Migrating Taste

Slick Rick - Hey Young World DL

Did you know Slick Rick produced some of the best stuff off The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, including this gem? Did you know that half the album was produced by the Bomb Squad? Did you forget how perfect this song is?

Method Man & Redman - City Lights (ft. Bun B) (prod. Nasty Kutt) DL

The guy who I thought would be the next big producer from the South (he’s on some Toomp, Jim Jonsin shit) turns out to be a 22 year old from fucking Norway. I expect serious things from this guy seeing as how this is his first track on a U.S. album. Until then though, I guess I’ll be checkin out some Norwegian rap …

Wipers - Mystery DL

Been listening to this song a ton. It’s like a strung out version of The Cars. I dig.

Rocko - Busy (produced by Drumma Boy) DL

I guess I’m a year late on this one. Whatever. I’m into a lot of Drumma Boy’s tracks (he’s the guy pictured) and came across Rocko’s album cause he produced damn near the whole thing. I love triumphant southern beats like this, and making the song about “being busy” is inspired. Here’s my personal version:

I be so busy writin’ tweets, ain’t got time to talk
Be too busy ridin’ bikes, ain’t got time to walk
Be so busy drinkin’ coffe, I ain’t got time to eat
Be so busy watching Hulu, I ain’t got time to sleep.

What’s your version?

Magnetics - Heart, You’re Made of Stone

My favorite song from any of the Northern Soul compilations I’ve heard. If you know a track as good as this, it’s your duty to report it.

The Beach Boys - I Get Around - 1964

I didn’t realize how daring this song was until I heard the instrumental version. It’s comprised of all these different segments that are a bit of a hodgepodge of ideas on their own. A spunky bass line. Some hand claps. Big chunks of silence. Full band with an organ and sax. But add that vocal track and it’s a number-one hit. I know it feels like easy to swallow pop, but compositionally, it’s one of Brian Wilson’s early triumphs, and the first song that justifies that “genius”-status he enjoys today.

DL

The Animals - The House of The Rising Sun - 1964

Top five intros? Doubtless, but when Eric Burdon’s strained voice melds with the reverb of the room, you can feel a hole grow inside you. Organ delight.

DL

The Ronettes - (The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up (produced by Phil Spector…duh) - 1964

One of my favorite Spector tracks. The martial rhythm.  The sliding “oooh”s on the chorus.  The bridge!  The way he cuts everything but the drums at the top of every verse. That sweet tag and the surprise chorus at the end. oo-ee.

DL