To the complainers. Full album review of Lickety Split

I hear a lot of complaints from people who - clearly -  don't read this blog,  about how bad today's music sucks. Or does it? Or we just flooded with musicians, who rather sacrifice their artistic vision in order to make some loot. Are the musicians to blame? We are told what to listen to. The good news is, that it doesn't have to be this way. That's one of the objectives why we are here. If you don't mind the time spent discovering music you will eventually find good music. Unfortunately the equation points towards more later than sooner. But we are here, one click and a couple letters away, so you can satisfy your music needs. What we have here today is something special, of course. An album, because you can't pick just one song. The name is Robert Randolph and The Family Band's and the album is Lickety Split.

The first song I heard from him was " Ain't nothing wrong with that" I had no notion what to do with it. It was everything, I knew it was good, beyond that, magical. Robert Randolph is a true master of the steel guitar - or as they call it sacred steel -  as a matter of fact, he is so dexterous that he was listed 97th on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time list in 2003. I would also like to remind everyone, that steel guitar is one of the most complex instruments. So I waited, and then I came across his new album and I wasn't disappointed. I rarely come across an album which is superb all around. It's funky, original, gospelly, but not in a "you have to know the Bible" way. It's rocking, its bluesy, its so upbeat that the last time I heard an album so upbeat it was in  the deep genre of electronica. As Robert puts it when he talks about his musical ambitions “My thing is really upbeat, uptempo, with great guitar riffs,but also catchy choruses and lyrics that someday will make this music into classic tunes.” The album is out as of July 16th. Make sure to grab it. It's not just you will not regret it, but you will be straight thankful for/to him, and me to guide you in the arms of his musical ingenuity.


The thing what I like about the album, besides everything, is that, it's starts out as it should. The first track titled "Amped up" and it pretty much tells you what to do when you listen to the album. It doesn't sell false hopes, it's a prefect manifesto of the album, it straight forwardly shows what you can expect when you listen to it.

According to Robert, the next track is what "captures the band's new spirit" titled "Born again". It started out as a session in the studio. "It's about finding joy again. At first it was more of a love song, the sense you get when you find the right person, but then as we were recording this new music with a whole new sense of direction, and feeling free again, that all came into it. It’s not a religious thing, it’s just new energy—which is really the old energy that I had at the beginning of my career.”

Then we take a trip to "New Orleans". It starts out slowly with his sister's vocals. Reminds me of somewhat of and island sound but then Mr. Randolph steps in, and you know, and then you feel the N'awlins spirit. It's elegant, entertaining mix of slow and uptmepo. The slow and fast parts of the song, the female and male vocals add a positive offsetness to the song.

And if we are in New Orleans what comes to mind? Besides good food, fun people, and great music? Well of course the endless parties. "Take the party" is an eclectic mix of jazz funk and church music all in the best possible way. A song, I picture played somewhere in a south, Sunday during service but also can be played some  jazz joint on Bourbon street. That's of course hugely thanked to Trombone Shorty a New Orleans native trombone and trumpet player.

I only will have one word about the next track: Carlos Santana. Pointless to say anything else.

Randolph notes that the title track of  "Licekty Split"  (on which his sister sings the hook) is one of his favorites. “What’s great about that one is that it’s something we actually played in church, just like that,” he says. “There’s a section in the service called the ‘Jubilee Jam Session Time,’ and I can show you video where we played that very same riff.”  It brings the sun out of the darkest clouds.

Recently I catch myself singing the next song. The reason is clear: It is that good, it slowly creeps into your head and you can't get it out. Of course not in a "Call me maybe way". It's one of the slower tracks from the album. This one also features Carlos Santana on it, but believe it or not, he is not the reason why I love it. It's super bluesy, but yet bright which is not an easy thing. Yet the way it comes together the structure of it, the solos, the sounds, the fact that you think it's almost over but it goes on and on, so everything about the song is just phenomenal.

