Winner!! :: "Good Day" - Ice Cube :: Best early 90's throw-back hip-hop

Your votes are in, and it was a close race (see poll to the right). Victorious by 1 vote was "Good Day" by Ice cube. While many of you mentioned that the competition was fierce, and the full Ice Cube catalog does not quite compare to the likes of Tupac, Tribe, or Pharcyde, it seems this track holds a special place in the annals of hip-hop history.

According to the source of all sources (Wikipedia!!), Ice Cube commented on the concept behind the song stating, "The inspiration was my life at the time ... I was at the top of the rap game. It was the summer of ’92 and I was in a hotel room, really in a state of euphoria. I had all the money I had dreamed of. I was in a good frame of mind. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay, there’s been the riots, people know I will deal with that. That’s a given. But I rap all this gangsta stuff – what about all the good days I had?" While the original version blew my mind with that Isley Brothers "Footsteps in the Dark" sample, my good friend Tijana reminded me how awesome the "Good Day (Remix)" is. So, in honor of the winning track, here is the remix for y'all (courtesy of my Bootlegs and B-sides CD from 1994 !!) And here is the Isley Brothers hit used on the original:

"Tricky Turtle", "Get Your Regal On", & "Lost & Lookin' (Remix)" - Blockhead

If y'all are not into super-chilled-out instrumental hip-hop already, prepare to change your mind. I present to you Blockhead (AKA Tony Simon), a NYC-based producer who came to prominence in the indie/underground hip-hop scene in the 90's, most noticeably due to his collaboration with MC Aesop Rock. Since then Blockhead has focused his energy on solo instrumental albums which showcase his skills at weaving together obscure horn riffs, analog sounds, and soulful vocal samples into lo-fi tapestries of head-nodding goodness. The results of his work seem so mellow and simple, but a second listen reveal the complexity of his craft. Yes, I may seem to be on his jock (musically speaking, that is), and this isn't far from the truth. But my appreciation for Tony's music stems from the fact that I actually have become friends with the guy. He was smart enough to start dating a wonderful and long-time friend of mine (well played, sir) so now I get to crash on their couch when I visit NYC. Beyond his work, the guy is a very cool and gracious dude. He has a disturbingly funny sense of humor and is unassuming in his celebrity, both of which I appreciate. Oh, and he is super fun to talk music with. Tony, if you are reading this don't get a big head. Im just fluffing you up so you will accept hosting me on my next visit so we can do that whole dancing-and-drinking-til-5.am.-eating-pizza-passing-out-on-your-couch once again. Alright, about this "Get Your Regal On" track...Have you ever had one of those wonderful days where you are strutting around your city/town, feelin' good, sun shining down on your back, walking tall? Ever wish you had a soundtrack for your life at that moment? Well, I'll be damned if this isn't one of the best songs for that moment that I have heard. As a final note, I highly recommend you check out the "Lost & Looking (Remix)" track found here:::: http://www.myspace.com/theblockishot

Throw-back 90's Hip-hop:: Vote on your favorite in our latest poll (to the right)

Remember the early 90's? Good times. I had one of those shaved-underneath haircuts, wore ridiculously huge baggy jean-shorts, and pretended I knew how to skate. I also used to play sick to skip school, order Domino's, watch Jean-Claude Van Damme movies, and memorize tons of hip-hop lyrics. Below you will find a few of my favorites from that era. If you are anything like me, most should be familiar. I am sure some of you even take deep pride in knowing them word for word. This is both awesome and impressive. To be true, I fell in love with my wife again that night in 2007 when she (somewhat disturbingly) revealed she knew every line to "Gimme that Nut" by Eazy-E during a campfire sing-along. This was truly a time of great, great, music... Here is the full version of the song.

