Raise Your Hands In The Air If You Feel Like Me

For today, this mural is my statement on politics, art, and life. That leaves just one thing for us to discuss, and I've got quite a few links in that department. Let's move...

DJ Premier Planet is a pretty adequate resource for Primo fans:
http://djpremierplanet.blogspot.com/. Lots of great information and an abundance of free mp3s are available. Discovered via Catchdubs:
http://www.catchdubs.com/.

Anyone who's been with me for a while knows that I have mad respect for Saul Williams. In certain circles, Williams isn't gangsta enough to be street credibile and/or commercially viable. Truth be told, this man is way more thuggish and revolutionary than your little sister's favorite rapper. You know...that pretty dude who sells zillions of records on the strength of his phony-ass tales from the hood. Anyway, say what you will, but Saul is tougher than that guy any day of the week. His song "List of Demands (Reparations)" is now available in mp3 format at ORTF:
http://ortf.blogspot.com/2006/03/un-rendez-vous-important.html.
I've never really cared much for the music on this track. It makes me want to bang my head, slam dance, and vomit (all at the same time). I generally prefer nodding to the beat. That said, Saul represents well enough lyrically on the joint to somehow justify repeated listens .

Random thought interlude: This color theme and font border on being nauseating...Self-awareness really sucks sometimes...

Moistworks has been posting some quality mp3s lately. They featured mp3s by KRS-One, The Geto Boys, Blackalicious, Da Lench Mob,J-Live, KMD, Lyrics Born, and more in this post:
http://www.moistworks.com/2006/03/i-hear-whats-up.html.
Another recent post features the groovetastic "Smokin' Cheeba Cheeba" by Harlem Underground Band: http://www.moistworks.com/2006/03/smokin-cheeba-cheeba-harlem.html. "Can you dig it, sis? I can dig it, man..."

Treat Williams has blessed us with an excellent tribute to The Overseer, featuring several X Clan mp3s you can download.
He's also reconstructed the appearance of his site, so pay my dude a visit, and give him props on the new look: http://www.havas42.com/.

"Why Keep on Breaking My Heart?" by Nina Simone is at Achtung Baby!: http://luna.typepad.com/weblog/2006/03/_why_keep_on_br.html

Equal parts rock and soul, The Bellrays offer a relatively unique style and sound. You can download a couple of their joints at Pardon My Freedom: http://pardonmyfreedom.blogspot.com/2006/03/body-and-soul.html. Don't stare too closely at the band's photo, or you may talk yourself out of a good thing by judging the book by its cover. Lead singer Lisa Keukola has a phenomenal voice---"Have A Little Faith In Me". More about the group at their official website:
http://www.thebellrays.com/.

Underground hip-hop heads may want to check out those Lightheaded joints over at Analog Giant:
http://analoggiant.blogspot.com/2006/03/feeling-lightheaded.html.

Download "Mona Lisa" by Slick Rick at callmeMICKEY:
http://callmemickey.blogspot.com/.

Breath of Life just posted one of the best Lil' Wayne tracks ever. Truthfully, I can casually dismiss a lot of his stuff, but say something negative about "Shooter" and I might just jump up and slap your mama: http://www.kalamu.com/bol/.

Don't miss "I Don't Need No Doctor" by Ray Charles or Grant Green's "Sookie Sookie" while they're up at 2 Minutes of Bliss 2: http://twominbliss.blogspot.com/2006/03/baked-beans.html.

The latest post at Eric's Archive features many songs by The Molemen:
http://ericsarchives.blogspot.com/.

Cop "Blunt Drunk" by MF Doom and "Alligator Wine" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins at Trees Lounge: http://trees-lounge.blogspot.com/2006/03/soundtrack-for-my-weekend.html.

As you may know from reading my comments section, my friend Haldan expressed that my statement about Massive Attack sucking in recent years was complete "blasphemy". The more of you who visit Palms Out Sounds to check out his Massive remix post, the more salvation points I shall receive:
http://palmsout.blogspot.com/2006/03/remix-sunday-9-massive-attack.html.

Download "Coolie High" and "Luchini" by Camp Lo at The Sole Life:
http://solelife.blogspot.com/. You should also peep those joints by Fat Jon The Ample Soul Physician...I am a forever fan of that brotha's production skills.

Three Murs joints from Murray's Revenge are available at Freemotion:
http://www.freemotionhiphop.com/index.htm. They also just posted an assload of random hip-hop tracks by Cee-Lo, Handsome Boy Modeling School, De La Soul, Justus League, Zion I, and more.

Straight Bangin' also blessed the internets with a variety of dope joints for you to download. Cop mp3s by Little Brother, Wu-Tang Clan, ATCQ, Just Blaze, T.I., etc. Whatever you do, don't snooze on Jay Dee's remix of "Can You See the Pride in the Panther?" by Mos Def:
http://straightbangin.blogspot.com/2006/03/music-for-monday_27.html.

I'm truly diggin' this Sly, Slick, & Wicked song I picked up at The Captain's Crate---"Love Gonna Pack Up (And Walk Out)":
http://bywayof.net/captains_crate.html.

Finally, Who Needs Radio posted a fairly impressive number of mp3s by a variety of artists, such as Kool & The Gang, Aesop Rock, The Geto Boys, Grace Jones, Dudley Perkins, etc: http://www.whoneedsradio.com/2006/03/guest-contributor-norman-reedus.html. Be sure to download "Shoo-B-Doop and Cop Him" by Betty Davis if you missed it when O-Dub posted it at Soul-Sides (http://soul-sides.com/2005/06/betty-davis-they-say-shes-different.html).

End quote: "I have the people behind me, and the people are my strength" --- Huey Newton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_Newton)

Time Changed (But It Feels The Same)

Takin' it back to the essence...

MUSIC:

For some incomprehensible reason, I just can't front on T.I. anymore. I still don't think that he's a lyrical genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm definitely not mad about anything he's been putting out lately. You can download "I'm Talking To You" and "The King's Back" at Am I High? Both tracks are produced by Just Blaze, which is one more reason not to to sleep:
http://amihigh.blogspot.com/2006/03/king-is-back.html.

Headfonehaus returned from a brief hiatus with a very eclectic mix of mp3s for your listening pleasure. If nothing else, get your disco love thang on with "Somethin' Bout Cha" by Millie Jackson:
http://headfonehaus.blogspot.com/.

I generally can't resist linking to posts about Cee-lo Green, and today is no exception. At Captain's Crate, you can download a few of his solo joints, as well as a couple of tracks from St. Elsewhere (the upcoming Gnarls Barkley LP): http://www.bywayof.net/captains_crate.html.

TMWSIY is currently offering 3 tracks from the Blackalicious album, Nia: http://tmwsiy.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-am-dragon-queen-and-i-come-from.html.

One of my favorite old school reggae joints is "Funky Kingston" by Toots & The Maytals---download it at 2 Minutes Of Bliss 2. While you're there, don't hesitate to check out "Sliced Tomatoes" by Just Brothers (an absolute classic):
http://twominbliss.blogspot.com/.

Diddy Wah recently posted a few Bobby Womack mp3s---including his cover versions of "California Dreamin'" and "All Along the Watchtower": http://diddywah.blogspot.com/.

Still lovin' Sample Wednesday at Palms Out Sounds. This week, Dr. Dre: http://palmsout.blogspot.com/2006/03/sample-wednesday-3-dr-dre.html.

Download "Give Me A Try" by Sizzla at lemon-red. I wasn't even interested in hearing this at first, but the title is just so damn convincing:
http://www.lemon-red.org/blog/2006/03/21/kalonji/.

Ear Fuzz posted two songs by Marva Whitney. Lyn Collins tends to be my favorite Soul Sister, but "You Got To Have A Job" (w/ James Brown) is un-fucking-deniable:
http://www.earfuzz.com/2006/03/you-dont-work-you-dont-eat.html.
Marva, Lyn, and Vicki Anderson too often fail to get props for their profound influence on soul and hip-hop music. Read more about their priceless contributions here: http://www.funky-stuff.com/Divas/Index.htm.

