Music Genres on Google Squared

Google Squared is a new Google Labs application for displaying search data in a more organized fashion than those regular ol’ search results.  For music collectors, this tool has the potential of being very useful for discovering musical genres.

Let’s say, for example, that you want to add more Rock to your collection.  A Google Squared search results for “Rock Music Genres” returns with many suggestions in a very organized view.

Having this detailed view saves you some time in cherry-picking through search results.  In a well-organized view you get to see all Rock sub-genres.  You’ll be able to tell from this view which genres you are missing from your music collection.

Death Row Albums Now on eMusic

With Death Row record label now on eMusic, west-coast hip-hop classic albums such as Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (4x platinum), 2 Pac’s All Eyez On Me (9x platinum), and Snoop Doggy Dogg’s Doggystyle (4x platinum) are now available at relatively cheap prices (as low as a quarter per song).

Death Row, specifically The Chronic, is responsible for establishing the west coast in hip-hop and popularizing the distinctive style of g-funk.

soundunwound: good for artist information, that’s about it.

soundunwound is a new Amazon.com music site that has been curated with information from Amazon’s own music database, imdb, and musicbrainz.  This is a great site to find all the information you need on a certain musical artist.  Soundwound is artist-focused, not enough emphasis is placed on genres.

Genres appear on each artist’s page to describe them.  This site breaks down the genres in three levels (mainly, quite, hints of), as you will see in the following screenshot for Calexico.

clicking on a genre takes you to a description and top artists on that genre.  These are a few criticisms that I have come up with after playing around for a while:

• there is not one page where we can take a look at all the genres together in an organized fashion.  It seems that the only way to get to a genre page is to search for an artist, then click on a genre describing that genre.
• many of the genres seem to have no descriptions.  Really ? how much would it have cost Amazon to pay somebody to simply copy-n-paste from wikipedia ? It seems that the information for the populated genres has been retrieved from wikipedia – so why not complete them all, or most of ‘em ?

For finding artist information this site has potential – maybe even calling it the imdb for music.  However as a site for finding information about genres and discovering music based on genres it lacks some points.

3 Minute Documentary about Ugandan Hip-Hop

Wikipedia has a run-down on all the different styles of African Hip-Hop.

El Hijo de la Cumbia

Never have I heard the sounds of cumbia music being mixed with electronic sounds.  That is, until I bumped into “El Hijo de la Cumbia”, Emiliano Gómez.  El Hijo de la Cumbia has found a unique sound in focusing his music in Cumbia with sounds of Electronica, Reggae, Hip-Hop, and other sprinkled all over.  Definitely, a DJ I will follow, from now on.

My opinions are based by this mix, which is the only work I’ve heard from this DJ:

TRACKLIST

01_Intro_Real_ElHijodelaCumbia
02_Siempre Suave_ElHijodelaCumbia
03_Cambie la Historia_ElHijodelaCumbia
04_Como te Voy a olvidar_Angeles Azules_vs_ElHijodelaCumbia
05_Viento_Aron y su Grupo ilusion_vs_ElHijodelaCumbia
06_Homeja Al Dj Taz_ElHijodelaCumbia _Mix
07_Pobre _ElHijodelaCumbia
08_Cumbiatoons_ElHijodelaCumbia
09_Un escalon_ElHIjodelaCumbia

Download it here.

Aurgasm – free and legal mp3s

One of the sites on my rss feed is http://aurgasm.us/.  Each week, or so, they feature a new artist and a few mp3s by that artist.  Recently, they featured a great female vocalist: Melody Gardot.  Finding out about her made following this website worthwhile.  I just listened to her two songs offered by this post: Goodnite and Worrisome Heart.  Now, I must get all her songs.

Top 45 Music Websites that Deliver Free Music

webupon.com just compiled the Top 45 Music Websites that deliver free music.  Some sites offer stritcly streaming music some offer downloads.  Check it out.

Expand Your Music Collection With the Top 100 Classic Jazz Albums according to the New Yorker

