Brother Ali

Usually when you a white guy is a rapper, he gets some extra deserved scrutiny. But what happens when the rapper isn't just white, but albino? Brother Ali, under the careful watchful eye of nearsayer Atmosphere, excels in the area where most would fail. Even if you aren't a fan of Atmosphere, you will enjoy this album. He crafts the beats for Brother Ali using soulful hooks and melodic beats they keep you wanting to hear the next song. His album "Undisputed Truth" is a rap bible full of incendiary lyrics chastising the the government and it's policies. But the flow is magnificent and the beats are the icing on the cake!

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Ali moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota at age 15, where he became involved in the local hip hop scene. He's signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, a hiphop record label founded by Brent Sayers, Musab S'ad Ali, Derek Turner, Anthony Davis, and Slug, the frontman of Minnesota rap group Atmosphere, with whom Ali has become fast friends.

Ali is an albino and although his appearance made him the brunt of bullying in high school (his response is chronicled on the track "Win Some, Lose Some"), he has come to be unabashedly proud of his distinctive features, celebrating it in a track called "Forest Whitiker", where he called on "anyone out there who's a little different" to stand up and exult in who they are, rather than stay ashamed. Ali is also a devout Muslim, religion being a theme that is mentioned in several of his songs including "Self taught" and "Victory".

Though he initially produced his own material (his cassette tape-only Rites of Passage EP (2000) was self-produced), Brother Ali turned to Ant (Anthony Davis), Rhymesayers Entertainment's in-house producer, to produce his first two major releases on Rhymesayers, 2003's Shadows on the Sun and 2004's Champion EP. The albums proved immediately popular with fans who had largely been introduced to Ali when he opened for Atmosphere on their national tour for the God Loves Ugly album. Ant's funk- and soul-inflected beats often matched the gravitas of Ali's rhymes. Ali's buoyant, agile flow and exuberant, expressive voice resonated on key tracks such as "Star Quality", "Picket Fence", "Forest Whitiker", "Chain Link", and "Rain Water".

Ali's second LP, The Undisputed Truth, was initially due out on March 6, 2007 but was later postponed to an April 10, 2007 release date. The single "Truth Is" was released in early 2007, with "Freedom Ain't Free" as the B side. Both tracks slightly strayed from Ant's trademark soul dipped style, and were tinged with a dub/roots reggae influence.

ONCE April 2007 Mixtape

April is half way through! I am a little late with this addition. But I promise you it was worth the wait. I had a lot of fun putting this together. There are some great tracks in here (not to mention some great non-album tracks that are exclusive)! Please give me some feedback as always on what you think. I always love people's reaction so I know what to put more of or put less of on the next go-around (plus it is nice to know someone is listening to these....right? Ha!). Hope April is going well for everyone. Please keep Virginia Tech in your prayers, those kids are hurting!

Track #1
Four Winds - Bright Eyes
This is a great lead off track to the EP of the same name. This was a tease for the great full length LP that was just released called "Cassadaga". His vocals have never been better with his flippant regard for mainstream. This is as close as it gets to the radio.

Track #2
Everyone Gets a Star - Albert Hammond Jr.
If you like the Strokes, this is the guitarist from that band. On his newly minted solo album he shows why his former band shines. He is the master lyricist and harmony crafter.

Track #3
Casey's Song - City and Colour
Alexisonfire is always a great band partly because of Dallas Green's amazing vocal work in contrast to the shreds of his counterpart in the band. Here on his solo album he strips it all away to his guitar and windpipes. This weeping song of regret will have a tear clinging from the corner of your eye.

Track #4
Any Other World - Mika
This album was featured on my blog as a must have. It is like a great party. Souring Queenesqe vocals with heart wrenching piano work. This is a great song backed by an exceptional string section.

Track #5
Didn't I - Darondo
Pretend it is the 1970's, and you live in LA. I now introduce you to the toast of the town during that era. 'Nuff said!

Track #6
Rhododendron - Bloc Party
If you have been keeping up with my mixtapes you will start to see a pattern. One track from this band on each album. I cant say enough about this four piece out of Essex. This bonus track off the album "Weekend In the City" shows why the lead singer is hurting like he is. It is tough living up to you pop sometimes!

Track #7
The Greatest - Cat Power
This young lady sings you to sleep with her soft lullabies all the while showing you why she is truly the Greatest at what she does.

