrive here until March 20th on Astralwerks. As soon as I get my hands on some tracks I'll share. For now enjoy the video for "It's All True".

Badly Drawn Boy released a new single and video yesterday. It's for "A Journey From A To B" off of his 2006 release 'Born In The UK.' The single has been released as an exclusive box set which includes a remix by The Go! Team that I need to get my hands on.



You can also watch the video in these formats:

Real Media

Windows Media

Damon (along with his beard and hat) will be touring throughout North America in the month of March. I've already got my tickets for the Somerville show.

Mar 3 2007 - Theatre Of Living Arts, Philadelphia
Mar 5 2007 - Somerville Theatre, Boston
Mar 6 2007 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
Mar 7 2007 - Webster Hall, New York
Mar 9 2007 - Majestic Theatre, Detroit
Mar 10 2007 - Metro, Chicago
Mar 11 2007 - Fine Line Music Café, Minneapolis
Mar 13 2007 - Exit/In, Nashville
Mar 14 2007 - The Loft, Atlanta
Mar 16 2007 - Stubbs (SXSW), Austin
Mar 18 2007 - Fox Theatre, Boulder
Mar 19 2007 - Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City
Mar 21 2007 - House of Blues, San Diego
Mar 22 2007 - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles
Mar 23 2007 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
Mar 25 2007 - Aladdin Theatre, Portland
Mar 26 2007 - Neumo's, Seattle
Mar 27 2007 - Richards on Richards, Vancouver

Imageyenation favorites and Urban Alternatives dandies, Air, are back with a new video. It's for the song "Once Upon A Time" off of their new release 'Pocket Symphony'. This album, like the last one is co-produced by Nigel Goodrich and this time around incorporates Japanese instruments into the mix and features vocals from Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and Neil Hannon of Divine Comedy. Tasty. The album became available digitally yesterday (at least for non-American's), and will be out on cd/vinyl/etc. everywhere on March 5th on Astralwerks and Virgin.

Canadian rapper/singer/producer K-Os's third album 'Atlantis: Hymns for Disco' finally dropped here in the States ( and everywhere else not called Canada ) today. So do yourself a huge favor and cop it. I was thoroughly impressed (again) by K-Os. Once again he mashes up genres effortlessly and further cements himself on my list of favorite musicians doing it right now. Dude is just dope. Oh yeah, and since it's his birthday today and I can't hook him up with some cakey, here are a couple videos from his new album:

K-Os "ELEctrik HeaT - the seekwiLL"



K-Os "Sunday Morning"



BONUS!

Flashback to 1993 and we have a baby faced K-Os with his first single "Musical Essence", which was produced by the same duo that brought you 50 Cent's "21 Questions." Yup. Thank you Wikipedia!



BONUS 2.0!

At one time K-Os was managed by (and lived with) John "Spider" Salley a former Detroit Piston who can presently be seen in commercials walking an elephant, urging folks to talk about AIDS. Wild. Wikipedia you rule.

But he does like the new video for Mixel Pixel's "Abandon Ship," directed by Radical Friend.



The track "Abandon Ship" is from Mixel Pixel's 'Music For Plants' album, which dropped last October on Kanine Records.

Chicago based Bedroom Pop act Baby Teeth is gearing up for the March 13th release of 'The Simp,' their sophomore LP, produced by Blue Hawaii of Icy Demons, on the Lujo Records label. In an effort to drum up interest they've released a free, web-only EP, titled 'We Live Here,' of covers of songs by other Chicago area artists.

My personal picks are the cover of Curtis Mayfield and The Impresssions' "Fool For You," and the similarly soulful "Sarah" a duet with Bobby Conn. If you liked the more soulful songs on the Honeycut album you're sure to like these. You can download all the tracks at the links below.

Baby Teeth 'We Live Here EP'

Baby Teeth feat. Kelly Hogan "Bad Weather"

Baby Teeth "Saint James Infirmary/Six Foot One"

Baby Teeth "Fool For You"

Baby Teeth feat. Bobby Conn "Sarah"

Berkley, California based proponent of the Nerdcore sub-genre Lo-fi Post-Punk Laptop-Rap, MC Lars has been a favorite here at Imageyenation since we heard his 'Laptop EP' a few years back. We had a copy of his 2006 LP 'The Graduate' as well, but only for a week or so, since somebody either lost it or stole it. Sucks.

