Et Musique Pour Tous

Desire – If I Can’t Hold You

hec — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:34:17 +0000

I lay awake all night long…”

This 8 minute long, no frills, understated late night love song is a gem. The song is a collaboration between producer Johnny Jewel (Chromatics) and Canadian singer Megan Louise. The songstress is jaded as she longs for her missing lover when she realizes the inevitable truth that the other side of the bed just won’t be filled.

Yesterday so far away, I think of things we’ll never do. It keeps me up all night long..”

The melancoly in her voice makes picturing this situation, not to mention that everyone’s been to that place of unfulfilled desire, love and lust for someone. There’s nothing quite like a sad song that still makes you want to move. The next time I end up in an after hours spot with a bunch of tipsy friends this will be one of the first tracks to make the rotation. I’ve had a few nights lately where I’ve really enjoyed being up, doing stuff and thinking about the next moves but I haven’t really had the music to support my Noctambule tendencies – problem solved. Alright, gotta go but thanks to everyone that downloaded this months mixtape, it’s only been out for a day and is on it’s way to being our most popular ever! Enjoy…

I lay awake all night long…

Desire – If I Can’t Hold You

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Le Miel du Mois by Steph Lund: Septembre

hec — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:06:43 +0000

A lot of exciting things are happening this month, Hear No Evil continues to lock in clients, EMPT did over 2 Terabytes of traffic last month which is flat out ridiculous for this underground baby, and moves are being made on a daily to keep things in motion – We get’s busy ya’ll. On top of all that I woke up not too long ago to work on this mixtape and I was in pure delight when I finally got to listen to this months LMDM. Steph and I call ourselves twins when it comes to music and the song selection, vibe, energy and good times represented in this tape couldn’t make that little inside joke more true. To put it simply, she killed it. All the haters who showed up last month, this tape is going to be tough to deal with so…

Don’t hold on too long cause that’s how them stories start out, and all the girls that played me eat your mother fucking heart out…- Drake (Unforgettable)

All the other mixtape makers who’ve followed our blueprint, we’re flattered but remember…

I’m We the best at, you know I ain’t no apprentice to this
Me and my ni%&a# we invented the shit
I We came into the business with this, The Originator, none greater
Jaz Steph-O finish this shit…” – Jay-Z (Jigga What, Jigga Who)

“There are a ton of amazing new indie and electro acts out right now. Lefse Records and Arcade Sound are two labels I always watch closely because they just seem to know how to pick em.

This month’s LMDM highlights a lot of new breakouts including Brooklyn based Bronze (unsigned), San Francisco’sBlackbird Blackbird (Arcade Sound) and Dominant Legs (Lefse Records), Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings (Old Flame Records), 19 year old Brooklyn based Oberhofer (7″ out on InSound now), Hamburg’s Dirty Disco Youth (Dim Mak) and Chicago’s My Gold Mask (unsigned). And with summer (sigh) over, these artists give us a lot to look forward to with a breath of fresh air in their respective indie and electro genres. Go get your hands on as much of their stuff as you can, support them and buy their EP’s/albums.” -The O.RI.GI.NA.TOR

Le Miel du Mois at work? That’s much better than work at work! Download

Tracklisting:

1. The Meters – Hand Clapping Song

2. The Temper Trap – Love Lost (Keljet Remix)

3. Cloud Nothings – Hey Cool Kid

4. Au Revoir Simone – Tell Me (Clock Opera Remix)

5. Oberhofer – I Could Go

6. Bronze – Deep Freeze

7. Dominant Legs – Clawing Out At the Walls

8. Blackbird Blackbird – Pure

9. Royksopp – This Space

10. Bill Withers – Who Is He (Henrik Schwarz Edit)

11. My Gold Mask – Bitches (The Hood Internet remix)

12. Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

13. Summer Camp – Ghost Train

14. Dirty Disco Youth – Minds Off (Teen Symmetry Remix)

Kisses – People Can Do The Most Amazing Things

hec — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:41:26 +0000

With so much drama in the L-B-C
It’s kinda hard bein Snoop D-O-double-G
But I, somehow, some way
Keep comin up with funky ass shit like every single day…” – Snoop Doggy Dogg (1993, Doggystyle)

I turned on my computer this morning and the first song I saw with Kisses’ People Do The Most Amazing Things. I pressed play and man this song couldn’t be more appropriate for my current events in NYC.

