I really like it when Rihanna keeps her clothes on...kinda.

Were any of you as pleasantly surprised as I was with Rihanna's performance at the Grammy's the other night? Don't get me wrong, I love me some Ri Ri, and I think she is a stunningly beautiful woman, but usually her performances are over produced and over sexualized. I always chalked this up to a need to cover up her limited vocal and dancing talent... Anyways, I was thoroughly impressed with her performance of "Stay", a duet with the writer of the track, Mikky Ekko. It was a simple, beautiful, and emotional performance that actually brought the focus onto Rihanna's singing talent rather than her ability to wear little clothing. After watching the show I went and looked up the official video for the song. It is basically 4 minutes of Rihanna sloshing around naked in a bathtub looking sad. Ha! Awesome. Regardless, the performance was lovely, and I think the video is extremely...easy to watch. Only because of the singing. The singing!

(and the nakedness) Check both out below.

55th Grammy's Playlist

In honor of the 55th Grammy celebration this evening I have pulled together 12 picks I think deserve a little metal gramophone. Check 'em out.



1. Album of the Year: Great competition for this one, but I expect Frank Ocean will win this one easily for Channel Orange. Check out 'Thinking About You' in our playlist.

2. Record of the Year: Ocean will likely win this one too, but I love 'Lonely Boy' by the Black Keys. The video is amazing. It's like my wife choreographed the whole thing with her amazing 'go-to' moves...

3. Best New Artist: Frank Ocean should and will win this award. My vote for 2nd place is for the Alabama Shakes, hands down. Seriously awesome old school rock/blues greatness from Athens, Alabama. You probably have all heard 'Hold On', but if not check out the bad-ass Brittany Howard on vocals and guitar.

4. Song of the Year: Miguel. "Adorn You". The other songs infuriate me.

5. Best Dance Recording: Avicii's, "Levels" makes me jump up and down uncontrollably. And the desk humping office dude in the video is a amazing. Enjoy.

6. Best Rock Song: 'Lonely Boy' will probably win this, but just for sake of variation, my 2nd place vote is for Muse's 'Madness'.

7. Best Rock Album: Again, it will be hard to top The Black Keys, but if anyone is gonna do it, I hope it is Jack White, for his album Blunderbuss. Here you will see 'I'm Shakin', my favorites song from that album.

8. Best Blues Album: Joan Osborne is a baller. Her album, Bring it on Home is my pick for this category, especially due to the song 'Shake Your Hips'.

9. Best Rap Song: 'N--ars in Paris' is Shannon's current pump-up tune. It really is a pretty awesome song for just before any recreational athletic activity. It gets the people goin!

10. Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Okay, this is a lame category, but I just realized that Nas put out a song featuring Amy Winehouse! Whaaa? I am annoyed I just heard about this. 'Cherry Wine' is a really chilled out something special. I miss Amy Winehouse.

11. Best Rap Album: Undun by the Roots is a masterpiece. If you don't have it you should put it on your 'must have' list. Check out the track 'Make My' feat. Big KRIT.

12. Best Traditional R&B Performance: I can't believe people were actually talking shit about Beyonce's talent after she sang along with a pre-recorded track at the inauguration. I mean seriously. What was that about? Watch a live version of "Love on Top" here. She is like Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in one package. Talent.Out.The.Ears.

Song of the Month: 'Try' - The XX (Free download)

I have been listening to this groups 2nd album, Coexist all month, and each time I hear this song I play it two or three times in a row. The lyrics are just so poignant and stick so wonderfully heavy in my gut. I love the way the two singers voices complement each other. Sometimes the simplest of songs are also the most gorgeous.

Check out (and download) "Try" here.

Feel like Dancing? Cherub's got you covered. (Free Downloads!!)

Cherub. Great stuff. Somehow they manage to take talking shit about ex-girlfriends, substance abuse, and drinking too much, and turn it into amazing electro pop party madness that will get even the biggest anti-party cynic to dance their way through the blues.

This self-described 'sexy, avant garde, electro-pop' duo (Jordan Kelly and Jason Huber) from Nashville are on a mission to get everyone on the dance floor, poppin' bottles, and shakin' their cans. Their first digitally released EP, Man of the Hour, started significant buzz that led to a series of successful shows throughout the U.S. and (randomly) Mexico over the past few years, including opening for Pretty Lights and a few great sets at Bonnaroo, 2012. Their second album, MoM and DaD, is available for free download on the great music blog, Elm & Oak, and demonstrates a level of funkiness that defies conventional genre classification. All I know is that Cherub's combination of wonderfully obnoxious vocals, lush synth grooves, and infectious guitar riffs makes me want to party til dawn.

Here you will find a video playlist (and free downloads!) of 5 Cherub tracks: "Doses and Mimosas"; "XOXO"; "Love you Right"; "Monogomy"; "Hold Me".

Enjoy! And be sure to put one of these tracks on next time you host a house party. You won't regret it.

New Music for a New Year. Happy 2013!

2013 is upon us, my friends. Whether you are planning a wild night on the town, or something chill at home with a few loved ones, I thought you might enjoy a little new music. Here you will find a playlist to help ring in the New Year. It features 3 groups that have caught my eye recently. First, Rhye, the L.A.-based soul duo of Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal. This mysterious group has released only 3 songs through online leaks, but each one hints at the potential quality of Rhye's debut album, Woman, due for release in the U.S. on March 5th. Then we have a few tracks from the British indie-pop band The XX, whose 2nd album, Coexist was released last September. And finally, Visioneers, a Marc Mac Jazz-meets-hip-hop studio project dedicated to producers like Jay Dee, Pete Rock, and Jazzy Jeff.

Be sure to check out the video for the remix of Rhye's "The Fall". The old-school soul train dance line is not to be missed...

Happy new year, you lovely people! I hope 2012 leaves you with fond memories, and 2013 brings new adventure and happiness.

Warning: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Are About To Take Over the World

Last week a good buddy of mine posted "Thrift Shop", by the Seattle-based duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on Facebook. The song is a beyond catchy head-bobber, and the video is hilariously over the top. In the best way possible.

 Like, you should really watch it right now.


Then, another friend posted a performance they recently did for NPR's Tiny Desk concert series. It's 15 minutes of great live performance ("Same Love", "Thrift Shop", and "Can't Hold Us"), demonstrating that these two have more to offer than just fun, lighthearted hip-hop.



Not sure what the future holds for this crew, but don't be surprised in a week or two when you can't go anywhere without hearing them. Apparently "Thrift Shop" has already passed the 35 million views mark on youtube...

I must say I am surprised and impressed. This stuff really got me going, especially the anthemic, "Can't Hold Us". You gotta love a group that with one breath is brave enough to address LGBTQ civil rights through hip-hop ("Same Love"), and with another drops rhymes about being a "cold-ass honky" for stealing your grandpa's style ("Thrift Shop"). Excuse me while I play these 3 tracks on repeat for the next month.

Oh, and here are videos for "Can't Hold Us", "Same Love", and an interview where the duo discussing the motivation behind "Same Love". Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' debut album, The Heist, was released this past October.

Passing of a Legend: Dave Brubeck (December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012)

The world said goodbye to a musical icon yesterday when Dave Brubeck, the legendary jazz pianist and composer, passed away due to heart failure a day before his 92nd birthday. The outpouring of admiration and commemoration going on right now in honor of his life is a profound, worldwide, and appropriate tribute to a man that has consistently revolutionized his art form from the moment he formed The Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1951 to his recordings and tours as recent as 2011.

With a life of creativity spanning so many years, I am at a bit of a loss to know what to say about this wonderful musician. In truth, when I first heard of Brubecks' death I thought of my father. It was my dad who gave me a CD of Time Out when I was in middle school. It was my dad who took my sister and I to see Brubeck live at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. a few years later. Brubecks' music was a constant in our home. These events had a deep impact on my life. They inspired me to play music, to try and emulate the greatness I was being exposed to. I became obsessed with "Take Five", and as a young saxophonist I went a bit crazy with pride when I finally mastered Paul Desmonds' iconic melody from that track. Like many people I interpret this loss through my personal experience, which brings floods of memories, sadness, and joy. I hear this music and it makes me smile. It's so mysterious, captivating, and above all, beautiful.

Below you will find 6 videos of my favorite Brubeck songs from performances in the 60's, 90's, and 2000's. I also posted a few brief interviews with Brubeck from over the years. I love hearing the man talk about his art, and his motivations behind it. I hope those of you that are familiar with Brubeck, and those of you who are not, can take a minute to check these out. Rest in peace, and thank you.

Top 10 Playlist, Vol. 8

Well, I have been a bit behind in this AudioIn-AudioOut thing lately. I returned today to find the site where I host my playlists (mixpod.com) has been taken down. Crap! So I figured what better way to learn a new process for creating video playlists than to create a new Top 10!


This edition features some baby-makin' music from the likes of Miguel, The Weeknd, and Frank Ocean, as well as the best song Bruno Mars ever made, the banging new track from M.I.A., and a wonderful remix of a Passion Pit song. Check 'em out below.

Danny Brown, "Grown Up" :::: Song of the Week

I know I have posted this song by Danny Brown before as part of a playlist, but I just heard it again and was bobbing my head so much I figured it deserved its own attention. This dude from Detroit is definitely a bit out there, chipped teeth, crazy laugh, cracked voice and all. His skills can't be denied, though, and the catchy beat and clever flow in this song is proof. Plus, the little mini-Danny in the video is dope.

Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre: "The Recipe" :::: Song of the Week

Heard this jam last week and was hooked from beat one.  Kendrick Lamar has featured in a few earlier posts and playlists, and this recently released single is his latest in a growing list of great tracks. Check it out.