Anyway, he's got a new tongue-in-cheek track ( possibly produced by Bay Area Hyphy guy Traxamillion ) called "White Kids Aren't Hyphy," which you can download thanks to San Francisco's Live 105 at the link below.

MC Lars "White Kids Aren't Hyphy"

And if you're interested in seeing young Lars doing his new "Hyphy dance" live on stage check him out at one of the many live dates listed below.

2.16 Ft Lauderdale, FL @ The Culture Room
2.17 Orlando, FL @ The Social
2.18 Gainesville, FL @ 1982 Bar
2.19 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
2.20 Knoxville, TN @ Blue Cats
2.21 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
2.22 Virginia Beach, VA @ The Jewish Mother
2.23 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
2.24 Bound Brook, NJ @ Hamilton Street Cafe
2.25 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
2.26 Providence, RI @ The Living Room
2.28 Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
3.1 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
3.2 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
3.3 Chicago, IL @ Champs Rock Room
3.4 St Louis, MO @ Cicero's

This is the video for "North American Scum," the first single from 'Sound of Silver,' the highly anticipate sophomore LP from DFA Records artists LCD Soundsystem.



You can purchase 'Sound Of Silver' on DFA Records at your favorite retailer starting March 20th. You can also catch LCD Soundsystem live at one of the dates listed below.

Mar 30 2007 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Mar 31 2007 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Apr 28 2007 - Empire Polo Grounds - Indio, California
Apr 30 2007 - Mezzanine - San Francisco, California
May 2 2007 - Showbox - Seattle, Washington
May 3 2007 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, British Columbia
May 6 2007 - Metro - Smart Bar - Chicago, Illinois
May 7 2007 - Majestic Theatre - Detroit, Michigan
May 8 2007 - Phoenix Concert Theatre - Toronto, Ontario
May 9 2007 - Le Spectrum - Montreal, Quebec
May 11 2007 - Axis - Boston, Massachusetts
May 12 2007 - Studio B - Brooklyn, New York
May 13 2007 - 9:30 Club - WASHINGTON, Washington DC
May 14 2007 - Webster Hall - New York, New York

Producer James "J Dilla" Yancey was posthumously honored at this year's PLUG: Independent Music Awards with their "Artist of the Year" award. His mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey accepted the award on his behalf via this video, which features a number of his collaborators discussing his impact on them, and music as a whole.

I've seen this track, "Better Than I've Ever Been," a collaboration between Kanye West, Nas, Rakim and KRS-One, produced by Rick Rubin and remixed by DJ Premier, commissioned by Nike to honor the 25th anniversary of their popular Air Force 1 sneaker, popping up on websites around the internet this week. I generally support sharing MP3s, and I don't really care about taking money out of Nike's hand because they're a giant soulless corporation, but in this instance I think sharing the track is kind of lame. I feel that way because though it's a celebration of a Nike product, this is actually a charity single and all Nike and artist proceeds from the sale of the track will be donated to the "Nike Youth Sport for Change Fund," to support youth programs that use sport as a catalyst for change. So seriously, don't download this joint from http://douchebag.blogspot.com, wait until February 20th when it goes on sale at iTunes and cop it.

In the meantime, check out both the Rick Rubin and DJ Premier mixes of the track via streaming audio below.

Kanye West, Nas and KRS-One "Better Than I've Ever Been" ( produced by Rick Rubin )

Real Media

Windows Media

Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One and Rakim "Classic ( Better Than I've Ever Been Remix by DJ Premier )"

Real Media

Windows Media

This is probably one of the only times you'll ever see anything even remotely connected to Nas posted on this blog, unless he happens to release a decent album at some point.



It's a parody, in the form of a video mash-up by JSmooth, of all the "Where Are They Now" remixes that popped up online a couple weeks ago and drove everybody insane.

I still haven't heard Swedish Dance/Rock band Teddybears' North American debut 'The Soft Machine.' I know, I suck. But they still took the time to wish me ( and you, and everyone you know ) a happy Valentines Day via this video for their track "Yours To Keep." It's a collaboration with Pop stalwart Neneh Cherry, who as it turns out is also of Swedish origin, on vocals.

No, I don't know why Rhymesayers posted a new video for "Early Mornin' Tony," a single from Slug and Murs' 'Felt 2: A Tribute To Lisa Bonet,' when the single came out like two freakin' years ago.



