Faithless on Freegal

Faithless was a successful and much-acclaimed UK dance group active in the 1990s and 2000s. Fronted by Maxi Jazz, one of the smoothest rappers you're likely to hear, Faithless produced electronic music highlighted by intelligent lyrics which took on contemporary political and social issues, at times stirring up some controversy.  In 2006 MTV refused to play the video for "Bombs," a single released by the band which was pointedly critical of US and UK military involvement in Iraq.  A trilogy of animated videos Faithless released in support of their last album, The Dance, also generated some internet buzz with its erotic and psychedelic imagery.

During their 15 year career, Faithless frequently used noteworthy vocalists as a counterpoint to Maxi Jazz's rapping, among them Boy George, Cat Power, Dido and Robert Smith.  The instrumentation in Faithless's music was created largely by Rollo Armstrong (Dido's older brother) along with a female DJ (a rare thing in the male-dominated world of the disk jockey) named Sister Bliss.  Since they recorded all but their final album on Sony (or one of its affiliates), Freegal offers us a nearly complete collection of their music.  Read on for a quick tour of highlights from the band's releases on our download service.

The Isley Brothers: A Funky Family

It was the summer of '79, and Tucson’s disco radio station, 13-KHYT, just couldn’t play the Isley Brothers often enough. It seemed every time I tuned in, there was the churning funk of “I Wanna Be With You,” with its vocoder hook repeating the title over and over, alternating with a semi-whisper of the Isleys chanting “You and me, babe, gettin’ it on, you and me.” Even though I loved disco, I grew to hate the tune, and generally avoided the Isley Brothers’ music whenever I could.

Less Than Zero

Less Than Zero is a 1987 American film based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same title. It stars Andrew McCarthy, Robert Downey JR, Jami Gertz and James Spader. The film is a cautionary expose on the 1980'S world of young wealthy college students and drug addiction of Los Angeles. The main draw of the film is that is a perfect time capsule of the music scene at the time. The pop friendly sounds of The Bangles covering Simon And Garfunkel, The headbanging hairband ballads of Poison and David Lee Roth, the classic rock (resurgence) of Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith and The Doors, the hardcore metal of Slayer and Danzig, the alternative rock of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cult and Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, the hip hop and rap of Run D.M.C., Public Enemy, and LL Cool J, and the classic melancholy rock of Roy Orbison. Keep reading to learn more about the film and it's soundtrack.

The Show I'll Never Forget:

Last year I came across this wonderful book while I working at the Golf Links Library. This is must reading for any type of music buff as it covers nearly every genre of music. There is nothing better than talking with someone about the music they love and why they love it. Usually, when I hear a fresh perspective through heartfelt and organic words regarding a particular musician, I find myself eager to learn more about that artist. I often ask friends what was the best show they ever attended. This single question often blossoms into some of the finest discussions I've shared with friends. Just listening to someone talk about a great live act they once saw is almost like seeing the show for yourself because the person talking always describes everything so vividly with fondness. "The Show I'll Never Forget" is a collection of such descriptions. Please continue reading to learn more.

Children's Music That Won't Make Adults Go Insane

While I've been a life-long music fanatic, a collector of too many LPs, CDs and now mp3 files, it has been something of a challenge to find music my five year-old child enjoys that doesn't drive me out of the room.  Seeking common ground, I tried to get my kid into Larry Levan's disco remix of "C is for Cookie"... but it didn't take.  However, I've been lucky enough to find a few CDs which me and my child enjoy, and some of the best of these are available through the Pima County Public Library.

Jimi Hendrix

It's pretty amazing that every few years comes a new album of Jimi Hendrix music. Which is pretty amazing since he has been dead since 1970. But the music industry thrives off finding unreleased songs or alternate tracks. And so this year we have a brand new album of Hendrix music and two new singles. Not bad for a guy who was 27 when he died. 

Jimi Hendrix created music that continues to inspire and influence musicians today which his influential style of electric guitar, recording in rock and roll and blues, and headlining the famous Woodstock Concert of 1969. His music is unmistakably original and his own; often covered by others, but never imitated. Here are some CD's, books, a DVD, and free downloads of Hendrix music for you to enjoy: