Head to Head: "Vegetables" The Beach Boys, DRAM, ScHoolboy Q, Trippy Turtle, B-RED, DJ Flex, The New Mastersounds, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Hieroglyphics, Little Brother, Goodie Mob, Jeezy

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Erin sets up the salad bar nicely, beginning with the godfather of veggie-tunes before turning to the contemporary rap scene. "Eggplant" flips it up with a nice bounce before going into some modern funk that smoothes it all out.

For my list, I put my focus on my favorite green:

Kendrick Lamar and Phesto (Hieroglyphics) have both found the terrorism connection. Kendrick: "They'll probably think I'm a terrorist, eat my asparagus." Phesto: "Eat the asparagus with Bulgarian heiresses / They miss the beat, I'm the rap Pistol Pete Maravich / She's Taral Hicks, boiled down off asparagus / On the terrace with a therapist next to the terrorist."

Opio (Souls of Mischief), who also appears on "Exciting" alongside Phesto, invokes asparagus on his own solo track, "Take My Chances:" "Sharin my gift, a paradigm shift / Cause it's good for you baby like asparagus tips." (Not included here.)

Big Sean overdoes it a bit "I think I'm gon' O.D off this asparagus and bread and pasta / Need a doctor," and Little Brother offers us "asparagus rosemary chips" and if you don't know what that is, it doesn't mater, no one's listening anyway.

No asparagus connection, but I couldn't let this list go by without a little "Soul Food."

"Put On" becomes an epic list closer. "Blowin' on asparagus, the realest shit I ever smoked / Ridin' to that Trap or Die, the realest shit I ever wrote."

- Matt

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Monday Mix 181126: CHIC, Machine, Patrice Rushen, Evelyn "Champagne" King

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On the heels of last week's disco-inspired playlist, I put together some undeniable extended disco grooves.

First learned of the groove for "Everybody Dance" as a white label remix. Much later did I come across this original version, which is a burner. I always turned my nose up at CHIC, as being too "main stream," but now I'm a disciple of Nile Rodgers.

"There But For the Grace" - picked up this 12" shopping used records. Just a few needle drops across the omnipresent groove of this monster had the disc off the turntable and into my keep pile.

First heard "Haven't You Heard" as the hook in Kirk Franklin's "Looking For You." Love that track. Love this track.

"Shame" is such a boss number. Dynamic emotional range, groove in the pocket, funky and smooth.

- Matt

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"Everybody Dance" by CHIC, 1977. Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards.

"There But For the Grace of God Go I" by Machine, 1979: August Darnell, Kevin Nance.

"Haven't You Heard" by Patrice Rushen, 1980: Sheree Brown, Charles Mims, Jr., Patrice Rushen, "Ready" Freddie Washington.

"Shame" by Evelyn "Champagne" King, 1977: Reuben Cross, John H. Fitch, Jr., Theodore Life.

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Vinyl Club #22: From a Whisper by Oak Pantheon

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From the No Clean Singing album review:

"American black metal has spread its wings and flown in so many interesting directions in recent years, with Agalloch arguably leaving the boundaries of the genre altogether and bands such as Cormorant, Nachtmystium, Krallice, deaf heaven, and Ash Borer taking the music off on creative tangents of their own.

"With From A Whisper, Oak Pantheon are poised to join the ranks of America’s best black-metal crossover bands, producing an ambitious album that integrates black metal, folk, and post-metal into more than an hour of memorable, diverse, atmospheric music.

"Despite its substantial length (and the considerable length of most songs), it will hold your attention and stick with you long after the music stops."

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Viva Latina: "Dúos y colaboraciones" Carlos Vives, Esteman, Jesse & Joy, Carlos Baute, Chino & Nacho, Nicky Jam, CNCO, Anitta

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There are so many good Latin duos and collaborations that for this month’s post I wanted to highlight some of my favorites.

I start off with “La bicicleta” a collaboration between Colombia superstars Carlos Vives and Shakira. It won song of the year at last year’s Latin Grammys and is still a favorite of mine.

My favorite duo is brother and sister team Jesse & Joy. “Dueles” while a sad song gets you in your heart and Joy’s voice always draws me into their story.

Nicky Jam is another favorite artist of mine and he does a lot of powerful collaborations. “El perdón” is not as famous as some of his other collaborations (and I’ve already featured some of his other songs in previous posts) but I love the slow reggaetón and addition of the smooth voice of Spanish superstar Enrique Iglesias.

CNCO is definitely a guilty pleasure as I wouldn’t say this boy band formed from the American Idolesque “La banda” is particularly talented, but I want to sing and dance when I hear their songs.

I end with “Downtown” co-written by J. Balvin and Brazilian singer Anitta. J. Balvin led the nominations at the 19th Latin Grammys and this collaboration was nominated for best Urban song.