All I know is that I've never seen this video, and neither Slug nor Murs seem to have any new material on deck for the foreseeable future, so a new video for an old ass song is better than nothing.

Ok, I know it's not that sexy. But it is Ms. Pacman running around New York City.



The Go! Team - "Junior Kickstart"

Click on the image to start video.

I don't believe for a second that this dude Clutchy Hopkins is real, much less that he's a bearded white guy who wears flannel shirts when he's not getting funky. He's supposedly a multi-instrumentalist who recorded a bunch of music and then walked off into the desert. My ass! My ass that's groovin' to his hot-to-death blend of Soul, Funk and Jazz that's the dopest thing this side of the local thrift store that is! Here's "3:06," one of the many numerically titled instrumental heatrocks that can be heard of his 'The Life Of Clutchy Hopkins' LP, which is out now on the enigmatic Crate Diggler imprint.

Clutchy Hopkins "3:06"



Appealing to fans of Spank Rock, Plastic Little, Airborn Audio and CX Kidtronik, Brooklyn, New York's Bunny Rabbit, a duo comprised of emcee Bunny Rabbit and producer Black Cracker ( producer/beatboxer for CocoRosie ) is the new face of spaced-out Hipster-Hop. Their debut album 'Lovers and Crypts' is out February 20th on CocoRosie's Voodoo-EROS label. It's mostly crunked-up, coked out, triple-xxx Electro-Rap, some of which is fun, some of which is sort of scary. "It Ain't Easy" falls into the latter category in a real weird way. It's like a psychedelic cocaine-dusted Apocalypse, or the Hipster version of Cannibal Ox's "Iron Galaxy." Either way, it's one of my favorite Rap records of the year so far.

Bunny Rabbit "It Ain't Easy"



Sweden strikes again! This time with the sounds of "Disco Princess" Sally Shapiro. She reminds me of Icelandic "Disco Princess" Annie quite a bit. But her album, 'Disco Romance,' out now on the Diskokaine label, is way more dance floor oriented Disco than Annie's, which had more of a bubblegum ( pun intended ) Pop vibe. This remix of the album track "I'll Be By Your Side" cranks up the Electro Funk, with a heavy 808 beat, synths and a dope vocoder vocal. This shit would have rocked the clubs and radio in a big way back in the day. Now all we get is Ciara's lame interpretation of shit like this.

Sally Shapiro "I'll Be By Your Side ( Rude 66 808 Remix )"



I was tempted to post "Fallen Snow" by Brooklyn-based, all-female Synthpop band Au Revoir Simone because I just heard that the Northest is supposed to get a bunch of snow dumped on it this week. But since I posted the video for that track the other day I figured you deserved another taste of their album 'The Bird Of Music' which drops at digital stores online on February 26th and physical retailers later this Summer. Since I was already on a 808's and synthesizer sort of theme, and since I'm a softy who likes staring up at the stars on a clear night, the track "Stars" caught my ear. It's representative of the sort of pretty, synthesizer and drum-machine based compositions heard throughout the album.

Au Revoir Simone "Stars"

Originally seen at PerezHilton.com, which Perez explains:

Directed by Japanese artist Nagi Noda, the video uses the groundbreaking technique known as "Kuroko". This style of Japanese puppetry entails stagehands dressed all in black, manipulating both props and characters to create the illusion that camera angles and perspectives are changing.

Despite what you're seeing (or what you think you're seeing) the video was filmed all in one take, no editing,no camera movement, no slow-motion or special effects.

Kinda like this video.

This is where a group like Plastic Little really shows their arts background and proves they're not just a bunch of dudes that like coke and think it's funny to rap.



If you don't already have their newest album 'She's Mature,' which dropped a couple months back on Tonearm Records, you should probably kill yourself.

We miss you.

Tune in this Monday to Dusty Grooves and this Wednesday to Urban Alternatives for a musical celebration of all things Dilla.

I know Emeyesi already posted Peter, Bjorn and John's appearance on Conan where they performed this song, but I felt I should post the video as well. It's not so much sexy as it is really sweet.

Peter, Bjorn and John ft. Victoria Bergsman "Young Folks"

I just watched this and I have to say...I'm really not that impressed. This track is one of my favourites and the video just does not meet the standards of "My Love" or "Sexy Back" I think. It feels too much like Justin is really pushing for his acting career rather than his musical one. Which, I guess, is his perogative.

