I started the weekend off swimming & sunbathing. It’s February. I must be doing something right. I’ve been hearing similarly non-winter updates from friends in other cities (no snow in New England???), so I thought it appropriate to drop some bass-heavy island heat today.  I haven’t been keeping up on new reggae as much as I’d like- partly that’s because I’m not in Flatbush, Brooklyn anymore (RIP Veggie Castle). These are all recent additions to my reggae crate, even if some of the songs are a few years old. I stole the awesome picture above from this dope Brazilian photojournalism site– check it out if you like Favela Ninjas.

J Boog :       Let's Do It Again
Samoan L.A. local with a classic Jamaican roots sound. Check him out here.

Gappy Ranks :       Long Time
I slept on this UK crooner for a loooooong time. Now I’m trying to remedy that situation.

Jah Hem :       Love Is The Way
reggae lyrics don’t get much simpler than this, but it still sounds good, so stop your fussing and your fighting. Bahamas representing.

Dreadsquad :       Notion Of Self (ft. Blackout JA)
Mieczyslaw Fogg :       To Ostatnia Niedziela (Dreadsquad Remix)
Heavy 80’s digital vibes from… POLAND. I’m really feelin the roots remix of a tango record from 1936. These kids seem badass.

Stand High Patrol :       The Big Tree
something pretty different from this French minimal digital dub crew. I know it kinda sounds like a 6 year old is singing, but I’m a fan. Shout out to Marlee for supplying this one.

Lotek :       Rebel Hifi (ft. Spikey T)
Aussie roots-rock-hop.

Easy Star All-Stars :       Money (The Alchemist Remix)
wobbly modern remix of this Pink Floyd cover. Kinda crazy project from the reliable Easy Star Crew.

Rhythm & Sound :       See Mi Yah ft. Willie Williams (Hallucinator Remix)
I’m assuming this is the same Willie Williams??? This basically captures the sound of a hot-boxed sedan to a tee.

The Decoders :       Inside My Love ft. Sy Smith
This is a new project from L.A. trumpet mastermind Todd Simon (Dap Kings, Mayer Hawthorne, Quantic & a million other reputable outfits). Roots covers of soul classics never sounded better. Thank you Sy Smith for nailing the notes we thought only Minnie Ripperton could. More Decoders music right here.

King Tubby vs. Harry Mudie :       Dub With A Difference &       Heavy Duty Dub
couldn’t do an entire post of reggae without including some oldies actually from Jamaica. This record is a dub masterpiece.

I think it’s safe to say that 80-90% of my waking life is spent with music playing around me. I start every morning listening to new music with a cup of coffee in hand, searching for something to catch my ear. I spend most of my days working on making and mixing new songs. Most nights I’m out either DJ-ing or listening to DJ’s (and trying to steal songs from them), unless of course I’m at a show with a live band playing. Somehow, it never gets boring. That’s because of artists like these ones I’m sharing today, who keep hammering away at the weight of the past and manage to continually make something new (even when they recycle those retro elements we love). This website is my perpetual thank you to them. And here’s a toast to my precious, hard-working eardrums as well, I know they deserve a vacation…

Xenia Rubinos :       Hair Receding &       Pan Y Cafe
This chick is a revelation! Badass, Brooklyn-bred, alternate-time-signature, Latin punk music. Watching the extremely fun video for Pan Y Cafe made me miss NYC like crazy. It also made me want to make music videos with fisheye lenses all-day, everyday (while listening to music of course).

Phenomenal Handclap Band :       The Right One
More NYC greatness (there may be a strong trend in today’s playlist). I’ve been waiting for something fresh from these guys and they did not disappoint with this latest offering- again, accompanied by an amazing and very trippy video.

Escort :       All Through The Night
Yup, it’s more Brooklyn. Escort is sounding tighter than skinny jeans on this funky neo-disco bomb.

AVAN LAVA :       It's Never Over
Take a guess… was it BROOKLYN?!? If so, you’re right. Super poppy, but so damn good I can’t deny it.

Flight Facilities :       Crave You ft. Giselle (Cassian Remix) &       Feelin (Johnny Pow! Mix)
Ok, switching things up, let’s give some love to Australia. That marimba sound on Feelin is exactly what I need right now.

Crazy P :       Open For Service &       Changes
They clearly these Brits were advised to tone down their public image a bit, but they will remain Crazy Penis to me. Check out their new album.

Shake Aletti :       Lights & Sparks
More 80’s throwback freshness from the UK. This song also has a video that may make you want to go out dancing.

Madi Diaz :       Trust Fall (Jensen Sportag Remix)
Retro r&b smoothness that would undoubtedly have Hall & Oats nodding their heads in admiration.

Inc. :       Swear
Ok, I know it seems like we’re entering a time warp with all these throwback sounds, but don’t you wish Prince was still making shit like this? I’m happy these guys are filling the void.

Chet Faker :       No Diggity
This buttery cover song was my introduction to Chet Faker, but clearly I’ve been sleeping on him, cause there’s a lot more where this came from.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87CrCvsTbOk&list=UUhpbvJkxHmUb88ByptDJa3g&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]

If you like trampolines, bright colors, and head nod beats, then you will probably love this as much as I do.

