Videos of the Week September 22nd

Out of all weeks, this one probably had the best balance of emotional, creative, and funny. Led by the incredibly nostalgic Good Old Days, Macklemore and Kesha provided a quality lead off effort. There's just something about sitting around a campfire with friends that meshes really well with the "remember the good old days feeling. Speaking of feeling, if you don't get goosebumps hearing Jay Z's Encore verse meshed with the Chester Bennington led Numb live in studio then you clearly slept on early 2000s music. Really going to miss the high end vocal range he brought to Linkin Park that gave the group an added alternative edge.

In case you've missed everything I've posted over the past few weeks, Odesza released their new A Moment Apart album last week. Watching them make music is one of the most memorizing things for me personally. It's only a minute and a half, but seeing how they put together Meridian was a fun watch. If you're looking for funny, watching Lil Wayne lip sync the Friends theme song with an NFL twist should fit the bill. The music sample is far from Hip Hop, but there's some entertainment value watching him plead for NFL teams to not go 0-2. Rounding out this week's top five was another stellar creation from Louis Futon. This time he teamed up with GRiZ to put together a paint by numbers, behind the scenes look on how they spliced together their remix of Tyler, The Creator's See You Again. Can't say I was a huge fan of the original, but I'm all about the new fangled flip the dynamic duo was able to put together...#SeeYouAgain

Macklemore & Kesha - Good Old Days (Video)

Jay Z Performs Numb/Encore as a Tribute to Linkin Park's Chester Bennington

How Odesza Made Meridian

Lil Wayne Sings the Friends Theme Song

Louis Futon & GRiZ Flip Tyler, The Creator's See You Again

Photo Credit: YouTube

RZA Cooks Up Hot Burrito Bowl Beats for Chipotle

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Chipotle's new Savor.Wavs campaign. In summary, RZA created this soundboard with 51 samples that Chipotle mapped into ingredients that make a burrito. I can't make this stuff up, you just have to go to the site and create a song burrito for yourself.

It's interesting timing given the latest norovirus scare in Virginia. I'm not debating how momentarily novel creating your own musical burrito bowl can be. It's a fun minute or two, especially if you stay long enough to play with the visual toggles as you listen to your musical composition. Still, the tech nerd in me has a hard time not questioning the ROI on creating something like that. Novelty aside, check out RZA taking a huge bite out of a Chipotle burrito as he puts his culinary sound board together.



But the real reason we're all here tonight is because GRiZ remixed RZA's SAVOR.WAVs track. The result is as soothing and subtly funky as you could have hoped. It's certifiable porn music, no denying that. It along with the other five new tracks are a welcome evolution in Chipotle's quest for sustained cultural relevance. Shoot there's even a Wu-Tang Clan remix thrown in the mix. It's all just one big epic dream, so buckle up and hop on for a ride...#SAVORWAVS

RZA - SAVOR.WAVS (GRiZ Remix)

Time to Reload the Big Grizmatik

Big Gigantic, GRiZ, and Gramatik combining forces has to be one of the best decisions to combine forces multiple artist have made in EDM. I'd call that a hot take when stacked against the duo of Jack U, but the proof continues to be in the saxy pudding.

Take for example their latest salvo, As We Proceed. There's soul, there's funk, and plenty of quirky synths to add an extra layer of intrigue. They take turns speeding it up and slowing it down to a live band vibe, but it all meshes together to create this really unique blend of old and new. What I mean by that is your parents probably really dig the live band aspects and you are probably loving the drops and added tempo that the electronics bring. It's seemingly the perfect blend of sounds and vibes to bridge generations of music fans, which fascinates me. We can only hope that this is a breadcrumb leading to some sort of album manifestation, but for now I'm cool with running laps around their new one on iTunes and Spotify...#AsWeProceed

Big Grizmatik - As We Proceed

"Driftin', I'm Driftin' My Way Back Home"

Time for a trip off the beaten path to highlight a stellar blues collaboration between GRiZ and Son Little. As a quick caveat, you're not getting the uptempo, electronic version of GRiZ that you've grown to love tonight. Instead, you're getting mellow guitar, quiet horns, and soulful vocals. While the EDM fans may regard this as a filler track, I see it as more of a standout on his recent Good Will Prevail album. The fact that GRiZ was able to pack so many different tempos and styles into one album is definitely worth noting. I've already posted his previous singles Gotta Push On, Can't Hold Me Down, and Before I Go. If you still need more incentive to give his full album a listen, you're nuts...#GoodWillPrevail

