Let’s take you an audible odyssey. Welcome to 2002, when the X-Ecutioners were at the height of their popularity and “It’s Goin’ Down,” featuring Linkin Park’s Mike Shindoa was one of the more popular hip-hop tracks in the country. The album in question, “Built From Scratch,” was devised as an outlet for a group of DJs to go nuts and experiment with a buttload of new ideas, but it turned into something much more epic when several hip-hop stud muffins were brought aboard to lend a whole other level of credibility to the record.

Shinoda was just one of many guest artists to rap over the beats laid down by those crazy X-Men. Pharoahe Monch, Everlast, Big Pun, Kool G Rap, and the talented gentlemen of M.O.P. all lay down vocals for various songs, and all of them hit hard the way hard-hitting hip-hop should.

What started off as a group of 11 different DJs ended up as only four by the time “Built From Scratch” was released, and that group included Rob Swift, Roc Raida, Total Eclipse, and Mista Sinista. Roc Raida, who passed away in 2009 at only 37 years old, was probably the best-known of the group, having laid down beats for Big Pun and Skillz, as well as serving as the DJ for Busta Rhymes.

The rest of the guys, though, have no shortage of talent, as this sample-and-scratch heavy record proves pretty convincingly. In the hip-hop world, this crew is legendary, but as far as mainstream is concerned it’s been a few years since we’ve heard much from them. Two more albums—“Revolutions” and “General Patton vs. the X-Ecutioners”—were released by 2005, but the group has transformed into something a little different and now goes by a new name with mostly new members.

The audible odyssey, however, is in the books, and it’s a story I’d rather you not forget.

So how about that Peter Gene Hernandez?  He is really destroying the charts right now, huh?  You have a weird look on your face.  Maybe this will help.  Peter Gene Hernandez = Bruno Mars.  That simple mathematical principle proves that this Hawaiian born soulful cat is here to stay.  Bruno Mars combines old school soul swagger with contemporary pop appeal.  It has been scientifically proven that his voice is causing global warming; on account of it being so hot.  Scientifically = some random lady I sat behind on the train who was gushing to her crew about Mars’ mad musical skills.

We here at FreshScouts have had Bruno Mars in our ears ever since we featured him in our Weekly Jukebox back in January.  This cat is smashing up the charts right now with the ultimate love song, “Just the Way You Are”.  But let’s not forget about his smooth collabo with Travie McCoy on “Billionaire” and his memorable hook on B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You”.  But wait, there’s more!  Mars also co-wrote Flo Rida’s “Right Round” and K’naan’s “Wavin’ Flag”.  Yeah, let’s just say that Bruno Mars knows what he is doing and he is ready to destroy with his first full album that is scheduled to drop in October.

While we wait for the October release, we offer up a sweet little gem in the form of an EP.  On It’s Better If You Don’t Understand (released in May 2010), Mars delivers 4 hot tracks that showcase what he can do.  Mars has the formula down and knows exactly how to get his music to the masses.  That formula can do a lot of damage if put in the wrong hands.  Thankfully, he uses his power for good and we are the victors.  If Mars can keep himself out of trouble, he will no doubt become one of the biggest artists of 2011.

KC’s Personal Picks: “Count on Me” and “The Other Side” (featuring Cee Lo Green & B.o.B.)

Check out his live acoustic version of “Count on Me”

Buy It’s Better If You Don’t Understand

Amazon Music

Sometimes, you listen to music because it’s musical. You feel like being moved by a melody or having some hard guitar or bass riff punish your ears in a fit of unrequited energy. Whatever. Music definitely plays the role of aural delectable.

But for many of us, music is also about the words—every syllable carefully chosen and arranged in a way that either best fits the tune or best fits the songwriter’s philosophies. We take a lot of meaning out of songs that say something worthwhile, and I’m guessing several people’s favorite artists are those who not only rock out, but speak out, too.

