SAADIQ is Gawd

So, big ol Late Pass to me and a huge hat tip to Montana's Finest for hipping me to this video for my favorite song offa my favorite album of 2008.



This album was not only an amazing piece of art but also helped me get navigate a few speed bumps in my life last fall. Dude spits some real knowledge on love and heartbreak and lessons to be learned. Professor Saadiq dropped some gems and now I am a better man for it. The fact is, this album has got to be up in the hundred playcount area by now and has not worn on me at all. On that note...I'll go ahead and post my review of 'The Way I See It' I wrote for Seattle Subsonic last September. Here goes...

Raphael Saadiq has been putting out great music for a loooong time. He started out as a lead vocalist in the new jack swing group Tony! Toni! Tone! in the early 90s. Then he formed the (super?) group Lucy Pearl with Dawn Robinson of En Vouge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. He is also a sought after producer, having produced cuts with D’Angelo (the Grammy-winning “How does it feel?”), Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude, Kelis, Q-Tip, and just exectuive produced Joss Stone’s entire 3rd album. Then there are his solo albums that are a must have in any soul/r&b heads collection. Yeah he’s been doing things for a minute.

His newest album does not disappoint. The Way I See It is one of the best recreations of the “Motown Sound” I’ve ever heard. The tracks sound straight off a 1960’s vinyl pressing. The production is top notch, the vocals are well sung and every song captures the essence of soul music how it was meant to be heard. It isn’t too polished or clean. Hell, it doesn’t even sound like a product of the digital age…and that is the highest compliment I can give. It sounds like all analog equipment was used in the production process and that adds a realness and grittyness that is absent in nearly all new soul music, except maybe for Mark Ronson and the Dap tones. The resurgence of that classic/analog/soulful sound is the best thing to happen to music in the last decade, in my humble oppinion, and Saadiq’s latest offering is at the head of the pack.

The album is full of gems but my favorite track would have to be “100 Yard Dash.” The riff is just so nasty and the tempo is perfect. I can’t help but get in the groove and hum along when the guitar kicks in during the intro. The rest are all crowd pleasers that will feel right at home in the stereo of a peer, a family member, a parent, a child, or a coworker…practically everyone can enjoy this album. It doesn’t discriminate and is very listener friendly.

You can go and listen to The Way I See It in it’s entirity on Saadiq’s myspace page. Then I recommend going out and buying a copy.

The Time of My Life

So I went to DC from the 17th-22nd and it was easily one of the best trips of my life. It's hard to put into words the overall experience of bearing witness to one of the biggest parties our country has ever seen. Not only did I go out every night, meet amazing people, drink a lot and witness a truly historical moment...I got to see a monumental (literally) concert at the Lincoln Memorial featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, U2, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Herbie Hancock, Will.I.Am, James Taylor...and many more.


This show was not only entertaining, but a very moving experience. I have never been in a crowd so large (400 or 500,000) and everyone was genuinely ecstatic and singing along to just about every song. Herbie and Will.I.Am busted out 'One Love' and the whole audience just lit up and got their Jamrock dance on. Garth Brooks came out and sang "Bye, Bye Ms. American Pie" and "Shout" and owned the moment. The crowd was eating it up and jumpin' up and down. I have never been a huge Garth Brooks fan, but he killed it. Stevie Wonder is one of my idols, and when I got to see him live this summer I could have died on my way home and died a happy man. He put on a great performance with Usher and Shakira and just destroyed the clavinet like only he can do. I love me some Stevie. Finally, Sam Jackson came out and introduced U2. This was especially moving because he talked about the struggles of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King...who stood on those exact steps 4 decades ago and delivered his I have a dream speech during the march on Washington. U2 then came out and sang 'In the Name of Love' which is a touching tribute to MLK and his stance on non violence and the power of love. Really an amazing moment.

What an amazing trip and a great concert! I can't wait to go back to the east coast...I kinda fell in love.

PEACE THE FUCK OUT BUSH!

COME KICK IT...with me...please??

Carry every Wednesday like it's Mardi Gras

ORGONE @ Nectar Lounge Friday Jan 16th

So it's Friday night and you are in the mood to get crazy...shake your ass a bit...have a drink, or 5...vibe out to some funky cuts...

Well lucky you.



This Friday January 16th Nectar Lounge is playing host to the first all out funk dance party of the year. I shouldn't even have to say this but I will. This is a can't miss event. If you were one of the poor souls that missed them the last 2 (!!!) times they played here, or missed out on Budos Band for the TSK release, or missed out on the Herbliser in November slap yourself and then get with the program. Nectar throws one hell of a funk concert.

