Rare Grove, Mar. 15, 2011

Kanye West --- Through the Wire

Though I am become a member of a dying breed, I am still a Kanye West fan.  I understand he makes it hard for a lot of people to like him.  Plus his sound constantly evolves.  But much of my fandom (is that even a word?  somehow, I think the folks at Webster's will say no) is based on his first two albums.  College Dropout is one of the greatest albums of all time, in my mind, and this song helps demonstrate why.

Plus, there's a personal story that kind of ties in to the theme of the song.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Mar. 05, 2011

Kings of Leon --- The Immortals

This song is such a great mood generator.  Makes me ready for combat (which usually takes place with pen and paper, or keyboard, involved).  They make those epic sounding songs in the same vein as bands such as Coldplay, U2, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  How can you not be a Kings of Leon fan?

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Mar. 04, 2011

Iyeoka --- Simply Falling

Absolutely adore her voice.  She is such a multi-talented artist!  Always brings a smile to my face.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Mar. 03, 2011

White Stripes --- Seven Nation Army

This song has one of the most awesome guitar riffs in all of rock music.  Matched with the primal drumbeats and clever lyrics makes for some instant, iconic appeal.  Plus Jack's voice always brings a song home.

Love me some White Stripes, which is why their disbanding last month took me by surprise. Sucks that good music always tends to get interrupted.

(*An I feel stupid moment* :  Up until today, I never realized that they ARE NOT brother and sister...gasp!!!...lol...the things we find out.  I agree with Jack White, that when you think of the band as brother and sister, you focus more on the music.  Knowing that they used to be married at one point kind of makes you wonder if that's the only reason they started playing together.  Interesting.)

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 27, 2011

Miles Davis --- So What

From maybe the most influential jazz album in history, Kind of Blue, comes one of my favorite Sunday afternoon relaxation songs.  It truly takes the mind to a place built on feel-good ease.  And in most of our lives, I'm sure a little ease is greatly appreciated.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 25, 2011

Radiohead --- Climbing Up the Walls (Zero 7 Mix)

Ever since "Karma Police", I've been a big Radiohead fan, and I love a great mix. This song has such a "laid back, I'm floating on some clouds" sound.  It is awesome to listen to while relaxing, thinking, or when you need a bit of a different vibe.  All in all, a great mix.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 24, 2011

Kanye West ft Kid Cudi & Raekwon --- Gorgeous

Hip-hop will always have my heart, much akin to those characters in the movie Brown Sugar.  And you can say what you will about Kanye, but he still manages to have his 'hip-hop at its finest' moments.  Ego and crazy antics aside, when he spits a message, it is usually worth the attention.

"...end of century anthems, based of inner city tantrums, based off the way we was branded...face it, Jerome get more time than Brandon, and at the airport they check all through my bag, and tell me that it's random..."

Word!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 23, 2011

It seems that I have neglected the music lately.  Which means I had to come with some rare awesomeness.  And while the artist is not new, I'm sure you'll enjoy.




Adele --- Set Fire to the Rain

Her voice just moves me.  Plus somewhere deep within me, I can remember the feelings this song evokes.  I remember that fire, even if I keep washing it away.  A beautiful song by a very talented singer.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 20, 2011

Muse --- Time is Running Out

Recently winning the Grammy for Best Rock Album increased this amazing bands stock in the music world, but I've been a fan for a while.  Their performances always include excellent use of instruments, adrenaline charged sounds, and vocals that you can't help but enjoy.  At least that's how I feel.

This song has a groovy intro, then hits you hard, just like I like!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 19, 2011

Nneka ft. Jay Electronica --- Walking (J. Period remix)

Nneka + Jay Elec = Insanely good music.  That verse further convinces me he is one of hip-hop's untouchable right now!!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 18, 2011

Been working on some interesting and thought provoking writing for the last few hours (probably should be sleeping, but oh well....room for that later, right?). But I did pause for some music.



Kings of Leon --- Mi Amigo

I think I've probably used this song for far too many things....lol.  And yet, Caleb Followill's voice is so uniquely groove-inspiring that I can't help but throw most of their songs on repeat.

"I got a friend...shows me all the good times, tells me I look better....chews me up, and spits me out....and then walks my ass home....sings a song.....when I'm gone...gone...goooo ooo oone.."

To all you who can relate:  tequila chugging, falling down to your knees but getting back up to take another swig, still dancing to the rhythm of the song that played half an hour ago, nearly getting into a fight because you bumped a guy trying not to spill your latest shot, head laying against the cool spot of the porcelain toilet praying, waking up with a splitting headache, but still feeling like there's no better feeling in the world.

This friend's on me.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 17, 2011

G. Yamazawa --- When the Beat Drops

Amazing poet, equally talented emcee. I love me some G!!!

(check out the spotlight I did on George Yamazawa here.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 16, 2011

PJ Harvey --- In the Dark Places

I am such a fan of singer-songwriters, because usually they create the songs that stick in my mind.  Their ability to pen such magnificent songs, coupled with great performance of that song, sets them apart from the rest of their field.  PJ Harvey is one such artist.  Her intense voice and impressive command of various instruments including guitar, piano, and saxophone make her an entertaining act to enjoy.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 15, 2011

Let me begin by saying that this erratic posting is very disconcerting to me, so I would hope that it's irritating you all as well. I will do better. I must. Now, on to the music...



Slum Village ft. J. Dilla --- Earl Flinn

Just a little for the hip-hop heads. Slum Village is that fire, son!!! Sorry my mind went Brooklyn for a minute. (Something about J. Dilla screams BK, even though he is Detroit's finest...or maybe it's just me?) But this beat is so out of this world, thanks to Madlib, who Dilla fans already know about.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 13, 2011

Andres Diaz playing the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major

Classical music has a unique way of speaking to me like no other music.  There is this sense that the instruments are speaking.  I listen.  I attempt to decipher their words.  It is gripping.  It is intense.  And always, it is beautiful.

I feel something building in this one.  Like the strings are speaking on something yet to come.  There is an anxiousness.  Fast then slow, fast then slow.  Closing my eyes, I think of colors.  Bright, agitated colors, blinking across the darkness in my mind, similar to the scene from The Soloist when Jamie Foxx's character listens to the orchestra rehearse.  The end of this sounds like a layered promise.  Not only will something be there, but it will continue to be there.  At least until it's over.  And oddly, this makes me smile.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 10, 2011

Cage the Elephant --- Shake Me Down

Starts slow, but then delivers quite the punch. But what else can you expect from such a consistently awesome group?

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 09, 2011

Nneka --- Love

Apparently, I am just in a Nneka mood...lol. But she really is an amazing artist!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 08, 2011

Nneka --- Heartbeat

Really, really love this song. The Afro-German songstress just reaches inside me with her voice. You can feel her passion in every lyric, which is rare in today's commercially driven collection of singers just singing for a buck.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 07, 2011

edison - artemis vs. the city from edison on Vimeo.

Edison --- artemis vs. the city

This is groove music, for real!! Just sit back relax and get lost in it.  (And the light show is pretty cool, at least to all of us geeks...lol)

Special birthday shout out: Theresse Bynum....happy 25th (lol...joking :p)

This groove's for you!! Enjoy!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Rare Groove, Feb. 06, 2011

Counting Crows --- Accidentally in Love

Just listen to the lyrics. Plus the fact that this comes from Shrek is really cool too.

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet