El Guincho (Spanish musician Pablo Diaz-Reixa) gained prominence in 2008 when he released his first full length LP, Alegranza! – beach friendly music that was at the forefront of the chillwave movement. Two years later, El Guincho has moved onto bigger things while creatively-challenged artists continue to rely on lo-fi fuzz for legitimacy. The biggest difference between El Guichno’s debut album and his sophomore effort, Pop Negro, is the quality of production. El Guincho dropped his bedroom recording contract for an actual studio. He helped fund the studio space by working as a windsurfing instructor in the Canary Islands. A high-quality aesthetic was the base around which Pop Negro was formulated. El Guincho was influenced by the major radio hits from the golden-era of recording (the late 70’s, 80’s, and early ‘90s) in North and South America, England, and Spain. Lead single “Bombay” borrows the rhythm-driving rimshot on Luther Vandros’ “Make Me a Believer” produced by Marcus Miller. “FM Tan Sexy” stands out as El Guincho’s stepping stone to stranger territory. Primarily influenced by Mecano, a Spanish pop group that emerged during a sociocultural movement in Madrid during the 1980s, “FM Tan Sexy” utilizes similar high-life synths and a female vocalist sighing heavily in the background. “Novias” is another gem overflowing with tropical smoothness and sparkle.

The one hitch in Pop Negro is that El Guincho’s overall ambition is all-encompassing to a fault. He tries to stuff numerous conflicting arrangements into each song, lending to a lack of stylistic clarity and an uneven listening experience. “Muerte Midi” is a case in point- listening to the entire track without getting irritated over the horrible transitions is a great feat. This should serve as a warning for the next artist thinking of taking on three decades of pop music.

MP3: El Guincho – Bombay

MP3: El Guincho – FM Tan Sexy

Check out El Guincho’s new video for “Bombay” which is also the trailer for Nicolas Mendez’s film of the same name.

Jordan Koplowitz and Reed Juenger make up one of my new summer favourites, Beat Connection. Let me preface this piece by stating that although the name of their album is Surf Noir, and their songs have titles such as “In The Water,” they’re not another product of the beach pop scene. These inland Seattle boys are more suitably branded as electro-pop. Their 8-track EP is pure wonder with it’s mishmash of disco, electro-pop, rock, and psychedelic influences. At times, the doses of house music are a bit of a turn off but moments filled with jangly dream pop always bring me back. This EP gives you everything from echoed voices backed by a metronomic beat on “In The Water” to pan flutes on “Silver Screen.” This promising duo is giving away their EP for free on bandcamp so you really have no reason not to give them a listen.

MP3:  Beat Connection – In The Water

Album: Surf Noir EP on Bandcamp

July 2010 is all about the essentials of hip hop. Most of these artists began their careers in the 1980s and 90s so this mix is a a good starting point for those of you unfamiliar with hip hop’s “golden age.” Or it can just serve as a really dope mixtape.

You can preview and download the songs individually or grab the entire mixtape by clicking on the image above.

1. Jurassic 5 – Quality Intro.

Jurassic 5 came together in 1993 at a health store of all places. The Good Life Cafe was based in LA and had open mic nights that were part of a renaissance period in hip hop. Chali 2na, Zaakir, Mark 7even, and disc jockeys DJ Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist concocted rhymes that looked to NY pioneers such as De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. “Quality Intro.” is actually Jurassic 5′s contribution to Cut Chemist’s mixtape The Litmus Test and acts as the perfect opening track.

2. Black Star – Definition

Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces under the moniker Black Star. They decided to put off their own solo albums to work on a full-length LP together. Truly the “best alliance in hip hop,” their album dropped in 1998, a critical time in hip hop history as Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur recently passed away. Mos and Talib address the tragic deaths of these legends and call for the end of violence in hip hop.

