What happens when you’re testing out drum sounds on new recording equipment at a new studio?  You get a top five hit, at least that’s the result from a session in June of 1970 at Strawberry Studios in Greater Manchester England.
 
The Hotleg’s #2 UK hit “Neanderthal Man” wasn’t the only result from happenstance. So was the name of the band. Eventual 10cc members Kevin Godley, Lol Crème, and Eric Stewart needed a name for their new project and as luck would have it, a woman that frequented their sessions had wonderful legs, especially in “incredible hot pants” as Strawberry studio owner and producer Eric Stewart recalled.
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10cc would go on to have massive hits in the 70’s with “Rubber Bullets,” “I’m not in Love” and “The Things We Do For Love, ” but not many remember this strange and accidental hit.   

Between 1986 and 1987 you couldn’t go anywhere in the hip hop world without hearing Biz Markie. If it was on Roxanne Shante’s “The Def Fresh Crew, ”or on his first EP or singles, the Biz seemed to be everywhere. In 1988 he released Goin’ Off  and then followed up with 1989’s The Biz Never Sleeps. Both albums featured his juvenile humor and quirky subject matter, and cemented him as one of the most original rappers from the golden age of hip hop.

“Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz” was released in 1986 on Prism Records. It was his first EP as a solo artist and produced by Marley Marl. It also featured Isaac Hayes’ “Ike's Mood 1” throughout. I loved this track, with Marley Marl’s fantastic production and his deep subwoofer popping beats. It was a great first single and showcased his potential.
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We lost Marcel Theo “Biz Markie” Hall this past Friday to complications from diabetes. He will forever be remembered for his lighthearted and humorous take on hip hop. His distinctive style can’t be replicated, and even though he was often tagged “the Clown Prince of Hip-Hop” and a novelty act, he was one of the pioneers of the genre and he will never be forgotten.   

When most folks think of Dinosaur Jr., they rightfully think of J Mascis, with his nasally voice and guitar driven alternative song writing. I don’t. And I know I’m wrong, but after I first heard You’re Living All Over Me I couldn’t escape Lou Barlow’s “Poledo, ” and how it helped turn an interesting album into a classic.

To begin with, it’s unlike anything else on the record. It’s mysterious and haunting and essentially three songs wrapped into one, with two acoustic musings that could make the finest songwriters jealous. It’s also a nearly perfect loop if you play it over again.
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Barlow would go on to form some fantastic and underrated projects in Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion, and his work would be prominently featured throughout the Kids Soundtrack. He’s one of those rare musicians that offer brilliant melancholy pop without accepting the trappings or glitz from the music business. I will always appreciate his music and I think he’s criminally underrated. ​