- Elaine

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Monday Mix 181119: Tiger & Woods, Underworld, New Order, Alan Braxe

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Tiger & Woods appear to do something simple. Take the best parts of disco songs and string them together.

It's not uncommon or ground-breaking. But they are the only ones who do it that I love.

They do it with such confidence, finesse, subtlety, love, and joy. It's completely unapologetic. It's defiant in its commitment to the sound, looping over and over, building tension. The respect for the samples is palpable.

The only other example I can think of that has such unwavering commitment to the very sound they are creating, that celebrates that sound in unwavering simplicity, that rejoices in the tension it creates, that sounds so familiar yet so fresh, is Daft Punk's Homework.

- Matt

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Vinyl Club #21: The Garner Poems by Mourning [A] BLKstar

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From the Broadway World album review:

"Creating songs of both eulogy and revolution, the expansion of 21st century black consciousness is felt in waves through Ohio's Mourning [A] BLKstar.

"A force that has deep conviction, purpose, and weight, songs are voiced through a lens of chopped up drum grooves, stark melodies, washed-out synth tones, and historic sample pulls.

"On their sophomore album, The Garner Poems (out October 26th on Electric Cowbell), the group traffics their signature gritty strain of DIY Afrofuturist soul music, balancing hip-hop production techniques with lo-fi experimentation to create a sonic suite that eulogizes victims of police brutality, including Tamir Rice and Eric Garner, as well as bringing forth a conversation that aligns with the political and emotional state of this world.

"The Garner Poems are modern day spirituals of reverence and despair that serve as both a force of light and a schematic for hope, survival, and independence."

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hooked.evd/billieeilish: Billie Eilish, Bea Miller, Halsey, Lorde, Clairo, Charlotte Lawrence

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It's another moody one, folks.

The first time I heard "when the party's over" I knew I wanted to spotlight it.

I've put together a mix with a few other Billie Eilish tracks and some of my other favorite moody ladies.

- Erin

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Monday Mix 181112: Fleetwood Mac, The Spinners, The Doobie Brothers, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Daft Punk, Zoot Woman, Phoenix, Janet Jackson

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The real impetus for this one is Todd Edwards' interview on the companion release for Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, shared here in the More Mix.

The theme, the feel, of a carefree drive down a coastal southern Californian highway.

- Matt

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Vinyl Club #20: Highway Hypnosis by Sneaks

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From the Tiny Mix Tapes album preview:

"Highway Hypnosis seems like it will expand the horizons of the Sneaks sound.

"Among several others, Robyn, Nirvana, a hacky sack circle, and — most importantly in my mind — Jock Jams are all cited as influences that can be heard in the DNA of Highway Hypnosis."

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dolphinbright, "Stone Cold November" with Fleet Foxes, Crosby Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Beirut

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This month's playlist covers decades upon decades of raw emotion. I chose these tracks due to their reflective and unflinching tone.

It begins with Fleet Foxes' early hit "Mykonos" from their EP Sun Giant. Until my end of days, I will associate Fleet Foxes with autumn. Not that early autumn with slightly warm, sunny days but that grey, windy autumn that cuts through the midwest in November. Fleet Foxes are known for their beautiful harmonies and heart gripping storytelling.

I wanted to keep that theme throughout the remainder of the playlist: beautiful vocalists telling stories of love and loss.

Per usual, I have included some of my all time favorite tracks -- Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" and Willie Nelson's "Hello Walls." Anytime I need a good cry, I put on one of Willie's early albums and "Hello Walls" really gets the tears flowing.

Fair warning, the back to back combo of Beirut's "Goshen" and Young's "Heart of Gold" is heavy listening. If you make it to the end of the playlist without shedding a tear you may not have a heart. Might be a good idea to see a doctor.

- Leslie

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Monday Mix 181105: The Roots, Blakroc, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, M.I.A., Bun B, Lana Del Rey

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I wanted to put a small focus on blues influence in Hip Hop and R&B. Tried to pick tracks that feature realistic drum samples, if not real drums.

That small drum count-in from "The Seed" kicked off the list how I wanted.

I love intertextuality, so Lil Wayne's line about quoting other tracks always sticks out to me. He's referring to West's "Can't Tell Me Nothing," which I included here in the More Mix.

"But, hey kid, plural, I graduated / 'Cause you can get through anything if Magic made it
 / And that was called recycling, r-e-reciting something / 'Cause you just like it so you say it just like it
 / Some say it's biting but I say it's enlightening
 / Besides, Dr. Kanye West is one of the brightest."

I wanted to use the "Paper Planes" remix with Bun B, but 1) I was already using Bun's "Never Going Back," and 2) I'm a Rye Rye fan and I love Afrikan Boy's cypher here. If the track feels out of place on this list, a listen of the sample's source, The Clash's "Straight to Hell" may point to the gritty rock foundation of the track. When Rye Rye says "Should I stay, should I go" it has to be a reference to the sample.

