10 items sent to me by artists, A&R folks, fans, and the like, which I’m tossing to y’all in one gonzo post because my bag is so full of things you might wanna know about, but I can’t do a full entry on every single one!
1.
Am I crazy, or is this incredibly good? Courtesy of The Hip Hop Project, a free mixtape (follow link) that’s a cut way way above most free mixtapes, and even higher above most Femcees. I really wanna know what y’all think about it, so give it a good listen. I especially recommend “Cha Cha Cha” and “Dreams and Aspirations.”
2.
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings are getting lots of hype right now because of the band’s association with a certain drunken brit lady who has been the flavor of the month (and deservedly so) for about half a year now, but the The Kings are great with Sharon, too. Scion has released its 19th sampler, remixing Daptone Records stars on tunes mixed by Mark Ronson, Hank “Public Enemy” Shocklee, Large Professor, and many others.
Sample song:
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (Ticklah Remix)
This truly is a fantastic sampler CD. Well worth getting.
3. Two cuts from The Vandelles‘ self-titled EP. I like the surfpunk sound, but I didn’t dig these guys enough to give them their own post. Still, they’re worth a listen, especially if you like The Ravonettes.
The Vandelles – Swell To Heaven
The Vandelles – Lovely Weather
4. Ghostface featuring Beanie Siegel, Styles P & Solomon Childs – Barrell Brothers
5. She Was My Mother-Kathryn Williams. Check out her new album, “Leave to Remain,” full of contemplative, quiet songs, on Cheap Lullaby Records (home of Joan As Police Woman).
6. Clinton Sparks (of the famous “We Got It 4 Cheap” Clipse mixtapes) is still offering his entire catalog for free! Go check out some great music.
7. Dan Bejar of Destroyer and Lady Sydney Vermont have formed, “Hello, Blue Roses,” and released an album on Locust Music.
8.
Note all the curses I have made by new indie shoegazers Killed by 9V Batteries
9. 
Indie reggae/ska from The Drastics! Check out their new album, “Waiting,”, on Jumpup! records, and taste a few songs from their “Chicago Massive” double disk. It’s not reggae like my favorite modern indie reggae band, Bedouin Soundclash, this is a little darker, much more dubby–like Peter Tosh to Bedouin’s Bob Marley (if we’re gonna compare them to Rasta royalty).
Good timin’ (with Corey Dixon)
Me a rasta (with ghanaboy & family)
10. To get into my mailbag, send me an e-mail with a zip file or, better yet, e-mail me for my mailbox address and I’ll tell you where to send your music. Me and the few lucky folks who review stuff for me love getting mail! My e-mail: ekalett(at)yahoo(dot)com.
