Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Music Review: Taj Amir

Taj Amir is a Muslim soul musician, and one of the most talented brothers i have heard. He effectively and ingeniously combines Islamic lyrics with old-school R&B and soul, and the result is excellent! His amazing voice earned him the offer of a solo career at the age of 17 by the producer of Jodeci's first album. Having just accepted Islam and decided to leave the music scene, he declined it, but began singing music with Islamic lyrics ten years later. Read his story and listen to clips of his songs on his myspace site (my favorite is "Thank U 4 Muhammad"). The best way to get to it is to first go here, then follow the link marked "website." Myspace opens up much more quickly that way. Also check out his interview with Radio Islam (scroll down to SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2006).

Monday, August 14, 2006

Top Film Soundtracks

I'm back from Florida and its wildlife. White Ibises (or is it ibix?) everywhere. They're like geese, they get in front of your car and let you wait for them to move. They're really pretty. Along with the domestic wildlife inside that shed all over me every day.

Anyways, here is my list of top movie soundtracks. This list excludes musicals and movies in which the musical numbers are a major focus (such as Disney movies or Blues Brothers).

** Disclaimer: I am talking about movie SOUNDTRACKS, not the MOVIES themselves. I like many of the following movies. Others i did not like or would not recommend, and some of these movies i haven't even seen, just heard and liked the soundtracks. Just so we get this straight.**

1. Amelie
2. Memoirs of a Geisha (hello, it's Yo Yo Ma!)
3. Last of the Mohicans
4. Forrest Gump
5. Winged Migration
6. Any James Bond Film
7. Edward Scissorhands
8. Pulp Fiction
9. Frida
10. Life is Beautiful
11. Kundun
12. Baraka
13. The Fifth Element
14. Star Wars
15. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
16. 50 First Dates
17. Bend it like Beckham
18. Tsotsi
19. Braveheart
20. Gangs of New York
21. Monsoon Wedding
22. The Piano
23. Pirates of the Caribbean
24. Romeo + Juliet (1995 or 1996 version, whatever it was)
25. Dazed and Confused

What is your favorite soundtrack?

Stay tuned for a music review later in the week.