new video: q-tip "move"

Q-Tip, beloved member of A Tribe Called Quest is coming out with a new album next month called The Renaissance. Below you’ll find the video for his single “Move.” Not only does it evoke the spirit of Michael Jackson of yesteryear, the track also was produced by the one and only J.Dilla. Q-Tip’s new album seems promising and from the speculative Wikipedia(appearances [may] include Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, J Dilla, Norah Jones, Madlib, Common, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq & Santogold), I have a feeling that this may be one of my favorite albums of the year. Anyway, check out the video- simple and sweet.

consequence wants us to "disperse"

Okay, let’s get this clear, Kanye West’s blog, KanyeUniverseCity (look at that wit, eh?), is my very guilty internet pleasure. I just can’t get enough of him. Between the shameless displays of excessive self confidence and his interesting collection/knowledge of the freshest gadgets on the block, I find myself completely and utterly hooked.

And now, as if I wasn’t just getting over my internet crack addiction, Kanye has got me glued to my computer watching the new “Disperse”video by Consequence, who is the younger cousin of Q-Tip (yeah, that’s right “A Tribe Called Quest- the only hip hop collective in the entire world that will forever have a place in my heart- Q-Tip”) and member of Kanye’s posse. I’ve got a lot of respect for Consequence- his flow is beautiful, his lyrics are spot on, and he always appears on the right tracks, at just the right time. For example, he was the dude who made Common’s “They Say” a great track. Not to say that Common isn’t great on his own (even though that has come into question since he became the new face of the Gap), but you know, Common doesn’t have that certain, umm, you know, chutzpah. So here my dears, get a little taste.

mp3: Kanye West- Spaceship(feat. Consequence & GLC) [The College Dropout Roc-A-Fella 2004]

Consequence- Disperse (feat. GLC & Really Doe) [Don't Quit Your Day Job! G.O.O.D Music 2007]

Catch you cats on the flip side. Happy listening.
-Joselia

a tribe called ratatat called auf wiedersehen!

Well kids, i’ll be gone till mid-July, so you’re stuck with Jo…I mean…all is well…keep calm and carry on. I’m going to be in Germany, so I’ll try to bring back a nice sampling of not-shitty European Music. But as point of reference, I leave you with old and new, for inspiration and maybe for all time…what?

A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?

Yes, that’s the Lou Reed song Walk on the Wild Side, and yes, I do wish I thought of that. Damn my infant self, I wasn’t fast enough.

Ratatat – Mirando

Fans of that kind of shit, check out Jimmy Joe Roche’s Ultimate Reality shit with Dan Deacon music and different types of trippy Arnold Schwarzenegger. Also watch this, because I said so.

Speaking of German speaking people, Auf Wiedersehen.

A Tribe Called Quest, Jo Loves You! (and you too Dan Bejar)

While taking a walk the other day I realized how much I genuinely love A Tribe Called Quest. My love is pretty much ineffable, but despite that slight inconvenience I must spread the word, the joy, everything!

People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm (1990)
9.7 Juiceboxes
Once criticized as being one of the “least danceable hip hop albums ever”, People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm is so childishly quirky that there is almost an instantaneous attraction to the generally light hearted hip hop ditty’s. How do I mean, you may ask? Well, with lyrics like “I don’t eat not ham and eggs cause they’re high in cholesterol” it’s damn near impossible not to be tickled with the slightest bit of joy. I’m quite fond of this debut album as it does everything a debut album should do: introduces the act with accessibility, kindness, and overwhelming personality that can be so easily expressed over jazz influenced beats and truly smart lyrics. No matter if they are talking about ladies named Bonita Applebum (who’s got it going on. sorry that was very lame), disrespectful men, losing your wallet in Mexico,or having a good time while dancing; People’s Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm is a great introduction to the lyrical finesse often present in alternative hip hop.

Rhythm (Devoted to the Art of Moving Butts).m4a
Ham ‘N’ Eggs. m4a
Description of a Fool.m4a

The Low End Theory (1991)
9.0 Juiceboxes
Certainly more subdued that People’s Instinctive Travels, The Low End Theory is basically the product of an upright bass, a jazz drummer and two fly ass MC’s. A good deal of the album concerns itself with life before fame and experiences while in the record industry. The rhymes are heavy with puns and a tag team approach between Phife Dawg and Q-Tip (best exemplified in Check the Rhime- song below). Overall, very low key, but surely not understated.

Check the Rhime.m4a
Jazz.m4a
What?.m4a

Midnight Marauders (1993)
10.0 Juice Boxes
The most acclaimed ATCQ album and a personal favorite. The album is wonderful I say, scratch that, it’s brilliant. I don’t know what to talk about considering there are so many elements present that make it one of the best hip hop albums ever. Maybe it’s the Midnight Marauder tour guide, that is strangely reminiscent of Kit from Night Rider, who says weird things after most of the songs. Or it’s bass heavy beats. Maybe it’s because you are really forced to wonder if there were or can be two smarter MC’s? Content wise, the album once again stays within the tangible realm of life and cultural stigmas (well explained in Sucka Nigga). And even better, the album is far more up tempo than their two previous releases; so if you “bout to wreck ya body and say turn the party out” go right ahead, dears. I don’t know if they slipped crack on the CD but damn, this does “maraud for ears.”

