Cannot wait...

Royal Baths have a new album out next month with fantastic title:  Better Luck Next Life.  They have recently released a video for "Black Sheep" and a stream of "Darling Divine" both over at Pitchfork

In Memorium...

Etta James

1938-2012

Sadly, the now late, great Etta James passed away today of leukemia complications.  While not wholly unexpected it is a moment of surrender for anyone that was not just a fan of hers but a fan of music in general.  Our titans, no matter how mighty the voice, will eventually fall.

Ms. Etta, your voice now belongs to the ages.

Keep An Eye Out

FELA! is a Tony Award winning play that celebrates the music and life of Fela Kuti. Recently the play has been touring all over the country and apparently it has become the hot spot for some of music biggest stars. People like: Nas, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J, Ziggy Marley, and Smokey Robinson - have been seen and even performed at recent performances of the play, which was produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and ?uestlove (of The Roots).

This show looks absolutely frickin' amazing!  And it is currently traveling the country.

Here's a clip of Mos Def and Talib Kweli at a recent performance (after the jump).

Dropping Videos

Doomtree just released a new video for the song "Bolt Cutter" from their latest album No Kings.

Holla Back Album of the Week

R.E.M. 
Reckoning
(1984)
I.R.S. Records 

Album highlights:
7 Chinese Brothers
So. Central Rain
Letter Never Sent
(Don't Go Back to) Rockville
Little America