Hey, it’s Jeremy from the Fingertips web site and I’m back this time with a two-month digest of the best songs featured on Fingertips since the summer started. This time I’ll pick out three songs from each month, to give you a taste of what I’ve been charged up about. If you want some background on what I’m doing here, check out the May edition, in which I more fully introduced myself.

From June:

“Dear God 2.0″ – the Roots
You don’t have to be a hip-hop fan to sense the glory in this performance, which is a reworking of a song originally recorded by the Monsters of Folk. Jim James can still be heard, but the song centers on Black Thought’s weary, rumbling, tumbling rap. (Read the entire review.)

“Here Sometimes” – Blonde Redhead
Elusively appealing song from the veteran NYC trio, with a characteristic mix of dreaminess and electronics. (Read the entire review.)

Orange Yellow – the Spires
Jangly guitar rock, with a nod to the Velvet Underground. The band is from Ventura, however, so it bounces with more of a SoCal than a downtown groove. (Read the entire review.)

(Other artists featured in June included Simian Ghost, Sea of Bees, and Sambassadeur.)

From July:

“Zorbing” – Stornoway
Bursting with melody and innocence, as invigorating as a bright blue puffy-clouded day. In a better world than this one, this is the song of the summer of 2010. (Read the entire review.)

“Alouette!” – Tallest Trees
Gleeful, skewed, clattery pop from a Nashville duo. Electronics are used with good humor, and the entire arrangement is great fun. (Read the entire review.)

“Noisemaker” – Two Hours Traffic
Nothing more or less complicated than brisk, sharp power pop. No summer should be without this one either. (Read the entire review.)

Other artists featured in July included Lost in the Trees, Like Bells, and Saadi.)

Hey everyone, my name’s Jeremy and I’ve been running the Fingertips music site since way back in 2003. Every week I sort through a mountain of free and legal MP3s that I find online and pick out three really good ones. While I don’t range too widely across genres (there’s no jazz, no hip-hop, no blues, no genres ending with the word “core”), I try to keep the sounds varied each week so that the three songs together take you an interesting place.

What I’m going to start doing here on Musicgoat is write up a quick monthly summary of the songs Fingertips has featured by pointing you to one song out of three each week–I’ll give you the link and a very brief description. This is the digest version to be sure. On the site itself, the reviews are longer and more descriptive; my aim is to give the reader a strong sense of what each song sounds like and I why I think it’s particularly good. And remember, because I’m picking just three songs every week, all three of them are really quite excellent, so it would be a great idea for you to go visit the site to hear all three songs each week.

Thanks to Corey for the invite, and let’s get right into it with an abridged look at what I picked out for May. Remember, these songs are all available as free and legal MP3s that you can download to your heart’s content.

Week 1:
“Let the Record Go” – The Mynabirds
A slice of stompy, retro perfection from Laura Burhenn, who used to be half of the duo Georgie James. The entire album is highly recommended. (Read the entire review.)

(Other artists featured week 1: The National, Hey Marseilles)

Week 2:
The Mermaid Parade – Phosphorescent
Both laid back and expansive, this one brings a slow-burning quality to its sauntering vibe. Phosphorescent is a Brooklyn-based band featuring Matthew Houck and whomever else he can get to play with him at the time. (Read the entire review.)

(Other artists featured week 2: Villagers, Beach House)

Week 3:
“The Kiss” – Pallers
A graceful, beautifully unfolding electronic dance-ballad, from Sweden. Builds without hurrying to a moving climax. (Read the entire review.)

(Other artists featured week 3: Sarah Blasko, The King Left)

Week 4:
“Captive” – Sarah Harmer
This super-talented Canadian returns after a bluegrass project to some straight-ahead pop. Very appealing. (Read the entire review.)

(Other artists featured week 4: Light Pollution, Sarah Jaffe)

You can read the reviews and listen to the free and legal MP3s on Fingertips every week. Better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed and you’ll never miss any of the songs.

