Its great when a title for a blog post writes itself. If you like Architecture in Helsinki, Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., or Michael Jackson, then give this group a try. It consists of Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit, who put out a mixtape, then a song with Ezra from Vampire Weekend, and now a full cd. One of the reasons I get annoyed with myself and the Pitchfork festival is that I always get interested in a bands after they play the fest.
Reading blogs can become time-consuming, so I have really been enjoying using the efficency of the newly discovered Google Reader. It’s so efficient, that I of course added more sites to read regularly. One of them is Soul-Sides.com. Its a fantastic blog if you are a fan of Soul, R&B, Jazz or Hip-Hop.
I found the site through an out-of-print compilation cd that the site put together. Soul Sides Vol. 2 has fantastic version of I Want To Hold Your Hand by Al Green. Listen to it if you haven’t yet heard it.
Also through the site, I found a Chicago “record company” called the Numero Group. The company is a group of record collectors who re-release great songs that didn’t get the popularity they deserved. A recent release is a book photos and LP called Light: On The South Side that focuses on the Chicago’s South Side night clubs between 1975-77. Take lisen to some of the samples they have there.
Not long ago E-Roc and I went to see Those Darlins (a band who I can’t recommend enough, especially live) at Scubas. Of the two opening bands, one was amazing, Deep Sea Diver. The amazing voice of Jessica Dobson combined with the reverb of her guitar makes some great songs. I guess Beck likes her, if that helps.
Every website has something about the passing of Michael Jackson, now including The Bruce. Go to Daily Swarm to see a collection of good posts about the man. This is the best that I have seen so far: Bubbles doing the Moonwalk. Via an Rollo&Grady post with a great song.
Adam actually turned me on to this band. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize that this Scottish band‘s name was a pun on Las Vegas, but it happened. The lead singer sings with a very pronounced accent (ie. the proclaimers) and the drummer is a chick (Kid Rock’s Twisted Trucker Band) that stands up to drum. This usually means that I will not like the band, but they are actually really good. If you liked the Kings of Leon’s last record, then you will probably like this. Check them out on their myspace or on the Hype.