Ohio Players, Roller coaster covered by this band? How does that sound? Exactly you'd imagine it. It just feels right.

The following song could be a description of the whole album. "All American". If you think of 4th of July tracks, this one definitely should be one of them. Any lyrics containing the words "Apple pie" and "Land of the free and home of the brave" has a "red white and blue eagle painted on muscle car" kind of patriotism written all over it.

If you think the magic is over, and we rafted to the waters of  an American flag flying over a Texas oil field, well the next will throw you back right where you should be. Pure amazing sound. The virtuosity of the "Get ready" track is beyond a lot of things. You just want to loop it, over and over, and when you think the song is over, when you have the feeling of "the end of a good concert, and you don't wanted to be over", then he continues it where he left off. Like a sad feeling when you loose something you love, then you realize it's in your pocket. You are lifted and ecstatic that you found it. That same feeling hits you as he keeps going on with it.

Next, it's a sad part of the album, since it's the 11th track, and we only have one left. It's titled "Welcome home". It's about the never ending, artist inspiring yet horrible thing: War.

How can you end an album like that? You could with another sad song since, I felt pretty sad that it's over. They finished the album, with Limmie Snells "Lemme B. good" from 1965 which later became better known as "Good lovin'" from The Rascals.

There are a lot of things that makes this album wonderful, flawless. There are times when you have a feeling that they just put songs on it without having the slightest idea of which song should follow which. In this case it all makes perfect sense. It starts out great it slows down when you get real tired of dancing around, and at the end it gives you something to think about, and something to be happy about. But of course there are not so good things with the album, for example it "only" contains 12 tracks. I could listen to another probably 6 more. The other bad thing is that we had to wait 3 years for it. So hopefully the next one will be sooner.

If you think that his music is not that good, I'll give you one more reason to buy his album: He plans to remodel an abandoned school in Irvington N.J. and starting the Robert Randolph Music and Arts Program. This is what he has to say about it: “There hasn’t been any arts in the schools, period, since I was in high school,” he says. “So my whole motivation changed to a full-on effort to get these kids into music, and also find out what other passions they have and try to offer that. These kids don’t have anything to do, they don’t have any hope.”

I think the best way to end the review is with this, which gives you yet another reason to check it out:

"I’m still undiscovered, and that’s really the best thing about it. Now we have the chance to present the music right, and have the story told right, and for me to be focused on being an ambassador for inner-city kids and a role model, and also an ambassador for my instrument and as an artist. "  -Robert Randolph

Quotes are courtesy of www.robertrandolph.net

It's time to vote

It's Monday, and while it sucks for most of the Earth's population, it won't for you since you are already reading this. It's time to give the power back, it's time for some democratic good deed in the land of the internet, and in the name of  "You choose". Well, I chose Robin Thicke for today's then and now vote.

There's a lot of stereotypes about Canadians: one is that they apologize a lot, which they don't. They just happened to be one of the coolest people roam this planet -except Justin Bieber-. Mr Thicke is half Canadian but he has some serious explaining to do - maybe apologizing too - . A guy who wrote songs for Christina Aguilera, Jordan Knight and Brandy, and recently worked with Pharrell and T.I. had hair in the early '00s which I think should give hope to every person in this universe, who struggles some serious self esteem problems, that he/she can look good. I was wondering back then, when I saw his video, thinking: if this guy cuts his hair he would make it big. Look at him now: popping Remy Martin singing with -depending on which video you watch - almost - or half naked girls. But enough of the jokes with his hair, as Mike Tyson said it in the movie Hangover "We all do dumb stuff". There shall be no doubt that the guy is great. His new album is coming out on July 30th. I'm pretty sure you will find the review about it on your cherished blog (here).

The song is topping chart after chart and it should, he deserves it and the song deserves it. There lays the question: Which one should win? "When I get you alone" with riding a bike in New York city as delivery Jesus to a great tune, or "Blurred lines" with T.I. and Pharrel. Well while both song is great, and both video is unique, the power is in your hands. You decide who wins this then and now.

