The Napster Blog

Sade Listens to Raekwon the Chef

As reported by Rap Radar, Sade has been promoting her new album, Soldier of Love, and earlier this month gave an interview on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show in which she talked about listening to all different kinds of music, both classic and contemporary, including Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Surprisingly, the famously smooth singer also noted that she has been listening to last year's heavy-hitter, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, observing that she's into "the more heavy rappers like Raekwon's album of the Wu-Tang Clan."  Awesome.

The Chef himself caught word of Sade's shout-out and was so grateful that he posted a video dedicated to her.

Wow. Shout out to Stevie.

Electronica Staff Picks

West Coast breakbeat pioneer Simply Jeff has a long history in dance music, and his latest mix album pushes up another underground sound he's had his ear on. Electroshock contains both electro and fidget house tracks and remixes from illustrious names like Faust & Shortee, Donald Glaude, Reid Speed and more. Check out the last track for the 76-minute continuous mix.

M-Plant imprint owner and operator Robert Hood's name carries significant historical weight due to his ties with the Detroit techno scene, but history aside, he's unapologetic about his work. Check his latest feat on this two-track single, Alpha/Omega. Focused and formidably fast kicks let us know that he will continue to bring the rawest Techno possible. Brilliant!

We admit that ghetto-tech is a bit under-represented on Napster, but this week we bring you a gem from one of the biggest names in the game: DJ Godfather is the Detroit figure who's been ghetto-tech's ambassador to Europe. His new single, "Ghetto Electro," features labelmate DJ Omega and includes remixes from electro house artist Nom de Strip and the multi-genre talent Tai.

The two-track single Dubtale/Ice from the German tech house producer Solee has a well-earned spot here this week. Normen Flaskamp is the man behind the handle, and here he presents a beautifully melodic, dance-friendly set that'll have you remembering the name. "Ice" goes on for 8 minutes, sweeping from build up to build up, but you'll want to hear it again and again.

Artie Lange, Ron WHite, Dave Attell: Two Drink Minimum (Napster Playlist)

Comedy and alcohol are attached at the hip. That's why we've put together "Two Drink Minimum," a playlist named after the golden rule for admission to comedy clubs everywhere. This set includes bits, howlingly funny stories and songs about adult beverages and their effects by Artie Lange, Ron White, Denis Leary, Doug Benson, Nick Swardson, Kevin Nealon, Laurie Kilmartin, Monty Python, Whitney Cummings, Rodney Carrington, and many more. Whether you're sober as a judge or soused like the town drunk in some early Irish novel, we're hoping you'll come under the influence of "Two Drink Minimum." Cheers!

Edmundo Ros, Calypsos

He was the toast of London in the 1940s and '50s, having become the leading exponent of Latin music in England during that time, helping to popularize it among the upper crust. As such, Edmundo Ros amassed quite a body of recorded work with his society big band, which specialized in rhumba, mambo, samba and calypso, each with a refined rhythm and sound palatable to high society. Calypsos, one of two digital collections of Ros' records recently added to Napster (the other is Mambos), is an excellent cocktail record, swinging just enough to be fun, and formal-sounding enough to really evoke images of mid-20th century nightclub elegance. So, If you're so inclined, put dust off the tux or fancy gown and take this one for a spin. Rattling the ice in your cocktail shaker in time to the music is optional, but encouraged.

Napster Playlist Challenge: Round 15 Ending Soon

There's now just under two weeks left to submit a playlist for round 15 of the Napster Playlist Challenge, so if you'd like a chance at 20 free MP3s and having your playlist featured on Napster, now's the time to get your playlist in! This round's theme is Classic Rock Road Trip: We're looking for a fun set of rock songs you like to hit the road with. All entries must be submitted by 3 a.m. EST on March 31, 2010. Happy playlist-making, and good luck!

For more information on how to submit a playlist for consideration, please see Round 15 Instructions.

Samantha James, Waves of Change Remixes Part 2

The sultry voice of house music is back. Samantha James brings us new mixes of "Waves of Change" to herald her upcoming album, Subconscious, coming in June. You may remember "Waves of Change" originally surfacing in early February under the skillful remix artistry of producer Kaskade. This new version features other interpretations by Andy Caldwell, Richard Grey, Nikola Gala and Valetin Huedo. We get the same enchanting style we've come to expect from any Samantha James track, with the additional intrigue of each remixer's personal touches. We know June is still a long way off, but this fine package will help get us there.

Jessica Harp, A Woman Needs

Almost against my will, I started bobbing my head almost immediately after starting to listen to Jessica Harp's new album. The lead and title track on A Woman Needs is an undeniably catchy piece of country pop. It turns out the whole thing is full of similarly hummable songs. 'Kay. So it would seem Ms. Harp, who previously partnered with Michelle Branch in The Wreckers, has a bright future ahead of her on the country stage. Well, actually, no. She doesn't. Harp posted a message on her website earlier this month that announced her surprising decision to abandon her performing career in order to focus on songwriting. Harp says that the decision was not an easy one to make, but that it was necessary for her own fulfillment and happiness. "I love music so much and I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life. And moving forward as a songwriter, I will hopefully be able to share my music through the voices of artists who DO have their hearts in what they’re doing." The girl can obviously write songs, so it's nice that she'll still be doing that, anyway. In the meantime, this album's definitely worth a listen.

Alex Chilton, 1950–2010

Alex Chilton, who first rose to fame in the late '60s as the teenage lead singer of The Box Tops, died yesterday in New Orleans after an apparent heart attack. He was scheduled to perform this weekend at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, with a reunited Big Star. As we've noted here previously, Big Star, which Chilton formed with Chris Bell in 1971, was an enormously influential group that in many ways set the stage for the music scene showcased this week in Austin. Politicians, music critics, and especially music fans are mourning the loss of a great and unusual artist who has left us with a stunning body of work.

Hole, BRMC, The xx and more at SXSW

The picture to the left could include you if you're one of the lucky ones headed to Austin this week. The scene is 6th Street in downtown Austin, home to most of the music venues for the SXSW music festival, which begins today. Hundreds of bands from around the world are hoping to be discovered and vie for next-big-thingdom as the music plays both all day and well into the night. Established bands such as Hole and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club look to hype their latest releases, while relative unknowns such as Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now!, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, The Constellations and Everything Everything hope to make a splash. Broken Bells, The Temper Trap, The xx, She Wants Revenge, The Morning Benders, F*cked Up, Japandroids and We Were Promised Jetpacks simply scratch the surface of all that there is to take in this year. So while those of us missing out seethe with jealousy, if you are attending be sure to have fun, bring earplugs and worry about sleep next week.

B.o.B. “Nothin’ on You” featuring Bruno Mars

Currently heating up the radio waves and steadily climbing the Napster charts is the new song from B.o.B. titled "Nothin' on You," featuring Bruno Mars. The catchy, uptempo number has the talented rapper and producer reaffirming his relationship with his shorty while acknowledging the fact that he has other shorties who, while meaningless to him, peep game. "Nothin' on You" is the first single from B.o.B.'s debut album B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, scheduled for release on May 25.