3. Cut Chemist – What’s The Altitude (Feat. Hymnal)

“What’s The Altitude” comes off of Cut Chemist’s first solo album since he parted ways with Jurassic 5. His turntable skills are highlighted here with top-notch sampling that doesn’t hinder his personal vision. Hymnal rhymes over a heavy bass, strings, and…cow bell? Yup, that’s cow bell.

4. Edan – Mic Manipulator

“Mic Manipulator” is featured on Primitive Plus, Edan’s first album that is soaked with abstract rhymes and a grainy aesthetic. You can’t help but laugh when listening to tracks like “Run That Shit” and “Sing It Shitface” in which Edan jokingly seeks out other emcees to be buds with. “Mic Manipulator” sees Edan owning the hip hop stadium while never forgeting those that laid down the fundamentals. While his sophomore album throws classic production to the side for funk and hip hop fusion, this album is a great starter for those unaccustomed with his work.

5. Eric B. & Rakim – I Ain’t No Joke

They ain’t no joke! Seriously though, they can put your mind on pause and convert any beat into hip hop form. Eric B. & Rakim were the leading MC/DJ combo in hip hop from the mid-1980s to early 90s. Rakim was hailed for pushing the envelope with lyrics that had internal rhymes and his precise delivery. Eric was known for his expert turntablism. But after watching the duo’s music video for “I Ain’t No Joke” I wonder how Eric managed to scratch at all with four huge gold rings on his hand.

6. Das Racist – Rainbow in the Dark

Das Racist is a Brooklyn based trio that revives hip hop through unconventional lyrics and production. A simple consistent synth and sirens complement their never-ending cultural references that somehow bleed into one another so you never really know when one idea ends and another one begins. Listeners will probably only scratch the surface of their philosophical motivations. Get ready for Dadaism and repetition.

7. Mos Def – Ms. Fat Booty

Mos Def is the zenith of hip hop (this is clearly my personal opinion). If I could fill this mix with his work alone, I would. But that wouldn’t be fair so I’ve settled with sneaking him in twice through Black Star. The Aretha Franklin sample on “Ms. Fat Booty” goes amazingly well with Mos’ anecdote about a chick with all the right weaponry.

8. J Dilla – Workinonit

The late great J Dilla was definitely under-appreciated in the world of hip hop. When he was trying to get a foothold in the industry, LA and Toronto, two locations that have always been on top of innovative sounds, were the first markets for his work. In Donuts, Dilla creates minute long musical epiphanies.  His work marks the future of hip hop and is sure to make a “Dilla-head” out of you. You’ll probably end up sporting this t-shirt.

9. MF DOOM – Hoe Cakes

MF DOOM is definitely a character. With his iron mask, even concert-goers can’t be sure they’re getting the real deal. Doom has taken part in a vast number of collaborations including Danger Doom (with Danger Mouse), Maddvillain (with Madlib), and most recently, MF Borat, in which Doom rhymes over Borat’s beats. The end result is surprisingly good. Doom has a cough-syrupy voice and creative direction that can’t be matched. MM…Food, Doom’s second album, revolves around food (Hip hop artists seem to have a food fetish or something. Even Edan has rapped about “Beautiful Food”). His debut solo album, Operation Doomsday, has a retro superhero theme running throughout with Doom’s character going into hiding after his face is ruined in a freak experiment. “Hoe Cakes” is off of MM…Food and is filled to the rim with food metaphors and an Anita Baker sample.

10. Jay-Z – Allure (Pete Rock Remix)

We all know and love him so I decided to shake things up and include a Pete Rock remix of The Black Album in which Pete adds some retro soul to Jay’s rhymes to take his powerful voice down a notch and bring attention to the sounds in the back.

11. Madvillain – All Caps

Madvillain = Madlib (producer) + MF DOOM (MC). Doom is everywhere and this fact is key to your understanding of present day hip hop. The same 80s animated vision that Doom is known for is discernible in “All Caps” as horns and light piano chords flow throughout.

