So smooooth...

Local celebrity (and fellow blog partner) Ray Milian just had an article published in the Miami New Times.

Whoever said nice guys finish last has obviously never had the pleasure of meeting Ray Milian, who's definitely one of the nicest guys in DJdom. But don't let the soft-speak fool you. For beneath that mild-mannered exterior lies the heart and the soul and the chops of a monster, a man who knows how to kick a mean beat and kick a floor full of asses while he's doing so.

Check out the rest of the article on the the Miami New Times site. Go Ray!

Since Ray has been DJ'ing for close to a century now, what better song than the Traks version of The Doobie Brothers' Long Train Runnin' (that Prince Language happened to drop at last week's Fourth of July set at APT). I had been secretly playing that song on my iPod for a bit and did a double take when I heard the infamous guitar lick on South Beach.

MP3: Traks - Long Train Runnin' (YSI)

I have been seeing a resurgence of these tracks from the late 70's (early 80's) in DJ sets lately (and blogs) and most notably with the internet sensation of Yacht Rock (friggin' hilarious). I am guessing our generation grew up listening to our parents play The Doobies, Loggins and Messina, Hall & Oates ("Your music scene is for pussies! Co-coa!" Just watch it...I can't stop laughing) and now we realize the profoundness of the music? No wait that can't be it. I know! It's because it's soooooo smooth you can't deny it!

DISCLAIMER: Please Mr./Ms. DJ do not start playing EVERY SINGLE ironic Yacht Rock song in your set like you have just discovered some unreleased gem that no one has ever heard. The dance floor is not a doctor's waiting room. Unless, of course, you happen to be throwing a Yacht Rock party in DC (that my friend happens to be hosting) at @ Cafe Saint-Ex).

Yacht Rock - Episode 1
What A Fool Believes


Traks performing Long Train Runnin' (don't know how "live" this really is...)

M83 // Saturdays=Youth

M83 which comprises of Anthony Gonzalez from France is an artist I had heard about never got around to listening to, till the other day. I read a couple great reviews on their newest record 'Saturdays=Youth' which was released on April the 15th so I decided to go check it out. So far the verdict is wow!! They've released an amazing shoegazy, goth, pop tinged album drenched in 80's nostalgia, sound & feel. They even have a look-a-like Molly Ringwald on the cover! Fans of bands like Cocteau Twins, Psychedelic Furs, Tears for Fears, Radio Dept., Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Clan of Xymox or 80's New Wave/Goth bands in general will love this! They definitely tap into that feeling that 80's synth pop music made me feel growing up. The duo female/male vocals really add to the experience and music's beauty. Glad Anthony's putting out this kind of music for the newer generations who weren't around in the 80's to experience and enjoy first hand.

Stand out tracks so far are the First Single 'Graveyard Girl', 'Kim & Jessie' (my favorite!), 'Skin of the Night' and 'You, Appearing'. I'm gonna post up a couple tracks plus the video for Graveyard Girl. If you like these, I recommend you buy the whole thing. It's a good one!

Enjoy!

MP3: Kim & Jessie (YSI)
MP3: Skin of the Night (YSI)


Graveyard Girl Video

Buzz In Our Backyard

This weekend you have a chance to catch Black Kids in their own backyard (they are from Jacksonville, FL) before they cross the big pond to play shows in London. The interest this band is creating is reminiscent of the The Arctic Monkeys or The Go! Team. And their music is not far off either. Infectious pop songs, girl group harmonies, 80’s synth-pop. I swear I can hear The Cure in the song Hit the Heartbreaks.

The ENTIRE Wizard of Ahhhs demo is available for FREE from their MySpace profile. The band is currently unsigned but picked up Quest Management who also handles Bjork and Arcade Fire to represent them. And it seems they will not be unsigned for long.

So if you live in South Florida don't miss your chance to catch them LIVE this Saturday (11/24/07 ) at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays. They have already played with the likes of Lo-Fi Fnk and Tiger City and you know we are fans of those bands.

More info about Black Kids at their website (http://blackkidsmusic.com/). Here is song where they channel The Cure and a remix not available on the EP.

MP3: Hit the HeartBreaks (YSI)
MP3: Hurricane Jane (Beige Reemix) (YSI)

More press on Black Kids:

• Vice Magazine: Interview (Sep 4 2007)
• Pitchfork Media: Best New Music (Oct 5 2007)
• Current: Daily Fix (Oct 23 2007)
• Treble: Album of the Week (Oct 31 2007)
• NME: CMJ Review (Nov 10 2007)

Frankie and Cyndi... Flashback

So I had a craving for Frankie's Pizza. The place has not changed. Neither has the pizza. It's the crust I think. But the sauce is involved in it too. Maybe it is because they already sprinkle Parmesan cheese on it that makes it so good. No it's not the best. I hate to single out one pizza and leave the rest behind. Instead I keep a few favorites around just in case I am in the neighborhood (though Papa Piccolo's is my #1 since I was 7 years old).

Back to Frankie's Pizza. On the radio, Cyndi Lauper was playing (adding the nostalgia). It got me thinking...

Damn, she was good. (So was the pizza of course.) She wasn't manufactured like current pop idols are now (or at least they did a better job of covering it). Had a unique, distinct voice that does not sound tired even after two decades. Started (propagated) fashion trends from the 80s underground. Shocked parents. Attracted teens. Produced some solid classics.

And talk about an iconic album cover.


MP3: All Through the Night (YSI) - This was playing on the radio at Frankie's.
MP3: She Bop (Special Dance Mix) (YSI) - Don't freak out, it's just an extended DJ friendly mix of the original with added 80's beats at the beginning and end for mixing into the next track. No headache enducing French electro crunch re-hash by some crazy mid-West kid with an all-over print t-shirt in Day-Glo. No, none of that here.

Do you guys remember watching the FULL video to Goonies R Good Enough? I don't. I mean I remember the song. And vaguely remember trying to record it on the VCR but the entire concept of it (plot line of the movie itself - but with Cyndi's family losing their home...) escapes my mind.

(Frankie's Website for those that are interested. Arbetter's is next... cheeeeese fries....)

Classic Album Spotlight

A-Ha is mostly known in the U.S. as one hit wonders for their 1985 mega-hit Take on Me.

It's an amazing song, no doubt. Despite having heard that song about a million times, it's still great... Those quick synth notes, melodies and those vocals with notes so high only he could reach. You can especially appreciate it the longer you go between listens. It had that amazing video too.

The sad thing is that their entire debut album Hunting High and Low is a classic record that doesn't get the credit it deserves (at least in the US). Many of their later albums also for that matter. Minor Earth, Major Sky is another masterpiece of theirs that didn't come out till 2000 and is much more of a mature, darker record.

This first record was much more of a lighter affair with carefully crafted mid tempo and dancey electronic tracks. Great melodies, vocals and hooks that get you singing after only a few listens. A classic synthpop record. There's only 10 tracks and it clocks in at about 30 mins. Don't need anymore than that. Each track is slighly different but they each retain that classic A-Ha romantic style.

I can hear this album over and over. A great late night album.

Sometimes it's easier to hear than explain. Check out these 3 stellar tracks from that classic debut 22 years ago...

MP3: A-Ha - Living a Boy's Adventure Tale

MP3: A-Ha - Hunting High and Low

MP3: A-Ha - Here I Stand and Face the Rain