Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls)

I love me some female anthems.

Beyonce is a pop-diva i just recently became obsessed with, i grew up on Destiny's Child.

As soon as the song begins i become skeptical, it sounds like an MIA track i say to myself and later realize its been produced by Diplo/Switch. The bass heavy and chants go well with the epic-ness of the video. Beyonce rides a horse on screen, the background desolate and almost post-apocalyptic (which i dont' really understand-visually is neat). Think Mad Max meets Y: The Last Man.

As soon as the choreography begins i think of Shakira, the sultry shoulder/hip jerks she's known for can be seen in the first few moments of this video. Beyonce then includes her own urban flare to choreography ( i actually have no clue how much say she has in her choreography). As always, her moves are entertaining, sensual and simple in nature. This isn't Beyonce's best song, nor is it her best video but it sure is a lot of fun.

I still think she would be a great Tina Turner in a Mad Max remake!

Sam Sparro - Black And Gold

Damn, Sam. Can I have your gaybies?

Great live lounge-style version of his 2008 hit "Black and Gold."



And here's a video with the cosmic lyrics of the original song.

Bo Diddley - Bad Trip

"You ain't got to be on dope to be on a bad trip."

Bo's 1972 release "Where It All Began" has got to be one of my favorite records in my vinyl assortment, so don't be surprised if I feature a track from it again. It's loaded with so much good dirty funk and psychedelic soul. Bo could not only rock out on the guitar like a beast, he's got a voice as strong as steel. Basically, he's a bad-ass motherfucker whom I would have loved to meet while he still actively rocked this earth.



And check out that bad-ass cover featuring the Chicago skyline!

Link Wray - Jack the Ripper

A 1961 classic from the master of mid-century rock and roll and surf.

Mr. Oizo - "Lambs Anger" Showcase

I first heard "Jo" by Mr. Oizo on the radio while in Berlin. It hooked me, so I did some quick research and realized it came off of a record of his which I didn't have, "Lamb's Anger."

I pondered for a bit which track from this album to feature here on the blog, but eventually realized I couldn't pick just one. Here are a few of my favorites from the record.

Jo


Cut Dick


Steroids Featuring Uffie


Two Takes It Featuring Carmen Castro
It's quite amazing to see how many times Lyn Collin's 1972 hit "Think (About It)" has gone through the sampler by this point. I'm not a big fan of the ubiquity of the hook, but I'm loving the flow and disco-boogie and funky slap bass!

Weird War - Grand Fraud

I just found out about the funk/punk band Weird War (AKA Scene Creamers) from my brother. There are many things I like about this 2004 video and song. From the glass house perched in the woods, to Chihuaha that makes its debut at 00:26, or the corpse that starts shredding into a cosmic guitar solo, there's a lot to enjoy.

If you can make it through the quirky, nearly three-minute-long intro sequence, be prepared to have your mind blasted and your body rocked.

Brassroots - Good Life

Long ago, I picked up a vinyl copy of Inner City's "Big Fun" record at Gramaphone for $4.99. This 1989 dance classic blended the best of Chicago and Detroit house of its time and has become one of my favorite house albums of the era.

Fast forward to 2010, and their most popular jam "Good Life" was covered by London's "Brassroots," an eight-piece horn and percussion ensemble comprised of Israelis, the English, French, Grecians, and Americans. Their Good Life EP is a cover compilation with songs by Radiohead, The White Stripes, and of Course, Inner City.

Caribou - Hannibal

Caribou's album "Swim" was one of my favorite records of 2010. I hadn't listened to it for a while, so I decided to put it on last night. I left the room for a bit and as I re-entered the room, I was welcomed by the horn blasts on this spaced-out track, and wondered to myself why I never paid this specific tune better attention before.