leif: cruz ctrl (demo).

dl: LEIF - CRUZ CTRL (demo) (Z)

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I'm sure most of you don't keep tabs on the blogroll here, and that makes sense. I can hardly keep up with all those blogs myself, you know? With that said, I'd like to direct your attention to a little ol' blog called terf- work. He caught my attention when I saw that he posted a rip of Leif's "CRUZ CTRL", and kept my attention when I realized that he also wrote about the lovely Benni E. In general, the blog's got some great energy for being relatively new and occasionally there's some bad-ass custom-made album artwork. Coincidentally, the blogger happens to be the little brother of one of my acquaintances in Philly, but is it okay if I adopt him as my little blogbrother?

Blog-love festival aside, Leif's "CRUZ CTRL" may just be a demo, yet it's pretty much the best thing that's been posted here, like, ever. Okay, possibly an overstatement, but this is a fucking jam. Until I had a rip, I would visit Leif's page on the space nearly ten times to get geeked up listening to it. And as much as I try to stick to blogger ethics and not post too many things that aren't available for download, this needs to get into as many ears as possible.

Also, be sure to check out the remixes of "Black Magic" and "Timbs" by Stay High, The Touch, Ian Johnson, and KEUKENGEREI.

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BONER TRACK: LEIF - Little Bit (Lykke Li cover) (Z)

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- SPACE IT - HYPE IT -

rewind project: purple crush & anoraak.

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I've been seeing that Database edit of George Benson's "Turn Your Love Around" quite a bit on the blogs. While I'm excited about REWIND, Buffetlibre's '80s cover and remix project, I didn't really get into this contribution. So why, you ask, am I excited about this project? Three words, two groups: Anoraak, Purple Crush.

I wrote about Anoraak a while back, praising their laid-back electro tune "The Wizzard". Having heard quite a bit more from them since then, I've fallen deeper in love. Whether they're doing a remix or cover, I'm sure it'll have me dancing in my deskchair (if not, on it).

Purple Crush? Well Isla just embodies the 1980s with her flawless dance moves and Kate Bush-covering self. And did I mention her dance moves? Serious. Lee. I was in awe of her performance at the March 20th Palms Out Sounds party (@ Luna Lounge, Brooklyn). She's a one-woman '80s party!

Other artists included on REWIND include: Dragonette, Sidechains, The Toxic Avenger, Culture Prophet, Grum, Mendetz, ER2, The Amplid, Moulinex, RAC, Russ Chimes, UMYO, Hello Tokyo, CFCF, Fisk vs. Blende, Oh Snap!, Xinobi, The Shoes, CSK OK, Keenhouse, Cryptonites, Adventure Kid, !Trash Yourself, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Paper Scissors, Tknik, Black Dominoes, Vitamins For You, Computer Club, Glitch Bitch, South Central, Clash The Disko Kids, Lillica Libertine, Daroc, Pink Skull, Damage, Beesmunt Soundsystem, Royal Rumble, Mat Payne, Loud Pipes, We Are Terrorists, Emotiquon, Night Facilities, and Tempest Disco.

BLOGGER UPDATE: With a little spying, it appears that Purple Crush will be covering Madonna.

GET PUMPED!!

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BONER TRACK: ANORAAK - The Wizzard (YSI)
BONER TRACK: ANORAAK - NERD (Never Ending Romance Disaster) (YSI)
BONER TRACK: PURPLE CRUSH - Little Secret (Leif Keeps It Remix) (YSI)
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- SITE IT - SPACE IT - HYPE IT -
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- BUY IT - SITE IT - SPACE IT - HYPE IT -

leif: little bit.

d/l: LEIF - Little Bit (Lykke Li cover) (YSI)

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Leif has been mentioned on this blog plenty of times, but it was mainly for his mash-ups and remixes. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of his voice tenderly colliding with your earbuds, the time has now come. "Little Bit" is a cover by Swedish songstress Lykke Li, who you may have heard of on some blog that one time.

I'm not about to go make some big claims that Lykke Li will be the "next big thing" to come out of Sweden, and I'm not about to compare her to Feist or some crap like that. Homey don't play that. I have one single thing to say about this song. And I am going to say it with hesitation, because this isn't the sort of thing you should admit to the internet. I'm not really even sure if I've ever felt this way about a song ever. It's kind of inapprop...THIS SONG MAKES ME WANT TO TAKE MY CLOTHES OFF. Now I said it. There's no looking back.