Ta-Ku & Kit Pop :       Bounce
check the whole release here 

While I may not have a date for dinner tonite, I am in no shortage of love. Tomorrow I’ll be the guest DJ at one of my favorite gatherings in LA- Subsuelo. it’s no stretch to say I LOVE THIS PARTY. Great people, amazing music, perfect ambiance, live percussionists, and flamenco dancing on the bar. I will be joined by my ridiculously talented homies Brit Laurén & UTK who will dropping vocals while I get funky on my sampler. Heavy global bass is the main entree, but you best believe I’ll mix in some golden oldies and special surprises as well. Anyone in the general vicinity should get wise and head over there mañana. This place fills up, so arriving early is advised, and definitely be ready to sweat. Instead of chocolates or roses, I’m giving you a bucketload of bangers that will probably get played.

Pedro Ramaya Beltran :       Soy La Cumbia (Thornato Remix)
another heater from this Cumba Mela crew member.

3Ball MTY :       Black Moon (Sheeqo Beat Remix) &       Todos A Bailar
heavy electro guaracha styles from Monterrey, Mexico. These guys are kinda ruling things down there at the moment.

E.L. :       Obuu Mo
Funky shit from one of Ghana’s tallest rapper/producers. It’s hard not to gyrate when this comes on. Shouts to DJ Gozar for puttin me to on this one!

Double :       Tatali (Los Carlos Kuduro Remix)
Brand spanking new from Akwaaba Music.

Solo :       Congaloid
takes a little while to get going, but by the 3 minute mark this one is pure percussion insanity.

Major Lazer :       Bruk Out (Destructo & Uberzone Remix)
not sure how I slept on this remix. Just takes the og to a-whole-nother level.

Kes :       Precision Wine
Pure Trini carnival goodness. Takes me back to Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Labor Day.

Joyce Muniz & Shanti Roots :       Cumbian Lolita
Cuuuuuuuuumbia! Been playing this one for a while now, figured it was finally time to share. Check out more from the always reliable Sol Selectas label run by my homie Sabo.

Thievery Corporation :       El Pueblo Unido (Uproot Andy Remix)
Seems like my dude Andy can do no wrong. The breakdown/buildup at 2:30 is verging on symphonic.

Los Rakas :       Copita de Champaña
It wouldn’t be right to share music on Valentine’s without at least one slow jam. Check the whole new Raka Love EP right here.

Consider this an early Valentine’s Day gift… a teaser from the upcoming album I’m working on for the highly talented singer/songwriter Arian Saleh. Whether you’re deep in love, deep in lust, deeply lost, or somewhere in between (that’s me), our hope is that this song will help propel your hips closer to someone else’s. If things go really well, perhaps by the 2 minute mark a fly gets unzipped.

I stumbled into an art gallery downtown on Saturday, thinking it was a record store (I can always smell vinyl), and found this insane exhibit of discarded synthesizers and motion-sensor automated turntables. Turned out to be a group show for the LAFMS collective. There was also a wurlitzer covered in dildos, so obviously I recommend going to see it for yourself. This was after spending a couple hours at MOCA watching satanist art films by Kenneth Anger (with a church-going friend no less!). Then yesterday, coming down off the Superbowl, I watched a documentary about an Iranian Kurdish dervish sect who headbang themselves into a holy state of trance, and then proceed to hammer knives into their heads and cut themselves with swords. Yes, it’s true. Lesson of the weekend: there’s no end to what’s out there. With all that in mind, I figured going back to some funky roots would be a good way to ground me for the week ahead.

p.s.- we passed 700 songs posted last week! Wow, MTR has been going strong for a full 3 years now. When we hit 1k songs there will be some kind of proper celebration…

The Undisputed Truth :       Space Machine (Cosmic Boogie Edit)
paying tribute to our alien friends, Motown’s most psychedelic act lays down a nasty guitar riff that leads us straight to the stars.

King Errisson :       Disco Congo (Pat Les Stache's Re-edit)
just realized this awesome blog is now done! Pretty bummed ’cause Mr. Stache had been posting dancefloor gems for a long time, but he’s moved on to jazzier pastures now.

The Doobie Brothers :       Long Train Running
Why? Why not? I had forgotten about this bad boy for too long and was very happy to be reminded.

 Junior Bryon :       Inch By Inch
It doesn’t get more disco than this. Smoothed out rarity which I can’t even remember how I came by.

Sarah Webster Fabio :       Sweet Songs &       Alchemy Of The Blues (Instrumental)
badass female counterpoint to Gil Scott-Heron (with a backing band that is possibly funkier). Can we please bring back the habit (as demonstrated here) of shouting out all the musicians astological signs? Good luck finding this one on vinyl…

Cyril Neville :       Gossip
the youngest of the famous funky NOLA brothers. I found this 7″ in The Big Easy and have been meaning to post it for a while now.

Trevor Dandy :       Is There Any Love
I think I first heard this as a sample on Kid Cudi’s first mixtape. While I do actually like that song, this OG is waaaaay better.

Outlaw Blues Band :       Deep Gully
one of my favorite Prince Paul approved breaks from De La Soul’s Buhloon Mindstate. Remember when people would just rap on top of dope records? I do.

Ann-Margret :       I Just Don't Understand
60’s blues pop done right. Damn, this lady kinda had it all.

Barbara Mason :       You Never Loved Me At All
Wow. This one’s a stunner.  If you don’t feel something in the pit of your chest while this is playing, I would wager that you’re heartless.

D.J. Rogers :       Bail Out
Most people know this song from the more produced, and very Sly Stone influenced version by Maxayn. While I do love that one, this more stripped down version by the man who wrote it, has a raw bluesy-ness that is exactly what I need right now.