Mansi Kern and Family: Song 9

Mansi Kern and Family: Song 11

Mansi Kern and Family: Song 1

I recorded this song with Javier Ortega when we were roommates in Albuquerque, around 1999 or 2000. Over 40s, we wrote some party rhymes at Morningside, then went to cut the vocals late-night in KUNM's Studio B. This little duo rap track is the result.

Javier and I worked on a number of musical projects and performances over the years, and we'd often freestyle, but this is the only time we  tracked verses together. I can't quite remember, but this was before everyone knew Javs as DJ Classic, or Classico. He rhymed under the nom de guerre of Assassin, a friend reminded me. He was a talented and witty MC who had an easygoing flow. He never took himself too seriously in rhyme ("I drop the illest shit, ask my butt") but he could also burn you in a battle with a sharp sports or pop culture metaphor or a tongue-twisting and nuanced turn of phrase ("produce a new drink called Melon Crush"). Be at peace, my amigo.

Javier Ortega and Skinnyfat from Studio B (2000)

http://www.santafefiesta.org/about-us.html

Fiestas de Santa Fe Song by Mariachi Tenampa

Holiday Party

Chipstix

Die, Cricket at Tesuque

You've been treasure hunting on your phone
A geocache of skin and bones
The girls in line at Rain look all the same
Lets go to Scottsdale, lets take the train

Oh, Pluto. Where did you go?
Good from far, but a sad excuse for a star

Toots of Adderall focus the mind
A pick and spade do just fine
It’s not so much a sin, what is a crime?
Tiny planets align

You have your convictions, I have mine
The kids can play some other time
It’s not so much a sin, what is a crime?
Tiny orbits unwind

Pluto (Feat. Marjiel Danse and Chadd James)

A doowop shout out to my homies about unrequited love. Originally recorded on "Paper Tiger" by Felonious Groove Foundation (Penguino Records).

Cruise Line

Purchase the debut Todd and the Fox album at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toddandthefox

Things Will Be Better

Noah and I spent so much time holding the rhythm down during our performances that we needed some time to just get sloppy and loose. We loved J Dilla and Madlib, hip-hop producers who were tight as hell but had a gift for blunted beats. Noah and I recorded this on some late night excursion, Dec. 27, 2010. Noah set the vibrato to an insane level of my Fender Rhodes. I think that's my favorite part - apart, of course, from his sinister, loping melody. The photo is from this session.

Todd Eric Lovato

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