Jin says "Fuck Jay-Z"---but not really. Cop dat joint at Nah Right:
http://nahright.com/news/2006/03/20/stray-shots-26/.

Dilated Choonz posted "Blue Lines", one of the few reasons why I still love Massive Attack. They've kinda sucked for years now, but who can forget a first impression?: http://dilate.choonz.com/index.php?id=225.
Before you leave, download that unreleased Frenza track (produced by Madlib):
http://dilate.choonz.com/index.php?id=227.

Two Nat King Cole songs are at Filthy Choice---the Japanese version of "L.O.V.E.", and "You're Looking At Me": http://filthychoice.blogspot.com/2006/03/blame-it-on-my-youth.html.

The last mp3 I'm posting a link to is a bit of a curveball---"Loveless" by Lloyd Cole: http://fastbacker.blogspot.com/ (see the 3/20 post).
I'm guessing that this song won't be palatable to the majority of my readers, but fuck it---I do this in honor of a friend who's doing time in federal prison on some ridiculous bullshit. She blessed me with her entire record collection before she left a couple of years ago, and as a result, I now own a truckload of Lloyd Cole on vinyl. Peace, Deb...

ART:

I never promised to be an art critic, so don't expect a pretentious essay on the artistic merit of works by Charles Bibbs. That would suck for both of us---trust me. I'll sum things up in three simple words---the man's incredible. A lot of his paintings, as well as a brief bio, can be viewed at The Collection Shop. Get yourself some culture, bitches:
http://www.thecollectionshop.com/Charles_Bibbs_Art_Collection.asp?Affiliate=96.

POLITICS:

This amuses me because I can relate all too well---"Parallels Between My Living Through Two Years of Middle School and the Two Terms of the Bush Presidency": http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/3/21wayne.html.

LIFE:

Remember in an earlier post when I suggested blaming Tom Cruise for the fact that Isaac Hayes quit "South Park"? I don't know when this aired, but I think I've finally tapped into my psychic abilities. Peep this clip from Jimmy Kimmel's show:
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=16530.

It's now been scientifically proven that whiny children grow up to be conservative pricks:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5293039.

How truly fuckin' amazing...

The Tragedy Of Our Day Is The Climate Of Fear In Which We Live

As usual, I'm pissed off about something. Today I'm angry that dumb-ass conservatives are crying about the most recent episode of "Boston Legal", in which attorney Alan Shore goes on an extended rant (during his closing argument) about governmental abuse of power, as well as the apparent apathy of the American people as injustice continues to prevail. Apparently, quite a few Nazi television viewers were unreceptive to this rather amazing monologue, which ironically, included the assertion that free speech (not to mention the entire Bill of Rights) is being gravely jeopardized by the climate of fear in our society.

What is it with people who don't even want such ideas to be heard? If we allow this segment of our population to control what the rest of us watch on television, nothing will be left but "Blue's Clues" and "The 700 Club". Fuck that...Even "Blue's Clues" won't last for long under this regime. Sooner or later, someone will realize that the dude in the striped shirt is gayer than the purple thing on the Telebubbies could have ever hoped to be. And did you know that if you play the theme song to the show backwards, it says "children worship Satan"??? No, not even something that ridiculously wholesome will be able to survive the scrutiny of the right-wing television police.

My point here is that I'm sick of old White guys and Stepford wives deciding what the hell is going to be on my television. ABC has received a lot of flack for airing this episode, so I'm hoping that some of my readers will drop them a line in support of the show. Let's balance the equation a bit by showing support for one of the few series that's still daring enough to venture into controversial political territory. Read an article about the conservative backlash here: http://mediachannel.org/blog/node/3721. You can also follow a link there to watch a video clip of the speech, or download the mp3 version (via Crooks and Liars: http://www.crooksandliars.com/). If you agree that there is no cause for the show to be censored for this content, then take just one moment to say so to ABC, informing them that you'd like to watch something other than "The 700 Club" every once in a while...
http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html.

By now, most of you have heard E-40's "Tell Me When To Go". Now you can cop the remix (w/Kanye and The Game) at Spine Magazine:
http://www.spinemagazine.com/index.php?task=.

Ice Cube is slated to play the lead role in the film version of "Welcome Back, Kotter". Let's hope he rocks a 'fro that will make Gabe Kaplan especially proud: http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/news/85910.php.

The Broke BBoys returned this week with their first posts in quite a while. They definitely made up for lost time, offering mp3s by People Under The Stairs, Wax Tailor, Professor X (R.I.P.), and Gnarls Barkley: http://brokebboys.blogspot.com/.

Unless you're just waking up from a long-ass nap, you should already know that ?uestlove from The Roots has a side project called The Randy Watson Experience. Currently, you can download their version of Sting's "Be Still My Beating Heart" at Best Foot Forward: http://www.bestfootforward.info/.

Speaking of The Roots, that picture on the new issue of Scratch Magazine is already the hottest cover of the year:
http://nahright.com/news/2006/03/17/roots-scratch-cover/.

Some smooth soul ish---"Sweet Fools" by Essence is at The Number One Songs In Heaven: http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html.

A couple of Vakill tracks are available at We Eat So Many Shrimp---"Serpent & The Rainbow", and "Introducin'" (w/Ras Kass):
http://somanyshrimp.com/2006/03/vakill-pt-2.html.

At one point in my life, I inadvertantly ended up with the soundtrack for the film "Lost Angels". One of my drunken friends probably left it at the crib accidentally, but that's not the point. Much of the music on that bitch wasn't exactly my style, but I popped the taped on Raheem's cut, "Self Preservation". A lot of people are unfamiliar with this joint, so join the intellectual musical elite by downloading any of the versions that are available at Gorilla vs. Bear:
http://gorillavsbear.net/.

Another track that's already circulated quite a bit around the internets is "Just" by Mark Ronson and Alex Greenwald. I don't remember ever linking this track before, so catch it at Scenestars if ya haven't copped it yet: http://www.scenestars.net/.

If you already want to kick my ass for posting a link to download Biggie vs. Frank Sinatra, you're really gonna want a piece of me for this one--Notorious B.I.G. mashed with The White Stripes, anyone??? See what happens when you "Hypnotize the Army" at Koopa's Hideaway:
http://k-hideaway.blogspot.com/2006/03/happy-mcdrinky-day.html.

Speaking of Biggie Smalls, the LAPD has assembled a new team to investigate his murder, which conveniently remains unsolved. Peep the article at SOHH, but don't forget to greet the underlying intentions with a healthy dose of skepticism: http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8547.

Once again, O-Dub is the man, this time for posting a couple of great Beatles covers by Junior Parker and Peter Herbolzheimer Rhythm Combination and Brass:
http://soul-sides.com/2006/03/junior-parker-peter-herbolzheimer.html.

Fans of independent hip-hop may care to know that Roosevelt Franklin (Mr. Len + Kimani) has posted an entire album for free download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/15493431/Bare_Food.zip.html.
Props to Oh Word for putting me on to this:
http://www.ohword.com/blog/181/roosevelt-franklin-release-free-album.
Apparently, people have differing opinions on the effectiveness of this particular marketing ploy:
http://www.hiphop-blogs.com/hiphop/2006/03/would_you_buy_a.html.
Admittedly, I still haven't listened to the album yet, because the shit didn't work after I downloaded the file. Maybe you'll have better luck...

More rare Dilla gems at Miblog Weighs A Ton:
http://miblogweighsaton.blogspot.com/.

I can't end this post without expressing gratitude to Toure' for linking Souled On at his Soul City website. As many of you will recall, I recently posted a link to his BET interview with Jay-Z and Nas. Remember? Dude asked such provocative questions, he must have had Barbara Walters turning over in her grave. I know she isn't dead, but she looks like it, which comes close enough for me. Perhaps the greater flaw in my logic is the crazy idea that Babs would be watching BET in the first place, but hey---it sounded pretty good at the time...

