Dopest Duo Commin' Out Of Queens Bridge

Marley Marl feat. Craig G. "Droppin' Science" 12 inch **** out of 5

This is one of my favorite 12 inch records. It's from 1988 and includes the Original Version, Hip Hop Mix, and Instrumental. While the original is great, the HIP HOP MIX has a beat that will get any party moving.  The remix sample is from "Who's Making Love" by Lou Donaldson off the Blue Note label and is available on the new Blue Note compilation "Droppin" Science: Greatest Samples From The Blue Note Lab".  Which makes sense since they named the compilation off the song that sampled one of the tracks.  The cover with Craig G. and Marley Marl doing experiements is classic and is evidence of a time when hip hop was not only dope but fun at the same time.

Kickin' It Middle School

The work lunchroom usually spawns interesting conversations.  We started talking about 80's movies and my co-worker Derek brought up this movie called "Fuzzbucket".  We watched this clip at work and soda almost spit out of everybodys nose because it was so rediculous.  Espcially when Fuzzbucket calls a crayon "Waxy draw".  Enjoy!

Steppin Out In Her I.Miller Shoes

Betty Davis   ***1/2 out of 5


Betty Davis was a funky lady.  Not the famous actress from the 80's cut "Betty Davis Eyes" but the former wife of Miles Davis.  This self titled album is probably most famous for "Anti-Love Song" which is a bass heavy groove that most funk fans will recongnize from many a compilations.  The whole album is a bass heavy funk fest from beginning to end with a raw sound and Betty's scratchy/dirty vocals.  Sample heads, like myself, will recognize "If I'm In Luck, I Just Might Get Picked Up" which was sampled by Ice Cube for "Once Upon A Time In The Projects" from his album "Amerikkkas Most Wanted".  The album continues with fast moving fuzz bass heavy jams like "Steppin' Out In Her I.Miller Shoes" which is about a lady moving to the big city to get eaten up by the entertainment industry.  The song was written about her friend Devon Wilson who was Jimi Hendrix's one time girlfriend and also the subject of Hendrix's "Angel".  After doing some research, I found out the album didn't sell well due to radio stations in 1973 not playing the singles because of the albums suggestive lyrics.  One of the most interesting things about the album is the band she put together to play on it.  Some of the band members are Gregg Errico(sly and the family stone), Larry Graham (sly and the family stone), Willie Sparks (Graham Central Station), Patryce Banks (Graham Central Station) and two of the horn players from Tower Of Power.  The most interesting member is a teenage Neil Schon who would later join Journey on guitar!!??  This album is funky and nasty at the same time!  It was recently reissued on cd with four bonus tracks on Light In The Attic records.  Highly recomended!

UPDATE: "Once Upon A Time In The Projects" by Ice Cube actually sampled "Shoo B Doo and Cop Him" by Betty Davis from her second album "They Say I'm Different".

Lets Get Sirius

Everyday when I drive home from work, I play my Ipod in my car.  I have one of those radio adapters that plays my Ipod through my cars radio on station 88.1.  Sometimes I'll pick up the Sirius/XM radio of the car next to me, in front of me, in back of me, etc.  This has happened to me about 20 times in the last year.  Based on my research of these 20 times, I've come to the conclusion that most Sirius/XM users could save their money and just listen to KQRS or KDWB.  I'd say 2/3 of the time it's a song that I could hear on KQRS on any given day.  There's only been a handful of times where i've heard Lady Gaga or that stupid "Keep Breathing" song.  Nothing drives me more crazy then listening to "Death Certificate" by Ice Cube and "Hotel California" or "Just Dance" busts in from the SUV next to me.  It just makes me wonder why someone would pay a monthly fee to hear the same songs they could hear for free. 

Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'

I picked up some Monk's Blood beer after hearing about it from The Four Firkins.  I tried it and it lives up to the hype.  I was intrigued by the special ingredients which sounded great.  The special ingredients include: Dark Belgian Candi Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla Bean, Dried Black Mission Figs, Aged on Oak.  It's a great chilling beer.  You definitely can't pound it.  The alcohol content is 8% so it's kind of strong.  If you like dark beer it's definitely a must!  I heard they also make a Watermelon flavored beer? I might have to try that also even though I have a hard time thinking what a watermelon beer would be like.  Thinking of it makes me think of Mike's Hard Lemonade or something, but we'll see. I found a 4 pack at Mcdonalds Liquor in South MPLS.  For more info check out the brewers website at http://www.21st-amendment.com/

Spinning today on the car ride home from work..

"Hey Joe" Wilson Pickett
"The ? Remains" Gangstarr
"The Music Sounds Better With You" Stardust
"Which Way To Go" Eddy Current Suppresion Ring
"We're Doin' It" Eddie Bo
"Y'all Don't Hear Me Dough" Kam

Red White and Purple

I'm already getting excited for the NFL season to start.  I check Kevin Seifert's NFC North blog at least three times a day for NFC North News.  I'm even friends with him on facebook to see all the other updates he does.  The news about LT visiting the Vikings on thursday is pretty crazy.  I can't imagine a team with Favre, Peterson and Tomlinson.  Minnesota needs to stop worrying about offending everybody, pass the racino bill and build the Vikings a stadium.  I don't know what i'd do without them.

In music news, I joined The Vault at Jack Whites record label Third Man Records.  After joining and seeing all the great things I'll get, I can only wish that Prince would do something like this.  Every three months I'm guaranteed a 12 inch vinyl album, a 7 inch single and a special gift that is only printed up for members of the Vault.  I have first dibs and discounts on concert presales, discounts on albums, and tons of live performance clips and videos.  Definitely a great deal!

Recent Vinyl Finds:

"The Predator" Ice Cube
"Got It Bad Yall" 12inch single King Tee and The Alkaholiks
"Nard" Bernard Wright
"When Was The Last Time" Little Beaver

Currently Spinning

"White Knuckles" OK Go

Nard

Bernard Wright - 'NARD

I'm on a hunt for this record.  I've read and heard nothing but great things about it.  Contains some hip hop samples including the sample for "I Wish" by Cee-Lo from a song called "Spinnin'".  I think if my first name was Bernard i'd want to go by 'Nard too.