This is not what I signed for.
My aims and pains should mean more.

Still vices come for me.
And won’t let my mind be.
My love, don’t cry for me.
I lose but you won’t see.

This is not what I signed for.
My aims and pains should mean more.

I once called my homie Jahmal Tonge the best voice in North America. I’m not lying.

Most of y’all know Jahmal from the Toronto-based band, The Carps, which The Couch Sessions has dutifully promoted for over 4 years now. Well, unfortunately, The Carps have broken up, however Jahmal is moving on to drum for such T.O. bands as the Styrofoam Ones and Thunderheist.

But it’s his solo album, To Mitigate Friends & Lovers that’s got my attention. Forget the auto-tune and slick production, Tonge strips down the music to its most basic element. Soulful vocals and a guitar. Recorded shortly after the breakup of The Carps during Christmas 2009, Friends & Lovers… stands up there with any album that’s dropping at the record store today. The writing, is introspective, and downright beautiful, and the voice….amazing.

I might be biased, but this is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. Fans of The Carps will be pleased, and people who are looking for a little different soul on their plate will be amazed.

Download To Mitigate Friends & Lovers from Bandcamp and follow @jahmaltonge on Twitter.

The Carps – It’s Raining In The Projects But It’s Sunny In Africa (Rudeboi-LaBeouf Remix)

If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know that we have been a huge fan of The Carps since this site’s inception. I’m glad to report that big things are ahead for the duo and they’re heading back to the studio to make new music, and Jahmal was recently featured on the MSTRKRFT CD Fist of God, along with John Legend, Lil’ Mo, Ghostface Killah and others.

I got a chance to hang with Jahmal while I was in Montreal last week (shout out to Schwartz’s Delicatessen, the Ben’s Chili Bowl of Montreal!) and he peeped me to this remix to their earlier release It’s Raining In The Projects But It’s Sunny in Africa that he was going to finish up on the train ride back to T.O. I finally have the mix in my (digital) hands, and I gotta say–it’s a banger!

myspace.com/thecarps

The Carps – It’s Raining In The Projects, But It’s Sunny in Africa

If you’ve been reading the site for a long time (like 2005 era), you know that I’ve been a HUGE fan of Toronto duo The Carps. Not only does lead singer/drummer Jahmal Tonge have the most soulful voice in North America (whom you might of heard on the MSTRKRFT album Fist Of God or from their song with The Cool Kids), but the dude combines this voice with the hard rock backing of bassist Neil White.

Catch up with The Carps by copping their previous EPs, and their latest track, It’s Raining In The Projects, But It’s Sunny In Africa shines light on a full lenghth album that will hopefully drop soon. (via JT, 1Love T.O.)

myspace.com/thecarps

MSTRKRFT
Fist of God

Can hip-hop and soul exist over 120 beats per minute? MSTRKFT sure hopes so. The Toronto elctro duo recruits some unlikely partners for their latest disc, which pairs some of the best known and unknown urban musicians over their delectiable trash electro beats. Does it work? Why yes it does.

The lineup is impressive: Lil’Mo, N.O.R.E., E-40, Ghostface Killah and John Legend round out some of the known cats that are featured on this disc. At first the thought of these parings made me cringe, but after listening to this disc I gotta say, it’s the best thing to happen to hip-hop in years.

I’m not going to lie, a lot of these projects are long on vision and short on execution and deserve a FAIL. However, MSTRKFT  crafted their signature sound over their guests’ contributions to the point that it almost felt natural and not forced. E-40 feels at home rapping over “Click Click,” even bragging at the beginning: :How many rappers do you know can get on an uptempo 120 mang…and still gas it?” Ghostface Killa gets sampled on “Word Up,” and the result has the dude bouncing over house hi-hats like a lowrider. Lil’Mo, the only female guest on the album, simply does her job on “It Aint’ Love,” adding a feminie touch to the start of the album. John Legend’s “Heartbreaker” is another standout track, featuring his deep vocals over dancefloor ready floor filler based around some soulful piano loops.

