Cody ChesnuTT - The Headphone Masterpiece (2002)

Cody ChesnuTT (who emphasizes on having the 2 T's at the end of his name capitalized) is definitely one of the best new (general) acoustic acts out there. I originally heard and fell in love with him and his voice when I heard his song with The Roots, "The Seed (2.0)" from their album Phrenology. "The Seed (2.0)" is a remake of the original Cody ChesnuTT song "The Seed" (on this album), with him singing on it, with the 2.0 to distinguish it from the original version. His debut double LP (and only full-length) album, The Headphone Masterpiece, introduces Cody's very earthy and smooth sounding sound, blending elements of 60's/70's rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and blues. If you're in the mood for some new, inspiring, earthy music, you will love his album. I also put "The Seed (2.0)" down there for download, if you want it. Just chill out and listen to some Cody ChesnuTT!

Genres: Neo-soul, rock, funk, soul, hip-hop, blues

Disc One:

1. "Magic in a Mortal Minute" - 0:38
2. "With Me in Mind" (feat. Sonja Marie) - 3:51
3. "Upstarts in a Blowout" - 3:04
4. "Boylife in America" - 2:21
5. "Bitch, I'm Broke" - 1:59
6. "Serve This Royalty" - 5:42
7. "The Seed" - 3:24
8. "Enough of Nothing" - 0:58
9. "Setting the System" - 0:46
10. "The Most Beautiful Shame" - 0:49
11. "Smoke and Love" - 3:38
12. "Michelle" - 3:08
13. "No One Will" - 2:59
14. "Batman vs. Blackman" - 1:02
15. "Up in the Treehouse" - 2:08
16. "Can't Get No Betta" - 3:32
17. "She's Still Here" - 2:15
18. "Can We Teach Each Other" - 4:02
19. "The World Is Coming to My Party" - 4:26
20. "Brother with an Ego" - 0:13
21. "War Between the Sexes" - 1:36
22. "The Make Up" - 2:31
23. "Out of Nowhere" - 1:45

Disc Two:

1. "Family on Blast" - 3:55
2. "My Women, My Guitars" - 3:15
3. "Somebody's Parent" - 1:46
4. "When I Find Time" - 4:03
5. "Eric Burdon" - 2:41
6. "Juicin' the Dark" - 4:56
7. "5 on a Joyride" - 3:32
8. "Daylight" - 0:49
9. "So Much Beauty in the Subconscious" - 2:03
10. "Daddy's Baby" - 2:37
11. "If We Don't Disagree" - 3:23
12. "Look Good in Leather" - 3:55
13. "6 Seconds" - 4:28

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The Seed (2.0)

The Sound of Animals Fighting - Tiger and the Duke (Reissue 2007)

I know I've been posting a lot of jazz-focused albums lately, but trust me that is definitely not nearly the only music I listen to. There was just so much I wanted to get up on here, and I will be getting some more up eventually, but I wanted to start putting some other stuff up here too. Anyway, The Sound of Animals fighting are an experimental/progressive rock band incorporating many members from bands such as Rx Bandits, Finch, and Circa Survive. Originally made in 2005, Tiger and the Duke is the band's first album, and although with only 4 real, full-length tracks (the rest being interludes), these 4 tracks alone make the album so worth it. With epic, tight math-rock and post-hardcore tendencies, Anthony Green's raw, yet awesome screaming vocals (along with numerous other great vocalists), and electronic breaks and interludes, the EP-ish album takes you through an adventure that makes you totally forget that it's only 4 real tracks. This 2007 reissue of the album introduced cleaner re-recorded versions of the songs, alongside 8 remixes of songs from their sophomore, 2006 album, Lover, the Lord Has Left Us... This album really is just quite a treasure and a very fun listen. Highly recommended. 

Genres: Experimental rock, progressive rock, post-hardcore, math rock, indie

1. "Overture" - 3:27
2. "Act I: Chasing Suns" - 5:11
3. "Interlude" - 2:23
4. "Act II: All Is Ash Or The Light Shining Through It" - 4:21
5. "Interlude" - 3:12
6. "Act III: Modulate Back To The Tonic" - 4:50
7. "Interlude" - 2:27
8. "Act IV: You Don't Need a Witness" - 4:46
9. "Postlude" - 0:04
10. "Postlude" - 0:04
11. "Postlude" - 0:04
12. "Postlude" - 0:04
13. "Un'aria Elettronica (Technology)" - 8:26
14. "My Horse Must Lose (Portugal The Man)" - 4:42
15. "De-Ceit (Portugal The Man)" - 3:12
16. "This Heat In Dub (Technology)" - 5:01
17. "Skullflower: Sorcerer's Mix (Portugal The Man)" - 5:00
18. "Horses In The Sky (Live Version)" - 5:47
19. "St.Broadrick, His Mistress, And The Blacksmith (The Optomist)" - 4:00
20. "The Heretic (Evol Intent)" - 4:48

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Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)

I just recently discovered this album and have been listening to it nonstop since. Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are two fast-fingered, Dublin-based Mexicans who create a marvelously unique sound with just two acoustic guitars. Being big fans of metal since childhood, the duo create a sound here that is difficult to describe - a smooth hybrid of sometimes world music, rock, metal, Flamenco, Hispano, and Latin influences, their acoustic yet extremely satisfying sound is just so full of fire and passion. I really just can't get enough of this, I'm sure you listeners will be happy with this too.