Anyway, since I have much respect for the man's skills as author and journalist, I am truly honored by this acknowledgement. Peep Soul City here, and order all of his books while you're at it, son:
http://www.toure.com/.

A final thought for the day:
"I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else's whim or to someone else's ignorance."---bell hooks (http://www.allaboutbell.com/).

Never Can Say Goodbye

I planned to start typing this post a couple of hours ago, but I ended up getting sucked into the vortex (also known as my place of employment). For that reason, this post will be 99.9% bullshit free. All who wish to express their gratitude should send their regards to my asshole boss...

Isaac Hayes has left "South Park", citing "religious differences". Matt Stone, the show's co-creator, says that Isaac's belief in Scientology has greatly informed his decision. Either way, can we please blame this one on Tom Cruise??? http://www.nme.com/news/isaac-hayes/22490.

callmeMICKEY recently posted 20 miscellaneous tracks for download. Included are mp3s by Vybz Cartel, Five Deez, Kano, Lotek Hi-Fi, and Keak Da Sneak: http://callmemickey.blogspot.com/.

At No Frontin', you can cop Panzah Zandahz's remix of "Itzsoweezee" by De La Soul (see 3/09 post). While you're there, you can also follow a link to download three new Soul Position tracks that are being hosted on Analog Giant---"Things Go Better", "Keys", and "I'm Free":
http://www.songz.blogspot.com/.

By the way, the new Soul Position (RJD2 + Blueprint) LP will be called Things Go Better With RJ and Al. A fourth joint from the album, "Hand-Me-Downs" is available at Download.com:
http://music.download.com/soulposition/3600-8543_32-100060786.html?tag=MDL_listing_song_artist.

At U Mean Competitor, you can cop mp3s of "I Choose You" by Willie Hutch, "Choose U" by Project Pat, and the 12" club remix of "My Name Is Prince" by the artist formerly known as whatever: http://umeancompetitor.blogspot.com/2006/03/prince-reduced-to-symbol-invents_10.html.

Bookworm is a group that defies description, because their music contains elements of a number of different styles. If you haven't heard them yet, be brave and try something different today. Read more about their sound, and download a few mp3s at Solos Records:
http://www.solosrecords.com/hiddenstaircase.html. If you decide to fuck with any of the remixes, make it the one by Roche.

A Caucasian version of Public Enemy may not sound like something you'd particularly want to hear, but Consolidated is usually good for an intriguing listen. Peep "Guerillas in the Mist" at Digital Eargasm:
http://digitaleargasm.blogspot.com/2006/03/crash.html.

Feed Me Good Tunes has been doing just that. Recently featured are two tracks from Nastradoomus Vol.2 (Nas + MF Doom), as well as Pete Rock's instrumental remix of "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G. :
http://feedmegoodtunes.blogspot.com/.

Speaking of Biggie Smalls, you can download a mash-up of "Everyday Struggle" with "A Day in the Life of a Fool" by Frank Sinatra at Gorilla vs. Bear: http://gorillavsbear.net/. "Brothaz" by Mr. Lif is also available at that destination.

Before I leave Christopher Wallace alone, I'd be crazy negligent not to mention the extensive selection of Biggie mp3s that were posted over at Clockwork: http://yourmansandnem.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-guess-this-is-my-biggie-post.html.

Classic video footage of James Brown (w/Damita Jo Freeman) on "Soul Train": http://www.devilducky.com/media/43104/.

Breath of Life posted three stellar tracks this week---"In the Ghetto" by Eric B & Rakim, "Walk With Me" by The A.R.C. Choir (the song that inspired "Jesus Walks"), and "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons:
http://www.kalamu.com/bol/.

Download "The Frog" by Sergio Mendes (w/ Will.I.Am and Q-Tip) at Captain's Crate: http://bywayof.net/captains_crate/link.html?http://bywayof.net/captains_crate/2006/03/timeless.html.

If that's still not enough crack, check out some of the Sites I'm Souled On. My friends are good people...

My Reality Went Insane

I was going to apologize for the fact that I haven't had very much time to find us interesting linkage the past few days. I am frequently driven to express my regret for being such a pathetically shitty blogger, because for some Freudian reason, I feel very guilty when I neglect my readership. I actually feel a palm-sweating sort of anxiety when this occurs. Anyone wishing to donate Valium may do so at any time...

The unfortunate truth is that sometimes I have to do other things---like go to work, have sex, eat, get high, walk the cat, etc. Hopefully, my readership understands this, and I can begin the process of removing this ugly-ass monkey that's been riding on my back. Sooner or later, there will be a support group for obsessive-compulsive blogger types, but right now, there's no known cure for fucktards like me.

So, I have a new attitude, and have developed a base philosophy for the as-yet-unformed FUBA (Fucked Up Bloggers Anonymous): I AIN'T GOT A DAMN THING FOR YA, AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, FUCK YOU...PAY ME. I am relieved just saying it...really...

Now that I think about it, I gave this post some substance by discussing its lack of substance. I got skills...and maybe you should pay me...

Alright...enough bullshit for now. I'm 'bout to serve these links...

Good stuff at Freemotion lately. You can download three tracks from Bahamadia's Good Rap Music LP, as well as a few selections from Beyond The Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (a Digable Planets retrospective): http://www.freemotionhiphop.com/index.htm.

Palms Out Sounds just started a new feature---Sample Wednesday. This week, Haldan posted a few songs that have were sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan. Way to respect the architects....
http://palmsout.blogspot.com/.

Check this weird-ass Japanese commercial for Biz Markie's action figure. It may be worth 42 seconds of your time: http://www.devilducky.com/media/43011/.

"I Should Be Proud" is a powerful protest song by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. Download it at The Number One Songs In Heaven (see 3/06 post): http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html.

Think Tank is featuring three mp3s by J-Live---"Aww Yeah", "Audio Visual", and "Satisfied": http://leafhouse.blogspot.com/.

Trees Lounge just did an extensive post with 50 songs about the state of Georgia. Included are tracks by Ray Charles, Ludacris/Field Mob, Louis Armstrong, Outkast, Booker T & The MGS, Gladys Knight, and Al Green: http://trees-lounge.blogspot.com/2006/03/50-states-georgia.html.

Ever fuckin' wonder why the hell rappers swear so damn much? What's with that shit? Part of the answer may lie in the undeniable influence that the film Scarface has had on the hip-hop nation. This video shows clips of every occasion when the fuck word was said in the movie. This is un-fucking-believable, and definitely not for the easily offended...
http://www.devilducky.com/media/42881/.

Cop two classic joints by Poor Righteous Teachers at The Sole Life:
http://solelife.blogspot.com/2006/03/peace-to-gods-and-earths.html.

Visit Cocaine Blunts to download the unreleased, original mix of "Me and My Bitch" by The Notorious B.I.G. There are also a couple of other good links included in the post:
http://www.cocaineblunts.com/new/index.html.

"Twice the First Time" by Saul Williams is available for download at Dilated Choonz: http://dilate.choonz.com/index.php?id=197. Gratitude to this site, as well as Miblog Weighs A Ton (http://miblogweighsaton.blogspot.com/) for recently linking Souled On...

Okay then---I'll be back as soon as my stupid plan to exercise guilt-free blogging completely and utterly fails...

Take It As A Caution Or A Warning Sign

If you're as uninterested in politics as most of my friends and family, then you probably aren't aware that the U.S. military has routinely been paying to have biased information planted in the Iraqi media: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060303/pl_afp/usiraqmilitarymedia.
Then, there are people who do know about this, and just don't give a shit. Either way, this isn't an issue to be uneducated or ignorant about, because it sends an important message about the state of hypocrisy in our nation. We argue that we are trying to liberate the Iraqi people, and support their right to a free press---yet we openly pay to sell them distortions and lies?

Be real for a minute. The type of dishonesty we're engaging in perfectly suits the definition of propaganda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda), a tactic utilized by some of the most evil and destructive leaders history has ever known. The public is outraged when comparisons are drawn between Hitler and Bush, but damn---there are definitely some similarities. If you don't believe me, 31 of them are listed here:
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles3/Jayne_Hitler-Bush.htm.

