Havana Cultura is a new double album from acclaimed musical tastemaker Gilles Peterson. Havana Cultura blends jazz, mambo, salsa, hip-hop and gives the contemporary Cuban music scene a platform to feature some of it’s new up and coming artist. On one disk you have tracks Peterson discovered on his travels through Cuba in September of 2008. The other disc is all new material Peterson recorded with renowned jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca. For more information visit the official site
.
Continue reading for a video introducing the project.

Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura / The project

“Green Eyed Love” is the downbeat closer from Michigan soul singer Mayer Hawthorne, off of his debut LP, A Strange Arrangement on Stones Throw Records. On first blush its lyrics seem to suggest he’s got a thing with a tempestuous, ill-advised green-eyed girlfriend. Not your average look for soul-rooted music, coming from somebody who’s not your average look for a soul-rooted artist. Yet still a great sound for the nostalgic sound admirer in all of us.

Continue reading to see the video.

Source: Stereogum

This is a unique way of doing a documentary to convey to people twenty music tracks that changed your life. Musicvision Phoenix are the 20 songs that inspired the band Phoenix, which shows the records playing in vinyl with voice overs from band members. Noted songs on the documentary are “Blue monday people” – Curtis Mayfield, “Sell your love” – Iggy pop & James Williamson, “Darlin’”- The Beach Boys, and many more.

Continue reading to see the video.

MUSICVISION PHOENIX from Guillaume Delaperriere on Vimeo.

“King Rat” is the newest music video from American band, Modest mouse. The video, which was directed by the late Heath Ledger was incomplete due to his untimely passing. Ledger’s vision for the video was to raise awareness about illegal whaling off the coast of Australia through the use of animation. The video, which is a bit demented and quite gruesome, does the job to shock the viewer. Now completed by The Masses, the profits from the iTunes downloads of this video will go to support the Sea Sheperd Conservation Society and the single can be found on Modest Mouse’s EP No One’s First, and You’re Next.

View the video after the jump.

King Rat

Check out the video for their new single, “One More Chance” after the jump.

G.O.O.D Music representative, Mr. Hudson, has recently premiered the video for his single, Supernova featuring Kanye West. Supernova, also produced by West, is the lead single off of The U.K. singer/producer’s upcoming sophomore album, Straight No Chaser. The album is expected to be released this August and will be Mr. Hudson’s first studio album under West’s G.O.O.D. Music Imprint.

The music video also features a quick cameo by another U.K. recording artist, Estelle. Check out the video after the jump.

If you’re in need of new music for this month, look to these albums to brighten up your album collection. Our contributors Jason Hortillas and Paul Castillo complied these eclectic selections of six albums to get you through the month of May. A few of their choices include hip-hop, DJ blends, and a few new independent and pop-worthy bumps. Continue after the jump to check out the rest of their reviews.

Picks by Jason Hortillas

DJ Neil Armstrong – Sweeet Part 2

It’s a great ice-breaker to introduce Neil Armstrong as Jay-Z’s tour dj. But if you remove the glare that the title encapsulates, you quickly realize Neil is damn good at what he does. Armstrong’s creativity allows his mixes to stand outside of novelty. I mean come on, who mixes The Bee Gees to Bobby Brown so well? Rather than flexing his record catalog Armstrong is more about an emotional congruence with the listener. This results in a Nick and Norah play list but with a dash of soul and the polish of professional.

Chester French – Love Is The Future

Hip-Hop royalty such as Kanye West, P. Diddy, and Jermaine Dupri have given Chester French so much praise yet
the duo of Harvard grads sound nothing like their famous fans. With obvious Beatles influence and with subtle Hip-Hop song composition the result equals Pop perfection. Notable tracks like “She Loves Everybody” and “Jimmy Choos” add in front man’s D.A. Wallach’s self-deprecating yet playboy bravado. Although one album deep, I wouldn’t immediately pass on the Hall and Oates torch but they’re well on their way. Unlike their predecessors, Chester French delivers a purer Rock sound like on songs such as ” C’mon (On My Own). With clever songwriting and easily charming personalities, I expect only good music to come.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz

If you can go back to the groups 2003 hit single, “Maps” you can tell they had the chops for Pop mastery. With singles as “Zero” and “Heads Will Roll,” the YYY’s are fulfilling the potential they were initially praised for. Although their roots in Garage Rock and Punk are not as prominent, their fourth effort should prove that the change was for the better. Lead singer Karen O’s charismatic persona remains while the synthesized dance friendly tracks are reflective of New York in 2009. Luckily songs like “Skeletons” provide an epic ballad experience while “Dull Life” does the opposite injecting life into already great album.

Picks by Paul Castillo

Esser – Braveface

Ben Esser’s self-produced debut album Braveface is a prime exercise in modern British pop and does not lack in creativity or depth. The Fred Perry wearing 23 year old does not mind being labeled a “pop” artist as he explained in an interview with Clickmusic.com “I don’t like elitism. Pop music can be fascinating, the way it makes you feel, and the way it can capture a moment in time.” His love of various musical styles is evident in the ten-track melting pot, which ventures into R&B, dub, electro, tango, ska, and garage rock. Overall, Braveface is a strong debut album for the Essex native who seems poised to make a name for himself with his catchy hooks, nonchalant delivery, and eclectic musical style.

The Kid Daytona – The Daytona 500 EP

The concept for The Kid Daytona’s new EP is very simple: Take the famous Bob James Nautilus sample and have five of his favorite producers put their own spin on it. The end result is what The Kid Daytona calls his “machine” which will take his listeners on a journey with his aptly titled forthcoming debut album “Come Fly with me”. The Daytona 500 EP is an excellent appetizer to the main course, a must listen.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

The highly talented Brooklyn quartet known as Grizzly Bear are back at it again with their highly anticipated third release entitled Vekatimest. The buzz around this upcoming release is evidenced by their slew of recent T.V. appearances including Late Night with Conan O’Brian. Each track on Veckatimest delivers pleasing layers of melodic folk-pop that are both intriguing and infectious. Unlike their previous release Yellow House, Veckatimest carries a distinctive grittiness in production, which set it apart from its predecessor. This is another great album from Grizzly Bear that will surely end up on many top album lists for 2009.

The Land Rover LRX Concept, if made, could be hailed as “the smallest, lightest and most efficient Land Rover has ever produced.” Unveiled last year, it was said that that this concept would be a “2.0-litre, Federalised, turbodiesel hybrid, with potential CO2 emissions of 120 g/km.” It even won the “Concept Truck of the Year” award in the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. With all accolades and engineering aside, we are also impressed with the LRX design. It has a very sleek exterior with very minimal lines. The interior is also impressive with state of the art additions. Check out more images after the jump.

Source: AB

Self-taught designer Tom Dixon has a distinctive style, which translates seamlessly into his new Slab Chair. Made from crowned oak the Slab Chair is not only a piece of furniture, it’s a work of art, sure to spruce up your living space or office. Also available in Brown at SFMoma.

Iconic band Depeche Mode, just released a new music video for their single “Wrong.” The song is for their upcoming album titled, Sounds of the Universe which marks the bands 12th studio album. The song and video are eerily good, with the video reminding me of Radiohead’s Karma Police. Either way, its worth the look and listen. The album is set for release on April 21 in the U.S. Video after the jump.