From the harmless to the overtly obvious (Vanilla Ice still defends his distinction from Queen's "Under Pressure" with a straight face), sampling remains a huge part of the music business today - particularily in hip hop culture. There are enough legal issues involved to make my head spin. An artist can obtain a license to utilize a physical sound recording that doesn't belong to them (as the Beastie Boys did for their sample of James Newton in "Pass the Mic") but the artist still must clear the use of the song. If lyrics and music are involved in the sample, that complicates matters further. Ludacris, Kanye West, the Beastie Boys, and several other big names have all been involved in legal disputes over these issues.
I meant to post about this one awhile ago, but Wes Craven's attempt at remaking HIS OWN film, the 1972 horror classic The Last House on the Left, didn't signal my urgency button. No doubt the scare master had his day (1984's Nightmare on Elm Street and the 1977 original The Hills Have Eyes), but recently fans seem to be fleeing from his movies based on an entirely new type of fear: mediocrity. Dracula 2000, Pulse, and even the wearing thin Scream trilogy - soon to be quadrilogy - have knocked the writer/director/producer down a peg or two on the credibility front. It's preciscely because Craven is so brilliant, and set the bar high with his early work that his fans deserve better. New ideas, or even creative expansion would vastly superceed the pumping of existing work for all the commercial success possible. Did I mention he's also remaking Nightmare on Elm Street next year?
... About Buraka Som Sistema. In their own words:The wild beats of Angolan Kuduro music has been big in Lisbon clubs since the late 90s and Buraka Som Sistema - AKA Lil' John, Riot and Conductor – have fused it with 21st century electronics to create a whole new sound.
Now this electro ghettotech take on their favourite South West African music has is quickening and corrupting dancefloors all over the world on the basis of an EP with sounds not many have heard before.
Lil John and Riot began making music together in their teens, but the core of Buraka Som Sistema formed when the two began working with Angolan producer, Conductor, who brought along an extensive knowledge of Kuduro music to the equation. The three draw influences from the music of their youth and culture, fusing it with the inspiration taken from music genres as diverse as techno, drum’n’bass, hip hop and dance music. A revolving cast of talents complete the picture for Buraka, including guest vocals from Petty, M.I.A., Pongolove, Kalaf, Nolay and DJ Znobia.Crazy Corrupt Dancing! Pay close attention around 1:04, then to the kid @ 1:14, and the whole series of moves busted after 3:30
If you don't already frequent Sheena Beaston, then you are depriving your life, and your iPod of guaranteed stellar-ness. Here's the freshest from Sheena I just can't get enough of: the Nite Cell's reworking of LtK's latest anthem, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Heads Will Roll."
It's time for Lydia's Plea for Something Pretty: A Yamaha Tenori-On. I'm lovin' on it. I want it. I'm selfish. We're in an economic recession and I'm still considering spending hard-earned dollars ($999 of them) on this amazing piece of electronica. Although the hardware (and certainly the price tag) renders the Tenori-On a serious piece of instrumentation, there's plenty of room for newbies like yours truly to pick up electro-composition. You may have seen Little Boots rocking out to one, like in her YouTube cover of Hot Chip's "Ready for the Floor" below.
Did someone turn up the heat in here? Good gracious, the mercury is rising...
Look at us Mexican Jumping Beans.
Don't you remember those priceless middle school dance moments? Back when dancing with someone of the opposite sex was scandalous. Six inches or less between the two of you - forget about it. When wallflower was a way of life for cool kids and nerds alike. I had a special corner reserved, leaning against the gymnasium concrete while thudding bass pounded out TuPac's "California Love," Ginuwine's "Pony," and Ice Cube's "You Can Do It." I'll be a monkey's uncle if it didn't seem like "Angel of Mine" was the slow dance of choice at every shindig. (Love that we couldn't even have dances at night. We had to get dressed up for school, then get out of fourth period early to stare awkwardly at one another.) Ah, adolescence. I so do not miss you. Just sometimes the music ...