The standout track on this album though, has to go to my homie Jahmal from fellow Toronto band The Carps. If you don’t know, the dude probably as one of the best voices in North America, and he’s featured in not one, but two songs on the disc, “So Deep,” and the excellent “Breakaway.” Also of note: even though the sound is futuristc, there is no trace of Autotune or vocoder to be found.

The verdict: Of course Fist of God isn’t going to be everybody’s cup of tea. If you haven’t danced to house or electro in your life or you prefer your hip-hop over Primo beats, you will find much to be desired here. However, if you’re an outside the box thinkier who thrives on the marriage of different culutres and genres, like yours truly, Fist of God is and aural experience and quite possibly one of the best CDs of 2009.

+

The Carps (feat. The Cool Kids) – Heaven’s Gates & Hell’s Flame

Man, I love waking up to good music, especially when its from two artists that are Couch Sessions Approved. This is thing is flying through the Internets as I type. At some point, both The Carps and The Cool Kids got together to record a song. At first, the collaboration is a little peculiar–the song itself is a marked departure from what both groups have put out so far– The Carps put down the bass and drum set for some electro beats, while the Cool Kids sound completely different from their previous work. But somehow it just works.

The Carps new EP, Waves and Shambles drops on April 8th.

Of course I had to post this video to support my homies from up North. “Compton To Scarboro” is the title track off of The Young & Passionate Days Of Carpedia that I blogged about last week. I’m gonna be a little bit biased, but the video is off the chain for me. What do y’all think?

And if you live in Canada do these dudes a favor and call/email Much Music to get this video into heavy rotation.

The Carps – All The Damn Kids
from The Young & Passionate Days Of Carpedia (Buy from Couch Sessions Store)

I gotta apologize to The Carps. I’ve been diggin’ this duo since I saw them at the Afropunk New Years almost 2 years ago and I haven’t posted about them since. We were supposed to hook up when they were in Philly to record a Podcast at the Roots’ studio, but again, no dice. So my bad on that.

The Carps are a Toronto based band consisting of only a bass guitar and drums. At first you might be scratching your head, but the combination proves to be some of the most powerful rock music that you’ll hear today. That’s if you can call it rock. It’s more like rock flipped with some hip-hop swagger. Lead singer Jamal Tonge ‘s voice reminds me of straight up 90′s era R&B and their music has more of a hip-hop edge than most “rap” being produced today. Check “All The Thugs I Know” and “Compton to Scarboro” as references.

Their first EP, The Young & Passionate Days Of Carpedia was released this year after what seems like a myriad of struggles with their label. I have been bumpin’ these songs for what seems like ages now and they never get old.

The Carps recently played New York last weekend and will be hitting up venues in Toronto and NY this summer and fall. These guys are a must see if they come through your neighborhood.

So this list started as the top 25, then the top 50, then the top 75, and now 85. And even then there is still so much music that I didn’t even get around to in 2006 (like Prince’s 3121). So yes, this year was a great year for music, no matter how many people say “hip-hop is dead,” or “album sales are down.” People have stepped up their game in 2006 and this bodes well for 2007.

FYI: These are the songs that I felt are the best in ’06. Don’t post a “you suck” comment up here just cause your favorite artist isn’t on the list or so and so is number 79. If you’re that mad about it, go to blogger.com and start your own blog. Oh, and I tried to cover many genres as I can, so if you don’t know someone on the list, Google it.

85.) “Ophidiophobia (Snakes on a Plane)” – Cee Lo – I’m putting this song here just cause of the sheer stupidty of it all. It a song so stupid that you have to laugh. I’m still trying to figure out if Cee-Lo was serious about this or was he in on the joke. Let’s hope for the latter.

84.) “Bossy” – Kelis – I didn’t like this song, but alas it grew on me.

83.) “So What” – Field Mob feat. Ciara – This track gets a nod because it reminds me of old school ATL booty music. Remember GhostTown DJs? They will be missed.

82.) “Out of Control” – Kenna – This is an excellent track from Kenna, who will hopefully get some recognition in 2007 since Chad Hugo from the Neptunes is producing his album. However, I’m ranking him low because he deleted my comments and messages from MySpace. Dude, I went to school with your sister. Ask her. I’m down with your people.

