Virtually Jamming

The crazy and awesome thing about the gadget heavy, fast paced world we exist in now is the ability for self actualization. Want to write? Start a blog. Want to make music? Just record a few songs on your laptop, in your living room, and upload yourself to YouTube. If you're good, or marketable, chances are someone's gonna find you. Dumbfoundead decided to expand this living room jam session idea by splicing together various artists all contributing to the same piece of music, in completely separate locales. What we get is a Virtual Jam Session—8 artists, 5 instruments, 4 continents, 3 languages and 1 really good sounding song. Click here to download the song for free if you're feeling it. And make sure you listen to the message, not just the melody.

Anticipating Classics

I'm gonna go ahead and say that the second half of the first decade of the 21st century was not a good look for Hip Hop or R&B. Almost all my 5star albums predate the past 5 years. However, with a new decade upon us, it appears 2010 might bring about a fresh round of 5star albums from 5star artists. Below are some 5star artists expected to drop new music this year, giving us more to look forward to than just warmer weather.

The Roots: How I Got Over

Expected 2010

The first single and video off the new album is a good sign of what's to come. Questlove claims this album will have a more positive spin than the past two. Positive, neutral or negative, I'm just thrilled to hear some real music. (Anyone heard that Flintstone Bedrock song? Seriously??)

More anticipated classics:

Outkast: Solos, but still...

Both expected 2010

I have trepidation even anticipating these as I'm such an avid Outkast follower that I don't want to jinx the prospect of the duo--whether together or apart--finally giving us something new to fill our Speakerbox. However, apparently both Big Boi and Andre 3000 will bless us with solo albums this year. And, if fans are digging the solos, the duo claims they will finally release another Outkast album. Did I miss something? Are we not hungry enough for a new Outkast album already?

**Note: Those of you savvy enough to navigate the Internet music scene have probably heard Shine Blockas off Big Boi's new solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. For more of that Left Foot brilliance, check out For Your Sorrows.

Lupe Fiasco: Lasers

Expected early 2010

Everything Lupe touches seems to turn Gold. Even if pirating kept him from reaching Platinum, he's definitely near the top of many Best MC's list. Lasers is Lupe's self-proclaimed "balls to the wall fire" work. Check out this snippet of Shining Down off the new album to see if you agree.

**Note: Lupe was not happy that Shining Down got leaked. Out of respect for him and other artists I'm not posting downloads. If you want to find recommended music and download it for free, more power to you, but you gotta put in the work ;)

D'Angelo: James River

Expected 2010
With Prince (yes that Prince) supposedly doing the production and Raphael Saadiq, Cee-Lo and Mark Ronson all expected to collaborate on the forthcoming album, 10 years after giving us Voodoo (another 5Star album) Mr. How Does It Feel might finally be giving us some more much needed voodoo.

**Note: This album was also anticipated last year, so don't sue me if D'Angelo flakes out again.

Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part 2
Expected 3.30.10

With Window Seat providing a satisfying taster of what's to come (see below), and Jump Up In the Air and Stay There showcasing an evolved sound (Weezy & Bilal are featured), it's safe to say that Erykah is aware we are in need of some fresh air. Might need to breathe this one in deep.

New Erykah off New Amerykah

Miss Badu is up to her usual tricks—giving us music that washes over you like a warm breeze on a summer night. She's already blessed us with classics such as Bump It, Back In the Day and That Hump. Now we have Window Seat, which I'm giving an 'instant classic' rating. This gem reminds me that we could all use a bit more Erykah in our lives. If you're looking for more soothing sounds, check out this playlist for '5 stars' that really ought to be in your library.

Inmates Imitate an Icon

What's something you don't see every day? How about 1,500 Philippine prisoners dancing to Michael Jackson? Apparently Byron Garcia realized that America's philosophy of "rehabilitation" through lock downs, isolation and punishment doesn't appear to be working so well considering that the U.S. has more people in prison than ever before. When punishment doesn't work, what's next to try? How about dancing? And what's more appropriate than prisoners dancing to MJ's, They Don't Really Care About Us? America, are you watching?

Stimulating Packaging

Whoever said don't judge a book by its cover was certainly idealistic. I'd venture to say most of us do judge a book by its cover. As access to information and availability of products increase, the cover becomes more and more relevant. Check out the packaging for Stimulus Package, a new collabo from Jake One and Freeway with artwork by Brent Rollins. Clever and stimulating.

Music worth your full attention

Those of you who know me know I'm a bit obsessed with music. And because of this obsession, I will scour sites for hours to find music that I feel either moves me physically, intellectually or emotionally. When a song or an artist hits all three, then I give them a 5 star rating in itunes.

Here are some 5 star songs from 5 star artists:

Alice Smith: Gary's Song

This piece of art washes over you like jumping into a

cold lake on a hot day—shocking at first, to the pointyou're uncertain if you're enjoying it, but as your body adjusts to the temperature change, you realize there isn't anything else you'd rather be doing. Or, in Alice's case, there isn't anything else you'd rather be listening to.

Alice Smith: Do I

Dub-type beat, piercing lyrics with her soothing voice. Put it on as the background, or the foreground. If you don't close your eyes and slowly bob your head at some point, you aren't listening.

Leela James: My Joy

This gem might cause repeat listening. Her voice coupled with the message of this song will lift your soul and might just remind you that sometimes we sink low only to bounce higher.

Nicole Willis: No One's Gonna Love You

It almost mocks you as the beat grabs your attention and builds on itself to you can't begin to wonder what's coming next. Once Nicole drops her first note, you might find yourself wondering if anyone's gonna sing to you like her.

Zion I: Antenna

This Bay Area duo will have you feeling like it's a summer afternoon in the dead of winter. They just want to talk to you, so listen with a cool, calm ear.

To hear these songs and a few more for free click on this 5 stars playlist.

Spirit enlarged

Sometimes we can all use a little perspective. French photographer JR brings his subjects to life by mounting them in unlikely places. Check out his site for full array of perspective and watch his video to see the motive behind the medium.

TRAILER " WOMEN ARE HEROES"
Uploaded by JR. - Arts and animation videos.