Another year of records and another year of acquiring more than I actually have time to listen to. Not a bad problem in my opinion. This year solidified one thing for me; being the year where Internet access was the most limited its ever been did very little to deter me from scoring heaps and heaps of records, proving that if you give me a connection for even a hot second, there’ll be an album in my hands. Guess you’d have to give me more than a second (that’d be sweet!), but you get the idea.
From those piles of records, I’ve compiled a list of my favorites which proved to be rather difficult. There are plenty of top-notch albums that didn’t make the cut, both from 2008 and plenty from years past, but that’s the way it goes. If you’ve got a minute, drop a comment and let me know what ranked at the top of your record lists. As usual, my ears always remain open to the vibrations circulating around me and there is an ever-present curiosity into what I have yet to discover. Oh yeah, if you’ve got any of the “Haven’t Heard Yet” records, or better yet any “2009″ records, then send ‘em over, you’ll be compensated dearly.
Here’s to 2008 and the records that carried me through the ups and downs during the year. Without them, I’d truly be a mess. Music. Quality music that is. It’s my lifeblood and always will be.
Top Five Hip-Hop Records
Q-Tip – The Renaissance
Jazz Liberatorz – Clin d’Oeil
P.U.T.S – Fun DMC
SP – Movin’ Along
Black Milk – Tronic
Top Ten Funk/Afrobeat/Soul Records
Karl Hector and the Malcouns – Sahara Swing
Baby Charles – Self-Titled
Menahan Street Band – Make the Road by Walking
Kylie Auldist – Just Say
Seun Kuti & Fela’s Eygpt 80 – Self-Titled
TM Juke and The Jack Baker Trio – Present Boto and the Second Liners
The Soul Jazz Orchestra – Manifesto
NOMO – Ghost Rock
Clutchy Hopkins – Walking Backwards
The New Mastersounds – Plug & Play
Top Five Records Discovered This Year
Soul Jazz Records: Studio One Roots Vol.3
Haggis Horns – Hot Damn!
AIFF – Afro Soul System
Saint-Germain des-Pres Café: Paris 10-Disc Collection
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – New York City Live
Top Ten Records From Assorted Genres
The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
Jackson Conti – Sujinho
Saravah Soul – Self-Titled
Grupo Fantasma – Sonidos Gold
Ocote Soul Sounds – Alchemist Manifesto
Jazzanova – Of All Things
Jose James – The Dreamer
Mr.Chop – Sounds from the Cave
Jaz’Presso – Eeriedance
Flying Lotus – Los Angeles
Top Five Compilations
Soundway Records – African Scream: Raw and Psychedelic Afro Sounds from Benin & Togo 70s
Daptone Records – Singles Collection Vol.2
Wagram Records – Soul Divas
Recordkicks – Soulshaker Vol.5
Jazzman Records – Welcome to the Party
Top Five Dub/Reggae Records
The Lions – Jungle Struttin’
Joe Higgs – Life of Contradiction
Dub Specialist – Dub
Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno – Death of the Revolution
Jah Stitch – Micron Music Presents…Every Mouth Must Be Fed
Top Five Records I Haven’t Heard Yet
Jimmy Radway & Fe Me Time Allstars – Dub I
Uncle Funkenstein – Together Again
Natural Yogurt Band – Away with Melancholy
Mr. Chop – Lightworlds EP
The Perceptions – Introducing…
Top Ten Records To Be Released in 2009
Rancid – Untitled Hellcat Release
Quantic and his Combo Barbaro – Traditions in Transitions
NOMO – Invisible Cities
Mayer Hawthorne and The County- Untitled Stones Throw Release
Lord Newborn & the Sugar Skulls – Untitled Ubiquity Release
Nostalgia 77 feat. Keith and Julie Tippett – The Nostalgia Sessions Vol.1
Hope everyone out there enjoyed the holiday season and had a Merry Christmas. Again, I found it difficult to remember it was even Christmas season as there are essentially no reminders here in Thailand. No lights on trees, wreaths on doors, shops advertising their specials, jingles playing on the stereo, Christmas tree lots, chilly days and bitter cold evenings, films on TV, avoiding crowded shopping areas, cups of hot chocolate, baking cookies, gatherings with friends, wrapping presents, and all the other aspects that going along with this time of the year. Life here is different, what else can I say.
However, we did have a tree at The Sarojin which was a small reminder and I downloaded A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation to make the days feel like home for at least a couple of hours. I definitely knew it was Christmas Day though when I suited up in the ol’ Saint Nick outfit and strolled along the beach and throughout the resort greeting the guests with a mighty “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and handing out goodies to them all.
