“John Connelly’s Theory” by 24-7 Spyz feature by John M. Ellison IV

Hey folks, I’m in the midst of building up my musical repertoire. Since I do mainly instrumental music, I thought I’d do a running theme of rock instrumentals to tide everyone over until I get back to more thought out articles, reviews etc. So, to kick off Monday Feburary 28th, 2011 I thought I’d start out with a cut off of the classic 24-7 Spyz album “Gumbo Millennium.”

Around 2003 I remember when I first heard this song! Well, sort of. Actually, I heard this song sampled in a rap song that I’m not going to name because I’m not exactly sure if they got the sample cleared. When I first heard this, I had no idea where the sample was from. I even asked my guitar teacher at the time, he thought it was somebody replaying a royalty free version Black Sabbath classic “Electric Funeral” and I also heard elements of “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix.

Around this same time period, I discovered an internet forum called Afro-Punk (don’t worry it relates to the main story) and they featured bands like Bad Brains, 24-7 Spyz, Fishbone, Living Colour etc. Honestly, 24-7 Spyz was okay but wasn’t something that I really seek out though. One night, when I was feeling nostalgic for the legendary rock club CBGBs, I noticed some live footage of 24-7 Spyz playing the venue on Youtube. It just said 24-7 Spyz CBGBs 2006. Then, I recognized the song in question. My eyes widened and I became elated! But, the video didn’t say what the song was called. Then after reading comments, it turns out that the song is question is called “John Connelly’s Theory.” So, in a weird way, I was a fan of 24-7 Spyz after all.

Seriously, I can’t expatiate on the heaviness of Jimi Hazel’s guitar work, you just have to listen for yourself. Peace.

I Wish Poly Styrene a Speedy Recovery

Just found out about Poly Styrene (real name Marian Joan Elliot-Said) of first wave British punk rock/new wave band X-Ray Spex and her health issues. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Buju Banton Convicted on Drug Charges…I’m Baffled by John M Ellison IV

Apparently Grammy Award winning dancehall reggae artist Buju Banton has been found guilty on drug charges extending from December 2009.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday evening that it took Tampa, Florida jurors 11 hours to convict Banton, born Mark Myrie, on three counts. The charges read that the singer was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. One charge of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine was dropped.

The 37-year old Jamaican artist had a host of fans and fellow artists in court showing support for Buju during his trial. Affectionately known as “Gargamel,” Buju was arrested in December 2009 on charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine along with two others. The deejay was heard in taped conversations discussing the deal with undercover agents who then set up a sting to nab the entertainer.

Damaging video shown during the trial saw Banton allegedly tasting the cocaine for potency. In court, it was learned that an informant was given $135,000 dollars by one of Banton’s co-defendants in the case.
A few things that confuse me regarding this whole story…WHAT’S A RASTAFARIAN DOING GETTING HIMSELF INVOLVED WITH COCAINE FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE?! Call me naive but I’d assume if a reggae artist was involved with drugs let alone drug trafficking, I’d assume it would be marijuana. Did Banton not take heed to Wayne Smith’s dancehall classic “Under Mi Sleng Teng?”

Why would a HIGH PROFILE reggae artist delve into even selling cocaine? You’re BUJU BANTON! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NOTICE YOU! Didn’t this kind of happen in the Boondocks with “Thugnificent” trying to sell crack? There’s also video of Banton allegedly tasting the cocaine too? …Is he trying to be the reggae Marion Barry or something?

In closing, all I can say is about Banton’s ordeal is that I’m not sure if this is some “conspiracy” against him or he’s just that special kind of DMX crazy. I seriously don’t know how to end this article…I’m just baffled.

Check out Buju Banton and his collaboration with Rancid

Buju Banton – Misty Days

Benny Benassi ft. T-Pain Electroman review by John M. Ellison IV

I was checking out my twitter feed yesterday. This usually entails sifting through lame jokes with equally as lame hashtags…which I of course contributed some jokes to and retweets of crude fanmade accounts of cartoon characters like “Family Guy” and them tweeting cheesy phrases like “Women fake orgasms, men fake relationships.” It was a droll experience…until I came across an interesting tweet from T-Pain.

“If you guys don’t think I got permission from the Mighty Boosh before I did the electro man hook ur crazy. It’s called being a fan of there music. The Mighty Boosh heard that song before any of you did so I think they would have sued me by now. But I understand how you feel yasimelike. Just do Yo research before you go ham on a nigga”

After trying to figure out what he was talking about, I looked up a song called “Electroman” by T-Pain and Benny Benassi. Apparently, this is an interpolation of the original “Electro Boy” hook by The Might Boosh from the “Electro” episode. Looking up the ASCAP records for “Electroman” it shows Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh) are credited as co-writers of “Electroman”…Or in other words, they gave a fellow Boosh fan permission to use it! As a fan of the Mighty Boosh myself that wins some brownie points with me.