Track #8
Your Ex-Lover Is Dead (Final Fantasy Remix) - Stars
Now this is a treat! This is a sample of the good stuff to come off of the Stars upcoming release. It is a reworking of the Stars classic album "Set Yourself On Fire" by their friends called "Do You Trust Your Friend?". This remix is done by Final Fantasy. It will make you sad and hopeful all at the same time!

Track #9
$1000 Wedding - Gram Parsons
Everyone needs a little Gram in their collection. The forerunner of country-rock brings you this classic from 1973.

Track #10
Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap
This track has gotten a resurgence of interest as of late because of the inclusion of it's chorus on a SNL skit. This is the singer of the Frou Frou. They gave us the lead track off the Garden State Movie Soundtrack.

Track #11
City - Lo-Fi-Fnk
This is just fun. A great dance track from two lads from England.

Track #12
Blinded By the Sun - Everlast
You may recognize this cat from the late 90's with his hit "What It's Like". With his fourth album he brings a little soul and country to the mix.

Track #13
It Hurts So Good - Millie Jackson
A great track that is reminisce of the Motown era. Bouncy horn section backed by a Supreme like buoyancy. This is the ultimate in 1970's funk.

Track #14
Golden - Fall Out Boy
I know.... Fear not people. This track shows why the band has staying power. It's a sharp stick to the arm and a lesson in popology.

The Coup

When you are ready to experience some dope funky Oakland underground stuff, turn to The Coup. Boots Riley, the brain behind the magic, brings it all. The album, Pick A Bigger Weapon, has so many classics. From the great song Shoyoass (video above) to My Favorite Mutiny. If you like underground rap and also love to get a little funky, then this band is for you. Pam the Funktress provides all the hooks and delicious grooves. This is a rare instance where everything comes together just right. The album has some great guests like Talib Kweli. This album is for all those who want to dance but also start a revolution!

Timbaland

Timbaland has an album out called "Timbaland Presents : Shock Value". If his name doesn't strike a bell he is the mastermind behind the rise of Missy Elliot. After she branched out on her own he began a beats for hire kind of guy. As of late you may recognize his work in crafting pop classics such as Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" and Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back", "My Love" and "What Comes Around". While I am not a huge fan of the people he works with, I can recognize that he knows how to craft a song that is undeniably catchy. His album is full of unlikely collaborations like Fall Out Boy, Tony Yayo and 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Missy E., Elton John, She Wants Revenge and The Hives among others. This album will have you dancing from the first track to the last. The ability to last in your CD player longer than a day at a time may come into question. But while it is playing, you will forget you didn't know hot to dance in the first place. Here is the lead single off the album featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake called "Give It To Me".

Timothy Z. Mosley (born March 10, 1971), better known as Timbaland, is an American musical composer and R&B record producer and rapper whose style influenced both genres even helping to blur the distinction between R&B and hip-hop, as well as pop and dance music. With partner Magoo, he is a member of hip-hop group Timbaland & Magoo.

Timbaland has been considered similar to producers such as Brian Eno, Phil Spector or Norman Whitfield in that he helped to redefine the sound of an entire genre of music with an immediately recognizable production style.[1] [2] The songs he produces feature unusual arrangements, sounds, and instrumentation, tied together by a trademark sense of space and rhythm. Like Spector and Whitfield, Timbaland's production sometimes overshadows the credited performer and becomes the actual "star" of the song. With songwriters Steve "Static" Garrett and childhood friend Missy Elliott, Timbaland has helped to create some of the most successful songs in modern pop music and urban music, including singles for Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Nelly Furtado and The Pussycat Dolls.

Modest Mouse

This band amazed me when they came out with "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". That album was full of tales of sorrow and desperation. The songs were complete chaos, and oh so beautiful. Now comes "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank". The album continues it's journey with a slightly more optimistic view. The lead single off the album "Dashboard", while not being a proper barometer for the rest of the album, acts as a great diving board to engage you to listen to the entire album. With the addition of Johnny Marr, the former guitarist for 80's sorrow gods The Smiths, the band has much more to add while still being a band undeniably led by frontman Issac Brock. The video for "Dashboard" is just too cool! Nothing like a fish story to move along the action.

Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band. They were formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, bassist John Wickhart, and guitarist Dann Gallucci [2]. However, since their 1996 debut album This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, their lineup has been centered around guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green and bassist Eric Judy. Since being signed to Sony's Epic Records in 2000, the band has attained significant popular success. Elements of Modest Mouse's sound have been likened to or have been inspired by those of Elliott Smith, Pixies, Built to Spill, and numerous other alternative rock bands. Their name derives from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall".