"Aer Obama" Animated Video

DJ Z-Trip created an incredible Mashup entitled Aer Obama mixing Daft Punk with brilliant DJ Adam Freeland of Soulwax. Some of you may have heard the song during the campaign.

This video to go with the song may be one of the more entertaining things I have had the privilege of watching in quite a while.

Nuff' said.

The Greatest Band In Music History? The Unsung Heroes Of Motown - The Funk Brothers

They collectively had more #1 Singles than The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, and The Beach Boys collectively combined.

They were The Funk Brothers.

Few have ever heard of them, let alone any of the members of the group.

Yet, they had one of the largest musical contributions in history.

The Funk Brothers was the name of the Detroit, MI session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until 1972, when the company moved to Los Angeles. They were essentially the house band for Motown Records.

The Funk Brothers played on Motown hits such as "My Girl", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Baby Love", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", "The Tears of a Clown", and "(Love is Like a) Heat Wave".

These are a mere few of the vast list of endless chart topping singles they laid down the tracks for. The most impressive part about it all is that they actually wrote it all. The musicians in the Funk Brothers wrote & created the genius behind every Motown track, and the artists like Smokey & Stevie would write songs with lyrics & the idea of a melody for the vocals. It was almost smooth sailing for all of the faces in front to sing the songs because the backing band was creating some of the freshest, most exciting sounds possible.

Early members included bandleader Joe Hunter and Earl Van Dyke (piano); James Jamerson (bass guitar) - who has been considered to be one of the greatest bassists to ever play the instrument; Benny "Papa Zita" Benjamin and Richard "Pistol" Allen (drums); Robert White, Eddie Willis, and Joe Messina (guitar); Jack Ashford (tambourine, percussion, vibraphone, marimba); Jack Brokensha (vibraphone, marimba); and Eddie "Bongo" Brown (percussion). Hunter left in 1964, replaced on keyboards by Johnny Griffith and as bandleader by Van Dyke. Uriel Jones joined the band as a third drummer.

In 1967, guitarists Dennis Coffey and Melvin "Wah-Wah Watson" Ragin, who introduced the wah-wah pedal that defined Motown's psychedelic soul records, joined the band. Benny Benjamin died the next year, and Bob Babbitt began to replace James Jamerson on many recordings.

The main reason that the world has not heard of this brilliant group is that Studio musicians were not credited by Motown until Marvin Gaye's What's Going On in 1971. Therefore, every single song they created & played on, they were never credited for.

I could write forever about my opinion regarding the monumental influence The Funk Brothers had on musical existence, but everything really speaks for itself.

In order to hear & see their full story, I highly recommend acquiring the documentary entitled "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown". It is a vibrant work, which eloquently portrays the escapades of these gifted men of gigantic influence.

Below are 144 Original Instrumental Backing Tracks of mostly all of the greatest Motown songs ever written. All of the music you will hear are the brilliance of the Funk Brothers.

Enjoy these gems to the fullest, and hopefully take gigantic appreciation in all of these legendary tracks which have led to endless samples & breaks in so many musical genres that it would be impossible to account for.

It goes by volume, with the dowload link & tracks listed below

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PCK49NOI

Volume 1: Dancing In The Streets

1 -Dancing In The Streets (Martha & The Vandellas)
2 -I'll Be There (The Jackson 5)
3 -Bernadette (The Four Tops) 4 -Baby, I'm For Real (The Originals)
5 -Baby Love (The Supremes)
6 -Please Mr.Postman (The Marvelettes)
7 -How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You 8 -The Tracks Of My Tears (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)

VOL 2 - ABC

1 -ABC (The Jackson 5)
2 -My Guy (Mary Wells)
3 -What Does It Take (To Win Your Love_) (Jr. Walker & The All Stars
4 -Don't Mess With Bill (The Marvelettes)
5 -Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (The Temptations
6 -Ooo Baby Baby (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
7 -Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) - (Gladys Knight)

8 -Ain't No Mountain High Enough - (Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell)

VOL 3 - My Girl

1 -My Girl (The Temptations)
2 -Never Can Say Goodbye (The Jackson 5)
3 -Quicksand (Martha & The Vandellas)
4 -You've Really Got A Hold On Me (Smokey Robinson)
5 - Can I Get A Witness (Marvin Gaye)
6 -Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) (The Four Tops)
7 -Back In My Arms Again (The Supremes)
8 -What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (Jimmy Ruffin)

