Today's Soundtrack: "We Got The Jazz"

Buy it here.

I'm back again with another music review. I was going to tackle Prince this Friday, but I decided to save that for another day because there is just so much material to cover with his TWO projects he just recently put out.  I decided to introduce to some and present to others the wonderful music of Jason Moran.

Listening to NPR one afternoon, I heard a review on Jason Moran's new album All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller.  Check the broadcast out here. Let me start with the fact that I have truly eclectic taste in everything including music, but jazz is one of my favorite genres of music.  I like trios, big band, and that gritty hard-to-keep-up-with jazz. Smooth jazz isn't my thing, and Jason Moran is far from smooth. It's edgy and informed by his love of hip hop.  I think this is a great place to stop and let you listen to this...

Ahhh! Now that I got that craving to hear A Tribe Called Quest out the way, let's get back to Jason Moran. His album was recorded and mixed by Bob Power who is known for honing the sound on  A Tribe Called Quest albums. Well, look at that! It all ties together.

The snippets played during the NPR review by Kevin Whitehead reeled me in and I definitely wanted more. When I finally got a chance to listen to All Rise, I was more than satisfied with what I heard.  There aren't any snippets around the internet, but here is just a preview of the type of joyous jazz you'll be jumping and vibing to when you hear his work. This clip features Meshell Ndegeocello's sultry vocals which can be found on other cuts on All Rise.

Want more Jason Moran Music?

Enjoy!

Today's Soundtrack: "Who's That Lady" by the Isley Brothers meets "I" by Kendrick Lamar

I really wanted to write about this on Tuesday when the news broke about Kedrick Lamar dropping a new album (why do we still refer to them as albums?), but I waited until my Friday music day.  If you haven't heard his new single "I," give it a listen here.  Beware! It is labeled as explicit. 

GQ's Man of the Year Issue 2013 - Kendrick Lamar did NOT let fame water down his brand of authentic hip hop.

I absolutely adore this track. It reminds me of my favorite group, A Tribe Called Quest with a few more expletives, but reminiscent of that golden era all the same.  There's no singing just Kendrick Lamar's unique flow over a masterfully produced track. I was dancing, bobbing, and listening to what he had to say. That combination is hard to find these days in hip hop where you're either dancing or bobbing, but listening will numb your mind. It's going to be wonderful to have "I love myself" looping in my mind. More importantly, the youth will be speaking a positive affirmation over themselves when they repeat the hook! Winning! 

There were some rumblings last year that Kendrick Lamar would "sell out" and lose touch with his authentic style of hip hop he refreshingly creates. The rumblings began because of the ultra-success of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.  I guess those rumblings are quieted this week. This single is a definite progression, but not stepping too far from his brand of good music rooted in hip hop history.  

If the sample sounds familiar, it's because he used the Isley Brothers' "That Lady" which in recent years has been used for commercials. Everyone knows this track!

Isley Brothers' music has been used in a bunch of hip hop classics. Check them out on one of my favorite sites Who Sampled.

I'm looking forward to checking out Kendrick Lamar's entire album.  The release date has yet to be set.