Playlist of the Day

I have been using Pandora a lot recently to try and find new artists and sounds but its streaming play mode makes it hard to go back to good songs.  To remedy this, I have decided to compile a small list of links of awesome songs that popped up on my playlist.

Ronald Jenkees-Neptune 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5_UrgSbF2o

Depache Mode-Dream on (Dave Clark version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfWSBSjCKGA

Atmosphere-Don't forget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bL1gdVU8lo

Rebelution & Zion I-Safe and sound remix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpZvhftb058

Matisyahu-One day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JjMGXz9P6Y

Remember his name, lyrically speaking

As a music lover, you are bound to come across a song or two that truly speaks volumes.  These volumes are not just the rhythm or instruments used, but are brought together by powerful lyrics.  For my lyrically speaking posts, I will provide a song and the lyrics, and point out why the song is powerful.  I believe songs that speak to us are just real people communicating real things, and that is why it is so deep.  The first song I would like to blog about is "remember his name," by Jurassic 5.  While you listen to the song and read the lyrics, you slowly build up your perception of the person they are trying to remember.  J 5's ability to speak and rap so effortlessly while maintaining rhythm and meaning is so unique.  The end of the song tells you who the faceless persona is, but what is so incredible is that when you hear the song a second time the words are the same, but the meaning of the song is completely changed.  I chose this song as my first one because of how real it is and how it inspired me to share how it made me feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JAC9LEESL8

(youtube video of the song)

"Remember His Name"

[Zaakir]

Yo whats up ak

[Akil]

Who is this

[Zaakir]

Its me zaak--ir

[Akil]

Hello? what? (Hello?) I can't hear (I GOT IT! HANG UP!)
Yo speak louder I can't hear

[Zaakir]

(Yo Ak) Yo It's me Zaakir!
I was sittin at the television feelin' disturbed
Hey yo, I just got the word, off Tigram and 83rd
Some cat that got clapped, (gangster rapper?)
Perhaps, But I was lookin at the face of one particular cat
Now I done seen him before, (Can you remember where at?)
Well it was either at the liquor store or laundry mat
Or at a party and shit, ?or drive through of a quickie split?
But the fellas her ran wit, they no longer ex-- (yo, dude peep this)

[Akil]

Yo I know dude, I been knowin him all my life
Ever since I was young I used to see him shootin' dice
On occasion i would see him once or twice
With all types, many different walks of life
He tried to keep in touch, but i knew what was up
Every time he came around and showed his face I ducked
In the mid-eighties, the nigga went crazy
He had alot of ladies selling they babies, the nigga was shady
But he had alot of friends that he would visit on the weekends
Thrill seekin, influenced by his teachings
My daddy knew him, yo, he met him at a hotel
My homeboy Johnny, kicked it with him in a jail cell
Alot of people met him with a female
Doing real well, connected with the drug sales
The rich and the poor, for better or worse
The last and the first, walked the earth, but can't avoid his turf
And it hurts my brain, he's drivin me insane
It's a shame I can't remember his name
I think 2na know dude, Soup, i aint tryin ta be dude
But my wife just cooked, im bout to grab up some food

[Zaakir]

Aiight peace, 2na said he probably runnin the streets
I'm about to give these young brothas a beep
[ring ring]

[2na]

Yo! asalaam ulakum

[Zaakir]

Yo, ulakum asalaam

[2na]

Heyyo, what's up on 83rd man?

[Zaakir]

Man, the fuedin is on
Hey, the reason why i called, that was the cat from my building
You seen him?

[2na]

Yeah we met that brother out in Pasadena,
Remember seven, on Marengo
No my mistake, we were right between fair oaks and lake
Tryin to take us a lunch break

[Marc7even]

And cop us a sess sack!

[2na]

But had to drive right past the place where they rest at

[7even]

We drove in a hatchback

[2na]

Corolla, these cats pack pistolas, the cadillac they drove

[7even]

It was brown and black

[2na]

Patrollin the hood, lookin for trouble
Saw us purchasin trees
Lurkin with speed, pulled the strap, and was hurtin to squeeze

[7even]

You ? jerk? and you bleed

[2na]

Threw it in reverse and we fleed

[7even]

Or should we say fled?

[2na]

They wanted to make us more than play dead, flashin his heat

[7even]

Two cars are movin fast on the street

[2na]

That's when I peeped, that dude was in his back passanger seat
(yo that shit was deep) Still I can't remember his name..

[Zaakir]

Oh man, where have I seen this brother before, man
*well it was either at the liquor store or laundry mat*
Seem like everybody I know know dude, but can't nobody remember his damn name
man
*I been knowin him all my life*
the same with everybody from ShawnyMac, YawYaw, my brother Mohamad
Its like you cant *cant avoid his turf*
Oh, hey, you know what, now I know who homie is man, his name is
*De-De- Death*

Somebody has to buy this!

I found this instrument while reading a newly acquired Music Tech magazine.  It is called a Wavedrum, and it is essentially a Dynamic Percussion Synthesizer.  It looks so simple and enticing but has limitless possibilities.  However, getting the chance to use it is a rare opportunity.  Just the pad itself costs 500 dollars!  The magnitude of how amazing this tool really is will only come with looking into it.  I have provide three links to help you see what this is all about.  Gee, I hope someone near me gets one and immediately tells me...

All info regarding the drum as a product: http://www.korg.com/Product.aspx?pd=563

Korg artists comments and interviews with avid supporters: http://www.korg.com/Artist.aspx?artist=665
Demo video at a Korg convention.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrso0c14f-s

I hope your mind is blown like mine was after that tutorial...