VOL 4 - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing Baby

1 -Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (Marvin Gaye)
2 -Someday We'll Be Together (Diana Ross & The Surpemes)
3 -Ain't Too Proud To Beg (The Temptations)
4 -I'll Be Doggonne (Marvin Gaye)
5 -Mama's Pearl (The Jackson 5)
6 -Heaven Must Have Sent You (The Elgins)
7 -He Was Really Sayin' Something (The Velvettes)
8 -The Tears Of A Clown (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)

VOL 5 - Let's Get It On

1- Let's Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
2 -It's The Same Old Song (The Four Tops)
3 -The Love You Save (The Jackson 5)
4 -Mickey's Monkey (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
5- I Hear A Symphony (The Supremes)
6 -This Old Heart Of Mine (Isley Brothers)
7 -The Way You Do The Things You Do (The Temptations)
8- Twenty Five Miles (Edwin Starr)

VOL 6 - Stop! In The Name Of Love

1 -Stop! In The Name Of Love (The Supremes)
2 -Ben (Michael Jackson)
3 -Your Precious Love (Marvel Gaye & Tammy Terrell)
4 -Baby, Baby Don't Cry (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
5- Jimmy Mack (Martha & The Vandellas)
6 -Keep On Truckin' (Eddie Kendricks)
7 -Ask The Lonely (The Four Tops)
8 -Just My Imagination (The Temptations)

Vol 7 - I Heard It Through the Grapevine

1 -I Heard It Through The Grapevine - (Marvin Gaye) =
2 -You Keep Me Hangin' On - (The Supremes)
3 -I Want You Back - (Jackson 5)
4 -Uptight (Everything's Alright) - (Stevie Wonder)
5 -Shop Around - (The Miracles)
6 -Function At The Junction - (Shorty Long)
7 -I Can't Get Next To You - (The Temptations) ....
8 -I Heard It Through The Grapevine - (Gladys Knight)

Vol 8 - Heat Wave

1 -(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - (Martha & the Vandellas)
2 -Got to Be There - (Michael Jackson)
3 -Reach Out, I'll Be There - (The Four Tops)
4 -Reflections - (Diana Ross & the Supremes)
5 -Two Lovers - (Mary Wells)
6 -Too Many Fish in the Sea - (The Marvelettes)
7 -(I Know) I'm Losing You - (The Temptations)
8 -Ain't That Peculiar - (Marvin Gaye)

Vol 9 - Get Ready

1 - Get Ready - The Temptations
2 - Pride and Joy - (Marvin Gaye)
3 - Needle in a Haystack - (The Velvelettes)
4 - Going to a Go-Go - (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles)
5 - Love Child - (Diana Ross)
6 - Standing in the Shadows of Love - (The Four Tops)
7 - My World Is Empty Without You - (The Supremes)
8 - War - (Edwin Starr)

Vol 10 - I Cant Help Myself

1 -Nowhere to Run - (Martha & the Vandellas)
2 -I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - (The Four Tops)
3 -Smiling Faces Somtimes - (Undisputed Truth)

4 -Dancing Machine - (Jackson 5)

5 -Cloud Nine - (Temptations)

6 -Ain't No Mountain High Enough - (Diana Ross)

7 -I Second That Emotion - (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
8 -Stoned Love - (The Supremes)

Vol 11 - Baby I Need Your Lovin

1 -Baby I Need Your Lovin' - (The Four Tops)
2 -Stubborn Kind of Fellow - (Marvin Gaye)
3 -Where Did Our Love Go - (The Supremes)
4 -Shotgun - (JR. Walker and the All Stars)
5 -Rockin' Robin - (Michael Jackson)

6 -Take Me in Your Arm (Rock Me a Little While) - (The Isley Brothers)
7 -Ball of Confusiion (That's What the World Is Today) - (The Temptations)
8 -Come See About Me - (The Supremes)

Vol 12 - The Duets

1 -It Takes Two - (Marvin Gaye + Kim Weston)

2 -If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - (Marvin Gaye)

3 -If This World Were Mine - (Marvin Gaye)
4 -I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - (Diana Ross & The Supremes)
5 -I'll Try Something New - (Diana Ross & the Supremes)
6 -Don't Look Any Further - (Dennis Edwards + Seidah Garrett)
7 -What's the Matter With You Baby - (Marvin Gaye + Ms. Wells)

8 -With You I'm Born Again - (Billy Preston + Streeta)

Vol 13 - Easy

1 -Come and Get These Memories - (Martha and the Vandellas)

2 -You Can't Hurry Love - (Supremes)
3 -I Wish It Would Rain - (Tempations)

4 -My Cherie Amour - (Stevie Wonder)

5 -It's My Turn - (Diana Ross)

6 -If I Were Your Woman - (Gladys Knight and The Pips)
7 -Easy - (Commodores)
8 -Too Busy Thinking About My Baby - (Marvin Gaye)

Vol 14 - I Just Want To Celebrate

1 -I Just Want To Celebrate (Rare Earth)

2 -Love Hangover (Diana Ross)
3 -Hitch Hike (Marvin Gaye)

4 -For Once In My Life (Stevie Wonder)

5 -The Happening (The Supremes)
6 -Still Water (The Four Tops)

7 -It's A Shame (The Spinners)
8 -Three Times A Lady (The Commodores)

Vol 15 - Brick House

1 -Love Machine - (The Miracles)
2 -Let It Whip - (Dazz Band) '

3 -Give It to Me Baby - (Rick James)
4 -Don't Leave Me This Way - (Thelma Houston)
5 -Being with You - (Smokey Robinson)
6 -You're a Wonderful One - (Marvin Gaye)
7 -In My House - (Rick James)
8 -Brick House - (The Commodores)

Vol 16 - Super Freak

1 -I'm Coming Out - (Diana Ross)

2 -More Love - (Smokey Robinson)

3 -What's Going On - (Marvin Gaye)

4 -Do You Love Me - (The Contours)

5 -You've Made Me So Very Happy - (Brenda Holloway)

6 -Reach out & Touch (Somebody's Hand) - (Diana Ross)
7 -Cruisin' - (Smokey Robinson)
8 -Super Freak - (Rick James)

Vol 17 - Endless Love

1 -Upside Down (Diana Ross)
2 -Girl, Why You Wanna Make Me Blue (The Temptations)

3 -Walk Away Renee (The Four Tops)

4 -Got To Give It Up (Marvin Gaye)
5 -I've Never Been To Me (Charlene)
6 -Sail On (Commodores)
7 -Just To See Her (Smokey Robinson)
8 -Endless Love (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie)

Vol 18 - Christmas Classics

1 -Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - (Temptations)
2 -Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - (Jackson 5)
3 -My Favorite Things - (Supremes)
4 -Jingle Bells - (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles )
5 -Someday at Christmas - (Stevie Wonder)
6 -Silent Night - (Tempations)
7 -I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - (Jackson 5)
8 -White Christmas - (Supremes)

Happiness? So what's up?

Why is it so often that we picture ourselves as happy in a future circumstance that we want so terribly at one point in our lives? Yet, at the point further along where we have reached the picture we were envisioning, it is not drawn nearly as we had imagined.

Things change as time passes, and realities may become apparent that were not even conceived of prior to embarking into this situation which you assumed would make you happy. Why all of the unexpected disappointment from a supposed blissful situation? It is merely because our idealistic images of these future situations are only illustrations of our imagination which completely ignore all other variables.

We cannot possibly envision what people in our path are going to do. It would be bold to expect that everything possibly imagined and hoped for would ultimately be the case, and yet when it isn’t we often find ourselves devastated. This is a true human flaw that if understood can truly change the way things are perceived.

One begins to understand that even though something seems so incredible that you cannot base your happiness on it. If someone chooses to place too much focus on outside objects such as material goods, entertainment events, friends, acquaintances, and significant others, and not enough focus on themselves and how they choose to live their lives everyday, and what it is they really want to accomplish in this world, it can become an issue.

A person can truly be happy if they live, love and learn. Live every day not as though it were your last, but as though it is your first. Love. Love the people in your life, like your family and friends. Appreciate all of them and treat them well. Love your children and your spouse and treat them well. Most importantly love yourself and be good to yourself.

Happiness is not achieved by over engaging in outer stimuli ad nauseum. It comes from focusing inward and thereby directing outward in the form of love, kindness, and setting goals and achieving them. Whether or not the goal turns out to be what you hoped for, just the fact that you accomplished the goal is in enough of itself. Things like comfort, space, peace of mind, stability, and the way you treat others and yourself are what bring happiness.

As for the way others treat you, this cannot determine ultimate happiness. This is completely out of your control. Life brings with it endless knocks from people who will bring you down if you allow it to, and while it may be painful, as well as cause stress and grief, it is your choice whether to allow yourself to believe it or whether to rise above it and continue on the path you have faith in. People and struggles are going to be there to potentially bring you down, and if this is successful it is only you who is to blame. You cannot control what others do to you or what situations may arise. It is only possible to control how you choose to allow it to alter your state of happiness.

Learn from struggles, and take on new ones with greater knowledge and wisdom. The only thing that is truly important is that through whatever unfortunate turns life takes, that you remain true and loyal to yourself and others important to you. By doing so this means to walk a righteous path, a path of love and positive action. As long as you continue to do this in the face of any obstacle, than you have lived a full and happy life.

As for other people and imagined situations disappointing you, that can and will happen throughout life. It is those who shake things like that off and continue forward to the next incredible thing to come along who will reap the rewards and feel invigorated. For every terrible thing to happen, one should envision ten wonderful things happening as a result. It may not happen exactly that way, but trust me give it a shot and you will be surprised.

McLovins Mackin' The Scene

Wow!!! Welcome the McLovins!!! These three boys who are 14 and younger, one being in middle school, are able to jam out Phish, The Meters, Weather Report, and others like its a day at the races.

The trio is comprised of Jake (Drumlovin), Jason (Basslovin) and Jeff (Axlovin). Jeff is still in Middle School!!

They all look like the character McLovin from the film Superbad, and their jams are SUPERBAD for what you would expect. Check this clip out of them nailing the funk of The Meters "Cissy Strut"

Also, you can go here to listen to a full gig of their's from Hartford, CT! These McLovins have got it down. Down!

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/grousing-the-aisles-live-mclovins/

Teenage Bluegrass Jam

who in the WORLD do these kids think they are?!! I wish they played in my living room.

Free DFA Records Party in Miami With The Juan MacLean

DFA Records is throwing a free party at The Vagabond on Wednesday, January 21, 2008. One of my favorite acts of the Punk-Funk Genre, The Juan Maclean, will be playing along with Still Going & others.

RSVP For Free Entry at www.scion.com/houseparty

This is going to be bangin!!!

DJ Shadow Ends Up With His Own Sneaker

Granted, many rap stars have their own endorsed sneaker, yet it is rather fascinating to see such an underground abstract crate-digging instrumental hip hop DJ being granted with his own sneaker. It appears that the sneaker is just a pimp looking Reebok, having nothing to do with DJ Shadow, until one looks at the back of the sneaker which contains the artwork of DJ Shadow's 1995 album "What Does Your Soul Look Like". You better believe the sneaker company is using the "What Does Your Sole Look Like" pun when selling this sneaker.

Reebok and DJ Shadow have teamed up together to create this sneaker, which is $104.99 and includes a sampler mix CD from his record label. You know ever since you were a kid you wanted a DJ Shadow sneaker. Come on, don't lie.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Picks New Inductees for 2009

The new inductee picks are in for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and it is only fitting that one of the pioneering hip hop groups that used to call themselves the "Kings of Rock" would be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Joining them is Metallica, arguably the greatest Metal band ever, who like Run DMC began their career 25 years ago. I would say these two picks are no brainers. In addition, Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack, and Little Anthony & The Imperials will also be inducted this year.

Interestingly enough, Iggy Pop & The Stooges declined being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame once again. They have now fascinatingly declined induction a total of 7 times!!!

January 12th Marked The 50th Anniversary of Motown Records

Goodness, what an important day in the history of music, and existence as we know it. January 12th was 50 years ago to the day that Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, borrowed $800 to try and start his own record label. He called it Tamla Records, which eventually turned into Motown Records in 1970. Motown wasn't just a record label though, it was a sound. It was one of the most glorious sounds ever created, and while encompassing generations, is still highly revered today.

I would certainly say that Motown is one of my favorite genres of music, so thank goodness for Motown Records' emergence to become the powerhouse that it was. The Funk Brothers (who have more number one hits than The Beatles, Elvis, and Madonna combined) along with members of The Four Tops, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and other Motown Legends will be on hand for the festivities at the Motown Historical Museum housed in the original Hitsville USA Headquarters.

Motown's founder Berry Gordy had a vision. One that has stood the test of time, and has brightened the hearts of endless individuals. Abdul "Duke" Fakir of The Four Tops said it best when stating that “You’ve got to give credit to the songs, but of course you’ve got to give credit to Berry Gordy for the vision. He had the whole vision, and he made it come true.”

