Now that we’ve got a nice new player, we’re going to use it! We’re going to use it to highlight some of our favorite music, and go more in-depth with the tunes that are on the RH pages, in our iTunes collections, and in our heads. This week DJ RTC took over the player, programming it with some of his new favorite tunes. Check out the songs he picked and find out why below. And listen to all these joints in the new RH Player in the top right hand corner of the site.
Norah Jones: “That’s What I Said” (NYC Remix featuring Adrock and Mike D)
Why I Like It: “The sugar-coated is bittersweet,” sings Norah Jones on “That’s What I Said”. Jones’ new album has had me jonesin’ for a minute, and it only gets better with the release of her remix EP. You know I couldn’t update the player without the Beastie Boys in some form or fashion. If you really listen to the tracks that Adrock has been producing lately, you’ll full see his movement towards the more electro beats, and I expect to find more like this when the Beastie’s re-up on the promo for Hot Sauce Committee… *Note: for some reason the player just won’t accept the fire that is this song… I highly suggest checking for it, hearing it, and loving it…
Fashawn: “Freedom”
Why I Like It: Our guy that reviewed Fashawn’s debut LP, Boy Meets World, said that Fashawn is surprisingly good and mature for his age. That point is reinforced on track number two of Fash’s Exile-produced LP. “Freedom” will hit any sucker with a sweet spot for Public Enemy, NWA, and of course, Blackstar as Exile flips Kweli’s line “Living my life expressing my liberty, gotta be done properly, my name is in the middle of equality.” Whew!
Gil Scott-Heron: “The Devil and Me”
Why I Like It: Gil Scott-Heron gets dark on “The Devil And Me”, as he gives listeners the freedom to “bury my body by the highway side”… Pianos, and breakbeats provide the perfect backdrop and Scott-Heron gives me chills his vocals. This is bluesy rock to perfection.
Toro Y Moi: “Blessa”
Why I Like It: I never heard of Toro Y Moi before this song, but I will be checking for him from here on out. “Blessa” is the perfect ‘happy song’. It’s breezy, it’s groovy, it’s genre-bending, and it’s got one of the greatest lines ever: “I found a job, I do it fine, not what I want but still I try…”
Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono, The Edge: “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)”
Why I Like It: Jay-Z and Rihanna on one side, half of U2 on the other. The result is “Stranded” a song dedicated to Haiti, and done in hopes of raising relief funds.
Gorillaz: “Stylo” featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def
Why I Like It: “Stylo” sounds like it could have come straight from Grandmaster Flash’s unrelease vaults. Parts Herbie Hancock, parts David Bowie, and all the way live… The Gorillaz, Mos Def, and Bobby Womack are all at points in their careers where they can do whatever they want and we eat it up… Well, we cleaned our plate with this one.
Broken Bells: “The High Road”
Why I Like It: Danger Mouse has the Midas Touch, and that dude from The Shins that we kind of know isn’t too shabby either. “The High Road” is the duo’s introduction to the world, and while it’s a whole new thing, I know I’m going to be asked to play ‘that new song from Gnarls Barkley.”
Jay Electronica: “Suckas”
Why I Like It: Jay Elect has the people’s ear… again. Just when you thought he squandered his moment in the sun, the ever-so-difficult to figure out Jay Electronica drops a slew of joints that he performs awkwardly at concerts.
Closed Sessions: “Happiness Before Riches” featuring Bun B, GLC and BJ The Chicago Kid
Why I Like It: “Bun told me my pimpin’ smooth.” Bun B blessed us with his presence at a Closed Session with GLC, and “Happiness Over Riches” was born. You catch the full story with the documentary video next week… But for now dig on this smoothed out playerrific joint produced by The Weathermen.
Walter J. Liveharder: “Fuh King Posers” featuring Grace Lincoln
Why I Like It: There’s still something to be said for just beats, rhymes, and life. And that’s where Walter J. Liveharder comes in. The Chicago emcee carries truth in his music, and the bboy in my can’t get enough.
Closed Sessions: “Dutch Dalton” featuring Truck North and Big Pooh
Why I Like It: This was the second Closed Sessions song that we did, and I always felt like it didn’t get enough attention. So, since this is my turn to curate the RH Player, I’m throwing this one into the mix…