I got my hands on an advanced copy of Band Of Horses new album Infinite Arms last week, and I’m not lying when I tell you it’s all I’ve listened to since.  There are four, count ’em, four songs on there that I am absolutely in love with.  And nowadays, if someone can just release ONE song I really like I’m impressed.  Not gonna get into a whole review or anything, but when this shit drops next Tuesday, cop it.  If you like the slow, melancholy stuff like I do, you’ll get your fix.  And if you favor the more upbeat, rock and roll electric guitar jams, well they’re serving that up too.  It’s a nice southern stew of an album.  Here’s a live video of them performing the title cut, which is absolutely and positively my new favorite song.  This clip is nice, don’t get me wrong, but when you hear it on the album, you’ll understand why I’m so in love with it.  Enjoy a front row seat, live from Brussels…

For all the rest of your Band Of Horses needs, check out Ode to BOH.  It’s a top notch Band of Horses fan site!  And go see them on tour with Pearl Jam!

*Update*

You can stream the whole Infinite Arms album on their website now!  DO IT.  Also, I contributed to the Ode To BOH fan blog.  Read my post HERE.

Jadakiss is back with a new mixtape, The Champ Is Here Part 3.  Definitely worth the download if you’re a Kiss fan.  Personally, I like when he rocks over the older beats, like Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya” and Jay-Z’s “Somehow, Someway”, and Green Lantern’s “Slow Down” blend is probably the highlight of the whole tape.  Still, nothing will ever be able to touch The Champ Is Here Part 1.  But it’s nice to see Jadakiss consistently coming out with new material.  Back cover and download link below…

DOWNLOAD JADAKISS x GREEN LANTERN x DJ DRAMA THE CHAMP IS HERE PART 3

And just to bring it back, here’s a Smack DVD video clip of one of the hottest tracks from The Champ Is Here Part 1.  914 stand up!

Above is a great video of Bill Murray reading poetry to the construction workers on site during the building of Poets House, a poetry library/lounge near Battery Park.  This was shot last year during construction, and as of September 2009, the building is complete and Poets House is open to the public (I hear it has some great views of the Hudson River).  I’m assuming Bill Murray is a fan of poetry and a supporter of Poets House, which is why he took the time to not only read some poems to the workers on the job, but also acknowledge them and their work in the video.  This is completely random, but nevertheless a fun and interesting clip.  And since I’m a really big Bill Murray fan, and in the last two weeks watched both What About Bob? (one of both my wife and my Dad’s favorite movies) and Groundhog Day (seriously, watch this asap it’s soooo slept on), stumbling onto this video just made my morning.  Enjoy.

I figured Sunday morning would be an appropriate time to post this gem of a “Sunday Morning” cover by American Idol star Andrew Garcia (who actually just got eliminated but I thought he was a nice guy and was happy to see him get that far) and beat boxer Angie Girl.  I love videos like this.  Just raw flavor.  And below is the Maroon 5 acoustic version, which friends honor just popped up on my Ipod shuffle earlier this morning as I was changing the sheets with my wife.  One of my all time favorite songs.  Cop their acoustic album HERE if you don’t have it.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings new album I Learned The Hard Way drops next week, but NPR is giving the world a sneak preview of the whole album.  First peep this interview with Jones and live clip of her and the Dap Kings performing last week at SXSW, courtesy of Billboard.  Then check out the new album on NPR’s First Listen…

Listen to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings I Learned The Hard Way on NPR

Did I mention I’m a big time Sharon Jones fan?  She’s one bad mama.  Fitz Winkleman and I previewed the title track on our last episode of Westcheddar Radio, check it out HERE if you missed it.  Much respect to Daptone Records for continuing to put out dope soul music for the masses, and doing cool things like giving away a bonus 45 record (look and listen below) free with a pre-order of the new album on their website.  And Amazon’s got the album on pre-sale too, along with three “making of the album” videos (the first one is up now, other two will follow), RIGHT HERE.

Cop that album.  Hollerrrrrr.

Zach Galifianakis is so damn funny.  He’s one of the few modern comedians that really makes me LOL consistently.  I especially love his talk show, Between Two Ferns, which I’ve posted on Westcheddar in the past.  Here’s the latest episode, featuring guest Ben Stiller, who’s out plugging his new movie Greenberg (it’s directed by the same guy who did one of my favorite films The Squid and the Whale)…

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Galifianakis also hosted his first Saturday Night Live episode earlier this month.  Here’s a clip of his hilarious opening monologue…
Vodpod videos no longer available.

