HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VOLUME III
Our latest update to the “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” Spotify playlist series returns with a slightly linear array of deep listening cuts straight from the Total Trash Instagram page. This volume includes cuts across reggae, jazz, and punk, as well as some outlier curveballs that come with the guarantee of heavy replay value.
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)(2010)
Erykah Badu’s stature in contemporary R&B has been overwhelmingly powerful for over twenty years. In that time, her creativity has evolved in numerous ways, with her second opus arriving through the futuristic magnificence of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010). Her fifth record is a glorious homage to her soulful hip-hop roots, and effortlessly ties together all of the most rewarding elements of her iconic legacy.
Stepping into Tomorrow: A Profile on DIY Experimentalists Leah & Blake Saint David
Chicago producer, Composuresquad, has been a leader in the local DIY nightlife scene for years. He is one of the top sought-after DJ’s in city limits, and has hosted many of the most memorable events that have occurred in the past decade. On the latest edition of “The Junkyard,” Composure sets out to interview Leah and Blake Saint David, two members of a versatile rising collective of DIY artists that are on the verge of re-defining experimental music in the 312.
Junkyard Cuts: Blue Dawn
“Junkyard Cuts: Blue Dawn” is the first linear playlist curation from your trusted auditory guides at Total Trash HQ. Spanning across several years, countries, and fifty total songs, this Spotify Playlist ties ‘70s soul, rock n’ roll, freak folk, and library music together through a common bond of psychedelia. Kick back and give it a listen, and be sure to follow our Spotify account for future related content.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VOLUME I
“Scraps” is the newest addition to our site. This section will feature playlists, mixes, compilations, etc, all curated by your friends at Total Trash. Our first share is a Spotify playlist, Highly Recommended Volume I, an eclectic compilation of the first 20 [digitally streaming] songs we have ‘highly recommended’ to our Instagram following. Dig in to 95 straight minutes featuring tracks from a handful of artists we have covered, old soul classics, some of the toughest acts DIY punk has to offer, and more!
Return of the Mac (2007)
2007 was an opportune time for Mobb Deep’s Prodigy & The Alchemist to collaborate. While The Alchemist was just beginning to create the base for an exceptional legacy, Mobb Deep had already cemented their stature as a pillar in hip-hop culture. The Alchemist & Prodigy’s first full-length album together, Return of the Mac, remains an overlooked center point that bridges the gap between two decades of groundbreaking rap music.
Knowledge & Power (2021)
Rising Chicago MC Philmore Greene is from a generation of hip-hop powered by competition and big ego. Although Greene has the skill and intelligence to potentially wear the crown, his initiative to lead by example sets him apart from other rappers with a similar style. On his new record, Knowledge & Power, Greene continues to pull influence from the traditional hip-hop blueprint, but uses his own personal experience to craft a compelling and inspirational body of work.
Here, My Dear (1978)
Marvin Gaye cemented his legacy as a giant in modern music with his politically charged masterpiece, What's Going On, along with his classic love ballads, like "Let’s Get it On". In contrast, Gaye's 1978 soul/disco crossover, Here, My Dear, has remained relatively unnoticed for decades, hidden under the shadow of his more popular records. A complex and public divorce serves as the focus of this psychedelic soul deep-cut, resulting in one of the most humanizing artistic statements in Gaye’s epic career.