Some J.Rocc Stuff

I spoke with the Beat Junkies’ founder for a quick piece in this month’s DJ Times Magazine, which can be read HERE. His first solo joint, Some Cold Rock Stuf, came out just last month; original production and turntablism, a mix of Latin, Funk, Jazz, Disco filled with hip-hop variants.

Peep a snippet of ‘Chasing The Sun’ from Some Cold Rock Stuf. [Stones Throw, 2011]

The J. Rocc print (below) is an exclusive done by Dion Bello (dNA), a Bay Area artist and illustrator whose work can be found on the Illuskrate site. Thanks D!

Heart(s) of Gold

Finding Daptone 45s in my mailbox never gets old. This time was Charles Bradley with Menahan Street Band doing an all-time classic, Neil Young’s ‘Heart of Gold’. It’s a great cover though Bradley at times deviates from the original melody too much for me. The Menahan arrangement is worth it alone though.

It also immediately reminded me of Boney M’s version. I’ve always liked their cover songs as cheesy as the German disco coverband sometimes were. This is off their album, Night Flight To Venus, which also has a great rendition of ‘Brown Girl In The Ring’. Lead singer Bobby Farrell passed in 2005 due to heart failure while in Russia, where apparently they’re still very popular. He was 61, RIP.

Pants on Fire

Snippet of ‘Darlin” off Love Craft

Multi-instrumentalist and Stones Throw intern-turned-artist makes random yet varied work– his first project was an electro-rap throwback and his second was a lo-fi post punk record. Both were interesting but never really stuck, at least with me. His latest, Love Craft, shows a lot of know-how underpinned with an uncompromising ethos. It’s also yet another reminder of Stones Throw recent deviation away from hip-hop.

I spoke to James for WaxPoetics issue #40 and he’s made more noise since. Peep ‘Darlin” off the new album. It’s a minimal, post-punk sounding garage track with doo-wop melodies and lyrics. And it works. Interested in seeing what dude does next.