http://www.scissorkick.com Organic, electronic and everything in between. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:42:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en ©steve http://feeds.feedburner.com/scissorkickblog steve@scissorkick.com (steve) steve@scissorkick.com(steve) blog, podcast, mp3, electronic, music, rock 1440 blog, mp3, electronic, podcast, scissorkick, rock, download Organic, electronic and everything in between MP3 Blog from Brooklyn. Organic, electronic and everything in between. steve steve steve@scissorkick.com No no http://www.scissorkick.com/blog/images/podcast144.jpg http://www.scissorkick.com 144 144 http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/09/midnight-lab-band/ http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/09/midnight-lab-band/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:03:06 +0000 steve http://www.scissorkick.com/?p=210 http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/09/midnight-lab-band/feed/ 00:01:01 I've always considered a certain level of anonymity an important quality among the musicians I tend to lionize. Not to say I expect a musician ... I've always considered a certain level of anonymity an important quality among the musicians I tend to lionize. Not to say I expect a musician to release LP after LP under different pseudonyms, or drop mysterious white-label 12-inch vinyl as a career's worth of output, but there's a certain modesty and focus on the music that comes from not promoting the shit out of yourself. Brooklyn's E's E and Oneman have been clandestinely doing their thing for a long time in the borough of Kings. Not that my radar is that particularly sensitive to each and every blip on the underground scene here, but I was truly surprised when Aaron passed me their first release as Midnight Lab Band and it immediately blew me away. "How could I not know about this shit, when it's being done right here in my backyard?" My guess is that the secret bunker lab that these guys work their sonic experiments in is somehow off the grid. Mixing the very best of eclectic 90's-era UK downtempo (think Pork, Ninja, Grand Central, etc.) with the optimistic, earthy production reminiscent of Motown and the NYC grittiness ala Premiere or the RZA , the duo's music is clearly a result of an unfettered love of everything funky -- hip hop, soul, afrobeat, downtempo, funk, classics, etc. There's an attention to detail that similar producers tend to overlook, as if the pair really do throw on the white lab coats and sit in front of their equipment like scientists until the formula is just right. And after listening to "The Forgotten Chant" there's no doubt you'll agree that Midnight Lab Band are dropping the science. Class is in session. RIYL: Greenwood Rhythm Coalition, Nightmares on Wax, 4 Hero, Statik Sound System, Jugoe, Kruder #38; Dorfmeister READ/BUY: Names You Can Trust Turntable Lab Breakbeat,,DJ,Weapons,,Downtempo,,From,the,Crate,,Instrumental,,Jazz,,Soul steve no No http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/07/menehan-street-band/ http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/07/menehan-street-band/#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:50:06 +0000 steve http://www.scissorkick.com/?p=130 http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/07/menehan-street-band/feed/ 00:01:01 Whether a casual hip-hop fan or more hardcore, there's little doubt that Jay-Z's "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)" has been on your radar at ... Whether a casual hip-hop fan or more hardcore, there's little doubt that Jay-Z's "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)" has been on your radar at some point this year. Diddy's suprisingly successful production mends an absolutely perfect horn sample with Hova's indelible vocal skills for an undeniably epic single. For the curious, that sample comes from a track by Menahan Street Band called "Make the Road By Walking" and its worth tracking down. Menahan, like many Daptone projects features a number of members from related projects and is steeped in that classic soul sound, with an emphasis perhaps on more cinematic emotion. Look no further than today's post, a truly awesome cover of Bill Conti's classic "Going the Distance" from... well, after one listen, you should know. And if not, follow it up with James Brown's "Living in America." PS: There's a secret song embedded at the end of the mp3. Anyone who can identify it will win some sort of awesome prize. RIYL: Budos Band, The Mighty Imperials, El Michaels Affair, Lefties Soul Connection, Breakestra, The Daktaris Read: http://www.myspace.com/dunhamrecords http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menahan_Street_Band http://www.daptonerecords.com/pages/dap1029.html Breakbeat,,Cover,,Instrumental,,Jazz,,Soul steve no No http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/06/blktop-project/ http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/06/blktop-project/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:05:42 +0000 steve http://www.scissorkick.com/?p=90 http://www.scissorkick.com/2008/06/blktop-project/feed/ 00:01:01 "How did I not know about this group?!" It's one of the most satisfying questions music fans can ask themselves. You work hard to follow ... "How did I not know about this group?!" It's one of the most satisfying questions music fans can ask themselves. You work hard to follow an artist, group, or label, constantly staying on top of releases yet still an entire project can exist under your astute radar. Such is the Blktop Project for SK, a veritable personal supergroup of some of my favorite artists working together on a relaxed, groove-driven project featuring former pro-skateboarders Tommy Guerrero, Ray Barbee, Matt Rodriguez, Chuck Treece and uber-drummer Doug Scharin (HiM, Rex, June of 44, Codeine, etc.). If you're familiar with any of the music produced recently by any of these guys, I don't think it's necessary for me to get deep into the details. For us fast-paced, stressed-out, scowling New Yorkers, the Blktop Project's music is simply California. And while I wouldn't trade Yankee Stadium, Coney Island, Lioni Subs and the Brooklyn Bridge for anything, listening to these guys jam makes me imagine the kind of person I would have been with access to year-round skateparks, beach parties, amazing Mexican food and quality surf. Their 2007 self-titled release can be found online at digital retailers or at Galaxia Records, but their newest release Lane Change is only availbe in Japan, although according to an email I recently got from Galaxia, they are working on getting the record distributed here in the US. Who knows if that will happen however, because it seems like this project is more beloved (and known) by the frenzied Japanese than by us here stateside. So, get on it people. We need the mellowness. BUY Buy directly from Galaxia Records WATCH Obscure Japanese-produced video for "Pedro's Fever" Downtempo,,Instrumental,,Jazz,,Soul steve no No