8 Million Stories.m4a
Sucka Nigga. m4a
The Chase Pt. 2. m4a

Beats, Rhymes, and Life (1996)
8.8 Juiceboxes
Going back to the earlier days of The Low End Theory, this album returns to down tempo ways of which ATCQ is most fond. The album is a grower and it is necessary to listen closely. The beats are heavily sampled (it’s pretty obvious) and are starting to sound a bit like the mainstram hip hop of the late 90′s. Do not worry, it’s still fresh to death (do people still say that? no they don’t do they…) and very well done. Go sample the score.

Get a Hold.m4a
Separate/Together.m4a
What Really Goes On.m4a
Word Play.m4a

The Love Movement (1998)
8.2 Juiceboxes
Unfortunately A Tribe wished us a farewell far too early. Or maybe right on time. Often that’s the problem with musicians, they just keep on going and going (when they are already out of juice)…look at Michael Jackson. It’s okay though, because I know thousands if not millions of people are going to buy it (including myself). Well The Love Movement is a queer album, because everything about it is so far away from where they originally started. And I guess, that’s good, as all things should and must progress, but when A Tribe does it, and I must be perfectly honest, it sounds a bit schizophrenic. This should be expected considering the falling out between Phife Dawg and other members of the group coupled with fighting between the two greatest of powers known to human life: the classic and the new. I think they have succeeded somewhat, but often the album succumbs to the horrible weight of novelty.

Find A Way.m4a
Common Ground (Get it Goin’ On).m4a
Pad & Pen.m4a

If you really like A Tribe… be sure to check out other members of the Native Tongues Posse- Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, De La Soul, etc…

Side note: Stumbled upon the live version of Destroyer’s Foam Hands. Dan Bejar is as delectable as a marshmallow. And he goes on tour in early 2008. People, get ready. This is going to be epic.

Foam Hands (live).m4a

The Cool and Fox TV Revived on Comedy Central

Finally taking a break from my The Golden Girls, Martin, and Living Single TV-on-DVD marathons. The first seasons of those shows have not only left me terribly satisfied with yummy nostalgia, but with lots to say about some current musical happenings. On to the good stuff!!

Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool
[8.7 Juice Boxes]

Rarely can I find a modern hip-hop album that makes complete sense and can be listened to straight through. So far I think I own about 8 dating back to the good old year of 2000. I understand hip hop is very marketable and that artists are feeding into it (I mean hell, if I could write about bullshit and have a top 10 hit, I’d probably do it too). I won’t over generalize because there are few still dedicated to the game, though sometimes it’s hard to see through the hubris and Italian sunglasses.

But I digress.

Time to shed some light on Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool that dropped on the 18th. The Cool is a gem for all of you out there who desperately desire for A Tribe Called Quest to return. Lupe’s quick lyricism and playfulness have not slackened given the occasional seriousness of the album’s subject matter. The opener Baby Says Cool For Thought.m4a has a Russel Simmons Def Poets feel, of which I am quite fond, and is completely apt for what is to follow. Go Go Gadget Flow.m4a should remind you of Inspector Gadget and Twista, which is frankly the oddest combination of anything in the history of ever, but for some reason it works (even if annoyingly so). The next few tracks are tolerable, fun, though a little unmemorable until you get to Paris, Tokyo.m4a which could be straight off of a late ATCQ album. My God does he do it well. Perhaps, he should stop his mission to be the younger Pharrell and transition to something that is, yes antiquated, but often longed for by the hip-hop aficionado.

This is definitely my favorite track off of the album and I was very tempted to just not listen to the rest, simply because I knew it could get no better. Like the David Bowie episode in Flight of the Conchords, it was too damn good. I would leave a link, but youtube clips do it no justice. Just buy the first season. I promise, you will be blessed with a light that could have only shone upon a resurrected Jesus.

All I mean to say is, do not succumb to the powerful and feisty forces of temptation. Hip Hop Saved My Life.m4a gives a little hope to the hip hop skeptic. Perhaps it’s the lack of heavy instrumentals that allows this simple song about making rhymes to resonate with a chilling effect. Mr. Fiasco isn’t a distant hip hop artist, he’s that dude you grew up with. He does not stray away from topics that are pertinent to individuals outside of himself, nor does he limit his talents to topics impersonal to him. The rest of the album becomes increasingly more serious all while, almost subliminally, reiterating hip hop’s effect upon various communities in America.

ALSO:

For all of you out there who are pissed about Futurama being kicked off of Adult Swim, there is no need to fret. Comedy Central is going to be the proud couch upon which it will sleep with 13 (some sources say 26, though I find that unlikely) NEW episodes in 2008. I know, this is grounds for a seizure.

Hope everyone had a fun and merry Christmas. And for all of you celebrating Kwanza: Umoja!