12. A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?

A Lou Reed sample? In hip hop?! Yes, it’s very possible, and very awesome. A Tribe Called Quest are known for their diverse sampling and Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” in “Can I Kick It?” is a case in point. As members of The Native Tongues, a collective of late 1980s – early 90s hip hop artists, the Tribe created positive music with Afrocentric lyrics and jazz-infused beats.

13. Beastie Boys – Intergalactic

While the Beastie Boys’ tendency to shout out every rhyme can be irritating, there’s no denying the continued relevance of their work. “Intergalactic” is from their critically acclaimed album Hello Nasty. Unlike a lot of music from the 90s that tried to sound “futuristic” and ended up even less so, the Beastie Boys were saved from such a label by limiting the input of electro to the chorus alone. Good thinking guys.

14. Nas – The World Is Ours

Nas was only 21 when he released Illmatic (1994), his debut album that garnered remarks such as “the best hip-hop record ever made.” Nas is able to comment on the bleakness of ghetto life while preserving a sense of hope through his highly literate rhymes.

15. Gang Starr – Mass Appeal

R.I.P. Guru. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal.

Nat King Cole, a multi-talented  musician/American personality, left the jazz-pop world when he was only 45 and since then, we’ve been skeptical that anyone could fill the void left by his smooth smoky vocals. Well who says that Nat needs to be replaced? That’s exactly what the artists recruited for this revival record were thinking. Re: Generations takes Nat’s classic croons and mixes them up with pop, hip-hop, Latin, reggae, and rock artists to reintroduce Nat through the eyes of innovative producers. Yes, Nat is legendary, and some would argue that his music shouldn’t be messed with. Well, it’s a bit late for that. These artists stripped away all form and structure to create completely new, one-of-a-kind beats. Collaborators include The Roots, Cut Chemist, Natalie Cole, Stephen and Damian Marley, Just Blaze, and TV On The Radio.

Cee-Lo took the simple jazz composition that is “Lush Life” and created a melodramatic piece that bursts with R&B inspired drums and charged chords with Nat’s voice sounding distant and heavy. Former Jurassic 5 member and solo scratcher, Cut Chemist plays on the lyrics “a thousand drums” in the song “Day In Day Out” to stress the pounding of Nat’s heart when he thinks of his special lady. TV On The Radio add a heavy bass and wrinkled distortion to their eerie and other-worldy take on “Nature Boy.” This song has a trance-like quality suitable for any trippy escapade. Nas and Salaam add DOOM-esque beats to “The Game of Love” to create a light updated version that allows Nas’ rhymes to coalesce with Nat’s vocals.

What you have here is an album that sounds completely new and fresh to dedicated fans and those that have yet to be accustomed with this marker of American music in the early-to-mid 20th century. If you aren’t a Nat fanatic, look up the original versions of these songs to really grasp the extent to which they’ve been made over.

MP3: Nat King Cole – Lush Life (Cee-Lo)
MP3: Nat King Cole – Day In Day Out (Cut Chemist)
MP3: Nat King Cole – The Game of Love (Nas and Salaam)
MP3: Nat King Cole – Nature Boy (TV On The Radio)

You’re crazy for this one.

You can download the songs individually or grab the entire playlist by clicking on the image above.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang (f. Q-Tip and MNDR)

Mark Ronson’s third album, Record Collection, drops this fall and “Bang Bang Bang” gets the ball rolling as the quintessential summer pop song. MNDR’s voice suits this synth driven number and Q-Tip adds some substance with slick rhymes. Ronson is back and life is good.

2. Kanye West – Power

“Power” is Kanye West’s first single from his forthcoming album Good Ass Job. He utilizes a King Crimson sample (group vocals and handclaps) and backing vocals from Dwele. Kanye is stepping away from the prevailing electro of 808s and Heartbreak to focus on pure and simple rap; a decision we can all get behind. His new album will also feature legends such as Pete Rock and RZA.