Consider Lykke Li's version the foreplay. Leif's version falls somewhere before or after that depending on how you go about in your freaky ways. It still retains the vulnerability that makes the original so drawers-dropping, yet brings the song to the CLUBZ in the most delicious way possible.

Predictable blogger pun: I think I'm more than a little bit in love with this jam! LOLcat.

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bonus track: LEIF - Electric Feel My Cool (MGMT edit) (YSI)
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- space it -

who's that up in my nytimes mag?.

Forgive me, Leif. I just couldn't resist.

dl: LEIF - CTRL PIMP (YSI)

gotdion: lip gloss remix.

GOTDION is back again with a remix of Lil Mama's "Lip Gloss", presumably off of his upcoming mixtape WTFD Vol. 2.

I'll make it known that this isn't my favorite remix by him, but that's probably because I'm a bit too obsessed with Leif's "Glossy Pop" (download at Chazology), Mashed Potatoes blend with The Knife, and a few others that are floating around. Beyond that, I'm just getting a little tired of "Lip Gloss". Don't get me wrong. It's great...but well, I just want to hear Lil Mama on a song that's a "lil" new. Sure, a few other songs leaked...including the rumored second single "Make It Hot", but if Lil Mama wants to be known as more than just "The 'Lip Gloss' Girl" she needs to step her game up, do something notable, and stop talking about make-up on her damn myspace. Hopefully her work with producer Swizz Beatz (Busta Rhymes "Touch It", Eve "Tambourine", Beyonce "Upgrade U") will be as exciting as "Lip Gloss" was when I first heard it. Right now, I can't say I've been impressed by the leaked stuff. I know, I know. I'm being way harsh on this 17 year old girl, but the reality of the situation is that she needs a bangalicious follow-up if she doesn't want to fall into the realm of one-hit-wonder.

Going back to the point of this post, GotdioN's mix gives the appropriate edge to Mama's aggressive "What you know 'bout me", however it may be a bit too aggressive for a song about beauty products. Take a listen and decide for yourself.

d/l: LIL MAMA- Lip Gloss (GotdioN remix) (YSI)
(aggressive pop-rap remix)
- space it / site it - space it - wik it - hype it -

hell yup.

I wouldn't normally post about shows, but has potential to be a life-changing experience.

Leif + PdL + Old Gold = HELL YUP

leif: berfdayin'.

LEIF will be celebrating his 18th berfday this Friday, and you know what that means. Right. He will be 18.

Leif has been in the IT'S THE MONEY SHOT!! clubhouse since before it existed. Nearly a year ago, his remix of M.I.A.'s "URAQT" provided an exciting conclusion to the first post on this piece of interweb. The mix was included in his remix compilation Arular Gone Glam, which has been on heavy pod rotation along with his Spank Rock remix project Spank Rock Rejawned. He completed two remixes for the Mirror Boiyz of "Don't Get It Twisted" and "IRL", a remix of another ITMS favorite Bedtime for Toys, a collaboration with the wonderful Onili, and the list doesn't end there. His work was recently seen on scattermish, callmeMickey, and chazology. Long story short...he's not even legal yet and his musical resume could probably shit on your actual resume. Or at least mine.

Though Leif seems to be retiring from the mash-up scene, he recently dropped a song entitled "LoveBroke". I was sold from the start on this one, as Fergie's "Glamorous", Trina's "No Panties", and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" rendezvoused in a moment of musical bliss. Needless to say, this piece of musical genius quickly creeped its way into my Top 25 Most Played.

A while ago, Leif dropped the NEON DANCES EP, a full collection of mash-ups and mixes. Along with "LoveBroke", check out two jams from that project. Note the inclusion of Khia in "Do The Sexy Work II". Just sayin'.

d/l: LEIF- Lovebroke (YSI)
d/l: LEIF- Model Carpool (YSI)
d/l: LEIF- Do the Sexy Work II (YSI)
(mash-ups and mixes that will rock your party)
- space it - hype it -

BLOGWATCH: Brugo posted Lily Allen covering Blondie at SXSW, which I'm notifying you of even if I kind of hate Lily Allen. My Old Kentucky Blog has a huge collection of covers of The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" with everything from Guns N Roses to Alicia Keys. Pop Tarts Suck Toasted recommends the new Timbaland album, which I don't recommend at all (no offense, PTST). Speaking of new releases, Lessons from Things posts a new one by Ms. Hilary Duff. The Smudge of Ashen Fluff brings us Bloc Party performing live on Letterman. Last but not least, Shameless Complacency has an mp3 of that Alanis Morissette "My Humps" cover that literally ten people sent me.

the black peter group: having their cake and eating it

THE BLACK PETER GROUP may have a somewhat offensive name and myspace link, but I'd be more offended if you told me they didn't make you want to shake it.

