The Mattson 2 (The Present Sndtrk)

I feel like a schlub because I missed the screenings of Thomas Campbell's new surf film The Present. And I'm making a desperate, last chance effort at redeeming myself by inviting all my fellow Southern California wave riders to San Clemente today at dusk to the Surfing Heritage Foundation to catch the screening of Dear & Yonder, the new surf film by Tiffany Campbell. Now, back to today's music: The Mattson 2 are twin brothers Jared and Jonathan on guitar and drums respectively. This song in particular captures the spirit and tone of Campbell's films, soulful surf jazz. The frantic back-to-school preparation for me and the kids is already leaving me nostalgic for this summer and the Mattson 2 along with Campbell's films are sweet, Zen-like reminders that fall doesn't arrive until September 22nd. Don't rush it. Don't rush it. If you like this track (note: the track that begins playing with the trailer below is not The Mattson 2, nor is it on the soundtrack, hmmm), I highly suggest you pick up the entire album which features other artists from Campbell's boutique label Galaxia, plus Vetiver, David Axelrod, and Cass McCombs.

Longing of the Leftist [MP3, 6.4MB, 160kbps]

www.brushfirerecords.com
www.galaxia-platform.com
Woodshed Films

Neil Halstead

Today's Christmas special comes courtesy of Brushfire Records. Looking for last minute Christmas music? Download this festive collection and 25% of the profit goes to support children's music education. Lots of stocking stuffers here from Matt Costa, Money Mark, Rogue Wave, and of course Jack Johnson, but I can never pass up Neil Halstead's toe-tapping authenticity song, so I'm passing this one along to you. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Cheers.

The Man in the Santa Suit [MP3, 3.8MB, 160kbps]

Original Post: 5/18/2004:
Voice of Slowdive and Mojave 3 suffers from a brief, but brilliant, case of solo-itis. Hopefully he catches that bug again soon.

Two Stones In My Pocket [MP3, 4.1MB, 128kbps]

www.brushfirerecords.com
www.myspace.com/neilhalsteadofficial
www.4ad.com
www.mojave3online.com

Money Mark

A quick Money Mark refresher: He was instrumental, literally and figuratively, on Beastie Boys albums like Check Your Head, Ill Communication, Hello Nasty, and the oh, so groovy The In Sound From Way Out. He also played on a couple Beck records, Blackalicious and the first Handsome Boy Modeling School. Money Mark's always good for a laid-back, soulful groove and that sounds like what we're in for on this, his seventh, solo release. Brand New By Tomorrow represents Mark's efforts at dealing with and documenting a break-up head on. Official Money Mark literature says that this first single is one of the more upbeat, hopeful songs on the album (which I have yet to hear in its entirety), so if you're in need of soothing salve for your heartache drop this one on the ol' hi-fi.

Pick Up the Pieces [MP3, 4.9MB, 192kbps]

Buy from iTunes
www.brushfirerecords.com
www.moneymark.com

G. Love

I'll be honest. I've let G. Love drop off my radar. It's been a long while since I've chilled out with a cold beverage tapping my toes along with G. Love's white boy Philadelphonic blues. He's sweetened up his new album, Lemonade, quite nicely with Blackalicious and Lateef on my favorite track, "Banger." Perhaps you prefer a twist of Ben Harper, or a pinch of Donovan Frankenreiter. G. Love's got a posse and they've set up their lemonade and blues stand just in time for me to drop some quarters on a refreshing, late-summer cool-me-down.

Banger featuring Blackalicious [MP3, 3.1MB, 96kbps]
Hot Cookin' feat. Donavon Frankenreiter [MP3, 2.6MB, 96kbps]
Let the Music Play feat. Ben Harper and Marc Broussard [MP3, 2.4MB, 96kbps]

Buy on iTunes
www.brushfirerecords.com
www.philadelphonic.com