I’ve got to get it out, I never wanted to fight…”

I tell you man, knowing what you want is a gift and a curse. It’s a gift because having direction and purpose helps you wake up in the morning without feeling like theres nothing to do. It’s a curse because you’re so focused on those goals that you lose your ability to entertain anything that takes you off course.

And it’s hard to know what you want, cause it’s hard to say what you can…”

I’ve gotten so caught up in my ambition over these last few years that I’ve literally lost ability to be distracted. I believe in the laws of attraction so much that I try to stay away from anything negative to the point where it might seem like I don’t care to people, but it’s not the case. I apologize to all the people around me who have things going on, or who’ve wanted a little more from me on the personal side, I’m not trying to diss you guys…

Things have been so crazy and hectic, I should’a gotten back by now.

But you know how much I wanted to make it, It’s probably better anyhow.

So if you gotta go, If there’s anything I should know.

If the spotlight makes you nervous, if your looking for a purpose.

I remember when you thought I was joking, now I’m all singing karaoke further than I’ve ever been…

- Drake (Karaoke)

I’ve been in show business since the 3rd grade, I’m addicted to the game, I need to put on a show like I need to breath. My apologies to those who try to argue with me and get the blank wall, I’m not fighting anyone. Life is to short and I’m determined to spend every single moment of it on the upside so sorry to disappoint. Time should be spent doing things…

I was only trying to get ahead, I was only tying to get ahead,

But the spotlight makes you nervous…

Anyways, I had to post the Drake song after using half of the lyrics for this post, enjoy

Kisses – People Can Do The Most Amazing Things

Drake - Karaoke

Miami Horror – I Look To You (Feat. Kimbra)

hec — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:16:52 +0000

Here I am again in the city
With a fist full of dollars and baby you gotta believe:
I’m back!
Back in the New York groove
I’m back
Back in the New York groove… – Hello (1975, New York Groove)

I just spent an overdue weekend out in South Hampton and who knew what a little fresh air and tennis could do so much for the spirit cause I’m back looking for the game like left something. I needed a song today that fit the fast life and pulse of this Miami Horror sounds custom made for this Monday morning. Not to mention how to the lyrics completely coincide some of the latest paradigms about time and control that we’ve started to understand…

I look to you…
The future we’ve found
To stay here on higher ground

I wanna change the future as I look into your eyes.”

There’s a sort of irony to the concept of being in the moment because if you don’t have a broad perspective and understanding of the future you’ll never truly be able to live in the moment. Having the confidence and understanding that the bright future is ahead eliminates a lot of the BS people deal with. Every single person on this earth is the most impressive and worthy creation in existence. I mean have you ever taken a moment to think about how impressive your make up is? We have super computers and mind blowing technology all over the place but still nothing comes anywhere close to our makeup. That said, all the hate and bitterness is simply not worthy of that wonderful reality. Kevin pointed out a line from Up All Night that pretty much explains it all…

F$&k I look like yo?
I look like yes and you look like no…” – Nicki Minaj

I would not want to look like no. Anyways, if you’re working hard, moving forward and keeping yourself in constant check you lose the ability to worry and can truly indulge in the moment. The past, well that doesn’t even exist so learn your lessons and say goodbye. Whenever you do think of the future you smile at the thought of how something can possibly be better than the most precious gift life gives us – right now. Enjoy.