Ben Folds is typically one of those musicians who manages both words and melodies with an ability unparalleled by hardly anybody in the industry. But on his new album, “Lonely Avenue,” he didn’t write a single lyric. Nick Hornby, renowned author of books like “High Fidelity,” “About a Girl,” and “Fever Pitch,” took care of that aspect of this particular album’s tracks.

How do a great author and a great pianist come together for a project like this? Well, Folds is a fan of Hornby’s work and he came across an essay in one of his books called “31 Songs” in which Hornby praises the lyrics in Folds’s “Smoke.” Mutual admiration turned into a pretty incredible musical experiment that any fan of Ben Folds is going to absolutely adore.

Because Hornby is a writer of fiction, most of the tracks have a very narrative quality about them, and that added to Ben Folds’s gorgeous and intricate melodies makes for some very memorable music. “Picture Window” is my predetermined hit of the record, but tracks like “Claire’s Ninth” and “From Above” are also spectacular work.

We’re looking at a seriously unique project here that takes two people at the apex of their craft and puts them to work in a sort of symbiotic diamond. It’s poetry, it’s music, and it’s fantastic. Whether you listen to music for the tune or the words, you’re going to get more than your money’s worth on this one.

Check out a preview of the album here:

How many Smiths are there in any given phonebook? Twenty? Eighty? Infinity? Eighty-one?

Let’s just agree that there’s a lot. According to the most recent census, “Smith” is the most common surname in the United States, tagged to 2.5 million Americans. That’s one whole friggin’ percent of the damn population. To be a true individual, one can not be a Smith. It’s a law. Look it up.

If one were, say, a Messersmith, however, we’re staring down the throat of an entirely different beast. The throat of this particular beast, Mr. Jeremy Messersmith, is one of golden vocal cords, and it’s been providing fans (even the regular Smiths) with complex, sweet, throwback pop for almost half a decade now. And he’s just getting started.

His 2010 release, “The Reluctant Graveyard,” is full of haunting yet soothing tracks like “Organ Donor,” and “Toussaint Gray,” but my favorite of the batch is “Violet!” which sounds like it should’ve been on the Forrest Gump soundtrack. It would be right at home in the late 1960s, but it’s also right at home here in the 21st Century, so I’m not sure how to classify it. If you like the Shins, you’d like Messersmith. Same kind of vibe.

It also just occurred to me that some of our readers are undeniably cursed with the last name of “Smith,” and that some of the things I said in the intro may have been offensive. I’m sorry your last name is more ubiquitous than Betty White. Maybe if you added a little Messer to your Smith you’d feel better. It worked for our boy Jeremy, didn’t it? And now he’s making great music and getting featured on FreshScouts.

Maybe it could work for you too. Just maybe…

Check out “Violet!” here:

And make sure you grab “The Reluctant Graveyard,” too!

Oh girl.  Preach on Leela James.  Preach on.  Now, this is some soulful R&B right here.  Soulful R&B not your thing?  I don’t want to say you don’t have a soul…but dude, you ain’t got no soul.  One listen to Ms. James will unlock the groove that you were born with.  Invite your groove to come on out and let it stroll around for a hot minute.

Leela James’ deep, gritty tone sounds a lot like Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.  This young woman’s voice reflects a style that is twice her age.  But, her music doesn’t sound old.  James’ music is relevant, refreshing and meaningful.  The tracks on the recently released album, My Soul, are packed full of soul.  You might be surprised at the hard driving beats that accompany her stellar vocals.  Each track takes you to magical locations and then kindly introduces you to the next trip.  I loved James’ 2005 release, A Change is Gonna Come, but I am IN love with My Soul. Don’t get caught sleeping on the music of Leela James.  Step on up a get ready to be a part of something special through her amazing music.

KC’s Personal Picks: “Tell Me You Love Me”, “So Cold”, and “Mr. Incredible – Ms. Unforgettable”

Watch the video for “Tell Me You Love Me”

Buy the album

Amazon Music