Shad [2010] TSOL

::SUPPORT SHAD::

Third release from Canadian emcee Shadrach Kabango. Shad is a much needed breath of fresh air in a hip-hop world saturated with the likes of "artists" Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy & Drake (I will spare you my rant). It's a shame but Shad will likely fly under the radar of the masses, a blessing in disguise perhaps? Showcasing rhythmical talent, humor, and lyrical creativity, Shad is carrying the torch for his generation. Hip-hop royalty. SUPPORT SHAD AND PURCHASE HIS ALBUMS!

Shad - TSOL

Yaa I Get It

P-Funk All-Stars [1983] Urban Dancefloor Guerillas

::Funky Friday Guest Post Deux::

Various alumni of the Mothership's past resurface to produce the first P-Funk All-Stars album. Guest stars include Sly Stone, Bobby Womack and Maceo Parker. A monstrous dance record.

P-Funk All-Stars - Urban Dancefloor Guerillas

::Courtesy VP of teamSNAKE Ops. - Lee Cobra::

Bootsy Collins [1978] Bootsy? Player of the Year

::Funky Friday Guest Post::

Produced by Bootsy Collins & George Clinton and full of elastic basslines. Every song on Bootsy's third album clocks in at over five minutes. Some of the most enjoyable P-Funk material ever released. Digg.

Bootsy Collins - Bootsy? Player of the Year

::Courtesy VP of teamSNAKE Ops. - Lee Cobra::

How To Destroy Angels

New project from Trent Reznor, his wife Mariqueen Maandig and Atticus ross. Ambient/industrial NIN sound + female vocals = *drooling*. Six track EP due out July 6, ott10.

How To Destroy Angels

A Drowning

The Space in Between

Clutchy Hopkins [2008] Walking Backwards

Who is Clutchy Hopkins?

Clutchy Hopkins - Walking Backwards

The Egg [1998] Travelator

The Egg are one of the most underrated acts of the 90s. Travelator takes you through many different styles of mind-melding dance music mixed with live instruments, proving that dance music does not require a computer.

The Egg - Travelator

Willie Nelson [2005] Countryman

::Team Snake Request::

A project ten years in the making, the first ever reggae album from the legendary Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson - Countryman

13th Floor Elevators [1966] The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

From the front lines of the psych movement, the ground breaking debut from The 13th Floor. Roky Ericson's erie and melancholy voice still resonates to this day.

13th Floor Elevators - Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

Splash 1

Big thanks to Benny for this suggestion

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears [2009] Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

::Funky Friday Post::

Gritty, storming, high energy debut from Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. Funky infectious soul. Don't sleep.

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

Nas & Bob Marley [2010] Relatives Abroad

On the heels of the Nas & Damian Marley Distant Relatives release did you really think we were not going to get a Nas/Bob Marley mashup?! Well it's here courtesy 100 Akres Productions and available as a free download over at bandcamp. The mashup offers various Nas acapellas over beats containing samples from Bob Marley's Uprising album. Unlike most mashups this one is actually listenable & I like it! Per usual, supply a valid email address and it is yours.

Nas & Bob Marley - Relatives Abroad

Rainbow [1976] Rising

::RIP Ronnie James Dio::

In honor of Dio, one of the greatest voices music will ever see (music? see? YEA), we have the second release from Rainbow. Formed by departed Deep Purple guitarist Rithchie Blackmore and Ronnie James Dio. The album is balanced between direct rockers and longer, more progressive tinged pieces, all of which fare well. Six tracks clocking in at about thirty three minutes, you can not say a single bad thing about this album.

Rainbow - Rising

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros [2009] Up From Below

Edward Sharpe was "sent down to Earth to heal and save mankind - but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love." Rich, dynamic, and eclectic, a great "throw-back" of melodies & harmonies.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

w00K M@g!C

Brian Eno and David Byrne [2008] Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

The Eno/Byrne celebration closes with the their most recent reunion. 11 loopy pop tunes that wed Byrne's strange hearing of gospel and folk to Eno's continually evolving rhythmic and electronic palette. Ultimately, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today is about how music heals even if can not cure.

David Byrne and Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

Brian Eno and David Byrne - Strange Overtones

Thanks to Kings Ley for the heads up on these two celebrating another year. Happy Born Day to Vonage as well!

David Byrne [1989] Rei Momo

First full-fledged solo album from David Byrne. His fascination with Latin and South American music styles control this release but we are by no means short changed on Byrne's witty, oddball lyrics. This will grow on you after each listen.

David Byrne - Rei Momo

David Byrne [1997] Feelings

::Happy Belated Birthday David Byrne!:

Byrne borrows from drum and bass, Indian music and the kind of Latin rhythms he explored on Rei Momo.

David Byrne - Feelings

Brian Eno [1977] Before and After Science

Eno's last foray into rock music for the 1970s as a solo artist. The first half of the album boasts complex arrangements and sonic textures, while the second half features simpler, relatively direct music.

Brian Eno - Before and After Science

Brian Eno [1974] Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

::Happy Birthday Brian Eno!::

The legend turns 61 today. Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) is his second solo album. A lose concept album with topics ranging from espionage to the Chinese Communist revolution. This release proved to be a transition point between the more conventional rock of Eno's first album and his more experimental albums of the late 70's and beyond.

Brian Eno - Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

The Budos Band [2007] The Budos Band (Budos II)

::Funky Friday Post Deux::

The Budos Band manage to avoid the sophomore slump and deliver a much tighter and more elaborately crafted second release. The band lays down a funky groove and actually takes it somewhere this go-round. The mix oozes with faux-retro lo-fi beauty.

The Budos Band - Budos II

The Budos Band [2005] The Budos Band (Budos I)

::Funky Friday Post::

The Budos bring the late 60's - early 70's funk/jazz fusion sound with bass, guitar, eclectic percussion, big horns, and basic old-school mixing techniques. They are signed to Daptone Records, the home of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.

The Budos Band - The Budos Band (Budos I)

Reflection Eternal [2010] Revolutions Per Minute

A decade has passed since Reflection Eternals' classic 2000 debut, their long-awaited return is upon us. Kweli's message & delivery remain sharp and precise while Hi-Tek's jazz-infected riffs and soulful vibes continue to bring out the best in the mercurial MC.

Reflection Eternal - Revolutions Per Minute