Joey K's Wednesday Plays

Aloe Blacc

A friend of mine turned my attention to this artist recently and it has been tough to stray away. Aloe Blacc has really started getting his name out there, especially recently with his single "I Need A Dollar" from his EP with the same title. That song which doubles as today's first selection, is also the theme song for the HBO series How To Make It In America. You should also be on the look out for his second studio album entitled Good Things which is set to drop next Tuesday. For now, check out the next Bill Withers.

(Download "I Need A Dollar")

Belle & Sebastian

From my experiences listening to Belle & Sebastian, it seems like they have to have an absolute blast recording their music. Specifically speaking of songs like "Write About Love," which is an extremely upbeat, uplifting tune and it happens to be my second song choice for today. The song comes from their soon to be released album, Belle & Sebastian Write About Love, so keep an eye out for that when October rolls around.

(Download "Write About Love")

Blue Scholars

These guys can't seem to miss with any shot they take at making their own remixes. This time around, Blue Scholars has done it again, taking their vocals and matching them with The XX's "Intro." Geo and Sabzi are legitimate artists and not just in the generic term as musicians but they always seem to be able to find the right beats to enhance their lyrics and make it all sound just right. The song itself is called "Lumiere" and it's the final pick of the day. Check it.

(Download "Lumiere")

Have a great day wherever you may be.

K, bye,

Joey Kingston

P.S. I'd like to thank Chuck for saving the day last week when I was too sick to function. If it wasn't for him, your Wednesday would've gone tuneless.

Tuesday's With Chuck!

QWEL & MAKER

This wikipedia-proclaimed "underground" rapper, Qwel is quite the busy bee. Over the last 9 years and 9 months he has been a part of 20 musical releases. Cah-razy! You might be wondering in a smart ass sort of way, "Well if he has his foot in that many releases and I don't know about him he must not be very good." To that I have one band to mention, Violent Femmes... boom. Don't know what that means, do some research. In this particular project Qwel teams up with Maker to make an album that will be released a week from today. That's Sept. 14th for all you number strugglers. You should pre-order the album here, and listen to my favorite track off of it so far, "Letting Life Pass By". It reminds me of Atmosphere and Brother Ali a little bit.

(DOWNLOAD "LETTING LIFE PASS BY")

MERIDENE

Something Like Blood... that is the name of Meridene's upcoming album. I'm not sure what that means, but I can imagine a couple of reasons. All of which are probably so worthless that I won't even share them with you. What I will share with you is this rockin' track from Meridene, a band that has entered the radar of my music world in a big way. Pre-order their album, which comes out Sept. 28th, here, and download a track that mixes the sound of so many of my favorite bands I can't describe. That track is "Parade Of Fools," and it is right below here.

(DOWNLOAD "PARADE OF FOOLS")

BRANDON FLOWERS

The last track of my three comes from a comfortable place. When every calendar read June 2004, my iPod was playing the infectious songs of The Killers' release, Hot Fuss. Brandon Flowers, for those of you who don't know, is the driving force and frontman of The Killers, which basically makes the release of his debut solo album, Flamingo, next week an event which I am greatly interested in. Also it makes that last sentence I just wrote a train wreck. Listen to a radio rip of my favorite song to leak off the album so far, "Only The Young". It's sadder than The Killers usual tone, and there is something a bit different about the instrumentation. Listen up!

Ps > Pre-Order the album here! It comes out on Sept. 14th!

(DOWNLOAD "ONLY THE YOUNG")

Mac's Monday

BELOVED ROGUE

Could it be? A three piece set from none other than Brooklyn? I think so. The name of this band is Beloved Rogue and they are strikingly palatable. If you are into that dream like meandering state look no further than this band because they will be right up your alley. The featured song is "Capital Sense" and is off their three song EP titled Polaurora which has already came out. Check out the band's website and possibly download the entire EP?

(DOWNLOAD "CAPITAL SENSE")

THE SMILES

The Strokes + The Beach Boys + Maritime = Radical = The Smiles

(DOWNLOAD "CALIFORNIA GIRLS")

ANAMANAGUCHI

Pokemon Music + Rock = Awesome = Anamanaguchi. 'Nuff Said.

(DOWNLOAD "ANOTHER WINTER")

Sorry for the brevity.