The Weeknd - Thursday

What! The Weeknd's new record's been out a week already and nobody told me? That's not a good sign. But before I judge, I'm going to give it a good, open-minded listen. Of course, House of Balloons was one of my favorite releases of 2011 and will be hard to top, but I have faith in them. In case you're not in the know, these "mixtapes" are absolutely free- you can't buy them even if you wanted to. Pick it up.

Israel Song Festival 1974

Israeli pop in the Dominican Republic?!

Definitely a dusty and random dig. I had to remove a layer of crud off the surface, I'm sure it hasn't been played since it washed up on the Caribbean shores. I was told there were no longer LPs in the Dominican Republic, but after a long hot wild goose chase around the capital I struck gold:

Whenever I find a "Song Festival" record, I usually pick it up, especially the Italian ones (San Remo); there's usually good stuff on them. This Israeli one is a first for me, and it was a pleasant surprise. The music strays from epic pop reminiscent of golden era Hollwood film scores- grand string and horn arrangements, to downright dark and funky. An interesting listen.

SIDE 1
1. Ilanit - Im Yipol Hakochav Sheli
2. Igal Bashan - Yih'Yeh Pa'Am Tov
3. Ilana Rovina - Na'ari
4. Ha'achim Veha'achayot - Ahava Rishona
5. Nethanela - Shir Hayonah
6. Boaz Sharabi - Lif'amim Ani Margish She'ani Tzarich Knafayim

SIDE 2
1. Shlomo Artzi and Mrs Apple Group - Haballada Al Baruch Jamili
2. Michal Tal - Lo Avater
3. Mathi Caspi and Shokolad Menta Mastik - Noah
4. Dorith Reuveni - Leilo Shel Eliahu Hanavi
5. Shlishiat Haneshamot Hatehorot - Shna'im
6. Silvan and Yair - Shir Le'aba Ve'ima

Orchestra conducted by Itzhak Graziani
ripped at 320

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All original jazz fusion jams from the incredible Adam Walter:
 Jigsaw Jazz by Walternative Music
 4thcomin by Walternative Music

Afrique - Soul Makossa [1972 - Cameroon]

A fun afro-funky treasure you're sure to dig. I'm especially feeling the title track, a cover of Manu Dibango massive 1972 hit which, apparently is not only the first official disco song, but the only African record to reach Billboard's top 40. Not only that, it was recorded as a b-side to a song about Cameroon's football team! Dibango's "Soul Makossa" is also hailed as a b-boy anthem, but I think this record's version has a funkier and better break. Additional covers such as Bill Wither's "Kissing My Love" make this a favorite among DJs and beat-makers such as myself (;
get it
hear the original hit:

BTW, I can't take credit for this rip- thanks Magic Notes.

Barnstorm Breaks Vol. 5

1. David Axelrod - The Warning Talk (Part III)
2. Dawn - Easy Evil
3. Gabor Szabo - Witchcraft
4. Gal Costa - Com medo, com pedro
5. Georges Delerue - Expoir
6. Get Up and Boogie - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
7. Iron Butterfly - Get Out Of My Life, Woman
8. Les DeMerle - Moondial
9. Nico Fidenco - Black Emanuelle
10. Paul Revere - Ride On My Shoulder
11. Sidan - Ar Goll
12. The Emotions - I Like It
13. Three Dog Night - Good Time Living

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