11) Skee-Lo – I Wish:
Skee-Lo may not be doing much these days, and certainly didn’t have any other hits that even approached the level of “I Wish,” but it’s also not hyperbole to say that this track is one of the original, Real McCoy “Jamz of the Day.” Remember when it was the Jam of the Week on MTV for like 13 weeks in a row or something back in 1995? It took Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” to knock Skee-Lo from the top dog position. Let’s reminisce together:
12) The Roots – How I Got Over:
If you haven’t heard last month’s ninth studio album from The Roots, How I Got Over, then do yourself a favor and pick it up now! The title track “How I Got Over” picks up right where “The Seed 2.0” did back in 2002 with a smooth Cody Chesnutt vocal hook and driving beats from ?uestlove and the rest of the crew.
13) Broken Bells – The High Road:
Danger Mouse and James Mercer team up as Broken Bells for some revamped psychedelic rock classics riding against a hip hop backdrop on their recent release. And for further summer jams reading, check out Danger Mouse’s “Endless Summer” playlist that he put together for New York magazine’s June issue.
14) Darwin Deez – Up In The Clouds:
Darwin Deez is a bit hard to classify, mostly because of the silly hairband/hairdo combo, but this track and video definitely live up to DD’s self-described style on myspace, “indie rock with a side of calisthenics,” if by calisthenics he means dancing. Right now he’s on tour in Europe and elsewhere through November, but when he gets back in town you can be sure to catch the Deez at many local shows around the city’s various boroughs.
15) Snoop Dogg – Who Am I? (What’s My Name)
The breakout solo smash from Tha Original Doggfather himself, Snoop Doggy Dogg. Break out a 40, turn the volume up, and start rolling the dutch, because it’s about to get G-funky up in here!
-EV2BK
East Village to Brooklyn 