Conte Candoli - Modern Sounds From The West (Lone Hill Jazz - 2005)

After a quick search on the internet, I discovered that the then Blue Note released two albums gathered on Modern Sounds From The West, Best From The West Vols 1 & 2, are celebrated like a must-have among jazz heads. I had strictly no clue about it when I found this CD in a dusty sales bin with a cracked box. I have to admit that Conte Candoli made a brilliant work here and you'll certainly like it, whether you are into jazz or not. The cuts are clean, simple and short. You'll find everything you need to know about this cool as fuck record here: http://www.jazzwax.com/2009/01/conte-candoli-best-from-the-west.html

Download => Conte Candoli - Modern Sounds From The West

Ubiquity - Starbooty (Elektra - 1978)

Produced by Roy Ayers (his name is on the cover), this is the sole album that features Roy Ayers backing band, Ubiquity, without Roy Ayers signing or playing vibes on it. The songs switch between disco and jazz funk and are well executed by seasoned musicians and singers. Starbooty is definitely a good album but a bit too mechanical and certainly not as good as what Roy Ayers did under his own moniker. The best tracks are not necessarily the ones written by Roy Ayers himself. My personnal preference goes to the midtempo Simple And Sweet and its killing head nobbing bassline.

Download => Ubiquity - Starbooty

Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It (Ruthless Records - 1988)

A few months ago, I entered a record shop in Paris, decided to catch up with what young people are listening to these days. I listened to Nicki Minaj and Drake but leaved the record store with Eazy-Duz-It under the arm. There are only two explanations to this phenomenon:

- Explanation 1: I'm just too old for this shit (I'm 38).
- Explanation 2: put a Drake record and an Eazy-E record side to side and you'll understand what popular hip hop is probably missing today.

I'm not talking of underground vs mainstream: west coast gangsta rap was made to be sold and make a lot of money. It's just that a while ago, hip hop was that raw shit that made you parents suit the record store that sold you the CD and it should have just staid that way. Eazy-E was a former street hodlum turned rapper. That guy barely could rap, the production was raw and minimalist, his lyrics and his lifestyle were irresponsible but he had that I don't give a fuck attitude that he shared only with the best rockers. That makes all the difference and didn't prevent him from making millions out of it.

























Download => Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It