Great Music While High: Jamie Lidell

Jamie Lidell’s recent self-titled album is the super coolest combination of funk, pop, soul and electronica around. I have been a fan forever, and this is my new favorite! The first time I saw him in concert, Janelle Monae was the opening act! He puts on a killer show. He clearly loves performing and, like many performers, he loves his Portland audiences.

Lidell has a crazy, unique way of mixing together different music genres to create music that will make you dance. Add a bowl of your favorite, and get carried away in the musical layers he twines together. He can take a sound that we might not even think of as musical and use it in a tune in some mind-blowing way.

If you are a fan already, this release will not disappoint. If Jamie is new for you, this one is a great introduction to what he’s about. The catchy tune and pop beat of “Big Love” is sure to get the house clean! He rocks it in his special way on “It’s a Shame.” “Do Yourself a Favor” has that funky groove that will get your butt off the couch for sure. If he sang, “Don’t You Love Me?” to me, I’d give him another chance – dang! He is generous with his music. You can listen to the whole album for free on his website.

I understand that Lidell’s music is not for everyone. And, I get that he gets a little weird. There is no denying that even the weird stuff is at least funky in some way. I have to thank my son for showing me that electronic music can be very fun, and a co-worker for suggesting that I check out Jamie Lidell because I just might like him. Boy, do I ever! His tunes are interesting and contagious, for sure, but can we talk about how he can sing?! The man has that blue-eyed soul thing going on big time. Throw in a little gospel and beatbox, and there it is – he’s effing amazing.

He has collaborated with some great musicians in his career. Guys like Beck, bands like Feist and more have made music with him. His latest came out in late March. A version of “You Naked” will appear on a double CD out of England. It includes Drake, Rihanna and Robin Thicke, to name a few. He won an Independent Music Award in 2009 for best pop/rock album. Check him out – you just might like him. Smoke a bowl, first.

Check out other posts from Weedist’s Great Music While High series!