Music: Eyedea & Abilities - First Born

          First Born is the first album of rapper Eyedea & DJ Abilities (E&A for short).  It is a concept album dealing mainly with depression and the edge of insanity.  The album questions what's real and (the big question) what does it all mean.  Putting forth that our minds reject signals it's givien that don't fit with it's form of understanding. Claiming that our perception of whats real isn't, simply because we don't experience everything that is going on around us.  These thoughts are most clearly stated on Powered Water Too (Part One).  
          It's perfect for people who feel they are more aware or more conscious than everyone around them.  People who ask themselves. "Am I going insane?" or "Is everyone else insane?"  E&A say that it is not insanity but the ultimate reality, and I agree with them.


Gems (Top Three)


1.) A Murder Of Memories - Track #8
It is a story about an old man who was sent to war when he was 18.  It shows his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and how the war has affected him.  The guilt of what he has done drives him to drink.  He can hardly sleep and when he does it's full of nightmares.  He's can't forgive himself, because he can't forget.

2.) Color My World Mine - Track #6
A story about a painter who keeps having a reoccurring nightmare. He paints himself painting himself. Claiming that it is the "only way to make himself real."  It stems from the eyedea (pun intended) that we are all works of art.  That we have been imagined by a higher being and that whatever we imagine creates life, that can in turn create more life.

3.) Birth Of A Fish - Track #3
Another story (I like story tracks) about a man who wishes he was a gold fish.  Thinking about how great it would be, because all his worries would disappear.  The fish tells him that life in the tank isn't all that he's making it to be. He then holds a conversation with his goldfish about how it's tank reminds him of his head.  By the end of the song the man has a paradigm shift which "spun his whole world around."  This song also work as a watered down explanation of what Eyedea is trying to portray in the following song, Powered Water Too.

                                                                                                    -Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy

Music: Samurai Champloo OST

          To make things a little more complete I thought I'd talk a little about the original sound tracks (OSTs).  They were mainly produce by Tsutchie, FORCE OF NATURE & Nujabes.  There's a mix of Jazz, J-Pop, RnB and (of course) Hip-Hop. All the songs used in the show perfectly depicted the emotion of the scenes.  So when you listen to the OST alone you can't help but feel.  Without the show or vocals on the tracks you can sit there and think, which then could lead you to a sort of introspective look at yourself and life. These OSTs are good for cruise music when your in your car or a smooth back drop when you have company over. (I've learned through experience that not all music without vocals can help promote conversation, some are disruptive.) Check out this guys blog Here. He did a real thorough job on covering OSTs. 

I hope you don't consider this rambling but I felt I had to recommend some music from the OST. Here's my top three;

1.) Obokuri Eeumi (Obtain Bearing) By Ikue Asazaki

The number one song for me isn't even on any of the sound tracks. To be honest I was surprised when it wasn't, because this song was used in such an important scene in the series. Either which way it's my number one. It is considered folk but it is a very emotional piece.  Even though I don't understand her words this song moved me.  It is very hard to explain, but once you hear it  you can clearly see how music is the universal language.   

2.) You by Kazami  (Produce by Tsutchie) on the Samurai Champloo Music Record - Masta OST.
This is one of those song I will get laughed at for liking, but it's a really good song.  Kazami sings in English and (what I assume is) Japanese.  (It's the English that gets my balls busted.) If I remember correctly it was used for the end credits of a single episode. Very self empowering and cherishing every moment type of song.

3.) Mystline by Nujabes (No Vocals) on the Samurai Champloo Music Record - Departure OST.
With me telling you how great the non-vocal tracks are, I kind of find it funny that it was the last of my top three. Nonetheless, It is a perfect example of the thought provoking power behind these songs.  Simple & Smooth, but never boring.

BONUS! Obokuri Eeumi (Obtain Bearing) Remix by AfroBeat Productions
Not an official song that's on any OST but this guy is a talented producer from Saint Louis. He messes with Anime OST as well as Video Game OST to make remix versions. All his remixes can hold their own when compared to their original counter part. Afro in pure Champloo Style mixed it up to produce this Hip-Hop version of Obtain Bearing without losing the tranquility and essence that made the original number one. (In my list)

                                                                                                    -Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy

Couldn't Wait - Anime Review: Samurai Champloo

          Any one who knows me knows, I'm a music lover and an anime junkie.  With that said if you haven't heard of or seen Samurai Champloo; I definitely recommend you pick it up, watch it on Netflix, rent it, borrow it, what ever. It's (as the name implies) about samurai's.  It take place in Japan during the edo period.  What catches my attention is how Shinichirō Watanabe incorporated Hip-Hop elements to the characters and overall story.  For example the fighting style of Mugen which strongly resembles break dancing and the score being produce by Japanese Hip-Hop producers. 
          Each episode in the series was so well written (IMO) that they could be watched in any order and can stand alone.  The reason is that the driving force of the over all show was to search for "the samurai who smells of sunflowers"  Which has our heroes bouncing from place to place trying to track him down.  Their adventure is very similar to someone back packing through Europe (or any foreign country) because they are shown struggling with money, not having enough to eat or sleep at town inns.  Which forces them to do odd jobs to get by so they can move on.  
          The show also has a human element to it.  With themes like loneliness, sex trade, death, homosexuality, surviving your children, hard upbringing, sacrifice (Etc.), but there are positive tones here too like family, honor, love, free will, and following your heart.  This well Champloo (mix) made this show great and one of my personal favorites.

-Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy

Day One

Let me start by letting you guys know what to expect here at Happy-Robot.  Music, but mainly Hip-Hop, Anime, Movies, Video Games and Life.

                                                                                                    -Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy