Waiting for the Right Track

The Velvet Underground

My iTunes library has gotten terribly large, and unruly, with too many duplicates, and poorly tagged tracks! An Anonymous commenter alerted me to a mispost of I'm Waiting for the Man. I intended to post the original by The Velvet Underground, but I uploaded a live cover version by David Bowie, which is still a good track, but I've got to make this right!

Here's the original: I'm Waiting for the Man - The Velvet Underground

Thank you for letting me know Anonymous!

DJ Mujava

Township Funk - DJ Mujava

Viva La Vida (2008)

DJ Mujava has been getting plenty of attention lately with the recent release of Township Funk. The young DJ's career is skyrocketing, from humble beginnings in South Africa to getting signed with the UK's Warp Records. Apparently, according to Iyare over at 6 Mix, DJ Mujava got started by passing his demo CD to taxi drivers around town, who in turn passed the word around. That's grass roots at it's finest!

The track reminds me of Booka Shade & MANDY's track Body Language, as it has that very 'now' dance sound, with interesting synth melodies over the ever present beat. Please enjoy it! Check out DJ Mujava's Showcase Mix on 6 Mix, and show him some love over on myspace

Why Does Coldplay Have to Be so Predictably Good?

Strawberry Swing - Coldplay

Viva La Vida (2008)

Coldplay... they never miss. Why is that? When their newest album Viva La Vida was released a few months back, I was overwhelmed with the huge reaction from the blogsphere... everyone and their blogging dog was going gah gah for a fresh disk full of Coldplay goodies. The singles were flying over the airwaves, into the malls and cafes. The sensitive sounds of Chris Martin's voice over beautiful instrumentations could not be escaped! Even though I adored their previous releases, I rebelled! I wanted nothing to do with this new album. Yes, I was sure that its good... but its formulaic. Its typical. Its exactly what you would expect from Coldplay. After all, their previous albums all contained gems of pure beauty, which capture the soul to take you away to a distant land where the only things that matter are harmony, beauty, and love. Great... just what I need!

I gave in this week. I could no longer resist it's call. Vida la Vida is in my hot little hands, and I don't plan to let it go. Yes it's formulaic, but the formula belongs only to Coldplay. Try as I might, I cannot do anything but adore their music. Please Coldplay, continue to be typically you! I will not resist again.

I've posted my favourite track from the album: Strawberry Swing. It is beautiful with Coldplay's masterful interplay of strings with guitar, a calming yet uplifting rhythm.

Talk (Junkie XL Remix)

Talk (2006)

I had to include the best remix of any Coldplay song anywhere, in my very humble opinion. Junkie XL's remix of Talk is nothing short of breath taking. The track is a long one, clocking in at over 11 and a half minutes, a beautiful journey that is not to be missed.

Jacques Lu Cont Hard at Work With The Killers

The Killers

I just heard from Pretty Much Amazing that The Killers have been hard at work with producer extraordinaire, Stuart Price, aka Jacques Lu Cont. I am a huge fan of Jacques Lu Cont, and have long loved The Killers! The combination of the two is unstoppable. Jacques Lu Cont's remixes and slick production skill are always fresh, and on point, while The Killers capture the ears with interesting rhythm, melodies and lyrics.

The new Killers album, Day & Age is set to be released in November 25th 2008. The first single Human is set to "debut" today, so best to keep your eyes and ears peeled!

If you can't stand the anticipation of the new album, distract yourself with the Jacques Lu Cont remix of Mr. Brightside to get an idea of what might be in store for us in late November.

Cover-licious - Volume 2

Float On - Ben Lee

John Tucker Must Die Soundtrack (2006)

Originally released by Modest Mouse in February 2004 on their forth album Good News for People Who Love Bad News, this ditty is about floating through life, even when we hit bumps in the road:

Bad news comes don't you worry even when it lands
Good news will work its way to all them plans

Such a nice sentiment; an outlook on life I hope to keep.

This melodic version of the now classic track was done by Ben Lee for the Soundtrack for John Tucker Must Die in 2006. Ben Lee has had an accomplished career thus far in his native land, Australia, and is now gaining popularity in North America since his newest albium Ripe was released a year ago. It just so happens to be Lee's birthday... Happy Birthday Ben Lee! Welcome to your 30's!

Some Candy Talking - Chris Whitley

(1984)

Chris Whitley's version of this song, originally by The Jesus and Mary Chain, is a radical departure. Where the original is light and airy, Whitley's version dark and visceral. The raw power of lust is unmistakable in Whitley's voice, despite the heavy use of euphemisms in the lyrics.

I had the pleasure of both meeting Chris Whitley, and seeing him perform live before he left us in 2005. He showed my friend a few tricks on the slide guitar in the Victoria hot spot of the time, Legends, where he played later that night. A very skillful guitar player, and thoughtful song writer. Rest in peace Chris Whitley, you will not be forgotten!

Disarm - Amie Miriello

(1984)

I recently found this version of Disarm by Amie Miriello that she, according to her myspace blog has made for a Smashing Pumpkins tribute album. The powerful bells and bass drum of the original have been replaced with the acoustic guitar and Miriello's beautiful voice. This version is well worth a listen, perhaps it will lead you to explore her album I Came Around which was released just last week.

If you are hungry for some more Smashing Pumpkins, run out and get Guitar Hero® World Tour when it's released in late October. They have contributed songs to newest incarnation of the popular game, including a brand new single, G.L.O.W., as an exclusive download.

Novalima

Machete - Novalima

Afro (2006)

It's official! Perfect and I have booked our tickets... we are off to Peru for a month at Christmas time. We are terribly excited, and now that the tickets are paid for, it finally feels real.

To celebrate I'd like to share with you my favorite song from an album that Perfect's sister shared with us: Novalima's Afro. Novalima is a group of Peruvian musicians and DJs who have come together to produce updated adaptations of traditional Afro-Peruvian Music with the help of many international guest artists. The songs, some dating back hundreds of years, have been given a modern flare, with electronic elements and masterful production. The music is interesting and unique; a quality listen! Novalima have been at it again, as they are set to release their next album, Coba Coba, on October 31st 2008 on Cumbancha Records.