mindplunge

The new iPod Nano + iTunes 8

Today Steve Jobs revealed the new iPod nano (8BG and 16GB) and a new version of iTunes. A new feature is ‘Genius’.

Say you’re listening to a song you really like and want to hear other tracks that go great with it. The Genius feature finds the songs in your music library that go great together and makes a Genius Playlist for you. It’s like having your own highly intelligent, personal DJ.

iTunes 8 is not yet available as a Software Update but you can download it directly from the Apple’s website.

Running Music Part II

I kinda gave up on the search for podsafe music. Sure, there are a bunch of websites with podsafe music but I simply don’t like the tunes. Last thing I need is being annoyed by the music on my iPod. The podcasts I’m creating are for personal use only… sorry. I wish I could share it with you all but knowing the RIAA is on a witch hunt I’m trying not to end up with a fine or jail time…

However! I still can provide you with links to some excellent (free) music! Most of them are house/techno related (which I love) so if you’re interested keep on reading.

This week two links. One of my old friends is getting big in the house scene. I use to live above the record shop he was working at and had a fair share of beer and french fries runs during the weekends. Break 3000, the dutch part of the german based Dirt Crew kept me jumping in the early 2000′s. He’s offering some free downloads from their gigs worldwide. Check out Dirt Crew’s download section. If you feel the need to support their music head over to beatport.com and purchase some of their awesome tracks!

Second link are ‘the end club recommends’ series. 10 free songs every month with some big names (Carl Craig etc.). Volume 5 just came out but I advise to download all 5 sessions. It’s worth it!

Inspirational running music

No doubt that music is a big motivator for me when running. I was thrilled to find some of my ‘lost’ mixes online. My hard drive crashed twice on me with the result of losing most of my music. Today I found a link with the DJ mixes most precious to me. It’s radio mix by dutch female DJ 100% Isis. She used to be big early 2000 and not sure how she’s doing right now. Most of my dutch friends are into the Dance and DJ scene and having Isis play at my friends house was a trip. Kinda like a private session since only 10 people were present.

The site has also all the Essential Mixes (1993 – 2000) from the UK. If you need to fill up your iPod or other mp3 player I strongly recommend lekkerlui.nl

Episode 1 C25K Podcast is on its way

I found the voice-over for my C25K podcasts! Hopefully Mel McMurrin has some time this weekend to provide me with some sound bites. More about the talented Mel McMurrin:

A veteran jingle singer in the San Francisco Bay area, Mel has recorded commercials for Nations Hamburgers, Sun Microsystems, Luckys, Glidden, Harvey’s Casinos and others in studios like, Green Street Music, Michael Boyd Music, Ed Bogus Productions and Bongo Bob Productions.

His malleable voice has found it’s way on to a number of video/computer games including Sony’s Twisted Metal, and Cool Borders, Konami’s NHL:Blades of Steel, Lucas Arts’ Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion (for which he also co-wrote the music) and Brøderbund’s Where in Time is Carman San Diego?

He has done commercial voice-over for Schwab, Novell, Gallo, Lincoln-Mercury, Siemens and dozens of others and was a morning-drive radio host for then country-gospel format, KASA in Phoenix.

Beck – Modern Guilt

I don’t care if people measure Beck’s latest album with Odelay. Beck will never record another album with the magnitude of Odelay. Period. And I’m sure he doesn’t want to replicate a sound he already did.

I like this album. Beck has always strived to be uniquely Beck while at the same time not repeating his earlier works (which undoubtedly gets harder as his catalog grows). People who got hung up on Odelay simply don’t get it and have missed out on some great recordings. If you only use Beck to add some ‘cred’ to your dance mix then fine, grab Odelay and Guero, put on your Castro hat and stop reviewing future Beck albums.