Sunday Brunch: These Are Powerful Hours

"Artisanal Power Hour Mixes for the Discriminating Binge Drinker"

"When you have a seemingly unquenchable thirst for alcohol and music, combined with a short attention span, there really is nothing like a well-curated, well-sequenced power hour mix to kick drive a weekend." So say the folks over at TheseArePowerfulHours.com, and by the looks of it, they are not kidding.

Offering a vast variety of mixes for download -- ranging from Prince to Tom Petty to Timbaland to Hall & Oates -- TAPH has you covered for all of your Power Hour needs. And they recently posted a Christmas edition to help make all of those family parties a little bit more tolerable (and sloppy). Just make sure you take your shoes off before passing out, unlike the dude pictured above.

TheseArePowerfulHours.com

we love: Junior Boys

"I Think I've Seen You In My Head"

When a friend described the Junior Boys' music as "New Order meets Timbaland" I was so intrigued at what this love-child might sound like, that I immediately walked to the record store to find out more. And as it turns out, that description was pretty on the money: their debut LP Last Exit (released September 04) features the emotive melodies of New Order mixed with the rhythmic complexities of Timbo, and instantly became a favorite; the perfect soundtrack for staring out of a car window on a rainy day. Their sophomore effort, So This Is Goodbye (August 06) is somewhat of a stylistic departure (most notably the drums), but still features the unmistakable Junior Boys sound and themes: electronically-infused melancholy, about longing and lusting.

To get an idea of Junior Boys' style, take a minute to check out Last Exit 's "High Come Down" (streaming below) and the jaw-dropping, fan-made music video for Goodbye's "In the Morning" (above). Learn more about Junior Boys by clicking HERE.

back at it: Jay-Z

"He who does not feel me is not real to me"

The New York Times reported today that Jay-Z is busy in the studio recording an album inspired by the soon-to-be-released American Gangster.

The film (directed by Ridley Scott and starring Denzel Washington) is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, an early 1970s Harlem heroin kingpin (see below). Says Jay: “It immediately clicked with me.... It was like I was watching the film, and putting it on pause, and giving a back story to the story." The film hits theaters on November 2, with Jay-Z's album being released in conjunction.

"This is the genesis of a nemesis
Mother America’s not witnessed since
the Harlem Renaissance
birthed black businesses"

American Gangster


Jay-Z and Timbaland in the Studio, circa 2003

Hip-Hop Review

"Baby girl, you and me / need to go to your teepee"

Timbaland - Hello (feat Keri Hilson & Attitude)
As Graduation and Curtis go head to head next Tuesday, Timbaland, for once, is flying under the radar. Timbo wil release a 2-CD Deluxe Edition of Shock Value. The second disc featrures three "Way I Are" remixes, a remix of "Give it To Me" (feat Jay-Z), and the addictive Mia track "Come Around". Disc one features the Bonus track "Hello" feat Keri Hilson & Attitude. Why this track was left off Shock Value, I do not know.

Talib Kweli - Country Cousins (feat UGK & Raheem DeVaughn)
If you enjoy listening to hip-hop while sipping lemonade outside, download this track.

Aesop Rock - The Harbor is Yours
For any fan of Definitive Jux, or eccentric lyricism, Aesop's newest release None Shall Pass is pure Aesop start to finish. On "The Harbor is Yours" Aesop drops his usual philosophical lyrics above a tight sounding space-jazz afro-beat.

Chamilionaire - Hip-Hop Police (feat Slick Rick)
Fun fact: Like Will Smith, Chamillionaire doesn't cuss on his tracks.
Unlike Will Smith, Chamillionaire raps, and on this track, raps hard. When I saw this track on Sirius a few weeks back, I tuned in for one reason: Slick Rick the Ruler. And the Ruler doesn't disapoint. Perhaps a Nate Dogg / Dr. Dre. rip-off, "Hip-Hop Police" is fresh, catchy, and, of course, features Slick Rick crushing it. If Eminem wants to stage a legitmate come-back, this would be a great remix to drop a sick verse. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking.

UGK - Next Up / Stop-n-Go / Candy / Quit Hatin' The South
Fresh out the slammer, UGK's Pimp C and Bun B have delivered hard. This album is too damn good to pick a favorite. Plus there's like 30 something tracks. If you haven't bought this album yet, stop reading. Go buy it.

Percee P - 2 Brothers From the Gutter (feat Diamond D)
As Stones Throw continues their marathon year, Percee P releases his first album, almost 20 years after his first single. "2 Brothers From the Gutter" features, above all, a Contra sample. Nuff said.

Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
If you were planning on purchasing Graduation for the sole purpose of ending 50 Cent's solo career, I'm afraid it's not gonna happen. 50 retracted his comments about retiring if he were outsold. That aside, you can purchase Graduation for the sole purpose that it is awesome.

Timbaland - Hello (feat Keri Hilson & Attitude)
Percee P - 2 Brothers From the Gutter (feat Diamond D)PROMO VERSION

JT

"She's Like A Model Except Shes Got A Little More Ass"

If you know us well you know there are a few things we are HUGE suckers for; Scandanavian music of any sort, the New York Football Giants, super heady Chron Chron, the Garden State and anything associated with Timberlake, Timbaland or Justice. Lucky for us the fates have similar taste, as this week king Wanksta 50 Cent issued "She Wants It" from his forthcoming record, Curtis, featuring both Timberlake and Timbaland (say it like Three 6 Mafia). Timbo slams the production on this one with woozy synths and wobly 8-bit sweeps. 50 aint bad either (go figure).

Even sweeter is the french disco remix of JT's FutureSex hit "LoveStoned" by MDMA-zing electro wizards Justice! Yes, I said MDMA-zing. Shoot me now (or just download both tracks below). Thanks to DiscoBelle for the heads up.

50 Cent- She Wants It (featuring JT & Timbo)
Justin Timberlake- LoveStoned (Justice Remix)

nu musik: M.I.A.

"Galang Galang Galang"

Hallelujah! Rejoice! She's back. A few more new M.I.A. tracks have surfaced from her forthcoming Kala and they KILL. Maybe that's why the U.S. Government still wont let her into our secure homeland. But who cares, no one can stop her from murdering the streets of the intra-web. Proof positive, two new tracks from the best (only) Sri-Lanka via London rap-tress. Kala, her second LP, is set to drop August 21st. Also posting her Timbo collabo, the bonus cut from his Shock Value. Video for "Bird Flu" below. SUMMER 2K7 is jumping off!


M.I.A.- Hit That(Kala 8/21)
M.I.A.- BOYZ(Kala 8/21)

M.I.A. & Timbaland- Come Around (from Presents Shock Value)