Epoca

Continuing with the international flavor, I bring to you a song that I find amazing every single time I hear it. I always hear something new with each and every listen. When I heard this tune I ran right out and told everyone I knew about it because I just thought it had to be heard. I also ran right out and bought the CD and every CD this group has released since. The group is Gotan Project and the song is Epoca.

The first time I heard this song I felt the exact same way I felt when I first heard Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy". I was snatched up and transported to a musical place I never knew existed. A place where the music wasn't cookie cutter, a place where real artists made real music for the love of it and I have been doing my best to stay there. It hasn't been easy but's definitely been worth it.

Now, do we care what's being sung by the vocalist? You already know the answer is a big fat no. This is because you'll be too busy bopping your head to the beat, admiring the arrangement, and falling in love with the piano that comes in out of nowhere and adds an air of sophistication to this Tango-licious tune.

Sadly this song has been used recently in an ad campaign for of all things, dishwashing detergent. If you can somehow ignore that fact though and just enjoy this song for what it has to offer then you too may become a fan of Gotan Project like I am. Take a listen and tell me if I'm right :-)

Ceu Distante (DJ Spinna Remix)

Okay, to continue with the international flair with a subtle shift of gears I introduce you to the cool out portion of my blog. The last post was all about the sexy, this post is all about the chill. The last post was about something seductive, this post is about something smooth. The last post was about simmer, this post is about Bebel Gilberto and her song Ceu Distante.

Now I am suggesting the remixed version of this song as to the original for three reasons. First off the remix is longer than the original version. Whereas the original comes in under a little under three minutes the remix rolls on for almost four and a half minutes. Secondly, the original version has no backbeat or any real bassline to speak of. It's more ethereal and and awhole let less groovy as opposed to the groove heavy remix that will have you bopping your head and tapping your foot as you sip your Grey Goose, feel me? And lastly, the remix is just better.

If you don't speak Portuguese or anything close to it (like myself) then you won't understand the lyrics but don't worry about that. Bebel's sultry vocals over this track makes it work to the point that you don't care if you can't understand her because it's the kind of track that screams chill out and slow down. So knowing what she's saying is really rather irrelevant. This is a perfect addition to any playlist that's in rotation when your friends come over and hang out.

Last but not least I have to give it up to my fellow music lover Jose for putting me on to this track. I can take no credit for finding this jewel on my own. What I can take credit for though is putting you, the reader up on it and when you let your friends hear this great song you unearthed, guess how much cooler you will be to them?

Download and enjoy or take a listen.....

Ai Du

Okay, not only is it time for some international flavor on my blog but it's also high time for something downright sexy. Who cares if you don't know the language the singer is singing in, that's not important. What's important is how the singers voice becomes an instrument all it's own in the song and the song I am talking about is called "Ai Du".

Now when you listen to this song (and I really hope you do because you won't regret it) you may say to yourself "I have heard this before". You may be right and you might not be able to place it while you bop your head or move your hips to the sultry bass line, the methodical beat, and the wailing vocals after the first couple of listens but don't worry, I'll fill you in later.

The song is crafted by Ali Faraka Toure and Ry Cooder and they have come up with a song that simmers so hotly you can practically see the sweat glistening off of skin, paint peeling off of walls, and neighbors either calling the cops or wanting to come in and join the party. The lilting guitar of the dominating bass line will definitely make you move. The voice is pleading and the beat is hard and constant which makes for a potent mix. And every now and then a violin and a cello come along for the ride.

Hailing from the western African country of Mali, Ali Faraka Toure is an accomplished singer/songwriter and well known for his bluesy style of singing and guitar playing. Ry Cooder hails from sunny California and is an accomplished compser and has been hailed by Rolling Stone as the 8th out of their list of the top100 guitarists. Thankfully these two artists have come together and have seen fit to lay this seductive track on us. So when you've had a hard day and all you want to do is go home and be with that someone special, throw this on, light a candle or two, crack open that bottle of wine and indulge.

