The Apples in stereo “Same Old Drag” from their album “New Magnetic Wonder.” Produced and Directed by Greg Gilpatrick.
Popularity: 1% [?]
NEW MUSIC: RUDY PALACIOS “QUE VIVAN LOS TEJANOS”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
There are only a handful credited Tejano music artists with more than one Spanish and English-language top chart radio hits, aside from Trini Lopez, Rene and Rene, or Selena. Their music became classic by sharing familiarities of the human condition… love. Most melodies soon became familiar to the heart of those who identified with the lyrics. Today, Mexican-American baby-boomers have memorized songs like: “Put Me in Jail;” “Smile Now, Cry Later;” and “The One Who’s Hurting is You” radio favorites from the 60’s. Making such an impact within the Tejano culture, it’s not surprising to find these song titles tattooed to a Macho body or two. These classic hits contributed to a national focus on a Texas act like Sunny and the Sunliners, creating a path for the first-ever breakout Texas bands and converting them forever into one of the original forces behind the genre now known as the Chicano Soul. In the early 60’s, Chicano Soul was simply part of the overall American rock & roll landscape with the youthful Tex-Mex generation. The creative wordsmith behind those well-penned hits can be traced to the talents of Rudy Palacios, former guitarist, songwriter and vocalist with Sunny and the Sunliners band.
Today, Rudy is proud to unveil a brand new collection of straight ahead Tejano tunes titled Canciones Del Corazón (Songs from the Heart). The album is his love letter to a genre which took him on a magical ride among the stars and fed his thirst for music throughout the better part of his early adulthood.
With Sunny and the Sunliners, Rudy Palacios discovered both the joy and pain on a fast-track life in pursuit of the next gig and musical success. Though he wouldn’t have guessed it at the time, that race would also result in musical immortality. As one of the Sunliners, Rudy headlined shows at the Hollywood Palladium, shared a bill with Chuck Berry and toured with Archie Bell & the Drells as a favor for a Houston radio promoter hoping to get his nephew Bell in front of nationwide audiences before calling it quits. During a year that also marked the end of an era, Palacios packed it up to pick up where he’d left off a decade before as a starry-eyed youngster.
Along the way, Rudy made enough of impression on the Original soul group The Platters to earn him a position with the group. In hindsight Palacios, was like a walking museum of musical legend and lore, a man who carried his red hollow-body ES 335 Gibson guitar humbly among giants and then came home to build a family to live the American Dream. Through the years Rudy played the local club circuit, corporate engagements and cultural events to keep his craft defined to the music trends and sharpened his skills at penning new well-versed songs.
Canciones Del Corazón, while climbing the chart rapidly, is one of the most versatile releases on the Tejano music landscape recognized for its smooth dance, modern arrangements and textured rhythm styles. It’s not easy moving from a Cha-Cha-Cha to a traditional Bolero, then segue to a Cumbia and slowing it down with an Oldie. Featuring one English-language track, the 1965 Mel Carter hit “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, in a version that will tingle baby-boomer’s spine, along with nine heavy-weight Tejano destined to be classics like, “Algun Dia, Te Regalo El Corazón, Que Bueno Es El Amor.” Canciones Del Corazón delivers a full body, fresh flavor for Tejano music lovers. Palacios’ version partnered up with Tejano Glory Days vocalist Jimmy Edward, on the signature Little Joe song “Las Nubes” which restores the Chicano national anthem to its rightful place as a call to action and an expression of pride for all Mexican-American citizens. If for those tracks alone, the album is worth the price of admission. Between tracks and history, Rudy Palacios offers a lifetime of talent and the eternal soul of a true Tejano troubadour.
Today, Rudy is proud to unveil a brand new collection of straight ahead Tejano tunes titled Canciones Del Corazón (Songs from the Heart). The album is his love letter to a genre which took him on a magical ride among the stars and fed his thirst for music throughout the better part of his early adulthood.
