I while ago I did a huge post on Futura 2000. Well...I'll try to keep this one short. Through the magic of ebay, and obscure record stores in Quebec, I managed to get of hold of this piece of music/art treasure. When the Clash went to New York in the 80's, they fell in love with the new culture of Hip-Hop and asked Futura to go on tour with them and paint while they performed. This collaboration didn't end there though. If you listen to "overpowered by funk" on Combat Rock, you will hear Futura doing a freestyle over some funky-ass beats. The favor was later reciprocated when Mick Jones produced what is this "epic" EP titled: The Escapades of Futura 2000. Check the credits and you'll also find Dondi White and Fab 5 Freddy on backup vocals. Insane right! Well... Basquiat produced an album too but that's till next time! Enjoy this for now. Also...I guess it's not a secret that the new Concepts store in Harvard Sq. has a massive Futura Painting... and trust me, we needed 2x4's to make that canvas. It was that big. If you're good maybe uncle Tarek will let you see it.
Remember that scene in 24 hour party people when they are talking about the drug problem at The Hacienda? If you pay attention you might recognize that the track on the background was Moby's "Go". Most of you might be too young to remember this one, and Jesus, why should you it's been 17 years since that song came out. Frankly it almost makes me freak out about my own age. "Go" was already a couple of years old when I taped it off the radio in 1993 in my now vintage and broken walkman. Maybe it was because i was so in love with his early House stuff that i didn't really bother paying attention to Play and the records that came later but I like dance music and Play to me was more like a soundtrack to my Starbucks experience.
In any case, I think Moby has since then been nostalgic for the Dancefloor as some of his recent singles (lift me up, NY NY) have shown. His new album also runs in this path and we love it. His sixth studio album "last night" will be out in April featuring a number of guest vocalists that include MC Grandmaster Caz, Sylvia from Kudu, Aynzli jones and SO Simple from the nigerian 419 squad. Apparently Moby wanted to make this album as a tribute to the NYC dance scene, condensing an "8hr night out into a 65 minute album".
I have to admit, I'm in love with "Disco Lies". The first time I heard it I thought it was a remix of an old track. So yes, Moby is back to his dance roots and back to the DJ booth (Check the Cheeky bastard nights at the Hiro Ballroom). Let's face it, this is a win-win situation! Don't foget to download the "last night sampler" free from moby.rcrdlbl.com
I didn't sleep last night so this might be a delirious rant but i hope it isn't. I've been a fan of the nine inch nails since Trent Reznor had long hair, looked heroin chic and had a kind of "Morrissey" type of relationship with Marilyn Manson. In any case, Reznor's career has sort of been the shadow of the monster it was in the 90's. Even when the fragile came out in '99 to some critical acclaim, it never translated into money. It was a rough period in music and every other kid was listening that friggin' nookie song. Anyways...to me the fragile was perhaps the most beautiful thing I had listen to while in High School and to this day I'd consider it a musical achievement/risk that I don't think many artists have taken since Radiohead went electronic. Although the last two albums weren't bad, it just felt like he wanted to relate to all the new hipster kids in them skinny pants. A DFA remix can do wonders and give you mad indie cred, but It just wasn't enough. Plus, I realize we are going to some rough stuff with the war, but Reznor also just happened to go all political on us. Frankly I blame the steroids. Seriously have you seen the guy lately? He looks like Jose Canseco's triplet...He looks like the kind of guy who could snap Hulk Hogan in a second...He looks like the kind of guy who'd be stuck in a bathroom with the New York Yankees!!! (yes...I write for David Letterman!)
And here is where the rant ends.... it ends like a fairy tale. I heard on Italian Radio (which is awfully commercial) that there was a new album coming out, and immediately went to www.nin.com. Yes people, there is a new album. It's entitled "Ghost" and it's split into four volumes. This is where the curve ball hit me. It's 36 instrumental tracks recorded over a period of 10 weeks. "This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams"
Honestly i thought this might be another flop, and i know that people might not give it the chance it deserves, but you should, because it's the best thing that I've heard in a while. It might not come obvious, but Trent Reznor is a 1st class Musician. The type of perfectionist who takes 5 years to release and album because the mixing was not flawless or fires his whole band because they sound old. I am satisfied to say though, that while some Artists just keep trying to have a "comeback album" produced by Timbaland or Pharrell it does nothing to hide the fact that they are washed up messes. Yes... I love Madonna too, but I'm just not gonna hang around to hear her Justice Produced album in 2010? Old people...please retire!!! Trent Reznor, you are serious musician with integrity, Keep doin' ya thang son!
Yo...is this a concert or did I just get tickets for a Gun Show?
I while ago I did a huge post on Futura 2000. Well...I'll try to keep this one short. Through the magic of ebay, and obscure record stores in Quebec, I managed to get of hold of this piece of music/art treasure. When the Clash went to New York in the 80's, they fell in love with the new culture of Hip-Hop and asked Futura to go on tour with them and paint while they performed. This collaboration didn't end there though. If you listen to "overpowered by funk" on Combat Rock, you will hear Futura doing a freestyle over some funky-ass beats. The favor was later reciprocated when Mick Jones produced what is this "epic" EP titled: The Escapades of Futura 2000. Check the credits and you'll also find Dondi White and Fab 5 Freddy on backup vocals. Insane right! Well... Basquiat produced an album too but that's till next time! Enjoy this for now. Also...I guess it's not a secret that the new Concepts store in Harvard Sq. has a massive Futura Painting... and trust me, we needed 2x4's to make that canvas. It was that big. If you're good maybe uncle Tarek will let you see it.
Futura with Glenn O'Brien (the 80's Rob Heppler)
The Clash - Overpowered by Funk