Thanks for looking the picks over and maybe giving a listen. Keep reading Musicgoat and I’ll be back in early July with the June highlights from Fingertips.

After years of reviewing and sharing other peoples music with you, I finally decided it was time to throw my hat in the ring by writing and recording some music of my own. Better yet, I am giving you the chance to listen to it and review it.

The name of my debut CD is “Never Too Late”. You can check out every song by stopping by the music page on my site PlanetCorey.com.

Better yet, can get 3 of my downloads, each with a personal introduction, for free by visiting my fanlist signup page now.

If you want to review it, all I ask is that you are completely honest. You can either put your thoughts in the comments below, on my artist site, your blog OR if you have a site or social media profile (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc), you could share and post it there.

Anyway, go grab your tunes now. I’m excited to hear what you think.

Recently, I had a chance to talk to the up-and-coming Hip-Hop duo RIBKAT AND JOSY B. They’ve already had a placement in the Oscar-nominated film the The Wrestler, a 2008 Hollywood Music Award nomination and an Effigy Award for best Hip Hop song in 2009 under their belts. They recently released their latest album Theory of Addicts and it looks like 2010 is going to be a good year for Tak and Josy B.

The chemistry between the two of you is undeniable, how did you meet and what made you start performing together?

I wrote a song called “Redrum” and I really wanted a female to sing the chorus I had written, and then, what do you know? With the snap of a finger, I was introduced to a cute, vivacious Puerto Rican girl with amazing vocals that went by the name of Josy B. Shortly  after the recording, I realized our chemistry was so magnetic and decided to release the song as our first single, which did great overseas, and we continued to work together from that point on

What is the first song you ever wrote together?

It was a song called ‘Reveriez” which happened to be our first single from our new album Theory of Addicts. You can get a free download of our album at www.RIBKATANDJOSYB.COM. I strongly encourage all you folks out there to come join us and get yourself a free copy!

Tak, you’ve been in the game a long time with groups like Styles of Beyond and Fort Minor, how is RIBKAT AND JOSY B. different?

For starters, I’ve never done an entire project with a female. Another is I got a chance to reinvent myself and showcase my music production and songwriting ability in a way the fans have never heard or would ever expect. Our sound is more electro-pop tip with a fusion of 80’s music and early 90’s Hip Hop in it’s prime. I never considered myself to be a rapper for the most part, but more of a songwriter who was always intrigued by the art of storytelling, with the soul of a musician.

Josy B., you’ve had the opportunity to work with the legendary Dr. Dre, tell us about the experience.

It was an awesome opportunity and a great learning experience. At the time, Dre was doing the soundtrack for a movie called El Diablo and we worked together to write some lyrics in Spanish for a track that was used for one of the scenes. The song turned out great! He was a really fun and down-to-earth guy and it was an honor to have worked with the Dr.

Josy B., you seem to love fashion, does your style influence your music and stage persona?

Fashion is my love!!! I’m addicted to accessories and colorful bags. What I wear is who I am which has a lot of influence not only with the music that I do but on stage as well. I don’t try to think too hard about what I’m going to wear when I perform. I’m very versatile with my visions and mood and sometimes I throw something together spontaneously, so you never know what I may be wearing when I come out!

Your new album Theory of Addicts was just released, what tracks are you most excited to perform live?

To be honest, we get excited to perform all of our songs because we love our album! We don’t use profanity in any way and we strongly believe in unifying a nation of people young and elderly through a positive medium of enjoyable music with an innovative energy behind it.

If you could collaborate with any other artist/s who would it be?

A man-made android combining the DNA of Culture Club, Talking Heads, Human League, Huey and the News, Tears for Fears, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J., Leaders of the New School, with a splash of Michael Jackson.

What’s the game plan for 2010?

