rilo kiley: summer hookup, autumn breakup

dl: RILO KILEY - Breakin' Up (Z - YSI)

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Some people think it's holding on that makes one strong - sometimes it's letting go.

For a good friend of mine, it used to be about letting go. And for me, it used to be about holding on. Now I'm letting go and he's holding on. We both think we're happy. This one's for him. I gave up on holding on, you should too.

The Loving Hand (the last blog icons without a Myspace) provide the bonus beats of the day, a low slung disco cut that JJS describes as "pushing [his] disco buttons." I consider that a high endorsement, so there you go.

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BONUS BEATS: RILO KILEY - Breakin' Up (The Loving Hand Remix) (Z - YSI)

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- SITE IT - SPACE IT - LAST IT - HYPE IT -

common & just blaze: the light '08.

dl: COMMON f/ MARSHA AMBROSIUS - The Light '08 (It's Love) (Smirnoff Signature Mix) (YSI)

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While it may seem lame to blog about corporate MP3 offerings, Smirnoff's latest inclusion in the Smirnoff Signature Mix Series is quite divine. This week, producer Just Blaze (Jay-Z - "Show Me What You Got", Diddy - "Tell Me", Kanye West - "Touch the Sky") teams up with rapper Common and Marsha Ambrosius (formerly of Floetry) for a recreation of Common's 2000 single "The Light". The original version of this song is arguably Common's most commercially successful single, falling short of Top 40 status at #44 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Some regard it as one of hip-hop's classic love songs, an open letter for the whole world to read declaring Common's love for then-girlfriend Erykah Badu.

Eight years later with a new beat and vibe, "The Light" is just as charming. While the feelings for Erykah might not be there anymore, this song still makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Admittedly, part of that warm-fuzzy feeling may rise from the rather emotional piano line paired with the "shoutout to J. Dilla" from Common. Is it bad that I get a little teary every time someone mentions his name?

This is the second offering from Smirnoff's Signature Mix Series, preceded by DJ Premier and KRS-One teaming up to rethink Boogie Down Productions' "Criminal Minded". Next week promises a collaboration between Q-Tip and Cool & Dre, putting a spin on A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight".

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- BUY IT - SITE IT - SPACE IT - HYPE IT - WIK IT -

prince: golden globed.

LISTEN: PRINCE- Song of the Heart
(soundtrack tune, streaming at AOL music)
- buy it - site it -

For me, the best news coming out of the Golden Globe Awards is that PRINCE won for Best Original Song. Sure, Jennifer Hudson took home Best Supporting Actress, but let's face it...we saw that coming from a mile away. Seeing Prince nab an award after Mr. Timberlake tried to deliver a slap to the face was great. Seeing Timberlake present the award? Priceless.

This feud is no feud at all. Prince is a superior artist on so many levels-- producing, writing, and performing every aspect of his music. Just because Timberlake is topping the charts now, that doesn't mean that he will have any relevance to the history of pop music in the future. Like, I love you Justin, but you need to become your own man before you start talking big. I saw you tryin' to act cute on TV, and it wasn't cute. Just stop. Make some brilliant pop music under the direction of Timbaland. Don't act like you're ground-breaking.

Returning to Prince, "Song of the Heart" is an amazing (not to mention gosh-darn cute) song.

the cagle family: never get enough love.

THE CAGLE FAMILY brings you the best family music you've heard since The Jackson 5, with less abusive father and more cuteness.

In fact, the Cagle Family excel beyond cute. Their goal is to spread love through the world-- "love to be concerned and aware of what is going on the world today, to want to make a difference in our communities, cities, countries and continents." This family of 12 travels the world doing volunteer work and hope to make the world a better place.

Recently, I was lucky enough to catch the family performing in Penn Station while I was waiting for a train on the LIRR. Normally I ignore performers at the station, but I was drawn in by their sound and the crowd of people watching. The father, Monte Cagle, spouted out announcements in at least 4 of the 6 languages he knows. Of course, little Pocahontas Cagle was certainly a highlight, as she bounced around on stage and sang her tiny heart out with an energy that rivals Animal from the Muppets. Because of their charismatic nature, I stayed until the end of their show, nearly missing my train as I bought a CD from the fam.

Their CD is just as cute as the live performance. Sure, their sound may get a little Sesame Street at times, but when you got an 8 year old on vocals that can happen. Overall, their fusion of the pop, latin, R&B, reggae, gospel and hip-hop genres is irresistable. Don't act like you're too cool for love. Because you're not.

