Lemme tells ya: Langley is a far drive away. Like, a world. But let's recap: 1. We did not get shot at by a gang member. 2. We did visit a breeder that had framed memorabilia from Graceland. 3. Said breeder left her teenage daughter to explain their puppies. I have never seen so much makeup on one teenager. OR: Every year, the more out of touch I get. 4. We went to a puppy store that was an old converted pool hall. 5. We took two trips to said store. 6. Bun came home this past weekend.
Lowrell - "Mellow Mellow Right On"
Badu - "Soldier"
Endnote: Last Vancouver girl on PR Canada - 90s parachute flared pants, avant-garde? Really? (Iman, voice of reason)
1. Oh, internet and this age of EVERYTHING NOW: my hard drive has committed to your excess. For instance:
Public Enemy - "Fight the Power (Flavor Flav meets Spike Lee)": why was a B side mix of this song done with Flav basically talking out of his ass with Spike Lee? Check out the beef about George Michael midway through.
Public Enemy w/ the Roots - "Bring Da Noise" (from the Jimmy Fallon show): Black Thought does an okay Chuck D, but a not-so-good Flav. Did anyone else think this didn't quite live up to the hype?
2. While we're at it, why are there so many different versions of De La Soul's "Saturdays" I've never heard, and so little time to listen to them? (Not to mention attention span). Witness:
De La Soul - "A Rollerskating Jam Named Saturdays (Disco Fever mix)" - features a longer lead in, a few more breaks near the end
Same: "Ladies Nite Decision mix" - features more ladies, a new bassline fatter than deep fried guacamole (google that shit), and (impossibly) even more samples
And more: "What Yo Life Can Really Be mix" - features Dres from Black Sheep, more snaps, a Woody Woodpecker sample, and way less of the "Evil Vibrations" sample
3. The New Yorker article on Lily Allen mentioned that Nellee Hooper used to babysit her. WELL. Eric B & Rakim - "Move the Crowd" (Wild Bunch remix)
Soul II Soul - "Back to Life" (12" mix; which eliminates the acappella intro, thus enabling one to get the groove on seconds earlier)
ENDNOTE (Boosterism edition): Past: Gene Poole, will you also be posting my better hearing capabilities from the mid-90s? 'Cause I needs that shit back. Present: what's with the two Vancouver bitches on Project Runway Canada? Fo' shame. (Also: Obakki, a credential? Really?)
1. As tonight confirmed, no one has inspired more bad covers than Mike. But seriously: if you could choose any Mike song to cover, would the Jackson 5 cover of "Rockin' Robin" really be it? Really?
2. Also, when did "Jason Mraz-y" become something desirable? Alls I can smell is patchouli, dudes with neckbeads. RETURN.
3. As a matter of coincidence, this mix from the Rub is an excellent Mike primer: the MJ Mix. A particularly high set of props for going with lesser known songs.
4. If you're still not convinced, check the demo of "Don't Stop":
5. Of the gazimillion remixes of Mike, most are absolute failures. Mike does not need arbitrary house beats, breaks, rhymes, etc. Mike did not need that Akon travesty. The more successful ones try not to tinker too much. My favorites:
Jacko 5 - "We're Almost There (DJ Spinna remix)"
Mike - "I Can't Help It (Todd Terje rekut)"
6. Also: Mike, Neptunes - you talkin? Please?
7. I still stand by this (the song, not the video); my DJ friends did not (I'm looking at you, Marco).
1. If Big Love has taught me anything, it is not to pick flowers on the hillside for one's ponytail (or, indeed, to doublecheck that one's ponytail is not jammed in the door).
2. If Watchmen (movie edition) has taught me anything, it is never to have sex to "Hallelujah." If Watchmen (book edition) has taught me anything, it is to never, ever use Bob Dylan as a running quote (also: owls, not as cool as originally thought).
3. There are too many food blogs that tell me nothing.
4. Calgary Cassettes, a plug: the archivalist effort is noble and commendable; the descriptions, chuckle-worthy; the nostalgia good for a day or two. But the comments left by visitors? Bejeezus, quit the 90s.
5. The drums on this track, bonkers: Bat for Lashes - "Glass"
6. OH, WAIT: THE 90's! Boo Radleys - "Wish I Was Skinny"
