Sabelo

Today is my father's birthday and I had been wondering how I would commemorate his day. I had been scratching my head until I heard Sabelo by the amazingly talented group Bajofondo and all my head scratching ceased. Quite simply, I think my father would have really loved this beautiful piece of music. My dad was a huge classical music fan and he liked movement and fluidity in his music and the arrangement of Sabelo would have appealed to him.

Off of their 2013 release entitled Presente, Sabelo is just one of the few jewels on the album but when I first heard it, it stopped me cold. It has some serious darkness about it starting out, the beat and piano melody gives it that kick. Then the chord change gives it a mournful feel. The second movement, strings are added until the piano goes on a little rant with the beat. This song sounds like it would be great to drive too. Then the last movement comes at the 3:47 mark and the song opens up in a completely different way that would have made my dad smile.

I have been a fan of the group Bajofondo since they dropped their gem of an album, Mardulce back in 2008 (check out my favorite Pa' Bailar by them if you like this, which can be found on this blog). I think my father and I could have had some fun and lengthy discussions about music were he still with us, especially over this song. I really think he would have loved this. Happy Birthday Dad, enjoy!

Short Change Hero

Right off the bat, let me just say that I have been a fan of this band from the UK since their smash How You Like Me Now hit the scene back in 2009. The band is The Heavy and that song was off their debut album The House That Dirt Built and that album was a burner. One of the reasons I describe that album as such is because this burner is also on that same album. Short Change Hero is a true groove heavy song which makes you react to it even if you don't want to.

It starts off with the sounds of someone digging a grave in a thunderstorm and after the last clap of lightning, the groove kicks in. The beat is heavy and rumbling and lead singer Kelvin Swaby's somewhat falsetto voice kicks into gear. When he sings I can't see where ya comin' from/But I know just what ya runnin' from/And what matters aint the who's baddest but the/Ones who stop you fallin from your ladder this song is off and running.

Short Change Hero, much like How You Like Me Now has been used to push all sorts of things and recently the TV show Longmire uses it to promote it's upcoming second season. Smart marketing if you ask me. Enjoy!

Nothing Can Keep Me Away

This is a piece of music I have been aware of for awhile now. For some reason today, it struck that nerve and excited me to the point where I felt the need to blog about it, to share it with you. The name of the song is Nothing Can Keep Me Away. Released back in 2011 on the 10th volume of the Epic & Adventure series, Nothing is amazing especially when heard the way it should be heard, on those big boy speakers.

It's short, no more than two minutes and six seconds but it packs a serious punch. It starts off innocuous enough, just a beat, percussion, and some melody. It moves on and grows darker and more menacing until there's an explosion of sound and the melody becomes more prominent. If you can hear the low end you can hear massive percussive hits, and then the vocals come in which ramp up the intensity. And just like that, the song is over.

Maybe I finally heard all the nuances to this piece today, maybe I listened to it at the volume it was supposed to be listened to. Whatever the reason is, today this song hit me and I felt it was worthy of inclusion on my blog and to be shared with you.

No Envy No Fear

Allow me to introduce to you Joshua Radin. I say that because while Joshua is talented enough to be a household name, he is anything but, which I find tragic. Joshua is cut from the Ray Lamontagne cloth. Both are talented singer-songwriters with similar sounds which may be why Joshua isn't more widely known. This song of his though, No Envy No Fear definitely made me sit up and take notice.

No Envy is off Joshua's second album, the 2008 release Simple Times, and album chock full of wonderful melodies and poignant lyrics. The stand out in my opinion though is this gem. I find this song to be absolutely beautiful, from the melody to the lyrics to the playing, it borders on perfection.

 I can listen to this song all day. I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do.

Overdue

This song is fire and it has nothing to do with the music. The fire is contained in the incendiary lyrics by ZZ Ward. The song is entitled Overdue and it's off her early 2012 mixtape Eleven Roses. She now has a album out, Til The Casket Drops but sadly this song isn't on it. I would have loved a more polished version of this song...or maybe not.

Don't get me wrong, while I love her blues tinged lyrics about being over her man, the music is fantastic. It fits her lyrics perfectly with it's bombast and her harmonica playing. It's a short song and maybe if she did it over it could be longer, but what we do get is an incredible appetite wetter. ZZ had some serious skills and that's evident in this song by itself. When she sings Baby let the venom sink into your chest/Try to play me like a pawn that's whatcha get/Get up off your knees bitch no need to beg... It's hard not to love this song.

