There's a collection of remixes out from the golden couple of West African pop - Amadou and Miriam. Nice time to reflect on (arguably) Africa's greatest musical export (though the good desert people of Tinariwen might have beef with this) and the great triumph of global pop that was their past two albums, particularly, Welcome to Mali.
The A-list of remixers are here and while the reviews out don't portray the album as essential, it's a nice primer to a forthcoming late 2011 release (See Pitchfork review: here ). Most exciting part for me: Listening to what Mike Snow and Vitalic get up to on my fave Amadou and Miriam song - Sabali.I've attached Snow's version along with the original.
She has been described as a "fashion maniac" and confesses to owning over 4000 pairs of shoes. She is the current editor at large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan and worked for 18 years prior to that at Conde Nast Italia. But to be honest I don't really care who Anna Dello Russo is her style is courageous, quirky, audacious and downright rad.
Although these examples are great...they dont even scratch the surface of her coolness... just google her.
Panda Bear is Noah Lennox. His other musical project is Animal Collective. If you're into the indie electro scene, you will know both these names as, in the past decade, virtually anything released by either Panda Bear or Animal Collective is inevitably considered one of the best albums of the year.
Despite this, I previously hadn't really made an effort to listen to much of their stuff but given Animal Collective will be at Primavera this year I'm in the process of listening through... This isn't about that though...look at how cool the Panda Bear album art is!
OK, Marlon is completely bejizzed over Lego. I don't completely understand it but to each, his own. He went all the way to Copenhagen last year and didn't go to Lego land (the mark of a fickle fan if you ask me), but seemingly has regretted it ever since.
He has even decided that my 7 year old brother is to be his Lego engineering protegee. I thought I'd make him smile by posting this. If he could live like this, he probably would.
in the Lego kitchen
with the Lego kitchen counter
I'll have Sushi
you can have a Big Mac
with the Lego car parked safely in the garage
We'll watch Pulp Fiction
Or American Beauty
Before brushing our teeth
and going to Lego-bed
Look like fun?
Also, see I Lego NY for some pretty smart depictions of NYC by a guy called Christoph Niemann
Poor Marlon got stuck with the only girl who doesn't like to be sent a bunch of flowers which makes for interesting "I'm sorry"gifts.
In order to still surround myself with flora I've tried to tend to a few pot plants (side note: I have VERY poor plant tending skills) but for these babies I would try harder:
Is this not the best thing ever?
ps. does anyone else share my weirdness about cut flowers? It's just gotta be bad joo-joo to have that in your house.
I am by no stretch of the word as good at writing about music as Marlon is so I wont even try. But here are my top 10, a youtube link (where possible) and a BRIEF description.
note: apologies for the fact that most of these clips are crappy. it's fine though, you're meant to listen. not watch.
1) Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
I did a post on a cover of this song a few days ago so you can listen there... and read my sentiments.
2) Incubus - Echo
I've loved this song since I was 15. Think I always will.
3) Elton John - Your Song
Don't laugh.
4) Regina Spektor - Sampson
Just beautiful.
5) Queen - Somebody to love
I am totally bejizzed over Queen. Actually, just Freddy.
6) Kings of Leon - King of the Rodeo
For reasons we wont go into right now, Marlon despises the Kings of Leon. I, on the other hand quite like them. Especially this song. It takes me straight back to when Marlon and I first met. "take off your overcoat, you're staying for the weekend"
7) The Clash - London Calling
Love the "Fuck you" spirit
8) The Smiths - There is a light that never goes out
Morrissey. What else can I say?
9) Kanye West - Blame Game (feat. John Legend)
(sorry, no clip)
10) Santogold - Creator
For some reason it makes me feel quite hard core. I quite like that.
the cool people at Downtown From Behind have this awesome tumblr where they take pictures of people, who are cycling downtown, from behind. simple really. The pics are such fun. Makes me want to hop on a bike myself...
