The Boombox Vol. 1

In which I sample some of the better recent musical finds around the web.



Because of samples no one could get the clearance on, Ghostface Killah's MF Doom-produced Charlie Brown didn't make the cut on on Ghostface's 2006 epic, Fishscale. Charlie Brown certainly can be found elsewhere if you try, but a new cd of remixes gets around the sample issue entirely by turning the hip hop anthem over to four electro DJs, with Guns'n'Bombs mix standing heads and tails above the others.

Scion Presents Ghostface Killah Remixes

One of my favorite albums to chill out and do a little dance to in the 90s was Luscious Jackson's Fever In Fever Out. Northern State's indie hip-hop funk recalls the cool breeze of Jill Cunniff and Gabrielle Glaser's best work. But, it's the recent dub remix of last year's Away Away that I'm currently loving.

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The sound of Jay Haze's 90 Deep is nearly indescribable as it swallows so many influences - hip hop, soul, downtempo, acid jazz - and creates a unique alternative. I hadn't heard of the American expat before now, but I'm certainly interested to hear Haze's first album, Love & Beyond, when it drops in April.

Jay Haze - 90 Deep mp3

I was slow to check out Cat Power as there are certainly more technically skilled singers out there. But, there are few who can soak their music in the raw emotion she does. Possibly too reminiscent of her song Maybe Not, Metal Heart is still a sad contemplation that weds her indie and classic rock sensibilities well.

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Undoubtedly the most upsetting piece of music I've heard in years, One Day Across the Valley by Teargas & Plateglass is undeniably powerful. Appearing on the Darfur charity album, Causes 1, it tells the story of a wounded victim of the genocide who took refuge in a church only for the militia to wipe out everyone she was with in hiding. Disturbing, but truly amazing.

Teargas & Plateglass - One Day Across the Valley mp3

I won't leave you on such a brutal downer though. Atmosphere's next album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, is ready to hit in April and Slug and Ant's first video - I suppose with their lesbian counterparts? - Shoulda Known, is bumpin', raunchy, creepy and cool.