Old or New Robin?

Things I find in a garage

At times comes a song which should be better known. I'm talking about a song that you can show to someone who isn't really into as they refer to it "computer noise". I'm also not talking about the pop non-sense again. If you want to present someone country music, you don't show them Taylor Swift. For me a good funk house hits home. Instruments, with a super bass, upbeat, and of course a sensational vocal. Well garage music as genre falls into -some of - these criteria. Since Mj Cole Artful Dodger I had trouble coming across something garagely funky. Something I put on repeat and  joyous with it for the whole day. During my recent expedition I came across an album released in early march. Traxx -House that garage built. Its a fair compilation of garage music by mostly U.K. Producers. I really won't talk about the album if you really into -revived- garage music well, yes sure listen to it. I would encourage you to pay attention to one track which stands out more then the others. In some ways it isn't even appropriate.

We all do have sunny/rainy days. Well music is the same, we all find good or bad songs on an album we should like or should not like. Harry Wolfman's remix of Ben Pearce's "What I might do" is undoubtedly the sunnier -way sunnier- days of the album. A mix worth sharing. A perfect Wednesday music. It reminds you of the weekend - like the garage music brings out that late happy '90s European club scene- this song brings out the weekend fun in a way it allows us to intellactually prepare for it. A song if stuck in one's head anytime thinking/singing it, will bring out some great memories. And if the memories fade in the mist of the past (or alcohol) will vitalize our music receptors to make us put on our "going-out best clothes" and make some of those memories.

If you look close enough he dances to the music

What I might do.

What's good and you missed it?

The correct answer is Dj MaQwet's posts. But no worries, I'm back, better then ever. Since the outage, there were some cool tunes which would've worth a post like Avicii's new single "Wake me up" with Aloe Black. If you don't know Mr Black well then you should. I would give more than one dollar to hear him. And while I'm not the biggest fan of Avicii for the same reason I'm not a huge fan of pop music. But the vocal sells the song.

Then there is John Mayer's "Paper doll". The guy gets a lot of press since he pretty much had sex with plenty of famous girls. The guy is a rock star, what should he do? Stay at home? But people seem to forget that the guy is a great guitar player. Well his "Paper doll" video can be a bit freaky for some people. Some say the video pokes fun of Taylor Swift, and that the song is dedicated to her. Whatever the case is I honestly don't really care the song is great, end of story.

But we won't be sobbing about the past, we look ahead and see what the future will bring. I have some incredible posts lined up. I will also feature a new segment where, I will throw in some older music, something not so fresh but unequivocally still hot, since good music is always timeless. So as we say it here under the shades of the umbrella, read it, like it, and share it, but mostly have fun with it and enjoy. Oh, and of course if you come across something you like, you know where to find me. Of course none of my posts would be complete without any music videos.Then here is not one, not two but three songs.

We are back....

It's been quite a while since our last post. We have been working on plenty of new material. Also we might enable a new Facebook plugin where you can comment simply with your Facebook account. We are also planning to change the look a little bit. All in all new things are coming. We are planning not to stay offline for that long period of time ever again.

The content will change for the better. During the last few weeks, music went pretty well, so we are planning to keep that up and improve it, by more and better posts from, Dj MaQwet.  He has some pretty swell stuff coming that's for sure. But he will tell more of his plans later on.

We will also do a segment about cooking, where we will share some tasty recipe ideas, some tricks and know-hows. We also would encourage everybody if they hear, see or have a recipe or recipes to submit it, so we can try it out and share it.

For our picture part of the blog we would be extremely pleased with submitted pictures. Our main goal is still to be as much interactive as we possibly can without compromising the supplies of continuous good and fun stuff.

Stay tuned and stay connected, read it, like it, and share it, but mostly have fun with it and enjoy.