Shot Of Rhythm

[ Tuesday, April 17, 2007 ]

 

End of the Spring and here she comes back...

After this long winter's nap, it's finally starting to feel like summer's once again waiting just around the corner. Not only is the temperature (gradually) rising and the days getting longer, but I've been spinning a couple of those distinctive summer sounds that light up the warm days and cool nights of the fairest season. Of course, Timbaland - after ruling last summer (and fall) with Nelly, JT and the Pussycat Dolls - has emerged with his first great solo album, SHOCK VALUE, an almost overwhelming burst of production genius that, while occasionally suffering from a little redundancy, possesses enough musical creativity to fill anybody's tall glass of sweet tea. Below is the lead-off track, and - for my money - the album's best song, the whirring "Oh, Timbaland," which benefits from an absolutely ingenious manipulation of a Nina Simone sample. I've also included a bit of a bonus here, a remix of current smash-hit "Give It To Me." Actually, it just barely qualifies as a remix, since Timbaland's verse and the presence of a particularly funky-fresh verse from Jay-Z damn near makes this a different track. It's called "Laff At 'Em," and it's making its way around some of my favorite hip-hop blogs right now.

Timbaland - "Oh, Timbaland"

Timbaland (feat. Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z) - "Laff At 'Em" ("Give It To Me" remix)

Then there's Ryan Shaw, the latest Ricky Fante-style retro-soul prince who's brand-new album, THIS IS RYAN SHAW, is a wonderfully evocative burst of classic R&B/soul sounds. It probably won't end up being any kind of classic, but I can't help but think that me and my friends will find endless uses in the coming months for pulsing tracks like the two posted below:

Ryan Shaw - "Do The 45"

Ryan Shaw - "Mish Mash"

Here's to some hot fun in the summertime, y'all. God knows we need it.

By the way, if you haven't been checking out our buddy David Cantwell's ongoing, rich discussion of the Imus controversy (and its troubling fall-out), I really recommend you make a stop at Living In Stereo to join the conversation. We're all in this together, after all.

On the box: Sly and the Family Stone, STAND! Part of the absolutely wonderful reissue collection of all of Sly's prime work. Fantastic stuff. (Hi, hi, hi, hi there...)

Peace...

Dove With Claws [9:08 PM]