3. Beck’s Record Club – Never Tear Us Apart (INXS Cover)

Beck’s Record Club is based around an informal gathering of musicians that join together to record an album in a single day. There are no rehearsals beforehand and the rough first takes are usually what end up being released. INXS is the cover band of choice and Beck just released “Never Tear Us Apart” which features Liars, St. Vincent, and Os Mutantes. A piercing violin complements St. Vincent’s yearning voice in this beautiful rendition that doesn’t try to trump the original. Check out the video here.

4. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

The dark instrumentals that mark Arcade Fire’s music are missing in “The Suburbs” but their down and out vocals are still present. Win and Will Butler stated that they were inspired by their upbringing in Houston, which also led them to title their upcoming album The Suburbs. If this approach doesn’t sit well with you, the band has stated that the album will sit at two poles. On extreme is more rock & roll and the other leans towards an electronic sound. The album is set to release 08/03 via Merge Records.

5. The Radio Dept. – Never Follow Suit

These Swedes are definitely testing their fan base with only two LPs in a career span of 13 years. All is forgiven however, when you realize The Radio Dept. has meticulously constructed each album. Their latest record pushes the boundaries of dream pop with snippets of speech and the inclusion of horns. The heavy haze of distortion that marked 2006′s Pet Grief is not as dominant but “Never Follow Suit” sees the band embracing the deep dub aesthetic they’ve mastered and Johan continuing to serve up sweet vocals.

6. The Roots – Dear God 2.0

Jimmy Fallon’s house band has finally gone back to the studio! Serious fans of The Roots have been patiently waiting for some new material and “Dear God 2.0” doesn’t’ disappoint. The Roots incorporate Jim James’ (My Morning Jacket, Monsters of Folk) “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)” to stress the tracks focus on the sad state of the world today. Jim’s innocent, questioning voice goes well with The Roots’ rhymes about corporate monopolies and oxycotton. How I Got Over is out 6/22 and features the likes of Joanna Newsom and members of the Dirty Projectors.

7. Best Coast – Our Deal

An artist of the chillwave scene, Best Coast is headed by New Yorker Bethany Cosentino. Under the influence of lo-fi fuzz, Bethany’s songs channel her love for sunlit California and her longing for a boy who is distant and unavailable. “I wish you would tell me how you really feel. But you’ll never tell me ‘cause that’s not our deal.” Despite her cries for love, her songs don’t cry desperation. Rather, they maintain a sense of hope. “Our Deal” should be your summer staple. I’m pretty sure I’m close to overplaying it but it’s just so good.

8. The National – Anyone’s Ghost

I’ll admit it, I’m an idiot. I put off listening to The National until about a month ago. A band that’s been around since 1999, The National have put out six albums and critics have claimed that they’re a rarity because they just keep getting better. High Violet dropped earlier this year and is touted as the band’s best album to date. In “Anyone’s Ghost,” a thudding bass and heavy drum complement Matt Berninger’s baritone voice.

9. Hugo – Bread & Butter

Born in England and raised in Thailand, Hugo grew up exploring blues music. He finally found success when he wrote “Disappear” for Beyonce’s album I am…Sasha Fierce. Connected to Jay-Z’s number one girl, it was easy for Hugo to get onto Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. His aesthetic is described as “rock & roll in an age of hip hop.”

10. Vampire Weekend – Jonathan Low

Vampire Weekend’s contribution to the Twilight: Eclipse OST is actually amazing. Who can hate an orchestrated 12-string guitar? No one I know, that’s for sure. Stream “Jonathan Low” above and remember its ok to love it. If the band took Contra in this direction, I would’ve been overjoyed.

The third single from Vampire Weekend’s sophomore album Contra is “Holiday.” In the video, VW look like late 18th century characters from Marie Antoinette (2006) who got lost in the city. They have a “hefty sense of worth,” as seen through their mischievous behaviour around town in an Oldsmobile. They have a few drinks poolside, frolic at the beach, play golf, gorge on desserts, and beat up surfers. Yeah!