1. Fats Waller, “Handful of Keys” (Proper, 2004; tracks recorded 1922-43).
2. King Oliver, “King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band: The Complete Set” (Challenge, 1997; tracks recorded 1923).
3. Louis Armstrong, “The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings” (Sony, 2006; tracks recorded 1925-29).
4. Louis Armstrong, “The Complete RCA Victor Recordings” (RCA, 2001; tracks recorded 1932-33 and 1946-47).
5. Louis Armstrong, “Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy” (Columbia, 1954).
6. Fletcher Henderson, “Tidal Wave” (Verve, 1994; tracks recorded 1931-1934).
7. Bessie Smith, “The Essential Bessie Smith” (Sony, 1997; tracks recorded 1923-33).
8. Bix Beiderbecke, “The Bix Beiderbecke Story” (Proper, 2003; tracks recorded 1924-30).
9. Django Reinhardt, “The Classic Early Recordings in Chronological Order” (JSP, 2000; tracks recorded 1934-39).
10. Jelly Roll Morton, “Jelly Roll Morton: 1926-1930” (JSP, 2000).
11. Sidney Bechet, “The Sidney Bechet Story” (Proper, 2001; tracks recorded 1923-50).
12. Duke Ellington, “The OKeh Ellington” (Sony, 1991—tracks recorded 1927-31).
13. Duke Ellington, “Golden Greats” (Disky, 2002; tracks recorded 1927-48).
14. Duke Ellington, “Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band” (RCA, 2003; tracks recorded 1940-42).
15. Duke Ellington, “Ellington at Newport 1956” (Sony, 1999).
16. Duke Ellington, “Money Jungle” (Blue Note Records, 1962).
17. Coleman Hawkins, “The Essential Sides Remastered, 1929-39” (JSP, 2006).
18. Coleman Hawkins, “The Bebop Years” (Proper, 2001; tracks recorded 1939-49).
19. Billie Holiday, “Lady Day: The Master Takes and Singles” (Sony, 2007; tracks recorded 1933-44).
20. Teddy Wilson, “The Noble Art of Teddy Wilson” (ASV Living Era, 2002; tracks recorded 1933-46).
21. Lester Young, “The Lester Young/Count Basie Sessions 1936-40” (Mosaic, 2008; available direct through Mosaic).
22. Lester Young, “Kansas City Swing” (Definitive, 2004; tracks recorded 1938-44).
23. Count Basie, “The Complete Decca Recordings” (Verve, 1992; tracks recorded 1937-39).
24. Count Basie, “The Complete Atomic Basie” (Blue Note, 1994; tracks recorded 1958).
25. Benny Goodman, “At Carnegie Hall—1938—Complete” (Columbia, 1999).
26. John Kirby Sextet, “Night Whispers: 1938-46” (Jazz Legends, 2005).
27. Chick Webb, “Stomping at the Savoy” (Proper, 2006; tracks recorded 1931-39).
28. Benny Carter, “3, 4, 5: The Verve Small Group Sessions” (Polygram, 1991; tracks recorded 1954).
29. Charlie Christian, “The Genius of the Electric Guitar” (Definitive, 2005; tracks recorded 1939-41).
30. James P. Johnson, “The Original James P. Johnson: 1942-1945 Piano Solos” (Smithsonian Folkways, 1996).
31. The Nat King Cole Trio, “The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classsics, Vol. 1, 1942-1946” (Blue Note, 1995).
32. Charlie Parker, “The Complete Savoy and Dial Sessions” (Uptown Jazz, 2005; tracks recorded 1944-48).
33. Charlie Parker, “Bird: The Complete Charlie Parker on Verve” (Polygram, 1988; tracks recorded 1946-54).
34. Charlie Parker, “Best of the Complete Live Performances on Savoy” (Savoy, 2002; tracks recorded 1948-49).
35. Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, “Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945” (Uptown Jazz, 2005).
36. Dizzy Gillespie, “The Complete RCA Victor Recordings, 1947-49” (RCA, 1995).
37. Thelonious Monk, “Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1” (Blue Note, 2001; tracks recorded 1947).
38. Thelonious Monk, “Live at the It Club, 1964” (Sony, 1998).
39. Thelonious Monk, “Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane: The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings” (Riverside, 2006).
40. Lennie Tristano and Warne Marsh, “Intuition” (Blue Note, 1996; tracks recorded 1949 and 1956).
41. Miles Davis, “The Complete Birth of the Cool” (Blue Note, 1998; tracks recorded 1948-50).
42. Miles Davis, “Bags’ Groove” (Prestige, 1954).
43. Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue” (Sony, 1959).
44. Miles Davis, “Highlights from the Plugged Nickel” (Sony, 1995; tracks recorded 1965).
45. Miles Davis, “Bitches Brew” (Columbia, 1969).
46. Bud Powell, “The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1” (Blue Note, 2001; tracks recorded 1949-1951), Vol. 2 (Blue Note, 2001; tracks recorded 1953).
47. Gerry Mulligan, “The Original Quartet with Chet Baker” (Blue Note, 1998; tracks recorded 1952-53).