Like I said, she has an album out and if you like this song, check out Cryin' Wolf on Casket. It's a favorite of mine. This song is the perfect introduction to her if you haven't heard any of her music by now. Enjoy!

Gaeta's Lament

Every now and then a song comes along and takes you by surprise. It comes from a source that's completely unexpected and unforeseen, which I think makes that song even more amazing. This particular song falls into the category. It's entitled Gaeta's Lament and it's from the TV show Battlestar Galactica. Written and composed by the talented Bear McCreary and sung by Alessandro Juliani, this song gives me chills.

Gaeta's Lament is first heard in the episode Guess What's Coming to Dinner which aired during Galactica's last season. It's sung by the character Gaeta, played by Alessandro who is recuperating in sick bay after having his leg amputated. Gaeta sings the song to take his mind off the pain. Lament starts off with just Alessandro singing acapella. Slowly and softly does the music come in and gradually it swells and builds to a beautiful crescendo.

This is another one of those songs that I can never tire of. Just the stark beauty of the music keeps a stranglehold on my attention, when you add the lyrics and the arrangement of the strings and the vocals, the darkness of the piece, that's when the goose bumps come. I wanted to introduce it to you in the hopes that you find it as compelling as I do.

Indestructible

When I heard this song for the first time I ran to put it on the big boy speakers. It blew me away. The song is Indestructible and it packs a wallop. It's off the 2012 album Immortal by 8Dawn and I am a pretty big fan of their music. I feel this track is worthy of being on my blog if not worthy of some specific movie trailers that could the punch of this music.

As it fades in you get the sense that something big is about to happen. Then the drums come in bring  along all the epic drama you could want a song like this to possess. The song screams action with every note. My only issue with it is it could use more low end. There isn't enough rumble for my buck but that doesn't in any way diminish this piece.

I hear this piece and the one trailer that comes to mind is Pacific Rim, the new film by Guillermo Del Toro. This piece would have worked perfectly with those images of giant robots and monsters slugging it out in my opinion. Take a listen and see if you agree with me!

Learning the Ropes

Learning the Ropes, a crazy danceable tune from Ludique takes me back to the days when I spent my nights in the clubs and my days in a fog. The song is off of their 2011 self titled release and in my opinion, the song rocks. When I hear it and close my eyes I can see the strobe lights, the lighted floors and darkened corners of a dance club somewhere in the belly of Manhattan.

The groove is unmistakable and unshakable, the beat of course keeps the up tempo pace as instruments and vocals come in and out. Quite the witty arrangement in my opinion, it keeps the track from becoming stale. The best way to appreciate this track of course it to strap on your big boy speakers and let it rip. Your neighbors may initially hate it but don't be surprised if they come knocking on your door to get the name of the song eventually.

This is a great activity song but my only issue with the song is its abrupt ending. Its like someone just chopped off its tail. If you can get past that though, then chances are you will come to dig this groove as much as I do. Enjoy!

Blue Ocean Floor

Okay, I'm just going to be upfront and honest with you, I am addicted to this song and may need an intervention. I know, I know...of all the songs in all the world, but hey I came clean so don't judge me! The song is Blue Ocean Floor by Justin Timberlake off his 2013 release The 20/20 Experience. For some unknown reason, I can't get this song off my mind and I can't stop playing it.

It's a delicate song and really there's not much to it outside of the vocal arrangement. The music hardly changes except when Justin gets to the "bridge", then the music seemingly falls away sans a lone violin which ushers the music back in with burst of strings and ocean surf sounds.

Now I have been hooked on some pretty obscure songs in the past and I have truly played some songs continually almost nonstop, but my addiction to this song boggles my mind. I'm not going to worry about it though, I'm just going to enjoy it until I can break free of it. And if you somehow become addicted to this song, please do not hold it against me, blame Justin!!!

I'll Always Love My Mama

This has been of my all time favorite songs, and for this Mother's Day I felt this was the perfect time to post this classic. I'll Always Love My Mama by The Intruders is an unforgettable song and melody, with lyrics about the sacrifice and love a mother shows her children. This song always puts a smile on my face when I hear it, especially the part where lead singer Sam "Little Sonny" Brown sings you only get one, you only get one, yeah which I blurt out every now and then for no reason whatsoever.

Off of their 1973 LP entitled Save The Children, I'll Always Love My Mama was arguably the groups most memorable hit. It's the perfect song for Mother's Day, for one to express their love for their mothers. I will always love my mother and to all the mothers who read my blog, Happy Mother's Day and know your children love you just as much as I love mine.