I'm loving the new Bun B, Return of the Trill. What sticks out to me in this track is Giggs' verse. The way the drums accent his flow sounds so tough. I appreciate that Bun B, while definitely committed to representing Texas, keeps his ears open to hip hop sounds from many cultures. Seen here by bringing in the British Giggs, but elsewhere on the same album with "Rudeboi" and "Fire" from a previous album, Trill O.G. "The Epilogue."

- Matt

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Vinyl Club #19: Lala Belu by Hailu Mergia

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From the Tiny Mix Tapes album review by Tristan Kneschke:

"Album opener “Tizita” references one of the Ethiopian scalar modes, directly giving newcomers a chance to get acquainted — and yes, hypnotized — by the undulating rhythms and twisting, sharp lead.

"But the 10-minute track has more in store, as it switches up not once, but twice, first revving from a relaxed groove to an uptempo, piano-driven section before finally multiplying into a free-for-all jam straight out of Chick Corea.

"“Addis Nat” and “Anchihoye Lene” both lay down grimy funks, drums punched up in the mix, the melody snaking around.

"The dreamy “Gum Gum” coaxes multiple swirling organ melodies across a swinging beat guaranteed to get your feet tapping, while the title track contains the only semblance of lyrics on the entire album, a chanting theme set against organs and meandering synths evoking the Ethiopian church that shares its name.

"Mergia strips all elements back to Pavlovian simplicity on the album closer, the solo piano “Yefikir Engurguro,” showing that music need not be complex to be transfixing."

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Top Tunes 1810-11 / Hot 100: Travis Scott, Drake, Cardi B, 5 Seconds of Summer, Juice WRLD, Lil Wayne, Maroon 5

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#1 SICKO MODE / Travis Scott

Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" That transition at 1 minute after Drake’s flow is too good. The song is packed with cameos which keeps it interesting. Needless to say, it’s also well done.

Matt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" If Astroworld and Everything Is Love by The Carters is the new direction of trap, then great. Up the production value, up the sophistication of the arrangement. The fact that this track has so many segments and is still so popular is encouraging. Keeping look out for the chopped and screwed versions.

#2 IN MY FEELINGS / Drake

Erin - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" I still find this song enjoyable, and I certainly won’t mind listening to it as the years go on and it continues to get air play on throwback lists. That said, I’m actively skipping it on playlists in an attempt to get more music up on the charts.

Matt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" Look, ok, ok I get it and it's fine that this track is so played out but man this song is so good. Classic Weezy sample cut up on the new sound of NOLA bounce. I'm there.

#3 I LIKE IT / Cardi B

Erin - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" I stand by my initial criticism that this song is a minute too long. That extra minute combined with however many plays and replays has made it so easy to switch the station when this comes on.

Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" Ready for this one to exit the radio play cycle, but, dang, this track's a beast.

#4 YOUNGBLOOD / 5 Seconds of Summer

Erin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Turn it up" I’ve been a small fan of 5SOS since 2016 when Vevo TV was still a thing in the Vevo Roku app… I’m glad to see how far they’ve come. The band has been mentored by the Madden brothers of Good Charlotte fame and you can really hear the influence in their early music. I’m hoping this isn’t a fluke and the band continues on this successful arc.

Matt - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" I give a lot of respect to this track for fitting in on the radio so well right now. It's punchy and hooky, so it stands out, but the Troye Sivan-esque vocal and easy shuffle beat keep it low-key and hard to turn off.

#5 LUCID DREAMS / Juice WRLD

Erin - ⭐️ "Turn it off" I’m bored. I thought this made sense as an end of summer song where the romance didn’t end the way the protagonist wanted, but let’s move on please.

Matt - ⭐️ "Turn it off" Though this track has grown on me over time, I was basically over it on first listen. Production is rough in a way that bothers me, and the vocal is earnest in a way that I feel embarrassed listening to it. The basic melody is enchanting, and keeps me from turning it off when there's nothing else on. I'm sure the things I don't like about it are what make the die hard fans love it, and that's fantastic. That's one of the things that makes music great to follow.

#6 MONA LISA / Lil Wayne

Erin - ⭐️⭐️ "Leave it on" I like any time Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne collaborate. I prefer music I can sing along to, but there is no denying the skill, talent and quality here.

Matt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "My jam" Eminem's Kamikaze, Bun B's Return of the Trill, and this album all dropped around the same time, and it's been a boon for popular rap fans who appreciate lyricism. Kendrick on the cut so you know it's going to be legit.

#7 GIRLS LIKE YOU / Maroon 5

Erin - ⭐️ "Turn it off" I take back everything I said about this song. I’m bored by it, I’m over it, and I’m ready for whatever’s next.

Matt - ⭐️ "Turn it off" What's worse? The overplayed song that you turn off, or the overplayed track that you leave on? The one you leave on. At least the one you turn off is doing something. This is just a constant reminder that life is mostly mediocre with occasional highs and lows.

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