Also, I think it’s hypocritical that fans are getting upset, I mean didn’t The Mighty Boosh parody Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) for “Sea Funk?” From the looks of it, I doubt they got permission to do that. So, yeah…instead of saying “T-Pain sucks” How about saying “Hmm, he has good taste in comedy” Instead?

So, pardon the corny aspect of the phrase but “don’t hate and embrace.”

Anyway, I checked out the song in question called “Electroman” by T-Pain and Benny Benassi.
I’m not surprised that T-Pain would collaborate with more electronic artists and Benny Benassi is a great fit. I’m not going to get all analytical; aside from noticing that the bass line sounds like it was lifted from Sing, Sing, Sing by Louis Prima. But I don’t hear anybody complaining about that though…just saying.

“Odd Future” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon by John Ellison IV

I became aware of “Tyler” a few months ago after a friend of mine recommended “French” by “Tyler, The Creator.” He said it’s like Esham. I’m thinking “You had me at Esham” and “Oh crap, it’s inspired by Esham.” Which means two things, “this is going to be some horrorcore bullshit that Esham actually would probably hate or something worth listening to.” Apparently, it’s the latter. It’s not horrorcore as some put it. For some reason, Tyler seems very familiar. Like we were on the same forum or something…or it could be a total coincidence because Tyler’s a common name *shrugs*.

I’m just getting familiar with OFWGKTA or (Odd Future Wolfgang Kill Them All) and the consensus is that they’re a collection of teenage rappers from Los Angeles. That’s all I know, I have no idea what there influences are or anything like that. They probably grew up listening to either Eminem, Necro, Natas, Brotha Lynch Hung or Esham. But, don’t quote me on that.

What was more shocking than their lyrics was when they made their network TV debut on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” That’s the most shocking thing out of all of that I’ve read about them. Check Tyler, The Creator and Hodgy Beats doing “Sandwitches” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Bobby Brown vs G.G. Allin: Separated at Birth? By John M Ellison IV

Not too long ago, a friend of mine in Chicago posted up a video for My Prerogative by Bobby Brown. This was kind of a departure from his usual posting of hardcore, street punk videos. I jokingly said something on the lines of “Well, if you get tired of G.G. Allin, might as well put up some Bobby Brown, close enough!

When I mentioned that there were some parallels between R&B singer Bobby Brown and performance artist/shock rocker G.G. Allin people looked at me like I lost my mind. Not to worry, I’m used to this look.

“Close Enough? Huh? Those dudes can be the farthest apart in the musical spectrum!” True, but if you’re familiar with both then you probably noticed there isn’t much of a difference. “Explain this crackpot theory!”

I mean, they’re both artists from the New England region of the U.S. who’s earlier groups were different from their later and solo output and both had scrapes with the law. Yeah, still vague and putting it lightly. Just for the record, this is meant in good humor but the similarities are interesting though…

Bobby Brown beat up a tourist at Disneyworld; G.G. Allin would beat up fans at his shows.

Bobby Brown urinated in the back of a squad car; G.G. Allin would defecate and urinate on stage at his shows.

Bobby Brown simulated sex on stage; G.G. Allin had sex onstage with…anything.

Bobby Brown had a drug problem…G.G. Allin O.D.’d in 1993

I think Bobby Brown wins the last one though…

In closing, these two polar opposites proves that no matter the race, color, creed, philosophy we can all agree that we share similar experiences…and those two prove that urine related violence is more common than we think.

But, I’ll let the reader decided who took a better mugshot.

Jakk Frost’s Panic Disorder feat. Sutter Kain & Donnie Darko by John M Ellison IV

Hey folks, I just got this song “Panic Disorder” by Philadelphia rapper Jakk Frost. I wasn’t familiar with Frost before hand, so I checked out his website. His previous work includes his mix tape entitled “U Don’t Know Jakk” hosted by DJ Kay Slay and collaborations with fellow Philly rapper Freeway. Originally signed to Sony Records, Jakk Frost left due to differences such as delays with his projects. With the Never So Deep Records brand of rap, expect a few things. Expect a mixture of grittiness, bravado and clever word play. So, naturally Jakk Frost is a fit for the label.

The single “Panic Disorder” is a song by Jakk Frost featuring Sutter Kain on production/chorus and Donnie Darko with the first verse on the track. Jakk Frost has the 2nd and third verse. The only thing about the song that I’m kind of confused by is why it’s called “Panic Disorder.” But on the other hand, Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” had nothing to do with paranoia lyric wise. Nonetheless, Jakk Frost shows a good mix of the brutality of street life but with the signature of the word play that artists on Never So Deep records is known for.