Apologies for the bootleggedness of the video. It's a recording of a recording of a recording, etc.

Yes, he is, according to Billboard at least.

Here's some video of him in the studio laying down a drum-track for the project.



Apparently he got the gig because he had been bragging that he could produce a "real Al Green record."

He is evidently eschewing modern styles and recording techniques in an effort to make it "1974 all over again."

"I'm not saying Al Green wants to do his version of 'Ridin',' but for veterans, their examples are the Santana of 1999 and the Tony Bennett and Rod Stewart of today," he continues. "They're thinking, 'Okay, that is going to get me to the Grammy podium. Someone phone up John , Alicia and Corinne and let's get on Adult Contemporary radio.' I'm trying to get them out of that mode. It'll be a struggle but I think at the end of the day it will be a quality record."

The album is supposed to be finished by September, but there's no release date set as of yet.

Would you believe Brooklyn, New York based Indie Pop darlings Au Revoir Simone ( yes, their name is a 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure' reference ) is an all-girl synthesizer band? I'm not ashamed to admit that if you were telling me about them I probably wouldn't. But they are! And they're wonderful!

Your boy Emeyesi played their tune "Fallen Snow" on our Urban Alternatives radio show a couple weeks back and I actually made a note to look for their album. So it was a nice surprise when their new video for the same track showed up in my e-mail box.

It's a really pretty clip, featuring some really pretty girls. And the fishing scene in particular is just so perfect and precious it'll make you want to pinch your own cheek. Check it out via the mighty YouTube below.



And if you want to see it in crystalline Quicktime video format click this link to the Disposable Television website.

Their new album 'The Bird of Music' will be released via digital stores online on February 26th and will hit shelves at physical retailers during the Summer. They'll also be on tour throughout the Spring, starting with a number of dates overseas, but they'll be coming back stateside soon enough, and there's even a June 14th date at Boston's Middle East lined up.

California-based Pop duo The Bird and The Bee are vocalist Inara George ( daughter of Lowell George of Little Feat ) and multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin ( Beck, Robert Moog, The Flaming Lips, Peaches, and Lily Allen ). Their debut, self-titled full-length came out last month on Metro Blue Records, a division of the venerable Blue Note label. Their new single is titled "Again and Again" and they've got a cute new video clip, directed by Autumn De Wilde ( Beck, Elliot Smith, Death Cab For Cutie ) for it. It reminded me a little of a combination of 'Me And You And Everyone We Know' mixed with the video clip for Armen Van Helden's "Hear My Name." Check it out.

The Bird and The Bee "Again and Again"

Real Media

Windows Media

Quicktime

You can also catch them as the musical guest on 'Last Call with Carson Daly' on your local NBC affiliated station tonight.

Is there anything that cats can't do? I mean they can use toilets, talk somewhat, and now DJ. It's no wonder why dogs hate them so much.

Their new video, possibly inspired by Woody Allen's 'Zelig' and Robert Zemeckis' 'Forrest Gump,' for "Smiley Faces" puts images of Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse in all sorts of historical situations.



If you haven't visited their website, and you don't already own their debut LP 'St. Elsewhere,' which was one of the strongest albums of 2006, what are you waiting for?

And it's not new either? Da fuck yo? How in all of holy hell did I miss out on such a funky-fresh video for so long?



If you're dense, it's Doom and Madlib as Madvillain, from the first 'Chrome Children' compilation by Stones Throw and Adult Swim.

West Coast Indie Pop collective Softlightes ( formerly The Incredible Moses Leroy ) will be dropping their sophomore full-length 'Say No! To Being Cool - Say Yes! To Being Happy' next Tuesday, February 13th on Australia's Modular Records label. I was a huge fan of the Incredible Moses Leroy records, and the first Softlightes LP, and the Lo-Fi-Fnk remix of their recent single "Girlkillsbear" has been in regular rotation on our Urban Alternatives radio program for a while now. So I'm really psyched to hear what the new album sounds like.

It should sound something like "Heart Made Of Sound," which they've also made a cute little stop-motion video for. You can check it out right now.



And just because I'm a nice guy, I'm also gonna give you the opportunity to hear the aforementioned non-album mix of "Girlkillsbear" by Swedish sensations Lo-Fi-Fnk!

Softlightes "Girlkillsbear ( Lo-Fi-Fnk Mix )"

This song was my guilty pleasure song of 2006 and the video is definitely a fave as well. It's a club hit here in the UK, even though it's about Detroit.

