So far 2010 has been pretty good music-wise. Next week, Gorillaz drops another album, Plastic Beach.
Gorillaz is a virtual concept band that originally had musicians playing the different “members” of the band and also included additional collaboration with other artists like Del the Funkee Homosapien. Damon Albern from Blur is the main songwriter and lends most of the lead vocals to the songs. The first album, Gorillaz, was pretty well received as an artsy blend of many genres from hip hop to rock to reggae and punk. Albern and Dan the Automator produced most of the album.
The second album, Demon Days, came out in 2005 won a grammy or two. That album was pretty dope. Danger Mouse took Dan the Automator’s place on a lot of the production and there were a lot more guest spots on it from artists such as Neneh Cherry, Roots Manuva, and a couple of choirs. “Dirty Harry”, featuring Imani/Bootie Brown from The Pharcyde was my absolute favorite jam. I remember it fondly because it was one of the songs I played pretty often when I first started DJing and someone would always ask me who did the track.
Plastic Beach seems pretty promising, with guest spots from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Bobby Womack, Little Dragon, De La Soul, and others. Damon Albern did all of the production this time and from what I’ve heard so far, it doesn’t look like Danger Mouse will be missed on this one.
Here are a few tracks that have leaked so far:
Stylo (featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
I love this track. I love the electronic/new wave sound to it and its got Bobby Womack on it! I was a bit dubious when I saw who the track featured before actually listening but its great. The video is also out and Bruce Willis is in it. (embedding is disabled! sorry!)
Stylo-Chiddy Bang Remix (courtesy of Above the Fold)
I figured I’d throw this one in for good measure, though I don’t really like it. Removing the best parts of the song to put your own verses in is kind of wack. I don’t know too much about Chiddy Bang other than that they dropped a mixtape late last year.I didn’t like that much either except for “Get Up In the Morning”, in which they flip Desmond Dekker’s “The Israelites”.
Superfast Jellyfish (featuring De La Soul and Gruff Rhys)
This song is weirdly dope. It was confusing at first until I read a little bit about the concept behind the album and the name Plastic Beach. This song also has that same pep you get from hearing this classic (which was sampled for this classic ). I dig it.
March 9th is just around the corner so don’t forget to buy it!
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I also want to send well wishes to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal, who experienced a cardiac episode over the weekend which required some pretty complicated surgery. Rumors of his death were spreading so I’m very glad to hear that the surgery went well and he is expected to recover though he is still very much in serious condition. Its tough picking a favorite Gangstarr joint, so I’ll leave you with this one.
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