81.) “Grammy Family” – DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West, SA-RA, John Legend – Even though Kanye “brought crazy back” in ’06, the dude is still a tight producer. The beat sounds like a holdover from Late Registration, but I digress. Unfortunately, the fact that this song ends up being credited to DJ Khaled and the fact that they boast about getting Grammy’s knocks this song way down.

80.) “I Gotcha” – Lupe Fiasco – The Neptunes have officially fallen off this year, but still this song actually got a little play in the club and had the girls dancing, so maybe there is hope for Lupe yet?

79.) “Brand New” – Rhymefest – At first, I didn’t like Blue Collar, but in all actuality, Rhymefest produced a superb album that only 13,000 people had the decency to buy. Even though Kanye ripped off a 2004 Sharon Jones and the Daptones song thinking its from 1964, this song is actually a decent opening single for the Chicago MC. If he signed with G.O.O.D. he might have gotten some airplay.

78.) “Fire Island, AK” – The Long Winters – I stumbled upon this track on some random MP3 blog. I haven’t used the word “groovy” since I was 13 years old, but I think that this adequately fits my feelings on this one.

77.) “Ganja Lounge” – Camp Lo – The Couch Sessions still doesn’t condone illegal drug activities (cough, cough), but Camp Lo does. Little is known about this mixtape that just surfaced one day on the ‘Net, but hopefully its a prelude to a Camp Lo album in 2007.

76.) “Make It Rain” – The song grew on me. And damn, I’m sort of in a position in life where I can really, “make it rain.” Too bad bills, rent, car payment, grocerys, and insurance get it the way.

70.) “Right Here” – Natalie Walker – Another sleeper album that landed on my doorstep (more than a few times), Natalie Walker will probably get overshadowed by Cat Power and Regina Spektor on most people’s best of lists, but check this girl out. She’s worth it.

75.) “The Greatest” – Cat Power – I know nothing about Cat Power, so I know the two indie dudes who read this site are about to jump on me. But having that said, I have a sweet spot for female singer songwriters.The last time I went ga-ga over a track like this was probably when Fiona Apple dropped “Shadowboxer” back in the day.

74.) “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” – Lil Wayne and Baby – Ugh, something is just not right about this song. I’m still stuck on he picture of the “kiss” that was floating around the Internets and the fact that they didn’t deny it. Also, after almost 10 years of being in the game, these dudes subject matter hasn’t changed. And another thing…isn’t it an insult to flash all that money while the residents of your hometown are still living in FEMA trailers? Yeah there is a lot to hate about this track, so why am I still dancing?

73.) “L.A.” – Murs – Murs went through the ringer in 2006. From beefs with 9th Wonder to a manufacturing error that cuts off the last few seconds of his CD, the dude from LA has had a bad year. Murray’s Revenge, which dropped in March of this year isn’t as good as Murs 3:16, but “L.A.” is a definitive track that will hopefully reassure Murs as an underground hip-hop legend.

72.) “Can’t Stop This” – The Roots – Probably the best tribute to J. Dilla out of the hundreds that surfaced after his death.

71.) “Divinorum” – Ocote Soul Soundz & Adrian Quesada – File this track under the “left-field” category, but anytime I can get an afro beat track onto some type of list, I got to put it out there.

70.) “When It Hits” – Marv Ellis and Cosmos – Probably one of the more obscure hip-hop tracks to land in my inbox, however, this track is probably one of the most passionate songs to drop this year. Download it.

69.) “Get Ya Hustle On” – Juvenile – I almost forgot that this song came out in ’06, because Katrina is long gone from the news. But Juvie’s touching account of what’s happening in his home city should be in textbooks. Seriously, New Orleans is getting screwed.

68.) “Let Me Bang” – Kid Sister – Kid Sister is leading a new movement of Chicago club music that might give Baltimore Club a run for its money in 2007.

