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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Detroit Emeralds - I'm In Love With You (1973)

Wow. Just wow. I can't really explain why this is one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I promise you that it is. You probably have an idea of how important music is to me, and considering how much of the stuff I chew up and spit out on a regular basis, this proclamation is definitely on the bold side. In other words, you should probably just stop reading here, and jump straight to the download button.


You still need convincing? Okay, you asked for it. This album has been sampled at least twice by J Dilla - once for his legendary Donuts album, and again for Common's song "The Light". This same exact sample has been flipped by the likes of RZA, Large Professor, and Pete Rock, among others. So this just goes to show, I'm In Love With You is one of those hidden gems *cough* Emeralds *cough* that the most respected of music connoisseurs love dearly - a love they seem to re-visit frequently. Oh, and the Wizard of Oz leisure suits. Come on. 

Listening to this album is always an incomparably joyful experience. Something about it is so... perfect. In every way. I honestly believe that at least one of these fellas sold his soul to the Devil (if such a thing exists), especially when you consider all the troubles that struck, and eventually split, the group. 

The music is simple, which gives it a nice clean sound, flying free without the unnecessary weight of overly embellished compositions. And yet, the harmonies and rhythms are unique and sophisticated. They just don't overwhelm one another. Think of this album as a gourmet meal, perfectly seasoned so that you can taste and appreciate every last ingredient - each in its perfect place. 

It is both gut-wrenchingly soulful, joyful and oh-so-funky, rockin', groovin', and sweet-talking its way into a very special place in my collection. And yours too.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Rodney Dangerfield - Rappin' Rodney (1983)

First off, I want to say that I'm very sorry to have taken such a long break between posts. One month, officially. I have been having a lot of issues with my audio capturing software, and I also recently came into temporary possession of a friends thousand-piece record collection, which I have been mining for potential entries as well. So that's my apology paragraph, now on to Rappin' Rodney.


At first glance, this is a completely embarrassing novelty record, and is about as uncool as a rap record can be. Something which Mr. Dangerfield's handlers probably felt was a good idea, and would make him relevant with the youth of 1983. Something you would never listen to un-ironically. 

And then you give it a spin anyway.

I love this song. Something about it not only makes perfect sense within the greater Rap/Hip-Hop canon, but feels almost pioneering for its unconventional subject matter. When you think about it, comedy - or at least a sharp wit - has always been an integral element of Hip-Hop. With emcees being lauded for their clever punchlines and witty metaphors, it makes perfect sense that someone who makes a living off of a similar talent - albeit without a back beat - would be able to do right by Hip-Hop if they ever gave it an honest effort. 

Not only is this record full of classic Rodney witticisms, but Rodney's extremely self-deprecating humor makes this a really unique Hip-Hop song. You see, usually Rap lyrics tend to use wit and cleverness to build ones own reputation to new heights of prestige, or at least lower the reputation of anyone who dares challenge your coolness. Rodney has always been the exact opposite - taking self-deprecating humor to the point of self-directed insult comedy. Although at first glance, this may look like Rodney totally sold out and made a lame rap song, in fact Rodney stayed so true to himself that he may have made the first self-dis track in the process. If this were a rap battle, Rodney would have absolutely destroyed himself (he even spends the middle of the song dissing the backup band).