Let me shut up, before my ass gets banned like Bennish: http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/jackowski03042006/.
At least San Francisco is down for impeaching Bush. Maybe if our dictator is overthrown, we'll get our right to free speech back:
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3000.

But if Dubya is really as tight with God as he seems to think he is, I may as well start packing my bags for Hell: (http://deadbrain.co.uk/news/article_2006_03_04_4354.php)
I'm slowly tryin' to get a decent summer wardrobe together, just in case...
I guess if I'm already damned, I might as well make fun of one more ridiculous Jesus siting. I mean, it can't really hurt...right??? Check this $20 bill being auctioned on e-Bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6258812246.
It bears an image of Christ's face on it, and as an added bonus, there's a video that illustrates its "oddly magnetic properties". Last I checked, the highest bid was $5oo. Damn...I really shouldn't have given my weed dealer that five spot with the Gary Coleman cheese stain...

MiBlog Weighs A Ton is an absolutely essential resource for music and politics...don't sleep. In addition to embarrassing/exposing George Bush and other conservatives, they've also recently posted quite a few J Dilla tracks with an R&B flavor, as well as some random joints that feature various rappers from Detroit. Check them here: http://miblogweighsaton.blogspot.com/.

Fans of Dilla should consider helping his mama pay off those astronomical hospital bills. Buy a groovy-ass T-shirt at Oh Word to benefit the cause: http://www.ohword.com/blog/169/pre-order-jay-dee-tribute-shirts-to-benefit-his-family.

"All For U", "Solomon Jones", and "Disconnected" from Aceyalone's Magnificent City LP can be found at Think Tank:
http://leafhouse.blogspot.com/2006/03/aceyalone-with-rjd2-magnificent-city.html.

A video clip of the Nas and Jay-Z interview on BET can be viewed at Nah Right. While you're there, you can also download live versions of two songs by The Roots---"Boom!" (w/Kool G Rap) and "You Got Me" (w/ Erykah Badu and Jill Scott). Both mp3s are from the soundtrack to Dave Chappelle's Block Party: http://www.nahright.com/news/.

Another track from the aforementioned soundtrack is "Universal Magnetic" by Mos Def, a song you can currently download at Between Thought & Expression: http://djmonstermo.blogspot.com/2006/03/mos-def-universal-magnetic-live-at.html.

Haldan posted some more stellar remixes this week at Palms Out Sounds. Cop DJ Premier's take on "First of the Month" (Bone, Thugs, & Harmony), as well as the Sa-Ra mix of "Maybe" by N.E.R.D.:
http://palmsout.blogspot.com/2006/03/remix-sunday-6-saturday.html.

Some Curtis Mayfield has been circulating around the internets this past week. Download "Give Me Your Love" at Motel de Moka:
http://mookamotel.blogspot.com/2006/03/kinky-collection-vii.html.
Then go check out "Freddy's Dead", "Do Do Wap Is Strong in Here", and "Keep On Pushin'" at Tuwa's Shanty:
http://tuwa.blogspot.com/2006/03/short-eyes-and-normal-ones.html.

Big Static is hosting three mp3s by hip-hop superfreak, Kool Keith. Cop "Sex Style", "Plastic World", and "Make Up Your Mind". Play these joints for your Grandma. See how quickly she slaps you:
http://bigstatic.blogspot.com/2006/03/kool-keith-sex-style.html.

It was Old School Blunts Week at Some Velvet Blog. Some of the artists featured are Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Stetsasonic, Ultramagnetic MC's, and Main Source (posts 2/26-3/03):
http://somevelvetblog.blogspot.com/.

If that's still not enough old school for ya, go cop "Do the Do" by the legendary Kurtis Blow at 20 Jazz Funk Greats:
http://20jazzfunkgreats.blogspot.com/2006/03/there-can-be-no-more-divisions-among.html.

I guess that's about it for now. I leave you with an insightful and befitting quote by Noam Chomsky:
"Either you repeat the same conventional doctrines everybody is saying, or else you say something true, and it will sound like it's from Neptune."

If that doesn't justify my rants, I ask you...what will???

This Is What Gangsters Dance To...

After partaking in quite a bit of what Bob is having, I was seriously contemplating the thought of delaying this post until at least tomorrow, but because I love my readers so damn much, here the hell I am. Enjoy...

At Ear Fuzz, you can download two songs by The Staple Singers---"Let's Do It Again" and "Chase". They also just featured a couple of joints from the latest Cunninlynguists LP (A Piece of Strange). You definitely want to check out "Nothing To Give": http://www.earfuzz.com/.

For the jazz fiends, there are three Charlie Parker mp3s available for download at The Unwanted Gaze---"A Night In Tunisia", "Bird's Nest", and "Bebop": http://unwantedgaze.blogspot.com/2006/02/charlie-parker.html.

No Frontin' did you a very large favor by posting Syl Johnson's "Sorry 'Bout Dat". If you've never heard his music before, get familiar:
http://songz.blogspot.com/2006/02/hes-been-hangin-round-for-days.html.

I should have mentioned this previously, but Checkerboard Chimes posted "One For Ghost" by J Dilla several days ago: http://checkerboardchimes.blogspot.com/2006/02/at-last.html.
This was the beat used on Ghostface's "Whipped With A Strap", a bootleg joint you can download at Unkut.com (along with other tracks by Ghost and Raekwon): http://www.unkut.com/2006/02/rae-and-ghost-united/.

More J Dilla tracks at The Sole Life:
http://solelife.blogspot.com/.

ORTF is featuring 3 classic hip-hop joints---"Ten Crack Commandments" by Notorious B.I.G., Kool G Rap's "Riker's Island", and "Survival of the Fittest" by Mobb Deep:
http://ortf.blogspot.com/2006/02/j-roc-dealer-de-crack.html.

Download "Sex Machine" by James muthafuckin' Brown at Awesome Until Proven Guilty:
http://patandtravis.blogspot.com/2006/02/saturday-night.html.

An impressive collection of drawings by the genius that was Leonardo da Vinci can be found here: http://visi.com/~reuteler/leonardo.html.

"Is This Love?" by Bob Marley is available at Veritas Lux Mea:
http://thetruthenlightensme.blogspot.com/2006/02/basketball-diaries.html.

Widely appreciated amongst hip-hop heads, ATCQ's "Bonita Applebum" was recently posted at Soul On Ice (see 2/25): http://obifromsouthlondon.blogspot.com/.

Spliff Huxtable is the spot if you want to download instrumental versions of your favorite hip-hop joints...and besides, who can resist a blog with a name like that???:.
http://www.spliffhuxtable.com/?m=200602.

The Patriot Act renewal is getting closer to being passed:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/28/153853.shtml.
I wouldn't want any of my readers to be less educated than the fuckers who keep passing this shit, so I'm posting a link where you can read the Patriot Act in its entirety. This will make you much more of an intellectual than all the bald, caucasian men with glasses you've ever voted to represent you:
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html.

Moistworks has posted some excellent material lately, including songs by Sly & The Family Stone, The Staple Singers, Ray Charles, Nina Simone, and more. Also, be sure to check out the excerpt of an interview with Marvin Gaye: http://www.moistworks.com/2006/02/for-spl-too-far-gone-my-dad-is-dead.html.

No less stellar was Oliver's collaboration with Mark Anthony Neal over at Soul Sides. The post was in honor of Black History Month, and featured songs by Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway, the Emotions, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Billy Paul, and others. The tracks selected are some incredibly powerful songs---the kind of music you can feel all the way through to your bones. Something you definitely don't want to miss:
http://soul-sides.com/2006/02/another-mansoul-sides-collabo-get-into.html.

Clanton's latest rant over at Loosie made my fuckin' day. This should be required reading for anyone who believes anything that the Bush administration says or does: http://www.loosie.com/words/archives/2006/02/000616.php.

