"...they're mine, all your jewels."

You know who I love? Marianne Fucking Faithfull. I was wrecked to hear she has cancer. But when I think of the life she's lived... it's not so surprising. She's an inspiration. I love her, and I hope she gets well so she can make more fantastic music.

Marianne Faithfull - Why D'Ya Do It?
This one's from her comeback album BROKEN ENGLISH which I'm sure many of you know. It was my introduction to her at 17, and boy was it an eye opener. I don't think I'd ever heard the word "cunt" before. An male english teacher at my high school gave it to my best friend, a girl with whom he was having a tawdry affair. It was all very hush-hush. Broken English became part of our soundtrack during that hot, humid, secret summer of '87.

Marianne Faithfull with Sly & Robbie - "Lola R. Forever"
To this day, she's still on the edge. Marianne released this track in 2006 with dub legends Sly & Robbie on a tribute to Serge Gainsbourg. I wish they'd do a whole project together. Her lazy, elegant style fits so well over their dark, rich sound.

BUY IT! Marianne Faithfull - A Perfect Stranger Anthology

BUY IT! Monseiur Gainsbourg - A Tribute to Serge Gainsbourg

"This AIDS thing's not working..."

LaTour - People Are Still Having Sex

Does anyone remember this song? It's very "guilty pleasure."

I played it at the bar last week, slowing it down a little bit. The beat's very au courant. But the lyrics... not so good.

Our door-queen Shawn said he heard it for the first time when Larry Levan played it. OK?

"... the truth is, I was shocked!"

Today, LCD Soundsystem release their new album Sound of Silver. Go out and buy it. Hey, if you live in New York City, it's only ten bucks at Virgin.

I'm not going to post any MP3s because you should go buy it, okay? It's truly an amazing album. I've been listening to it at work all morning. Destined to be a classic.

[Plus, the DFA are legendary for seeking out bloggers and making them take down MP3s. So just go buy the CD, okay?]

If you don't believe me and want a listen, check out their site.

BUY IT! LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

"But baby I love you, I still love you"

Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer were on top of their game in 1979. Their BAD GIRLS album was split across two platters, with each side a seamless mix of four tracks. Moroder still used a lot of electronics, but he also included heavy elements of funk and rock. It helped Donna make the transisiton from the 70s to the 80s that so few girls were able to do in the post-disco backlash.

I love this album so it's impossible for me to pick just one to post.

Donna Summer - Walk Away
One of the tricks you'll hear on this album is Donna's unrestrained vocals against a chorus of girls. She really let's you have it towards the end of Walk Away.

Donna Summer - Can't Get To Sleep Tonight
Listen to this in some good headphones. Each instrument has a deliberate and precise placement in the mix. But it also sounds hot pumping out of some good speakers.

A couple years ago, when Tiga's Sexor album came out, there was this little song called Far From Home. I like to play it up against these Donna Summer songs in my sets. He's clearly based a lot of his career on the Moroder sound.

Tiga - Far From Home

BUY IT! Donna Summer - Bad Girls Deluxe Edition

BUY IT! Tiga - Sexor

Soap Opera Says "You Got One Life to Live"

Every time I play this song out at the bar, someone says "I didn't know that Janet was covering an old song." And I'm like, "this is the cover - Janet's was the original." Much gagging ensues.

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - What Have You Done For Me Lately

So yeah, this song is a great intro into an amazing singer. I highly recommend picking up an entire album. Check the Daptone site for more info.

BUY IT! Dap Dippin with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

And while we're on the topic of Janet Jackson cover songs... you gotta check out Sondra Prill, the Queen of Tampa Public Access.

"We only said goodbye with words..."

This is the title track from my favorite album of '07 so far ('06 for those of you in the UK). Most of you probably already know the tee on Amy, so I won't get into it. She has a gorgeous voice, and the production by Mark Ronson is ace. I hear this is getting a US release soon. So go buy it, OK?

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

BUY IT! Amy Winehouse - Back to Black