Song of the Day: Deep in Vogue-Malcolm McLaren//Avante-garde Visionary//

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9KDmJQjS_0&feature=player_embedded

WGSN presented the Global Fashion Awards 2010 last night at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria, and BES had the esteemed pleasure of hosting the Absolute Vodka after-party .  In honor of our gracious guests and generous sponsor, I offer Malcolm McLaren’s glossy riff, and video featuring exquisite voguing and vocal stylings of a true pioneer Willi Ninja….WERK!

The late 80’s underground gay scene remains unparalled…(considering contradicting this statement?…then please watch the documentary Paris is Burning as fast as you can!) 

Thank you Malcolm McLaren, through your deep appreciation for Ball culture you brought new rythym and light to mainstream music.

“This has got to be a special tribute to the Houses of New York, Le Beija, Extravaganza, Magnifique, St. Laurent, Omni, Ebony, Dupree.”, M.M.

Rapt in Beats and Love (…and “my black tights just throwing shade”),

Benna

Song Of The Day//Hot Like Fire//Aaliyah cover by The XX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaCnHl0XAVk

A couple of weeks ago I was inspired to blog about the original Hot Like Fire track sung by Aaliyah and written by Missy Elliot and Timberland by listening to this cover by The XX.  So I thought it fitting to give much deserved kudos to the London born Indie Rock band.  Along with playing most every notable festival in the U.K., U.S., and abroad, The XX went on to win the Barclaycard Mercury Prize in September of this year.

Covers by band of other bands is generally a treacherous endevor that either fails or at best pales in comparision to the original in my opion.  However, the slow sexy deliberate delivery of the 90's R&B lyrics create an orgasmic trippy listening expirence that parralles the yumminess of Aaliyah's original...but firmly juxtaposed in style owns the 3 minutes and 26 seconds of listening time before you go, "wait isn't that an...Aaliyah song?!"  

Thank you Romy Madley, Croft Oliver Sim, and Jamie Smith//The XX for demonstrating such artful ability to recreate whilst maintaining the truth and intention. Your work has shown great respect and appreciation to an R&B track.

Rapt in Beats and Love,

Benna

Song of the Day: For the Love of Funk...and George Clinton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8vBDET3kbI

For me, Cosmic Slop captures Funkadelic at its peak, communicating thier point of view on African American inner-city life (note the token white guy...Ron Brykowski, who was the lead guitarist....for a bit....) as being both celebratory and bleak while maintaining a humor which allowed people to digest this strong juxtaposition for the inarguable truths it holds.  
Though I was blessed enough to have seen George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars as a freshman in High School 1994( two decades after Cosmic Slops release), I am grateful to YouTube and the fierce funk enthusiast who uploaded this video.
Thank you for the freaky funk Funkadelic your epic!
Rapt in Beats and Love,
Benna

Song Of The Day: A Little Bit Of Green//Elvis Presley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRAqUBJjdh8
A Little Bit Of Green was written by Chris Arnold, Geoffry Morrow, and David Martin. It was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969 in Memphis during The American Sound Sessions set up by producer Chips Moman. These sessions would mark the begining of Elvis' come back. Having begun his career as the first notable performer of what would become known as rockabilly (an uptempo blend of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat), The King's career had shifted in to neutral for 11 years prior, due to his well worn stage and "life" habits. The strong new material was substantial and reestablished Elivis’ musical dominance.



Elvis your brave unyielding effort to recreate yourself successfully solidified you as the King of Rock and Roll…and a very adept performer whose versatile voice succeded in crossing and encompassing genres from gospel to ballads. Thank you for your huge body of work.

Rapt in Love and Beats,

Benna

P.S.

There is a Sirus Radio station dedicated completely to Elvis, and that got me wondering how many days of music he must have recorded... I worked it out...he recorded over 800 songs which is approx. 2.5 days of Elvis music...You bettah WERK Elvis...oh right you did!