The same can be said about the world of underground hip hop. There has been a magical run of records from the likes of Action Bronson, Ghostface, Blueprint, Brother Ali, The Typical Cats, J-Live, Jay Electronica, Saigon, Murs & 9th Wonder, The Roots, Common, Phonte, Blu and Exile, I Self Devine, Lupe Fiasco, Pharoah Monche & countless others that have been complete game changers. Its enough for even this hardcase old soul to grant that we might be at the cusp of a new Golden Era.
And that's when I dropped the new Kid Koala record.
My jaw dropped through the floor like an acidic bathtub in Breaking Bad. The 7th Trumpet had sounded and suddenly I knew the Mayans knew what they were doing with their Calender. This record is "Deadringer" for a new generation. I remember when I first heard Bronson, we hatched the phrase "There is no longer music, only Action Bronson." Apologies to the Chef De Cuisine, but after "12-Bit Blues" there is no longer a planet Earth. Game Over (insert coins for credit).
Inspired so by this magical tidal wave of awesome that surfed so excellently upon my earwax, I am compelled to dedicate a "Sommelier's Guide" piece not to the best records of the year...but one solitary piecee of musical magic.
"5-Bit Blues" - Kid Koala - you'll want this clicked for mood from here on out.
And what better way to celebrate this Canadian excellence on the turntable, but with my most recent Canadian wine obsession. My mind was similarly blown over a recent visit to 13th Street Winery. Our most righteous host guided us through their little slice of Olympus pie, taking us from their garagiste roots, to the world class evolution they are now enjoying. So gangster. They are literally the underground MC, shying away from the mass production world of spinning rims and songs about SHOTS, to deliver hand crafted wine of the soul.
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| It would appear as though someone is reconsidering their choice of beverage |
This record, and these wines are a match made in Red Devil Hell.
Without further adieu...I give you my 12 course pairing program.
"1-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2010 Old Vines Riesling, 13th Street
"The Kid is in rare form" is heard kicking off the track, and without a doubt the term "classic" resonates throughout. Thus I go with this wine that exudes classic. I at once compared it to a 2001 Heissenberg Riesling I so enjoyed. The nose explodes with that oily/terpine quality that is quintessential riesling. Music and mood for the old soul.
"2-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2008 Premier Cuvee, 13th Street
This is the kind of toe-tapping dancehall crasher that commands you to get on the floor. What's cooler than being cool? Ice Cold. Nothing says party like this zesty fresh sparkler that brings the bubbles. Rick James might just call it a celebration.
"3-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 Gamay, 13th Street
Suddenly, things turn grimey. With the grit of a blues bar in a neighborhood you dont want to visit, you are suddenly staring down the dark heart of the soul. And you are loving every minute. Thus there is no better pairing for the adventurous spirit within, than the wild child that is this Gamay. More wild child Syrah than bubblegum Beaujolais, this is a wine for those who love that wild, gamey, bacon-fat, leesy underworld of wine. GANGSTER.
"4-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 Below Zero Riesling, 13th Street
Blues can be so smooth and so rugged in the same glorious note. This song captures that magic with an ease that's hard to wrap my head around. Meet the Below Zero. Blended icewine and old vine riesling, there is a smooth mystique wrapped in a dangerous acidity that elevates this thing into something that you need to taste to believe.
"5-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2010 Cabernet Merlot, 13th Street
The kind of blues that pours itself into a bottle because that is the only escape from the pain of a broken heart. The kind of blues that defines why we have the blues. This is that bottle you want to get lost in. Pour your heart out into its rich dark complexity...and grieve brother.
"6-Bit Blus"
Pairing: 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 13th Street
This is the soundtrack to being alone at some desserted way-station in the sweltering wastelands, awaiting a coach that just aint coming. Your companion on the journey is this thirst quenching number that screams of French Sauvignon blanc. Its hot in this hell, quench that thirst.
"7-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 13 Red, 13th Street
This is blues for the rebellious heart. The renegade of funk. The bitches bastard. Bring then this wine that takes no heed to the dogma that value-priced Niagara reds cannot be serious wines. This wine plays by no such rules, and changes the game.
"8-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 13 Pinot Noir, 13th Street
Back to the gritty, grimey heart of the blues. If grit and grime exists in grape form, it is most certainly in Pinot Noir. In its best expression it hides its inner poet, with the surly disposition of a dangerous man. Get into it.
"9-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2010 Sandstone Reserve Chardonnay
Slow blues. Buttery. Soft and alluring. I forgot if I am describing the song or the wine.
"10-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 Viognier, 13th Street
Harkens one back to a simpler time. A time when you tossed mud at the girl you were crushing on, rather than cyber bully some undeserving victim. Do we romanticize the past more than we should? Maybe...but remember when kids were kids? Speaking of romance, have you met Viognier?
"11-Bit Blues"
Pairing: 2011 June's Vineyard Riesling, 13th Street
Baby making music deserves baby making wine. Enough said.
"Denouement"
Pairing: "2011 BGPP Rose, 13th Street
The record ends as it starts. With charm, charisma and that stylish amount of real world grime. Looks just as good in a 3 piece suit as mud covered work boots. Style that comes from an authentic heart, not some insecure follower of fashion, trying so desperately to be what he is supposed to be. Thats how I feel about this wine. Flies in the face of convention. Does its own thing, and tastes so damned good along the way. Pinot rose man. The bees knees.
So here's the deal. Get yourself this record. Get some friends. Maybe a couple of enemies just to keep things spicy. Roll out the party pack of some 13th Street juice. Throw down this record on the loop. I promise you something you'll be telling your kids about...when they're 18 of course...and you're suddenly falling victim to email scams from Nigerian princes looking to get their fortunes out of Africa. Ah the Adult Diaper years...they're coming for ya. Best to live some in the interim.
