The Cutlet Appreciation Blog

I have the sudden urge to fight crime with a Dodge Viper

Marco — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:24:20 +0000

Nostalgia is a big thing. I’ve been searching around for info on the Viper Defender show from about ’94. I have the movie on tape somewhere and maybe a couple of episodes of the first series (which is all was shown on Australian TV).

The whole concept was that some bloke who had his legs shot in a cop shootout designed this car (Dodge Viper) that would stop crime without hurting people, but it was impossible to handle and all the drivers he tested failed. The project was about to be canned, so the Mayor of the city took an unprecedented step of surgically transforming a known criminal who was a brilliant driver into a good guy, and deleting his old memory. He fits the car brilliantly and starts fighting crime in the form of a group called the Outfit, who are linked to the Mayor (yep, he corrupt). The Outfit knows what’s going on so they blow up the driver’s girlfriend and throw the Mayor off of a bridge. The driver figures out there is something wrong and jeopardises the whole project. Anyway, it works out in end and the series was born.

I think the show was mainly used to push sales of the Dodge Viper, which, was a bloody cool car. The car would transform from the regular red Viper RT-10 to some crazy non-existent Defender Viper. It could therefore go undercover (unless the crims knew a red Viper was tailing them I guess). I just found out they later switched to a GTS, probably so they could push those (sweat blue with white racing stripes).

Anyway, if you don’t know, now you know.

Planet Funk is back

Marco — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 09:20:48 +0000

Time to spin a couple of Planet Funk clips. I have big time admiration for these Italian dudes who hit up the dance scene a couple of years back with their first album Non-Zero Sumness. That album had Chase the Sun, Who Said, the Switch and Inside All the People. Chase the Sun still gets burn at the certain nighclubs.

Planet Funk – Chase the Sun (2001)

In ’05 Planet Funk were back with a new album, Illogical Consequence, and a change in direction. They’ve moved into that whole rock/dance scene and the album is quite good. For some reason it hasn’t been released in Australia.

Planet Funk – Everyday (2005)

UPDATE: Looks like they’re back for a third go. An album called Static and a new single.

Planet Funk – It’s Your Time (2006)

Is hip-hop dead?

Marco — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 09:09:51 +0000

The Nas track Hip-hop is Dead is getting a lot of spin at the moment on Aussie TV. Nas makes the point that rap as we knew it has gone and the buck has ruled. Creativity is gone. The title and subject matter has caused a heap of controversy and some rappers have gone far as to criticise that notice after taking offence. They of course see themselves as people that are hip-hop currently and people that will move it forward.

Hip-hop certainly isn’t dead, but I can see Nas’s point – the creativity is gone and there is a lot of crap out there. Whether this is just a slump or whether it is something more critical remains to be seen. Rock music has gotten out of its slump, so rap will too. We just need the creative rhymers and producers to get pushing forward.

Nas – Hip-hop is Dead (2007)

Oh boy, Cam’ron’s probably done

Marco — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:12:58 +0000

Cam’ron’s been on a downhill slide for some time. This clip though from his album Come Home With Me reminds me of better times. That album was great, with Oh Boy and Hey Ma, plus some other great tracks. This video has Dame Dash on it too! Boy, talk about blokes who are probably washed up, off of the Def Jam roster and out of favour with Jigga. At that time, the Dipset was blowing up, and Cam rode around in a pink Range Rover. I’m pretty sure that he also released that blue crap on the clip as a fragrance, and was trying to hook up a deal to sell some sizzurp (think Flaming Moes-type drink). Now he’s struggling to sell units and is dissing Jay-Z every chance he gets. Still, I will remember this period fondly.

Cam’ron ft Juelz Santana – Oh Boy (2002)

Sooty circa 80s

Marco — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:47:29 +0000

I used to watch this stuff.

Luda

Marco — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:03:08 +0000

It wasn’t long before I posted Luda huh? (You knew it was coming). Check out my favourite clip of his. The whole thing is great, interesting camera angles, humour, hoes, waving elboys and an upside down Luda with afro. From his major label debut ‘Back for the First Time’.

Ludacris – Southern Hospitality (2000)

The Infadels

Marco — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:57:10 +0000

From the Infadels – We Are Not the Infadels.

The Infadels – Jagger ’67 (2006)

And my favourite and their big hit. Don’t get hit by tomatos.

The Infadels – I Can’t Get Enough (2006)

Me too

Marco — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:14:23 +0000

Clipse’s follow album is Hell Hath No Fury and was released about 4 years after their debut Lord Willin’ (which was banging – I love that album). Hell is not as good and the singles aren’t great (Wamp Wamp is in there though). He’s the first of that album. It’s no Gridin’ but it will doo.

Clipse – Mr Me Too (2006)

Cut Copy

Marco — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:05:18 +0000

Cut Copy. From Melbourne. Album is Bright Like Neon Love and started off slow in terms of publicity (I think it was released in ’04) but is getting heaps now (it’s in all the CD shops now). My favourite track of theirs right now is Future.

Cut Copy – Future (2005)

Bitch I’m the boss!

Marco — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 04:57:38 +0000

Cash Money still a company. I don’t really listen to the lyrics but the track is not bad and the hook is catchy. Plus there is an explosion at the end.

Lil’ Wayne ft Baby – Stuntin’ Like My Daddy (2006)