DOWNLOAD: THE CAGLE FAMILY- I Got a Feeling
DOWNLOAD: THE CAGLE FAMILY- I Believe in Love

BUY their music, support their cause

BLOGWATCH: Popbytes leaked a track with Beyonce not letting the haters stop her from doin' her thang on the Dreamgirls soundtrack, as well as a remix. It's totally going to be a gay anthem...I mean, it already has a club mix! Discobelle has a nice remix of Cassie's "Me & U" as well as an unmastered version of her next single "Long Way 2 Go". Palms Out Sounds has some hot remixes including Lily Allen, The Knife, Ratatat, Rick Ross, The Streets, Young Jeezy, M.I.A., and more.

wizard rock: don't take fame, take love

HARRY AND THE POTTERS have been featured on mtv.com and probably even more legitimate sites. They're celebrities just as much as Jeffree Star or Tila Tequila, both primarily known through myspace. While the latter two are mostly known by only internet users, HatP gain a different audience...book readers. I once interviewed Paul for my old blog and tried to post it in a popular pop culture forum that will remain nameless. My post was rejected because they said they weren't famous enough! I was furious because, well, they are! They just are! But I suppose any fan would say that.

I am awfully late in making this post. I failed as a fan to realize that their new album was made available for purchase on good ol' Independence Day...15 days ago! I have no other option than to blame Voldemort for this. Obviously I read about the new album Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love back then, but He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named put me under a vicious memory charm which only allowed me to remember about it today!

Now that I've been released from this curse, I would like to point you all in the direction of three new songs. Two are from the new album, and one is off of the Scarred For Life 7". These songs are a good indication of the maturing sound of the band. Years ago, HatP made up for what they lacked musically with hilarious lyrics such as "Cause I'd rather not talk about your dead ex-boyfriend over coffee" that gained them a solid, dedicated fan-base. Now, just as Rowlings books have evolved from childish fluff to dark adolescent drama, so has the sound of Harry and the Potters. "The Blood of a Prince" has incredibly dark lyrics. It's also much more complex than anything HatP had ever done up to this point. One could make claims that it's a legitimate rock song...because, well, it is. Even while maintaining their playful nature on "Song for the Death Eaters", they still bring in a new level of instrumentation and harmony that was never before heard on earlier tracks. Now, the boys are no longer just two brothers with guitars, a drum machine, and clever puns within their lyrics. They rock...literally.

DOWNLOAD: HARRY AND THE POTTERS- Song for the Death Eaters
DOWNLOAD: HARRY AND THE POTTERS- This Book is So Awesome
DOWNLOAD: HARRY AND THE POTTERS- The Blood of a Prince

BUY Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love

BLOGWATCH: The Rich Girls are Weeping has some new remixes of Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man". Dreams of Horses honors my favorite Prince song ever by featuring covers by both Tegan & Sara and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.

alice smith vs. corinne bailey rae: soul-ebrity deathmatch.

ALICE SMITH is one of those musical artists that I just couldn't resist blogging about. Like Corinne Bailey Rae, she is one of those rare modern soul songstresses who really shines...except after hearing Alice Smith, I'd throw Ms. Bailey Rae into a trash can in a second.

It's nothing personal. Both ladies write exquisite soul songs, except Smith actually delivers the soul. Where Corinne sugarcoats her songs in a simple, happy acoustic sound, Alice revels in the darkness with her complex arrangements. Alice makes the type of music that...leaves you breathless, wanting more. It's invigorating. It's true, cathartic at times. Compared to Alice, Corinne's tunes are nothing but background music.

However, Corinne is still on top in the end when it comes to sales. While Alice is performing show after show in NYC, Corinne's album is being sold in every Starbucks in the city. She's touring the world, popping up everywhere from iTunes to VH1. She's playing the majors...BUT she's playing it safe. It seems as if Corinne draws too much from her formerly successful influences, while Alice isn't afraid to take risks and go where her heart takes her. And while she may be stuck updating her own myspace page (GASP!), this only increases her genuine appeal. Top that off with a four octave range, and I think we have a winner.

DOWNLOAD: ALICE SMITH- Dream
DOWNLOAD: ALICE SMITH- Fake is the New Real
(mp3s courtesy of soul shower)

BUY For Lovers, Dreamers, & Me <-- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

DOWNLOAD: CORINNE BAILEY RAE- Trouble Sleeping (KRCW session)

BUY Corinne Bailey Rae

BLOGWATCH: Analog Giant has a great remix by Freeform Five of Alice Smith's song "Love Endeavor". Stars are blind has that new JoJo which I know you've been...um...dying to hear?

BLOGGER NOTE: I'll be away until next week with no internet, so hopefully you will be able to survive. Leave me some love!