Hail The DJ! Volume One
The mash-up grows up and gets its own car on Hail The DJ! Volume One. For those needing some latest trends education a mash-up is when two songs are literally mashed together – in simplified terms usually using the singing from one and the music from the other. It’s another evolution of the hip-hop world using great beats to revive older songs with newer stories. In many cases a mash-up is a trainwreck but sometimes it’s elevated to a new artform and remains a source of legal issues when the original artists (or their lawyers) don’t approve or allow the use of the original material. Also in the mix are the latest rounds of digital tools and mixing software where more artists have the tools to experiment with mashing and mixing.
Enter Hail The DJ! Volume One where a baker’s dozen of choice tracks are served up crossing genres from hip-hop to diva dance, punk to country. All crossing generations and decades like Go Go’s vs. Beyonce in Warren Peace Of The Inhumanz’s “Go Beyond.” I was, at first, doubtful of the cheesy title and even the premise (mash-ups and mixes by DJs for DJs) but the stuff is clever, innovative and yes – even bumping. San Franciscans can be jaded once something is not illegally obtained or shared on the down low but you can rest easy that even though it’s a real CD they don’t seem to have an official website so I wouldn’t hold my breathe for a Volume Two but I sure hope they do continue the series. My picks: DJ Am and CrooklynClan.net’s “Kool Rock,” DJ Riz’s “Hustlin Achievement,” Party Ben’s “Paid In Full For The Doorbell,” Team Canada’s “Ring Of Fire (DJ AM Edit),” Warren Peace Of The Inhumanz’s “Go Beyond” and DJ Steve1der’s “Close To Me And U.”

Interpretations
Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
ConcordMusicGroup.com
In 1970 the world leaders of soulful and sinspirational RnB, pop and soul - Earth, Wind & Fire released their self-titled debut and launched a wave of lovely, crafted songs that still holds up and has given the group new leases on the concert scene as they have been performing lately with another big band – Chicago. On Interpretations, Earth, Wind & Fire, so named for the astrological and seasonal signs of founder Maurice White, Maurice helps guide a new generation and a few old pros on the soul scene to cover some of the group’s stellar songs. My picks: Chaka Khan’s “Shining Star,” Kirk Franklin’s “September,” Ledisi’s “Devotion,” Lalah Hathaway’s “Love’s Holiday,” Dwele’s “That’s the Way of the World” and Me’Shell Ndegéocello’s “Fantasy.”

Compost 250
Freshly Composted Vol. 2
www.Compost-Records.com
Compost label celebrates its 250th release with a wet-dream compilation of “quality leftfield underground club music” from Europe’s visionary independent label outposted in East-Munich, Germany. Compost funks the dancefloors worldwide with post-apocalyptic experimental electronica and epically hip floor groovers, slurpy beats, downtempo bliss and hip jazzsters and then does reach-around service with beautifully unsettling spacey chillouts, futuristic brokenbeat, quirked jazz soundscapes and cosmically funky undertows. My picks: Beanfield’s “Tides (Carl Craig Remix),” Marsmobil’s “Mangia Amore,” Alif Tree’s “Forgotten Places (Moodymann Remix),” Jean-Paul Bondy’s “Something Is Not Right (Robag Wruhme’s Fukkeldibobb Remake),” Nova Dream Sequence’s “Dream 14,” Karma’s “Are We? (Tony Nwachukwu Remix)” featuring Michelle Amador, Harvey Lindo’s “Rugged Individuals (Featuring Count Bass D)” and Koop’s “I See A Different You.”

Kristi Martel
Quaint & Curious Raven demos
www.Kmetal.net
Poet, singer and troublemaker Kristi Martel flies words alongside sprite lyrics to grow stunning Americana powerchick gems. From “Harder Than Dying”: “I still need the ocean here almost like you did there. / But I am not a bird. I will not fly away home. I will keep my feet planted on this shore / ‘til it’s my time to go. Living is harder than dying, and truth is harder than lying. My roots dig deeper than your flying / pulled me to sky. You wanted to fly. So fly away, Littlebird. You are my truest home still. And here in my heart you live: alive alive alive!” My top picks: “Harder Than Dying”, “Ravengirl”, “Photophobia” and “Littlebird’s Flight (Radio Edit)”. Gig alert! Kristi Martel floats with the stars and sunshine March 31 @ San Francisco’s Bazaar Café.

