Every step the blip-bloppers Hot Chip used to make, this blog felt necessary to document. It was warranted: That quintet has made me bounce and also try my attempt at soulful singing a lot. Now that it’s summer and this season is about none other than mindless fun, I’ve taken a liking to The 2 Bears, a duo consisting of Joe Gooddard, who is 1/5 of Hot Chip. House-inspired beats, soaring vocals, and a continuation of the endless bounce everyone associated with Hot Chip is capable of. Their E.P., Bear Hug, consists of four club ready tracks….

All anyone asks with a cover song is you take the original formula and do everything you can to reinvent it. Andre 3000, the quirky dapper half of Outkast, decided to attack The Beatle’s “All Together Now“, which graced your folks’ speakers back in ’69 courtesy of the Yellow Submarine soundtrack. The original is as hot as a Beatles track can sound; Andre’s cover simply funkdafies it, as only a man of his talent can. This might settle the argument of who is the stronger Outkast….

Andre 3000 :: All Together Now (Beatles cover)

Even though the Belgian electro-rock, KRACK addicted outfit Soulwax hasn’t released a record in a minute, they’re still running rampant on the decks. Over on Triple-J, the hip Australian radio channel, The Dewaele brothers are sharing new songs, themed mixes, and inviting various guests of the Triple-J festival to grace the M-I-C. After their essential mix, I’m always curious on what may spring up when they’re the conductors of my speakers….

Triple-J Radio Soulwax

Still, a remix I can’t get enough of…

MGMT :: Kids (Soulwax remix)

Six albums, an EP, and an awesome mixtape is a respectable output for a duo 16 plus years in the making. On top of that productivity, a greatest hits record — one dubbed as part of an Icon series — spanning the first half of Local H‘s career. Local H was comprised of Scott and Joe in the 90s, with Scott taking vocal and guitar duties, while Joe kept time on the drums. After three albums, Joe decided to pursue other endeavors. Scott, a man who is more comfortable on stage than you are in your chair right now, wouldn’t let this unique act come to its demise. The 21st (’99-now) century Local H is made up of ex-Triple Fast Action drummer Brian St. Clair and still the driving force behind the act, Scott Lucas.

After the break-up of Scott and Joe, rumors ran rampant, and oddly enough, Joe Daniels never made any public statements/comments, that I was ever aware of. For the first time, in over 12 year’s time, the original drummer for Local H spoke his mind about Scott, this greatest first half of their career hits record, and his passion for retributions.

“He wasn’t involved because I don’t really talk to Joe,” Lucas said. “Whenever I talk to Joe it’s about how he wants to sue me – he acts like I ruined his life or something.”

Local H Looks Back at the Good…And the Bad

Off of Ham Fisted, the ’95 record constructed by the original lineup…

Local H :: Skid Marks

Taken from Here Comes the Zoo, the record where new, and current time-keeper Brian St. Clair, debuted on…

Local H :: What Would You Have Me Do?

The neo-soul, funkster Raphael Saadiq — no stranger ’round here — has concocted 10 more soon to be timeless numbers with his latest LP, Stone Rollin’. More 70s inspired soul on the blues tip; hard hitting rhythms; spot-on harmonies, and hooks that seep in. Consistency is this man’s forte. And by that, I mean continuing to construct songs that exude a carefree, feel good vibe….

Raphael Saadiq :: Radio

This man understands what it means to perform for an audience. And when he does, his band rolls rather deep…

Raphael Saadiq :: Movin’ Down the Line (Live)

UPDATE: The always excellent Rock Island, IL Daytrotter kicks out a few live jam sessions with Mr. Saadiq here. (Highly recommended)

And the title track:

Bag Raiders, an electro/funk duo outta Sydney, has been lighting up my dance floor –kitchen — as of late. The formula that I struggle to resist: lazer-like synths; funky drum patterns; sweeping, airy vocals; and a vibe that alludes rays of light, or at least an ability to make you move. Your choice….

And this alludes….

1995. A year a board has been dissecting — the year holds a special place in my rotation.  Figdish, a Chicago-based power pop quartet, one who ultimately helped spawn The Prairie Cartel, only further accentuate why 90s Chicago is a sound I never grow tired of. In true power pop fashion, Quiet Storm King clocks in at under three minutes; past Veruca Salt contributor, Nina Gordon, lends her vocals to bring this upbeat staple to the forefront of my rotation. 16 years later.

Fig Dish :: Quiet Storm King

“If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.”

You know Norway comes correct — the dance happy Datarock is capable of corroborating this accusation. This Talking Heads, Devo loving duo drops further proof….

Datarock :: Catcher in the Rye

Where MiS has been is irrelevant; not where this blog is headed is too important either, but know that music has still been at the forefront around these parts. I no longer believe weak years exist in music — this year has already seen numerous records from past favorites. Oh, the TN popsters Heypenny dropped a monster, too.

The coveted spot in ’09 went to the Belgium act Das Pop. Sometimes I roll back on my choices for best-ofs, especially when Chicago-based acts come into play. Still, Das Pop are an act I continue to return to, and their record, The Game, is one that’s been on repeat. Inevitably, these boys — because the Prairie Cartel has been stagnant — kick off the resurgence of MiS….

Das Pop :: Skip the Rope

When the Ontarioan makes his voice the forefront of a performance, the outcome is moving. Hawksley pairs up with fellow compatriot by way of Glasgow John McDermott to bring more moving minimalism with Our Year.

The original can be found here; what’s below doesn’t appear too synched up with the audio…