I recently heard Rhianna’s version of Bob Marley classic track, Redemption Song. Honestly, I have never heard a track butchered like that [here]. I know she is doing it for a good cause and all, but what ticked me off more then her cover was that a few people said it was their first time hearing the track. WHAT? Hopefully you know who Bob Marley is, if you don’t then check out Shaun Boothe’s Unauthorized Biography [here]. When you done with that check out my favorite Bob Marley track, Redemption Song.

Bob Marley – Redemption Song

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It’s been a while since we posted a Throwback track.  This week’s and the last one of the year goes to Tricky.  Definitely a pioneer for Trip Hop with the likes of Portishead and Massive Attack, but a catalog that doesn’t stack up with the other two.  Tricky’s most memorable tune is Hell Is Around The Corner, which is off his 1995 album, Maxinquaye.  The album flew over my head when I was a little lad, but after going back in the crates and giving it a solid listen over the years it gets spins around the Cafe.  Which is why it made the retro tune of the week.

Tricky – Hell Is Around The Corner [Download]

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It’s been a while since we wrote a retro and we had to did in the crates for this one.  Julie London was a famous actress/singer who started her music career in 1955.  Ms. London recorded over 32 albums and also made over 20 films.  Though she will be remember for a singer, her biggest hit will be Cry Me A River.  Turn your speakers up and open up that bottle of Romanée Conti you’ve been saving and listen to some classic tunes.

Julie London – Cry Me A River

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We don’t play much Emo-Indie Rock around the Cafe.  Not there is anything wrong with it, it’s just not our style.  But if we had to choose an emo band, hands down it would be The Get Up Kids.  This band has gone through many up and downs (literally), they’ve been in the music biz since 1995, splitting up in 2005, and then they got back together in 2008.  Out of their four major released albums, their best work would be,  1999’s Something to Write Home About.  Back when it was released, they were comparing the The Get Up Kids to bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit, in terms of selling out.  But I can’t remember when The Get Up Kids were on the TRL countdown.  While their album Something to Write Home About is ten years old, the music remains catchy and relevant today.  Some those two bands above can’t say nowadays.  Check out two of their classic tracks, Ten Minutes and Long Kiss Goodnight.

The Get Up Kids – Ten Minutes

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Download: The Get Up Kids – Ten Minutes

The Get Up Kids – Long Kiss Goodnight

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Download: The Get Up Kids – Long Kiss Goodnight

Your probably thinking how can we put Jason Mraz in our retro section.  A lot of people know Jason Mraz through his worldwide smash hit single, I’m Yours.  In fact, it’s such a huge hit, it’s the longest running song on the Billboard 100 list.  It has spent 70 weeks on the list and never fell below 40 (Amazing).  But few people know Mr. Mraz has been releasing music since 1999 and got his start playing in local coffee shops in California.  Something we at The Maroon Cafe love and respect.

Lets take a listen back to a song off his first album, Waiting For My Rocket To Come, entitled, Absolutely Zero.

Jason Mraz – Absolutely Zero

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Synopsis: Blonde Redhead is an alternative rock band.  It was formed by Kazu Makino, Maki Takahashi and Milan-born Italian twin brothers Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace. They take their name from a song by DNA, a 70s and 80s no-wave band from New York. Blonde Redhead caught the attention of Sonic Youth’s drummer, Steve Shelley, who produced their first self titled album in 1993. Shortly afterwards Maki Takahashi left the band and the remaining band members continued as a trio. *

Blonde Redhead is the definition of underground.  They’ve been releasing albums since 1993 and haven’t crack the public eye. It’s amazing, that such a great band doesn’t get the recognition they deserve.  The good thing is, their music only gets better.  Check out one of my favorite songs, Misery Is A Butterfly, the self titled track from their 2004 album.  It is an eerie and seductive track that suits what seems to be happening to a bunch of famous people this year.

Blonde Redhead – Misery Is A Butterfly

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*Source: Last.fm

Everyone runs their mouth about how Hip Hop is dead…well if that’s true then R&B has been cremated and thrown in the Atlantic Ocean.

Let us take you back to 1999, when R&B was blasting from car stereos, CD Players (remember those?), and your local clubs. Tyrese, Ginuwine, Case and R.L. who were all on top of their game at that time, came together to release classic cut from The Best Man Soundtrack (great soundtrack, which also features Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill’s, Turn Your Light Down Low).  All my old heads turn up your speakers, and all you young’ins listen to a lost art known as R&B.

Back in the mid to late 90’s my switch from hip-hop head to the well balance music connoisseur you see in front of you today might have started with a group from Bristol, England, named Portishead.  I had a job at a video game store and one of my co-workers was as weird as can be.  Normally who ever came to work first got to play their music over the stereo system for a few hours.  Needless to say I dreaded the days he was in charge of music.  But one day, I remember hearing the track, Only You for the first time and being hypnotized.  It was like Beth was telling me that I was the only person who can ease her pain.  I ask him the name of the band and track and since that day my love for Portishead has grown. Deep I know.  But my start of listening to different and intriguing music started around that time. 

Enough about me, check out, Only You from their 1997 self titled classic album.

Portishead – Only You

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Only You Video After The Jump

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Electrelane was a four piece set from Brighton England and formed in 1998. The ladies went on to become one of the most intriguing girl bands ever, there music which is very reminiscent of The Slits, ranged from post punk to alternative rock. While some fans will admit that the group had strong feminist views and even raised a few eyebrows with there protest song “The Partisan” Verity, Emma, Mia & Ros who called it quits in 2007, are still and will always be a quality foursome, that never received the accolades they so well deserved. Here’s one of my favorite tunes “On Parade” from there Power Out album released back in 2001.

Electrelane- On Parade

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American Rock/Rap group Rehab was originally formed as a trio: Steaknife, Danny Alexander, and Brooks Buford. Early on, they released their first album “To Whom It May Consume” produced by Steaknife and Brooks Buford.  They released a CD back in 2000 called, “Southern Discomfort”.  What I remember about the CD was the sounds of Danny’s and Brook’s voice.  Danny’s being the singer, was sweet and smooth, while Brook’s, being the rapper was sour and raw.  They were opposites but they blended well together.  The track Doesn’t Matter (below) showcases the contrast of their voices and styles.

The problem with Rehab was even though they were a talented group, they came out during the Rock-Rap (Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Crazy Town, and many many others) era of music.  Which put them in the fad category.

In 2002, Rehab called it quits  over a difference in creative view points.  They reemerged in 2005 with a few new members (check the pic above) and their song, Sittin In A Bar, gets regular rotations on rock stations across America today.  Keep in mind it’s 2009 and Sittin In A Bar originally dropped back in 2000.  One can only wonder where they would be if they stuck together.  We wish Danny and Brooks continue success on their music careers.

Rehab – Doesn’t Matter

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