Ropeadope

Taken from Reflection Eternal's underrated second-effort Revolutions Per Minute, Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli really shine on this track - and on majority of this release, for that matter.  I guess people's expectations were too high.  Pity!    

This was my first taste of The Clash that was not one of their bigger songs.  I heard it as a cover that had me singing the chorus for days.

This song just makes me say wow, it's so well written and just got such a great feeling to it.

Mark September 14, 2010 on your calendars music lovers!  Bilal is set to drop his first official release since his debut, First Born Second.  Airtight's Revenge will be released through Plug Research, and I can't wait!  "Who Are You" is a commentary about the many issues with KOS (Knowledge of Self), over a backdrop sorta reminiscent to Shuggie Otis' "Island Letter."  Enjoy!   

Produced by the great Dexter Wansel, "Nights Over Egypt" - from The Jones Girls' 1982 album, Get As Much Love As You Can - represents the pinnacle of smooth r&b from the '80s.  This is one of my favorite songs ever!  It's haunting, melodic, funky, smooth, and the vocals are great - it has everything!  

Great new music from Blue Six from his latest Noesis.  The track features vocals from the lovely Aya, which soars along the tune perfectly.  This number presents Naked Music at its best.  

Hear that?

This is what it sounds like when you gather musicians/friends from various Chicago-based bands and bring them together for two weekends during the winter.

A "recording studio reunion," or better known as, Like Pioneers.

Good right?

"Some People" is the first song off the collective's debut album, Piecemeal - which you can get over at their bandcamp at your own price.

Shoegazers get a bad reputation when it comes to guitar skills. I guess that's what happens when you play a genre based heavily on pedals. In this song, JAMC proves that not only are they masters at effects, they can also let it rip when needed. In addition, I think the chorus is short, sweet, and about something that we all can relate to: "Oh it's …

I've seen Earl Greyhound twice in concert, and both times I was blown away by their live performance. It's a little bit groovy, a little bit funky, a little bit heavy, and 100% rock and roll.

It's always a gamble when musicians decide to put out solo albums outside the safety of their band. Dan Auerbach, one half of the the Black Keys, is an example of a success. "Trouble Weighs a Ton", the first track on his solo album 'Keep It Hid', stays true to Auerbach's blues roots while downsizing to acoustic instrumentation. In addition, his vocal harmonies have had me …

You have to admit, Canada puts out some great music.

I first fell in love with Elizabeth Powell's voice when I heard her with Broken Social Scene. There's something so hopeless and beautiful about it. I love the emotion she creates.

I heard this song awhile ago and never saw the incredible video until recently.

"It's Okay" hails from Some Are Lakes …

I heard this one day on XPN Funky Friday on my way home from work.  I began to believe in music again.

One of my long standing favorite music blogs (the world forgot) always, without a doubt, posts songs I love.  I have never been let down. This morning I saw the post about Mumford covering White Lies and I was immediately curious.

Mumford & Sons are so folky and completely opposite of what White Lies is like but it sounds fantastic. I've loved this band …

A year ago today I left the east coast for Eugene Oregon, moving my brother back to his home. It took two weeks, with a week stop in Denver to visit my other brother, on the way across country I met The Devil Makes Three.

I became hopelessly hooked on the songwriting of Elvis Costello after my mom gave me two of his albums when I was 12 years old. One listen to them and I was captivated. This early, up-tempo version of "Living in Paradise" features stripped-down instrumentation and almost none of the same lyrics as the album version. Still, it packs the musical punch and quick-witted lyricism that keep …

RIP Banzai. Enjoy.

"As you float up, see the river skins the valley and strips the sleeping sediment of memory". Not a recent release, but one that makes me happy. For Ropeadopers I hear both Clay Ross and La Otrabanda in it.

Ethel isn't your grandmother's quartet. These modern virtuosos focus on music mostly written after 1994, giving modern composers a way to have their music be heard. This track, "Hard Wood" was composed by John King.

The new Dead Kenny G's record "Bewildered Herd" is out on iTunes today!!!  So I figured we had to show them a little love here on the radio.  

"A steady flowing psychedelic groove rock band that emphasizes dream-like melody." That is how guitarist and lead vocalist Kevin Parker describes his band, Tame Impala. They draw from many influences which you can hear right away, most notably John Lennon/The Beatles. A friend suggested I listen to them after I showed him Surfer Blood, cause both bands share that surf rock feel, and I …