"Twice" - Little Dragon

My friend Alicia recently said, "I often hear people say that there is no good music out today. That's only true if you're listening solely to FM radio. You may have to dig, but well-crafted, heart-skipping, soulful, original, thoughtful, sexy, foot-thumping, emotion-provoking, head-nodding music is definitely out there! To say it doesn't exist is outrageous, in my opinion". Her suggestion to check out Little Dragon most certainly backs up this statement. A vehicle for the haunting vocals of Swedish-Japanese singer Yukimi Nagano,the groups music is ultra-hybrid blend of acoustic jazz, soul, hip hop, & synth-heavy rhythm and blues. "Twice" is a fantastic example of how Little Dragon can fuse these influences into a passionate, finely crafted, intriguing piece of music. Sit back and enjoy.

Birthday: Richard Wright::: "Echoes" - Richard Wright & David Gilmore of Pink Floyd

Today we celebrate the life and birthday of Richard Wright, the prolific keyboardist of Pink Floyd. Wright passed away too early, in 2008 due to cancer. Though often overshadowed by his band-mates, Wright contributed a great deal to the textured, full sound that characterized Pink Floyd's most epic pieces. Check out this absurdly awesome version of "Echoes" from a 2006 Gilmore show at the Royal Albert Hall. Wright guests on lead vocals and keyboard. What a great way to kill 22 minutes at work! Enjoy. David Gilmore on Richard Wright: "No one can replace Richard Wright. He was my musical partner and my friend. In the welter of arguments about who or what was Pink Floyd, Rick's enormous input was frequently forgotten. He was gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound. I have never played with anyone quite like him."

"You Oughta Know" & "Rainbow in the Dark" - Das Racist

My buddy E. Claudio is always good for music suggestions.  His latest recommendation has been stuck in my head all day.  I figured I should post it so as to at least make sure I'm not the only one going around Chicago singing strangely to themselves.

Das Racist is a hip hop group out of Brooklyn, NYC that own a wickedly strange style highlighting deep knowledge of 90's Americana, old-school hip hop, and New York culture, among a variety of other odd throw-back and comedic influences.  Consisting of Heems (Himanshu Suri), Kool A.D. (Victor Vazquez), and hype man Dap (Ashok Kondabulu), the cultural make-up of the group (including members of Indian, Italian, and Afro-Cuban descent) is as atypical to the hip hop world as their music.  While critics can't seem to decide if Das Racist deserves "kind-of-a-big deal" or "joke" status, the group seems to embrace the whacked out dorkiness of it all.

I liked this quote...

Himanshu Suri stated in an interview:

“

I think being minorities at a liberal arts college and that type of environment had an impact on both the way we view race and our sense of humor, which people often use as a tool to deal with race. I always felt like Wonder Showzen was a television show that captured that type of thing perfectly. When I saw the little kid yelling "THAT'S RACIST" it blew my mind. And then it became a game ... to take all the seriousness out of making legitimate commentary on race, because that can get very annoying. So when something veering on racially insensitive would pop off in a commercial on television or something it would be like, who could yell "That's Racist" first. And then we thought it would be a cool name. Das EFX may have been an inspiration. <iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MzWxf7tf3Qo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

In honor of the gorgeous and sunny day here in lovely Chicago I thought I would bring it back a bit for y'all with this classic. Adjust the bass, and let the Alpine blast.

My Sweetie - Wale

If you ever need to get a dance party started, look no further.  Seriously.  I have played this on car trips, at house parties, while making dinner, while getting ready to go out, while brushing my teeth...In each case things got HYPED!!!  Wale does an amazing job of mixing Nigerian dance influences with D.C. style go-go rhythms in a way that brings out primal hip motion in even the most reserved wall flower.  Go forth.  Shake your money-maker.

Bizness- tUnE-yArDs

My buddy Erin suggested I check out this song last week.  Not only is the music awesome, but the video is mesmerizing (see below).  I promptly bought the whole album (WhoKill) and was not disappointed one bit.  The album is full of excellent songs that do an amazing job of mixing experimental folk elements, really strange percussion, and powerfully emotional vocals.