GRiZ feat Son Little - Drifting

Soul, Sax, and Synths Will Keep You Pushing On

As if we didn't have enough incentive to go out and immediately cop GRiZ's upcoming Good Will Prevail when it lands in our digital lives this Friday. The sax man went and recorded a track with a freaking church choir for his latest release! With the help of Basstracks and Eric Krasno, GRiZ's new one succeeds in its ability to capture the resilience of soul music. It'll take a minute or so for the energy to permeate your headphones, but from then on out its smooth sailing. Yes, it has breadcrumbs of EDM throughout, but my favorite part of the track is when all the electronics are stripped away and it's nothing but a piano, clapping, and choir vocals. It's a four and a half minute track and one third of the track is dedicated to a graceful, unplugged landing. Such a cool twist from GRiZ who continues to blaze new trails for a genre that needs more creative producers who aren't afraid to venture off the conventional path...#GottaPushOn

GRiZ feat Brasstracks & Eric Krasno - Gotta Push On

Nobody Said Rock Music Couldn't Be a Part of EDM

There's kicking ass, then there's this. If you want to talk about taking electronic music to new heights, look no further than GRiZ's new single Can't Hold Me Down. Featuring some smooth guitar riffs and bluesy, rock vocals from London Souls' Tash Neal, you might find yourself asking why more DJs haven't dabbled in rock to date. There's such an undercurrent of positivity and overcoming adversity baked in the vibe of the track that it's damn near impossible not to like. The tone of the track aligns well with the title of GRiZ's new album, Good Will Prevail, which will be landing on e-tailers in about a month on September 23rd. If the album has any other songs as close to as dope as this track, it'll be one of my favorite releases in 2016...#GoodWillPrevail

GRiZ feat Tash Neal of London Souls - Can't Hold Me Down

Plenty of Soulful Funk to Go Around on GRiZ's Before I Go

What a great week for funky new EDM! First we got a new one from Big Gigantic, now its GRiZ's turn to let loose his new single, Before I Go. Featuring some soulful vocals from Leo Napier, the new single has a distinct live band feel to it that is downright infectious. Don't work though EDM fans, there are a few build ups and saxophone drops that will make you feel right at home along the way. If you were to describe to me smooth dance music, this is the type of song I'd envision. The line it walks between funk, dance and jazz is something that makes the music GRiZ puts out special. Feel free and add this one to your latest Spotify playlist for your upcoming Dolores Park day...#BeforeIGo

GRiZ feat Leo Napier - Before I Go

Big Gigantic and GRiZ Show Why Funky Horns Are Saxy

It doesn't get any funkier than a Big Gigantic and GRiZ collaboration. They'd been doing a lot together lately, including bringing George Clinton on stage, but their new one takes their talents collectively to a different height. The way they're able to go big and small on horns and layer them over a steady stream of bass is such a good look. In particular, their synth, guitar, and saxophone combo lays the foundation for energetic, danceworthiness. It's awesome that their music requires little to no vocals because they're able to add so much intrigue with their use of instrumentation. And of course, the best part about it is that all you'll need to do is opt in on Big Gigantic's email list to download C'mon for free. That's highway robbery from where I come from, so hop on it before the prices goes up to iTunes rates...#Cmon

Big Gigantic feat GRiZ - C'mon

Videos of the Week June 3rd

While music mostly dominates the top five this week, there are a few clear standouts. First and foremost, seeing Pharrell's reaction to Maggie Rogers' demo track at NYU's Clive Davis Institute in late March was genuinely awesome. I say that because his facial expressions show how moved he was when listening to her song. Really awesome to hear him interpret how well she conveyed her journey through music.

In the music video world, Alan Walker continued his come up with a video for his latest single Sing Me To Sleep. It sounds a lot like Faded, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In other news, Timeflies managed to bring back college in their fratastic video for Once in a While and Martin Solveig threw a coastal/desert dance party in his video with Tkay Maidza for Do it Right. Rounding out the top five is a special dose of awesome from the amalgamation known as Big Grizmatik. The three headed monster managed to recruit George Clinton to join them on stage and, needless to say, craziness ensued...#BigGrizMatik
Pharrell Reacts to NYU Student Maggie Rogers Singing

Alan Walker - Sing Me To Sleep (Video)

Timeflies - Once in a While (Video)

Martin Solvieg feat Tkay Maidza - Do It Right (Video)

Big GrizMatik (Griz, Big Gigantic & Gramatik) Bring George Clinton on Stage

Photo Credit:YouTube

Kill Transitions to Chill With Ease

Out of all the music stories that didn't get the publicity it deserved in 2015, I'd rank Kills Paris's name change to Chill Harris right at the top. In case you missed it, shortly after the Paris attacks Corey Baker decided that moving forward with his current name wouldn't send the right message...