With Sunny and the Sunliners, Rudy Palacios discovered both the joy and pain on a fast-track life in pursuit of the next gig and musical success. Though he wouldn’t have guessed it at the time, that race would also result in musical immortality. As one of the Sunliners, Rudy headlined shows at the Hollywood Palladium, shared a bill with Chuck Berry and toured with Archie Bell & the Drells as a favor for a Houston radio promoter hoping to get his nephew Bell in front of nationwide audiences before calling it quits. During a year that also marked the end of an era, Palacios packed it up to pick up where he’d left off a decade before as a starry-eyed youngster.
Along the way, Rudy made enough of impression on the Original soul group The Platters to earn him a position with the group. In hindsight Palacios, was like a walking museum of musical legend and lore, a man who carried his red hollow-body ES 335 Gibson guitar humbly among giants and then came home to build a family to live the American Dream. Through the years Rudy played the local club circuit, corporate engagements and cultural events to keep his craft defined to the music trends and sharpened his skills at penning new well-versed songs.
Canciones Del Corazón, while climbing the chart rapidly, is one of the most versatile releases on the Tejano music landscape recognized for its smooth dance, modern arrangements and textured rhythm styles. It’s not easy moving from a Cha-Cha-Cha to a traditional Bolero, then segue to a Cumbia and slowing it down with an Oldie. Featuring one English-language track, the 1965 Mel Carter hit “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, in a version that will tingle baby-boomer’s spine, along with nine heavy-weight Tejano destined to be classics like, “Algun Dia, Te Regalo El Corazón, Que Bueno Es El Amor.” Canciones Del Corazón delivers a full body, fresh flavor for Tejano music lovers. Palacios’ version partnered up with Tejano Glory Days vocalist Jimmy Edward, on the signature Little Joe song “Las Nubes” which restores the Chicano national anthem to its rightful place as a call to action and an expression of pride for all Mexican-American citizens. If for those tracks alone, the album is worth the price of admission. Between tracks and history, Rudy Palacios offers a lifetime of talent and the eternal soul of a true Tejano troubadour.
Rudy Palacios’ new album “Que Vivan Los Tejanos” now at All That Music & Video!
Popularity: 10% [?]
NEW MUSIC: J DILLA “JAY STAY PAID”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Jay Stay Paid is a set of stray beats plucked by Pete Rock and Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, Dilla’s mom. Presented like a radio show slash mixtape, with snippets from radio interviews, nonintrusive interjections from Rock and Ma Dukes, and brief testimonials as part of the fabric — not to mention an appearance from Illa J, Dilla’s younger brother — the hourlong program contains productions laid down during the last eight years of Dilla’s life. Any producer not attempting to make a run at the charts would likely love to claim much of this work as his or her own; scholars won’t be shocked that Dilla banked discards of this quality and range, but it’s another thing to have a fraction of the man’s surplus lovingly converted into a finished product. Several cuts are bound to scratch an itch you did not know you had. “Lazer Gunne Funke” makes like a Swizz Beatz demo for Busta Rhymes‘ “Touch It” stripped down to kick-clack percussion, bomb-drop F/X, and laser taps, left to bake in a decade’s worth of direct sunlight. “On Stilts,” “Glamour Sho75 (09),” and “9th Caller” deal impossibly gnarled funk, while the “Unadulterated Mix” of “Make It Fast” contorts David Essex’s “Rock On” to such an extent that it comes out sounding like Edwin Starr’s “Easin’ In” (either that, or both songs are fused to the point of indivisibility). The curveball of all curveballs comes on “See That Boy Fly,” where Dilla does to Caravan’s “A Very Smelly, Grubby Little Oik” what he did with Billy Paul’s “Let the Dollar Circulate” (as heard on Steve Spacek’s “Circulate”), transforming the vocal into a vapor trail. Just over a third of the tracks feature MCs, a mixed assortment of veterans and newcomers, from surly/silly DOOM to eager Diz Gibran. Black Thought turns in a lyrically gimmicky update of Public Enemy’s “She Watch Channel Zero” on “Reality TV.” Raekwon and Mobb Deep’s Havoc — and that’s actual Havoc, not sampled Havoc — pop up on “24K Rap,” kicked back over a nervous, noir beat worthy of The Infamous. M.O.P.’s Lil’ Fame sounds as amped up and spluttery as ever, seemingly egged on by the chaotic two-part combat theme that is “Blood Sport.” While it is neither as monumental as Donuts nor as exemplary as the Dillanthology discs, Jay Stay Paid is close to a must for any casual Dilla admirer.