Ed E Ruger-Just Cuz I’m Buzzin’ review by John M. Ellison IV

Hey folks, I have some good news and bad news! Well, bad news is that I was going to do a review on “Ziplocked and Loaded” by Ed E. Ruger. I downloaded it but I can’t find it at the moment! It must be under a different name or something so that’s going to be delayed until further notice.

But, the good news is that I’ve gotten to check out

For those who aren’t familiar, Ed E. Ruger is a rapper that fuses his rhymes with dubstep influenced beats as shown with this remix of the Kottonmouth King’s song “Bong Hits.” So, it’s a good introduction for people not accustomed to the dubstep sound. Lyrically, Ruger spits some appropriate rhymes for the track with enough weed references that makes you want to print out the lyrics and roll ‘em up and smoke ‘em.

Check out “Just Cuz I’m Buzzin”-Ed E Ruger

Just Cuz Im Buzzin by EdERuger by ederuger

Thoughts on the Grammys by John M. Ellison IV

Y’know, I’m not gonna lie to you guys, The Grammys have been so lackluster over the years, I watch and don’t watch. So, this isn’t anything too insightful, just a few thoughts on some of the performances and moments from last night’s Grammys.

Cee-Lo dressed up like an android tye-dye turkey singing a bowdlerized version of his pop hit originally titled “Fuck You” with Gwyneth Paltrow surrounded by Muppets is something I regret missing the first time around. The performance was kind of Elton John-ish when you think about it. Not, in “that way” I mean literally when Elton John was on the Muppet Show back in the 70’s. Actually, the “Fuck You/Forget You” thing has inspired another argument I’ll expatiate on in a later article.

Mumford and Sons…No, not a fan. Also, doing a song about a noose around somebody’s neck is a STUPID IDEA during BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

Esperenza Spalding won Grammy for best new artist, “Who’s Esperanza Spalding?” Esperanza Spalding is what you coons wanted. She’s not Beyonce, plays that “real” music you claim to know and love and an instrument. Satisfied? No you’re not, because you idiots confuse the term “real music” with music that “you” like.

They didn’t mention Guru or Peter Steele of Type O Negative during the remembrance ceremony. Bastards…but they did mention Captain Beefheart. A bittersweet moment.

Canadian Art Rock band Arcade Fire won album of the year…at least they beat Lady Antebellum! But with Arcade Fire winning, two things happen hipsters revolt and everyone else asked “…Who’s Arcade Fire?” I’m not a fan of Arcade Fire but I’ve been familiar with them since like ‘06 I guess and apparently gained more of my respect than I realized. Apparently, I’m the only one.

Seriously, Arcade Fire winning album of the year was a shock though.

In closing, apparently real music did win, but you probably had the revelation that there’s a difference between real music and the music “you” like.

Rihanna “S&M” video review by John M. Ellison IV

Hey folks, after hearing about the buzz over the video for Rihanna’s single S&M. Apparently, this video has been banned in 11 countries and BBC 1 Radio won’t play the single it before 7 pm. You’re probably asking “Well, what’s wrong with that?” The confusing part is the reaction to it.

I mean, didn’t Justin Timberlake’s 2006 single “Sexyback” have allusions to S&M with lyrics such as…

Dirty babe
You see the shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave
It’s just that no one makes me feel this way?

Now, let’s compare this to Rihanna’s 2011 single for “S&M” with lyrics such as…

‘Cause I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it
Sex in the air, I don’t care, I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But chains and whips excite me

Honestly, I don’t remember hearing about “Sexyback” having the same problems as “S&M” by Rihanna and I haven’t found any articles about Timberlake having any trouble either.

Besides the subject it’s kind of old and has been done. I mean, does the “Velvet Rope” album by Janet Jackson ring a bell or Madonna’s video for “Justify my Love?” But, if you’re a fan of Rihanna…you’re probably too young to remember anyway or if you know about the former examples then you’re probably old enough to say “seen it.”

Song wise, “S&M” is a 4/4 dance song produced by European production team Stargate and Sandy Vee that falls style wise somewhere between electro and dance-pop. In fact, the synthesizer line is kind of reminiscent of the synth pop classic “Blue Monday” by New Order. The only thing I can say is…welcome back to the 80’s folks!

Anyway, the video contains cartoonish jabs at media outlets and pokes fun at idiotic rumors swirling around. Also its slathered with elements from other videos so you end up with something that kind of looks like a pink tinted mash up of movies such as “Basic Instinct”, “Saw” and the music videos for “Get This Party Started” by Pink and “Gimme Some More” by Busta Rhymes. The video also includes a cameo with Perez Hilton being lead around on a leash by Rihanna in a pink biker hat.

Honestly, who wouldn’t want to see Perez Hilton bound and gagged? Downside about that is that he might like it.

In closing, I can see how it’s obviously inappropriate for younger viewers; I don’t see how anybody can be so offended by it though. Maybe they’re wearing a “purity ring” and jealous on what they’re missing or something.