The future we’ve found
To stay here on higher ground…”

Miami Horror – I Look To You (Feat. Kimbra)

Crystal Fighters – In The Summer (Picture House’s ‘Summer In The Balearics’ Mix)

hec — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:20:11 +0000

I’ve been hearing some people talking crazy about how excited they are for winter. Let me put it on the record, I do not share those feelings and though I look forward to spring and maybe early fall I have zero to negative 2 interest in the New York City winter, maybe for a few days upstate but that about it. That said, I’m off to Long Island this weekend and wanted to post this fantastic beach made remix of Crystal Fighters’ In The Summer. The feeling you get when listening to this song is euphoric, I mean with the right state of mind and music like this around you can mess around and take over the world.

I love music for many reasons but one of them is the power it has to capture you and make you enjoy the little things about the moment at hand. I was having a conversation with my friend Roy yesterday about how we tend to worry about things that have little or nothing to do with the reality we actually live in. What your doing now, not now but right now, that’s your life, I would definitely get up from wherever you are and take a walk to think about that. I can’t spend to much time on the subject but Roy put me on to a quote that says it all:

This moment is your life…”

Alright I have a meeting with Darren Kapahi, the mastermind behind my Hear No Evil logo and I have to get ready for South Hampton all in the next few hours so get some friends, get out of the concrete jungle, put on those bathing suits, grab drink and kick it to this gem, EMPT loves you, enjoy.

Life is inspiration. if at the moment, my life is you, then you’re my inspiration for the moment…” – Roy Perez

Crystal Fighters – In The Summer (Picture House’s ‘Summer In The Balearics’ Mix)

Kevin Casey’s Sample Saturday – Isaac Hayes et Geto Boys

hec — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:36:41 +0000

I know I usually put the cover of the sampled record when posting on the great EMPT, but this time I did something different because there is a story behind it (See kevincaseymusic.com). The Geto Boys We Can’t Be Stopped album cover is one of the rawest ever. After a long night of drug abuse, member Bushwick Bill shot himself after his girlfriend refused to do so. This photo was taken after he was brought to the hospital and was used for the album – insane.

On to the music… The Geto Boys are one of the most influential groups in rap history, and along with groups like UGK, put Southern hip-hop on the map. The group changed members on more than one occasion, but found their most success with members Bushwick Bill, Willie D and Scarface (the real “King of the South”). In 1992 they released their single “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” which reached number one on the charts and cemented the Geto Boys place in hip-hop history. Packed with paranoia, violence, and hallucinations, the song features some of the haunting storytelling of which the Geto Boys became known for.

The song features a sample from Isaac Hayes’s “Hung Up On My Baby”, a track where Hayes shows off his arrangement and composing ability which made Black Moses one of the greatest musicians ever. Laced with Hayes’s alluring guitar riffs, the Geto Boys turned his gem into a classic of their own. The sampled record contains so many ill loops, there is enough material to make 5 dope beats, at least. The Geto Boys use the loop at 0:10 for the main sections of the verses, and then the loop at 0:29 for the hook, which contains a melody catchy enough to whistle along with. I mean, who’s fucking with Isaac Hayes when it comes to providing samples for classic hip hop records… no one? (P.Walsh / K.Casey)

Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby

Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks On Me

via Kevin Casey Music

Eli “Paperboy” Reed – Just Like Me

hec — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:54:32 +0000

First and foremost, this song is f&*k#ng awesome. Ok now to the post…

From Mayer Hawethoner to Sharon Jones to Space Invadas to Amy Winehouse to Joss Stone to Duffy to Raphael Saadiq to Melanie Fiona to VV Brown to the Noisettes, the love for retro soul get’s stronger by the day and with the genres latest muse it looks like it isn’t going anywhere. He goes by the name Eli “Paperboy” Reed and after two independently released LP’s he’s made his way to the big time and landed a deal with Capital Records. Though he may be from Boston and despite the fact that the Redsox and Celtics suck majorly the boy is no fluke and has a voice that holds up with the best of them.