“Jay Stay Paid” available now at All That Music & Video”
Popularity: 1% [?]
NEW MUSIC: LMFAO “PARTY ROCK”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Sky Blu and Redfoo of LMFAO may actually be having as much fun as they describe in their music, but there’s still little doubt they’re a comedy act. The liner notes for Party Rock do indeed include dancefloor polaroids of beautiful babes, but also plenty of shiny robots smiling for the camera. For their full-length debut, Party Rock, the dance hit “I’m in Miami Bitch” is firmly in place, and still sounding pretty hilarious as a satirical exposé of the hedonistic Winter Music Conference held every year. Sky Blu and Redfoo have almost as many laugh lines in their lyrics as the Lonely Island, even if their production aesthetic shows more than a little knowledge of Spank Rock. They’re solid producers overall, even if they run out of song ideas halfway through the album (no extra points for being able to predict the theme or lyrics of “What Happens at the Party” or “Leaving U 4 the Groove”). Pitched somewhere between a self-aware BrokeNCYDE and more sincere party rap (as crazy as that sounds), Party Rock is an indulgent record with plenty of fun and immaturity to keep you partying for days.
“Party Rock” available at All That Music & Video now!
Popularity: 11% [?]
DRAKE FT. LIL WAYNE – I’M GOIN IN
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
The Cartel Presents Lil Wayne & Drake – The Carter Meets the Cartel II*
01. The Carter Meets The Cartel 2 (Intro)
02. Drake & Lil Wayne – Uptown f. Bun B
03. Lil Wayne – One Arm
04. Drake – Houstatlantavegas
05. Lil Wayne – I Feel Me
06. Weezy Speaks (Voicemail Interlude)
07. Lil Wayne – Maybach Music 2 f. T-Pain
08. Drake – I’m Still Fly
09. Lil Wayne – I’m From The South
10. Drake & Lil Wayne – Stunt Hard
11. Lil Wayne – Look at Me (Got Now Remix)
12. Jae Millz – Wasn’t Born (prod. The Runners)
13. Drake – Congratulations
14. Lil Wayne – Yes f. Pharrell
15. Lil Wayne & Drake – Unstoppable (Got Now Remix)
16. Lil Wayne & Drake – Every Girl
17. Drake – Overdose On Life
18. Lil Wayne – Damage Is Done
19. Drake & Lil Wayne – I Want This Forever
20. Drake – Friends With Money
21. Lil Wayne – Let’s Talk Money (R.I.P. Pimp C)
22. Lil Wayne – What The 380 Said
23. Drake & Lil Wayne – Successful f. Trey Songz
24. Lil Wayne – I’m Not Human
25. Lil Wayne – 1st Place Winner f. Swizz Beatz
26. Drake and Lil Wayne – Ransom
27. Drake – Say What’s Real
28. Drake – Get Like Me
29. Lil Wayne – By Myself
30. Drake – Swagger Like Us
31. Lil Wayne & T-Pain – T-Wayne
32. Drake – Pop Rose
33. Lil Wayne – Conglomerate
34. Drake & Lil Wayne – Ignant Shit
35. Lil Wayne – Workin On Her Visa
36. Drake – Give Ya f. Trey Songz
37. Drake – Get Over It
38. Drake & Lil Wayne – Brand New (rmx)
39. Lil Wayne – Miami Vice f. Curren$y
40. The Carter Meets The Cartel 2 (Outro)
Popularity: 2% [?]