Fedde Le Grand "Put Your Hands Up (For Detroit)"

Wait...what?

"Game you mad nuts." - Kanye West

Hey, he's "only being real."



All cock throwing aside, I'm digging this track/video. Kanye flipped Creative Source's "I'd Find You Anywhere" nicely in this ode to video hoes, and that BAPE tiger hoodie is nuts. Big up the one and only 3030 for hooking me up with the MP3.

The Game (Featuring Kanye West) "Wouldn't Get Far"

The last year or two has seen the largely shitty American music scene overrun with and overshadowed by superior bands from Sweden in what I like to term "The Swedish Invasion." A big part of this invading force of melodically inclined Swedes comes to us via the Labrador Records label. One look at our "Best of 2006" list here at Imageyenation should give you an indication of how much quality shit this label is putting out right now.

But this isn't a new phenomenon at all though. Labrador has actually been in business for nearly 10 years, and in that time has put out close to 100 projects. Their official 100th release, called 'Labrador 100, A Complete History of Popular Music,' will be a celebration of both their 10 year anniversary, and the milestone of putting out their 100th record. It's an exclusive 4 disc boxed set which includes one song from each and every one of Labrador's releases. That's 100 songs, plus a thick booklet with Labrador history and interviews, comments on each track, the bands lists of their Labrador favorites, and more!

This is a great introduction to a lot of great Swedish bands, from one of the greatest Swedish labels, packed into one handy package. If you're already a fan of the Swedish scene, or just curious about all the fuss, it comes highly recommended. And if you want to check out some of the music before you cop the collection, listen to the free MP3's from the Labrador site at the links below.

Club 8 "Everlasting Love"

The Radio Dept. "Against The Tide"

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names "Trumpets and Violins"

Sambassadeur "Ice & Snow"

Club 8 "We're Simple Minds"

Acid House Kings "Say Yes If You Love Me"

Tribeca "Her Breasts Were Still Small"

Irene "Waterfront"

A mash-up DJ from Modesto, California named DJ ! ( pronounced DJ Shift One ) has hacked the wireless "Wiimote" controller for the new Nintendo Wii gaming system in way that allows him to DJ using a pair of them and a PC running the Native Instruments Traktor DJ software. It's a pretty fucking genius idea if you ask me.



That was his first demonstration. The next video is a more in-depth explanation of how it all works.



He's set up a site about Wiijing with more information, tips and tricks, and is planning on setting up a Wiijing community with online resources for other Wiijays. He'll be giving his first live demonstration of Wiijaying at Bootie SF, San Francisco's monthly mash-up party, on May 12th.

It seems like forever ago that M.I.A. posted on her MySpace page about her new song "Bird Flu," but it's finally here! The audio is up on her MySpace page, and the video, which she financed herself, is on YouTube. But you already knew that. Anyway, shit is crazy, like some mutant Rio Baile meets Bollywood meets Nyabinghi chant-down.

Okay, it's still not that Corinne Bailey Raekwon mash-up that me and Emeyesi talked about doing, but this is video of UK chanteuse Corinne Bailey Rae covering Justin Timberlake's hit "Sexyback." It's from a session for BBC Radio's Jo Whiley. Though I wasn't as blow away by her album as some people, I really like Corinne. She's a cutie. And this jazzy cover is smokin'!

Corinne Baily Rae "SexyBack"

If you missed the review I posted of Sean Price's new 'Jesus Price Supastar' LP, which hit stores last week on Duck Down Records, go back and read it. When you're done doing that go out to your nearest music retailer and buy that shit! So far Pee's got the Hip-Hop game on lock in '07. We'll see who challenges him throughout the year. In the meantime, peep one of the better tacks from the album, the "soft-but-hard" 9th Wonder-produced gem, "Violent." Preferably while you read my review.

Sean Price "Violent"



This dude Baby Dayliner looks like Morrisey, Parker Lewis and Conan O'Brien had a baby, and I never thought his album would sound the way it does after hearing the single "Silent Places." That song was an Emo, Shoegaze, New Wave, Disco jam that sounded straight 1980's, like it could be on the 'Pretty In Pink' soundtrack or something. And while there's some other stuff like that on his sophomore LP 'Critics Pass Away,' which came out damn near a year ago ( I know I'm wicked late ) on Brassland Records, there's also a bunch of songs that sound like this. The this in question is "Nature's Clause," a mellow Hip-Hop-influenced love song.