48. Modern Jazz Quartet, “Django” (Prestige, 1953).
49. Art Tatum, “The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces” (Pablo, 2003; tracks recorded 1953-56).
50. Clifford Brown and Max Roach, “Clifford Brown & Max Roach” (EmArcy, 1954).
51. Sarah Vaughan, “Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown” (EmArcy, 1954).
52. Charles Mingus, “Mingus at the Bohemia (Debut, 1955).
53. Charles Mingus, “Mingus Ah Um” (Columbia, 1959).
54. Charles Mingus Sextet, “Cornell 1964” (Blue Note, 2007).
55. Ella Fitzgerald, “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook” (Verve, 1956).
56. Sonny Rollins, “Saxophone Colossus” (Prestige, 1956).
57. Sonny Rollins, “Night at the Village Vanguard” (Blue Note, 1957).
58. Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins, “Sonny Meets Hawk!” (RCA, 1963).
59. Tito Puente, “King of Kings: The Very Best of Tito Puente” (RCA, 2002; tracks recorded 1956-60).
60. Sun Ra, “Greatest Hits—Easy Listening for Intergalactic Travel” (Evidence, 2000; tracks recorded 1956-73).
61. Abbey Lincoln, “That’s Him” (Riverside, 1957).
62. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, “Moanin’” (Blue Note, 1958).
63. Ahmad Jamal Trio, “Cross Country Tour: 1958-1961” (Verve, 1998).
64. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Time Out” (Sony, 1959).
65. Jimmy Witherspoon, “The ’Spoon Concerts” (Fantasy, 1989; tracks recorded 1959).
66. Ornette Coleman, “Beauty Is a Rare Thing: The Complete Atlantic Recordings” (Atlantic, 1993; tracks recorded 1959-61).
67. Ornette Coleman, “Dancing in Your Head” (Horizon, 1973).
68. Freddie Hubbard, “Open Sesame” (Blue Note, 1960).
69. Jimmy Smith, “Back at the Chicken Shack” (Blue Note, 2007; tracks recorded in 1960).
70. Dinah Washington, “First Issue: The Dinah Washington Story” (Polygram, 1993; tracks recorded 1943-61).
71. John Coltrane, “My Favorite Things” (Atlantic, 1960).
72. John Coltrane, “The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings” (GRP, 1997; tracks recorded 1961).
73. John Coltrane, “A Love Supreme” (Impulse!, 1964).
74. John Coltrane, “Ascension” (Impulse!, 1965).
75. Eric Dolphy, “Out There” (New Jazz, 1960).
76. Eric Dolphy, “Out to Lunch!” (Blue Note, 1964).
77. Bill Evans, “The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961” (Riverside, 2005).
78. Jackie McLean, “A Fickle Sonance” (Blue Note, 1961).
79. Stan Getz and João Gilberto, “Getz/Gilberto” (Verve, 1963).
80. Dexter Gordon, “Our Man in Paris” (Blue Note, 1963).
81. Andrew Hill, “Smokestack” (Blue Note, 1963).
82. Lee Morgan, “The Sidewinder” (Blue Note, 1963).
83. Albert Ayler, “Spiritual Unity” (ESP, 1964).
84. Archie Shepp, “Four for Trane” (Impulse!, 1964).
85. Horace Silver, “Song for My Father” (Blue Note, 1964).
86. Wes Montgomery, “Smokin’ at the Half Note” (Verve, 2005; tracks recorded 1965).
87. Cecil Taylor, “Conquistador!” (Blue Note, 1966).
88. Betty Carter, “Betty Carter’s Finest Hour” (Verve, 2003; tracks recorded 1958-92).
89. Frank Sinatra, “Sinatra at the Sands with Count Basie & the Orchestra” (Reprise, 1966).
90. Frank Sinatra, “The Capitol Years” (Capitol, 1990; tracks recorded 1953-62).
91. Nina Simone, “Sugar in My Bowl: The Very Best of Nina Simone, 1967-1972” (RCA, 1998).
92. Pharoah Sanders, “Karma” (Impulse!, 1969).
93. Chick Corea, “Return to Forever” (ECM, 1972).
94. Keith Jarrett, “The Köln Concert, 1975” (ECM, 1999).
95. World Saxophone Quartet, “World Saxophone Quartet Plays Duke Ellington” (Nonesuch, 1986).
96. Charlie Haden and Hank Jones, “Steal Away” (Polygram, 1995).
97. Joshua Redman Quartet, “Spirit of the Moment: Live at the Village Vanguard” (Warner Bros., 1995).
98. Cassandra Wilson, “Traveling Miles” (Blue Note, 1999).
99. Wynton Marsalis Septet, “Live at the Village Vanguard” (Sony, 1999).
100. The Bill Charlap Trio, “Live at the Village Vanguard” (Blue Note, 2007).

original article.

80s and 90s dance remixes, daily.

If you enjoy 80s and 90s dance/pop/new wave songs, and you further enjoy remixes of those songs, then the retro remixes blog is exactly what you need to add to your rss feed.  I have been expanding my mp3 collection with these remixes for months now.  They compile a set of 5 to 8 remixes of the same song and put them in a zip file for you to download, daily.

Merry DRM-Less Christmas

Download a great christmas album complete free of DRM over at emusic.com.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (with bonus tracks) – by Vince Guaraldi.