The release in 1987 of Pato Banton’s Never Give In was, in retrospect, something of a watershed moment. Though it may not have been immediately recognized as being so, it turns out that Never Give In marked the beginning of the contemporary era of reggae. After the 1981 death of…
A brilliant South African warrior and king in the 18th Century, the legendary Shaka Zulu was one of the great unifiers of his nation. He was also a strong-willed, vengeful man who was ultimately murdered by his own half-brothers, one of whom succeeded him to the throne. Now, in this…
By ANDY VIHSTADT Geek Squad “This milkshake won’t bring anyone to the yard,” thinks Chad to himself. N.E.R.D. will be releasing N.3.R.D. sometime this spring. After an unfinished version of “Everyone Nose” was leaked, the group decided to post the final studio mix on its blog. The song brings the…
I’m not sure how a band like UB40 can start having irreconcilable differences after almost 30 years of reggae bliss, but British band, UB40 is parting ways with its lead singer, Ali Campbell. According to this story, Campbell says he’s been upset with the band’s management for awhile and couldn’t…
On November 13, 2004, a jolt of anguish ran through the hip-hop nation: Russell Jones was dead. The rapper known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard (but also Ason Unique, Dirt McGirt, Big Baby Jesus, etc.), one of the most beloved members of Wu-Tang Clan, was found dead in Wu-Tang’s Manhattan recording…
Exodus founder, leader, and mainstay Gary Holt laughs out loud at the suggestion that the album cover of the band’s landmark 1985 debut, Bonded by Blood, contains a veiled caricature reference to Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. A familiar and cherished site to metalheads of a certain generation (read: You’re getting…
Get Off the Stage marks Too $hort’s 17th album — not counting compilations and reissues — but it’s also the end of an era. It’s his last for Jive, the label he’s been associated with since 1988. “I’m a legend in the game,” he says on “Shittin’ on ‘Em,” adding,…
Kate Nash’s debut LP, Made of Bricks, was released in the U.K. last summer, and she became an overnight sensation, with both the CD and the single “Foundations” going to number one. The 20-year-old from a London suburb pals around with Lily Allen, to whom she’s frequently compared. Yet unlike…
From the blues to hip-hop, from Yiddish-rooted pop to salsa, the Harlem Experiment draws into focus assorted elements contributing to Harlem’s music legend. The “Experiment” started in 2001 exploring various sounds and talents in other cities such as Philadelphia and Detroit. On Harlem’s version, the swing era meets the Latin…
Clockcleaner’s second full-length album came out in the late fall, just in time to purge 2007 of any positive energy. The Philly trio spews bilious cynicism and doomy bass lines from the start. “New in Town” is a threat that rockets from the crypt with sarcastic Jack the Ripper howls…
In the dozen or so years since the breakup of his band Black Janet, Jim Wurster has produced a steady stream of exemplary albums, both solo and at the helm of his Americana outfit the Atomic Cowboys. In the process, he has established himself as one of South Florida’s most…
By ANDY VIHSTADT Animal Rights Toonces the Driving Cat won’t go down in history as SNL’s crowning achievement, and my guess is the problem was casting. See what could have been with the Rosebuds’ video cover of Salt-N-Pepa’s ahh, “Push It,” or just grab the MP3 below. The Rosebuds: “Push…
Just because South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela is generous enough to give more than an hour of his time for a phone interview from Johannesburg doesn’t mean he makes it easy. Sure, he’s friendly, but he’s also feisty, and that may be one of the keys to his lifelong success…
Admit it: Sometimes you sit around listening to your old Sex Pistols records and think, “I wonder which punk-rock icon has the biggest schlong?” Or maybe you’re wondering, “What kind of pizza would that Food Network dude say goes well with the New York Dolls?” The Official Punk Rock Book…
How unfortunate would it be if all the furor surrounding the latest Radiohead album eclipsed this new orchestral film score composed by the band’s lead guitarist, Jonny Greenwood? Those seeking to find Greenwood’s rock sensibilities — or the echoes of Radiohead’s modernist approach — won’t find a trace of it…
Well, we’re at a point now where indie rock comes in many guises and with a lot of unexpected musical influences. Nothing wrong with a little diversity, right? Local Miami musicians Social Klash throw every sonic inspiration they can think of into the music blender on their debut album, Plastic…
It’s hard to approach electronic music of the sort that Alexander Ridha (AKA Boys Noize) creates without acknowledging the accidental tidal wave of success that has crashed upon Justice. While the Justice duo is (steadfastly) French and Ridha hails from Germany, the peculiarly rockist take that these and quite a…
While the name isn’t familiar, Bishop Lamont is quickly becoming one of the craftiest MCs on the West Coast. He’s released a series of buzz-building mixtapes since signing with Dr. Dre two years ago, the latest of which, Caltroit, is an impressive collaboration with producer/rapper Black Milk, a Fat Beats-signed…
This latest effort by Mexico’s supreme rock en español group will grow on you, but that’s not necessarily a ringing endorsement. Café Tacuba made its name by fusing Latin American rhythms with American pop-punk sensibilities, but los tacubos have ditched their Mexican heritage in favor of shiny, shimmering music. Although…
That’s gonna be hard for me to pass innit? It’s sounds like bullshit if this is true…but check out this article over on SOHH on why Amy Winehouse may not get a chance to attend the Grammy’s this year. She’s nominated for six Grammy’s for her latest album, Back to…
Just so you all know, RZA is not touring with Wu-Tang. I just got off the phone with Raekwon. Their tour-bus had just pulled up to a hotel in Virginia. They are playing shows every night, without RZA, The Abbott. When I asked Chef Rae about the current Wu situation,…
By Andy Vihstadt Separated at Birth Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan premiered the first material from their Gutter Twins project on MySpace last week. The duo, dubbed as the “Satanic Everly Brothers,” will be releasing Saturnalia on Sub Pop on March 4. Get on their space to stream a couple…