Crazy Baldhead

I woke up this morning with this song playing over and over again in my head and I didn't know why. Then I remembered today, May 11th is the anniversary of his passing. He is Bob Marley and the song is Crazy Baldhead off of his Bob Marley and the Wailers 1976 release Rastaman Vibration. Crazy Baldhead isn't one of Bobs better known songs but the first time I heard it, I loved it.

It's a political song of uprising and rebellion, two things I am all for when needed. It has some searing lines and one of my favorites is when Bob sings Build your penitentiary/We build your schools/Brainwash education/To make us the fools and Hate is your reward/For our love/Telling us/Of your god above. Bob sees through the tricks and he's had enough of the anti Rasta ideals, which in turn makes that person a baldhead.

 Bob Marley was taken from us far to soon and I often wondered what magic he could have created had he lived, what movements he could have headed, what changes he could have ushered in. Rest in peace Mr. Marley and thank you for all you've done for mankind.

Stormy Weather

I loved this woman, literally. I loved everything there was about Lena Horne. From her voice to her looks to her activism to beat back racism. She used her status and platform to speak out on the injustices of her people and to me, there's nothing better than that. And it was this song that she made her own. Stormy Weather was written for her and it showcased her vocal abilities perfectly. It was performed in the 1933 movie with the same name where Miss Horne played Selina Rogers.

Miss Horne passed away three years ago yesterday, May 9th and she is still missed. I hope and pray her rest is eternally peaceful. Thank you Miss Horne for blessing the world with your grace and spirit. You will never be forgotten.

Devil's Halo

Honestly I can listen to this piece all day and never grow tired of its beauty. The song is Devil's Halo off the album of the same name by the multi talented Me'Shell NdegeOcello. This is the second song off of her Devil's Halo album that I saw fit to post and it probably won't be the last, that's how amazing that album truly is. Released in 2009, Halo still sounds relevant and fresh to me...and beautiful.

Devil's Halo is a sweet instrumental that only plays for a little over two minutes but you may find yourself coming back to it time and time again to let it wash over you. It's poignant and melancholy and it's the perfect soundtrack for a rainy weekend indoors. It begins with the keys playing the melody and then the drums join in. The acoustic guitar follows and this song just floats.

I can't get enough of Halo, I think it's the other jewel on the album, the remake of Love You Down being the other. And if you like this piece as much as I do, look into her 1999 release entitled Bitter. I'm pretty sure you'll love it, and be on the lookout for another song or two from this album because like I said, this song probably won't be the last posted from Halo.

Tomorrow

Whenever I hear this song, something stirs deep within me, this song touches my soul. It's entitled Tomorrow by Salif Keita off of his 1999 release Papa. Salif is from the African country Mali and he is known as the "Golden Voice of Africa", which is very apropos. Tomorrow is one of his most well known songs and I can listen to it virtually nonstop.

If you've seen the movie Ali starring Will Smith then you've heard this song, if not then I am more than happy to introduce it to you. It's a slow tempo song that sounds almost mournful. The music is like a dirge sometimes, but Salif sings over it he turns this into something magical. I have no idea what he's saying in the verses but that matters not to me, beauty is beauty and this...this is beauty.

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do even though I know it's not for everyone. For some, it will hit you right away and for others who don't get it, I ask for you to let it grow on you. One day it'll hit you and your soul will thank you. Enjoy!

When My Train Pulls In

It's been awhile since I posted something but nothing has really touched me deeply enough to warrant a post. That was until I ran across this bruiser by Gary Clark Jr. It's a bluesy rock freight train entitled When My Train Pulls In. It was originally released on his 2008 independent album Worry No More and then re-released on his 2012 Warner Bros. debut album Blak and Blu. Quite simply, this song is a burner.

When I first heard it I pegged Mr. Clark as a poor mans Jimi Hendrix, but the more I listened to the song the more I loved it (and the louder I played it). It's got a great melody and his guitar playing (on the recorded version) is vicious. It's not so much in the video posted below but don't let that fool you, this song is all fire. So much so to me that I don't even bother paying attention to the lyrics and for those that know me, they know that's downright miraculous. You can blame the crunching guitars for that.

Gary may not be a household name just yet but if he keeps playing like this, pretty soon this young man will be all over the place. Of this I have no doubt. Check out the song and enjoy the freight train.