Baby Dayliner "Nature's Clause"



People expecting beatmaker RJD2's supposed foray away from Hip-Hop, 'The Third Hand,' in stores March 6th on XL Records, to be some huge departure from his previous work are going to be really surprised when they actually hear the album. For all his talk about wanting do a Folk/Rock record, and all El-P's talk about the album being so different that he didn't think Definitive Jux could handle it, the shit on the album sounds eerily similar to what he's been doing for the last few years, just with him playing live instruments instead of sampling, and him singing of course. Case in point, "Beyond," a signature spacey RJ production, with cool organs and stabs, raw drums... and him singing.

RJD2 "Beyond"



If you've been playing the Rockstar Entertainment game 'Bully' like me and Emeyesi have you're already familiar with Shawn Lee's work, since he provided the game's musical score. So, you know he's a funky dude. But he ups the ante on his psychedelic Funk/Soul/Jazz masterpiece 'Voices and Choices,' out now on Ubiquity Records. The standout track for me is "Kiss The Sky," one of the album's vocal compositions. This joint is just pure, inspirational Soul, featuring a blistering performance from fellow Ubiquity artist Nino Moschella.

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra "Touch The Sky"

I know I can't be the only person who didn't watch the Super Bowl when it aired earlier tonight. I also know I can't be the only person who tuned into the Super Bowl broadcast at exactly the right time to see Prince give what is probably the best half-time performance in the history of the game. If you didn't, you missed out, but that's what YouTube is for.



It was raining heavily during his entire performance, and every song he did ( including a medley of "All Along The Watchtower" and "Best Of You" that made me wonder if he wasn't finally giving the Jehovah's Witnesses the kiss off ) was fire. But watching him sing his classic ballad "Purple Rain" in the purple rain while backed by a marching band actually brought a tear to my eye.

My posting this so soon after Emeyesi posted Lily Allen's "Alfie" video could be construed as me trying to one-up him with an even fresher post about the same artist. Or it could be taken for what it is, a hot new remix that I just happened to hear, and so had to post. The fact that I'm making a whole new post about it rather than amending it to his post means I'm trying to one-up him... but I digress.

Here's a hot new Mark Ronson remix of Lily's big single "Smile." What's really surprising to me is that this is totally different from the Mark Ronson mix of "Smile" that's been tacked on to the US release of 'Alright, Still.' The man is a beast! A rabid, funky beast of dopeness that eats record wax and craps hits!

This one finds him joining forces with Brooklyn Hip-Hop band Dujeous. I'm assuming that the new track, which re-interprets James and Bobby Purify's "I'm Your Puppet," features the Dujeous bandmembers getting down. Unless the two verses from Dujeous emcee Mojo The Cinematic are some tacked on home-recorded psuedo-mashup. But I think it's official. And it's fresh. Dude even name-check's Amy Winehouse in his second rap verse.

Peep it, it'll make you smile.

Lily Allen feat. Dujeous "Smile ( Mark Ronson Remix )"

The folks at The Fader posted this purported cover for Redman's long awaited 'Red Gone Wild' a couple days ago, and it's been getting a lot of coverage around the blogosphere since. I don't usually cover stuff like this, since it's just an album cover and everybody seems to be covering it. And I totally wish I had some fresh new Redman to post up with it. But I felt compelled to speak on this. Because frankly, this cover is the shit!

Seriously, this cover is so good that I'm pretty much convinced there's no chance that the music on the album will be anywhere near as dope. But if it is... classic! Unfortunately, the new song on the Gilla House MySpace page isn't really strengthening my resolve that Red is gonna come with the raw sort of next shit he needs to in 2007. But I still have some hope.

Back to the cover though, because we already know it's a winner. No, I can't tell you why Redman is blue, why there's a piece of toast carrying a cricket bat, or why a green cookie with gold fronts is wearing a kangol. But I did notice that Red has an "X" on his hand, so apparently this is the album where he gives up weed and alcohol and reveals that he is in fact straightedge... which is totally awesome.

I'm joking of course. Although it actually would be awesome if Red went sXe. But I really do like this cover. I just hope he can back it up with the sort of album it deserves.

Yes. Yes it did.