Earlier this month, Ronson released “Circuit Breaker,” an instrumental piece that rightfully belongs on an early gaming soundtrack. The video takes the idea even further by paying homage to the Legend of Zelda (Nintendo style). “Bang Bang Bang” just debuted on Zane Lowe’s BBC radio show and features badass MC Q-Tip and techno-nerd MNDR. MNDR uses her unique pipes to charge up the chorus and Q-Tip provides strong and consistent rhymes over old-school gaming synths. With no sign of horns or covers, the album will be released this fall under the moniker Mark Ronson & the Business Intl.

Mark Ronson is also taking part in The Creators Project, a global network that strives to instigate a new level of creativity by bringing together artists in the fields of film, gaming, art, music, fashion, and design. Interpol, Phoenix, and director Spike Jonze are just some of the artists that have signed up for this new undertaking. The Creators Project is two things: 1) It’s a media channel that will stage the work of visionary artists and 2) It’s a studio that will spearhead the production and distribution of new work from these artists and their collaborations. A series of exhibition events will take place in New York, London, Sao Paulo, Seoul, and Beijing and will include screenings, installations, panel discussions, and performances. Their website is currently hosting videos by the artists involved, with more to come shortly.

Check out “Bang Bang Bang” and the video for “Circuit Breaker” below.

MP3: Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang (f. Q-Tip and MNDR)

Toro Y Moi, a.k.a. Chazwick Bundick (which would make an equally great stage name) is a Filipino/African American artist based in South Carolina who is associated with the “chillwave” movement of 2009. Tagged with a bunch of other “waves” and lo-fi bands, Chazwick’s sound has the added appeal of hip-hop inspired rhythms (think J Dilla) that keep far-gone fuzz out of the equation. His sound is cleaner thanks to his expertly placed reverb and as a result, his beats are stronger.

Some tracks, like “Low Shoulder” and “Causers of This” bring up thoughts of 80s throwback, but I hesitate when linking Toro Y Moi to the 80s because his smooth synths are repeatedly disrupted by lo-fi goodness and musical breaks. “Imprint After” is a funky take on chillwave with Chazwick hitting some high notes alongside a soulful piano. “Thanks Vision” has loads of great vocals which peak a minute and a half in when Chazwick repeats “Doesn’t matter does it. No, no” over a sonically textured backdrop. Chillwave or not, Chazwick produced the hell out of Causers Of This, and the end result is well worth it.

On July 2oth Carpark Records will release Toro Y Moi’s new 7” single “Leave Everywhere.” Chazwick still has the lo-fi element going but he puts away electro for heavy guitars. Verdict: Gimme some more! Check out his latest single on Hype Machine where it’s been spreading like wild fire.

Toro Y Moi is touring extensively this summer with the likes of Caribou, YACHT, and Phoenix. Catch him if you can!

MP3: Toro Y Moi – Low Shoulder (highly recommended)

MP3: Toro Y Moi – Blessa

This beach-pop group warned us. After their sumptuously uplifting Summertime! EP, The Drums stated that their upcoming album would display their darker side.

They’ve just released “It Will All End In Tears,” a single that maintains a strong bass line and melancholic guitar riffs. The title alone signals the end of their enthrallment with teenage passion.

MP3: The Drums – It Will All End In Tears

Th Drums upcoming full length album will see light 06/07

A Show of Hands brings you its very first playlist! (Psst…click on the image above). I’m going to try* and make this a monthly feature.

TRACKLISTING:

1. The Smiths – Paint A Vulgar Picture (Demo -this just surfaced!)
2. Keepaway – Yellow Wings
3. The Dead Weather – Die By The Drop
4. Jordan Galland – Search Party
5. Das Racist – Ek Shaneesh
6. Braids – Lemonade
7. Interpol – Lights
8. The Black Keys – Next Girl
9. Adam Green – Cigarette Burns Forever
10. The Morning Benders – Excuses
11. The Strange Boys – Be Brave
12. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round and Round

* Really, I will!