Fresh Scouts » Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: Panjabi MC

kc — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:29:13 +0000

I like my hip-hop blended with a splash of Indian music. Well, bangra music to be exact. Yeah, that’s how I roll. In order to get a good feel for what I am talking about, we will need to drop on back to 2003, and take a listen to Panjabi MC’s Beware. If you claim that you have been exposed to Indian culture because you watched Slumdog Millionaire, well, you need to get out more. Strap yourself in and let’s learn you something new.

Mr. Panjabi MC

Panjabi MC, aka Rajinder Singh Rai, had been crafting beats for a while when he finally got deserved attention in 2002-2003. Are you wondering where his moniker came from? Well, I am glad you asked. His stage name “Panjabi” pays homage to his Punjabi culture. “MC” pays homage to Master of Ceremonies. With me so far? Now that you understand his name, it is important to understand the music. Panjabi MC has made it a goal to create a unique fusion of bhangra and hip-hop. What we get is a beat driven style that never quits. Do you need to understand all of the lyrics to enjoy the music? Not at all. I mean, do you honestly understand the lyrics of most of the current hip-hop coming out of the states? My point exactly.

Beware really gained steam in 2003, because of its phenomenal head-bobbing title track. It also didn’t hurt that Jay-Z tossed his talent into the mix. Add it all up and you got yourself an international smash hit. Since Beware, Panjabi MC has continued to put out new music and find ways to forge great partnerships with other artists. Beware was a big deal for me because it marked a eye-opening moment in my musical appreciation. Panjabi MC reminded me that there is a whole bunch of music floating around the globe that is just waiting to be shared with others. Get your dancing shoes on and expand your horizons with Beware.

KC’s Personal Picks: “Beware”, “Jogi” and “Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee”

Scope out the Jay-Z remix of “Beware”

Buy the Album

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Throwback Thursday: Lucas

Gabe — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:00:47 +0000

So in researching this week’s Throwback, I literally tripped and fell down the rabbit hole. Well, okay, so I’m using the word “literally” wrong here; I didn’t literally trip and fall into any hole, but if you’re familiar with any incarnation of “Alice and Wonderland,” you get the allusion. I was minding my own business, and before I knew it there was a whole unknown world sitting right in front of me.

I should explain. I wanted to feature “Lucas With the Lid Off” this week—a killer jazz-infused hip-hop track from 1994—but doubted that I’d find anything recent about the songwriter, the aptly named “Lucas.” I was wrong.

Turns out that after the video for “Lucas With the Lid Off” was nominated for a Grammy, Lucas Secon stepped out of the limelight and decided to focus on production instead. I took a look at his résumé and felt my jaw drop. Check this out:

Britney Spears
Pixie Lott
Kylie Minogue
Weezer
Sean Paul
Toni Braxton
Gym Class Heroes
Jordin Sparks
The Pussycat Dolls
Sean Kingston
Aaron Carter
Mos Def

That’s only a sample of the people he helped write songs for. And then there’s the story of how he introduced the Notorious B.I.G. to Puff Daddy. I mean, he didn’t exactly discover one of the top three greatest rappers of all time, but he certainly played a huge role in getting him to fame and fortune, right?

See what I mean? Rabbit hole.

To tie it all up in a pretty bow, Secon’s father and Uncle Morris founded Pottery Barn in the 1950s. You can’t make this shit up.

To come full circle, allow me introduce you to “Lucas With the Lid Off,” one of my favorite songs of the ‘90s and a pretty sweet video, to boot. But I gotta wrap this up. I’m late. I’m late for a very important date.

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Throwback Thursday: Fuel

Tank — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:22:00 +0000

So you’ll start to notice (if you haven’t already) that most of my Throwback Thursday artists are from the 90’s. I can’t help it. In fact, I have a whole list of artists just waiting to be remembered from the 90’s that belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At least in my personal Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The “Tank Memorial Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. Not sure why it’s a memorial. I guess it just sounds better.

