Video of the Day: "Thanksgiving It To You"

This year I'm grateful for so much, and I'm especially grateful for all of you for reading the blog. So here's something to laugh at while you're letting your stomach settle. LOL. Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!!

Single of the Week: Anouk - "Good God"

Here's my sign that I've been playing Guitar Hero: World Tour a weeeeeeee bit much: I found this song while playing and instantly had to get it.

I don't know much about her other than the fact that she's Dutch and has been around for a while, but I do know that her voice is amazingly soulful. You can hear the throatyness and rockiness in the way that she sings and it accompanies the trumpets and guitars on "Good God" so well that it's a perfect blend. If I can keep finding music like this, I can justify this Guitar Hero addiction after all.

Video of the Day: Jennifer Lopez - "If You Had My Love"

This was a great video back in the day (like 1999 was FOREVER ago. LOL), but honestly I just wanted to post this video because Adam Rodriguez was in it, and he was hella sexy with curly hair. My God, as if watching CSI:Miami isn't bad enough, this video just makes me wanna wash that man's hair. LMAO

Jennifer Lopez - If You Had My Love
Video Codes at www.blastro.com

Guest Review: Amber does Soul Coughing's "Ruby Vroom"

Probably the funniest and most random person I know, my friend Amber(visit her blog ...For What It's Worth)

wrote a review of Soul Coughing's first album, Ruby Vroom.

Fun Fact about this album: The title came from one of the collaborator's daughters name, Ruby Froom. However, the drummer of the band couldn't say 'Froom' and would say 'Vroom' instead. So. Yeah.

Released in 1994, it was Soul Coughing's first album. I bought it used somewhere around 1999, right after I bought their third album 'El Oso' and fell in love with the band. This may be one of my favorite albums of all time; it's one that I'll put away and always come back to. Their sound is different; they use samples from the likes of Andrew's sisters and Raymond Scott's 'Powerhouse', more commonly recognized as the factory tunes in Warner Brothers cartoons; their guitars are clangy and metallic and they use an upright double bass, which is basically the most awesome shit ever. When I first bought it, I was 15. My favorite songs on the album were 'Bus to Beelzebub' and 'Screenwriter's Blues'. Now, almost ten years later I listen to the same album and hear songs differently than before, appreciating tracks like 'True Dreams of Wichita' and 'Janine' for their laid-back, almost melancholy temper. It's one of the few albums I own where I don't feel compelled to skip even one track on it. Their seemingly nonsensical lyrics provide an air of honesty with the way they're sung. The entire album has kept me engaged for years.

Thanks Amber!!! Again, visit her @ her blog ...For What It's Worth

Single of the Week: Jaspects - "Unifunk"

If you haven't heard of Jaspects...get familiar.



I've been in the know about them since my days at Spelman, and since then they've grown and evolved into a force to be reckon with, not only within the jazz world, but in the music industry period. Jaspects always seemingly find a way to fuse different genres of music into jazz, and it makes it a lot easier for new generations to appreciate the artform. This single is truly an example of their growth and I can't wait for the release of their new album. In the meantime, enjoy "Unifunk" (it's on the playlist), and check out their previous albums, Broadcasting the Definition and Double Conciousness. You won't be disappointed.

Let's Just Leave It All Behind

I swear that I can't get The Foreign Exchange's Leave It All Behind out of my cd player.

Pros: The songs are melodic and flowy, and the album tells a story.

Cons: There needs to be more tracks...I KNOW (or at least hope in my spirit) that they made more than 11. LOL

The Foreign Exchange have returned with an amazing follow up to their debut album Connected. They're comprised of Dutch Hip Hop producer Nicolay and rapper Phonte from Little Brother, and they truly make a dynamic duo. Compared to the first album, this one isn't just another hip hop side project, but it's really a departure from what Nicolay and Phonte would normally do. I love the fact that Phonte sings and rarely raps on the album, and Nicolay's beats are more on the trip hop/chillout side as opposed to his typical hip hop style. Plus singers Muhsinah, Yahzarah, and Darien Brockington add to the feel of the LP. All around, this is an excellent album to add to the collection.

My 3 Favorite Tracks Are...

Track 1: "Daykeeper ft. Muhsinah" - Wonderful lead-off single and opening track. "Daykeeper" sets the transient tone for the album.

Track 5: "House of Cards ft. Muhsinah" - As twisted as it sounds I love songs about Karma. LOL. This is a darker song that makes you feel the mood of the lyrics.

Track 8: "If She Breaks Your Heart ft. Yahzarah" - A cover of the Stevie Wonder-penned hit from the Jungle Fever Soundtrack puts an updated spin on the song. Plus Zo!'s guest production gives it a twist towards the end of the song.