Gordy had some great words to say about the wonderful world he began 50 years ago:

“Motown music was for everybody, and it grew out of love. It has spread around the world and has become part of the culture and consciousness in all seven continents, and it all started right here.” Gordy said.

January 12th has now officially been named "Motown Day"

The Boys Of Summer Are Back

Oh what a feeling it is for the Phish community to have a Summer Tour to look forward to once again! For most of us who fell in love with Phish back in the day, we went on with our lives when they broke up. We found other great music to listen to, seldom listened to Phish, and mostly finished College, got jobs, and grew up. However, the Phish child in all of us never fully dissipated. It was always there, hoping to be released once again.

Well, it is time to welcome and bless the Phish child in all of us, for we are back in store for what has truly cemented itself as the grandest musical theater on earth. Now there is an entire new generation of younger Phans in High School and College to add to the mix in addition the the endless heads that made up the community before they split 4 years ago.

Getting tickets is now harder than ever, as we all saw with the Hampton fiasco. There is only one person that I know out of hundreds who got tickets in the lottery, and not one person I know who got them on Ticketmaster.

Sadly, many of us are missing Hampton, but the real heat will arrive in the Summatime! We will be graced with a warmed up Phish that is already in the groove and destroying venues left and right throughout the country. There are few greater memories than Phish Summer Tour. The vibe is impossible to be described, only to be connected with and experience. The feeling of freedom out on the lawn in an open air amphitheater with nature all around with 20,000 people who feel like family lifting you up along with the mind bending exploratory music and retina burning light show that encompasses the experience.

The first leg of Summer Tour has been announced, and every hotel is already reserved in every area where there is a Phish show. The ticket lottery ends on January 17th at 12:00 am and who knows what the outcome will be. I hope to attend both Jones Beach shows and both Alpine Valley shows. They are also pretty much 100% headlining two nights of Bonnaroo with two sets each night according to Rolling Stone magazine. This was not listed on their tour dates however because the artist lineup for Bonnaroo has not been announced yet.

Here is the scoop on the First Leg of Summer Tour:

Phish will perform ten concerts this coming June. The shows kick off with a two night stand at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY June 4-5 and wrap up at Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI on June 20-21. Stops along the way include a return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis on June 16 and the band's first show at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC on June 9.

A limited number of tickets are available directly through Phish Tickets' online ticketing system at http://phish.portals.musictoday.com/ . The ticketing request period is currently underway and will end on Saturday, January 17th at 11:59AM EST.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, January 30th at 10AM EST. For full show and ticketing information, please visit the Tourdates page.


PHISH SUMMER TOUR 2009

06/04 - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY
06/05 - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY
06/06 - Comcast Center - Mansfield, MA
06/07 - Susquehanna Bank Center - Camden, NJ
06/09 - Asheville Civic Center - Asheville, NC
06/16 - Fox Theatre - St. Louis, MO
06/18 - Post Gazette Pavilion - Burgettstown, PA
06/19 - Verizon Wireless Music Center - Noblesville, IN
06/20 - Alpine Valley - East Troy, WI
06/21 - Alpine Valley - East Troy, WI

So, only 10 shows huh? Of course, this list does not include Bonnaroo, but we were hoping for more. This will do for now though, because I am just thrilled that they are back together and touring at all. I am saying First Leg of their Summer Tour because I am being optimistic. They only announced June dates, and I have heard endless heavy rumors about a 5 night stand at Red Rocks from July 29-August 2 and also a 3 night stand at The Gorge in late July as well. I have complete faith that there will be more dates announced later on after the Hampton shows, but just in case I would really like to hit up both Jones Beach & both Alpine Valley shows on this 10 show June run.

Aside from the 3 Hampton shows, and these 10 June shows, who knows what is in store for Phish? It is known that they have been practicing consistently in a small private space in New York City, and that people have stood outside and listened to them play. The word is that Mike is absolutely killing the bass, dropping bombs everywhere. Go Mikey, thats our boy. I really feel that Phish is back to take themselves seriously. They are not coming back to become a nostalgia act. Trey, Mike, Page, and Fish are planning on ripping our faces off and stomping on them over and over. The New Years Rumors of it being between Madison Square Garden or the American Airlines Arena in Miami excite me immensely. I say that they should play Miami. Their final New Years run was in Miami in 2003, and I think it would be fitting to start back where they left off on New Years for 2010 and return to their legendary New Years venue, The Garden, for 2011.

The rumors about a potential 5 night run for New Years in Miami are enough for me right now to make me tremble with excitement!!!