Collegiate on Music

Jazzmatazz Vol 4, The best album you never heard of.

2008-12-10T00:53:00.001-05:00

A caveat: I am not your usual rap fan. I am proud to say I am a backpacker. I love hip hop. Not rap. I'll go to the club and dance to rap. I won't support it with my dime. Hip hop is something that is much higher to me. So I will say I am bias as hell. Deal with it.

Guru (one half of the duo Gang Starr) is a master in his own right, but his series of albums, Jazzmatazz is something fresh and much needed in the Hip Hop community. Make no mistake the series is different. These are jazz/hip hop fusion albums, featuring some of the biggest names in both genres. The best album in the bunch is the 2007 release of Vol 4.

The lyrics are pitch perfect, smooth and mellow, with the jazz laced beats ensuring your head will be nodding along. The production credit is given to Solar, and the production is tight. The album is devoid of the current rap trends, its production focuses on the smooth lyrics and the jazz performances, and not on overpowering samples.

It is hard to pick a few cuts to highlight from this album. This is an album to put on repeat and nod your head too. If I had to pick a few amazing cuts, they would be "Stand Up (featuring Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley)", "Connections (featuring Kem)" and "Fine and Free (featuring Vivian Green).

I can not recommend this album enough. It is one of the few albums that will consistently make you nod your head. This album is the definition of smooth and mellow. While this album won't kill the overly commercial ignorant pop based rap, this album will reinforce the depth and versatility of hip hop. And yes, I am bias as hell.

Mr. Moonlight

2008-04-19T01:00:00.002-04:00

While artists like Kurt Cobain are discussed in the Collegiate, who is there to talk about Japanese pop girl groups? That's right, us. Apparently.

This clip is from the adorable Morning Musume, a popular Japanese all-girls group that is tied to a reality television show. (Hey! I could cross-post this on to our sister, Collegiate on TV!) It is done in big-band swing style, done so over-the-top it is ridiculous...ly awesome. Check it out.

The Justin Timberlake Speech

2008-03-11T23:42:00.004-04:00

Have you guys seen this video? It is of Justin Timberlake at Madonna's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I understand that Justin has made a name of himself through his band boy days, solo career, SNL skits and exposing Janet Jackson's breast to the world. (Sidenote: How come he didn't come under as much fire as Janet for that? He ripped the clothing off...)

In this video, you get to see an ugly side of Justin Timberlake. He stumbles all over the speech. He makes awkward pauses. And is either tired, sick, drunk, or high. And, with the utmost respect to J.T., and stereotyped musicians and troubled artists, I am not guessing he was tired or sick. Check it out and judge for yourself - not that we really have any way of knowing one way or another.

Rothbury Music Festival Announced

2008-02-13T18:38:00.002-05:00

Have you heard about the Rothbury Music Festival? The lineup includes the Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, John Mayer, Crystal Method, Sojorn, 311, Colbie Caillat, Thievery Corporation, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse and a lot more. The festival is from July 3-6, in Rothbury, MI. (Not too far form Ludington.) Artists and theater performers will be announced at a later date. The festival will also feature a think tank. (Yes... Exciting, right?) Organizers hope to get 50,000 people to come. It also has a focus on being a "green" festival, which makes it trendy!

How about you? Is this something that you'd be interested in going to?

Poor Aretha

2008-02-13T16:43:00.001-05:00

All she wants it a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Grammy Winners

2008-02-10T23:59:00.000-05:00

Below are the big winners for the 50th Grammy Awards:

Record of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse
Album of the Year: River: The Joni Letters, Herbie Hancock
Song of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse (Insert "they said 'no, no, no'" joke here.)
Best New Artist: Amy Winehouse
The Janis Joplin Trainwreck Spirit Award: Amy Winehouse (Okay, maybe I made that up)

Click here for the impossibly long list of winners and nominees.

New Edition of The Collegiate

2008-01-30T00:50:00.000-05:00

The new edition of The Collegiate will be around campus by Thursday afternoon. (Instead of Wednesday, due to inclement weather.) If you cannot wait to check it out, head on over to www.collegiatelive.com to get all the latest news, opinions, sports and A&E news.

Welcome

2008-01-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

I thought that I should first start off by saying welcome! Hopefully you'll be back to read more. I'll be blogging about new CD's, shows around the area and pretty much anything else that is related to music. So for now goodbye, and I hope you'll be back for more!