Putumayo
Gypsy Groove
www.Putumayo.com
From wikipedia.com, the Roma or Romanies are an ethnic group living in many communities all over the world. Although mistakenly believed to be just nomadic they have indeed made homes throughout their historic roots in Southern and Eastern Europe as well as Western Asia, Latin America, the United States and the Middle East. The Roma are among the best-known ethnic groups and are often referred to as gypsies or gipsies, a term that is based on a mistaken belief of an origin in Egypt and many consider the term a slur. Bowing to popular culture realities while celebrating the Roma is world music visionary label Putumayo with Gypsy Groove mining incredible Romany-influenced music and artists to share the intricate and joyous sounds with the rest of the world. From infectiously hip clubbers to tradition folkers funked up for the dancefloor you will be stunned to the festive abandon and uber cool leanings. Part of the proceeds will also benefit the Roma Education Fund so your grooving for a good cause. My picks: Shantel’s “Bucovina,” Gipsy.Cz’s “Jednou,” Amsterdam Klezmer Band’s “Sadagora Hot Dub (Shantel Remix),” Balkan Beat Box’s “Sunday Arak,” Magnifico & Turbolentza’s “Zh Ne Sui Pa Pur Tua,” Luminescent Orchestrii’s “Amari Szi, Amari (Amon Remix)” and Eastenders’s “Vino Lubirea Mea (!DelaDap Remix).”

Elliott Yamin
Myspace.com/ElliottYamin
Another reason you can love American Idol (even if you also love to hate it) is music newbie Elliott Yamin who came out of the blue to capture the hearts of many and was called by the creator of American Idol Simon Cowell – “potentially the best male vocalist in the history of American Idol.” With no formal training he tried out and shockingly rose through the ranks to become one of last year’s final three and lost by a narrow margin with millions of votes cast. I’ve already expressed my disappointment and surprise turnaround thinking about Kathryn McPhee who came in second and her new album is amazing but I have serious doubts I’ll be won over by Taylor Hicks who won last year.

Meanwhile we finally get Elliott Yamin’s debut album that is everything it needs to be with loads of potential for the dancefloor and crossovers to RnB as well as the adult charts. His raspy soulful delivery and down-home everyguy charm will hopefully win him some much-deserved attention. My picks: “Wait For You,” “One Word,” “You Are The One,” “I’m The Man,” “Free,” “Alright” and “A Song For You.” Gig alert! Elliott Yamin guests March 27 @ The Ellen Show.

The Sleeping
Believe What We Tell You
www.TheSleeping.com
Long Island, New York rock quartet The Sleeping reissue Believe What We Tell You and I, for one, actually believe! The two-disc set comes complete with a juicy DVD of music videos, live concert footage and “making of” footage. The road-ready crew spews ragey rock n’ roll for a TV-spoon fed nation that lives online and seemingly doesn’t know or care. This re-issue includes the first eleven songs the band ever wrote and showcases the raw and pure angsty energy guaranteed to piss-off parents and delight a new generation of anarchists. My picks: “Sunday Matinee (Reel To Real),” “Funus-Eris,” “The Big Breakdown - Day 2,” “If Your Heart Was Broken... You Would Be Dead,” Broadcast Silence,” “Until The Night (Demo)” and “Sunday Matinee (Reel To Real).” Gig alert! The Sleeping pitch tent and wet dream March 27 @ San Francisco’s Slim’s.

Ed Banger
Ed Rec Vol.2
www.EdBangerRecords.com
Ed Bangers Records named for some guy named Ed (probably) or for head-banging (more likely) is on the progressive edge of French dance music from disco-punk to hip-hop to electro-house. Founded by Daft Punk’s longtime manager Pedro Winter expect an eclectic and hard-hitting set worthy of all those who crave the wave. Experimental and visionary tracks share beds and toothbrushes with hardcore dancefloor, hip-hop savvy butt-movers and introspective electro angsters. My picks: Justice’s “Phantom (Part 1),” DJ Mehdi’s “Stick It,” Feadz’s “Edwrecker,” Busy P’s “Rainbow Man,” DJ Mehdi’s “Lucky Girl” featuring Fafi, Klaxons’ “Interzone To Golden Skans (So Me Remix)” and Vicarious Bliss’ “Limousine.” Gig alert! Ed Banger Records Tour with founder Busy P and stand-out acts Justice, Sebastian and DJ Mehdi will pop your electrodes March 24 @ San Francisco’s Mezzanine.