People like to talk, they say I’m living high. But in my mind I’m barely getting by. So if you really think that I’ve got it all, you know it’s just because you’ll never see my fall.

Just Like Me is a song about a tortured leader who appears to be living the highlife in the eyes of everyone but himself. He can’t show any weakness and has to sacrifice his own emotions to be an inspiration to others. Eli sings this with such conviction that you can’t help but feel his pain and relate. I love music that digs deep and when it’s performed with such authenticity it makes it that much better of an experience.

Nobody knows the pieces that I’m missing, they just keep on, keep on wishing

That they were just like me…”

Anyways, I had a late start today because of the Le Souk party so I can’t get into this as much as I’d like but enjoy this fantastic modern soul, peace.

Eli “Paperboy” Reed – Just Like Me

Eli “Paperboy” Reed – Come And Get Me

Lou Reed – Walk On The Wild Side

Amanda Blank – Shame On Me (Viking Remix)

hec — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:02:29 +0000

This rain thing is starting to get old so I’m posting something that still fits the mood but keeps things moving. I actually wanted to play this Viking remix at our Foundation party last weekend but the crowd was pretty much only responding to Top 40 radio so I was limited in the EMPT stuff I could play. Anyways, it is what it was and we’re back on the scene tonight at Le Souk so stop by if you want to hear a little EMPT loud and live, the info is.

Le Souk Harem

10 PM – 4 AM

510 Laguardia Place

Music by Hector Mendoza Jr & Kevin Casey

A lot of you will know Viking from his remix of Kid CuDi’s Dat New New which we posted back in in ’09, check it out here if you haven’t already, it bangs. Most of you will know Amanda Blank from her work with Spank Rock but more likely through her playgirl anthem Might Like You Better. The song that says when personality isn’t enough to convince you if you like a someone, sleep with them:

I might like you better if we slept together…”

Whether you agree with the very 2010 Amanda Blank philosophy this version of Shame On Me is classic Viking. I had Amanda’s album for months and never listened to the song but when this remix came out I was all over it. The lyrics are great too and I’d love to talk about them but I have to get ready for this party, send out some Hear No Evil proposals and do a million other things before tonight so press play and fight the rain, enjoy.

Amanda Blank – Shame On Me (Viking Remix)

Blue Hawaii – Blue Gowns

hec — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:17:53 +0000

First of all, this song is sick. All I know about Blue Hawaii is that they’re from Canada, they’re signed to Arbutus records and they’ve released an album called Blooming Summer which you can download for free here. It’s exactly what you’d expect from the title, a lush, very relaxing and collage of hazy dreap pop. Lilac and Blue Gowns are my favorite but there’s something about Blue Gowns that completely captures me everytime I listen to and it’s probably the lyrics.

You ever break up with someone you care about and then start questioning everything that happened? Then you start thinking about all the minor details of them having sex with someone else? Pretty gross isn’t it? Suddenly the person you we’re really into becomes this disgusting trader and you can’t stand the thought of them. Well that annoying part of relationships is what this song is about…

My daydreams go through I think about you thrusting into her,

And I ask myself how stupid can you get…”

I love how this song captures that moment in love because what’s funny about it is that in two months you hook up with someone else and you could care less who’s shtupping who. Reminds me of my favorite new quote…

If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”

I haven’t heard a love song with this type of perspective since Lykke Li and it’s great. Not to mention the slow, dark and extremely emotional feel of the production. Alright, time to hit the ground running but lay back and relax to this one, it’s quite good, enjoy.