NEW MUSIC: MOS DEF “ECSTATIC”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
During the first several years of the 2000s, it wasn’t unreasonable to want Mos Def, one of the most dazzling living MCs, to make a rap album. After he released 2006’s True Magic, his first all-rap release in seven years — following the back-to-back instant classics Black Star and Black on Both Sides — it was easier to understand why he had been devoting much more time to acting and diversions like The New Danger. It was evident that he was not inspired, no doubt prompting a fair portion of his followers to think, “OK, maybe we should have been more specific: please make a good rap album.” On The Ecstatic, it’s not as if Mos Def makes a full return to the lucid/bug-eyed rhymes heard on decade-old cuts like “Hater Players” and “Hip Hop.” Instead, he comes up with a mind-bending, low-key triumph, the kind of magnetic album that takes around a dozen spins to completely unpack. Oscillating between cerebral gibberish and seemingly nonchalant, off-the-cuff boasts, it’s obvious that Mos Def is back to enjoying his trade. For those who are deeply into the Stones Throw label, the album won’t take quite as long to process. Some of the productions from brothers Madlib and Oh No were pulled from their instrumental releases, including a pair from the India-themed installments of the Beat Konducta series. Altogether, they provide much of the album’s dusty off-centeredness; even though “Supermagic” has Mos Def at his most energized and alert, its needling psychedelic guitars and sweeping Bollywood drama are transportive. Combined with backdrops from Georgia Anne Muldrow, Preservation, the Neptunes‘ Chad Hugo, and the Ed Banger label’s Mr. Flash, the album is a gumbo that adds juicy dub thwacks, regal synthetic horns, tangled piano vamps, dashes of spiritual jazz, and rolling Afro-beat, almost all of which is cloaked in light reverb. Though there are highlights throughout, two of the most notable tracks are at the very end: “History,” where Talib Kweli joins in over a wistful J Dilla beat, and “Casa Bey,” where a playful Mos Def somehow keeps up with Banda Black Rio’s deliriously frantic samba funk.
Mos Def’s “Casa Bey”.
Mos Def – “Casa Bey” – The Ecstatic – 6.9.09
“Ecstatic” available at All That Music now!
Popularity: 1% [?]
NEW MUSIC: VICENTE FERNANDEZ “NECESITO DE TI”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Astonishingly, this is ranchera superstar Vicente Fernández’s 81st album, following on the success of 2008’s Grammy-winning Para Siempre. The title track of Necesito de Ti , composed by Grammy nominee Manuel Toscano, is of particular interest in that Fernández chose to release it on May 5, 2009, the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a significant event in Mexican history. As befits that gesture, the still vocally virile Fernández remains the most traditional of ranchera traditionalists even while maintaining his commercial viability well into the new century.
“Necesito De Ti” available at All That Music now!
Popularity: 10% [?]
NEW MUSIC: AVENTURA “THE LAST”
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Aventura didn’t become the kings of bachata by deserting their large and devoted fan base to cater to the mainstream, and it’s no different on The Last — despite the fact that the album includes features for a parade of crossover suspects: Wyclef Jean and Ludacris on one track, plus Akon and Wisin y Yandel on another. No, the lead track on The Last — the number one Latin hit “Por un Segundo” — is straight bachata, rhythmic and sweet, and there happen to be plenty of tender ballads to follow it. Not only that, but the crossover features are held to the last half of the album, where Wyclef Jean produces his own surprisingly sugary “Spanish Fly,” and Akon and Wisin y Yandel appear on the Auto-Tuned reggaeton track “All Up 2 You.” As usual, the band is anchored by Santos brothers Lenny and Max, along with longtime collaborator Eric “Bori” Rivera. Consolidating the quartet’s power, The Last became Aventura’s biggest album hit yet, reaching number five on the charts.
Aventura’s video for “Por Un Segundo”.
“The Last” available at All That Music & Video now!
Popularity: 13% [?]
ARTIST TO WATCH: STEFANI MONTIEL
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Born December 23 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stefani Montiel (Stefani Barela Sullivan) arrived with a rich cultural lineage extending to Mexico, Spain, Germany and Italy. Her Mexican-American roots, nevertheless, are her source of pride and the solid foundation for her life and her music.
While growing up, Stefani would watch and listen to Emilio Barela, her grandfather, as he played his accordion along classic rancheras. Her father, Dwight Sullivan also provided musical nourishment to the future Tejano superstar while performing with his band, Los Chavos, in New Mexico. At age three, in exchange for a bowl of cherries and a soda pop, Stefani made her singing debut to the amazement of everyone present, showing great poise and a naturally sweet and smooth voice.