So who better to go into my personal Memorial Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than Fuel. These guys produced a slew of hits (mostly in 1998) with the release of their first album Sunburn. Most notably, their singles “Shimmer”, “Sunburn” and “Jesus or a Gun”. And how could one forget their first single of the new millennium, “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” which appeared at #30 on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

Since then, the band has gone through multiple personnel changes and has shown little to no activity for an official re-uniting. In fact, the odds of them getting back together are about as good as the odds that led me to lose $300 at the casino last weekend. But if you’re looking for a Fuel-like show with Fuel-like qualities, a reformed band is still touring around playing Fuel-like songs. If you’re a purist, you can still re-live the golden Fuel days via compact disc. Toss on your ripped jeans and flannel shirt for the best overall experience.

Buy Sunburn:

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Throwback Thursday: Jimmie’s Chicken Shack

Gabe — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:00:34 +0000

With a name like Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, you expect music that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and I think that’s part of why JCS always has been one of those bands I just can’t shake off no matter how much time has passed since their last video hit TRL.

That video was “Do Right,” the song that sucked me towards these guys like that little rope spear thing Scorpion throws at people in the Moral Kombat games. The studio version is dandy, but the live acoustic version (which I’m not 100% where you’d find this musical masterpiece) is a million times more entertaining. And that’s saying a lot considering how delicious the studio version is.

The song comes from 1999’s “Bring Your Own Stereo,” which features “Do Right” and loads of other enjoyable diddies. “Trash” and “Spiraling” sound blissfully appropriate for late ‘90s radio play, “Lazy Boy Dash” comes off like something the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies would rock out to, and “String of Pearls” shows they can slow it down a little bit while keeping a catchy melody.

But perhaps the best thing about The Shack, as I’ve affectionately nicknamed them for the purpose of this article, is that they’re really, really fun to see live. These guys make fun of each other (and audience members), they do goofy crap on stage, and thus generally understand that a concert is supposed to be fun and musically entertaining, not just the latter. The lead singer’s name is Jimi Haha, for goodness sake. How can you not love this?

It’s been eleven years since B.Y.O.S. was released, and while it admittedly sounds a little dated, you can’t love turn of the century music and ignore this record. In the true spirit of Throwback Thursday, this album revives the fun and spirit of the times, without all the doom and gloom of the impending Y2K disaster. I say give it a shot, but then I’m the one writing the article.

So… Catch 22.

Check out the old “Do Right” video here:

Pick up “Bring Your Own Stereo” here:

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Throwback Thursday: Vertical Horizon

Tank — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:52:50 +0000

If you’re not familiar with this band, you are most certainly familiar with their songs. Unless you were born in the late 90’s in which case you might not be familiar with their songs. But that’s just weird to think about so I’ll just pretend like you were all born pre-1995. If you were born in the late 90’s and that offends you, I’m sorry. But you missed out on the best decade of this or any generation.

For those of you that DO know what I’m talking about, Vertical Horizon started killing the charts in 1999 with their #1 hit “Everything You Want.” Their second hit ” You’re A God” soon followed with quick climb to #23 on the charts and #1 in my heart. Numerous covers of their songs quickly spread to college bedrooms nationwide and their popularity grew to astronomical proportions. Their 1999 release Everything You Want went double-platinum and made these guys a staple of the close of the 90’s.

Their latest release Burning the Days is currently available to check out along with their other 5 albums dating back to 1992. If you dig the new stuff AND want to take a walk down memory lane with the classics, Vertical Horizon is touring the states this summer and are going to be coming through the Chicagoland area mid-July. And just for old times’ sake, check out the video for “Everything You Want”:

Buy Everything You Want:

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Throwback Thursday: Raphael Saadiq

Gabe — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:00:16 +0000

If you know anything about R&B, you know about Rapahel Saadiq, even if you’ve never heard the guy’s name before. But you should’ve heard his name before, even if you haven’t, and if you don’t know anything about R&B I’m going to introduce you to Raphael Saadiq anyway. Because you should definitely know his name, even if you don’t.