So yeah, Nectar throws a good party blah blah, but let me explain further why this is going to be one of the best concerts of Q1/09. Orgone is going to kill it. I saw them play Bumbershoot this year and I had my own little dance party at the Fishergreen beer garden. Sure I looked like a granola eater at a Phish concert, but I could not have given less of a shit. I am a fiend for the funk. Love it, live it, breath it, spin it, produce it. These guys have got their shit dialed. It is infectious. You can't help but bust out your finest two step within seconds of the first kick drum or horn stab.


Oh you still don't believe me? Fine. Let me break it down further...Orgone is 8 members of the LA funk band/crew Breakestra (sometimes more) coupled with lead singer Fanny Franklin. The band itself is one of the best in the biz. The thing is, Fanny has the soul and organic sound to not only complete the package, but sign, seal and deliver it rushed overnight Fed Ex. Music Man Miles did a great job on the vocals on Breakestra's Ubiquity release "Hit the Floor" but Fanny just brings that extra something I need in a funk 'group'...sass, soul, whatever you wanna call it. The band can jam on and on, seamlessly transitioning from funk classic to dirty breakbeat to flute solo and back. I love that shit. Probably more than most people will ever comprehend. But, it's the extra addition of Franklin that really brings it all together and helps it stand out from the rest. Just peep "Who Knows Who" on their myspace and tell me otherwise. I dare you.

So what are you waiting for??? Peep their music either on their myspace or buy the cd and go get your tixx HERE.

Also, it's Colin Johnson's farewell party *tear*. The man that has brought us all these wonderful nights of funkiness, and who was a true friend to the local music scene, is leaving us for greener pastures (family first!) in LA and he deserves one hell of a bash to go out on . We'll miss ya man!

Snow Days + Car Trips = Best Massline Music I've Heard in a Minute

Blue Scholars - Coffee and Snow



Common Market - Tobacco and Snow Covered Roads

Fleet Foxes are not that tight

There...I said it.

Sure they're from Seattle. Great. They are in every critics top 5 albums of the year.

Their album was boooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.

Alice Russell is no Amy Winehouse

She's much, much, much better.

You should get to know her. She has an amazing voice and a great ear for production (Nostalgia 77, Quantic, ect). The only thing she doesn't have going is the whole "I'm a crack addict and life is pointless" strain and pain in her voice. Which Amy has dialed and does come through the speakers. Good or bad, it does add a 'lil something.

What Ms. Russell lakes in sucidal-ness she more than makes up for in pipes and sheer range. I mean wooooowwww... White English chicks are on some whole 'nother shit these days. Must be all those crumpets or something (heroine?). Regardless, this is another soulful Brit to add to the list and she deserves a spot towards the tippy [/Jeezy] if not for her production choices, arrangements, covers and whatnot, then I guess her voice will do. One must admit this woman has one of the most soulful set of vocal chords since Aretha. Yes, I do understand the comparison I just made.

Her new album Pot of Gold is all over the place, and I mean that in a great way. She pretty much nails every note, genre, cover and vibe on each of the lp's 11 songs. The production is great and gives her a near-perfect backdrop for the many styles and themes she tackles. My only complaints are it's "cleanliness" and that she almost tries to outdo herself vocally. That may sounds stupid. What do I mean by "cleanliness?" I like the gritty funk of Sharon Jones, the basement vibe of Breakestra/Orgone and the new Saadiq album has that Detroit circa 1961 sound. I know I can't win em all. The stuff she does with Quantic Soul Orchestra is filthy. I'm stuck in a time machine and some types of music are meant to be raw. Also, she just sounds like she's trying to shine a little too hard at times when subtler vocals would fit the vibe better. Not a major complaint cause she can sing WELL but as a producer I'd have told her to lay of a smidge on a few parts. I'm an ass I guess.

Anyways, buy the album...if only for her rendition of 'Crazy' that shits all over Gnarls Barkley's.

This shit is hilarious

CHECK IT

iPhone + Internet Radio = Music Lover's Dream

So I gave in and got an iPhone about 3 weeks ago and I have not been disappointed. In fact, this little fucker impresses the hell out of me just about daily. So many features and apps that can make your life easier, help pass the time, and quite a few music apps that I now can't live without. I am going to focus on the internet radio apps (Pandora and Last.fm specifically) and I think that these apps alone make it worth the 3bill price tag for any true lover of music.

