Grunge Speak in the New York Times

I'm surprised how many people don't know this story. It's one of my favorites.

Tim Lawrence -- Love Saves The Day

This is the book to read if you're interested in The Loft, The Sanctuary, The Continental Baths, or the Paradise Garage. This is the book to read if you're interested in Francis Grasso, Nicky Siano, Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, and David Mancuso. This is the book to read if you're interested in Tom Moulton and Walter Gibbons. And this is the book to read if you're interested in the dance records of Gamble and Huff, Norman Whitfield, Loleatta Holloway, Georgio Moroder, and Eddie Kendricks.

Also, it lays the context and meaning of the "Disco Sucks" movement and calls it out for its homophobic motivations. Besides, The Stones, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney all made disco records. I assume that people in the "Disco Sucks" movement were fans of those artists.

The Wu Tang Manual

I love this book. RZA's approach to music includes just about every one of his interests combined. The melding of philosophy, numerology, martial arts, comics, cinema, and soul music is, in their best moments, seamless. This book got me a little closer to understanding his process and vision.

Loggins and Messina -- "Pathway to Glory"

Gil Scott-Heron

I used to work at a night club in lower Manhattan that would book Gil. He'd come in sometimes to get an advance on his next show and he was really friendly. He'd give the in-house publicist a hard time for calling him the "Godfather of Hip Hop" in the print ads. She'd argue with him about it for a minute which I liked.

The liner notes in his new album are great. The following makes me want to wait until I have a free moment at home to really listen to his new album:

There is a proper procedure for taking advantage of any investment.
Music, for example. Buying music is an investment.
To get the maximum you must

LISTEN TO IT FOR THE *FIRST TIME* UNDER OPTIMUM CONDITIONS.

Not in your car or on a portable player through a headset.
Take it home.
Get rid of all distractions, (even her or him).
Turn off your cell phone.
Turn off everything that rings or beeps or rattles or whistles.
Make yourself comfortable.
Play your LP.
**LISTEN** all the way through.
Think about what you got.
Think about who would appreciate this investment.
Decide if there is someone to share this with.
Turn it on again.
Enjoy yourself.

-Gil Scott-Heron

This song is so solid:

Bill Hicks

The Phenomenal Handclap Band -- "Baby"

Directed by Stephen Agnew