67.) “Viva La White Girl” – Gym Class Heroes – I realized that these dudes have crossed over into the mainstream when I heard them on the radio twice when I was down in Augusta, GA last weekend (RIP James B.). This means that Gym Class Heroes is about to become as popular as Meg and Dia. Still, these dudes bring it. This song might not be up to some people’s tastes, but GCH does Phrarell-style R&B better than Pharrell himself.

66.) “Blow the Whistle” – Too Short – Too Short is still making albums?

65.) “Mr. Me Too” – If any other rapper had this lukewarm Neptunes’ beat they would fail. Clipse is just good like that.

64.) “Cell Phone Dead” – Beck – Beck always manages to produce some crazy tracks.

63.) “I Wanna Love You” – Akon – I’m not really that big of a fan of Akon, but this has to rank as one of the best baby (daddy) makin’ songs of 2006. Snoop Dogg drops a verse or two to pay the rent. Anyway, this track is off the surprisingly good Konvicted album which is worth a look.

62.) “Runaway Love” Ludacris – My friend says that Luda sings about the girls that will eventually appear in his “Girls Gone Wild” video. So true.

61.) “I Don’t Trust Myself With Loving You” – John Mayer – I was never a fan of this dude until Continuum dropped. This is a solid R&B song in the vein of Van Hunt or even Prince.

60.) “Amen” – Kardinal Offishall – This Toronto MC has had a hard time breaking through to the US mainstream, but “Amen,” stands with almost any US rap release in terms of rhyme and quality.

59.) “I Wanna Love You” – Robin Thicke – Although I’m not diggin’ “wannabe Phrarell” Thicke as much as “white hippie” Thicke, “I Wanna Love You” shows you what happens when Neptunes production is done right.

58.) “Hypocrite” – Kidz In Da Hall – Chicago was on fire this year, for more reasons than Lupe. Kidz In Da Hall dropped one of the finest albums that no one is talking about. Maybe because “school was their hustle?” Who knows.

57.) “Hip-Hop is Dead” – Nas – Yes, we all know that the beat is reused, but still Nas came correct to “murder the DJ” in 2006. Nasty Nas sold 355,000 copies of his album. So its working.

56.) “Babyletshaveababybeforebushdosomethingcrazy” It’s sad that The Coup isn’t making critic’s year end lists (FYI, it will make mine), because Pick A Bigger Weapon is definitely one of the more slept on albums of 2006. This albums should win Grammy’s on the album cover alone. Anyway, a song with the chorus of “Baby let’s have a baby, before Bush do somethin’ crazy,” is just too classic to pass up.

55.) “I Got It For Cheap” – Clipse – This is one of the few tracks that made this list because of the lyrics rather than the beat. Pusha and Malik’s clever wordplay takes most rappers to school.

54.) “Being A Girl” – Van Hunt – I remember getting a master copy of On the Jungle Floor from Capitol Records with my name on it. Then I pissed them off by not writing a review of this album for a couple of months. Whoops. But seriously, Van Hunt’s new album and direction split most old skool R&B heads. His Lenny Kravitz-esque sound was too much for some people. But On The Jungle Floor is a grower, and its definitely worth a listen.

53.) “Throw Some D’s” – Rich Boy – The whole “I’m from the South and I drive a Cadillac with 28′s” was over 2 years ago, but this beat is addictive. Plus, I have to give this dude some love (no Doogie Howser) cause he’s from ‘Bama, and we’ve been shut out of the whole crunk thing since the beginning.

52.) “Bang That” – Hollywood Holt – Yet another part of the Chicago dance invasion that will hopefully be hitting the airwaves soon. We hope.

51.) “Reset” – Mute Math – Mute Math has the honorable distinction of being the only other rock album that I’ve listened to this year. I don’t even like calling these dudes “rock”, because they cross so many genres its hard to categorize. This song “Reset” is an example. It’s an instrumental trip-hop track on an album filled with guitar driven rock. The suits at Warner Brothers were nervous as hell when this album dropped and now we know why.

