Del tha Funkee Homosapien

Despite somewhere around ten album releases between 1990 and 2000, Del remained an underground superstar… a mystery to the mainstream. Then came the new millenium and the release of two of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. First, in 2000, alongside legendary Bay Area producer Dan the Automator, Del released the groundbreaking “Deltron 3030″ album.

March 12th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in back to the basics, bay area, hip-hop  |  1 comment

Essential Sounds of Winter: Part 2 of 2

When we published Part One of this series, we had yet to live through the Snowpocalypse that engulfed DC. A work-from-home-days later (and snowball fights and keg drinking) later, and we’re ready for Part Two of our Essential Sounds of Winter series.

February 12th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff, hannahsimon, J Meagher, Jess Alatorre, el gringo rico, taylor fife and camden andrews  |  published in playlists  |  8 comments

Essential Sounds of Winter: Part 1 of 2

Since the New Year, DC has been hammered. We toppled Christmas’s record, with nearby areas reporting up to 3 feet of the fluffy stuff. With another 10-20 inches predicted for Tuesday-Wednesday, we’re pretty sure it’s time to present our Essential Sounds of Winter. So join us as a few of Indie Shuffle’s contributors share the albums that they like to whip out when there’s no choice but to stay indoors.

February 9th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff, Jess Alatorre, camden andrews, el gringo rico, taylor fife and J Meagher  |  published in playlists  |  2 comments

The Devil Makes Three – The Devil Makes Three

I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry, this sounds nothing like country. It’s more of a rustic, dusty, bluesy scenario than what you might be used to. The song writing is absolutely fantastic, especially the lyrics. On this album (their first), there exists a very abstract piratey feel reminscent of Rain Dogs by the great Tom Waits.

February 8th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in bluegrass, folk-rock  |  3 comments

Left Lane Cruiser – All You Can Eat!

Grab your whiskey and get ready to rage. I’ve never heard a more powerful and gritty blues rock duo than these guys. Left Lane Cruiser is a two man outfit out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They’re a couple of thrashers that can play the hell out of some punkesque garage blues. Think along the lines of a possessed Black Keys, Jack White without his cute peppermint outfits, or even ole’ R.L. Burnside fresh off divorcing his sixth wife and a four day bender. These guys don’t F around.

February 4th, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in blues, garage, punk  |  1 comment

Broken Bells – Broken Bells

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet: the new collabo between the Almighty Danger Mouse and James Mercer of the Shins is absolutely unreal. Yes, I did refer to Danger Mouse (or Brian Burton as his mother would say) as Almighty. As you might know from previous posts, I have all but devoted my life to everything Danger Mouse dives into. Whether it be Gnarls Barkley, Beck’s Modern Guilt, MF Doom’s Mouse and the Mask, Jemini’s Ghetto Pop Life, or The Black Key’s Attack & Release, everything the man touches turns into pure gold.

January 23rd, 2010  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in indie rock, rock  |  4 comments

Ten Top Hip-Hoppers of the Decade: Part 2 of 2

Lists are fun when used in moderation. Here is a list entailing my opinion of the best 10 hip hoppers this decade. Note that the specific albums are not my choices for top albums of the decade. I’m trying to highlight the artists themselves: how they transcended hip hop and created, in most cases, several timeless albums. Sadly and honorably not included in this top 10 are my honorable mentions: Brother Ali, Dead Prez, Common Market, RJD2, Binary Star, Super Chron Flight Brothers, K’naan, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Grouch (& The Living Legends Crew), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Pharoah Monche, Common.

December 29th, 2009  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in hip-hop, playlists  |  7 comments

Ten Top Hip-Hoppers of the Decade: Part 1 of 2

Lists are fun when used in moderation. Here is a list entailing my opinion of the best 10 hip hoppers this decade. Note that the specific albums are not my choices for top albums of the decade. I’m trying to highlight the artists themselves: how they transcended hip hop and created, in most cases, several timeless albums. Sadly and honorably not included in this top 10 are my honorable mentions: Brother Ali, Dead Prez, Common Market, RJD2, Binary Star, Super Chron Flight Brothers, K’naan, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Grouch (& The Living Legends Crew), Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Pharoah Monche, Common.

December 28th, 2009  |  by el gringo rico  |  published in hip-hop, playlists  |  3 comments