Robert Parker. "Barefootin'." Barefootin', Nola Records, 1965.
Happy Friday!
Shake your tail feather
Bob and Earl. "Harlem Shuffle." Harlem Shuffle, Marc Records, 1963.
Go see Baby Driver. Seriously. It was so much fun.
With beats mixed up by Kid Koala, a killer soundtrack, cameos from Big Boi and Killer Mike, edge-of-your-seat car chases, and an epic love story, it pulls out all the stops.
Just bees and things and flowers
Roy Ayers Ubiquity. "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Polydor, 1976.
In honour of this week's episode of Questlove Supreme featuring the incomparable Roy Ayers, I'm spinning this track, which is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite chill-out jams from this legendary jazz vibraphonist.
Sampled by artists from Dr. Dre to Mary J. Blige to Common and covered by both D'Angelo and Seu Jorge, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" has made such an indelible mark on hip-hop and neo soul, with lasting influence.
I will never forget when I got a chance to see him perform for "Homage" at L.A.'s Exchange in 2011, when the city of Los Angeles presented him with official recognition for his contributions to hip hop.
I heard the news today, oh boy
David Bowie. "Young Americans." Young Americans, RCA Records, 1975.
Happy Fourth, y'all.
It's the new Mother Nature taking over
The Guess Who. "No Sugar Tonight." American Woman, RCA Victor, 1970.
Let's keep this Canada train a-rollin'.
I come from downtown
The Tragically Hip. "Grace, Too." Day For Night, MCA, 1994.
Happy 150th, Canada. While there is much to celebrate today, let's also remember and recognize the First Nations people who were here long before us.
🎶 I come from downtown
Born ready for you
Armed with skill and its frustration
And Grace, Too 🎶
And here's the incomparable Gord Downie and the Hip performing "Grace, Too" as the second encore to close out their last performance on the Man Machine Poem tour last year. Chills.
Financial freedom my only hope
JAY-Z. "The Story of O.J." 4:44, S. CARTER ENTERPRISES, LLC. MARKETED BY ROC NATION & DISTRIBUTED BY ROC NATION/UMG RECORDINGS INC., 2017.
It's here! Man, No ID killed it on the production of this album. He chopped up some Nina Simone real nice on this track. Check out the video below, only on Tidal for now.
🎶 I bought some artwork for one million
Two years later that shit worth two million
Few years later that shit worth eight million
I can't wait to give that shit to my children
Y'all think it's bougie I'm like that's fine
But I'm trying to give you a million dollars of game for $9.99 🎶
Y'all got me under surveillance, huh?
2Pac, Big Syke. "All Eyez On Me." All Eyez On Me, Death Row Records, 1996.
One of those Pac kinda mornings...
They won't take me out my element
Kendrick Lamar. "ELEMENT." .DAMN, Aftermath/Interscope (Top Dawg Entertainment), 2017.
New Kung Fu Kenny!
The latest video from Kendrick Lamar dropped yesterday, directed by the talented Jonas Lindstroem & the little homies. Check it out below, some really incredible images in this piece to go with a sick track.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
The Verve. "Bittersweet Symphony." Urban Hymns, Virgin Records Ltd, all rights reserved, 1997.
🎶 Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, that's life
Trying to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the place
Where all the veins meet, yeah 🎶
Guide you to the light babe
Michael Jackson. "Butterflies." Invincible, MJJ Productions Inc., 2001.
🎶 All I got to say is that I must be dreaming, can't be real
You're not here with me, still I can feel you near me
I caress you, let you taste us, just so blissful listen
I would give you anything baby, just make my dreams come true
Oh baby you give me butterflies 🎶
Baby, whenever you call me, I'll be there
The Spinners. "I'll Be Around." Spinners, Atlantic, 1972.
Sunday vibes.
I think ya better
Erykah Badu. "Tyrone (Live Version)." Live, Universal Records, Inc., 1997.
Call him.
Fuck Chanel I got Chabanel
Small Talk. "Barrio Rich." Small Talk, forthcoming, 2017.
With production from Los Hamptons, this track just dropped earlier in the week and I'll let you read MIMS' post about "Barrio Rich" because it says so much more than I ever could.
Watch out for these guys dropping their forthcoming album this July. It's gonna be a hot summer in Montréal and I can't wait to be back in La Belle Province in just a couple of months to catch some of it.