Last, but not least, is one of the most beautiful songs ever rumored to be about heroin addiction, as sung by one of the greatest soul singers of all time---download "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Aretha Franklin at Dilated Choonz: http://dilate.choonz.com/index.php?id=177.

By the way---I was only joking. You really can't dance to most of this shit...

After He Took Everything From You He Could Steal

If I felt at liberty to truly express myself, I could speak volumes about George Bush's uncompromising stance in support of a recent decision allowing a company operated by the United Arab Emirates to take over operations at six major U.S.ports:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/21/port.security/.

I would be inclined to point out how puzzling it is that Bush has threatened to utilize his veto power to stop Congress from enacting legislation to prevent the transaction. His impassioned response seems awfully suspect, especially considering the fact that he claims to have been ignorant about the whole matter until just recently:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8FU9QTG2.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_up&chan=db.

I might also have a thing or two to say about my unbridled enthusiam for the fact that the ACLU, amongst others, are calling for Dubya's impeachment (as a result of the questionable legalities surrounding the National Security Agency's wiretapping "efforts"):
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/21/163845.shtml.

However, I have to be cautious about getting too revolutionary up in here. I have to remember that we aren't as free as we used to be---and I'd suggest checking this book if you even begin to disagree:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1556525559/104-3552737-7403909?v=glance&n=283155.

A couple of months after I started Souled On, I started getting a lot of traffic from government officials. It was rather laughable to me, because my readership was so small as to render my opinions insignificant. I still can't really imagine why I was garnering that sort of attention, but something about that shit is scary.

I believe whole-heartedly in freedom of speech, and my gangsta side tells me that I can say whatever the fuck I want, whenever I want. Another part of me, however, fears that "the man" is going to come and kidnap me any day now. My right to a trial will be conveniently "overlooked", and I'll end up imprisoned in some remote place where the guards are even uglier than Lynndie England:
http://www.downwithabsolutes.com/wp-content/lynndie.JPG.

So forgive me if I occasionally feel the need to bite my tongue. It's probably just the weed causing this paranoia...really. Or is it???

While you're stuck pondering that, I'm gonna move on to some other shit...

Download "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" by Nina Simone at 2 1/2 Pounds of Bacon: http://fastbacker.blogspot.com/2006/02/little-more-calm.html. If you have any tolerance whatsoever for 90's indie rock, you may also want to check "In This Hole" by Cat Power, included in the same post. This will be way too soft for some of you, but there's no denying the understated beauty of this track.

I may not have had occasion to say so before, but I fucks wit reggae. Moistworks just posted a few classic reggae cuts---most notably "Daddy" by Toots & The Maytals and "Like A Rolling Stone" by The Wailers: http://www.moistworks.com/. Today's post was also pretty nice, featuring songs by Malcolm McClaren, Roots Manuva, Monie Love, Definition of Sound, a Neneh Cherry remix w/ Biggie, and much more...

At TMWSIY, you can download a couple more tracks from Coldcut's Sound Mirrors LP. I ain't gonna lie--both of these tracks kind of rub me the wrong way. I'm posting a link anyway, out of respect for your right to self-determination: http://tmwsiy.blogspot.com/2006/02/mirrors-sound.html.

On Presidents' Day, Trees Lounge posted several tracks with a presidential spin. Download joints by Blackalicious, Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean, Eric B & Rakim, and the Pharcyde:
http://trees-lounge.blogspot.com/2006/02/merry-presidents-day.html.
By the same token, Marathonpacks posted David Ruffin's "I Could Never Be President" in honor of the holiday:
http://www.marathonpacks.com/2006/02/david-ruffin-i-could-never-be.html.

Palms Out Sounds has posted too much good shit to even bother mentioning specifics. Go there, and peep that Lance Drummonds video while you're at it: http://palmsout.blogspot.com/

I've developed a strange crush/fascination thing with Angry Black Bitch. She's intelligent, humorous, foul-mouthed (yet eloquent), and...well...bitchy. What the fuck's not to love?:
http://angryblackbitch.blogspot.com/.

ANABlog is currently featuring a track I consider to be amongst my favorite soul joints---"The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind) by The Dells: http://www.analogartsensemble.net/2006/02/dells.html.

Chuck D (along with numerous other artists) is scheduled to perform at Cindy Sheehan's anti-war concert, "Bring 'Em Home Now":
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/22/174821.shtml.

Cop "Black Sweat" by Prince at Musique Sous Influence:
http://docteurgonzo.blogspot.com/2006/02/work-it.html.

"Speed Law" and "Mathematics" (two tracks from Mos Def''s Black On Both Sides) are available at Indoor Fireworks:
http://indoorfireworks.blogspot.com/2006/02/young-bloods-cant-spell-but-they-can.html.

I've wanted to feature Banksy's artwork since I first started doing this blog, so today's the day. For those who aren't familiar, he's a UK graf artist whose anti-corporate ideology, political imagination, and cultural wit make his artistic expressions too incredible to ignore. Check his website here: http://www.banksy.co.uk/menu.html.

I think Stephanie McKay's voice is phenomenal, but I haven't met many people who even recognize her name. As I result, I was pleasantly surprised when "Sadder Day" turned up on The Number One Songs In Heaven (see post on 2/20). Now that you have the opportunity, don't sleep a second longer:
http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html.

Grandgood recently posted a great throwback joint---"Foolish Mentality" by 12 Jewelz (produced by DJ Greyboy): http://www.grandgood.com/random.html. Other recent posts include a Wu-Tang concert review, updated information about Sony's "dishonest practices", and words to the poem that Saul Williams recites on his MTV2 commercial.

Okay---I'm outta time, so that's gonna have to end this shit for today, family. Be easy...

Didn't I Give You Everything?

When I posted my most recent nonsense a few hours ago, I forgot to mention one very important thing. "Didn't I?" by Darondo was the greatest song I downloaded this week. Props to O-Dub. Go grab it for your damn self---it's good for the soul:
http://soul-sides.com/2006/02/darondo-he-gave-you-everything.html.

Face The Furious Meltdown

On several different occasions during the past week or so, I've encountered articles and/or news stories about George Bush's declining approval rating:(http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/10/221514.shtml).

All I can say ---it's about fuckin' time...Political commentators are seemingly amazed that only 40% of Americans are still in Dubya's corner, while I'm wondering how he manages to maintain that much of a stronghold over the sheeple in this country...

More than anything, it perplexes my mental that 39% of us are still satisfied with the economy. How can that be? Where are they conducting these polls? In nursery schools? Mental institutions? Elitist country clubs? This part of the population must be unaware that we currently have the highest trade deficit in the history of our nation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11270337/.

They must not realize the astronomical cost of the war on Iraq (based on oops!---faulty intelligence):http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182.

They must not comprehend how bleak our economic situation really is: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/view/letters/2410248.shtml.

One could make the argument that some of the economic misfortune that has befallen this country is not Bush's fault. However, no one can deny that if we weren't spending an infinite assload of money on "the war on terror", fighting his imaginary "axis of evil", we'd be in a much better position to recover our financial losses in other areas. No matter which side of the debate you find yourself on, you still gotta admit---we're muthafuckin' broke, son...

"Ball of Confusion" by The Temptations made a poignant political statement in its day. Listening to it now, it's intriguing how history truly does repeat itself. Download the track at Best Foot Forward: http://www.bestfootforward.info/.

I'm sure that's enough preaching for quite a few of you, so on to less important things:

At ::work for it::, you can download "I'm Sorry Miss Jackson", a Jadakiss/Styles P diss aimed at 50 Cent. If you've been awake you know that I'm not all that hyped about beef, but sometimes the drama queens need love, too: http://benlovesmusic.blogspot.com/.

Several sites paid tribute to J Dilla by posting various selections in mp3 format. Here are links to a select few:

Broke B-Boys: http://brokebboys.blogspot.com/.

callmeMICKEY: http://callmemickey.blogspot.com/.

Nah Right: http://www.nahright.com/news/.

Soul On Ice: http://obifromsouthlondon.blogspot.com/.