You see what I’m sayin’?

In a historical sense, Saadiq was the lead singer and bass player for the multi-platinum group Tony! Toni! Toné!, who had quite a bit of success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, and then later joined up with former members of En Vogue and A Tribe Called Quest to form a one-time R&B super-group known as Lucy Pearl. They, too, were rife with badassery.

It was his first solo album, however, that I found to be particularly interesting. With complete control over the production of 2002’s “Instant Vintage,” Saadiq did some crazy stuff with basslines, everything from heavy synths to the plug-in bass to the stand-up bass to the freakin’ tuba. The bassline is such an underrated—and often underwhelming—aspect of music that it was extremely refreshing to see someone being so playful with the possibilities low-register instruments can provide.

Plus, “You Should Be Here,” which features D’Angelo, was one of the most ridiculous songs of ’02. Sick beat, smooth vocals, and, of course, a bassline that swims all over the place. Other notable tracks include “Charlie Ray,” “People,” and “Still Ray” (the one with the tuba).

The album earned tons of accolades, including five Grammy nominations and tons of spots on varying “Best Of” lists. It is, in Saadiq’s own words, “gospedelic,” and certainly worthy of a purchase.

His 2008 record, “The Way I See It,” is the business, too. But that’s too modern for throwback status. We’ll save that for another day. In the meantime, be glad you know Raphael Saadiq’s name. You know a little more about R&B and neo-soul, because you should.

And now you do.

Check out the video for “Be Here,” featuring D’Angelo:

Grab the full “Instant Vintage” album over at Amazon:

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Throwback Thursday: The Wallflowers

Tank — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:07:51 +0000

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a HUGE fan of the 90’s. Something about it makes me remember the good old days when I could share my teenage angst with Nirvana or ponder life questions like “How’s it gonna be?” with Third Eye Blind. But perhaps one of the staples of my 90’s collection was a band started by the son of one of the greatest musicians of this or any generation: Bob Dylan. I am, of course, talking about Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers.

But why were The Wallflowers so great? I’m glad I asked. The Wallflowers have a warm, soulful sound that lends the vocal qualities of Jakob Dylan (which are not completely unlike his father’s vocal qualities.) Perhaps their most popular album (and my personal favorite) is Bringing Down the Horse which brought us “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache”. Both songs appeared on the charts in the golden year of 1996, with two more singles released from the same album the following year.

Jakob Dylan has since moved on to solo projects since their final album in 2005, but with the release of a greatest hits album due to release this month, the band is up to re-unite for a nationwide tour this year. Should this happen, I can assure you that I’ll be there singing all of the words I can remember (it was the 90’s after all.) Make sure you stay up-to-date with their website for the latest tour updates. In the meantime, enjoy this throwback video for “6th Avenue Heartache”. You’re welcome.

Buy the album:

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Throwback Thursday: AM Radio

Gabe — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:00:53 +0000

I’ve got this mix I put together about five years ago which I creatively titled “Life Altering Songs,” comprised of completely random songs that just so happened to be on heavy rotation in my CD player (remember those?) when I was going through some sort of relevant rite of passage in my life.

For example, “On Bended Knee” by Boyz II Men is on the list because that’s the song I danced to with my first big crush at a junior high dance. “Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd burned all summer long in the months immediately following my high school graduation. And “I Just Wanna Be Loved” by AM Radio hit me as I began my student teaching experience and fell out of love with a college girlfriend.

There’s a lot of emotional reminiscence wrapped up in that song, folks, but it wouldn’t mean half as much if the song itself wasn’t absolutely perfect musically. It simultaneously reminds me of something from the 1960s and the 1990s, despite the fact that AM Radio’s album “Radioactive” was recorded in 2003. It rocks, but it’s under control. The hook hits with a melody that turned into earworms more times than I can count. It’s one of the few times in my life that I’ve been able to put a song on repeat and just let it run.

