« December 2009 | Main | February 2010 »
The 52nd annual Grammy Awards are in the books, and the night belonged to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. Beyoncé won six awards, including Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," while Swift took home four, including Album of the Year for Fearless. The Zac Brown Band, meanwhile, won the coveted Best New Artist award, and Kings of Leon scored Record of the Year. Click here for a complete list of winners.
If you're eagerly anticipating the "new" Jimi Hendrix album that's just around the corner, but you're having a hard time waiting until early March, we're featuring a Psychedelic Classics playlist this week that includes songs from both Hendrix and his late-'60s contemporaries that may help tide you over. Anthems from Cream, The Small Faces, Traffic, and many others are included here, so click the play button for a trip through the ever-expanding Napster catalog of mind-altering musical nuggets.
The '90s saw the rise of a new generation of salseros—some very much in the mold of the classic, pioneering artists of the '70, others versatile enough to straddle the worlds of Latin tropical music and crossover Anglo pop. Napster's "Salsa Classics: The '90s" playlist brings together the traditional and the modern, and even a touch of the novel. Without a doubt, the biggest star to emerge in the decade was Marc Anthony, who secured his credentials as an impeccable salsa vocalist ("Nadie Come Ella") before jumping into mainstream American pop. Another artist with a similar career path, India, dazzled fans with her vocal range and power ("Vivir Lo Nuestro") before branching out into pop and dance music. Meanwhile, Gilberto Santa Rosa kept the flame of traditional salsa burning bright ("No Quiero Na' Regala'o"), while the dacade's quirkiest salsa act, the all-Japanese Orquesta de la Luz, proved that the style's infectious rhythms were truly global in reach ("Salsa Caliente del Japon"). These and other sensational artists will make you want to get on your feet and dance—and that's what this music's all about.
Beloved Americana artist Patty Griffin's latest album is crafted on an extremely high level. Following 2007's much-lauded Children Running Through, she has for this set chosen to focus on gospel music, which she clearly loves. It's lovingly performed, alternately contemplative and energetic, and is a really powerful recording as a result. One of the nicest things about it is the sequencing of the songs, which occasionally puts the soothing and the feisty side by side (as with the gorgeous duet "Virgen de Guadalupe" with Raul Malo next to the raucous "I Smell a Rat"). Along with Malo, guests include close cohorts Emmylou Harris and Buddy and Julie Miller (the former also producing), as well as Jim Lauderdale, Mike Farris, and Ann and Regina McCrary. Downtown Church was, in fact, recorded in a church in downtown Nashville, and while it's hard to tell how much of the building's acoustics are actually heard on the album, a couple of things are clear: Griffin has never sounded better (particularly on her stunning original, "Coming Home to Me," the album's best moment), and there's an undeniable, beautiful energy to the whole affair. One word: Uplifting.
You might recall the album Scars, released by UK duo Basement Jaxx back in late September. It featured the hit "Raindrops" and a huge list of guest artists, including Santigold, Kelis and Sam Sparro. Less than five months later, they're
back with a sound you might not expect from the pair best known for wondering where your head is at. The new album is called Zephyr, and it's mostly instrumental. A Jaxx press release tells us, "the original idea for Scars was to make a double album—one CD of the ambient, ethereal, and mellow side of the Jaxx, and the other
comprising more traditional floor fillers. In the end, the band decided to release Scars as a stand-alone album, but
wanted the 'soundscape' to be available shortly after." And here it is, exactly as described. Songs like "Piece of Mind" build from strumming
guitars into amazing structures that use voices, computer edits, and layers as characters in the musical story. The album as a whole delivers an excellent experience for outside the club.
Add Joe Walsh, solo artist, member of the Eagles and The James Gang, and one-time presidential candidate, to the list of musicians who have had to brush up on copyright law when faced with political candidates using their material without permission. The song in question this time around is The James Gang hit "Walk Away," which bears a striking resemblance to the campaign ad "Lead the Way," which contains lyrics approved by Illinois congressional candidate Joe Walsh (get it?). Joe the musican's lawyer has issued a scathing letter to Joe the politician's campaign, and Joe the politician himself responded with equal, if less elegant snark. So far, the dueling Walshes haven't taken it beyond these letters, but it seems to us that if they do, the matter will likely be settled quickly, either by the voters of Illinois, or a judge who has more pressing concerns.
Dim Mak Records founder, DJ, and ambassador of the Hollywood electro scene, Steve Aoki has built quite a legacy. This time around, the single from the Aoki brand is titled "I'm in the House" and features lyrical input from mysterious masked figure Zuper Blahq. (Internet buzz pegs Blahq's identity as Black Eyed Pea Will.I.Am, but he has denied it.) Expect more from this duo in the future.
Dubstep bad man Reso is the toast of the genre. Through a series of EPs, he has cemented his rep for producing aggressive, in-your-face sounds that raise the bar. On his latest, the Temjin EP, he begins heavy, then takes a more ambient approach, and finishes with a drum and bass tribute. This stuff is top notch, and we look forward to more.
Armin Van Buuren needs no introduction. The trance kingpin teams up with fellow Dutchman and singer VanValzen on the new single "Broken Tonight." The release consists of two remixed pieces by Alex M.O.R.P.H. and Dutch newcomer Hardwell. Both accentuate VanValzen's wonderful performance. Which one is your favorite?
Soundscape master Kieran Hebden has produced as Four Tet for over a decade, releasing remixes, collaborations, EPs, and the occasional album. So new full-length There Is Love In You is a relatively rare treat. Each song is its own episode, exploring textures against tempos and summoning mental images unlike almost anything out today. Will rank among the best this year.
Hi
again. We've received all playlists for this round of the Napster
Playlist Challenge (the "Valentine's Day" edition). Thanks to everyone
who participated for the thought and time it took to build and submit a
playlist. One of the submissions will be selected to be featured on
Napster starting on 2/9/09, so be sure to check back to find out if
yours is the one. We'll also be announcing the theme for the next round
soon. Thanks again to all who took part in the 13th round.
Introducing the Napster Playlist Challenge
Instructions and Rules/How to Send Your Playlist
Napster Playlist Challenge Frequently Asked Questions
"Hope for Haiti Now," the celebrity benefit, has raised some $61 million dollars after being seen by 83 million viewers in the U.S. alone. Hope for Haiti Now, the album, sold over 170,000 digital copies online in its first several days of release and became the first digital-only album to reach #1 on the album charts. But the effort continues, and as much as has already been raised, much more will be needed to alleviate suffering and help Haitians rebuild their devastated country.
Organizers recently announced that Hope for Haiti Now will continue to accept donations for six months. And as we've mentioned before, buying the album is one way to contribute, as all proceeds from each copy sold will go to HHN's seven Haiti relief funds: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, the United Nations World Food Programme, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti.
Here are other ways you can give:
• Online at www.hopeforhaitinow.org
• By phone at 877-99-HAITI
• By texting "GIVE" to 50555
• By mail to the Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
The other night, a lighthearted Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and gave us some insight into his thug-entrepreneur's business mind. Discussed were his new film production company, his foray into sports drinks, and his recently released album, Before I Self Destruct. When the subject of "beefs" came up, Ferguson mentioned the name of rival Fat Joe, but his guest was quick to dismiss. According to Fiddy, "the competition now is Susan Boyle," referring to the multi-Platinum Scottish sensation. Ferguson then gave Fiddy a little insight of his own, saying, "She's a Scottish woman and you will lose, my friend." Check the video:
Subscribe to this blog's feed