Blue Hawaii – Blue Gowns

Florence and The Machine – Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)

hec — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:17:58 +0000

It’s raining in the city and this Short Club remix of Cosmic Love couldn’t fit the mood better. It’s a 7 minute song and it’s literally the only thing I’ve been listening to since I woke up early this morning. The song and production are dark, sultry, emotional, hopeful and surreal. Trying to stay sane in music industry, being around some evil people and the facts of life have made me solid ice and bulletproof…

I’m only nineteen but my mind is older
And when the things get for real my warm heart turns cold…”

But music like this reminds me the vulnerability, innocence, intensity and most importantly the beauty of letting go for someone…

A falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes
I screamed aloud, as it tore through them, and now it’s left me blind.”

There’s nothing more important than having love around you, from your friends, your family, your business partners, your lover, that’s what it’s all about. At this point in my life, I certainly haven’t seen it all but I’ve seen and learned enough to know what’s worth while. This rain, this music, it’s making me think about strictly focusing on those things. I guess I’ve lost the emotional ability to be mad or hate but I’m ok with that. For those who still get worked up by these thing, I heard a quote last night that was great…

If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes…

Anyways, this rain, this music, it just got me thinking but above all this is a great song, enjoy…

Florence and The Machine – Cosmic Love (Short Club Remix)

Kevin Casey’s Sample Saturday – El DeBarge et AZ

hec — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:12:49 +0000

After being the only other MC on Nas’s classic Illmatic, it seemed that AZ was destined to become one of the faces of hip-hop music. Even after releasing classic album after classic album, he never reached the commercial success that once seemed inevitable. Despite the lack of mainstream notoriety, AZ never leaves his fans disappointed and is one of the most consistent MCs in the game. Whether it be a solo album, a collaboration project, or a freestyle, AZ always brings his best to the table which is why he is so respected amongst his peers and fans alike. Many call AZ underrated, however, all hip-hop heads know that he is one of the illest to ever do it.

“Problems” is a track off of AZ’s 2001 effort, 9 Lives. The song was produced by C.H.O.P. Diesel and features a crazy sample from the El Debarge song “All This Love”. The hook is built off the eight bars starting at 0:11, and layered with some banging drums to bring it into the hip-hop realm. The verses and also the intro of “Problems” is constructed very skillfully using small chops from 0:09 and also snippets from the downbeat of certain bars during the hook. One of AZ’s most well-known tracks, and a timeless record at that. Also track 6 off of a great mixtape by the name of Live From New York. (K.Casey / P.Walsh)

El DeBarge – All This Love

AZ – Problems

via Kevin Casey Music

SomethingALaMode – Little Bit Of Feel Good (Ft. Adam Joseph)

hec — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:24:37 +0000

We’ve been bumping some serious electro-house at our events and my mind has been consumed with party music so I wanted it to tone down with something relaxed that still moves. That’s when I went through some of my drafts and found a post I started writing a month ago about the new French outfit SomethingALaMode aka SALM. The self-proclaimed creators of the electro-strings genre are two dudes from France that are brining classical music back to the kids, fresh.

Oh a little bit of feel good goes a long way, I need your touch to get me through my day.”

That’s exactly how I feel about having good music in the background at all times. Life is full of so many little annoyances that serve only to make you lose sight of the fact that enjoying yourself and having a good time is what it’s all about. Some people have a very distorted misconception of life and think bad things are inevitable. Yes, if you think bad things are inevitable that’s exactly what will come to you. If you create the opposite of that then your reality will not involve bad things, so like the picture above says – SHIT NEEDN’T HAPPEN. Yet no matter how you look at the world music seems be the common defense against all that nonsense and there’s a line in this song that I’m going to start using on people whenever people get into a selfish mode of trying to ruin someone else’s day because of their lack of perspective…

Please don’t make my feel good go away.”

Anyways, this song is great. I have a million things to do before tomorrows party so press play on this gem and make it a point to protect your feel good at all cost, enjoy.

SomethingALaMode – Little Bit Of Feel Good (Ft. Adam Joseph)

New Young Pony Club – Chaos

hec — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:29:36 +0000

We like a little Chaos, we like a little thrill.”