I seriously love the song.

The rest of the album is solid, too. It’s early millennium pop-rock, like something in between Hoobastank and the Juliana Theory, and every song on the record has legitimate toe-tapping potential. Highlighted by “Hush,” “This is the End of the World,” and “Becoming You,” the album is definitely worthy of some extended play on an iPod. Or CD player, if you do, in fact, remember those.

Trimmed down to two members and experimenting with a new musical style with 2009’s “Bigger Better Bolder Brighter,” but it’s “Radioactive” that holds such a special place in my heart and my memories. Maybe if my dog dies or something while I’m listening to the new record I’ll find a way to get it into regular rotation, but for now “I Just Wanna Be Loved” will remain my favorite AM Radio song.

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Throwback Thursday: Spin Doctors

kc — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:34:33 +0000

All “jam bands” that have been ripping it up on the top 40 charts and at house parties owe their success to the Spin Doctors. The doctors of spin dominated the early 90’s with a blend of commercially accepted rock, funk and straight up jamming. Pocket Full of Kryptonite became their career defining album when it hit the airwaves in 1991, and it forever left its mark on pop culture.

I recently rediscovered Pocket Full of Kryptonite as I was cleaning up and purging my expansive music collection. The Spin Doctors’ disc was actually wedged under Kris Kross’ Totally Krossed Out (don’t judge me). After I swung my pants back around facing forward I dove in and was reminded why I enjoyed the Spin Doctors so much. Lead singer Chris Barron’s playful voice highlights an album that is all about having fun and enjoying life through music. Listening to tracks like “Two Princes” acts like a time machine and takes me back to the early 90’s. Not the angst of grunge that was soon to follow, but the summer fun and frivolity of the time.

Over the years the Spin Doctors have released a hand full of records, but none of them were ever able to match the commercial success of Pocket Full Of Kryptonite. The guys have reunited from time to time to dust off the classics, but many of them have taken up other projects to express their musical talents. Speaking of other projects…were you aware that when the Spin Doctors first started in the 1980’s they were called the Trucking Company? Yeah, and one of the original members was a dude named John Popper. Pretty cool, huh? That would explain why the Spin Doctors have spent a lot of stage time with Blues Traveler over the years. Thanks to Wikipedia we all are a little smarter today. Welcome the Spin Doctors back in to your life. They will make you happy.

KC’s Personal Picks: “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues”, “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”, “Two Princes” and “Shinbone Alley/Hard to Exist” which features Popper.

Check out the colorful video for “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”

Buy the album

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Throwback Thursday: Buena Vista Social Club

Tank — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:05:11 +0000

You know those things you remember from your childhood that pretty much sum up all of your growing up in its entirety? Could be a Red Flyer wagon or a Louisville Slugger or the smell of a homemade apple pie. For me, it’s Buena Vista Social Club. I grew up with this album. I also grew up with Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel and James Taylor, but this album sticks out for the unique accent it put on my father’s musical selection. Not to say that the other artists lack a unique style, but when you are child still expanding your musical selections, something like Buena Vista Social Club really sticks out.

The recording (it’s not so much a band as a recording) was named after a prominent members club in Havana, Cuba (pronounced Coo-ba to the layman.) The original recording actually included musicians that played at the club during its prime in the 1940’s. The whole album has this vintage, better times sound that, in my opinion, is one of the best feelings an album has offered to me in a while. It is almost the equivalent to sitting back and listening to a Frank Sinatra album with a great bottle of scotch and a cigar. Except with a hint of fiesta.

The opening track “Chan Chan” is one of their most popular and one of my personal favorites. Listen to this album in the summertime with a glass of lemonade and a straw hat (I’m not sure what the straw hat is for, but it seems like it fits.) Even though I have no idea what they are saying, although I should I took 7 years of Spanish, the music speaks to me, and I’m certain it will speak to you too.

Check out this classic video for “Chan Chan”:

Buy the album:

Amazon Music

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