The music world gave Stefani a warm welcome upon the release of her first single at age five. Side A featured “Rancho Grande” while side B broke into the airwaves with “Que Grande El Amor de Dios.” By age nine, Stefani recorded her first album “ANGEL BABY.” Besides the classic “Angel Baby” the album included three major hits “Las Gaviotas,” “Flor De Las Flores,” and “Blue Bayou.” Her second Long Play album was released when she turned fifteen years old, simply title “Listen to My Music” including a mixture of Country, Pop, and classic rancheras.
Searching for a future in the music business, Stefani moved to San Antonio, Texas in hopes of realizing greater fame. Her success was immediate with two major hits- “Primer Beso” and “Tú y Nadie Más.” She was soon signed to a long term contract with Sony Discos and released “TE VOY A ENAMORAR” which established her as a major force in the Tejano music industry. Other hits off this album were “Celos” and “Soy Feliz” which received national airplay, as well as the title track and accompanying video “Te Voy a Enamorar” featuring actor MARIO LOPEZ.
The first visit to Mexico, for Stefani, was a complete success due in part to her incredible charisma, impressive vocal power, and stunning beauty. She was named the Queen of the Monterrey Fair after giving a rousing performance before more than 100,000 fans.
The second album, “TODO MI AMOR” proved that Stefani was not a “one-hit wonder” and expanded her fan-base by including more of a “Pop” feel to some of the songs. Hits like “Sabado en la Noche”, “Angel en el Cielo”, and “Contigo” showcased her powerful range and smooth vocals. It became obvious to the public and industry insiders that they were witnessing the work of a major star with the ability to crossover into any type of music. Radio airplay increased to a frenzied level featuring hits from the previous album as well as “TODO MI AMOR.”
Her next release “PORQUE SOY MUJER” (Because I am a Woman) delivered still more hits including the title track, which established an important link of communication between the Tejano songbird and her loyal female fans. Songs that are now standards include “Porque Soy Mujer,” the gypsy-influenced “Baila Conmigo,” and the driving beat of “Ven Conmigo.”
Her latest album ” DULCE SENSACION” (Sweet Sensation) features one of the first songs she ever sang, “Angel Baby” with a Spanglish and a Spanish version featuring a cumbia beat. “DULCE SENSACION” is the definitive release by Stefani Montiel. Loaded with radio-friendly hits, the album hints at Regional Mexican, Pop, and Tropical while still strongly rooted in the Tejano sound. The first single “Ay Papi” written by Stefani, included a Tejano, hip-hop, and “Mambolicious” tropical version which all drew immediate success and airplay throughout the country as well as Los Angeles, Miami, and Puerto Rico. Also included on this album are “Daria Todo,” “La Puerta,” and the fully orchestrated, “Hermoso Amor.” The painstaking detail of the arrangements, the lyrics, the vocal delivery and the production quality speak volumes of Stefani Montiel’s talent and earned her a nomination for “BEST TEJANO PERFORMANCE” at the first ever Latin Grammys in 2000.
Stefani Montiel has come a long way from that three year old little girl in New Mexico, to a sensational tejano superstar admired by thousands. A strong voice empowering today’s youth to reach for the stars and go for the glory, Stefani strives to give her all to her fans. Her optimistic outlook on life and positive attitude will help her continue on the road to success where she will reign as the “dulce sensacion” in the hearts of her fans.
Listen to “Sigo Enamorada” off “Divina”.
Stefani Montiel’s new album “Divina” available at All That Music & Video now!
Popularity: 9% [?]
VIDEO: TE QUIERO – LOS TEMERARIOS
On July - 30 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
Los Temerarios is a Mexican romantic music group started in 1978 with brothers Adolfo Angel and Gustavo Angel, together with cousin Fernando Angel. Their first years, they were known as Conjunto La Brisa.
Los Temerarios have recorded 18 albums and been honored with multiple awards and award nominations. In 1991, they earned 5 Billboard awards nominations on the Latin categories.
They’ve performed in multiple world famous sites, such as Radio City Music Hall (where they became the first Mexican music act to lead a concert), Sports Arena, where they joined Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson as the only musical acts to fill the arena (earning an award for that feat), and Auditorio Nacional of Mexico City, where they were the first Mexican group ever to perform.
They also acted at the Festival De Vina Del Mar event in Chile in 1991, earning the prestigious Gaviota De Plata award.
Popularity: 6% [?]