50.) “London Bridge” – Fergie – We all hate Fergie, and we all know that the London Bridge she talks about is the Tower Bridge (or at least some of us), but this track is so damn addicting. Polow da Don killed it on production, which is good, cause Fergie can’t sing.

49.) “Back to Black” – Amy Winehouse – When this girl dropped her album Frank, people were scared that Ms. Winehouse would never sell cause she was too black for the white audiences, and too white for the black audiences. However the girl has shown the world that she can sing, even though she’s trying to pull this ghetto fabulous shtick that just aint’ working for me. Can she conquer America? Let’s hope so.

48.) “1 Thing About a Playa” – Wale – This is DC’s version of “Country Grammar.” I’ve been pushing for DC producers to merge go-go and hip-hop into their beats and Wale succeeded. Hopefully this dude will bring hip-hop into the forefront in 2007. Hate is the new love.

47.) “In the Ghetto” – This is the first appearance of three for Bussa Bus. Yes, The Big Bang is just that good, even though it failed to even reach gold status. On this track, Bussa channels the legendary Rick James, and shows the world that the dude did more than just “Superfreak.”

46.) “Here I Come” – The Roots have figured out how to do this rap thing without radio airplay or major label backing. They did get to sell out Radio City Music hall, which most rap stars will dream of doing. Even after years in the game, they are some of the most hated dudes in the industry. For shame.

45.) “Tell It Like It Is” – Ludacris – This mixtape track actually got on Luda’s album, which is surprising, because it basically tells up-and coming MC’s how not to get jacked by the industry. If people actually take note, could this be the end of the major label conglomerate? Probably not.

44.) “Change” – Joy Denalane – I’ve already said what I needed to say about Ms. Denelane. I’m telling you, this album is a good look. Don’t sleep on it.

43.) “What You Want” – Ty – This UK rapper is the underdog rapper for all underground rappers. It seems that anyone who tries to incorporate jazz and positive lyrics in their music will always be regulated to the back of the bin. That’s why I started The Couch Sessions.

42.) “Mr. Me Too” – Clipse – Clipse’s album is one of the best CDs you can buy this year.

41.) “Get Myself Into It” – The Rapture – Hipsters had the best year ever in 2006 and the Rapture was no different. This track represented the best of the disco era and had girls dancing all over the world.

40.) “Smile” – Lily Allen – Sure, my love of Lily Allen will get my Ghetto Pass revoked (again), but this song probably has one of the best samples I’ve heard this year. And yeah, I don’t agree with the subject matter, but that’s a different story.

39.) “Keep Makin’ Beats” – Trackademicks – This track clocks in at less than 2 minutes long, but Bay Area producer has something going with this one. The 80s vibe on this track is evident, but not overwhelming. Hopefully coming to a hipster dance floor near you.

38.) “Riot Van” Arctic Monkeys – I didn’t buy into the Arctic Monkeys hysteria but this solemn rock track hits the spot for me.

37.) “Cafe Surreal” – Danny Swain – D Swain mixes drum and bass with Brazillan bossa nova to show the world that the South is more than candy paint and Lil’ John.

36.) “The Garden” Cut Chemist – Another one of those “left field” tracks that just gets to you. Not as popular as the “Audience is Listening Theme” from those iPod commercials, but still a good look.

35.) “Ghetto Story” – Lupe Fiasco – If you haven’t heard this song, then you’re one of the few people with an Internet connection that didn’t cop the Food and Liquor leak when it dropped. Unfortunately this song didn’t make the cut on the retail version, but it would’ve fit in nicely.

34.) “Tell Me When To Go” – E40 – I really wasn’t paying attention to “The Bay” or the Hyphy movement until this song dropped, but E-40 killed it with this one, even if he had to look to Atlanta for inspiration.

33.) “Last Time” – Gnarls Barkley – Yes, this song is about death but it’s a hot club track at the same time. Only Danger Mouse and Cee Lo could pull this off.

32.) “Lets Fall In Love” Trackademicks Remix – The Carps – You know that TCS has done its part to big up both Trackademicks and the Carps, so to have both of them on the same track is making the people at Couch Sessions headquarters (me) to go insane. You can’t really find this track anywhere as of the moment, but it will be all over this site once it officially drops.

