Underworld "Back to Mine"

The recent passing of poet Gil Scott-Heron made me think of the album that introduced me to him. Heron was an original voice who expressed his views with humor and clarity.

In 2003, my favorite band, Underworld, released an album in the Back to Mine series. I bought the album on CD the week it came out. The reason I love this compilation is that it represents the staggering range of music that influences Underworld. It's like Rick and Karl made you a mixtape of some of their favorite tracks. The album also introduced me to reggae legends Toots & The Maytals. The half-mixed album is strange, oddball, haphazard, and wonderful. Much like Underworld, it transcends genre categorization. It is something that could have only come from the minds (and record collections) of Underworld. The tracklist speaks for itself.
01 - Gil Scott-Heron - 'B' Movie
02 - TLC - Creep
03 - Dr. Octagon - Bear Witness
04 - CJ Bolland - Horsepower
05 - Remy & Sven - Piano Power
06 - LFO Versus F.U.S.E. - Loop
07 - Toots & The Maytals - 54-46 (That's My Number)
08 - LTJ Bukem - Music
09 - Depeche Mode - Barrel Of A Gun
10 - Aphex Twin - Didgeridoo
11 - Dead Prez - Hip-Hop
12 - Ali Farka Toure - Machengoidi
13 - Tartit - Buloululba (Couldn't find this one anywhere)
14 - D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
15 - Gregory Isaacs - Public Eyes

New Interviews

Hey all,
I have recently added a few interviews to the site. NOLA garage rock legend Quintron, jazz great Terence Blanchard, and actor Harry Shearer are the newest additions. Upcoming interviews that will be posted in the coming weeks include keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and Widespread Panic archivist Horace Moore. Thanks for supporting the site. Looking forward to sharing some new interviews with you!
Best,
McClain Johnson
http://www.mcclainjohnson.com

Blair Interview Featured in InvadeNOLA Book.

My interview with singer-songwriter Blair is being featured in the InvadeNOLA book, "Once Upon an Ever After." The book can be ordered here.

My Favorite Albums of 2010 (so far..)

Caribou "Swim"
This album is a great burst of sun-kissed electronica. The production is lush, and the songs blissfully float along.
Here's the video for "Sun"


The Mynabirds "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood"
The Mynabirds have released one of the best pop albums of the year. The songs are expertly layered and produced. Laura Burhenn's vocals are heartfelt and soulful. "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood" has a classic '60s sound, but is rooted in the present by Burhenn's personal lyrics about loss and rebuilding.
Here's the video for "Numbers Don't Lie"


Blair "Die Young"
Blair has created a great indie-pop album. Lyrics hazily emerge like fragmented pieces of dreams. Blair's vocals are passionate and her songs are filled with an honest, simple beauty.
Here she is doing a live version of "Hello Halo."

Blair - Hello Halo

blair | MySpace Music Videos

KC Tour Dates

Check out our new KC Tour Dates widget. It combines tour dates from Pollstar along with music news and updates from the Pitch and BacktoRockville.

Gov't Mule JazzFest Review

I recently reviewed Gov't Mule's set at JazzFest 2010. They are such a great live band. I'm really happy with the way the review turned out. You can read it here: http://www.neworleans.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=386744&catid=396&Itemid=2782
Keep rocking,
McClain

The Revivalists Interview

I recently interviewed The Revivalists, a great, young, New Orleans-based rock band. You can check out in the interview here. To hear more of my podcasts with great New Orleans artists, check out New Orleans Voices.