The most extensive collection I found was at Mental Combat---46 tracks available for download: http://mentalcombat.blogspot.com/.

Cop "A Lil' Story" by Inspectah Deck (prod. by RZA) at STYLES.BY.THE.GRAM. http://stylesbythegram.blogspot.com/.

2 Minutes of Bliss 2 updates with classic joints by Booker T & the MGs, Eddie Jefferson, Rita Marley, and more: http://twominbliss.blogspot.com/.

Three tracks by the legendary Charles Brown at The Doors of the Kingdom:http://doorsofthekingdom.blogspot.com/2006/02/charles-brown-dark-knight-of-soul.html

Old school Mr. T video encouraging rugged, yet bejeweled, individuality: http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2693368?showw=no&refsite=7182&htv=12.

I've reported Jesus sightings in the past. So in all spiritual fairness, I feel compelled to link this article about a fish that has the word Allah in Arabic on its side: http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=81091042765.

I'm really diggin' The Sole Life. Some of the artists recently featured include Kool G Rap, Large Professor, ATCQ, Common, and Black Star: http://solelife.blogspot.com/.

Some questions we just don't want truthful answers to---like, "does my ass look fat in these pants?". If you're thuggish enough to handle brutal honesty, you can send a photo of your posterior to be posted on this blog. Readers will give you the skinny on the amount of junk you're carting in that gigantic trunk of yours: http://hillaryjohnson.typepad.com/howsmyasslook/.

Okay---that shit should keep you suckas busy for a minute. Be easy...

One Day, Everything Changed

R.I.P. Jay Dee (aka J Dilla)---one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time died today. I had sincerely hoped that news of his death was just a vicious rumor, but Stones Throw posted this memorial:
http://www.stonesthrow.com/.

Read more here: http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=5355.

Peace to all of his fans around the world...

Through The Mirror Of My Mind

Upon doing a Google image search for photographs of Diana Ross, I came to realize that, at some point, my girl began looking more like a drag queen than an actual woman. I've developed a complex, multi-faceted theory about this slowly evolving process, but ultimately, I blame Michael Jackson. He must have used the powers of his Jesus Juice to convince her that gender confusion can be utilized as an effective remedy for declining popularity/record sales. Michael has seriously fallen off since becoming a white girl, but I'm thinkin' that Diana just couldn't foresee...

Anyway, don't get all pissed off or anything---I love Diana, too (so much so that I chose not to post any of the aforementioned incriminating photos). I have some Supremes records that should charge me with assault and battery, 'cuz I scratched the crazy shit out of those bitches. One of my favorites has always been the song "Reflections", which just so happens to be available for download at Silence Is A Rhythm, Too:
http://siart.blogspot.com/2006/02/funky-fridays-mixed-bag-i-have-no-time.html. It's my sincere belief that this song should already be in your collection, but just in case we got some peoples from the short bus along for the ride...

Download Nas and Jay-Z's "Twin Towers" at 1-800-Sassbuket.com:
http://sassbucket.blogspot.com/.

Treat Williams recently quit fuckin' off long enough to update with some mp3s by Showbiz & AG, Audio Two, The Alliance, and Three Times Dope. Even though the Super Bowl is (finally) over, his lunatic stream-of-consciousness ramblings posted while watching the game are a must-read for...just about anyone. Hilarious and weird...Linkage on the right.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, anyone try making a fruit helmet for their dog or cat? I didn't, but it's never too early to start making preparations for next season. Check this bizarre how-to guide: http://cityrag.blogs.com/main/2006/02/halftime_crafts.html.

WFMU's Beware of the Blog recently posted a Batman and Robin LP that you can download in mp3 format. The music was performed by members of Sun Ra's Arkestra and Al Kooper's Blues Project, making this truly classic material---don't sleep:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/02/sun_ra_and_the_.html.

Amusing footage of Sly Stone being interviewed by Dick Cavett. Dude was high as hell, son: http://www.devilducky.com/media/40872/.

Download dope mixes by Cosmo Baker, DJ Eleven, and DJ Ayres at Lemon-Red: http://www.lemon-red.org/blog/.

The ODB Remembrance Mixtape is available for download at Wu-Tang Corp: http://www.wutangcorp.com/.

While we on tha Wu, you can cop two Ghostface Killah tracks at From The Polo Fleece To The Jesus Piece---"Face Off" (w/Scarface) and "My Guitar": http://jesuspiece.blogspot.com/.

A couple of Ice Cube joints from The Predator are available at Clockwork: http://yourmansandnem.blogspot.com/2006/02/guerillas-in-mist.html.

Remember when Dr. Dre remixed "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones? Download it here, because if nothing else, it serves as somewhat of an interesting topic for conversation:
http://myexbestfriend.blogspot.com/2006/02/super-something-with-queen-stones.html.

Are you reading Palms Out Sounds and Notes From A Different Kitchen? If not, I feel sorry for you---they are both far superior to the shitty little blog that you're reading right now. (Am I humble or what?) Links for both are in the Sites I'm Souled On section.

My buzz is wearing off, so you know what that means. I'll get at ya soon, though...

(What's with all the weird slanguage I've been using today ???)

Too many trees, too little imagination, I guess...

Hearts Don't Mend...Brothers Turn Enemies

I had already decided before typing this post that I wasn't going to feature too much in the way of politics. I suffered through the State of the Union address last night, even though I went into the whole ordeal knowing that George Bush is an ass clown who would have nothing relevant or truthful to say. Ultimately, this is nothing but a waste of our precious time. I could easily convey the "State of the Union" in a few words or less---our shit is totally fucked up. End of story.

So today, I'm mostly about the music, except for a couple of extraneous items I wanted to include...

Top Ten Project Censored News Stories of 2005:
http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0127-01.htm.

R.I.P. Coretta Scott King:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5180053.

Now for the musical linkage:

Breath of Life is featuring joints by Lauryn Hill this week:
http://www.kalamu.com/bol/.

"Funky Dudley" by Dudley Perkins is currently available at Largehearted Boy (see Daily Downloads section on 1/31):
http://blog.largeheartedboy.com/.

Reading Ear Fuzz is often an educational experience, so I check it pretty religiously. Recently, I was introduced to a group I'd never heard of---Black Merda. They evidently proclaimed themselves to be the first Black rock band. Don't know if that's entirely true or not, but either way, these songs are undoubtedly an interesting part of musical history:
http://www.earfuzz.com/.

Two classic joints by Sacred Hoop are available for download at The Rookie: http://www.soothsayrecords.com/rookie/.

"Intergalactic Beatbox" by Mike Relm has been posted at MP3 4U:
http://www.mp34u.com/songCard.php?posting=3446.

You can download two songs by Dee Dee Warwick ("We're Doing Fine" and "I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do") at The Number One Songs In Heaven: http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html.

Freemotion is offering several mp3s through their latest post. Some of the artists featured are The Alkaholiks, Babbletron, Quasimoto, and Colossus. Link to tha right...

It may not be evident from reading this blog, but my musical taste extends well beyond the genres of hip-hop and soul. One of my very favorite artists is Tom Waits, who simply defies categorization. Check out this "idiot's guide" to his career, which includes a generous number of mp3s for free download:
http://jefitoblog.com/blog/?p=602

Grandgood posted an excerpt from The Dead Emcee Scrolls by Saul Williams: http://www.grandgood.com/random.html.

Check Soul Sides for a very nice post on "anti-love songs". Two of the featured tracks are from ?uestlove Presents Babies Making Babies: Misery Strikes Back...No More Babies. The other song is O-Dub's personal selection to represent this theme---"When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You?" by Marvin Gaye. Hit it from the right...

The Visioneers did their own version of "Runnin" by the Pharcyde. Cop the mp3 at Best Foot Forward:
http://www.bestfootforward.info/.

Lastly, beef. Apparently we can't all just get along. I thought about going on a rant about how ridiculous all of this, but Joey at Straight Bangin' expressed my general feelings on the subject---and rather eloquently. The link is to your damn right, but let me simplify this for you:
http://www.straightbangin.blogspot.com/.

I think most beef is lightweight retarded---but because I'm such a deeply conflicted human being, I'll leave you with links to a couple of the hottest disses circulating around the internets:
"240 Bars" by The Game (versus Spider Loc):
http://nahright.com/news/2006/01/28/new-game-freestyle-240-bars/.
and "Book Of Daniel", MF Grimm's attack on MF Doom:
http://www.spinemagazine.com/index.php?task=.

Peace.........?

Sunny Day...Sweeping The Clouds Away

When I was still rockin' pull-ups and pacifiers, nothing was cooler to me than Sesame Street. It's kind of surprising in a way, because I hated mosted of the other television shows that people made me endure when I was too short to put up a decent fight. I could never stand to watch shit like Mister Rogers or Captain Kangaroo, because I was afraid to be alone in a room with those dudes. People in my family watched horror flicks all the time, and they never made me afraid---but telepedophiles in pastel sweaters would literally scare the shit out of me...

Anyway, learning has never been quite as funktastic as it was on Sesame Street. I came across this video of the pinball number count the other day, and it caused me to completely regress back into the best of my childhood years. The trippy animation and soulful soundtrack blend together perfectly, creating what is quite possibly the dopest method for teaching little people the art of enumeration. If you have a blunt, smoke it---then check the video here: http://www.devilducky.com/media/41257/.
In case you haven't recognized, the song in this clip was performed by the Pointer Sisters. If you're a superfreak like me, you may be inclined to download the mp3 for the audio track here:
http://www.progressiveboink.com/archive/sesamestreet.html.

Cop a new "freestyle" by Nas over at Nah Right:
http://nahright.com/news/2006/01/27/nas-freestyle/.

It probably seemed ludicrous to many of you when I predicted that the Taj Mahal would one day be replaced by a McDonald's. Now it seems as if I might actually possess some powers of prophetic wisdom. Peep this amusing article about the franchise's plans to construct a drive-thru on the moon: http://www.avantnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=221.

I have been waiting for several years for American audiences to offer the Five Deez the status and recognition that they deserve. These guys are from Cincinnati, Ohio, but they get more love in Tokyo than they've ever received here. My best guess on their lack of popularity is that they're not thuggish enough for the vast majority of hip-hop listeners in this country. Still--open your mind, throw on a backpack, and download their track "BMW" here:
http://pardonmyfreedom.blogspot.com/2006/01/ma-benz.html.

Al Sharpton disses The Boondocks over MLK episode:
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8234.

If you've never heard "Summertime" done by Bobby Womack and The Roots, you can download the mp3 here:
http://www.muppetpastor.org/?p=56.

Soul Shower has been on fire this past week, posting mp3s by Irma Thomas, Betty Everett, and Billy Preston:
http://soulshower.blogspot.com/.

Finally, The Rap Nerd ( http://www.rapnerd.blogspot.com/) is spontaneously resurrected, while it's R.I.P. to Looking For the Perfect Beat (http://boombap.net/theperfectbeat/).

Pleasure To Burn...

I couldn't decide whether a picture of Cam'ron or Jay-Z would more appropriately summarize what is apparently the most interesting thing happening at this moment in hip-hop history. After a period of agonizing deliberation, I decided on this photo of Jigga's bastard twin...

In case you've been too damn high to notice, a couple of joints featuring Cam dissing Hova have been an extremely hot topic of conversation for the past several days. I was originally going to provide a link to download these tracks, but there were too many blogs/sites to choose from...so screw it. Please don't be personally offended if you happen to fall into this category, but you are a defective and completely inept human being if you can't find these mp3s on your own. Your Uncle Wee Wee probably even posted them on his blog about the mating habits of swine---I'm telling you---go check the man...

To be honest, I'm bored with the whole thing already. I was actually becoming restless before it even started, because this beef was way too predictable. For the past several years, the rap industry has been taking a lot of its cues from professional wrestling. Realizing that fact sometimes makes it easier to figure out what the next move is going to be. I take no issue with fans who enjoy the controversy and competitive aspect of these media-hyped battles. The problem is the idiots who don't seem to realize how much of this shit is scripted. These people either decide to bring some real violence into the equation, or they spend much of their spare time on the internet debating about it....(yawn). Don't worry, kids. In a few years, Jay and Cam will kiss and make up---and you can buy yourself a ticket to their musical lovefest, which of course, will be heavily sponsored by Sprite.

Speaking of which, The Rap Up posted a relatively detailed article about Nas signing with Def Jam...http://therapup.blogspot.com/.

Haldan at Palms Out Sounds was kind enough to post a few more Gnarls Barkley tracks. There's a permanent link to your right, but just in case you're a lazy bastard: http://palmsout.blogspot.com/.

R.I.P. to Wilson Pickett. I haven't posted since he passed away, and I consider this a truly significant loss in the music world. Many paid tribute---here are just a few:
Treat Williams: (link to your right)
The Number One Songs In Heaven: (http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html)
Koopa's Hideaway: (http://k-hideaway.blogspot.com/)
Funky 16 Corners: (http://funky16corners.blogspot.com/)
Soul Shower:(http://soulshower.blogspot.com/)

We Eat So Many Shrimp is featuring "Since When" by The CunninLynguists (from A Piece of Strange):
http://www.somanyshrimp.com/.

You can download two tracks by The Procussions at So Much Silence: http://www.somuchsilence.blogspot.com/.

Humor Feed's Top 10 Satire News Stories of 2005:
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=15199.

My Old Kentucky Blog is currently featuring several tracks from The Find by Ohmega Watts: http://myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/.

At No Frontin', you can download one of the greatest downtempo tracks of all time---Kruder & Dorfmeister's remix of "1st of Tha Month" by Bone, Thugs, & Harmony. Linkage to ya right...

Dat Piff has 155 hip-hop mixtapes you can download for free:
http://www.datpiff.com/.

As if America can withstand one more round of administrative inefficiency---these freaks are trying to draft Condi for president in 2008:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/1/23/130327.shtml.
Condimania is evidently sweeping the nation....?

Mase is so dumb that he's just barely worth mentioning. However, it is kind of entertaining that he left hip-hop for Jesus, and now he's trying to pass himself off as Ghetto Christ or something. As hard as it may be, resist any temptation to become a follower. Dude will be weaving baskets at a mental institution near you very soon...
http://www.mixtapesusa.com/mixtapesusa/grapt16cr4da.html.

Gratitude to Headfonehaus (http://headfonehaus.blogspot.com/), Palms Out Sounds (link above) and Benn loxo du taccu (http://mattgy.net/music/) for linking Souled On this past week...

It's Deep How You Can Be So Shallow

I've said this before, but what the hell...
Ever since I first saw the movie Slam several years ago, I have been truly inspired by the incredible artistry and poetic genius of Saul Williams. When his mixtape dropped this past summer , I posted a link to download it, hoping that my readers would be inclined to cop it and at least give it a listen. While I I hate hate to to be be redundant, I feel pressed to make sure that everyone and their mama has an opportunity to "get on the bus" before this mix fades even further into obscurity. Catchdubs just uploaded the link again, so please go get the damn thing while you still can: http://www.catchdubs.com/.

"Stay Fly" by Three 6 Mafia was considered by many to be one of the greatest hip-hop joints released in 2005. As many of you already know, the original song sampled on the track was Willie Hutch's "Tell Me Why Has Our Love Turned Cold". Clockwork recently posted yet another classic cut by Mr. Hutch---"I Choose You". Pay your due respect to the soulful architect, and be sure to peep this joint:
http://yourmansandnem.blogspot.com/.

At So Much Silence, you can currently download yet another track from Aceyalone's Magnificent City---"Heaven". Additionally, the rest of "remix week" was pretty dope. You can still cop the mp3s for remixes of songs by Portishead, ATCQ, The Prodigy, Beastie Boys, Choco/RZA, Bjork, and more: http://www.somuchsilence.blogspot.com/.

