Day: May 4, 2007

Earlier than usual today (I’m up on campus, instead of at home — no sleeping in!)…. here we go:

First off — an absolutely BRILLIANT track which introduced me to this week. The oddly-named UK hiphop duo Dan le Sac vs Scroobious Pip (DLS is the DJ, Scroobious Pip is the rapper) have released their debut single, featuring an electro-tinged backing track and some wicked lyrics. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobious Pip – “Thou Shalt Always Kill.” Grab the mp3, listen and enjoy. If there’s any justice, this will be a HUGE hit this summer. If you’ve got the time, check out the video on Youtube, which is also great.

The Puppini Sisters are a UK-based trio who do swing-era close harmonies. Their debut album, Betcha Bottom Dollar is filled with the expected tracks like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Java Jive”, “Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen”, etc. …but also some amazing Andrews-Sisters-esque covers of modern tracks as well. I’ve picked two to share with you. Here they are doing Blondie: The Puppini Sisters – “Heart of Glass” and then The Smiths: The Puppini Sisters – “Panic.” Other covers on the album include “I Will Survive” and “Wuthering Heights.” Visit their website.

Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam is the London-born daughter of a Sri Lankan Tamil activist-turned-militant. She records under the name M.I.A., producing a mix of electro, grime (UK garage-based hip-hop) and world music. Her forthcoming single has leaked to the internet (via her producer’s myspace site), and its been moving my ass. M.I.A. – “Hit That.” There’s a great interview and overview of her music over on Youtube.

A lot of people balked when they heard that Duran Duran was going to cover Grandmaster Flash, myself included (and hell, I *love* Duran Duran). Turns out, though, that the result was pretty damned good — and one of the only really good songs on the otherwise awful covers album Thank You. One of the better songs I’ve seen them do live, in fact — they obviously love doing it. Duran Duran – “White Lines.”

In honor of tomorrow’s observation of Cinqo De Mayo (a fabricated American holiday where we eat Mexican food and drink Margueritas), here is a track from Robert Rodriguez’ band: Chingon – “Fideo Del Oeste.”

And, lastly, an instrumental score which is sorta-kinda related to my latest RPG design project. Let the speculations commence! Ennio Morricone – “The Man With The Harmonica.”

There you go, cats & kittens. Enjoy.