back to the nest

Not only are you getting one Heavy Rotation after another, this time you’re getting two songs for the price of one.  Oh, you’re welcome.

Normally rap isn’t really my thing.  So when I do find rap that I like, it’s a really big deal.  Enter, Kid Sister.

I heard the song “Family Reunion” last year.  Around that time, Kid Sister was supposed to release her debut album, titled Dream Date. After being delayed a buncha times, Kid Sister was apparently less than thrilled with the outcome, and asked her record label to hold off on releasing Dream Date.  The album was thus reworked, and the name was changed to Ultraviolet, and finally released earlier this week.  RCRD LBL calls it “a landmark, merging electronic music and club rap in ways that have never been done before.” I call it ridiculous amounts of fun and awesomeness by one super badass chick.  It’s like 80s female rap, only better, with synth and way cooler lyrics.

“Family Reunion” was unfortunately left off the final cut of Ultraviolet, so I’ve included it here, along with “Get Fresh,” another favorite.  Enjoy!

*Other favorites from Ultraviolet include: “Right Hand Hi” and “Pro Nails,”    You can stream the whole album for free HERE, so make sure you do it!!  Keep in mind, some songs are NSFW, just so you’re aware.

I love classic soul.  And I love classic soul revival almost as much.  Raphael Saadiq’s “100 Yard Dash” has been on heavy rotation in my life for more than a year now, but I feel that not enough people know about it, so I had to share.

If you remember the new jack swing group Tony! Toni! Toné! from the late 80s-early 90s, then you already know who Raphael Saadiq (aka Charlie Ray Wiggins) is.  Maybe.

Anyway, I’m not going to go on and on about “100 Yard Dash,” because I think the song pretty much speaks for itself.  It’s short and sweet and fun and goes down like honey, and makes me want to throw some sort of cocktail party where I can play it on repeat with no abandon.  But for now it’s on the playlist.  Enjoy!

I really didn’t want to like this song.  I almost went so far as to determine that I absolutely hated it before even giving it a listen, but everybody know THAT’S a big mistake.  I’m not anti-Scarlett Johansson or anything: generally my feelings are neutral.  I just don’t really respect SJ in the musical realm and as an “artist.”  This whole “I want to be a singer so I’m going to make an album covering songs by Tom Waits* so people will take me seriously” kind of vibe I’m picking up on irks me, just a bit.  I don’t know why.  it just does, ok?

BUT.  After hearing “Relator”  off of SJ’s collaboration with Pete Yorn (titled The Break-Up),  I decided to just go ahead and like the song–maybe even love it.  It’s too damn catchy NOT to love, plus I used to listen to Pete Yorn a lot when I was in college, so it’s nice to hear from him again.

So go ahead and give “Relator” a listen (to your right) now.  I’d be dancing to it around the house in my skivvies this second if I could, but when your parents are your roommates, you don’t really have that option in life.  Oh well.  Enjoy!

*That Tom Waits cover album was bad.  Real bad.

The name of my favorite fruit also happens to be the name of the band responsible for one of my favorite songs of the moment.  “Corriander” by Pomegranates is on heavy rotation at back to the nest, and you need it in you life too.

Off of the album Everybody, Come Outside! (realeased back in April) “Corriander” is dreamy and ethereal, but still tinged with toe-tapping energy.  Fall in love with “Corriander” via my track player on the right, but definitely give the whole rest of Everybody, Come Outside a good long listen because you’ll want to hear the entire story the album tells.

Get more info on Pomegranates HERE…

And definitely read their great blog, Everybody Outside.

PS-How great is this shirt??

I guess you used to be able to buy it in their store, but now it’s gone.  Pomegranates, if you’re listening, bring back your monster t-shirt!  I so wanna buy it.