Enjoy the pictures and on a final note, I have to say that Christmas is the time of year when I really do get homesick. I love the traditions associated with the season and seeing my friends and family. Perhaps one day I’ll be back to share in the festivities. Hope everything was great and have a Happy New Year!
Mayer Hawthorne and the County consists of one Detroit-native who wrote, played, recorded, and sang both lead and backing vocals on the outstanding cut “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” which has been in steady rotation for a few weeks now on the soundsystem. Released on heart-shaped vinyl, this gem harks back to the doo-wop days of old and were it not for a biography on the youngster who cut the track, you’d likely believe this was dug up from someone’s lost record stacks. Grab a copy of the tune below and lookout for his debut album which is due out on Stones Throw in early 2009.
My Web access is highly limited at this moment in time. The ol’ jobby job said keep the notebook at home, so I can’t connect after work anymore. I’ll do my best to share some more vibes in the near future, but it was much easier to upload files and let it process during working hours than it is to upload something while chillin’ at the local bookshop.
Additionally, my Rapidshare account expired and my PayPal account is dry, so I can’t renew it at this moment. Strangely, I saw that the links I previously uploaded were not allocated to my account, so they had a download limit of 10 and are now unable to be accessed. Sorry ’bout that. For some reason, all the YouTube links broke too. Oh yeah, eMusic cancelled service to Thailand which severed my ability to share digital advances on here. So that’s gone too. It is what it is.
Well, once I get my account back and have some steady access, I’ll re-upload the Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi episodes and add some more albums that I have been meaning to share. Perhaps I’ll revamp the whole site if I find the time to do so. Check back when you can and see what has or hasn’t changed.
Here’s a small glimpse into what my daily surroundings look like. My “house”, it’s a room honestly, out in the mountains of Kuk Kak, Phang Nga, Thailand and the shores of Ao Thong and Laem Pakarang. Gorgeous landscapes aiding a pace of life that is both meditative and tranquil in nature.
A few months back, I posted my praises to eMusic for their outstanding selection of tunes and their recently-enhanced site featuring in-page links to Wikipedia and Flickr. While all of those things remain as I write this, what does not remain is their service to Thailand; and for that I have to say “Fuck You eMusic!”. You eliminated my monthly outlet for scoring quality vibrations that are unavailable anywhere else or require me to wait until someone else posts it on the Web (which makes them free, but requires a undesirable and undetermined waiting period).
Well, I’ve been a subscriber since 2002 back when the site was unlimited. Boycotted after they set a limit on downloads, but rejoined after their catalog was beefed up from new labels as a result of the new policies. Now, I’m neither active nor boycotting, just simply waiting until they change their service policy or I move to another country. Bastards.
Props to you if you understand the meaning behind the title of this post.
I’ve held Ohmega Watts as one of the illest cats in the hip-hop game since my ears were blessed with The Find and Lightheaded’s Wrong Way. True to what I expected, he’s only broadened his already-diverse horizons with collaborations, remixes, and more of that truly-unique sound. “The Platypus Strut” isn’t a new cut by any means, but I bet you haven’t checked out the “Making of…” video which is dope. Recently, Nike picked up the joint for their Hyperdunk Recovery Center (1-877-DUNKD-ON) commercials. Peep ‘em.
Normally, every day I’m glad that I don’t live and work in Bangkok. Smog, traffic, tons of people, higher cost of living…no thanks. However, a few recent events have made me wish that I did…or at least that I was in the area for a short while. So what was going on?
Asian Hip Hop Festival headlined by NYC’s finest, Nas.
Evening with the king of digging, DJ Shadow at Club Culture.
Special session with Zakir Hussain, tabla player extraordinaire.
You spoiled ATL people probably just commented “Wow, three things goin’ down…whateva.” Well, thats about three more than what is normally worthwhile musically that gets imported into the Kingdom.
What’d have been more wicked is if they all collaborated for one night only in the City of Angels. Yeah, impossible for sure. Damn, I forgot to mention that Hoobastank is playing Bangkok also…oh wait, who gives a fuck about Hoobastank. Not I.
Well, overall, I’d like a taste of some quality nightlife, but the tradeoff isn’t worth it and it’s too time consuming and expensive to jet there for a single evening. Guess I’ll just request Steve Miller Band from the same ol’ houseband at the local pub tonite and try to justify that it’s superior. Ugh!
The Top Rankin’ Hi-Fi soundsystem has been burning hot with these deep-riddim cuts in recent months. They’re bound to keep your auditory senses delighted with each listen. Just plain nasty in the groove department.
After viewing Helvetica last week via Sasso’s recommendation, I was inspired to catch up on the documentaries that I’ve overlooked recently. A healthy stock of footage is what I came across and all of them were given the thumbs up by yours truly. Watching these films equals time well spent on your behalf. Enjoy!
It’s been awhile since I’ve sat down to write some words in the manner that this blog was started for…ruminations style that is. The truth of the matter is that my well of ruminations is damn near dry. Seriously, I live here in Phang Nga almost completely disconnected from the happenings of the outside World with access to media being high limited. No TV and an occasional Web connection. Given that, here’s what is current…
Current listening:
TM Juke & The Jack Baker Trio – Present Boto and The Second Liners Tyrone Ashley’s Funky Music Machine – Let Me Be Your Man Soul Jazz Records – The Dynamite Series Soundclash Rockers Allstars – Chanting Dub With The Help of the Father Beat Konducta – Dil Cosby Suite, Madvillainy 2, WLIB AM P.U.T.S. – Fun DMC / Funner Than Leather Mixtape Menahan Street Band – Make the Road by Walking Studio One Roots Volumes 1, 2, 3 Tru Thoughts – Shapes 08:01 / 08:02 Thievery Corporation – Radio Retaliation Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba – Segu Blue Ohmega Watts – Eyes and Ears EP Belleruche – The Express The Bamboos – Side-Stepper Alton Ellis – Cry Tough
Current viewing: Family Guy Presents Blue Harvest Gorillaz: Demon Days Live Be Kind Rewind Baadasssss! Balls of Fury
As the calendar has flipped to October back in the ATL, I’m missing the Fall and the related activities that coincide with the season. Cool days and crisp nights, kickoffs, changing wardrobes, trees hintin’ at vibrant colors, playoffs at the ballpark, the NBA season getting close to tippin’ off, shows, the L5P Halloween parade, and gathering on porches with jackets, vibes, and brews.
As the calendar has flipped to October here in Thailand, I’m anticipating the clear and sunny skies that’ll be pushing the rain away sometime soon and I’m diggin’ the Vegetarian Festival that just finished throughout the south of Thailand which was filled with body modifications, delicious food, massive amounts of fireworks, grand processions from the shrines, and jaw-dropping spectacles left and right. Jui Tui Procession. Saphan Hin Finale. Insanity.
A recent excursion about a month ago landed me in Trang via Phang Nga and Krabi. With a loose itinerary in mind, I went straight to Trang Town where I spent a couple days checking out the area. I headed further south to Laem Tasae the first afternoon to catch a boat out to Koh Lao Liang, but was deterred by both the rough seas and the boatmen wanting to rip me off, as this was a place that foreigners rarely show up at. No worries though, it was back into town where I spent the evening at the market and hangin’ out around town.
***I finally purchased a new camera recently, so enjoy some of the views that my eyes beheld. Simply writing this without images to complement the words would make this post highly lacking as the descriptive vocabulary to create the imagery in your head simply doesn’t exist.***
Old Style Tuk Tuk in Trang Town
Railroad Crossing in Trang Town
(First time I’ve seen one of those in nearly 2 years)
The next day I opted to check out some islands closer to shore and, fortunately, the weather was on my side. I departed from Pak Meng Beach and the boatman told me that Koh Ngai would be a chill spot for me to stay, so I took his word. He also asked for some extra cash and, in return, he took me to explore the area for the entire day. Snorkeling and spear fishing in coral reefs around Koh Ma, Koh Chuak, and Koh Waen was the agenda for the day. Amazing adventure, but a bit unnerving when we’d anchor next to a karst and he’d disappear from sight for 30 minutes or more. We (or should I say ‘he’) speared a couple fish, but he told me the waters at deeper depths where the bigger fish lurk weren’t as clear as usual due to recent storms in the area. Thrilling for me nonetheless.
Pak Meng Beach, Trang
The Hope Over Koh Ngai
As the sun began to set, he took me to Koh Ngai where I stayed for the next day or so. Low season for sure. I was the only person there outside of the people who live there. The next morning I went to Koh Muk and visited Tam Morakot, or the Emerald Cave, which is a hidden beach accessible only by swimming through an 80-meter cave during low tide. Once you’ve made the journey past the stalactites, the other end opens up into a white-sand lagoon surrounded by limestone walls. After spending some time there, we made the swim back out and as we approached the entrance, I realized the place was true to its name as the water exuded a deep, turquoise hue and glistened from the rays of light hitting it from the outside. While swimming out I was yelling “That’s why I come here…Nature! Goulet!” Spectacular scenery.