31.) “That’s Life” – Killer Mike – Killer Mike is angry at life and the black intellegiencia. “That’s Life,” which begins with his son on the mike, is probably the most real rap track to come out in ’06.

30.) “Like A Star” – Corinne Bailey Rae – I wasn’t into Ms. Rae’s album as most music critics, but “Like A Star” became an instant iPod favorite.

29.) “Wolf Like Me” – TV On The Radio – Like I said before, I’m not a fan of TV On The Radio, but their single track has grown on me so much that I’m gonna cop Return to Cookie Mountain after my next paycheck.

28.) “New York Shit” – Busta Rhymes – I’m not even from New York and I had to stand up for this one. Unfortunately, even NYC didn’t really feel this track which is a shame, because it was probably one of the hottest joints to come out of the Tri-State Area in a long time.

27.) “Gravity” – John Mayer – Don’t front on John Mayer. Black people just don’t do blues rock anymore, so don’t hate on a white boy for co-opting it. (Justin Timberlake is another story though). Anyway, “Gravity” is the best song off of the blues-soaked Continuum which had some other bangers on there as well.

26.) “Do It Easy” -Junk Science – Again, another sleeper track that landed in the email inbox. I don’t know much about these dudes, but this track summarized a part of my life (right after college graduaiton) real well.

25.) “Maneater” – Nelly Furtado – This was part two in the skankification of the once eccentric Nelly Furtado, and Timbaland worked his magic to create a pretty fly track in terms of pop standards. Say what you will about Ms. Furtado (actually, I just did), but her combination with Timbo worked and worked well.

24.) “Black Swan” – Thom Yorke – My brief fixation with Radiohead is long over. (Yeah, it’s was a bad time in my life, wanna fight about it?) However Thom Yorke somehow was able to marry electronica and sappy rock together just as well on this album as on Kid A. In fact, most people are calling The Eraser, Kid B.

23.) “Just Friends” – Amy Winehouse – Yes, I rave about Ms. Winehouse, but this song in particular does it for me. “Just Friends,” is actually one of my favorite R&B tracks of the past 5 years.

22.) “Hollywood Divorce” – Outkast, feat Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg – First off, I dont’ understand all the people that claim Lil Wayne is a great MC. He got bodied on this song. Anyway, this was by far the best track on Idlewild.

21.) “Lost Ones” – Jay-Z – I’m sorry, but Kingdom Come is a mediocre album at best. This is one of the few tracks that Mr. Carter actually didn’t phone in.

20.) “Bein’ a Girl” – Van Hunt – People were miffed when Van Hunt switched up his style on On the Jungle Floor. However, after listening to this song a few times, it grew on me and has become a frequent selection on the iPod. Mr. Hunt pulls off the “rock and soul” combination better than most people can.

19.) “Cant’ Hold the Torch” – Busta Rhymes feat. Q-Tip – On this Dilla helmed track, Bussa and Q-Tip raise the bar for hip-hop lyricism and production. Then he subsequenctly lowers it on the track “I Love My Bitch.” Still, please check out this track if you’re in the Nas “Hip-Hop is Dead” camp as proof that good hip-hop does exist.

18.) “Hustlin” – Rick Ross – I almost forgot about this track, manily because in late 2006, Rick Ross has become an afterthought. Even though Ross will most likely become a one hit wonder, “Hustlin’” is

17.) “Bump” Spank Rock – Yes, sometimes listening to Spank Rock is like watching Arrested Development. You get it, but no one else around you does. Oh well, their loss.

16.) “Long Time” – The Roots feat. Peety Pablo – The hardest working rap band in showbusiness got no love when Game Theory dropped. But this song is a banger, and Peety P lends some “street cred” to the cats from Philly.

15.) “Time – Donut of the Heart” – J Dilla. Yes, we all know that Dilla is the new backpacker Tupac, but the dude death did remind us of just how damn good of a producer he was.