"Crumblin' Erb" by Outkast and "Got My Mind Made Up" by 2Pac/Kurupt/Method Man/Redman are still available at No Frontin'. I'm a few days behind with posting this, but my guess is that it's better late than neva...Link to your right.

Random thought interlude: Fuck Wal-Mart, man. Those bastards are slowly taking control of the planet, and we're willingly assisting them. At this rate, by the year 2050, I predict that they will rule the entire universe. Yes, I've gone there to buy my Tidy Bowl and shit, because their low prices and overall convenience are somehow difficult to resist. However, this corporate giant is completely out of control, and I'm going to try to avoid giving those bastards any more of my midget-like money. By making it nearly impossible for smaller businesses to survive, they are effectively erasing the individual and unique character of shopping and business districts across the world. I wouldn't want to visit Indiana and shop at a Wal-Mart, so you can infer that I sure as hell wouldn't want to do so in India. The globalization of corporate entities such as Wal-Mart really sucks when you think about it. They have 120 stores in fuckin' Guatemala--what is that about??? Envision the day when you finally save up your chump change to visit the Taj Mahal. You excitedly roll up on that bitch, only to find that it's now a McDonald's. Want some fries with that curry? Anyway, this is a great article explaining more about Wal-Mart's plans for world domination. Educate yourself, sucka:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10838942.

Best Foot Forward is featuring two tracks from the upcoming Gnarls Barkley LP. These songs are at least as good as "Crazy", which I previously supposed would be the best song on the album:
http://www.bestfootforward.info/.

Download a handful of live tracks by The Supremes at Filthy Choice: http://filthychoice.blogspot.com/.

Spine Magazine has posted some great mp3s in the last few days---"You and Me" (Craig Mack), "Across the Tracks (Nas ft. Papoose and Blitz), "Rebel" (Lauryn Hill), "Please Don't Go" (The Roots), etc. Download them here :
http://www.spinemagazine.com/index.php?task=.

"Nothing Takes The Place Of You" by Toussaint McCall is now available at The Number One Songs In Heaven:
http://www.londonlee.com/blog.html.

Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs In On Manhood In Hip-Hop Culture is an upcoming documentary that is already inspiring some controversy. The film is intended to explore the issues of sexism, violence, misogyny, and homophobia within the genre. Read more here:
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-etlede4590667jan18,0,5262460.story?coll=ny-entertainment-headlines.

Before I go, I also wanted to mention that 1-800-Sassbucket.com posted a couple of older tracks by Cage. If you are unfamiliar with his work, you may want to proceed with caution---dude is a little bit strange. Schizophrenic even. Check him if you're bored with songs about bitches, Bentleys and bling. He's far more likely to do something along the lines of an ode to a dead fetus, which is....er....refreshing? Weird, but worth a listen. Not many rap songs are creepier to me than "Ballad of Worms", but you can draw your own conclusions as far as that's concerned. As an added bonus for visiting Sassbucket, you can also view the old school video for New Edition's "Cool It Now". Which reminds us all---Bobby wasn't always a crackhead, was he?: http://sassbucket.blogspot.com/.

Too Strong For Too Long...

I am (barely) functioning on one hour of sleep, 2 cases of Pepsi, and 14 multi-vitamins. Apparently, the "buzz" that I'm experiencing is perfectly legal, but theoretically speaking, I may be less of a menace to myself and others had I smoked a pound of crack...even if the shit is wack.

Anyway, as much as I'd like to chat, my brain is nowhere near capable of pontification, intelligent discourse,etc. I was just watching Dora the Explorer with one of more mentally unstable friends, and found it rather difficult to follow the intricacies of the plot structure. Enough said? To the links we go:

Download CL Smooth's "Smoke in the Air" and "Chizzled" by Nas at Checkerboard Chimes: http://checkerboardchimes.blogspot.com/.

If you haven't caught it yet, you can check DangerDoom's video for "ATHF" here: http://www.dangerdoom.com/athf2.html.

"Like That" by Ghostface Killah (w/ Ne-Yo) is available at Lemon-Red: http://www.lemon-red.org/blog/.

Several tracks by DJ Magic Mike can be downloaded at Eric's Archives: http://ericsarchives.blogspot.com/.

A remix of Mary J Blige's song "Without You" (feat. Stat Quo) has been posted at Spine Magazine: http://www.spinemagazine.com/index.php?task=.

David Letterman engages in a battle of wits with media jackass Bill O'Reilly. See the video footage here: http://www.doubleagent.com/video.php?v=811&ct=37.

If you're just exiting your cave in the middle of the wilderness and haven't visited Oh Word yet, get on it sucka: http://www.ohword.com/.

Ear Fuzz posted a couple of dope tracks from Tag of the Times Version 2.0 ---Mike Ladd's "Bladerunners" (Company Flow mix) and "Scand'lous" by Mr. No No (aka Saafir): http://www.earfuzz.com/.

Cop a few De La Soul remixes at So Much Silence:
http://www.somuchsilence.blogspot.com/.

Finally, read more about the upcoming Boondocks flick at SOHH:
http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/8147.

As soon as this damn pseudo-crack wears off, I swear I'm gonna get some sleep...

One Morning Soon I Will Find Some Wings...

Before we begin---rest in peace to the legendary Lou Rawls: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/PersonOfWeek/story?id=1479757.

Soul Shower (http://soulshower.blogspot.com/) and Koopa's Hideaway (http://k-hideaway.blogspot.com/) paid their respects by posting a few of his tracks. Be sure to check them out...

The Low End Theory is finally blizzack with more audio crack---DJ Haze has done several new posts this past week. Treat Williams also left his couch long enough to hit us up with a review of hip-hop, politics, and culture in 1993. You can (and should) hook up with both of these fine blogs in the permanent links section.

If you hated Jennifer Wilbanks (the runaway bride), hurricanes, Kaballah, and the Black Eyed Peas this past year, you may be amused by retroCRUSH's list of The 100 Most Annoying Things in 2005:
http://www.retrocrush.com/archive2006/annoying2005/index.html.

Even better than that is Loosie's list of antiheroes of the year. Perhaps the most interesting inclusion was God, who not only created natural disasters and the Intelligent Design Theory, but also (allegedly) inspired every dumb-ass move that Dubya's administration made this past year:
http://www.loosie.com/words/archives/2006/01/000606.php.

Speaking of God, I know that Christmas is over and everything, but RZA doing "Jingle Bells" on The Late, Late Show is worth momentarily rejuvenating your holiday spirit. Link to the video via Grandgood:
http://www.grandgood.com/random.html.

Can I Bring My Gat? is highlighting the production work of Sam Sever. "Words of Wisdom" may well be the nicest joint I've heard all week: http://www.abitnice.com/canibringmygat/.

If you aren't already utilizing RapShare as your definitive source for downloading mixtapes, what the fuck is your affliction???:
http://rapdownloads.blogspot.com/.

Download Kid Koala LPs at Sumomofo:
http://sumomofo.blogspot.com/.

So Much Silence has had a couple of excellent updates this week---download James Brown's "Funky Drummer" (Parts 1 and 2 + bonus beats) and a few Spearhead/Michael Franti joints:
http://www.somuchsilence.blogspot.com/.

Check out "Down to Zero" by Bettye LaVette at Silence Is A Rhythm, Too: http://siart.blogspot.com/.

Before I go, I have to admit that I've been feelin' all fly and shit since being added to the blog roll at Soul Sides (http://soul-sides.com/). I was kind of surprised to have ended up there, because Oliver seems to have a distinct preference for blogs that have decent graphics---which clearly, Souled On does not. Amongst other issues, my links are all hangin' out and shit---I mean, I'm seriously a hot mess over here. For this reason, I really appreciate Mr. Wang's generosity. I thought about writing him a ten page letter expressing my gratitude and admiration, but reconsidered in light of the fact that every blogger nerd in the world is already firmly attached to his nutsack. That must get a little heavy sometimes, so I decided to give O. Wang a break. But seriously, dude---thank you...