Entrance to Tam Morakot (credit: Boris Kester)
Inside Tam Morakot after the 80-meter swim (credit: Boris Kester)
It was off to Koh Kradan to relax for a bit and snorkel in the waters. Unfortunately, I wasn’t with the guy from the day before, but rather with two teenagers from the bungalows who had little desire to just chill out on the waters and roam around to take in the gorgeous surroundings. They fired the engine up as soon as I got back to the boat and made a beeline back to Koh Ngai. Hitting the bamboo bong and drinking a Singha is what they did as soon as we got back which made it obvious that they just wanted to get the job done and return home.
Snorkeling off Koh Kradan, Trang
Whatever, coming back early gave me the opportunity to hike over the hills in the afternoon and relax on the beach on the other side. Not a far hike, but the path to get there was everything but a clear-cut path. I got a laugh when a man pointed me toward the path and, when I looked in that direction, he was simply pointing at vegetation and trees with no sign of anything that said “Start here.” I made my way there, made it back, ate some dinner, chilled out, and in the evening I witnessed a thunderstorm out on the water unlike any I’ve ever seen before with the entire sky being lit up by massive pure white flashes spanning the whole horizon. Made my heart skip a beat the first time I saw it from the shore. Nice to watch though since the view from the island was directed toward Koh Ma, Koh Chuak, and Koh Waen which were all illuminated each time the lightning struck.
Clear skies over Koh Ngai, Trang
It was time to head back the next day, but I had to hold out for a while when a storm came rushing in as we were getting ready to take the 45-minute trip back to the mainland. Finally, we left and the weather wasn’t so bad back in Trang. I made my way up to Ao Luk in Krabi, stayed over for a night, and then came back to home to Phang Nga the next day.
Stormy skies over Koh Ngai, Trang
It was back to the grind again for a few weeks, but last weekend, I made my way down to Phuket Town to experience the Vegetarian Festival once again. It definitely did not disappoint in the least bit. The Jui Tui Shrine parade and the Saphan Hin finale are easily two of my favorite days of the year here in Thailand. In the evenings, I ventured out to gorge myself with fantastic foods and to check out the shrine near my old house to watch the spirit mediums climb up 30-foot ladders with steps made of razor blades and run across a 15-foot pile of hot coals. Impressive.
Mah Song Robes, Guan Ou Shrine, Takuapa
Sword Collection, Guan Ou Shrine, Takuapa
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
Jui Tui Shrine Procession, Phuket Town
The beauty of the area I reside in and the atmosphere and substance of the Vegetarian Festival are the reasons that make me love living here. For the festival, it’s not just down in Phuket. In the village I live in, they did the same sort of activities. The community all comes out to cook their own special food and to either take part or observe. Overall, it was a nice reminder of the vast differences that exist between here and back home in the ATL. Life here can be just as repetitive as it was back home with the daily routines, but getting out to explore and witnessing these events are when I sometimes just take a step back and remember where I am. This place truly is called “Amazing Thailand” for a reason. Back home in Kuk Kak, Phang Nga now. Till next time…Guidance.
These are the vibes that were flowin’ through the headphones while I was cruisin’ the open roads of Southern Thailand recently. Slick hip-hop grooves to nasty funk breaks to sultry Latin instrumentation to dubplates to reggae riddims. Well-rounded, well-suited, well worth it.
The Menahan Street Band is a collaboration of musicians from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, El Michels Affair, Antibalas and The Budos Band, brought together by musician/producer Thomas Brenneck (Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Budos Band, Amy Winehouse) to record hits in the bedroom of his Menahan St. apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn. With influences reaching beyond the funk, soul, and afrobeat architecture of their other projects into the more ethereal realms of Curtis Mayfield and Mulatu Astatke, the Menahan Street Band creates a unique new instrumental soul sound that is as raw as it is lush. Their debut album, Make the Road by Walking has been released on Dunham Records, Brenneck’s new imprint of Daptone Records, a joint venture devoted to bringing the Menahan Street sound from Brenneck’s bedroom out into the world.
In an effort to redeem myself in the world of politics, I dropped my vote for the Barack Obama/Joe Biden ticket in the mail last week. I’ve liked John McCain for quite some time, and still do, but he royally screwed up when he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate. The little I have gained to know about her recently only makes me yell “Hell no!” when thinking about her as the VP of the U.S. Looks like Obama/Biden are ahead as I write this. Hope it remains that way come November 4th.