I’m in a little bit of a pickle with EMPT these days. The problem is that with Hear No Evil launched I can’t exactly post all the rare records I have in my collection because I would basically be giving the competition free product. On top of that we’re on the radar now so every time I release a record early I’ve got lawyers and internet police bringing the heat which is funny since it’s the band members that give me the records in the first place. I haven’t exactly had your typical upbringing so I’d probably be bored without the madness so in a way it is what it’s supposed to be…

Don’t take the breaks that were meant to save us
Make life a bitter pill…”

I love all the music I post on this site but in terms of variety, international flavors, cultures and flavors I’m not even touching 1 percent of my library. Obviously holding back on music is the opposite of what EMPT stands for but if I just let everything out for free I wouldn’t be doing my business much justice. I’m thinking of maybe having an EMPT radio station that people can subscribe to for a small fee or maybe a premium section of the site. Neither of those would stop the actual problem but at least I wouldn’t feel like we were just giving it all away. If anyone has ideas please feel free to shoot me a message or leave a comment, I’d love to hear about it.

You’ve got the moment, tell me what’s the answer
You’ve got the instinct, tell me what’s the answer

Chaos is probably the best song to describe how everything feels right now. We’re moving to the beat of the city, gaining small successes here and there, building confidence in our brands and in ourselves but there are still so many questions to be answered. I’ve said it a million times before, my objective is to give you guys the absolute best in show and with that mentality I’ll always have a need to keep making things better and the only way to do that is by staying humble, working hard and constantly learning. I know we’ve got the moment, I don’t think I’ll ever have all the answers but that’s ok cause there’s no rush so line ‘em up, we’ll shut ‘em down cause I’ll do what ever it takes to go the distance, enjoy.

Anything left you, you can blame it on the brain not the heart – I’m playing my part…” Memphis Bleek (1998, It’s Alright)

New Young Pony Club – Chaos

Siriusmo – Allthegirls

hec — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:41:23 +0000

Yes, that boob up there can only mean one thing in EMPT speak – Kevin Casey and I are putting on a show and spinning another party! This time it’s Saturday night at Foundation on the Lower East Side and it’s going to be a riot. We’ll be at Le Souk tomorrow night but if you want to see the dirty nasty no rules dance madness go down make it on Saturday…

P.S.K. we’re makin’ that green

People always sayin’ what the hell does that mean?

P for the people who can’t understand

How one homeboy became a man

S for the way they scream and shout

One by one I’m knockin’ you out

K for the way my DJ kuttin’

Other MC’s man they ain’t sayin’ nothin’

Rockin’ on to the brink of dawn

I think Code Money yo time is on” – Schoolly D, What Does It Mean?

I digress but you have to excuse me my mind thinks in lyrical interludes. Now for the topic of this post, the Monkeytown Records golden child Siriusmo. This German producer is one of my favorites and though he tends to go left field every so often his hits unquestionable and something to talk about. I posted Urlaub In Berlin, the extremely funky highlight from his MiniRock LP a while back but had to repost it today because it couldn’t be more fitting for all the running around and energy I’m feeling from the city as of late. Another down and dirty track back Siriusmo is a track calling all the girls to the dance floor.

All the girls get down…”

As I’ve stated before the EMPT business model is “Make The Girl Dance,” inspired by the French band of the same name and this important announcement fits right in. Unfortunately it’s only Tuesday and this tracks make it feel like Friday but there’s nothing wrong with a little fantasizing to get through the day, enjoy.

All my girls get up…”

Siriusmo – Allthegirls

Siriusmo – Urlaub In Berlin

Au Revoir Simone – Another Likely Story (Aeroplane Remix)

hec — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:53:04 +0000

I was originally going to make this post about Williamsburg trio Au Revoir Simone but the more I listened to this remix I realized I had to give the credit where it’s due, Aeroplane. Vito De Luca and Stephen Fasano are the Belgian DJ/Producer team that makes up Aeroplane and they have been topping the underground nu disco charts for quite some time. I posted their latest non-remix work We Can Fly recently and if you haven’t heard that track scroll down a few post because it’s an epic adventure that is certainly worth your time.