14.) “Backstage Girl” – DJ Shadow feat. Phonte – What makes this 6 minute song so amazing. There is no live insturmentation. Every element of this song is a sample. Thiat’s insane. This bluesy spoken word track is definately an artistic achievement. Plus it has one of the best lines of the year: “I gotta stop messin’ around with these girls off MySpace.” If I could get play from girls off MySpace, I would agree with you.

13.) “Why You Wanna” – T.I. – Anyone who can take a loop from an early 90s club track and make it gangsta while pleeding to his girl deserves a spot on this list.

12.) “One of Dem Nights” – Sleepy Brown needs more respect. The dude has been “in the game” for years now, and he finally released his album and no one cared. Sleepy has crafted an album that will not be fully appreciated until years after its left the limelight….much like Sleepy’s Theme.

11.) “Highway 7″ – K-OS – The Canadian rapper K-OS, definitely got his his Mos Def on with his third album release Atlantis, but this

10.) “Won’t Do” – J Dilla – One of Dilla’s final raps is one of this years finest tracks.

9.) “Shooter” – Lil Wayne – Again, not a big fan of Wayne, but he makes it work on this track.

8.) “Kick Push” – Lupe Fiasco – Although Lupe will unfortuantely be relegated to the “underground” hip-hop circuit, Kick Push will always be known as an anthem for Black skater kids everywhere.

7.) “Touch It” – Busta Rhymes – Who says that NYC can’t make club tracks? Bussa Bus’ injected some life into the anemic NY hip-hop scene.

6.) “Woman” – Wolfmother – This track became a staple on my Ipod whenever I needed to to rock out at the world. While assclowns like AFI and Panic at the Disco parade around in makeup and call themselves musicians, this trio from Australia tells us how to rock again.

5.) “Rick Rubin” – Spank Rock – “Im that Rebel Musician,” Spank Rock claims, and this track is a grand introduction to Spank Rock, who is by far the most interesting duo to ever grace the East Coast.

4.) “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley – What can I say about this song that hasn’t already been said. I thought this project was destined for “Grey Album” obscurity, but “Crazy” became one of the hottest pop tracks of the year. Who knew?

3.) T.I. – “What You Know” – The second greates synth note of the past 10 years belongs to T.I. I don’t think that King was a great album, but banger

2.) “My Love” – Justin Timberlake feat. T.I. – I hate Justin “D*ick in a Box” Timberlake, but damn, you are just a hater if you don’t like this beat. The greatest snyth note of any song in the past 10 years. This spawned the equally great hipster track “Atlantic Records for T.I. Clearance.”

1.) Vans – The Pack -Young L’s beat for “Vans” is just as infectious as the Neptune’s work on Clipse’s “Grindin’” “Vans,” is a simple grimy beat that you can still “go dumb” to. The ish had me nodding along from day one, and their follow up tracks are just as hot. Watch for The Pack in ’07.

Yes people the Negrotronix project is moving ahead with full steam. Industry rule #4080 is definitely in effect, but we’re not gonna let that stop us from shining. As of the now the project has been split into 2 parts: part one is titled In Search of the Black Hipster and part two will be titled In Search of the Black Rocker.

In Search of the Black Hipster is the focus now and so far consists of tracks from: J Davey, Nouveau Riche, Sa-Ra, Vyle (Hoodtronics), The Carps, Trackademics, Kudu, Plastic Little, and a few unknown and surprise guests. If you have any suggestions, new groups you like/listen to, or myspace pages we should check out leave a message.

06/07 is so on.

What's up people, you know what time it is.

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Forget “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” this is the real deal.

This is weird: Some Sweedish chicks cover Saul Williams', “List of Demands.” At first I was like WTF?, but by the end I was diggin' it.

Speaking of Google Video, when in the HELL did this ish become cool? Case in point : Here. Here. And Here.

Test Icicles: For real, or just a Bloc Party knockoff?

The Carps: Look out for them in '06. This is my song right now.

Lupe Fiasco article in The Fader (via Rome). Just made me want to listen to the 1st and 15th mixtape again.

This dude walks through glass. WTF? (From my new fav. blog Qarxis.)