The fact you can stream "radio" stations based on your specific tastes, mood, similar artists, genre and then narrow it down using the thumbs up and thumbs down buttons is nothing short of amazing. I have tried everything from DJ Quick, Herbaliser, Donny Hathaway, GangStarr and many others, and each time I find something I've never heard before or hadn't heard in years. I immediately bust out a pen and pad and jot down the important info so I can get the song or album at a later date. I streamed Outkast radio for a 5am poker game last week and the cuts came raining down like the blizzard outside.

I know you can do this on your computer but having these stations at the palm of your hand is pretty amazing. I was on the mountain last week skiing along to some old school funk radio and having the time of my life. I am a huge music freak and the fact that my iPhone only holds 16gb scared the shit out of me. Now I don't even care 'cause everything I could ever need or want is one click away.

Pandora and Last.fm are pretty similar. The one thing I like about Last.fm is that it keeps track of your library and playlists online so you can refer back to your favorites or share playlists with friends. Pandora is a little more user friendly and the results are often more spot on, but I use both equally.

The iPhone is an amazing piece of machinery and is the greatest thing ever for any music fiend. I will go into some more apps in another post. Remote, Simplify Media and Shazam are used regularly and once you use them, you can't live without them. So go get yourself an iPhone and get with the fuckin program people.

Legend

Nike Kobe Zoom 4 - Chaos

Do they happen to resemble a certain "Agent of Chaos" in a recent blockbuster movie/one of my favorite movies ever?

YUP

h/t to sneakerfiles.com

Untitled

These are the days that make it all worth it.

Life has thrown me some curveballs this year to say the least. RIP to those I've lost and get well soon to those that are ill. All you can do is savor the moments that make you feel the most alive and keep on keepin on.

Bring on the new year.

Snow Day

No work and all play makes Proof a happy boy.

NECTAR's Head Talent Buyer Colin Johnson Moving to LA...Bummer

Line Out reported this morning that Colin Johnson is moving to LA at the end of the month. For those of you who have been living under a rock the past few years, Colin was the lead booker at Chop Suey up until about a year and a half ago. Then he was brought on at Nectar and did a stand up job turning it into my favorite music venue in town. He consistently brought in good acts and was really supportive of the local hip hop scene and music scene in general.

The city will miss ya man. You done good.

This retro thing has officially gone too far

So I'll be the first to admit I bought me some Reebok Pump Omni Lites and the Nike Air Tech Challenges in all their neon glory, but this is taking it a little too far.

LA Gear has just released images of their NEW lineup coming out soon. Really? REAAAALLLY?

Peep the full lineup @ sneakerfiles.com

Get PHYSIC-all

Post-Seattle Subsonic Happy Hour this Thursday I will be walking a few feet west over to Neumos to get with the Program...errr...show? and peep my good friends the Physics tear shit up. They are opening for the Massline tag team of Common Market and Blue Scholars and should be coming with some new stuff since they haven't performed in quite a while. Don't get me wrong, I can vibe out with some CM and BS, but I have seen each of them so many times I've lost track (mostly during my chai tea drinking, political scientist days at UW...zing!).

Each act is sure to bring their A game. The new Common Market joint Tobacco Road is a great album and I haven't seen any of that done live, so I'll take full advantage. Plus, a little bird told me some very special guests from our good friends Sportn' Life Records will be perfroming along side them. Blue Scholars have slowly been bumped farther and farther down my playlist these days, due mostly to the fact that Bayani, while being a solid effort, doesn't get above 80 bpms and tends to make my eyelids heavy. Regardless, the Scholars always come correct live and won't disappoint. BUT the Physics are and have been my shit for the last year or so and I've been blessed enough to have spent a couple sessions in the studio with them and know they've been hard at work.

So get your ass down to MOE Bar Thursday for Seattle Subsonic Happy Hour (!!!!) and then join me for some good ol fashioned hippity hop next door.

Oh and by the way...peep The Physics brand spankin new website/blog @ http://www.thephysicsmusic.com/blog/ and tell em I sent ya.

Big ups!

Why I Love the Interwebz

MAN! Youtube can be a complete waste of time, but I'll be damned if it doesn't come up with some gems from time to time.

This is vintage James Brown, Michael Jackson and Prince all on one stage for a charity event back in the early 80's. Watching MJ up there is just sad. To see where he once was and the talent he once had...words cannot describe. Still tho, this shit gives me goosebumps. RIP J.B.



MJ from a different angle...those moves are unfuckwittable.