To infect the world with a plague called “Good Honest Music”

–Sheena Felix

Well it is that time of year once again. If you are anywhere near a radio, are spending time in shopping centers OR have a overly-spirited friend or family member all pumping out “traditional” holiday music, you might have had your fill of the usuals holiday fare.

I and the guys over at Social Blend are right there with you. Soooo, to break up the monotony, we decided to put together a show filled with some fairly obscure Christmas music. We’ve got some Rob Halford, Dave Matthews, Robert Earl Keen, some guy named Elvis and some other guy that probably shouldn’t be singing.

Stop by and listen to Social Blend’s Cranuim II now.

Oh, and if you are still in the mood for more Holiday music, check out the podcast I put together last year.

Listen to the ‘The Christmas Show I Swore I’d Never Do” now.

And before I go, I just want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Thanks again Joe and Greg from Social Blend.

Here is something for your listening enjoyment. Earlier this week I had the honor of being a guest on the Social Blend podcast. The topic was “Underrated and Obscure Music”.

I am sure you are going to dig it because it really doesn’t get much more “Musicgoat” than the wide spectrum of music we played and discussed. What each of us – Joe, Gregg and I – did was picked a few selection  and then tell a story about each (which generated some good, meaty discussion as well).

Go listen to the Social Blend podcast now.

I have been on the show in the past and was honored to be asked again. It is always a good time hangin out. Thanks Joe and Greg!

In this episode, not only will you hear great acoustic music and get a great tip on how you can legally rob a bank BUT you will also find out what it is that I am doing with a Horny Goat.

You better listen now before your imagination gets the best of you…

Press play now

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Excellent Willie Nelson Show I Went To A Few Year Back

I’m feelin a little frisky tonight so I am just going to throw this out there Seth Godin style and see what happens. A quick story and some “hopefully” useful advise.

A few months ago, a few friends and I realized that a lot of time went by between shows (because we’re all parents and semi-slaves now). We realized that it had been a long time since we felt the excitement and the energy you can only get by attending a live music event. We knew that our music loving souls were in need of a recharge and we knew we needed to do something about it. So we did!

We made a pact that every time there is a show within about a 100 mile radius, we were gonna make sure we made sure everyone else knew about it and then take it from there.

It worked. We’ve all been to many shows this year and there are many more in the works. We don’t always get to go together but we have made it a priority and are better off because of it.

Now if you are suffering from a serious case of live music deficiency, here’s a quick tip to improve your live music nutrition.

Look for a show in your area and just make up your mind that, come hell or high water, you’ll be there. Just make the decision. No more, “I’d like to go”…JUST GO.

Take a friend if you can. If not, screw it, go by yourself. You’ll meet some new people and chances are you’ll have something in common and you’ll have a new Facebook pal to share the music love with.

Well I finally did it, I recorded my very own song and I want to share it with you. Also, since I am the one normally doing all of the reviewing, I thought it would be fun to turn the tables around and give you all a chance to review me – either in the comments below, via my contact form or your blog.

I call the song “Change the World” and you can check it out now by visiting my personal site PlanetCorey.com.

It is just me, my acoustic guitar and my message.

This is something I’ve been meaning to do for quite awhile now and I have to tell you, I’ve been missing out. It is extremely fun to record music and it is hard to describe the feeling of hearing something I started from scratch playing back at you.

I’m addicted and I am a songwriting junky right now. I can’t wait to get back in the studio to record the next one.

Anyway, remember that you can share your review in the comments below, via the contact form, on your own site OR any social networking profile blog you might have (Facebook, MySpace, iMeem, etc). I don’t care what you say – since I am a big boy and can take it – all I ask is that you are honest and constructive.

Hope you like it and I can’t wait to hear what you guys think.

The Melting Pot is back in action and you, my friend, are not going to wanna miss a single note of any tune present in this compilation. The tunes, like me, are mellow yet upbeat and 100% thought provoking.

Grab a beer, glass of wine or mixer and press play now!

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Songs heard on this podcast:

Say something…