Peep out the new video "Alfie" from "Lee Lee Ahh-Len" and you can see some puppet fanny yourself.



If you didn't know homegirl's album 'Alright, Still' dropped last week here in the good ole U.S. and A. and just last night she rocked it out on 'Saturday Night Live.' She's also on tour and has a show in Boston on February 18th, which is also the anniversary of my birth. Someone needs to hook me up with a ticket(s).

Son. Don't rub that soap filled loofah in your eyes.

That's why you cry.

Criminally slept-on Definitive Jux crew Hangar 18 is apparently readying some new material for release this year. Their first offering is this video clip for a new track called "Baking Soda."



The 12'' singles they dropped from their debut album were some of my secret weapon DJ jams for a while. If this track and the other new stuff on their MySpace page is any indication, their new record is likely to be more of the same.

Here's some footage of producer 88-Keys and Neo-Soul vocalist Bilal bugging out in 88's apartment while working on a track called "M.I.L.F." from his forthcoming LP 'Adam Is Dead' coming soon on Fat City Records.



I fucking love Bilal, so I'm glad to hear him on something since his 'Love For Sale' album got shelved last year by Universal over an internet leak. Can't wait to hear the finished version of this cut.

The Rawkus label returns to the video age with a new clip for Kidz In The Hall's single "Wheelz Fall Off ( '06 'Til )."



I kind of didn't like this track, but their album 'School Was My Hustle' was pretty good, and the video is the kind of nice straightforward video I like for my Hip-Hop.

Last night the Western Massachusetts based Punk band The Thungs signed up for the RPM Challenge where bands are encouraged to write and record an album of 10 songs ( or just one of 35 minutes duration ) during the month of February. Their first song for this project is called "Superstitious." It's about how the Mooninites brought the city of Boston to their knees.

"Superstitious" by The Thungs

See the tires rolling down Boylston Street
Charles River is in flames
Menino don't you know it's just a sign

It's superstitious
And she goes la-la-la-la-la

The Mooninite's middle finger on the Prudential
See it shoot into the sky tonight
Menino don't you know it's just a sign

It's superstitious
And she goes la-la-la-la-la

Make believe There's no one there
And all the tarantulas
Will creep along the snowy rivers
The cats all make disguises
They're not really

The Thungs "Superstitious"

New York DJ Jus Ske, of Mark Ronson's Allido Records posse, has remixed Pharrell's 'In My Mind' album. It's called 'My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me' and it features Pharrell's vocals mashed up with instrumentals from Prince, Junior Mafia, Eric B. & Rakim, Stevie Wonder and more. If you want to check it out, here's a ZShare link to a zip-file of the whole thing!

Jus Ske 'My Mind Is Playin' Tricks On Me' (.zip)

JUS SKE SHOWS YOU HOW TO HUSTLE cause you gotta KEEP IT PLAYA all day. She asked, CAN I HAVE IT LIKE back in the days when it was real, I replied, its always real girl, HOW DOES IT FEEL now? She answered with a WOOHOO! WHEN DOVES CRY BABY you know you got me, Im yours! That didn't sound right, THAT GIRL STINGS maaan I tell ya!! She told me an AIRBAG had saved my BEST FRIEND lastnight driving home from the event and I couldnt believe it. Well thank God he is OK, shit. I started to reminesce on the first time we were SMASHING YOUNG GIRLS in FIRST CLASS, when my OPTIMISTIC FATHER walked in and said , always wear your seatbelt!!! I REALLY LIKE THAT GIRL she makes me RISE TO the occasion when i TAKE IT OFF and get LUCKY!!!

Of particular note is "Smashing Young Girls," a mash of "Young Girl" with Smashing Pumpkins "1979" that is butter smooth, "Can I Have It Like Back In The Day" which pits "Can I Have It Like That" against Eric B. & Rakim's "Know The Ledge" ( the beat it always reminded me of ) and a mix of "I Really Like You" over a Stevie Wonder track, which couldn't possible be more appropriate. Dude actually does some real nice work here. I usually hate these things, but you can color me impressed with this one.

Check dude out on MySpace as well.

It's not as dope as "Break In Case Of Anything," the song Emeyesi played last night on Urban Alternatives Radio, but "Heart of Hearts" is the new single from !!! (Chk Chk Chk). It's taken from their forthcoming album 'Myth Takes,' coming March 5th on Warp Records. And that drum fill part at the end is really fucking fresh.