Genres: Acoustic, Flamenco, world music

1. "Tamacun" - 3:26
2. "Diablo Rojo" - 4:57
3. "Viking Man" - 4:03
4. "Satori" - 5:04
5. "Ixtapa" - 5:14
6. "Stairway To Heaven" - 4:44
7. "Orion" - 7:44
8. "Juan Loco" - 3:27
9. "PPA" - 414

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The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)

I've really been appreciating this album and band lately, and thought I should post it. Although I don't listen to a huge amount of hip-hop/rap, this band is phenomenal. The Roots are an influential, Grammy winning hip-hop group based out of Philadelphia, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation, including jazz jams and elements. This is what I call good hip-hop. I really don't know what else to say about it, except that this awesome clash of hip-hop and jazz is really quite a fun album and really gets your feet tappin'. Also, it's great city music. Check it out.

Genres: Hip-hop, jazz rap, neo-soul, experimental, alternative, jazz, rap

1. "Intro/There's Something Goin' On" - 1:19
2. "Proceed" - 4:35
3. "Distortion To Static" - 4:18
4. "Mellow My Man" - 4:42
5. "I Remain Calm" - 4:08
6. "Datskat" - 3:40
7. "Lazy Afternoon" - 5:06
8. "? Vs. Rahzel" - 3:18
9. "Do You Want More?!!!??!" - 3:22
10. "What Goes On Pt. 7" - 5:33
11. "Essaywhuman?!!!??!" - 5:00
12. "Swept Away" - 3:50
13. "You Ain't Fly" - 4:43
14. "Silent Treatment" - 6:53
15. "The Lesson Pt. 1" - 5:13
16. "The Unlocking" - 8:12

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Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)

Just bought it. Possibly one of the most phenomenal albums I have ever heard. An incredible 40 minute-long piece composed by Sir Charles Mingus (written as a ballet), performed by an eleven-piece jazz band, this epic suite-like composition is split up into 4 tracks, and I can hardly put this music into words aside from "mind-blowing." Described by All Music Guide as "one of the greatest achievements by any composer in jazz history," this album truly demonstrates the genius of Mingus as a composer, orchestrator, and technician. Just listen and be amazed.

Genres: Jazz, avant-garde jazz, ethnic folk-dance music (as described by Mingus himself), big band jazz

1. "Track A - Solo Dancer" - 6:39

             "Stop! Look! and Listen, Sinner Jim Whitney!"

2. "Track B - Duet Solo Dancers" - 6:45

            "Hearts' Beat and Shades In Physical Embraces"

3. "Track C - Group Dancers" - 7:22

            "(Soul Fusion) Freewoman and Oh, This Freedom's Slave 

               Cries"

4. - 18:39

     "Mode D - Trio and Group Dancers"

                "Stop! Look! and Sing Songs of Revolutions!"

      "Mode E - Single Solos and Group Dance"

             "Saint and Sinner Join in Merriment on Battle Front"

    "Mode F - Group and Solo Dance"

             "Of Love, Pain, and Passioned Revolt, then Farewell, My 

                  Beloved, 'til It's Freedom Day"

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Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight (1957)

This album is seriously one of the jewels of my jazz collection. Davis and Coltrane jamming it out at their best to these jazz classics, backed up by trusty Red Garland on the piano, Paul Chambers on the bass, and Philly Joe Jones hitting the drums. I especially love the track "All of You," Coltrane's entrance in that song is magnificent! Just grab a coffee and sit down and relax. Traditional jazz really doesn't get much better than this!

Genres: Jazz, hard bop

1. "'Round Midnight" - 5:58
2. "Ah-Leu-Cha" - 5:53
3. "All Of You" - 7:04
4. "Bye Bye Blackbird" - 7:57
5. "Tadd's Delight" - 4:29
6. "Dear Old Stockholm" - 7:53
7. "Two Bass Hit" (Bonus Track) - 3:45
8. "Little Melonae" (Bonus Track) - 7:22
9. "Budo" (Bonus Track) - 4:17
10. "Sweet Sue, Just You" (Bonus Track) - 3:40

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