MUSIC
Alias - Muted
Wow. One word just about sums it up. While listening to his first Anticon release, Alias definitely caught my attention. This hip-hop/electronica fusion album holds you captive throughout the entire CD as you savor every beat-laden second. You may not believe it, but it's that good. Alias also brings artists Markus Acher, from the Notwist, and Pedestrian to this album, giving a couple songs added flavor. It's been awhile since a good instrumental hip-hop album has been released, and it couldn't get much better than Alias' newest effort. Try out "Sixes Last", "Unseen Sights" featuring Markus Acher, and "Full Circle Blues" for some great listening.
—Elizabeth Marvel
KJHK DJ
Thursdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Grade: A
Dead Prez - Get Free or Die Trying
This second "mix tape" from hip-hop revolutionaries Dead Prez comes as a surprise to those anticipating its already acclaimed yet unreleased sophomore album. The album holds up quite well to the group's essential debut, Let's Get Free. Loud, honest, angry, introspective, refreshing, progressive and overwhelming human, Get Free or Die Trying inspires comparisons to classic KRS-One, Public Enemy and Onyx. The group spends much of its time on this album in verbal combat with the forces of oppression. Dead Prez can't help but to live this
struggle, and wherever you stand in relation to its politics, one can't help but to recognize the strength of the group's vision and its dedication to cause.
Cornelius E. Minor, 11 Host of "Voice Activated" Tuesdays 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Grade: C+
Fernanda Porto - Fernanda
Porto
Saturdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Grade: B
Fernanda Porto's album is a day on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro with that modern feel that almost all the other Brazilian electronic artists have now. The difference in Fernanda's work is that she doesn't use the electronic gadgets as often as her colleagues; she actually likes organic instruments. She says she only uses electronic beats to do something that organic instruments can't, such as the heavy drum and bass beat with tweaked samba drums on several of the album cuts.
Fernanda's album is a strong marriage between drum and bass and traditional Brazilian music but after 40 minutes of listening, the rhythms can get a bit monotonous. It's her voice and melodies that save the album from becoming just another beats-breaks-and-samba-arecool type of album. Think of it as Jobim on speed or Astrud Gilberto after the feminist revolution. The songs hit you but they do it tenderly.
—Carlos Centeno Host of "Latin Lab"
Project Blowed - The Good Brothers
The prospect of an underground hiphop super group is tantalizing. Thus The Good Brothers, a coalition of rhyme 22 emcee's deep and headed by the much respected Aceyalone, face high expectations. Unfortunately, the group falls well short of the mark.
The beats sound straight off of a Korg Triton and are virtually indistinguishable from the morass of top-40 rap. Lyrically, the emcee's regurgitate the same tales of how they're deeper than anybody else. Notable standouts include "Diggin' Through My Records," "GB In Your Life" and the RJD2-produced "Rock With Us." But so few highlights can't save these Brothers.
Josh Powers
Host of "Obscured by Beats"
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays
Grade: C
KJHK TOP 30 ALBUMS
1. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, Transatlanticism
2. ALIAS, Muted
3. HOWARD HELLO, Don't Drink His Blood
4. DJ FRANE, Electric Garden Of Delights
5. KINGSBURY MANX, Aztec Discipline
6. THEMSELVES, The No Music Of Aiffs/The No Music Remixed
7. YO LA TENGO, Today Is The Day [EP]
8. TED LEO AND THE PHARMACISTS, Tell Balgeary,Balgury Is Dead [EP]
10. ATMOSPHERE, Seven's Travels
9. BOOKS, The Lemon Of Pink
11. KID KOALA, Some Of My Best Friends Are DJs
13. AESOP ROCK, Bazooka Tooth
12. CLEARLAKE, Cedars
14. 90 DAY MEN, Too Late Or Two Dead +2
15. THRILLS, So Much For The City
16. ROSEBUDS, The Rosebuds Make Out
17. OZOMATLI, Coming Up
18. LUNGFISH, Love Is Love
19. SHINS, Chutes Too Narrow
20. HIGH LLAMAS, Beets, Maize And Corn
21. DISMEMBERMENT PLAIN, A People's History Of The Dismemberment Plan
22. SOILED DOVES, Soiled Life
23. BASEMENT JAXX, Kish Kash
24. JOE STRUMMER AND THE MESCALEROS, Streetcore
25. LYRICS BORN Later That Day
26. MERCURY PROGRAM/MASERATI, Confines Of Heat [Split EP]
27. IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES, We Like It Wild
28. TIKI OBMAR, High School Confidential
29. BOOKS ON TAPE, Books On Tape Sings The Blues
30. MATES OF STATE, Team Boo
22 jayplay
thursday. november 13, 2003