Download and enjoy....

(This song was in the movie "Unfaithful" starring Diane Lane, Richard Gere, and Olivier Martinez. I told you I'd tell you later)

Mars Vs. Venus

I wouldn't necessarily call myself an Usher fan but I have been known to appreciate his music from time to time so when he dropped his latest CD, I raised an eyebrow. I liked his last opus "Here I Stand" because it yeilded some interesting and entertaining songs. I wondered if all of the personal turmoil would somehow impact his "Raymond Vs. Raymond" CD and make it a true piece of art. Sadly it was not to be and I was surprisingly disappointed by what I heard.

Insipid songs about threesomes "Lil Freak" feat. Niki Minaj (already done to death and back again) and they had the nerve to sample Stevie Wonder for such madness. There's the boring club banger featuring Ludacris (who I happen to like) entitled "She Don't Know" that I don't even think has any lyrics. It's nothing but a hook. And I have absolutely no idea what "O.M.G." featuting Will.I.Am is supposed to be about but it's the most annoying thing I have heard in a long time (they call that music?).

Just when I was about to be done with this CD I ran across "There Goes My Baby" and while it's not spectacular, it is a decent slow jam so I kept listening. I'm glad I did because if I hadn't I would have completely missed the jewel if the CD buried amongst the rubbish. "Mars Vs. Venus" is amazing.

It starts off with a female robotic voice instructing you to initiate radar and then the melody kicks in and it's not only pleasant but it's pretty. It's not a love song but a sex song but not done with an ounce of crass. Basically it's a competition between man (Mars)and woman (Venus) and who can make who reach that climax first. The melody and the arrangement thankfully keeps it light and interesting. Usher's singing also makes this song one worth listening to and the bridge will grab you. Towards the end of the song he repeats the line "I don't know if I'll win/but I know that I wanna do it again" and you'll want to listen to this song again, of that I am pretty certain.

Download and enjoy!

Mind Heist

For those that don't know or aren't aware by now, "Mind Heist" is the music to the "Inception" movie trailer. It's done by an artist by the name of Zack Hemsey and if this piece of music is any indication to the depth and breadth of his talent then you will be hearing a lot more of Mr. Hemsey.

He has a CD out entitled "Empty Room" which is very good. It could be better had he not added rap over certain tracks. The tracks on their own stand on their and do so elegantly. The added element of rapping over some of them takes away from their dramatic impact. Take for example the song "Empty Room (Trailer Version)" which can be found along with his CD on bandcamp.com. The original version of that song has someone (unknown if the rapper is Zack himself) rapping over the music but the trailer version is a complete instrumental and it is beautiful. It doesn't have the impact of "Mind Heist" but then again what does? I even think Hans Zimmer, the composer of the Inception score was somewhat inspired by "Heist". What "Room" does have though is scope and granduer. It's a beautiful piece of music and I have officially become a Zack Hemsey fan. Sadly "Mind Heist" isn't on "Empty Room" but it can be found as stated earlier on bandcamp.com (or here if I did it correctly).

If you are a fan of this particular style of music then you need to look into Zack Hemsey, download some of his work, and enjoy it (like I have been doing with "Heist" over and over again).

Welcome to Tasty Tunes

The only thing that rivals Starburst jellybeans as my biggest addiction is music and I pretty much listen to every form of music there is. Because of this I decided to start a music blog. It will basically consist of music that I would normally just share with my friends but will now share with anyone who reads my blog.

Tasty Tunes won't have anything to do with music that is currently playing on the radio (mainly because I don't listen to the radio because the radio sucks and if you're reading my blog then you agree).

The first tune I want to recommend for a listen is John Coltrane's "Central Park West". It's my all time favorite jazz tune and it's one that I think should be heard by everyone on the planet at least once. It's a beautiful, haunting, ans melancholy all at same time. It's arranged perfectly and it's over in less than five minutes. Short but oh so sweet.

Download and enjoy.