If the name Tay Zonday doesn’t sound familiar to you, you may know the song that sprung him to Internet Fame, Chocolate Rain.  He released a video for his new song, “Explode”.  Ignoring any of comedic spoofs on Tay, he’s a very talented musician.  His music lies between Ronald Jenkees and MC Frontalot.  His music is soulful, fun, upbeat while at the same time calls out to the techies, geek’s and nerds out there.  It’s not Nerdcore, more like Nerdsoul.  You can check out his other songs on tayzonday.com including my favorite “Do The Can’t Dance.”

I recently mentioned that the business model for music is changing, Nine Inch Nails are one of the leaders in this change.  Today they have released their new album The Slip for free!  MP3’s, high-quality lossy formats, even high-quality wav’s, all free.  Trent has worked with this business model before doing it with The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!, a collaboration of himself and Saul Williams.  As this has just come out (I’m listening to the new album while writing this post), so far (I’m about 4 tracks in) it sounds like the NIN that we’ve all come to enjoy! 

A combination of electronic beats, soulful vocals, mentally stimulating rap all candy coated with an Asian flavor is the best way to explain the music of The Shanghai Restoration Project.  The Shanghai Restoration Project defines themselves as "an experiment in cross-cultural soundscapes," a true definition of ethnic fusion drawing their inspiration from the 1930 Shanghai jazz bands whom began combining Eastern and Western music together.  The collaboration of East meets West is extremely well done, as their music is upbeat, motivational but so very silky smooth to the touch and is music I highly recommend. Check out some of their tracks from their recent release "Story of a City":

The Shanghai Restoration Project
"Last Night of the Dynasty" (mp3)
from "Story of a City"
(Undercover Culture Music)

Buy at Amazon.com

The Shanghai Restoration Project feat. Natural Fact of Unconscious Logic
"Touchdown" (mp3)
from "Story of a City"
(Undercover Culture Music)

Buy at Amazon.com

The Shanghai Restoration Project feat. Heath Brandon
"Movement" (mp3)
from "Story of a City"
(Undercover Culture Music)

Buy at Amazon.com

The Shanghai Restoration Project feat. Di Johnston
"Preface" (mp3)
from "Story of a City"
(Undercover Culture Music)

Buy at Amazon.com

I love compilations, especially as a DJ.  They are a great beginning to get a feel for a genre of music, time period, and it’s an easy way to get a bunch of hits without having to purchase multiple CD’s.  For some time I’ve been sitting on the compilation album Essential 70’s, a 3 CD compilation that includes many hits from that time period.  While I wasn’t even thought of during the creation of most of this music (I was born in ‘81), I have always had a fondness for 70’s music and artists; I grew up with an extensive music regimen which included Pink Floyd, Bob Dlyan, and Santana.  Regardless of the age, era, or time, some songs never get old.

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If you were only to listen to the introduction video on their website, it becomes quite clear that this band has a very different approach to their music and philosophy about music. We The Living is an independent, progressive, group that creates a very open and intimate discourse with their fan base and new listeners, all of which is reflected in their music. The mix of guitar, piano and melodic ballads while discussing life related topics really creates a very calming, comfortable and intimate listen.

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