Looking for the Perfect Beat

So I realized it's been a year since I started this blog...wow! I need to post more these days, but there just hasn't been anything I have been over the moon about. Yeah as boring and lame as that comment is, is just about what I've been finding lately. Burt Fox and I had an in depth discussion about this last night over a cocktail and j...just to make sure I hadn't overlooked anything, but sadly his sentiments were the same. Since I wanted to post something seeing as it's an anniversary and all, I thought what throw back would be apropos for this posting...and then it came to me...Afrika Bambaataa of course!

I think everyone who is anyone knows who Bambaataa is...at the very least you've heard Planet Rock either on it's own or cut up and sampled on many many hip hop joints. A little background...Bambaatta was born in the South Bronx...and hailed as the leader of a gang called the Black Spades...through a life changing visit to Africa, he decided to use his leadership to change gang bangers and formed Zulu Nation. He encouraged these kids to stop the violence and turn it into an expression of art such as emceeing, dancing, making beats...etc. Many of these kids who followed Bambaataa soon became part of the Zulu Nation family and would tour with him all over the world promoting peace and unity within gang communities. The pop culture phrase "hip hop saved my life" was said to come from the Zulu Nation movement.

Aside from his movement of peace, he is also known as one of the godfathers of turntablism, next to Grandmaster Flash and Kool Herc. Many Djs such as ZTrip, Cut Chemist, QBert, Koala...all say Bambaataa had a huge influence on their skills. He is praised all over the world and still has yearly Zulu Nation parties. Very often in NYC, you'll see his name on the bill for parties.

So in celebration of the man who influenced so many of my favorite Dj's lives, I give you Looking for the Perfect Beat. Enjoy!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/57710392aaecfa3f/

Here We Go Magic

Something different than I usually post. No rolling bass lines. No dance your ass off beats. Just a very simple, sweet, indie band tune. I found this track on Fader. They say they're not quite sure why they love it since it has the myriad components of the stereotypical indie rock sound...so why does it grab us? I think it's the way the song is arranged. It's very whimsical yet structured all at once. For me, my mind immediately starts to think of positive things, like love, sunshine, flowers...all the happy crappy shit we tend to forget about when it's a blistering 13 outside and our streets look like a giant snoopy snow cone machine threw up all over our precious city. So what's not to love about that?

Here's what Here We Go Magic has to say about themselves:

"We like the way the name sounds so we set it to music. Our own Luke made a beautiful record and we joined him to make something together. We are creating songs from melodies that can turn from gorgeous to challenging to a little scary and back again. Sounds are driven and shaped by, but hopefully never grounded by, rhythms that entrance before performing a somersault. It all seems silly on paper, but there are no dirty words: groovy, psychedelic, pretty etc... are all fair game. It is our hope that we generate something generous and surprising, crafted but instinctive, even as it coalesces. So far it is a lovely ruckus."

I dig that a lot...let's see what you think. This track is called "Fangela". Now go find some dandelions to blow on. Enjoy!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5657235469f232ed/