Without further adieu, los links.

old critisized SFJ post: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/10/22/071022crmu_music_frerejones

the problem with rap critics: http://wearerespectablenegroes.blogspot.com/2009/10/problem-with-these-kids-rap-critics.html

das racist response to sfj post: http://flavorwire.com/45316/das-racist-to-sasha-frere-jones-stop-trying-to-kill-rap

og sfj post about the death of rap: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2009/10/26/091026crmu_music_frerejones

more sfj criticism: http://gordongartrelle.blogspot.com/2009/10/long-ass-email-about-sasha-frere-jones.html

nyt background on das racist: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/arts/music/24das.html?_r=1

coverage on white rappers: http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/07/how_to_tell_people_they_sound.html

response to das racist response: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2009/10/23/das-racist-goes-after-sasha-frere-jones-for-being-white-n-educated/

LCD Soundsystem – “Someone Great”

MSTRKRFT – “Heartbreaker”

Snow Patrol – “You Could be Happy”

Grizzly Bear – “Knife”

Billie Holiday – “Solitude”

Fiest – “The Park”

Airborne Toxic Event – “Sometime Around Midnight”

Postal Service – “District Sleeps Along Tonight”

Earl Greyhound – “It’s Over”

Jeff Buckley – “Last Goodbye”

from liverpool to tokyo

Nick Love Japan       (Right Click and Save As to download. Click to Stream.)

Track list after the jump….

1. Michael Sterling – Desparate (Short Version) – 12″ Success 1983
2. Yvonne Gage – Doin’ It In a Haunted House – 12″ CIM 1984
3. D Train – D Train (Dub) – 12″ Prelude 1982
4. Nicole – Don’t You Want My Love – 12″ Portrait 1985
5. Prince – 17 Days – 7″ Warner Brothers 1984
6. Frantic Situation – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force – Beatstreet OST 1984
7. MC Def & The Def Squad – Just Rock (2 dis hear beat) – 12″ Luke Skywalker Records 198? (Mixed and Engineered by Michael Sterling)
8. Strafe – Set It Off – 12″ Jus Born Records 1984
9. Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey – 7″ Def Jam Records 1986
10. Michel’le – Just Not Ready to Love You (Hypin’ Up “Special Thanks”)
11. Egyptian Lover – The Alezby Inn (Remodeled) – 12″ Egyptian Empire Records 198?
12. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde – Yellow Panties – 12″ Profile 1985
13. Wild Boyz – Pussy Thang – 12″ Loche Records 1989

February plays host to tributes throughout the world, as fans of all stripes come out to celebrate the man and his eternal music. I recently visited one of a series of tribute events in Los Angeles. Illa Jay, House Shoes, J Rocc, and Madlib all were there to reminisce and smile at the memories we all shared.

I hit the bar. Madlib orders a Martini next to me. I finger at the bartender and order two shots – Tequila. And two waters, tap, please. After reminding Julie of the tragic story of the famed producer (she’s been to her fair share of Dilla related events), we concurred that it was necessary to drink in his honor.

Turning to Madlib, I ask him what J Dilla’s drink was. He leans in. Hawaiin punch. I can’t believe it, but somehow I can. Motioning, he tells me how J Dilla preferred to smoke. It all made sense. Marijuana is the link that ties all of the hall-of-fame musicians together.

So this February, if you can’t make it to a tribute jam on your block, throw on some Champion Sound, and smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, for Jay Dee.

(legal disclaimer: I make no representation of what Madlib, aka Otis Jackson Jr., actually said or meant in any conversation with me. I’m a fan, and I’m not trying to blow up spots, slander, or defame his reputation as a serious,  professional artist)

The times, they are a changing. But, if you’re like me, you don’t really know what to make of it all.

Still though, there was and is lots of good music floating around – it’s just harder to find.  The music industry, and the listeners along with it, are in a state of confusion. The problem, I figure, lies in the fact that radio listenership is down 18 percent from 1998 among 18- to 24-year olds. People no longer make trips to the local music store. Finding music has been reduced to a solitary pursuit, scattered among the millions of blogs, MySpace pages, message boards, online music magazines, and endless commentary. There are no singular tastemakers, no all-powerful all-reaching influencers like there used to be. That leaves music fans drawing numbers out of a hat. And everyone’s drawing a different number.

Maybe it’s just me, living in a big city, surrounded by all different cultures and tastes, but when I ask anyone what kind of music they’re into, invariably, I’ll have no idea what they’re talking about. It could be I’m just out of touch, spending too much time with dusty vinyl and golden-era hip-hop.

For those not able to make sense of the new music landscape (or without the url to Turntable Lab), I’ve prepared a list of some of my favorite releases as of late. With the exception of the Metro Area LP, all came out in 2008, although at only about 10 titles deep, not complete or well thought out enough for a best-of-the-year-list. Hopefully, you can find that special something for that special someone, or a few new tacks to accompany you on your holiday travels.

Download “Gold” Dam Funk – Rhythm Trax Vol. 4, Stones Throw

Download “Can We Hang Out Tonight” Count Bass D – L7 (Mid-Life Crisis), 1320

Download “Apples and Pears” Canyons – The Lovermore EP, Hole in the Sky

Download “Atmosphrique” Metro Area – Self Titled, Environ

Download “Detroit” Morgan Geist – Double Night Time, Environ

Download “Downtown” Osbourne – Self Titled, Spectral Sound

Download “Parisian Goldfish” Flying Lotus – Los Angeles and 1983, Warp

Download “Track 2″ James Pants – Rhythm Trax Vol. 1, Stones Throw

Download “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” Mayer Hawthorne & The Country – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out 12″, Stones Throw

Shouts to DJ Ayers and the Rub Crew for holding me down with the Rub Radio (here and here), Diplo with the wild podcasts, Truth and Soul Records, and Daptone Records (Sharon Jones coming to LA!).