Noj

Holy smokes Ron, that thing is so horrible it's fantastic.

Mark Ryden

Shag

Mucha

Manet

John Singer Sargent

What, no Thomas Kinkade? Robert Williams Jeff Soto Justin Wood

Way to go, JP!

The Raiders begin the season playing the Pats, Chiefs, and Eagles. Gee, thanks NFL. An 0-3 start would make a playoff run unlikely. With Oakland's defense...well, the offense better score 40 points a game.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

F*%$#@g Spurs.

All Kenny G noises are paired with an injection of lithium.

I'm game!

Thanks Sal! Very strong compliments, I'm glad you liked the selection.

Thanks for your input, chuckyd4. I definitely agree about those cats from the dirty south, they're among the very best. They also have production which is far more sophisticated than most. I'll give this thing a week or so for responses from the other participants, then I'll post the track lists and some comments for each song.

Weird. Since I rarely go to shows, I don't have much of an idea of their racial attendance. When I have gone to shows, I've pretty much stuck out like a white suburban sore thumb. My friend who really likes rap would tell me to go to these shows in the Silverlake area, which is very multicultural. LA's a lot different from NYC, I suppose.

Brandon, I should have inquired with you about participating in my Rap BFT. Very insightful. You've put into words several ideas I've struggled to elucidate.

Whoops, don't know how I missed it. That Soulive album's now on my chopping block With Pat Metheny's Imaginary Day, Cachao's Cuba Linda, and a stack of other stinkers.

My black friend Kris told me about Blackalicious. I agree with an earlier but now deleted post that the only song I've found enjoyable by Soulive is "Joe Sample."

I don't have albums by any single artist that even approach 100. I could see collecting tons of Ellington and never getting bored, based on the 5 or 6 albums I have. Along with Mingus and Mary Lou Williams, Ellington is the jazz artist I'm most curious to hear more from right now.

All three are long-time favorites of mine, especially track 7!

Marty, many thanks for making the effort. I know how difficult it is to use valuable listening time on a genre you've never been attracted to. I'll be interested in reading whatever comments you may have, even if your only inclination is to describe what it is you dislike.

With "The Dark Side," I was arranging the tracks to illustrate the difference between rapping about gangster topics, rapping like an actual gangster, and just plain talking shit. I also included some tracks that discuss uncomfortable topics such as racism and graffiti. The topics tend to be dark, but not the messages. I'm suprised that you weren't offended by Dark Side track #9, Jim. I mean, those lyrics are some coldblooded shit. Overall, I was aiming for things to be listenable. I held off on getting too gangster, figured I'd spare everyone. I can't listen to that gangster stuff, it irks me and I don't think it holds up at all. Guess I'm no spring chicken anymore, either. Most were sampled at some point. None too sacred, imo. Which tracks would you consider the "real gems?" Well, I'll be a little bummed if I don't succeed in changing anyone's mind in the least. I gave it my best shot. I'm no DJ, and really don't have the most comprehensive rap collection. My early rap section is really lacking. I'm not familiar with the "freestyle cats like the ones that Steve Coleman has used...???" Thanks for your comments, Jim. I'm glad you dug it.