Today's Feature Song = 'DO! DO! DO!' by Carte Blanche (ft. Kid Sister)

Today's feature song is DO! DO! DO! by French electronica DJ duo Carte Blanche (ft. Kid Sister). Carte Blanche is a collaboration between French DJ/producer DJ Mehdi and British DJ/musician Riton, and they join forces with Chicago-based rap-artist Kid Sister who provides the vocals. However, if you head over to Kid Sister's Facebook page HERE, you can still obtain a free and legal copy of her newest mixtape (in zip/mp3 format) titled Fool's Gold, which includes this track on it and was mixed by Nick CATCHDUBS. The other tracks on that mixtape are also worth checking out. You can also head over to DJ Mehdi's MySpace page HERE.

Feature Song of the Day = 'No Pleasin'' by BOOM! BAP! POW!

Today's feature song is No Pleasin' by Australian pop-roots-soul group BOOM! BAP! POW! BOOM! BAP! POW! have been active on the Australian music scene since 2009, thye originate out of Perth in Western Australia, and the band consists of members David Salvaire (drums), Paul Hines (guitar), Clint Bracknell (bass guitar), Novac Bull (vocals), and Dylan Hooper (saxophone). They have released a debut studio album (although this single is not on it) in May of 2009 titled You Got It So Bad for BOOM! BAP! POW!, which I have confirmed is currently available on ITunes and Amazon. This song appears to be a single release, and it is still available as a free and legal mp3 download on their Unearthed page along with a couple of other songs HERE. You can also check out their MySpace page HERE for more info on the band and their gigs and other such things.

A Brief Book-Series Review for 'The Belgariad' by David Eddings (1982-1984)

This brief book review is for the entire Belgariad series, which consists of 5-books written by author David Eddings, and which was published in its entirety between the years of 1982 and 1984. This includes the five books in order as follows: Pawn of Prophecy (1982), Queen of Sorcery (1983), Magician's Gambit (1983), Castle of Wizardry (1984), and Enchanter's End Game (1984). This series is my personal favorite fantasy-adventure-series of all time, bar-none! In my opinion the film-industry is crazy for not doing something with these books. While reading these books one gets the idea that they were written in a screenplay format, in that they could quite easily take every line and scene and quite easily transform it into a film or tv-series if some director/producer desired to do so (Peter Jackson, this one is calling to you!). The most amazing part about these books in my opinion are the human interactions which involve rich details of all the different cultures and lands, their rich histories and socio-cultural-economic nuances. You will leave this series feeling as if you knew each one of the characters intimately, which in my experience not many authors are able to do as well as David Eddings, in fact many sci-fi-fantasy-adventure authors seem to focus most of their attention and energy on producing a compelling or formulaic storyline. While the basic plot of the books may be similar to others there is a richness in the small details that makes them so compelling. To top it all off there is a lot of real-world style politics that goes in this epic series, and it is a great series for young readers to dig into as it will actually teach them something about human interactions, basic politics and economics, as well as the glory and terror of war. That may sound like I have really over-rated this series, but I tell you this, I have hardly just begun. Definitely check this series out, even if you are not into sci-fi or fantasy-adventure books, everyone has something to get out of these books. Also, before I go I would like to add that according to his Wikipedia Page David Edding's wife Leigh Eddings was actually an un-credited co-author on several of his earlier books (including the entire Belgariad and his companion series the Mallorean), and so I would just like to acknowledge her contribution to this series of books as well. For those of you who have read it I just stumbled across this video of someone's own animated-interpretations of settings in these books, and its always good to have a video on a vlog-post. Enjoy!

Feature Song of the Day = 'Dance the Way I Feel' by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool

Today's feature song is Dance the Way I Feel by British synth-pop group Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (which means 'where is the swimming pool' in French) originate out of Camden, London UK and consisted of members Charles Haddon (ex-lead singer, is now deceased), Joe Hutchinson, and Caan Capan. This song was the first debut single by the group, and it was initially released in September 2009 as a limited edition 7" vinyl, until November 2009 when it was released in 3 other formats. It was then re-released on the the band's debut album titled The Golden Year in October 2010. The release of that album was delayed from its original release date when the lead vocalist Charles Haddon tragically committed suicide on August 20th, 2010  following a performance in Belgium, and so I dedicate this post in honor of his memory as well as to honor his friends and family. On another note Dance the Way I Feel clenched the #3 spot on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2010 just last week.

Feature Song of the Day = 'It Can Wait (ft. Owl Eyes)' by Illy

Today's feature song is It Can Wait (ft. Owl Eyes)by Australian hip-hop artist Illy. Illy (real name Al Murray) comes out of Melbourne, Australia and was originally a member of Crooked Eye but eventually went solo with the release of his debut album Long Story Short in 2009. It Can Wait comes off his 2nd studio album titled The Chase (released in October 2010) which as an album peaked at #25 on the Australian Album chart. It Can Wait was also just recently featured as #29 on the Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown for 2010. Illy is yet another of the many talented Australian hip-hop mcee's and I hope to hear more from him in the future. If you like what you hear you can find this song and album on ITunes and Amazon, and be sure to check out Illy's Myspace page HERE.