For today, I want to post their remix of Au Revoir Simone’s Another Likely Story and Chromeo’s latest late night knockout Don’t Turn The Lights On. The Chromeo remix doesn’t kick in till about 52 seconds so give it sometime, these guys like to build things up. In fact, it’s that knack for ambitious arrangements that gives this production team a serious edge. This is a very classic, modern and exciting production style and I would certainly keep your ears open from anything these guys release, enjoy.

Au Revoire Simone – Another Likely Story (Aeroplane Remix)

Chromeo - Don’t Turn The Lights On (Aeroplane Remix)

Kevin Casey’s Sample Saturday – The Isley Brothers et Ice Cube

hec — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:50:32 +0000

Before Ice Cube was acting in children’s movies, he was the head lyricist of the most notorious hip-hop group to ever do it, N.W.A. After Cube split from the legendary crew, he launched a successful, and controversial solo career that has featured 9 solo albums, and countless guest features with every major player in hip-hop. Cube’s versatility has allowed him to remain relevant as hip-hop has drastically evolved since the 1980s. On “It Was a Good Day”, Cube exhibits another aspect that has made him a legend in the game; storytelling. Here he explains why this particular rap story was different from the rest…

The inspiration was my life at the time … I was at the top of the rap game. It was the summer of ’92 and I was in a hotel room, really in a state of euphoria. I had all the money I had dreamed of. I was in a good frame of mind. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay, there’s been the riots, people know I will deal with that. That’s a given. But I rap all this gangsta stuff — what about all the good days I had?”

The Isley Brothers have been sampled on countless records, but “It Was a Good Day” is certainly one of the flyest of the batch. The sampled song “Footsteps in The Dark” provides a stellar groove right from the beginning of the record, that left little to be done as sample manipulation. The loop is continuous, and along with a few other obscure chops, it provides the appropriate background for a great story. The lead guitar riff tells a story on its own, and together the sample and lyrics are the perfect match. Also, can’t forget the visual for this West Coast classic (P. Walsh/K. Casey).

The Isley Brothers – Footsteps in the Dark

Ice Cube – It Was A Good Day

via Kevin Casey Music

Mark Ronson – Lose It (In the End) (Feat. Ghostface Killah)

hec — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:40:30 +0000

So far the tracks released from Mark Ronson’s latest effort Record Collection have all been nothing short of classic. I posted Circuit Breaker back in May and was holding off on Bang Bang Bang till the next record hit the streets and with the release of Lose It the time is now. Ronson is one of my favorite producers for a plethora of reasons but mainly for his gift for seamlessly blending the old and the new, the analog and the digital, the classic and the you get the idea.

Without getting too technical, the advances in recording technology have led to some great improvements in the way sound is captured but as with everything that has come at a cost and a pricey one if I might add. With new age digital recording we’ve lost the equiptment that added a certain amount of distortion and harmonics to the music that we would later find out was very desirable to our ears. Anyways, if you listen to any of Ronsons productions and wonder why his sound is so different it’s because he makes it a point to use that vintage gear and capture the energy and sound so many of the classic records have. I’ve already written about this and you should spend your time listening to this new age old school, enjoy.

Mark Ronson – Lose It (In the End) (Feat. Ghostface Killah)

Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang (Feat. MNDR and Q-Tip)

Bonus:

Mark Ronson – Bang Bang Bang (U-Tern’s Disco Dub)

Mayer Hawthorne – The Ills

hec — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:27:40 +0000

There are certain artists I listen to that completely captivate me through their music, to the point where I have to stop thinking about everything and get lost in the fantasy and stimulation. Curtis Mayfield is one of those artists, I mean some of his songs are charged with a such complex array of emotions, rhythms and textures that you can’t help but feel like an air of divinity is coming through your speakers. Why am I talking about Curtis Mayfield in Mayer Hawthorne post? Well one listen at the percussion and vocal performance on The Ills and you’ll quickly realize Hawthorne applies very good taste when it comes to looking for inspiration.

You know the ills of this world they can get you down
But then we get back up”

To put it simply, this song is about the inevitable ups and downs of life and the process of getting though them. Those of you who read this blog regularly probably know that my favorite word is perspective. Having the ability to momantarily disconnect yourself from a trouble or even a success to see the moment for what it is – passing, is a great skill to practice. Next time you get mad or sad about something just think about the fact that it won’t last. Think about your past hardships, where are those now? The laws of the universe say that the pendulum will always swing back the other way. You can’t stop equilibrium but you can have the understanding that it exists and thus the perspective to rise about letting it rock you at will, that is the way to balance, enjoy.

We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are. – Anaïs Nin

Mayer Hawthorne – The Ills

Alan Pownall – Colourful Day (Seams Remix)

hec — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:24:06 +0000

For some reason I keep waking up at the crack of dawn everyday and can never fall back asleep but I ain’t mad at yah, sleep is the cousin of death. This little dilema has made me put serious thought into the ultimate morning playlist, an eclectic mix of internal themes and flavors, a time traveling back to the future experience, one that motivates yet still keeps the relaxed nature of the AM in the back of the mind. With these prerequisites at hand I went out searching in the volt and found the Seams Remix of Alan Pownall’s Colourful Day, probably one of the best feeling contemporary morning songs I’ve found in a long time.

London producer Seams is a master at painting with samples and this production is a perfect example of that. Subtle yet colorful this track makes you think of the true significance and beauty of waking up in the morning. It’s unfortunate that for many of us the gift of waking up another day has been clouded with the idea of having to go to a job we may not like or anything of that nature. But like everything it’s all a matter of perspective regardless of what you have to do this day it’s just another day closer to your goals and aspirations.

It’s all in my mind now,
But I can’t help thinking why it’s oh so quiet.
When I woke up it was like this,
What a colourful day I have been welcomed with.”

This morning playlist thing is starting to become a big project, not sure if I’ll ever post it since it’s pretty personal but I’ll throw up a song or two here and there. Good day my friends, enjoy.

Alan Pownall – Colourful Day (Seams Remix)

Thieves Like Us – Forget Me Not (Minitel Rose Remix)

hec — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:59:11 +0000

Excuse the sparsity in post as of late, I’ve been running around NYC more than ever dealing with all the new Hear No Evil clients and DJ’ing with sir Kevin Casey. I finally caved and decided to take the DJ’ing thing a little more serious because I felt like there was a void in the art form and we could do damage. I treat the DJ sets just like EMPT, entertain with the absolute highest level of quality and originality. So if you haven’t seen us perform yet stay tuned for the next party, our sets are dirty, risky, edgy, fun, eclectic, fast and pure Hollywood caliber entertainment.

One of my favorite songs to throw on about 30 minutes before the dirty dancing begins is the Minitel Rose Remix of Thieves Like Us’ Forget Me Not. We’re bringing our underground flavor to mainstream parties so I have to ease them in and play this at the beginning of the night. This is really a dirty 3am underground party track that you either dance drunkenly to or sit in a corner with a drink in hand listening, a smoke and thoughts about a love lost or something, ie the picture above.

Some dance to remember, some dance to forget…” – Hotel California, The Eagles

I mean you don’t know if you should be dancing or crying listening to this, now that’s a mind f&#k! The vocal performance on the original is screaming tortured romance and the remix takes that to a whole new level. The gliding synths literally make the track cry, that combined with the energetic synths and dramatic arrangement make this track a complete roller-coaster, fresh. Great entertainment, enjoy.

Thieves Like Us – Forget Me Not (Minitel Rose Remix)