First and foremost, I must thank my good e-friend Leif for sending me their link. If you haven't checked out his tunage yet, you're missing out. His M.I.A. remixes will help you find yourself, or lose yourself. Whichever one you're looking for.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program..."Cake" by The Black Peter Group is now the official jam of my upcoming birthday party. I plan to blast this song, dance around, and stuff cake in my mouth. Perhaps, they can come perform it in my dorm room. Perhaps, I will just settle with a little solitary "krump and munch"...which would be like crying while eating with less tears and more shaking. My favorite line of the song has to be, "Summer comes but once a year, that's when my white friends disappear"...however, the line about the Pope is a close second.

If the pics on the space are any indication, it looks like The Black Peter Group puts on quite a live performance. If you're in the NYC area, you should totally make an appearance at their September 6th or 14th show.

DOWNLOAD: THE BLACK PETER GROUP- Cake
DOWNLOAD: THE BLACK PETER GROUP- Peter vs. Robot

BLOGGER NOTE: I was totally on cryingwhileeating once. Look for Joe/Chris. With that said, Maria and her Zucaritas is my favorite video ever.

BLOGWATCH: Analog Giant brings us a mash-up of Nelly Furtado with The Raconteurs. Beauty n the Beat has got a high quality leak of Beyonce's new song "Ring the Alarm", which is making waves on the radio but apparently may not be the second single off her upcoming album B'Day. I hated it at first, but the repetitive chorus has it stuck in my head. I choose to remain ambivalent on this one. She also has the new Kelis song, "Blindfold Me", which is likely the second single off of Kelis Was Here. I was originally not into this one, but it's a grower. Arjan Writes advises fans of Imogen Heap and Frou Frou to check out Kate Havnevik. Palms Out Sounds interviewed the one and only Lady Sovereign.

bedtime for toys: it's a motherfuckin' dance riot.

BEDTIME FOR TOYS combine a mix of electro, hip-hop, fun, pop, and R&B to trot on a futuristic rock n roll wonderland that hasn't been stepped on since the glory days of Prince and the Revolution.

Clearly, I stole this description from their website? Yup.

I suppose what is really important about Bedtime for Toys is their visual aspect. No, I'm not talking about the fact that lead-singer Marchelle Bradanini is totes adorbs. The 'Toys actually project video footage behind them at every show. In fact, they will not perform without it, stating that it's like any other instrument in the band. With that said, you'd think a lot would be lost by just listening to them. Incorrect. While I have not had the opportunity to see the 'Toys live, I'm almost afraid to do so. If they're this good missing one of their important elements, I don't even think I could handle the full picture. Plus, Los Angeles is far!

CRED RESUME: remixed by Le Tigre, Spank Rock, and moneyshot fave Leif, collaborated with Har Mar Superstar, performed with Lady Sovereign and Princess Superstar

WATCH: Bedtime For Toys mini-documentary

DOWNLOAD: BEDTIME FOR TOYS- White Fur Coat
DOWNLOAD: BEDTIME FOR TOYS- Black Ties, White Lies

Keep posted for album details!

BLOGWATCH: i rock i roll brings us the cutest summer song that you might be missing out on, the Teddybears' "Yours to Keep". Block Party has a new song by Monica, "Sideline Ho", that has so much sass that your mind will be blown. Honorable Media streams a hilarious video mash-up of DMX and Elmo.

that's gay. literally.

Homosexuality is really gay. No seriously. It literally is.

I'm not sure how I feel about "pride" and what is interpreted as "gay culture". You wouldn't have seen me marching around in NYC today, but don't get me wrong...My people can do some okay things. However, gay men often misinterpret the meaning of "pride". Before we celebrate and dance around in man-thongs, I think we need to solve a few problems and tensions within the community, ok? Before we make others repect us, I think we need to respect one another. That's all I'm saying.

With that off my chest, let me continue with some music. In honor of gay pride, I will be bringing you some music from gay/lesbian/queer artists. They span across genres from hip-hop to country. Each song isn't necessarily about being gay. Does it really need to be?

• MATTHEW HEATH-FITZGERALD- Whiskey Lullaby: Mr. Heath-Fitzgerald is a family-lovin' man from Oklahoma who sings country music for a group of adoring fans. Only he's gay-married. It's like Brokeback Mountain only less depressing, less idealized, a lot cuter, a lot realer, and obviously more musical. Seriously though, if you don't believe it's cute, check out the photo of the married couple on his husband Jason Heath-Fitzgerald's page. CUTE. For country lovers, check out more of his music on the space. If you like what you hear, support the artist!!
• JONTE'- Make Up (video): Jonte' is essentially the polar opposite of Matthew Heath-Fitzgerald. He's campy. He's flexible. He's electro. He's...um, FABULOUS! Also, he's a gay black male semi-drag queen from New York. That's what I call opposites. Check him out on the space.
• GOD-DES & SHE- Mr. President: Everyone from Pink to Tupac Shakur to Bright Eyes have done songs for the president, but that's not the point. I found a copy of "Lick It" (available on iTunes), but I respect these ladies too much to post it. God-des is an out lesbian, and She just recently ventured into bisexuality. Honestly, I don't care what their orientations are. These ladies are talented. Unfortunately, "She" does not appear on this track, so I encourage you to head to the space and watch their video for the infectiously catchy "Love You Better" (which reached #1 on LOGO's Click List). She has an amazing voice.
• MIRROR BOIYZ vs. LEIF- I.R.L. (Leif remix): This is a brand new remix by the insanely gifted Leif. Leif is still in high school, and once I discovered this fact...I was floored. He is applying to my school, and if they don't accept him they are idiots. You may remember Leif from the first mixtape on this blog. If you liked what you heard back then, you should check out the full Arular Gone Glam project here. You should also friend him on the space before he gets more famous than your mom. OH, also The Mirror Boiyz are pretty good too, but I guess I'm biased. You can friend us here.
• NELLIE McKAY f/ K.D. LANG- We Had It Right: Nellie McKay is not a lesbian, but she's a gay-friendly vegetarian. That counts for something, right? Her album Pretty Little Head was presumably great. I say "presumably" because fucking Sony never released it! Sixteen of the 23 tracks have leaked including a duet with out lesbian performer K.D. Lang. The album also featured an amazing duet with Cyndi Lauper, her co-star in The Threepenny Opera. You should go see that if you're the kind of person who is into musicals. It also has Alan Cumming, who is gay and once hit on my friend. Since I can't recommend that you buy the album, either go see the play...or check out this live version of the gay marriage themed "Cupcake" (MP3). It includes a dedication to New Jersey's ex-governor Jim McGreevey. Word on the street is that Nellie is incredible live.
• JANIS IAN- My Tennessee Hills: Why does that name look familiar? That's right. Janis Ian = DYKE. (Mean Girls) The joke that most watchers of Tina Fey's theatrical masterpiece don't get is that the actual Janis Ian IS a dyke. If you listen hard enough, you can even hear Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" (MP3) playing in the background at some point in the movie. In other news, Ms. Ian was happily married to her domestic partner Patricia Snyder in 2003.
  

Honorable Mention:

• New Jersey rocker Josh Zuckerman
• "Bear pride" midwest rapper Bigg Nugg
• Internet superstar Jonny McGovern
• Overly raunchy Hirsute Pursuit
• American Idol contestant Jim Verarros
  
• Melissa Etheridge, Elton John, RuPaul, The Village People, Lesley Gore, Sinead O'Connor, Boy George, George Michael, Tegan & Sara, Michael Stipe, Liberace, Rufus Wainwright, and all the other obvious ones...

BLOGWATCH: Get the new Jessica Simpson "A Public Affair" at stars are blind. Check out some live tracks of new Radiohead material at i guess i'm floating, as well as a rare Modest Mouse track. Speaking of gays, ANTM's Kim Stolz is now a VJ on MTVU and has her own blog (link thanks to shitparade). Listen to acoustic tunes by We Are Scientists over at You Ain't No Picasso. Cop a b-side of The Go! Team covering Sonic Youth at i was there. Note that there's a remix of The Knife over at indiechristoph.