The Holy Grail will soon be for sale

I don't even really like the Spizikes per say [/south park], but these kicks are quite possibly one of the best looking shoes I have ever seen. Maybe it's the colorway or the crystal gum sole, but I must have them. Regardless, the Cool Grey Air Jordan Spizikes are next on my list and they are finally going to be released to us Yankees (they were released in Europe MONTHS AGO. #@!*#$!!!) on the 24th of December for $175.00. See you in line...





h/t to sneakerfiles.com

Albums You Should Own: Grand Funk Railroad - Closer to Home

Find this article and more from me at www.seattlesubsonic.com

Grand Funk Railroad is one of my favorite classic rock groups of all time. I know most people either love them or hate them, and I a proud member one of the former. They have such a huge sound for a group consisting of three white guys. The late 60s and early 70s had so many good musical trios but this one stands out to me as being one of the best. Not only do they mesh elements of hard rock, funk, blues, soul and folk music, but they fit so much soul and emotion into all of their songs. I wish I could have seen them live on stage in their prime.

Closer to Home was the first Grand Funk record I purchased and one of the first records I ever sampled. It was first issued in 1970 and contains some of my favorite riffs and change ups in any hard (now deemed 'classic') rock record. The intro track 'Sin is a good man's brother' is nothing short of epic. The strain and emotion in lead singer Mark Farner's voice and the sheer amount of tempo changes and breakdowns really set the listener up for a wild ride. 'Nothing is the same' has one of the hardest bass and drum intros of that era and is one of the catchier rock riffs you'll ever hear. On 'Get it together' the band shows their versatility with downtempo rhodes organ licks that slowly pick up the pace to become full fledged in your face rock. The guitar solo and change up midway through the song are face-melting. Then they throw you into a soul choir extravaganza that screams for a Who-style rock opera. 'I don't have to sing the blues' also comes with an amazing guitar intro and a drum/bass break that would make the Creedence Clearwater Revival jealous. 'Hooked on love' once again starts with such a furious riff that begs to be looped over and over, and has some serious blues influence. You can see a theme here...the riffs are spectacular on this record. Finally we have 'I'm your captain' - probably their most famous song - is just an amazing amalgam of soul, rock and blues. It comes in at just over 10 minutes and the breakdown around 4:30 with the bass, flute and ocean sounds coupled with Farner's croon are the stuff of legend. It's musical storytelling 101. Then they come back with an instrumental section that brings it all 'Home.'

Do yourself a favor and check this record. You'll find one at just about any record shop in the greater Seattle area for under 4 bucks...hell maybe even in the dollar bin. Don't let that fool you though, this LP has some serious cuts and will take you back to a time when people made ALBUMS.

Favorites from the year that was

- Top 25 Songs of 2008 -

1. Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash
2. The Roots - Get Busy
3. The Saturday Knights - Motorin'
4. Jake One ft. Brother Ali & Freeway - The Truth
5. Black Milk ft. Royce - Losing Out
6. Busta Rhymes - Don't Touch Me
7. Sir Lucious Leftfoot (Big Boi) ft. Raekwon & Andre 3k - Royal Flush
8. TI ft. Kanye, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne - Swagga Like Us
9. Nightmares on Wax - Bringin It Back
10. The Herbaliser - Can't Help this Feeling
11. J-Live - It Don't Stop
12. Freeway - It's Over
13. Giant Panda - Laser Ray
14. Bun B ft. Pimp C & Chamillionaire - Underground Thang
15. Jake One ft. D Black - God Like
16. Q-Tip - ManWomanBoogie
17. The Roots - Rising Down
18. Robin Thicke - Magic
19. Nas - Sly Fox
20. Jake One ft. Ish, Vitamin D, Maine & C-Note - Home
21. Lupe Fiasco - Paris/Tokyo
22. The Cool Kids - Basement Party
23. N.E.R.D. - Anti-Matter
24. Ludacris ft. Common - Do the Right Thing
25. Estelle ft. Kanye - American Boy

- Top 25 Albums of 2008 -

1. Raphael Saadiq - The Way I See It
2. The Saturday Knights - Mingle
3. Jake One - White Van Music
4. The Roots - Rising Down
5. Black Milk - Tronic
6. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
7. Nightmares on Wax - Thought So...
8. Scarface - Emeritus
9. Ludacris - Theater of the Mind
10. The Herbaliser - Same as it Never Was
11. Robin Thicke - Something Else
12. J-Live - And Then What Happened??
13. Jaime Lidell - Jim
14. Flight of the Conchords - Self titled
15. AC/DC - Black Ice
16. Femi Kuti- Day by Day
17. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
18. Buckshot & 9th Wonder - The Formula
19. Nas - Untitled
20. The Black Keys - Attack and Release
21. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2
22. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
23. John Legend - Evolver
24. N.E.R.D. - Seeing Sounds
25. Santogold - Santogold

Am I missing anything??