WATCH FULL EPISODE HERE

I heard he shaved his beard off at the end of the show.  Is that true?  Haven’t watched the whole thing yet, but I’m gonna.  And if you missed my post of his stand up special, watch it HERE.  Peace out…

Okay, let the Westcheddar promotion of the new Band of Horses album officially begin!  Infinite Arms drops May 18th, they’re at MSG with Pearl Jam May 21st, but they still haven’t released any new songs.  The picture above, however, is from a recent show at the Ogden Theater in Denver.  Grabbed it off their Twitter.  Anyway, here’s the most recent interview I could find with them (lead singer Ben Bridwell and new addition to the band Ludwig Boss), where they talk about the new album and much more.  Live from Sweden son…

Great band.  Really looking forward to their new album….

Grand Puba is my favorite rapper to ever represent the 914 (Now Rule stand up!).  I listened to his first album non-stop throughout my freshman year of high school.  Today, I stumbled upon a brand new Best of Grand Puba mix, done by Bay Area DJ Tim Diesel, and it’s dope.  Here’s the tracklist…

1. Very Special – Grand Puba
2. Who Can Get Busy Like This Man? – Brand Nubian
3. Foundation – Brand Nubian
4. Actual Facts – Lord Finesse
5. Bread & Butter – Beanie Sigel
6. Love vs. Hate – Brand Nubian
7. Keep On – Grand Puba
8. A Little Of This – Grand Puba
9. Probable Cause – Brand Nubian
10. Open Bar – Sadat X
11. Momma – Brand Nubian
12. Soul Controller – Grand Puba
13. My Struggles – Missy Elliott
14. What’s The 411? – Mary J. Blige
15. Check It Out – Grand Puba feat. Mary J. Blige
16. Ya Know How It Goes – Grand Puba
17. Mind Your Business – Grand Puba
18. Change Gonna Come – Grand Puba
19. Who Makes The Loot? – The Brand New Heavies
20. Back Up Off The Wall – Brand Nubian
21. The Beat Change – Brand Nubian
22. I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are) – Grand Puba
23. Play It Cool – Grand Puba
24. Let’s Get It On – Eddie F. & The Untouchables
25. Watch The Sound – Fat Joe
26. Check Tha Resume – Grand Puba
27. Slow Down – Brand Nubian
28. Shinin’ Star – Brand Nubian
29. Step To The Rear – Brand Nubian
30. To The Right – Brand Nubian
31. Are You Ready – The Beatnuts
32. 360º (What Goes Around) – Grand Puba
33. All For One – Brand Nubian
34. One To The Knot – Masters Of Ceremony
35. Drop The Bomb – Brand Nubian
36. Dedication – Brand Nubian
37. Wake Up (Reprise In The Sunshine) – Brand Nubian

Download/Stream the mix HERE (it’s one mp3, let it ride).  And below are some classic Grand Puba videos for your enjoyment…

Grand Puba “What Goes Around (360 Degrees)”

Grand Puba and Mary J. Blige “What’s The 411?” Yo! MTV Raps

Fat Joe featuring Grand Puba and Diamond D “Watch the Sound”

*VISIT UPNORTHTRIPS FOR ALL YOUR ADDITIONAL THROWBACK HIP HOP NEEDS*

Ski Beatz, best known for his work with Jay-Z and Camp Lo, is in the lab hard body working with Dame Dash on the 24 Karate School mixtape/album.  Featuring everyone from Jay Electronica to Mos Def to Jim Jones to the Cool Kids, this is one of the freshest projects cooking in hip hop right now.  And the promotional videos are dope too.  Check this visual mixtape above to get a feel for the flavor.  It’s worth watching just to hear that first Jay Electronica verse, shit is crack.  And watch the clip below of Ski Beatz and Jay-Z reminiscing about their classic song, “Dead Presidents”…

24 Hour Karate School Official Website

By the way, this was my boy Goldberg’s favorite movie as a teenager.  I wonder why?

Later dudes.

This is a fun watch.  Shout out to Lizzy F for sending this over.  It’s a star studded clip, featuring all the Hollywood studs that all our wives/girlfriends get open off, and Jimmy Kimmel.  Ladies, don’t get too excited.  Enjoy.