Like a lot of longtime, old school fans of the genre, I am pretty much disgusted with what passes as "hip-hop" these days. You know, that boringly predictable, cliched crap that is dumbed-down, bling & sexist heavy lyrical fodder delivered over a carefully researched radio & club ready beat. Fortunately though, there still are many good producers and emcees making new music today. It's just that you have to dig for them. And while most are underground or indie artists, just because an artist is some underground indie hip-hop loving emcee doesn't always guarantee that he or she will shine. Below are several of the recent or about to drop releases that, as a DJ, I have been really feeling and playing. All should be available at Amoeba Music. Just ask if you can't find them.

Madlib Beatkonducta Vol. 3-4: India (Stones Throw)

Like 2006's Beatkonducta Vol 1-2 CD release, this collection was also originally released on vinyl only -- now offering many a chance to catch up on the brilliance that is the production of Madlib. For this collection he effortlessly melds Bollywood soundtracks (mostly instrumental, but about 15% with vocals and spoken word soundbites mixed in, usually at beginning) with hip-hop beats -- generally looped into hypnotic patterns. The 34 tracks are mostly short (2 minutes or less) in length.

Z-Trip All-Pro Soundtrack (Decon)

Like its series predecessor -- Dan The Automator presents 2K7 on Decon for 2K Sports, which was also a DJ produced collection featuring guest emcees and turntablists -- this is another video game soundtrack. And it rocks, thanks to Z-Trip's perfect choice of collaborators (mostly West Coast), including Chali 2na, Aceyalone, Quannum's Lateef and Gift of Gab, Hiero's Pep Love and Casual, plus LA turntablist duo Backyard Bangers. Also includes a track from longtime collaborator of Z-Trip's DJ Faust (of Faust & Shortee fame), plus Z-Trip's inspired turntable remix of Rush's "Tom Sawyer."

Like most people, I will never forget this time two years ago, in the days/week after Hurricane Katrina first struck New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I was literally glued to the TV's non-stop news, streaming images of the devastation and tales of the horrific conditions. I was transfixed by the shocking images and I was dismayed by news reports of the ridiculously delayed help getting to those who needed it so desperately -- mostly the region's poor inhabitants. And yesterday, as I watched the 3-DVD set of Spike Lee's HBO documentary When The Levees Broke, I was reminded of all the horrors of Katrina.

Since September 2005 the national media's focus on New Orleans may have faded considerably, but the needs of its inhabitants have not. Luckily there are still a great many individuals and organizations  actively involved in helping in the long recovery process that has quite a ways to go still. As you probably already know, Amoeba Music is one of the many organizations doing its bit in the effort to help the victims of Katrina, through its Amoeba auctions to benefit Katrina victims. Meanwhile, one of the many individuals involved in helping the recovery process is my former KALX Cultural Affairs Dept. buddy Rohit Gupta, who is one of those wonderful, quietly humble and giving individuals who is always down to help out those in need. Rohit lives and works in Los Angeles but has been making frequent visits down to New Orleans to volunteer in the slow post-Katrina recovery process. I invited Rohit to write a report on what it is really like right now in New Orleans for this AMOEBLOG. Here is Rohit's story:

Gary Numan's 1979 gloomy & seductive synth-pop hit single "Cars" ( from the album The Pleasure Principle), which was a  big hit both in his native United Kingdom upon its release and the following year in the States, is one of those classic songs that just never seems to age and always manages to sound as fresh and engaging as the first time you heard it.   When Numan arrived on the charts, even though he was obviously derivative of Bowie and others, including T-Rex's Marc Bolan, it didn't really matter because he was so good at what he did. And he put his own unique stamp on things right down to the instrumentation -- the synth sound was a Polymoog. With "Cars," Numan became synthesizer pop's first big star. (Human League's "Don't You Want Me" wouldn't be released until a two full years later). In fact, so great a hit was "Cars" for Numan that it had an adverse effect by overshadowing everything he's done since then -- even his other number one hit "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and the album it came from, Replicas. Below check out the lyrics and the video for the song "Cars," which went on to become a hit again in both 1987 and 1996:


"CARS"

Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live
In cars

Here in my car
I can only receive
I can listen to you
It keeps me stable for days
In cars

AMOEBLOG: How'd you end up working at Amoeba and what exactly is your job there?

PAUL VASQUEZ: I started working at Amoeba in March of 2006, a year and a half ago. I was fed up with the record store I used to work for, so I spoke to a friend of a friend, and the rest is history. I work in the World Music section, helping our customers and maintaining the section.

AMOEBLOG: What makes working at Amoeba unique compared to previous jobs?

PAUL VASQUEZ: Working at Amoeba has been a huge thrill for me. I've never had a job that I look forward to every day. I know that as soon as I walk in the building, I'm among friends...no, scratch that: among family. I feel like the employees are respected and valued for their contributions to the store. The owners and managers have created a mellow and open environment where we feel that we are taken care of. Being an Amoeba employee has changed my life in so many positive ways; it's hard to imagine not having the support structure the store and its employees provide.
 
AMOEBLOG: What are the Top Three Items at Amoeba this week that people are seeking out?

PAUL VASQUEZ:  M.I.A. - Kala, Buika - A Spanish singer recently profiled on NPR, and The Fania Reissue Series - The classic Salsa label finally gets a proper
reissue.

AMOEBLOG: Best places to eat nearby Amoeba Music Hollywood?

PAUL VASQUEZ: For a quick bite, I think Sharky's (Hollywood & Cahuenga) can't be beat. Super vegetarian friendly. But when I have time for a mellow sit-down experience, I dig Magnolia (Sunset & Vine). They have a mac & cheese that will bring tears to your eyes.

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