A Brief Movie Review for 'My Man Godfrey' (1936)

AMovie = My Many Godfrey (1936)

4.5/5 Stars ****

My Man Godfrey (1936) is quite entertaining and an interesting story. Godfrey, starts out as a character living during the Great Depression (as the film was 1936) in a dump by the river with lots of other 'ready to and willing to work' homeless characters. He is approached by some drunken young wealthy socialites to partake in a game at random, and he winds up landing a job as their butler. With time we learn that there is more to Godfrey's story then originally thought, and it makes for an interesting movie. Well done, and apparently they remade it in 1957 too. Also contains some interesting socio-economic commentary.

Mentionable Mashups: 'Shame (at Nite)' by Party Ben

Shame (at Nite) is yet another brilliant mashup by DJ/VJ/mashup artist Party Ben. Its a   smooth blend of Day N' Nite (2008) by Kid Cudi, and Shame (1978), by Evelyn "Champagne" King. If you like this mashup then I highly recommend you head over to Party Ben's website HERE.

The Feature Song of the Day = 'Big Jet Plane' by Angus and Julia Stone

Ok, so in lieu of clenching #1 on Triple J's Hottest 100 Countdown of 2010 on Australia Day (yesterday), I have dubbed today's featured song Big Jet Plane by Australian brother and sister folk-blues duo Angus and Julia Stone. Angus and Julia Stone are brother and sister, they have been active on the Australian music scene since 2006, and they originate out of Sydney, Australia (Northern Beaches region). This song also won the ARIA Awards for Album of the Year (Down The Way), Best Adult Alternative Album, and Single of the Year. The EP is also titled Big Jet Plane, and it was released in May of 2010, which incidentally can be purchased on Amazon and ITunes. Be sure to check it out, and also be sure to check out the Hottest 100 results for 2010, there are heaps of great songs and artists on the countdown that you may or may not have heard before...I will be featuring many of the songs from that countdown in the coming weeks on this vlog as well. Peace out.

A Brief Movie Review for 'The Extra Man' (2010)

Movie = The Extra Man (2010)

4/5 Stars ****

The Extra Man is definitely not your typical formula movie, and this is a good thing as it makes it much more interesting. Kevin Kline plays the role that I can't imagine too many others being able to pull off as well as Kline can. Paul Dano always does a good job, and his character is also not your average formula role. I was surprised to see Katie Holmes, I didn't think Tom let her out of the house these days, especially since he kept her from re-starring in 'The Dark Knight," but she is still acting apparently which is good to see. Check this one out when you get the chance.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Rubber Room' by Fantine

Today's feature song is Rubber Room by Russian-born indie-electro-soul-fusion singer Fantine. Fantine was born in Russia, and has since lived with her family in Perth-Australia, The Dominican Republic, and Russia, and according to wikipedia she claims all 3 countries as her home and she claims that this is partly what gives the different elements to her musical style. Fantine has worked as guest vocals with artists Space Invadas and Lupe Fiasco in the past and now Rubber Room is her first solo-single-release. She is said to be currently working on her first EP, which is titled Rubber Room and includes this song. Apparently the actual mustic video is not available on YouTube yet so you will have to watch the brief making of the video below, or head over to her Unearthed Page and listen to/download the free mp3 version HERE. Big ups yoself!

#29 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: 'Our Lips Are Sealed' by The Go-Go's (1981)

Greetings 80's fans, we are now in the 20's range of the Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown! So, without delay, #29 of the countdown is Our Lips Are Sealed by all female American Rock-pop group The Go-Go's. The Go-Go's started out on the music scene back in 1978 in Los Angeles, California and they are hailed as the first all-female rock band who played all of their own instruments, wrote all of their own songs, and that produced top Billboard Hot 100 hits. When they made it big in the early 1980's the band consisted of members  Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals),  Kathy Valentine (bass), and Elissa Bello (drums). Their debut album titled Beauty and the Beat (released in July of 1981) peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart and it is considered by many to be one of the true cornerstone new wave albums that paved the way for the genre at that time. That very same album would reach double platinum status, making it one of the most successful debut albums of all time. Incidentally, Our Lips Are Sealed was the first track on that very album and in the year 2000 Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time. Our Lips Are Sealed would peak at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #10 on U.S. Billboard Club Play Singles chart, #2 on the ARIA Singles chart, and #47 on the UK Singles chart. No doubt The Go-Go's hit it big in the 80's, and thus I knew I had to include at least one of their songs on this countdown. Apparently this song was covered by the Duff sisters in 2004. Well there is #29, stay tuned for #28 and may the force be with you...

Mentionable Mashups: Party Ben - 'Boulevard of Flashing Lights'

Its been a while since I posted any mashups, and there are heaps of them out there, and some of them are quite brilliant too. This one is Boulevard of Flashing Lights by mashup artist/DJ Party Ben, and is a mashup of Kanye West, Green Day, and Oasis. Chickity check it! *To view the actual mashup-music-video to this song by Party Ben go to the  YouTube link HERE and sign in.

Brief Movie Review for 'Out of the Past' (1947)

 Out of the Past (1947)

3/5 Stars ***
Another Robert Mitchum movie, which includes Kirk Douglas as well as a few others. A story about Mitchum's character, who works as a sort of bounty-hunter who is hired by Kirk Douglas's wealthy and corrupt character to retrieve a very clever and sneeky beautiful old girlfriend of his. The story stays interesting throughout and it doesn't end exactly how you might expect, so check it out, its a good flick for a night in.