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Cee-Lo is a figure of grace, a pillar or strength, a reviver of faith. When I listen to him sing, I remember that after pain there comes pleasure. After death, new life. That there are countless unwritten chapters to look forward to.

Cee-Lo humbles me. His words guide me. Lately I’ve had his “best of” album in heavy rotation, especially on good days. Listening to it recharges me emotionally, and reminds me that there are so many things much bigger than I.

I’m standing on the other side of a great deal of pain, looking back on it with new eyes. If only we had the perspective of hindsight in the midst of coming unhinged. I was too sensitive and self absorbed by what I was going through to see straight. Too self righteous to be patient. With my new eyes, I can embrace this and forgive myself.

Many of you may be familiar with Cee-Lo’s project Gnarles Barkley (w/ Dangermouse.) I’m drawn to the complexity of his rythym and the soulfulness of his voice. By a simple change of tone, he can make you feel his heartbreak, or just as easily his brightest moments with the same intensity that he does. He sings like that of an angel.

The Art Of Noise - ft. Pharell
Gettin’ Grown
Living Again

And for something a little more edgy:
Closet Freak
I’ll Be Around - ft. Timbaland

Discovering Booka Shade last year made me realize that innovation in techno was still possible.  Infact, I loved their album “Movements” so much that it made my top ten albums of 2006 list.

I think the Germans have techno pegged.  Booka Shade is a duo out of Frankfurt.  Partners in crime Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier founded Get Physical Records in 2002, and made their first big mark on the scene with their 2005 single, Body Language.

Booka Shade has recently released two singles.  Their sound seems to be going in a minimal direction, but still not lacking in the beauty that makes them stand apart from all other techno artists. 

From the new singles:
Karma Car
Numbers (Extended Vocal Mix)

My favorites from Movements:
Wasting Time - my number one favorite
Body Language
Night Falls

Hi kids,

My site was being raped for mp3s from external sources, so I renamed the music directories for posts prior to September.  If you’re actually reading this and are interested in hearing the music, you are still welcome to the tracks.  For any broken link, place an underscore before the month/year folder name. (example: http://www.rapology.org/music/_0607)

Mophono was the first Pandora recommendation to really catch me. This duo sprang from San Francisco with their debut release “I Cry” in 2004. They have yet to produce another album, but I’m hoping it’s shortly in the wings.

I Cry traverses many different musical styles. The tracks range from hip hop to downtempo to IDM. In them, I hear influences of DJ Shadow, Aphex Twin, Booka Shade, Four Tet and maybe even a little Wax Tailor.

Idiom Creek Remix
Lily
I Cry
Shredding

I’ve posted the album in its entirety for those of you who are interested. It won’t take much digging for you to find it.

This last track falls outside of everything else I’ve heard from them. You can find it on the Golden Gate Breaks compilation. Here’s to feeling free, and many joyous days to come.

Sun Power

Hi kids!  I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted, so I hope you’re all still with me.  It’s been a tumultuos month, but I think I’m coming out the other side now.  Atop all of the madness, a good friend of mine passed about three weeks ago.  This one’s for you, Frank Crist.

I’ve been using Pandora for music discovery as of late. I entered in all of my favorite hip hop artists and I’m amazed at the bulk of music that is similar to my tastes that I’ve never heard before. I don’t think I’ll ever hit the ceiling.

I have a backlog of music that I want to write about and thought it might be fun to give you a grab bag of tunes that have been rockin’ my world to tide you over. 

I Know I’m Bad - Arrested Development
North By Northwest (Jake One Remix) - Blue Scholars
Live Human Break 7 (DJ Centipede Remix) - Mophono
That Night - Atmosphere
Testify (Live) - Common