Hey Friends, in light of the recent events in France, I'm changing my name. Read more here: https://t.co/wh8Q5wyrZL pic.twitter.com/JDu9iUSw3k

— Chill Harris (@mrchillharris) November 14, 2015

Sure, you might say that the name change was a no brainer given what happened, but when you've established yourself with a given name, there's plenty of risk involved. The good news is, Chill Harris hasn't changed one bit and he's still making great music. Case in point his latest remix of GRiZ's Stop Trippin', where he turns the jazzy, sax heavy original into a cooled out, slow trap banger. It's easy to understand how the remix was "inspired by cruise control drives through the Rocky Mountains." It's plenty mellow enough for you to zone out and listen to at work, which gets the job done (literally) in my world...#StopTrippin

GRiZ - Stop Trippin' (Chill Harris Remix)

GRIZ With More Sax on Sax on Sax

The world of EDM needs more sax! Lucky for us, GRiZ is equipped with just futuristic funk we need. Sticking with the trend of refreshing original creations, GRiZ pushed the reset button on one of his better tracks, A Fine Way to Die. Below is the original because I know you enjoy it when I include the original for reference...

If you like layers of funk on top of funk, you'll enjoy the new version of the track. Where the original was more chill funk, the newer version seems a bit more danceable. Plus, anytime you add more sax to an already saxy beat, good things happen. Don't be bashful, head on over to cop this fine little creation for free.50...#AFineWayToDie

GRiZ - A Fine Way To Die (GRiZ Remix)

GRiZ & Big Gigantic Let the Good Times Roll

If you haven't caught onto this big sexy saxophone revolution, here's your perfect chance to hop on the bandwagon. Hands down, the two artists in the game that use the sax best are Big Gigantic and GRiZ and they just so happen to finally collaborate. They didn't just collaborate, though, they knocked it out of the park. Led by soulful, "take-em-to-church" vocals and a fun call-and-response toward the end, Good Times Roll wins on so many levels. Also, if you're into free stuff and have a Spotify account, then you get to enjoy the track for free. While you're at it, don't sleep on catching them while GRiZ and Big Gigantic are on tour too because there are plenty of reasons why they sell out shows on the reg...#GoodTimesRoll

GRiZ x Big Gigantic - Good Times Roll

'97 Never Sounded so Smooth

Is it me or is this chill EDM movement really starting to gain traction? Nearly every single day it seems like there's a new track that mixes synths and sax in way that makes you want to tilt the seat back and roll the windows down. The movement wouldn't have quite the momentum that it does now without the strong push from GRiZ. On his new one with Muzzy Bearr, there's a palpable funk in the mix that is amplified by the subtle Hip Hop/Soul samples mixed throughout. If you're asking me, the Matthew McConaghey sample and saxophone is icing on the cake because there's more than enough chill rhythms to keep a constant head nod going for the duration of the track...#Summer97

GRiZ feat Muzzy Bearr - Summer '97

"I Spit it For the Love"

I'm a bit late to the party, but this whole electro-soul movement is pretty dope. Lead in large part by GRiZ, it's as if someone said, "Hey Hip Hop, funk and soul, you're invited to the electronic party, come on in." The tone is grown and sexy for the max, like that type of music you can probably share with your parents in a last ditch effort for common ground on a long road trip. Between this song and Snails/Big Gigantic's recent song Funk With Me, it's becoming abundantly clear that a concerted effort is being made to expand electronic music in a way that welcomes with open arms the use of the saxophone. It's all about dat sax man!

It's been a while since I've heard a Talib Kweli verse, but when you combine his powers with high quality back up vocals and funky live instrumentation vibe, it's hard not to dig. For the Love is one of many new ones on GRiZ's third studio album, Say it Loud. You'll have to wait about a week for it to drop, but that give both you and me some time to catch up on his past two albums. With GRiZ leading the way, I'm really looking forward to this futuristic direction of funk...#SayItLoud

GRiZ feat Talib Kweli – For the Love